Abdication of Emperor Xian and Founding of Cao Wei220 CE

On 11 December 220 CE Cao Pi, inheriting Cao Cao's titles and court control, compelled the last Han emperor Xian to abdicate via the traditional shanrang ritual, transferring the Heavenly Mandate to the Cao family. Cao Pi proclaimed himself Emperor Wen of Wei, formally ending four centuries of Han rule. Liu Bei and Sun Quan soon contested the legitimacy, establishing the tripartite Three Kingdoms division. Encoded as 'inscription' following the established convention for abdication edicts and shanrang proclamations.

Battle of Shiting228 CE

A major Wei campaign against Eastern Wu ended in defeat for Wei forces at Shiting (near the modern Anhui/Jiangsu border). Demonstrates that despite being the strongest of the Three Kingdoms, Wei was not invulnerable in southern operations and faced effective resistance from Wu's defensive strategy along the Huai River frontier.

Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions (228–234 CE)228 CE

Shu Han chancellor Zhuge Liang launched five major invasions of Wei along the western Qinling front (228–234 CE), targeting Chang'an via the Qishan approaches in modern Gansu and Shaanxi. Wei forces under Cao Zhen, Sima Yi, and Zhang He repelled all incursions with minimal territorial loss. The campaigns strained both states but demonstrated Wei's defensive resilience; they ended definitively with Zhuge Liang's death in camp at Wuzhang Plains in 234 CE.

Sima Yi's Conquest of Liaodong238 CE

Sima Yi led approximately 40,000 troops in a three-month siege and campaign against the Gongsun clan at Xiangping (modern Liaoyang), eliminating a long-standing semi-independent power in Liaodong Commandery. Goguryeo cooperated with Wei during the campaign. The victory secured Wei's northeastern frontier and extended direct imperial administration to the Liaodong peninsula, enabling subsequent campaigns into Goguryeo territory.

Wei–Goguryeo War244 CE

General Guanqiu Jian led Wei campaigns (244–245 CE) deep into Goguryeo territory, capturing the capital at Hwando (near modern Ji'an, Jilin Province) and temporarily shattering the kingdom's military power. The campaigns demonstrated Wei's reach into northeastern Asia, had major consequences for regional power dynamics, and forced Goguryeo into a generation-long rebuilding phase.

Gaopingling Incident (Sima Yi Coup)249 CE

While the young emperor Cao Fang attended a ritual visit to the tomb at Gaopingling near Luoyang, Sima Yi — officially retired as co-regent — seized control of the capital's gates, weapons arsenals, and imperial secretariat in a swift coup against co-regent Cao Shuang and his faction. Cao Shuang surrendered on promises of safety but was subsequently executed along with his allies on rebellion charges. This event initiated permanent Sima clan dominance over the Wei court, reducing Cao emperors to figureheads.

Deposition of Cao Fang; Guanqiu Jian's Rebellion (Second Shouchun Rebellion)254 CE

Sima Shi deposed Cao Fang in 254 CE on fabricated rebellion charges and installed Cao Mao as emperor. The following year Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled at Shouchun (Shou County, Anhui) against Sima domination — the Second of the Three Rebellions in Shouchun (the First having been Wang Ling's abortive 251 CE plot). The revolt was suppressed and Sima Shi died of illness shortly after. These events further weakened Cao legitimacy and consolidated Sima Zhao's subsequent power.

Zhuge Dan's Rebellion (Third Shouchun Rebellion)258 CE

Wu-allied general Zhuge Dan — a distant clan relative of Shu Han's Zhuge Liang — rebelled against Sima Zhao from Shouchun, receiving Eastern Wu military support. After prolonged fighting Sima Zhao suppressed the rebellion; Zhuge Dan was killed. This was the last major military challenge to Sima authority from within the Wei officer corps before the final usurpation phase.

Cao Mao's Failed Coup and Death260 CE

Emperor Cao Mao, openly declaring 'Sima Zhao's ambition is known to all on the street,' rallied a small retinue of palace servants and subordinates in a desperate attempt to seize power from regent Sima Zhao. The coup was immediately crushed; Cao Mao was stabbed to death by Cheng Ji, an officer acting under Jia Chong — an unprecedented act of regicide against a sitting emperor. To deflect blame, Sima Zhao had Cheng Ji and his family executed as scapegoats while sparing Jia Chong, then accelerated plans for formal usurpation.

Conquest of Shu Han263 CE

Wei armies under generals Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, and Zhuge Xu invaded Shu Han in 263 CE in a coordinated three-pronged assault. Deng Ai executed a daring march through the precipitous Yinping Pass, bypassing Shu defenses and capturing the Sichuan basin capital Chengdu; Emperor Liu Shan surrendered without a final battle. Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei subsequently attempted their own coup but were suppressed. The conquest brought Yizhou (Sichuan) and Nanzhong into Wei territory, massively expanding its southwestern extent to its largest ever area.

Abdication of Cao Huan and Founding of Western Jin266 CE

On 4/8 February 266 CE Sima Yan (son of Sima Zhao, who had died in 265 CE) forced the last Cao emperor Huan to abdicate via the shanrang ritual, mirroring Cao Pi's receipt of the Han abdication 46 years earlier. Sima Yan proclaimed the Jin dynasty (Emperor Wu of Jin). Cao Huan was demoted to Duke of Chenliu but spared; he lived until 302 CE. Cao Wei ceased to exist as an independent polity. Encoded as 'inscription' (formal shanrang abdication edict).