Cao Xi

Made Commander of the Center Army with three thousand Palace guards and the right to come and go from the Palace at will. He is also the only one of the brothers who sees the danger, and he raises it with Cao Shuang directly: 'You are in an exalted position and yet you are constantly being out hunting. If anyone took advantage of this to work you evil, you might have to be exceedingly regretful.' He gets anger for an answer.

His are the two decisions that seal the family's fate. Asked what to do, he answers 'I remonstrated with you, but you were obstinate and listened not. So it has come to this. Sima Yi is false and cunning beyond measure. If Zhuge Liang could not get the better of him, could we hope to do so? I see nothing but to yield that haply we may live.' Then, locked in the family house, he proposes the food test — 'If Sima Yi sends us food, we may be sure he does not intend harm' — and a hundred carts arrive, which is the last thing any of them is glad about.