183 Beijing Operas - Sima Yi - Number 83

Sima Yi

Beijing Beijing Opera - "The Ruse of the Empty City"

Sima Yi, supreme commander of the armies of Wei with a watery white full face plays a role in the opera "The Ruse of the Empty City." When Zhuge Liang attacked the Kingdom of Wei, Guo Huai was appointed as Deputy Commander of the Wei forces under Cao Zhen, and accurately predicted the movements of the Shu army, and scored many important victories. Cao Zhen's inadequate leadership however resulted in many losses, so Sima Yi was sent from Wancheng to take over command. Together with Cao Zhen, Guo Huai drove back Zhao Yun and recovered the territories of Nanan, Tian Shui and Anding, which were previously lost during the attack by Shu.