Yu Liang
Emperor Ming only ruled briefly and died in 326. Initially, he left a balance of power between high-level officials with whom he entrusted the four-year-old Crown Prince Yan, who later succeeded to the throne as Emperor Cheng. Empress Yu was honored as Empress Dowager Yu, and the officials encouraged her to become regent. Under this arrangement, Yu Liang became the most powerful official of the empire. He became apprehensive of the generals Su Jun, Zu Yue, and Tao Kan, each of whom suspected Yu of erasing their names from Sima Shao's will, which promoted and honored a large number of officials. Yu Liang was also apprehensive of Emperor Ming's step-uncle Yu Yin (虞胤) and the Imperial Princes Sima Zong (司馬宗) the Prince of Nandun and Sima Yang (司馬羕) the Prince of Xiyang, all of whom were powerful during Emperor Ming's reign but who had been removed under Empress Dowager Yu's regency. In winter 326, Yu Liang accused Sima Zong of treason and killed him, demoted Sima Yang, and exiled Yu Yin. This led to the people losing confidence in him.