Painting of One Hundred Horses: Horns Sprouting from Heads

To conceal their identities and avoid bringing trouble upon the Xu Residence, they could use neither the armor nor the weapons of the Imperial Guard.

The brothers of the Xu family finalized their plan and made secret preparations, while the Sima family, currently riding the crest of a wave, remained entirely oblivious to the impending danger.

After ascending the throne, Cao Pi worked to stabilize the political situation while quietly consolidating power, deploying his defenses as much as possible in accordance with the final orders of Cao Cao.

Following the passing of General Xiahou Dun, Cao Pi appointed Cao Xiu as General Who Pacifies the South, granting him the status of Imperial Commissioner, commander of all military affairs in Jing Province, and Inspector of Jing Province, while enfeoffing him as Marquis of Dongyang to take charge of resisting Guan Yu. General of Chariots and Cavalry Cao Ren was made commander of all military affairs in Yang Province and Inspector of Yang Province, then advanced to the title of Marquis of Chen to counter Sun Quan. Cao Zhen was appointed General Who Pacifies the West, tasked with guarding the northwestern borders, and advanced to the title of Marquis of Dongxiang.

The internal factions of Cao Wei were deeply intertwined. Beyond the clansmen of the Cao family, Cao Pi's ascension relied primarily on the gentry of Henan. Naturally, he needed to reward them for their contributions, but the other gentry clans were unwilling to relinquish their own interests. Navigating these internal contradictions, Cao Pi began to win over and elevate his own supporters to key positions, while simultaneously working to slowly purge and exclude those who opposed him.

Because he frequently relied on his close associates, the Palace Attendant Sima Fu worried that the pace of these changes was too aggressive and