Sima Yang

Sima Yang was born in 284 during the reign of his cousin Emperor Wu of Jin; he was also born late in Liang's life.^[b] During the later part of the Tai'kang era (c.285 - 289), he was made Duke of Xiyang County.^[7] In May 290, Emperor Wu died. With his death, Sima Liang became embroiled in court politics as Emperor Wu's successor and son Emperor Hui was developmentally disabled. In May 291, after the ouster and killing of Emperor Hui's first regent Yang Jun in April, Sima Liang was made co-regent with Wei Guan. Just a few months later in July, Sima Liang and Wei Guan were killed by Sima Wei; Sima Yang's elder brother Sima Ju (司馬矩) was also killed.^[8] Then aged seven, Sima Yang managed to escape with assistance from Sima Liang's in-law Pei Kai and Pei Kai's father-in-law Wang Hun.^[9][c] The day after Liang's and Wei's deaths, Sima Wei was killed after Emperor Hui's empress Jia Nanfeng plotted against him. On 28 September 291,^[11] Yang was made a prince; he was also later appointed to various military posts. During the War of the Eight Princes, he was once reduced to the status of a commoner on accusations that he was part of Sima Ai's (Prince of Changsha) clique, but was later restored to his princely status after Emperor Hui's return to Luoyang in June 306;^[12] Emperor Hui later died in January 307. During the Yongjia era (307–312) of the reign of Emperor Hui's successor and half-brother Emperor Huai, Yang's fiefdom eventually grew to 35000 households. However, with the growing chaos in Northern China, he eventually had to abandon his fiefdom and follow Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai and Emperor Huai's regent. With Sima Yue's death in April 311 and the Disaster of Yongjia in July, Sima Yang fled south to join Sima Rui, the Prince of Langya (and future Emperor Yuan of Jin),^[13] together with his younger brother Sima Zong (司馬宗) the Prince of Nandun.^[14][d]

Sima Rui took the title "King of Jin"—a title previously used by Sima Zhao and Emperor Wu while they were regents of Cao Wei—rather than emperor on 6 April 317.^[16] He created his son Sima Shao crown prince on 1 May of the same year.^[17] Under Sima Rui as King of Jin, Sima Yang was allowed to appoint his own officials. He also had a private army of about 1000 soldiers, and 100 cavalrymen. Together with Sima Zong, Yang was ordered to settle refugees to populate Zhongzhou (中州) and the remote areas of Jiangxi.^[18] On 7 February 318,^[19] Liu Cong, the emperor of Han-Zhao, executed Emperor Min. About two and a half months later, on 23 April, news of Emperor Min's execution reached Jiankang. Sima Rui then declared himself emperor three days later.^[20][e]

In January 323, Emperor Yuan died and was succeeded by his son Emperor Ming. After Wang Dun, who had the upper hand in his struggle against Emperor Yuan, died in August 324 and his rebellion subsequently quelled, Sima Yang was made Grand Commandant in c.November.^[21][22]

In early October 325, Emperor Ming became gravely ill; on 12 October, a number of high-level officials, including Sima Yang (who was then taizai), Yu Liang, Wang Dao, Bian Kun (卞壼), Xi Jian, Lu Ye (陸瞱; grandson of Lu Mao), and Wen Jiao formed the regency council.^[23]