Records of the Three Kingdoms
Sima Zhao, courtesy name Zishang, was Sima Shi’s younger brother. When Sima Shi died at Xuchang, Sima Zhao took the regency, became chancellor of state, and received the nine bestowments. In 260 Cao Mao, the Duke of Gaogui, could not bear the saying that Sima Zhao’s intent was obvious to anyone in the street. He led the palace guards out against him. Cheng Ji, a retainer of the heir’s household, killed Cao Mao under the carriage. Sima Zhao executed Cheng Ji to close the case and enthroned Cao Huan.
In 263 he ordered the invasion of Shu. Zhong Hui led the main army against Jiang Wei. Deng Ai crossed the mountains from Yinping and reached Chengdu. Liu Shan surrendered. Shu ended. Zhong Hui then plotted in Chengdu and was killed. Deng Ai was killed by the officer sent to arrest him. Sima Zhao himself never went to Chengdu. He died of illness in 265, at fifty-five. Months later his son Sima Yan accepted Wei’s abdication and founded Jin. Jin titled Sima Zhao Emperor Wen. The phrase about his intent comes from Cao Mao and became a proverb.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The novel repeats that Sima Zhao’s intent is obvious to anyone in the street. Cao Mao’s rising, Cheng Ji’s halberd, and the new emperor are the last scene in which Wei still has a name and no power.
The three routes into Shu, Deng Ai descending the cliffs wrapped in felt, Liu Shan opening the city, and Jiang Wei’s false surrender to Zhong Hui all sit under Sima Zhao’s distant control. He dies in Luoyang. His son finishes the throne. The novel gives him no duel of his own.
Reference: Wikipedia · Sima Zhao