When the deposed emperor Sima Yi heard that Empress Dowager Chongde had issued an edict summoning him back to the throne, his face changed in alarm. He could scarcely believe it. After a long moment, he asked, "Where is the empress dowager's secret edict?"
Xu Long drew a jade tablet from his robes and presented it. "The empress dowager feared the matter would leak, so she ordered me to bring this jade tablet and convey her oral command. She asks Your Majesty to return to Jiankang, rule the people, and ascend the imperial throne."
Sima Yi took the jade tablet and examined it closely. It seemed to be an old palace possession, but he could not be certain. "Without an edict in the empress dowager's own hand, how can I, Wang, believe you?"
"Your Majesty," Xu Long said earnestly, "the empress dowager was cowed by Huan Wen's tyrannical power. With no other choice, she issued the edict deposing Your Majesty against her will. Now Huan Wen has returned to Gushu, and everyone in Jiankang, at court and beyond, gentry and commoners alike, longs for Your Majesty's restoration. That is why the empress dowager sent me to escort Your Majesty back to the palace."
Sima Yi recalled how all the officials had wept bitterly as he walked out of the West Hall on the day of his deposition. He wavered, but said, "Huan Wen is arrogant and overbearing. How could he tolerate my restoration? Once he leads his troops back into Jiankang, disaster will be upon us."
"Your Majesty is mistaken," Xu Long said. "Once Your Majesty resumes the throne and appoints utterly loyal ministers, should Huan Wen march against you, you can abandon Jiankang and withdraw to Xuzhou. Governor Yu of Xuzhou is Your Majesty's maternal uncle and commands a