3. The Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun Versus Empress Jia, 300
The heir to the Jin Dynasty, Sima Yu, was the son of Emperor Hui and Consort Xie, and as such posed a political threat to Empress Jia. In 299, Empress Jia convinced a drunk Sima Yu to copy a text that said, amongst other things, that Emperor Hui should abdicate in favor of Sima Yu. Empress Jia then presented the copied text to Emperor Hui, who after discussion decided to execute his son. Empress Jia desired the punishment to be carried out immediately; but Emperor Hui decided instead to merely depose Sima Yu and keep him under house arrest for the time being.
Sima Lun, at this time, was the tutor to the prince and considered a member of Empress Jia's inner circle. Unbeknownst to Empress Jia, however, Sima Lun was actually plotting to overthrow Empress Jia. However, his advisor Sun Xiu argued that, because of Sima Lun's reputed loyalty to the Empress, Sima Lun's actions would only lead to the accession of Sima Yu, who would then exact revenge on Sima Lun himself. Sima Lun thus decided to have Empress Jia kill Sima Yu first before acting, and thus encouraged Empress Jia to kill Sima Yu (Sima Lun's great grand-nephew).
All went according to plan and Empress Jia murdered Sima Yu. Then Sima Lun, producing an edict allegedly from Emperor Hui, arrested Empress Jia and put her under house arrest, and later forced to commit suicide in 300. Sima Lun, again by way of forged imperial edict, first appointed himself as Grand Vizier and, in 301, crowned himself emperor, putting Emperor Hui under house arrest.
Read more about this topic: War Of The Eight Princes
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