Sima Yong, “the Shrewd Defender,” is one of the eight new playable faction leaders who will be available in the upcoming Eight Princes DLC for Total War: Three Kingdoms. An experienced and defensive leader, Sima Yong fought against numerous rebellions, defending both his own position and those of his allies. However, he was also power-hungry and ruthless.
Sima Yong in the Total War: Three Kingdoms Eight Princes DLC
“Known for finding skilled associates and assistants, Sima Yong had the reputation of being a capable military commander and a good defender,” explains Creative Assembly; “and was tasked with the defence of the city of Chang’an. Sima Yong had a good reputation among other government officials, and as cited as a ‘great example of filiality,’ but later showed more shrewd characteristics by switching sides in various conflicts. He’s one of the most experienced leaders (military and civic) among the eight princes, having taken his office in 277.”
Sima Yong is one of two Vanguard-class faction leaders in the Eight Princes DLC, together with the tempestuous Sima Wei. Where Sima Wei is aggressive and expansionistic, however, “the Shrewd Defender” is quite different; the focus of Sima Yong’s play-style is “defence and infrastructure”. For instance, his Military Security unique building chain grants garrison units, improves noble support, prestige, and income from all sources. Additionally, he has the unique benefit that any garrisoned army will actually increase faction support and local reserves, and even lower construction costs. Finally, he has access to a special Military Supervision assignment. This increases income from all sources in a commandery, but at the expense of noble support.
One aspect that helps Sima Yong excel at defence is speed. Not only does his own army benefit from +20% speed in battle, but if any army in his faction starts in his territory, it gains +25% campaign movement range. Plus, all of his armies have +50% greater reinforcement range. To help ensure that he has a court of useful characters to put to work, the ‘Man of the Hour’ event is more likely than normal to occur after battles.
Sima Yong’s Starting Position
The Shrewd Defender starts his campaign in Pingyuan commandery and already at war with the Prince of Zhangwu. His starting position puts him further north than the other Eight Princes, and he has a lot of potential to expand north or westwards; into the territory normally held by Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan in the base game. He does also start very close to Sima Jiong, a useful potential ally. (Or a rival who can be dealt with quickly.) Yong also starts with two noteworthy characters; Li Han, and the ruthless general Zhang Fang. The unique units available to Sima Yong are the Xianbei Horse Archers and Xianbei Riders. The former are highly mobile mounted archers with a good rate of fire. The Riders, meanwhile, are a shock cavalry unit with great charge bonuses.
Sima Yong in the War of the Eight Princes
Traditionally, Sima Yong is known as the seventh of the eight princes during the War of the Eight Princes. He was also one of the oldest, as he was the younger brother of Sima Yi and grand-uncle of Emperor Wu. As such, he was a well-known and highly-respected official. Indeed, in the year 299, Emperor Hui made him defender of Chang’an, one of the most important cities in the Jin Empire.
Sima Yong’s role in the War of the Eight Princes began after the usurpation of the emperor’s throne by Sima Lun. In 301, Sima Jiong and Sima Ying rose in rebellion against Sima Lun, determined to restore Emperor Hui. Initially, Yong planned to stand with Sima Lun. However, once he determined that Lun’s armies were greatly outnumbered, he switched allegiances. Sima Jiong, who became regent after the execution of Sima Lun, never trusted Sima Yong as a result of this. In fact, as he grew increasingly paranoid, he began to suspect that Yong was plotting against him.
His fears were well-founded. Sima Yong was indeed plotting to remove the arrogant new regent. However, he concocted a plan to strike at Jiong from where he wasn’t expecting. He conspired with Sima Ying to rebel against Sima Jiong, whereupon they would depose Emperor Hui and make Ying emperor. (Sima Ying was considered the appropriate successor to Emperor Hui, but Sima Jiong had named a younger relative as crown prince.) To enable their rebellion, Sima Yong turned to Sima Ai. He suggested that the prince begin the rebellion and thus catch Sima Jiong by surprise. In truth, he expected this attack to fail, but weaken Sima Jiong enough that his own attack would be successful.
Rebellions Against Sima Ai and Sima Ying
Unfortunately, Sima Yong’s plan worked too well. Sima Ai’s attack was not the failure that he had expected. The prince overthrew and executed Sima Jiong and became regent in his place. Determined not to see his well-laid plans fail, Sima Yong quickly turned against the new regent. Together with Sima Ying, he launched a new rebellion. The civil war against Sima Ai lasted for almost a year. However, it came to an end when Sima Yue arrested the regent and surrendered the capital of Luoyang. Sima Ai was handed over to Sima Yong’s subordinate, Zhang Fang, who had him burned to death.
As a result, Sima Ying became regent, and Sima Yong cemented his position of authority in the imperial government. However, officials who were unhappy with Sima Ying launched a rebellion under the command of Sima Yue just a few months later. This rebellion failed, and left Emperor Hui in the hands of Sima Ying at the city of Yecheng. However, Wang Jun, an old rival of Sima Ying’s, used this as an excuse to launch his own attack, supported by nomadic Xianbei and Wuhuan soldiers. Meanwhile, Sima Ying’s own Xiongnu allies turned against him and declared independence.
The Regency of Sima Yong
Sima Ying fled with the emperor back to Luoyang, where Sima Yong was waiting. The older prince abandoned the regent, demoted him, and stripped him of the title of crown prince. He, together with the emperor and the new crown prince, were taken to Chang’an. There Sima Yong could ensure they remained under his control. Sima Yue, meanwhile, seized upon this action to launch another rebellion.
The civil war between the pair raged for over a year. After he was unable to secure victory, Sima Yong even executed Zhang Fang in an effort to secure peace. By the year 306, he had lost control of Chang’an and the emperor, but retained control of most of the region surrounding the city. Forced into another stalemate, Sima Yue offered him a high-ranking court position if he would make peace. At last, Sima Yong accepted. However, en route to Luoyang, the prince was intercepted by Sima Mo, Sima Yue’s brother, who strangled him to death.