Hua Xin and the other civil and military officials go before Emperor Xian. Since the King of Wei took the throne, his virtue has spread in every direction, so the fortune of Han is at an end. Let Your Majesty follow the example of Yao and Shun and hand the realm to the King of Wei. They even list omens, a qilin born, a phoenix come, a yellow dragon seen. For a long while the emperor cannot speak, then he weeps. It is four hundred years since the founding emperor rose with a sword three feet long and built this dynasty. I may lack talent, but I have committed no great wrong, so how could I throw away the great work of my ancestors?
The next day, when the emperor is too afraid to come out, Empress Cao, Cao Pi’s sister, asks why. When the emperor says her brother means to seize the throne, Empress Cao rebukes her brother in a fury. But Cao Hong and Cao Xiu come in wearing swords and drag the emperor out, and Hua Xin pulls at the dragon robe, demanding that he say at once whether he consents or not. When they demand the seal, Zu Bi, Keeper of the Seals, rebukes them, asking how they dare demand the treasure of the Son of Heaven, and is dragged out and beheaded.
Trembling, the emperor says he will hand the realm to the King of Wei. After going through the form of declining twice, Cao Pi mounts the Altar of Abdication, and the emperor presents the seal in person. Hua Xin grips his sword and points at the emperor. Setting up one emperor and deposing another has always happened. You will be made Duke of Shanyang, so leave today, and do not enter the court unless summoned. When the emperor departs, holding back tears, Cao Pi tells his officials. Now I understand what happened with Shun and Yu.