Fun facts about lesser known heroes (Inspired by Chris)

[Dong Zhou]

Who were the other two regents, and how did they fall out of favour?

The original 5 were Xiahou Xian, Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, Rui's possible lover Qin Lang and Cao Yu. Some of Cao Rui's advisers did not get on with two of them so argued for Cao Shuang and Sima Yi instead while Cao Yu rejected the offer.

[Shen Ai]

Where Qin Lang and Cao Zhao known for anything, like as being capable? Maybe they could have stopped Cao Shuang from running Wei into the ground.

[Striga]

Qin Lang was Sima Yi's vanguard as I remember.

[Shen Ai]

He fought at Wuzhang and died there. Hmmm... Maybe he would be a rather reckless regent after all...

[Striga]

He was killed in a trap set up by Zhuge Liang according to his SGZ. That doesn't mean much. Guan Yu was killed by Lü Meng as he fled, Dian Wei was killed by archers. Each person dies at their own time. His death was no worse than anyone elses.

[Dong Zhou]

If he was dead, he would hardly be considered for the regency.

Where Qin Lang and Cao Zhao known for anything, like as being capable? Maybe they could have stopped Cao Shuang from running Wei into the ground.

Lang was mostly known for being close to Rui and possibly being Rui's lover, no idea about Cao Zhao.

I would also dispute the last sentence.

[Striga]

What do you mean by Rui's lover? They were both men, and Rui had his own wives, and Qin Lang was probably married as well.

[Dong Zhou]

The texts suggest, depending quite how you read it, that Lang and Rui were lovers. China had a gay Emperor before then I believe so it wasn't unheard of for a gay (or in this case, bisexual) ruler and some say Cao Cao also had a male lover (less convinced on that one) in Kong Gui. As for the whole marriage thing, that has never proved a 100% way of stopping affairs so that doesn't rule anything out.

Also Rui was romantically linked with Cao Zhao but no idea how true that one is.

[Shen Ai]

Homosexual royals is not uncommon. Though, given Rui's sexual desires and hunger, I find it slightly unlikely.

Cao Shuang didn't run Wei into the ground?
Well, he must have done something because the court was corrupt and the army was in chaos after he attacked Shu.

[Dong Zhou]

Was the court corrupt though or was that a Jin claim to justify a drastic, Emperor endangering coup though? The court was filled with highly talented men with idea's that even Sima Yi admitted were good but vetoed on petty grounds so it seems a bit odd that these talented men suddenly brought nearly brought Wei down. The problem was, as well as He Yan's "effeminate" ways and drug habit which did damage the image of Shuang's regime, that Cao Shuang's core were seen as non Confucian and were loosening the gentry's grip with said reforms. Have a guess what Sima Yi's major backers were? Hint: Confucian and gentry

Now his disastrous invasion was a bad move indeed.