In 263, despite opposition, he decided to take advantage of the present weakness in Shu Han to the west and launched an invasion against it, which eventually managed to convince its emperor, Liu Shan, towards formally surrendering, tipping the decades-long established balance of power decisively in Wei's favor.

It came from a quotation by Cao Mao, fourth emperor of Wei, who launched an unsuccessful uprising against Sima Zhao in an attempt to take back imperial power.

Despite the ultimate failure of the campaign, he was promoted to the rank of Consultant Gentleman (a position typically regarded as a placeholder, in which he himself was kept for over five years, which was likely bestowed upon him by Cao Shuang and his group so that he would be kept from further political advancement).

In 258, he would force the emperor to offer him the Nine Bestowments, state chancellorship, and the title of Duke of Jin—a step that put him closer to usurpation—and then publicly declined them nine times.

[28] Two days later, Sima Zhao forced Cao Huan to confer upon him the Nine Bestowments as well as the promotions towards state chancellorship and the title of Duke of Jin, which he earnestly declined,[29] as well as another time in October.

[33] Sima Zhao put Zhong Hui, Zhuge Xu, and Deng Ai in charge of the invasion forces (even though the latter initially opposed the campaign), and they set out in autumn 263.

He set out to revise the laws and the civil service system in accordance with how he would want his own empire to be, such as instating the Five Feudal Ranks of Zhou[47] (a system which had fallen out of use since the Qin dynasty abolished it), and also going on to posthumously enfeoff his father, Sima Yi, and older brother, Sima Shi, as King Xuan of Jin and King Jing of Jin respectively.

Consorts and Issue: Sima Zhao is first introduced as a playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei's Dynasty Warriors video game series, in which he is depicted as having a lazy and carefree atmosphere, but underneath it actually being a talented leader and strategist.

This time, Sima Zhao accepted these honors.Zizhi Tongjian, Sima Guang Because the generals attacking Shu had reported their victories in succession, in an edict the Emperor again commanded that the da jiangjun Sima Zhao should have his rank, enfeoffment and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict; Sima Zhao accepted the appointment.Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang In winter, in the tenth month, on the day jiayin (December 9), the Emperor again commanded in an edict that the da jiangjun should have his rank, enfeoffment, and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict.Sanguozhi, Chronicle of the Prince of Chenliu In winter, in the tenth month, the Son of Heaven, because the various feudal lords reported their victories in succession, reiterated his former command, saying, '...[the text of the edict]...' Ducal and other ministers, and generals all betook themselves to the headquarters of the da jiangjun to convey the Imperial wishes, but Wendi declined out of modesty.

Given that Sima Zhao remained a Gentleman Consultant for more than five years, this appointment was most likely an attempt by He Yan, Cao Shuang, and their party to curb his advancement.Wang Chang and Guanqiu Jian, learning that the eastern army had been defeated, set fire to their respective camps and fled.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.The zhongshu shilang, Zhong Hui, had been in the suite of Sima Shi, taking charge of confidential matters.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.Jia Chong saw Zhuge Dan and discussed the politics of the day, on which occasion he said, “The worthy gentleman of Luoyang all desire the Emperor to abdicate in favor of a new Ruling House.

The Emperor issued an edict to his officials that his former command should be obeyed: he again advanced the rank of the da jiangjun Sima Zhao to that of xiangguo and enfeoffed him as Duke of Jin, conferring on him the nine gifts.

Today I intend to go out myself together with you and attack him.” Wang Jing said, “Of old, Duke Zhao of Lu was not able to bear the Ji; he was defeated and fled, thus being deprived of his throne.

At present, power has been lying in his House for a long time: within the Court and in the four quarters of the Empire, all are serving him with the utmost loyalty, even unto death, without paying attention to whether he is loyal or disloyal to the throne.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.Hearing of this, Sima Zhao was greatly astonished and threw himself on the ground saying, “What will the world say of me?” The taifu Sima Fu hastened on the scene and, taking the Emperor's leg as a pillow, mourned him sorrowfully, saying, “It is my fault that Your Majesty is dead.” Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.The Empress Dowager issued a command indicting the iniquities of the Duke of Gaoguixiang and degrading him to the rank of a commoner, to be interred with ceremonies befitting the common people; she also ordered the arrest of Wang Jing and the members of his family, who were to be turned over to the tingyu.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.On the day gengyin, the taifu Sima Fu and others memorialized the throne, requesting that the Duke of Gaoguixiang be interred with the ceremonies befitting a feudal prince; the Empress Dowager granted it.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.On the day guimao (June 16), Sima Zhao earnestly declined to accept the appointment of xiangguo, Duke of Jin, and the bestowal of the Nine Gifts.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.On the day bingchen (June 29), the Emperor in an edict advanced Sima Zhao's rank and conferred on him the Nine Gifts as before.

On the day jiayin, the Emperor again advanced the enfeoffment of the da jiangjun to that of Duke of Jin and conferred on him the rank of xiangguo, giving him the Nine Gifts, all as in his former edict.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.Sima Zhao wanted to send a large force to attack Han; most of the Court Officials disapproved, but the sili jiaoyu Zhong Hui alone advised him to do so.

He sent the zhengxi jiangjun Deng Ai at the head of more than thirty thousand men to proceed from Didao towards Gansong and Dazhong to engage Jiang Wei.

He appointed the tingyu Wei Guan to carry the Tally and serve as Superintendent of the troops of Deng Ai and Zhong Hui, acting as chenxi junsi.

SGZ, Chronicle of the Prince of Chenliu: “In winter, in the tenth month, on the day jiayin (December 9), the Emperor again commanded in an edict that the da jiangjun should have his rank, enfeoffment, and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict.” Jin Shu, Chronicle of Wendi, gives a more detailed account: “In winter, in the tenth month, the Son of Heaven, because the various feudal lords reported their victories in succession, reiterated his former command, saying, '...[the text of the edict]...' Ducal and other ministers, and generals all betook themselves to the headquarters of the da jiangjun to convey the Imperial wishes, but Wendi declined out of modesty.

When he was at Jiange, he intercepted Deng Ai's memorials and reports; he altered the diction and made his language wantonly arrogant, mostly boastful of his own achievements.

Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.Zhong Hui received this letter with astonishment and addressed his intimates, “As for arresting Deng Ai, the xiangguo knows well that I can manage it singlehanded.

He produced a false posthumous edict of the Empress Dowager ordering Zhong Hui to raise arms and dismiss Sima Zhao.

On the day gengshen (June 12), the King of Jin memorialized that the system of five ranks be restored; the jidu and higher officials, more than six hundred men, were enfeoffed.

The letter of reply to Sima Zhao read: 'I know that you, a man of unsurpassed talents, occupy the position of Prime Minister and are assiduous to the extreme in the guidance of state affairs.

He issued an order that punishments be eased and pardon be given to prisoners, and that the population be soothed and the corvee stopped, and that all in the land should wear mourning clothes for three days.” Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang.