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Soon　after　this；　Cao　Shuang　proposed　to　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　Cao　Fang；　to　visit　the　Gaoping　Tombs　where　his　father　lay　and　perform　the　filial　sacrifices　in　person。　So　they　went；　a　goodly　pany　of　officers　in　the　train　of　the　imperial　chariot；　and　Cao　Shuang　with　all　his　brothers　and　his　friends　went　with　the　guards。
Huan　Fan；　Minister　of　Agriculture；　entreated　him　to　remain　in　the　city　for　fear　of　plots　and　risings。
〃Your　Lordship　are　in　charge　of　the　capital　security；　and　you　and　your　brothers　should　not　leave　the　city　together。　Suppose　there　were　a　revolt；　what　then？〃
But　Cao　Shuang　asked　angrily　and　rudely；　〃Who　would　dare　make　trouble？　Hold　your　wild　tongue！〃
And　he　went　with　the　Emperor。
His　departure　rejoiced　the　heart　of　Sima　Yi；　who　at　once　began　quietly　to　muster　his　trusty　friends　and　henchmen　and　put　the　finishing　touches　to　the　plot　for　the　overthrow　of　his　rival。

Now　terminates　his　forced　inaction；
He　must　destroy　the　hostile　faction。

Cao　Shuang's　fate　will　appear　in　the　next　chapter。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　107　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　107
　Chapter　107
The　Ruler　of　Wei　Hands　Over　The　Power　To　Sima　Yi；
Jiang　Wei　Is　Defeated　At　Ox　Head　Hills。
Sima　Yi　was　very　pleased　to　hear　that　Cao　Shuang　and　his　party　were　to　follow　the　Ruler　of　Wei　on　a　visit　to　the　tombs　bined　with　a　hunt；　for　it　meant　that　the　whole　enemy　faction　left　the　city。　Accordingly；　Cao　Shuang　and　his　three　brothers　Cao　Xi；　Cao　Xun；　Cao　Yan；　and　his　friends　He　Yan；　Deng　Yang；　Ding　Mi；　Bi　Gui；　Li　Sheng；　and　others　left　the　capital　with　the　Emperor。
As　soon　as　they　left；　Sima　Yi　entered　with　his　authority　as　Imperial　Guardian；　gave　Gao　Rou；　Minister　of　the　Interior；　provisional　mand　of　the　army　and　sent　him　to　seize　the　camp　of　Cao　Shuang。　A　similar　mand　was　given　to　Wang　Guan；　Supervisor　of　the　Palace；　to　replace　Cao　Xi　as　mander　of　the　Center　Army　and　to　occupy　his　camp。
Having　secured　his　position　thus；　Sima　Yi　and　his　supporters　went　to　the　palace　of　the　Empress　Dowager。
They　said　to　her；　〃Cao　Shuang　has　betrayed　the　trust　placed　in　him　by　the　late　Emperor　and　has　ruined　the　government。　His　fault　must　be　expiated。〃
Empress　Guo　replied；　〃What　can　be　done　in　the　absence　of　the　Son　of　Heaven？〃
〃I　have　prepared　plans　for　the　destruction　of　these　base　ministers　and　will　see　to　it　that　no　trouble　happens　to　yourself。〃
The　Empress　was　much　alarmed；　but　could　only　act　as　she　was　directed　and　agree。　So　two　of　Sima　Yi's　supporters；　mander　Jiang　Ji　and　High　Minister　Sima　Fu；　copied　out　the　memorial　he　had　prepared；　and　it　was　sent　to　the　Ruler　of　Wei　by　the　hand　of　an　eunuch。　Then　the　arsenals　were　seized。
Soon　the　news　of　the　rising　came　to　the　knowledge　of　the　family　of　Cao　Shuang；　and　his　wife；　Lady　Liu；　came　out　from　the　inner　apartments　and　summoned　Pan　Ju；　mander　of　the　Gates。
She　inquired；　〃The　Master　is　outside；　and　Sima　Yi　is　revolting：　What　does　it　mean？〃
〃Your　Ladyship　need　feel　no　alarm。　Let　me　go　and　find　out　the　truth；〃　said　Pan　Ju。
