Assessing the Jin dynasty of the Sima Yi family in the past, there is an opinion that this dynasty is essentially a history of usurpation.
In fact, Chinese history has also recorded many bloody events of usurping the throne.
There are even some characters who ascended the throne by usurping the throne but still received a lot of praise.
So what is the reason that caused the Jin dynasty of the Sima Yi family to receive so much criticism?
According to the opinion of the historical analysis site Qulishi (China), the reason why the Sima family’s imperial career is constantly criticized by people comes from the following reasons.
Assessment of motives: The Sima family took the usurpation of the throne as their goal
In China’s feudal history, there were many characters who plotted to usurp the throne.
In the past, Vuong Man usurped the Han Dynasty because by the end of the Western Han Dynasty, the world was in chaos, the court was corrupt, and the Emperor was weak and promiscuous.
At this time, the people need a capable minister to step up to save the situation and the people.
So although in the end, he and his new dynasty not only could not save the situation but also caused more chaos, Vuong Man at the time of his initial accession to the throne could still be considered popular with the people.
When Cao Cao was in power, it was also at a time when Eastern Han was so corrupt that it was difficult to save.
Although it is said that Cao Cao took the command of the Prince of Heaven as a vassal, he indeed made great contributions in improving the lives of ordinary people.
Therefore, later when Cao Pi inherited power and usurped Han, regardless of whether the Cao family forced the king to cede the throne or the Han Xian Emperor voluntarily offered up the throne, this was also considered a very appropriate transition step.
But the case of the Sima family is not like that.
That’s why now, when mentioning the key figures of that family, people often attach to them sayings describing their cleverness, tricks, and stubbornness.
For example, Sima Yi with `lang co chi xiong` (only people with ambition), or `Sima Zhao’s heart, passersby also know`.
These sentences all mean that the Sima family usurped the throne at a time when it was not chaotic, and their purpose did not come from saving the world or pitying sentient beings.
Because at that time, the Cao Wei government still received a lot of support.
Therefore, the Sima family’s motive for usurping the throne was actually self-interested, so they encountered a lot of condemnation from people.
Evaluation of the process: The Sima family committed too many killings during their time in power
According to Qulishi’s opinion, every step on the Sima family’s path to usurping the throne trampled on the blood and bones of many people.
In the past, Sima Yi launched a coup in Cao Binh, killing Cao Shuang’s family and all his fellow party members, and then destroyed the party of Tu Khong Vuong Lang.
Not only that, he also used the story of killing Vuong Lang to put the entire Cao family under house arrest in Nghiep Thanh.
Later, when Sima Su was still in power, he also exterminated Ly Phong, Thai Tuong Ha Hau Huyen, Quang Loc Dai Phu Truong Tap… Those who expressed disapproval were even exiled to the three clans.
Looking from the above evidence, it is not difficult to see that the Sima family, even before they held power, carried out many court bloodbaths, even outright abolishing the Emperor.
Afterwards, Sima Zhao, when he was regent, not only killed the minister but also ordered his subordinates to arbitrarily kill Emperor Cao Mao.
Thus, during the entire process of usurping the throne, the Sima family abolished two generations of Emperors, killed a king, and also massacred countless courtiers.
With such violent and bloody tactics, it is not difficult to understand that the Sima Dynasty’s Jin Dynasty was later condemned by posterity.
Evaluation of the results: The Sima family was the cause of the next period of chaos in Chinese history
There is an opinion that, if after usurping the throne, the Sima family could rule their dynasty better, posterity would not condemn them so much.
In fact, in the past, Ly The Dan murdered his brother and forced his biological father to give up the throne.
Similarly, the founding Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Trieu Khuong Dan, once took over the country from the Later Zhou Dynasty.
However, the Sima dynasty, after seizing power from Cao Wei, promoted the division system to keep power in the hands of their family.
In the past, the Han Dynasty spent a lot of effort to abolish this royal regime.
The result of promoting division and appointing many kings was the `Eight Kings Rebellion` – the origin of the `Five Lakes Rebellion`, causing China to continue falling into a period of separation and conflict that lasted for more than a year.
From the above evidence, it is not difficult to see that the Jin dynasty of the Sima family was not highly appreciated by posterity.
*From Qulishi’s perspective (China)