2. Empress Jia Versus The Prince of Chu, Sima Wei, 291
Immediately following the killing of Sima Liang, Sima Wei was advised to expand his power at the expense of Empress Jia. Sima Wei hesitated. Two days after Sima Liang's death, Empress Jia spread a rumor around Sima Wei's camp accusing him of forging the imperial edict that killed Sima Liang. Deserted by his followers, Sima Wei (Empress Jia's brother-in-law) was captured and executed.
Empress Jia thus became the sole power at court, with members of her consort clan and trusted subordinates being promoted to high positions. The political situation from 291 to 299 was relatively stable, but rumors began to spread of Empress Jia's personal debauchery and tyrannical behavior, laying the seeds of discontent that would surface by the end of the decade.
Read more about this topic: War Of The Eight Princes
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