#sima lang

[zl181]

Comprehensive Biography of Sima Fang

Sima Fang, styled Jiangong (司馬防字建公; 149 - 219), was a civil official. He was the patriarch of the Sima clan and his descendants would go on to rule parts of China for around 150 years.

Ancestry

Sima Fang came from Xiaojing Village, Wen County, Henei Commandery.[1][2] One of the ancestors of Sima Fang was Sima Ang, a general for the Nation of Zhao during the Chu-Han Conflicts. He was made King of Yin and had his capital at Henei, where his descendants remained. Sima Ang's eighth generational descendant was Sima Jun, styled Shuping (司馬鈞字叔平), who served the Han as General who Conquers the West. Sima Jun's son was the Grand Administrator of Yuzhang; Sima Liang, styled Gongdu (司馬量字公度), whose son, Sima Jun, was the father of Sima Fang.[1]

Early life

When he was young, he served his province and commandery, later to serve as Prefect of Luoyang and Intendant of Jingzhao.[1][2] He enjoyed the Book of Han's Biographies of Famed Ministers and was able to recite several tens of ten thousands words from it, which is a lot.[2]

He later became Right Assistant to the Masters of Writing. Around 175, he recommended Cao Cao to be Commandant of the North of Luoyang. Some suggested Sima Fang chose Cao Cao because he knew Cao Cao would defend Luoyang well from invaders.[3]

Around 190, in response to the Guandong Coalition, Dong Zhuo moved the capital from Luoyang to Chang'an. At the time, Sima Fang was Archivist Secretarial Censor and had to move west to Chang'an with many other officials. He was concerned about the unrest in China, so he sent Sima Lang to lead his family back to Wen County.[4]

Meeting Cao Cao at Ye

Around Summer 216, when Cao Cao became King of Wei, he summoned Sima Fang to Ye for a cordial drink. He said to Sima Fang,

"Am I currently still able to perform as a Commandant or not?"

Sima Fang replied,

"At the time I recommended you, O Great King, you were capable of performing as a Commandant. That is all."

Cao Cao laughed loudly in response.[3]

Relationships with his sons

Sima Fang was known for his extremely strict upbringing for his sons. Even as they grew older, they still listened to him out of respect and possibly fear. If Sima Fang did not order them to go forward, they did not dare go forward; if Sima Fang did not order them to sit, they did not dare sit; if Sima Fang did not gesture for them to answer, they did not dare speak.[2]

Final years

When he was older, he transferred to become Commandant of Cavalry. It is stated he secluded himself in his humble house, that he closed his gates and was mindful of his behavior.[2]

He died in 219.[2]

Postmortem events

His grandson, Sima Lun, who was Emperor for a short time, wanted to honor Sima Fang as Emperor. Whether anything came of this is unknown.[3]

He had eight sons: Sima Lang, Sima Yi, Sima Fu, Sima Kui, Sima Xun, Sima Jin, Sima Tong, and Sima Kui. They were called the 'Eight Das' because all their style names had Da (達) at the end.[1][2][5]

Personality

By nature, he was very direct but was usually fair. It is said that even in feasts, he maintained a solemn appearance.[2]

Family

He had eight sons: Sima Lang, Sima Yi, Sima Fu, Sima Kui, Sima Xun, Sima Jin, Sima Tong, and Sima Kui. They were called the 'Eight Das' because all their style names had Da (達) at the end.[1][2][5]

Legacy

Sima Fang sending Cao Cao was a good idea, as Cao Cao was known for prosecuting or executing anyone who broke the rules in his jurisdiction, and even the wealthy and powerful were not exempt, significantly lowering the corruption in the capital. In addition, Sima Fang's strict upbringing of Sima Yi, which most likely included studying ancient histories and biographies as well as social etiquette, probably gave him a good education, leading to Sima Yi's future successes.

