Meanwhile, Sima Yi granted imperial authority to Gao Rou, the Minister over the Masses, and further appointed him as acting General-in-Chief () and ordered him to take command of Cao Shuang's troops while stating: "You're now like Zhou Bo." He also appointed Wang Guan, the Minister Coachman (), and a man whom Sima Yi had previously recommended during Cao Rui's reign, as acting Commandant of the Central Army () and ordered him to seize command of the troops under Cao Shuang's brother Cao Xi ().