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Sima Wei (Jingyao)
Sima Wei (simplified Chinese: 司马威; traditional Chinese: 司馬威; died c.July 301), courtesy name Jingyao (景曜),[4] childhood name A-pi (阿皮), was a son of Sima Hong (Prince Ping of Hejian), a grandson of Sima Wang (Prince Cheng of Yiyang), and a great-grandson of Sima Fu, Prince Xian of Anping and a younger brother of Sima Yi, regent of the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms era. Besides his heritage, Sima Wei was best known for being one of a few people (possibly the only one) to be requested for execution by Emperor Hui of Jin. Background and life under Emperor WuSima Wei was born to Sima Hong in an unknown year. When Sima Hong's second cousin Sima Yan (Emperor Wu and son of Sima Zhao) usurped the throne from Cao Huan in February 266, Sima Hong, together with his younger brother Sima Mao, father, uncles and grandfather, were made princes on 9 February.[5] Sima Wang died in August 271, while Sima Fu died in April the following year. Sima Hong died on 7 March 276, and Sima Wei inherited his princedom.[6] In October 277, the title of Prince of Hejian was given to Wei's cousin Sima Yong, while Sima Wei was appointed Prince of Zhangwu. In June or July 288, Sima Qi, son of Sima Yi (Wang's eldest son), lost his title of Prince of Yiyang due to an offence.[7] Sima Wei was then appointed Prince of Yiyang. During Emperor Hui's reign and deathIn May 290, just under two years after Wei was appointed Prince of Yiyang, Emperor Wu died. Emperor Wu's successor, Emperor Hui was developmentally disabled; his reign saw a series of regents who ruled on his behalf. Sima Wei's activities during the regencies of Yang Jun, Sima Liang and Wei Guan (who were co-regents), and Emperor Hui's wife Empress Jia Nanfeng, were poorly documented. He obtained his first position towards the end of the Yuan'kang era (291-299).[8] In May 300, Sima Lun the Prince of Zhao deposed Empress Jia in a coup. Sima Wei then aligned himself with Lun. In late January 301, Sima Lun was ready to usurp the throne. He dispatched Sima Wei to force Emperor Hui to relinquish the imperial seal. On 3 February, Lun declared himself emperor.[9] However, Sima Lun was unpopular as emperor. By late April or early May 301, the situation for Lun gradually worsened as Sima Ying won the Battle of Huangqiao and crossed the Yellow River to approach Luoyang. Officials in the capital were also beginning to openly express their frustration over Sima Lun and Sun Xiu, causing Sun to hole himself up in his office out of fear. Sun only moved to the office of the Masters of Writing after Sima Wei called him to discuss strategy. They ordered a full conscription of men in Luoyang to follow Sima Lun in battle. However, the conscripts later urged Sima Wei to kill Sun; Wei refused by secretly fleeing to his residence.[10] Sima Lun was deposed on 30 May and forced to commit suicide six days later on 5 June.[11] After his restoration to the throne, Emperor Hui said, "A-Pi broke my fingers, and stole my seal; he must be killed." Thus, Sima Wei was executed.[12] After his death, Sima Qi was made Prince of Jiyang to serve as Sima Wang's heir.[13] References
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