endant of mander Deng Yu of Han*。 Beside these five there was another named Huan Fan； Minister of Agriculture； a man of good parts； who had the sobriquet of 〃Bag of Wisdom〃。 These six were Cao Shuang's most trusted panions and confidants。
One day He Yan said； 〃My lord； you should not let your great powers slip into the hands of any other； or you will repent it。〃
Cao Shuang replied； 〃Sima Yi as well as I received the late Emperor's sacred trust； and I mean to be true。〃
He Yan said； 〃When your father and this Sima Yi were winning their victories in the west； your father suffered much from this man's temper； which ultimately brought about his death。 Why do you not look into that？〃
Cao Shuang seemed suddenly to wake up。
Having entered into an intrigue with the majority of the officers about the court； then one day he presented to the Ruler of Wei a memorial； saying； 〃Sima Yi should be promoted to the rank of Guardian of the Throne for his great merits and services。〃
The promotion was made； and consequently Sima Yi； now a civil officer； let the whole military authority fall into the hands of Cao Shuang。
Having thus far succeeded； Cao Shuang next appointed his brothers to high military posts： Cao Xi as mander of the Center Army； Cao Xun； mander of the Imperial Guards； Cao Yan； mander of the Cavalry。 Each manded three thousand of the Palace guards； with right to go in and out of the Palace at will。 Moreover； three of his friends………He Yan； Deng Yang； and Ding Mi………were created Chairs of three boards； Bi Gui； mander of Capital District； and Li Sheng； Governor of Henan。 These five and their patron were close associates in all concerns of state。
Cao Shuang gathered about him larger and still larger numbers of supporters； till