The Wei Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms and "Zizhi Tongjian": The Rise and Fall of Cao Wei Under the Struggle for Orthodoxy

Brief Introduction

Cao Wei, referring to the Wei Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms period, was the strongest regime with the largest territory among the three. It began with Cao Cao's strategy of "holding the Emperor to command the nobles" and ended with the Sima clan replacing Wei to establish Jin. In "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance), a chronological general history edited by Sima Guang, the Wei Kingdom was established as the orthodox dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period. This stance not only influenced the chronology of historical records but also deeply reflected the political ethics of Song Dynasty historians, serving as a key to understanding the Three Kingdoms section of the book.

Core Knowledge Points

* Founding Time and Founder: In 220 AD, Cao Pi, son of Cao Cao, forced Emperor Xian of Han to abdicate, officially establishing the Wei Kingdom with its capital at Luoyang (later moved to Ye). Although Cao Pi was the founding emperor, Cao Cao was posthumously honored as Emperor Wu of Wei, making him the actual founder.
* Politics and Economy: The Wei Kingdom implemented the Tuntian System (military farming), restoring agricultural production in the north and laying the material foundation for unification wars. Politically, it practiced the Nine-Rank System, which initially selected talent but later degenerated into a tool for aristocratic families.
* Key Figures: Besides the Cao family, this includes Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang (as a rival), and famous generals like Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu. The Sima family eventually controlled the court, paving the way for the establishment of Western Jin.
* Fall and Succession: In 266 AD, Sima Yan forced Emperor Yuan of Wei, Cao Huan, to abdicate, establishing the Jin Dynasty. The Wei Kingdom perished, opening the historical chapter of the Jin Dynasty.

Connection with "Zizhi Tongjian" Content

When recording the history of the Three Kingdoms, "Zizhi Tongjian" faced the difficult issue of "orthodoxy". Sima Guang clearly explained in "Variant Examinations of the Comprehensive Mirror" (Zizhi Tongjian Kaoyi) the reasons for choosing Wei as the orthodox regime:

1. Legal Succession: Cao Pi accepted the abdication from Emperor Xian of Han, inheriting the Han throne in name, which conformed to the Confucian ritual logic of "abdication". In comparison, both Shu Han and Eastern Wu declared themselves independent, lacking legal succession.
2. Chronology Standard: The entire book used Wei era names for chronology during the Three Kingdoms period (e.g., "First Year of Huangchu"). The rulers of Shu Han and Eastern Wu were only referred to as "Lord" or "King" in the book, rather than "Emperor". This method of chronology directly influenced readers' perception of the timeline.
3. Historical Narrative: The book details the entire process from Cao Cao's assumption of power to the Sima clan's seizure of power. Sima Guang used the rise and fall of Wei to warn future generations about the patterns of warlords usurping power and regime changes. For example, the description of the Incident at Gaoping Tombs by Sima Yi deeply reveals the internal logic of Wei's fall, namely the shift of imperial power due to the rise of powerful ministers.

Summary

Cao Wei was not only the political center of the Three Kingdoms period but also a key pivot for constructing the historical timeline in "Zizhi Tongjian". Understanding Wei's status in the book helps readers grasp Sima Guang's historical view, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the political changes during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. For modern readers, distinguishing between the pro-Liu and anti-Cao stance of the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and the pro-Wei orthodoxy of the historical record "Zizhi Tongjian" is an important prerequisite for objectively recognizing the history of the Three Kingdoms.