Thereupon　Pan　Ju；　at　the　head　of　a　several　dozen　bowmen；　went　up　on　the　wall　and　looked　around。　At　that　moment　Sima　Yi　was　crossing　the　court；　and　Pan　Ju　bade　his　men　shoot。　Sima　Yi　could　not　pass。
But　Sun　Qiao；　one　of　his　generals；　said；　〃You　must　not　shoot　at　the　Imperial　Guardian；　he　is　on　public　service。〃
Thrice　Sun　Qiao　urged　his　chief　not　to　let　the　men　shoot；　and　so　Pan　Ju　desisted。　Sima　Yi　went　across　guarded　by　his　son　Sima　Zhao。　Then　he　went　out　of　the　city　and　camped　on　River　Luo　at　the　Floating　Bridge。
When　the　revolution　began；　one　of　Cao　Shuang's　officers；　Lu　Zhu　by　name；　took　counsel　with　Military　Adviser　Xin　Chang。
〃Now　that　this　revolt　has　begun；　what　should　we　do？〃
〃Let　us　go　to　the　Emperor　with　what　troops　we　have；〃　replied　Xin　Chang。
〃Perhaps　the　best　course；〃　replied　Lu　Zhu。
And　Xin　Chang　went　into　the　inner　chamber　to　get　ready　to　start。　There　he　met　his　sister；　Xin　Xianying；　who　asked　the　meaning　of　all　this　haste。
〃His　Majesty　is　out　on　a　hunt；　and　Sima　Yi　has　closed　the　gates　of　the　city。　This　is　rebellion。〃
〃I　do　not　think　so。　He　only　means　to　slay　Cao　Shuang；　his　rival；〃　replied　she。
〃What　will　be　the　oute　of　this？〃　asked　her　brother。
〃Cao　Shuang　is　no　match　for　Sima　Yi；〃　replied　she。
〃If　Sima　Yi　asks　us　to　join　him；　should　we？〃　asked　Xin　Chang。
Xin　Xianying　replied；　〃You　know　what　a　true　man　should　do。　When　a　man　is　in　danger；　there　is　the　greater　need　for　sympathy。　To　be　of　Cao　Shuang's　people　and　desert　him　in　an　emergency　is　the　greatest　of　evils。〃
This　speech　decided　Xin　Chang；　who　went　with　Lu　Zhu。　At　the　head　of　a　some　twenty　horsemen；　they　forced　the　gate　and　got　out　of　the　city。
When　their　escape　was　reported　to　Sima　Yi；　he　thought　that　Huan　Fan　would　surely　try　to　follow　their　example；　so　he　sent　to　call　him。　However；　on　the　advice　of　his　son；　Huan　Fan　did　not　answer　the　summons；　but　decided　to　flee。　He　got　into　his　carriage　and　drove　hastily　to　the　South　Gate。　But　the　gate　was　barred。　The　mander　of　the　Gate；　Si　Fan；　was　an　old　dependant　of　Huan　Fan。
Huan　Fan　pulled　out　from　his　sleeve　a　slip　of　bamboo　and　said；　〃The　Empress's　mand：　Open　the　gate　for　me。〃
〃Let　me　look；〃　said　Si　Fan。
〃What！　How　dare　you；　an　old　servant　of　mine；　behave　thus？〃
Si　Fan　let　Huan　Fan　pass。
As　soon　as　he　had　got　outside；　Huan　Fan　shouted　to　Si　Fan；　〃Sima　Yi　has　raised　a　revolt；　and　you　had　better　follow　me！〃
Si　Fan　realized　that　he　had　made　a　mistake；　and　chase　after　Huan　Fan；　but　failed　to　e　up　with　him。
〃So　the　'Bag　of　Wisdom'　has　got　away　too。　That　is　a　pity；　but　what　can　we　do？〃　said　Sima　Yi；　when　they　reported　the　escape。
〃The　poor　horse　always　hankers　after　the　old　stable　and　manger。　Cao　Shuang　would　not　know　how　to　use　Huan　Fan；〃　replied　Jiang　Ji。
Then　Sima　Yi　called　to　him　Xu　Yun　and　Chen　Tai　and　said；　〃Go　you　to　Cao　Shuang　and　say　that　I　have　no　other　intention　than　to　take　away　the　military　power　from　him　and　his　brothers。〃
As　soon　as　they　had　left；　he　called　Yin　Damu　and　ordered　Jiang　Ji　prepare　a　letter　to　be　taken　to　Cao　Shuang　by　Yin　Damu。
