ry like Cao Fang； and if I do not remove him he will hurt me；〃 said he。
〃I will see to it for you；〃 said Jia Chong。
In the fifth year of Sweet Dew； in Wei calendar （AD 261）； during the fourth month； in summer； Sima Zhao had the effrontery to go to court armed。 However； the Ruler of Wei received him with exaggerated courtesy。
The courtiers said； 〃The services of the Regent Marshal are so magnificent； and his virtue so high that he should be rewarded with the title 'Duke of Jin' and the Nine Dignities。〃
Cao Mao hung his head and kept silent。
And Sima Zhao himself said discontentedly； 〃My father and my brother have all given great services to Wei； and yet I deserves not being a mere Duke of Jin？〃
〃Should I dare not do what you requested？〃 said Cao Mao。
〃That poem about the Lurking Dragon called us slimy creatures。 What sort of politeness is that？〃 said Sima Zhao。
The Ruler of Wei had nothing to say； and the haughty minister left the chamber； smiling cruelly。
Cao Mao retired； taking with him Minister Wang Jing； Adviser Wang Shen； and General of the Cavalry Wang Ye； and they went to a privy chamber to consult。 Cao Mao was very sad。
He said； 〃There is no doubt that Sima Zhao intends to usurp the throne………everybody knows that。 But I will not sit thereon patiently awaiting the indignity of being pushed off。 Cannot you gentlemen help me to kill him？〃
〃He may not be slain；〃 said Wang Jing。 〃That will not do。 In the old state of Lu； King Zhao could not bear with the Ji family； and ran away； thus losing his country。 But this Sima Zhao and his family have been in power very long and have innumerable supporters； many of whom are quite independent of any act of his whether loyal or disloyal。 They support him