。〃
These were his last words。 A flood of tears gushed forth； and Cao Pi sank back on the couch dead。 He was forty years of age and had reigned seven years （AD 229）。
The four ministers raised the wailing for the dead and forthwith busied themselves with setting up Cao Rui as the Emperor of Great Wei。 The late Emperor received the posthumous style of 〃Emperor Pi〃。 The late Empress； the consort who had suffered death； was styled 〃Empress Zhen〃。
Honors were distributed freely in celebration of the new reign。 Zhong Yao was made Imperial Guardian； Cao Zhen； Regent Marshal； Cao Xiu； Minister of War； Hua Xin； Grand mander； Wang Lang； Minister of the Interior； Chen Qun； Minister of Works； Sima Yi； Imperial mander of the Flying Cavalry； and many others； conspicuous and obscure； were promoted。 A general amnesty was declared throughout all the land。
About this time a vacancy existed in the mandership of Yongzhou and Liangzhou。 Sima Yi asked for the post and got it。 He left for his new office as soon as he had received the appointment。 All military affairs of the west were now under his mand。
In due time the news of all these doings reached Zhuge Liang and perturbed him not a little。
He was anxious； saying； 〃Cao Pi is dead； and his son Cao Rui has succeeded him。 But that is not my concern。 Only I am worried about Sima Yi； who is very crafty and skillful in the art of war； and who； in mand of all western forces of Yongzhou and Liangzhou； may prove a serious danger to Shu。 This Sima Yi ought to be attacked at once。〃
Counselor Ma Su spoke of this matter。 〃You； O Prime Minister； have just returned from an arduous and exhausting expedition； and you should take time to recuperate before you undertake such another。 However； I have a scheme by which Cao Rui may be brought to work the destruction of Sima Yi。 May I lay it before you？〃
〃What plan have you？〃 said he。
〃The young emperor has no confidence in Sima Yi although Sima Yi is a high minister of state。 Now send someone secretly to Luoyang and Yejun to disseminate reports that Sima Yi is about to rebel。 Further； prepare a proclamation in his name and post it up so as to cause Cao Rui to mistrust him and put him to death。〃
Zhuge Liang adopted the suggestion。
Whence it came about that many notices suddenly appeared； and one found its way to the city gate of Yejun。 The wardens of the gate took it down and sent it to Cao Rui。 This is what it said：
〃I； Sima Yi； Imperial mander of the Flying Cavalry； mander of the Forces of Yongzhou and Liangzhou； confident in the universal principles of right； now inform the empire； saying：
〃The Founder of this Dynasty； Emperor Cao； established himself with the design of recurring the empire to the Lord of Linzi； Cao Zhi。 Unfortunately； calumny spread abroad； and the Dragon Ruler could not manifest himself for many years。 Emperor Cao's grandson； Cao Rui； does not follow a virtuous course； though sitting in the high place； and has not fulfilled the great intention of his ancestor。 Now I； in accordance with the will of Heaven and favoring the desires of the people； have decided upon a day to set my army in motion in order to secure the wish of the people。 When that day arrives； I call upon each one to gather to his lord； and I will destroy utterly the family of any who shall disobey。 You are hereby informed that you may all know。〃
This document frightened the young Emperor； and he turned pale。 At once he called a council of his officials to consider it。
Hua Xin said； 〃That was the reason for his having requested the mandership of Yongzhou and Liangzhou。 Now Emperor Cao； the Founder of Great Wei； frequently said to me that Sima Yi was ambitious and hungry； and should not be entrusted with military authority lest he harm the state。 This is the first beginning of rebellion； and the author should be put to death。〃
Wang Lang said； 〃Sima Yi is a master of strategy and skilled in tactics。 Moreover； he is ambitious and will cause mischief if he be allowed to live。〃
Wherefore Cao Rui wrote a mand to raise an army； which he would lead to punish the minister。
