Sima Ying was the sixth of eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes.
25 Facts About Sima Ying
1.
2.
Sima Ying's title was the Prince of Chengdu, but he did not receive any posthumous names.
4.
Sima Ying allied himself with Sima Yong to gain control of Emperor Hui from Sima Jiong and later the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai, eventually succeeding in 304.
5.
Sima Ying attempted to flee back to Hebei in 306, but was captured and executed.
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Sima Ying was Sima Yan's 16th son, by his concubine Consort Cheng.
7.
Sima Ying was handsome but not much more intelligent than his developmentally disabled half-brother Emperor Hui.
8.
At Lu's suggestion, Sima Ying declared for the rebellion as well, and as Sima Jiong's forces were stuck in a stalemate against Sima Lun's troops, Sima Ying defeated the other wing of Sima Lun's forces, causing them to collapse.
9.
Sima Ying Lun was captured by officials in Luoyang who declared for the rebellion as well, and forced to issue an edict returning the throne to Emperor Hui.
10.
Some thought that a power balance that Emperor Wu had hoped for at his death might be restored, as Princes Jiong and Sima Ying were each given regent titles, and many talented officials were promoted into important positions.
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However, the Princes Jiong and Sima Ying were actually apprehensive of each other's power, and Prince Sima Ying decided to yield the central government regency to Prince Jiong at the time and return to his defense post at Yecheng.
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Sima Ying had his sons created princes, and ran the matters of the central government from his mansion, rarely visiting the emperor or attending the imperial meetings.
13.
Sima Ying enlarged his mansion to be as large as the palace, and he entrusted matters to people who were close to him, and would not change his ways even when some of his more honest associates tried to change his behavior.
14.
In winter 302, Sima Yong declared his rebellion, and Sima Ying soon joined, despite opposition from Lu Zhi.
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Sima Ai became the effective regent, but in order to reduce opposition, he submitted all important matters to Sima Ying, still stationed at Yecheng.
16.
Sima Ying became in effective control of the government, but continued to control it remotely from Yecheng.
17.
Sima Ying soon ordered Emperor Hui's second wife, Yang Xianrong, and his crown prince Sima Tan, deposed.
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Sima Ying put people he trusted in charge of the defenses of Luoyang, while remotely controlling the government from Yecheng.
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Sima Ying did not return Emperor Hui to Luoyang, but kept him at Yecheng.
20.
Sima Ying was forced to flee to Luoyang with Emperor Hui, now without troops to support him.
21.
Once Sima Ying arrived in Luoyang, he found the troops of his ally Sima Yong there, commanded by Zhang Fang.
22.
Sima Ying was demoted back to being the Prince of Chengdu.
23.
Soon, Zhang forced Emperor Hui, Crown Prince Chi, and Sima Ying to move from Luoyang to Chang'an, safely under Sima Yong's control.
25.
The defender of that city, Sima Xiao the Prince of Fanyang, imprisoned Sima Ying but did not wish to kill him.