Said　Sima　Yi；　〃You　are　on　good　terms　with　the　man　and　are　the　fittest　person　for　this　mission。　Tell　him　that　Jiang　Ji　and　I　are　concerned　solely　with　the　military　powers　in　the　hands　of　himself　and　his　brothers；　as　we　have　sworn　pointing　to　River　Luo。〃
So　Yin　Damu　went　his　way。
Out　in　the　country　Cao　Shuang　was　enjoying　the　hunting；　flying　his　falcons　and　coursing　his　hounds。　Suddenly　came　the　news　of　the　rising　in　the　city　and　the　memorial　against　him。　He　almost　fell　out　of　the　saddle　when　they　told　him。　The　eunuch　handed　in　the　memorial　to　the　Ruler　of　Wei　in　the　presence　of　Cao　Shuang；　who　took　it　and　opened　it。　A　minister　in　attendance　was　ordered　to　read　it。　It　said：
〃Sima　Yi；　General　Who　Conquers　the　West　and　Imperial　Guardian；　with　bowed　head　and　trepidation；　presents　this　memorial。　On　my　return　from　the　expedition　into　Liaodong；　His　late　Majesty　summoned　Your　Majesty；　Cao　Shuang；　myself　and　certain　others　to　his　bedside；　took　me　by　the　arm　and　impressed　upon　us　all　our　duty　in　the　years　to　be。
〃Now　Cao　Shuang　has　betrayed　the　trust　placed　in　him；　has　disordered　the　kingdom；　usurped　power　at　court；　and　seized　upon　power　in　the　regions。　He　has　appointed　Zhang　Dang；　Administrator　of　the　City；　to　control　the　court　and　spy　upon　Your　Majesty。　He　is　surely　lying　in　wait　to　seize　the　empire。　He　has　sown　dissension　in　the　royal　family　and　injured　his　own　flesh　and　blood。　The　whole　land　is　in　confusion；　and　people's　hearts　are　full　of　fear。　All　this　is　opposed　to　the　injunctions　of　His　Late　Majesty　and　his　mands　to　me。
〃Stupid　and　worthless　as　I　am；　yet　I　dare　not　forget　the　words　of　His　Late　Majesty。　My　colleagues；　Jiang　Ji　and　Sima　Fu；　agree　that　Cao　Shuang　is　disloyal　at　heart；　and　great　military　powers　should　not　be　entrusted　to　him　or　his　brothers。
〃I　have　memorialized　Her　Majesty　and　obtained　her　authority　to　act。
〃All　military　powers　have　been　wrested　from　the　hands　of　Cao　Shuang；　Cao　Xi；　and　Cao　Xun；　leaving　them　only　the　simple　title　of　lordships；　so　that　hereafter　they　may　be　unable　to　hinder　or　control　Your　Majesty's　actions。　If　there　be　any　obstruction；　the　matter　shall　be　summarily　dealt　with。
〃Although　in　ill　health；　as　a　precautionary　measure　I　have　camped　at　the　Floating　Bridge；　whence　I　write　this。〃
When　they　had　made　an　end　of　reading；　the　Ruler　of　Wei　turned　to　Cao　Shuang　and　said；　〃In　the　face　of　such　words　what　mean　you　to　do？〃
Cao　Shuang　was　at　a　loss　and　turned　to　his　younger　brother；　saying；　〃What　now？〃
Cao　Xi　replied；　〃I　remonstrated　with　you；　but　you　were　obstinate　and　listened　not。　So　it　has　e　to　this。　Sima　Yi　is　false　and　cunning　beyond　measure。　If　Zhuge　Liang　could　not　get　the　better　of　him；　could　we　hope　to　do　so？　I　see　nothing　but　to　yield　that　haply　we　may　live。〃
Just　at　this　moment　arrived　Adviser　Xin　Chang　and　mander　Lu　Zhu。　Cao　Shuang　asked　what　tidings　they　brought。
They　replied；　〃The　city　is　pletely　and　closely　surrounded；　Sima　Yi　is　camped　on　the　river　at　the　Floating　Bridge；　and　you　cannot　return。　You　must　decide　how　to　act　at　once。〃
Then　galloped　up　Huan　Fan；　who　said；　〃This　is　really　rebellion。　Why　not　request　His　Majesty　to　proceed　to　Xuchang　till　regional　troops　can　arrive　and　deal　with　Sima　Yi？〃