Suddenly Cao Zhen stood forth from the rank of military officers and said； 〃What you advise is impossible。 His Late Majesty； Emperor Pi； confided his son to the care of certain officers of state； of whom Sima Yi is one； wherefore it is certain that he felt sure of Sima Yi's probity。 So far nothing is known certainly。 If you hastily send an army to repress him； you may force him into rebellion。 This may be but one of the base tricks of Shu or Wu to cause dissension in our midst so that occasion be found to further their own aims。 As no one knows； I pray Your Majesty reflect before you do anything。〃
〃Supposing Sima Yi really contemplates a revolt。 What then？〃 said Cao Rui。
Cao Zhen replied； 〃If Your Majesty suspects him； then do as did Liu Bang the Supreme Ancestor of Han when； under pretense of taking a trip on the Lake Yunmeng； he summoned his vassals………and seized Han Xin； who had been denounced。 Go to Anyi； Sima Yi will assuredly e out to meet you； and his actions and demeanor may be watched closely。 He can be arrested if needed。〃
Cao Rui changed his mind。 Leaving Cao Zhen to regulate the affairs of state； the young Emperor went out with the Imperial Guards； to the number of one hundred thousand； and traveled to Anyi。
Ignorant of the reason of the Emperor's ing； and anxious to show off his dignity； Sima Yi went to wele his ruler in all the pomp of a mander of a great army of one hundred thousand。
As Sima Yi approached； the courtiers told the Emperor； saying； 〃Sima Yi's defection is certain since such a large army can only mean that he is prepared to resist。〃
Whereupon Cao Xiu； with a large force； was sent in front to meet him。 Sima Yi thought the Imperial Chariot was ing； and he advanced alone and stood humbly by the roadside till Cao Xiu came up。
Cao Xiu advanced and said； 〃Friend； His Late Majesty entrusted you with the heavy responsibility of caring for his son。 Why are you in revolt？〃
Sima Yi turned pale； and a cold sweat broke out all over him as he asked the reason for such a charge。 Cao Xiu told him what had occurred。
〃This is a vile plot on the part of our rivals； Shu and Wu； to cause dissension；〃 said Sima Yi。 〃It is a design to make the Emperor work evil upon his ministers that thereby another may profit。 I must see the Son of Heaven and explain。〃
Ordering his army to retire； Sima Yi went forward alone to the Emperor's chariot。
Sima Yi bowed low and said； weeping； 〃His Late Majesty gave me charge of his son。 Could I betray him？ This is a wile of the enemy。 I crave permission to lead an army； first to destroy Shu and then to attack Wu； whereby to show my gratitude to the late Emperor and Your Majesty and manifest my own true heart。〃
However； Cao Rui did not feel quite convinced； and Hua Xin said； 〃In any case withdraw his military powers and let him go into retirement。〃
And thus it was decided。 Sima Yi was forced to retire to his native village。 Cao Xiu succeeded to his mand； and Cao Rui returned to Luoyang。
The news was soon reported to Shu。 Zhuge Liang rejoiced when they told him of the success that had attended the ruse。
〃Sima Yi and the forces he manded in Yongzhou and Liangzhou have been the obstacles in my long…wished…for attack on Wei。 Now he has fallen； I have no more anxiety。〃
At the first great assembly of officers at court； Zhuge Liang stepped forth and presented to the Ruler of Shu a memorial on the expedition he contemplated。
〃The First Ruler had acplished but half his great task at his death。 At this moment the empire is in three parts； and our country is weak； it is a most critical moment for us。 Still； ministers are not remiss in the capital； and loyal and devoted soldiers sacrifice their lives abroad； for they still remember the special kindness of the First Ruler and wish to show their gratitude to him by service to Your Majesty。 Therefore it would be indeed fitting that you should extend your holy virtue to glorify his virtuous memory in the stimulation of the will of your purposeful officers。 Your Majesty should not lose yourself in the pursuit of mean things； quoting phrases to confound the eternal principles of rectitude； and so preventing remonstrance from honest pe