Personal Info

Name: Sima Fang

Style name: Jiangong[1][2]

Birth date: 149[2]

Death date: 219[2]

References

[1] - 【宣皇帝諱懿，字仲達，河內溫縣孝敬里人，姓司馬氏。...楚漢間，司馬卬為趙將，與諸侯伐秦。秦亡，立為殷王，都河內。漢以其地為郡，子孫遂家焉。自卬八世，生征西將軍鈞，字叔平。鈞生豫章太守量，字公度。量生潁川太守雋，字元異。雋生京兆尹防，字建公。帝即防之第二子也。」】《晉書•卷一》

[2] - 【（司馬彪《序傳》曰：...父防，字建公，性質直公方，雖閑居宴處，威儀不忒。雅好《漢書名臣列傳》，所諷誦者數十萬言。少仕州郡，歷官洛陽令、京兆尹，以年老轉拜騎都尉。養志閭巷，闔門自守。諸子雖冠成人，不命曰進不敢進，不命曰坐不敢坐，不指有所問不敢言，父子之間肅如也。年七十一，建安二十四年終。有子八人，朗最長，次即晉宣皇帝也。）】《三國志注•卷十五》

[3] - 【（《曹瞞傳》曰：為尚書右丞司馬建公所舉。及公為王，召建公到鄴，與歡飲，謂建公曰：「孤今日可復作尉否？」建公曰：「昔舉大王時，適可作尉耳。」王大笑。建公名防，司馬宣王之父。臣松之案司馬彪《序傳》，建公不為右丞，疑此不然，而王隱《晉書》云趙王篡位，欲尊祖為帝，博士馬平議稱京兆府君昔舉魏武帝為北部尉，賊不犯界，如此則為有徵。）】《三國志注•卷一》

[4] - 【是時董卓遷天子都長安，卓因留洛陽。朗父防為治書御史，當徙西，以四方雲擾，乃遣朗將家屬還本縣。】《三國志注•卷十五》

[the-archlich]

Jian'an twenty-second year [217], [Sima Lang] went with Xiahou Dun, Zang Ba, and others on the campaign against Wu. Arriving at Juchao, there was a great epidemic among the army soldiers. Lang personally toured among them distributing medicine. He fell ill and died, at the time aged forty-seven years.

SGZ 15.2

[the-archlich]

Sima Lang is the only Sima besides Fu I know minimal about. All I know is he refused to take medicine when he was ill so it could be distributed to his soldiers which caused his death. What can you tell me about Lang and Fu?

Sima Lang is, like, my 6th favorite Sima. But he’s a good one. Sima Fu is the best Sima.

From a young age, Sima Lang was known for his intelligence and propriety. He once refused to allow a man into their home because he referred to their father (the terrifying Sima Fang) improperly. When he was 12 years old (in 182) he passed the imperial examinations - but he was so tall and mature that at first, people didn’t believe him when he said he was only 12. His success earned him a cadet appointment at court.

When Dong Zhuo seized the capital, Sima Lang escaped. He was arrested for being a deserter but bribed his way free. He collected his family and led them to safety in Wei commandery, where they stayed with relatives. In time, he led them back to Henei. They persisted in farming and studying even through war and famine.

Around 194, Cao Cao made Sima Lang one of his officers. He spent time at various posts, serving as a county and commandery head. Wherever he went, he was known for his benevolent and fair rule. He always dressed humble and at common food. He was greatly loved by all. Sima Lang was also an influential policy adviser who gave Cao Cao many suggestions on how to govern his state. He was extremely respected.

Sima Lang accompanied Cao Cao to the Battle of Ruxu in 217 but died of illness, along with many other senior figures in Cao Cao’s administration. He was greatly missed, and his nephew Sima Wang (son of Sima Fu) was adopted posthumously to be his heir.

Sima Fu was the best Sima.

Even when the family was moving around and struggling to feed itself, Sima Fu always kept to his studies and was as admired as his two older brothers for his academic talents. He eventually became a tutor to Cao Zhi, though after he criticized Cao Zhi’s conduct he was shifted to be one of Cao Pi’s advisers instead. After Cao Cao’s death, he helped organize Cao Cao’s funeral and Cao Pi’s ascension. He gave Cao Pi a great deal of policy advice and helped moderate his behavior.

Sima Fu held a number of commandery appointments under Cao Pi and Cao Rui before being made a member of the secretariat. He was occasionally a general and led reinforcements to his brother at Wuzhang in 234. By the time of Cao Rui’s death, he was the director of the secretariat. Sima Fu was always known for his sagely advice and was held in the utmost esteem by all of his colleagues.

