“It was from fear of this man that my brother Xiahou Ba was forced to go over to Shu,” said Xiahou Xuan. “If Sima Shi were destroyed, my brother could return. I belong to a family related to the rulers of the state for many generations, and I cannot sit still while a wretch ruins the government. Put my name in the command as well, and we will work together to remove him.”
“But I am afraid we can not overcome him,” said Cao Fang.
They wept and said, “We pledge ourselves to work together for the destruction of the tyrant, and to show our gratitude to Your Majesty.”
Cao Fang them stripped himself of his innermost garment, gnawed his finger till the blood flowed, and with his finger-tip traced a command in blood.
He gave it to his father-in-law, Zhang Qi, saying, “My ancestor, the Emperor Cao, put to death Dong Cheng for just such a matter as this, so you must be exceedingly careful and maintain the greatest secrecy.”
“Oh, why use such ill-omened words?” cried Li Feng. “We are not like Dong Cheng, and Sima Shi cannot compare to the Founder. Have no doubts.”
The three conspirators took leave and went out carrying the edict with them. Beside the Donghua Gate of the palace, they saw Sima Shi coming to meet them wearing a sword. Following him were many armed guards. The three ministers took the side of the road to let the party go by.
“Why are you three so late in leaving the Palace?” asked Sima Shi.
“His Majesty was reading, and we stayed with him,” said Li Feng.
“What was he reading?”
“The histories of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.”
“What questions did the Emperor ask as he read those books?”
“He asked about Yi Yin and how he upheld the Shang; and the Duke of Zhou, how he acted when he was regent. And we told His Majesty that you were both Yi Yin and Duke Zhou to him.”
Sima Shi smiled grimly and said, “Why did you compare me with those two when in your hearts you think me a rebel like Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo?”
“How should we dare when we are your subordinates?” said the three ministers.
“You are a lot of flatterers,” said Sima Shi, angrily. “And what were you crying about in that private chamber with the Emperor?”
“We did no such thing.”
“Your eyes are still red; you cannot deny that.”
Xiahou Xuan then knew that the secrecy had been showed, so he broke out into a volley of abuse, crying, “Well, we were crying because of your conduct, because you terrorize over the Emperor and are scheming to usurp the Throne.”
“Seize him!” roared Sima Shi.
Xiahou Xuan threw back his sleeves and struck at Sima Shi with his fists, but the lictors pulled him back. Then the three were searched, and on Zhang Qi was found the blood-stained garment of the Emperor. They handed it to their chief, who recognized the object of his search, the secret edict. It said:
Sima Shi, more angry than ever, said, “So you wish to destroy me and my brother. This is too much!”
He ordered his followers to execute the three on the public ground by waist-bisection and to destroy their whole clans.
The three reviled without ceasing. On the way to the place of execution, they ground their teeth with rage, spitting out the pieces they broke off. They died muttering curses.
Sima Shi then went to the rear apartments of the palace, where he found the Emperor talking with his Consort. Just as he entered, she was saying to the Emperor, “The palace is full of spies, and if this comes out, it will mean trouble for me.”
Sima Shi strode in, sword in hand.
“My father placed Your Majesty on the throne, a service no less worthy than that of Duke Zhou; I have served Your Majesty as Yi Yin served his master. Now is kindness met by enmity and service regarded as a fault. Your Majesty has plotted with two or three insignificant officials to slay me and my brother. Why is this?”
“I had no such intention,” said Cao Fang.
In reply Sima Shi drew the garment from his sleeve and threw it on the ground.
“Who did this?”
Cao Fang was overwhelmed; his soul flew beyond the skies, his spirit lied to the ninth heaven.
Shaking with fear, he said, “I was forced into it. How could I think of such a thing?”
“To slander ministers by charging them with rebellion is an aggravated crime,” said Sima Shi.
Cao Fang knelt at his feet, saying, “Yes; I am guilty; forgive me.”
“I beg Your Majesty to rise; the laws must be respected.”
