하안
In 239, after Cao Rui died, his adopted son Cao Fang ascended the throne as the third emperor of Wei. Cao Shuang, who had been appointed as regent by Cao Rui on his deathbed, became the most powerful man in Wei aside from his co-regent Sima Yi. Cao Shuang promoted Xiahou Xuan to a Regular Mounted Attendant () and Central Protector of the Army (). Xiahou Xuan had a reputation as a scholar and was comparable to He Yan, another member of Cao Shuang's faction. Both Xiahou Xuan and He Yan were friends with Sima Yi's son Sima Shi; Sima Shi and Xiahou Xuan both received high praise from He Yan. After Xiahou Xuan replaced Jiang Ji as the Central Protector of the Army, bribery became a common practice in the Wei government. Though Xiahou Xuan could not stop corruption, he had insights to select competent people and singled out many people of ability.