Although Sima Yi didn’t tell Sima Fu about his coup against Cao Shuang in 248, Sima Fu rallied men and joined his brother as soon as the operation commenced. He was later made Minister of Works, then Grand Commandant. Sima Yi relied on his brother heavily, and after his passing Sima Shi did the same.

In 253, Sima Fu was put in charge of a massive army to counter Zhuge Ke’s invasion, and he successfully defended Hefei. Sima Fu was so beloved that when Guanqiu Jian revolted against Sima Shi, his proclamation absolved Sima Fu of any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, Sima Fu led soldiers in the campaign to suppress the rebels and was fully successful.

After Sima Zhao took over, Sima Fu was made Grand Tutor to Cao Mao, with whom he grew very close. When Cao Mao tried to kill Sima Zhao, Sima Fu tried to intervene but arrived too late. He wept while he held Cao Mao’s corpse. He continued on as Grand Tutor to Cao Huan. When Cao Huan abdicated the throne in Sima Yan’s favor, Sima Fu personally escorted him away and wept with him.

Under Sima Yan, Sima Fu was made Grand Governor (a new title) and a prince. He remained as a key adviser to his family’s regime until his death in 272, at the age of 93. In his final writing, he proclaimed that he was always a loyal subject of Wei and regretted that he could not mediate between the Cao and Sima as he hoped.

Sima Fu was a brilliant scholar, a skilled general, and an exceptional human being. He personally served under every single Cao ruler and was intimately trusted by all of them. He is without question one of the most extraordinary statesmen of his era.

[1time2study4ravages]

The Sima clan's private army is all gone. I'm responsible...

chapter 488, The Ravages of Time

[threekingdomsstuff]

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII: Sima Yi, Zhang Chunhua, Sima Lang, Sima Shi, Sima Zhao, Wang Yuanji, Sima Yan

[the-archlich]

Aside from Yi and Fu, whom were the most noteworthy among the 8 Da of Sima?

Definitely Sima Lang.

Sima Lang passed an examination in the classis when he was only 12 years old and earned a junior appointment to the court. Because Sima Lang was so tall, people found it difficult to believe his age, which caused him great offense.

He was in Luoyang when Dong ZHuo took over. During the transfer to Chang’an, Sima Lang returned to Henei to collect his siblings. He was arrested on the way but bribed his way free. He then took his brothers to Liyang, where he stayed with his kinsman Zhao Weisun.

In 194, Sima Lang returned to Henei with his brothers. Despite war and famine in the region, he managed to keep them fed and see to their studies. As Cao Cao took over the region, he gave Sima Lang a clerical post. He subsequently held magistracies in Henan, Anping, and Wei. He was noted for being a great administrator and a humane governor who was much loved by the people.

Sima Lang eventually became an officer on Cao Cao’s personal staff again. He made many proposals that proved to be highly beneficial. After some time, Cao Cao was impressed enough to name him Inspector of Yan. Despite Sima Lang’s rank, he always dressed and ate humbly. He was beloved throughout Yan for his kind rule.

Sima Lang was active in the scholarly debates of the time. His most famous piece was an argument with Wang Can and Zhong Yao about the quality of men required for good government. While Zhong Yao and Wang Can thought that only a great sage could rule well, Sima Lang believed that if enough decent men joined together, they could do good. His essay was highly praised and Cao Pi even had a copy put into the imperial library.

In 217, Sima Lang accompanied Cao Cao’s army as they advanced on Ruxu. However, he became ill and died during the campaign, along with a great many others. Sima Fu’s son, Sima Wang, was chosen to be his heir.

Perhaps if Sima Lang had lived longer, he’d be equal in fame to Sima Yi and Sima Fu. He was certainly an exceptional man - brilliant and kind like Sima Fu.

[1time2study4ravages]

Let me reiterate. Lü Bu forced the Sima clan to assassinate lord Dong. We had no choice at the time.

chapter 228, The Ravages of Time

[1time2study4ravages]

My brother [Sima Yi] said, Cao Cao may be an anti-hero, but no one is worth investing on more than him. You two seem to agree on this point.

chapter 207, The Ravages of Time