Sima Fu

Sima Fu (pronunciationⓘ) (180 – 3 April 272¹), courtesy name Shuda, posthumously known as Prince Xian of Anping, was an imperial prince and statesman of the Jin dynasty of China.² He previously served as an official in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period before his grandnephew, Sima Yan (Emperor Wu), usurped the Wei throne in February 266 and established the Jin dynasty. Sima Guang, author of Zizhi Tongjian, claimed to be his descendant.

Life

Sima Fu was the third among eight sons of Sima Fang, who served as the Intendant of the Capital (京兆尹) during the reign of Emperor Ling towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty (c. 184–220). He was known for being well read, highly competent as an official, and generous towards those in need. He was also a close friend of Cao Zhi.

Sima Fu's second brother, Sima Yi, rose to power in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), after the death of Cao Rui. Sima Yi became the sole regent and de facto ruler of Wei after seizing power in a coup d'état in February 249. After Sima Yi's death in September 251, his sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao consecutively succeeded him as the regent and de facto ruler of Wei. During his service under the Wei regime, Sima Fu held relatively high offices: Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令) during the reign of Cao Rui; and Grand Commandant (太尉) and Grand Tutor (太傅) during the reigns of , and . He also served as a military commander in some battles against Wei's rival states, and . In February 266, Sima Zhao's son forced the last Wei emperor to abdicate the throne in his favour, thereby ending the Wei regime. Sima Yan established the and became its first emperor.