釋氏稽古略 1.565

1.565

Mao was the son of Lin, Prince of Donghai, and a grandson of Emperor Wen. In the ninth month of the jiaxu year, Sima Shi welcomed and enthroned the Emperor. In the first month of the second year of the Zhengyuan era, Sima Shi died in Xuchang. In the second month, an imperial decree appointed his younger brother Zhao as Senior General in charge of the Department of State Affairs (Shangshu).

In the fourth month of the first year of the Ganlu era, Senior General Zhao was bestowed the imperial ceremonial robes of the yanyuan and accompanied by red shoes.

In the fifth month of the third year, an imperial decree appointed Sima Zhao as Chancellor of State, enfeoffed him as Duke of Jin, and granted him the Nine Bestowals; Zhao declined, and the bestowals ceased.

In the spring, the first month of the fourth year of the Ganlu era, two yellow dragons appeared in a well in Ningling. The Emperor said: 'The dragon represents the ruler's virtue. It is neither above in the heavens nor below in the fields, but coiled inside a well; this is not an auspicious omen.' He composed a poem entitled 'Hidden Dragon' to satirize his own situation. Sima Zhao saw it and despised him for it.

He reigned for seven years. Reign eras: Zhengyuan (two years), Ganlu (five years; the Emperor died in the fifth month).