32 Facts About Sima Zhi

Sima Zhi previously served under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Sima Zhi was from Wen County, Henei Commandery, which is present-day Wen County, Henan.

Sima Zhi was a distant cousin of Sima Lang and Sima Yi, whose descendants became the ruling family of the Jin dynasty.

Originally a scholar, Sima Zhi had to leave home when chaos broke out throughout China in the final decades of the Eastern Han dynasty.

Sima Zhi later found a cart for his mother to ride as they continued their journey towards the south.

Sima Zhi lived in Jing Province for over ten years and spent his time farming.

Sima Zhi's subordinates felt intimidated by the inspector so they agreed to serve in the army in place of Liu Jie's retainers.

When Sima Zhi found out, he wrote to Hao Guang, the Administrator of Jinan Commandery, to explain the situation and expose Liu Jie's wrongdoings.

Hao Guang, who respected and trusted Sima Zhi, realised that Liu Jie was in the wrong so he ordered Liu Jie to serve in the army.

Sima Zhi later became the Prefect of Guangping County.

Liu Xun once wrote a letter to Sima Zhi, without signing off, to ask him for favours.

Sima Zhi ignored Liu Xun and continued to do everything by the book.

Sima Zhi, who was unaffected by the incident, received praise for his wisdom in choosing to distance himself from Liu Xun.

Sima Zhi later served as a dalizheng in Cao Cao's vassal kingdom of Wei after Emperor Xian enfeoffed the warlord as a vassal king in the year 216.

Sima Zhi had already been arrested and thrown into prison for interrogation.

Sima Zhi was later reassigned to be the Administrator of Ganling, Pei and Yangping commanderies.

Sima Zhi continued serving in the state of Cao Wei, established by Cao Cao's son Cao Pi, after the end of the Eastern Han dynasty in late 220.

Sima Zhi managed to convince Cao Pi to restore the wuzhu coinage, which was previously used in the Han dynasty, as an official currency of the Cao Wei state.

On one occasion, a palace official wanted a favour from Sima Zhi but was afraid to ask him directly, so he requested Dong Zhao, an uncle of Sima Zhi's wife, to ask on his behalf.

However, Dong Zhao felt intimidated by Sima Zhi and did not ask him.

Sima Zhi's subordinates heeded his words and worked diligently and faithfully.

In one incident, a sentry serving under one of Sima Zhi's subordinates was arrested on suspicions of stealing a hairstick.

Sima Zhi did not inform Cao Rui about the Grand Empress Dowager's interference in the case.

Sima Zhi served as the Intendant of Henan for 11 years.

Sima Zhi was later restored to government service as Minister of Finance.

Sima Zhi assessed the situation and wrote a memorial to Cao Rui:.

Sima Zhi should make the agricultural industry a top priority and recognise the importance of agriculture.

Sima Zhi's family did not have any excess wealth at the time of his death.

Sima Zhi initially served as an assistant official in Henan before he was reassigned to be a judicial officer.

Sima Zhi was promoted to the position of Minister of Justice.

When Sima Zhi Qi was Minister of Justice, the regent Cao Shuang monopolised power and controlled the Wei central government along with his supporters such as He Yan and Deng Yang.

Sima Zhi Zhao served as a Master of Writing and as the Inspector of Ji Province during the Taikang era of the reign of Emperor Wu in the Jin dynasty.