Cao　Shuang　replied；　〃How　can　we　go　to　another　place　when　all　our　families　are　in　the　city？〃
Said　Huan　Fan；　〃Even　a　fool　in　this　crisis　would　think　only　of　life。　You　have　the　Son　of　Heaven　with　you　here　and　mand　all　the　forces　of　the　empire。　None　would　dare　disobey　you；　and　yet　you　march　quietly　to　death。〃
Cao　Shuang　could　not　decide　to　strike　a　blow　for　safety；　he　did　nothing　but　snivel。
Huan　Fan　continued；　〃We　can　reach　Xuchang　tonight。　The　stay　in　Xuchang　would　be　but　brief；　and　there　are　ample　supplies　for　years。　You　have　forces　at　your　call　at　the　South　Pass。　You　hold　the　seal　of　Minister　of　War；　and　I　have　brought　it　with　me。　Everything　is　in　your　favor。　Act！　Act　at　once！　Delay　is　death。〃
〃Do　not　hurry　me；〃　said　Cao　Shuang。　〃Let　me　think　it　over　carefully。〃
Then　came　Xu　Yun　and　Chen　Tai；　the　two　messengers　of　Sima　Yi；　and　said；　〃The　Imperial　Guardian　desires　only　to　strip　the　military　power　of　the　Regent　Marshal。　If　the　Regent　Marshal　yields；　he　may　return　peacefully　to　the　city。〃
Still　Cao　Shuang　hesitated。
Next　arrived　Yin　Damu；　saying；　〃The　Imperial　Guardian　had　sworn　by　River　Luo　to　the　singleness　of　his　aim。　Here　is　letter　of　Minister　Jiang　Ji。　The　Regent　Marshal　should　relinquish　the　military　power　and　return　to　the　Palace　in　peace。〃
When　Cao　Shuang　seemed　disposed　to　accept　the　assurance　of　Sima　Yi；　Huan　Fan　inveighed　against　it；　saying；　〃You　are　a　dead　man　if　you　listen　to　the　voice　of　these　people！〃
Night　found　Cao　Shuang　still　vacillating。　As　twilight　faded　into　darkness　he　stood；　sword　in　hand；　sad；　sighing　and　weeping。　And　morning　found　him　still　trying　to　make　up　his　mind。
Huan　Fan　again　urged　him　to　decide　upon　some　course。
〃You　have　had　a　whole　day　and　a　whole　night　for　reflection　and　must　decide；〃　said　he。
〃I　will　not　fight；　I　will　yield　all；　being　a　wealthy　man　is　enough；〃　said　Cao　Shuang；　throwing　down　his　sword。
Huan　Fan　left　the　tent　wailing。
〃Cao　Zhen　might　boast　of　his　abilities；　but　his　sons　are　mere　cattle；〃　said　he；　weeping　copiously。
The　two　messengers；　Xu　Yun　and　Chen　Tai；　bade　Cao　Shuang　offer　his　seal　of　office　to　Sima　Yi；　and　it　was　brought。
But　First　Secretary　Yang　Zong　clung　to　it　and　would　not　give　it　up；　saying；　〃Alas！　That　you；　my　lord；　should　resign　your　powers　and　make　such　a　pitiful　surrender。　For　surely　you　will　not　escape　death　in　the　eastern　market　place。〃
〃The　Imperial　Guardian　will　surely　keep　faith　with　me；〃　said　Cao　Shuang。
The　seal　was　borne　away；　and　Cao　Shuang's　generals　and　soldiers；　thus　released　from　the　bonds　of　discipline；　dispersed　and　the　hosts　melted　away。　When　the　Cao　brothers　reached　the　Floating　Bridge；　they　were　ordered　to　go　to　their　dwellings；　and　they　went。　Their　supporters　were　imprisoned　to　await　the　edicts　of　the　Emperor。
Cao　Shuang　and　his　friends；　so　lately　all…powerful；　entered　the　city　alone；　without　even　a　servant　following。
As　Huan　Fan　approached　the　bridge；　Sima　Yi；　from　horseback；　pointed　his　whip　disdainfully　at　him　and　said；　〃What　brought　you　to　this？〃
Huan　Fan　made　no　reply；　but　with　head　bent　followed　the　others。
It　was　decided　to　request　the　Emp