onsort； Empress Zhang。 Sending away the servants； Cao Fang and these three went into a private chamber。
Seizing his father…in…law's hand； Cao Fang began to weep； saying； 〃That man Sima Shi treats me as a child and regards the officers of state as if they were so many straws。 I am sure the throne will be his one day。〃
And he wept bitterly。
Said Li Feng； 〃Do not be so sad； Sire。 I am but a poor sort of person。 But if Your Majesty will give me authority； I will call together all the bold people in the country and slay this man。〃
〃It was from fear of this man that my brother Xiahou Ba was forced to go over to Shu；〃 said Xiahou Xuan。 〃If Sima Shi were destroyed； my brother could return。 I belong to a family related to the rulers of the state for many generations； and I cannot sit still while a wretch ruins the government。 Put my name in the mand as well； and we will work together to remove him。〃
〃But I am afraid we can not overe him；〃 said Cao Fang。
They wept and said； 〃We pledge ourselves to work together for the destruction of the tyrant； and to show our gratitude to Your Majesty！〃
Cao Fang them stripped himself of his innermost garment； gnawed his finger till the blood flowed； and with his finger…tip traced a mand in blood。
He gave it to his father…in…law； Zhang Qi； saying； 〃My ancestor； Emperor Cao； put to death Dong Cheng for just such a matter as this； so you must be exceedingly careful and maintain the greatest secrecy。〃
〃Oh； why use such ill…omened words？〃 cried Li Feng。 〃We are not like Dong Cheng； and Sima Shi cannot pare to the Founder。 Have no doubts。〃
The three conspirators took leave and went out carrying the edict with them。 Beside the Donghua Gate of the Palace； they saw Sima Shi ing to mee