Murong Wei, courtesy name Jingmao, was the third son of Murong Jun. Initially named Prince of Zhongshan, he was soon proclaimed as the Heir Apparent. After Murong Jun's death, the ministers wanted to install Murong Ke as emperor, but Murong Ke declined, stating, "The country already has an Heir Apparent; I cannot bypass him!" Ultimately, Murong Wei became emperor.
In the fourth year of the Shengping era, Murong Wei declared himself emperor, issued a general amnesty, changed the reign title to Jianxi, and appointed his mother, Kezuhun Shi, as Empress Dowager. He appointed Murong Ke as Grand Preceptor, granting him authority over the Secretariat's affairs, akin to that of the Duke of Zhou; Murong Ping became Grand Tutor, assisting in handling court affairs; Muyu Gen became Grand Mentor; Murong Chui was appointed as Grand Commandant of Henan, General of the Southern Conquest, Governor of Yanzhou, Inspector of Jingzhou, and concurrently the Colonel Who Protects the Southern Barbarians, stationed in Liangguo; Sun Xi became General Who Guards the West and Inspector of Bingzhou; Fu Yan became General Who Guards the Army; and other officials were also rewarded accordingly.
Alas, Emperor Fu Wei was so ineffectual, leaving all state affairs to be managed by his brother Fu Jian. Muyu Gen, relying on his merits, always felt superior and was particularly jealous of Fu Jian's control over court affairs, constantly seeking an opportunity to rebel. He went to Fu Jian and said, "The Emperor is still young, his mother is still meddling in politics; Your Highness must be cautious, like Yang Jun and Zhuge Yuanxun, and think about how to protect yourself. Besides, pacifying the world is Your Highness's achievement; it is customary for the younger brother to succeed the elder. After the Emperor's mourning period, we can depose him, make him a king of a small state, and you can rise to the throne, establishing a powerful state of Yan!"
Fu Jian couldn't believe his ears when he heard this, and said, "Are you drunk? What nonsense are you talking about! In the past, ministers like Cao Zang and Wu Zha, even when facing danger in their own domains, still said that assisting the monarch was not their duty. Now that the crown prince has inherited the throne and the world is at peace, we ministers are assisting according to the late emperor's orders. How can we discuss such matters in private? Have you forgotten the late emperor's teachings?" Mu Yu Gen was intimidated by Fu Jian and quickly apologized and left. Fu Jian told this matter to Murong Chui, who advised him to kill Mu Yu Gen. Fu Jian said, "We have just experienced a funeral, there are enemies in the north eyeing us, and the emperor's tomb is not yet built. If the ministers start killing each other, it would likely dishearten the populace. Let's endure it for now." As a result, Mu Yu Gen and his accomplice Mu Yu Gan secretly conspired to assassinate Fu Jian and Fu Ping in order to usurp the throne. They went to Fu Wei's mother, Ke Zuhun, and Fu Wei to inform them, "The Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor are planning a rebellion. Please let me lead the troops to kill them and stabilize the world!" Ke Zuhun was nearly convinced, but Fu Wei said, "These two are important ministers of the state, who were entrusted by the late emperor. They should not act like this. Maybe it's the Grand Tutor Mu Yu Gen who wants to rebel!" So, Fu Wei sent the Palace Attendant Huang Fu Zhen and the Guard Fu Yan to arrest Mu Yu Gen and others, executed them in the palace, and then granted amnesty to the world. Then, Fu Wei sent Fu Yan with twenty thousand cavalry to patrol Henan. When they reached the Huai River, they returned, sending shockwaves through the military power of the Yan Kingdom.
At first, General Lv Hu under Shi Zun's command occupied Yewang and secretly contacted the capital. Emperor Mu promoted him to former general and governor of Jizhou. After Shi Zun's death, Lv Hu tried to attract the imperial army to deal with him. However, the plan was exposed, and Shi Zun's son Shi Wei sent Murong Ke with fifty thousand soldiers to confront him. Fu Yan told Murong Ke, "Lv Hu is a man in a desperate situation who has only formed a temporary alliance. When the imperial army arrives, they will lose heart and dare not show themselves on the road, let alone pull any tricks. This shows that the soldiers are terrified and are bound to fail soon. Your Highness previously said that Guanggu's terrain is dangerous and difficult to attack, so a long-term strategy was adopted. Now the situation with these bandits has changed, so we should attack quickly to save a lot of money." Murong Ke said, "Lv Hu is an experienced old bandit. It won't be easy to defeat him with the defensive preparations he has made. Now that we have trapped him in a lonely city, cut off his supply lines, and there are no reserves inside or strong reinforcements outside, he won't last more than ten days or two weeks. Why risk soldiers' lives for a fleeting victory? I plan to arrange a siege, let the soldiers rest well, and then use rewards and promises of high positions to sow discord among them. Over time, the situation will become favorable for us, and they will start to turn on each other; without any effort on our part, the enemy will collapse on their own. This is a victory without bloodshed, enjoying the fruits of success!" So they surrounded Yewang City and maintained a tight defense. Lv Hu sent his general Zhang Xing with seven thousand elite soldiers to battle, but they were defeated by Fu Yan, and Zhang Xing was killed. From March to August, Yewang City was finally captured, and Lv Hu surrendered to the Jin Dynasty, surrendering all his troops. Shortly after, he rebelled again, returning to Shi Wei's side, who received him as before. Then Shi Wei sent Fu Yan and Lv Hu to garrison He Yin. Fu Yan marched north to engage the Rouran and returned victorious. Lv Hu attacked Luoyang but was struck by an arrow and killed. General Duan Chong assembled his troops to cross the Yellow River and stationed them in Yewang.
Shi Wei sent his subordinate Murong Zhong to capture Xingyang in the Northeast, and sent General Murong Chen, known as Zhen Nan, to attack Changping. At that time, the Champion General of the Jin Dynasty, Chen You, was stationed in Luoyang, and he sent people to the court for help. The emperor then sent Huan Wen to support him.
Initially, Shi Le sent Murong Ping to attack Xuchang, Xuanhu, and Chencheng, all of which were captured. Then, he occupied several counties in Runan and relocated more than ten thousand households to Youzhou and Jizhou.
The Inspector of Yuzhou, Sun Xing, wrote to Shi Le, suggesting that he first send five thousand infantry to attack Luoyang. Shi Le accepted his suggestion and sent his Chancellor Sima Yue to Mengjin, while Sun Xing stationed troops in Chenggao to support Sima Yue. Soon after, Chen You retreated to Luhun with his troops, and Sima Yue seized control of all military strongholds in Henan.
Murong Ke broke through Jinyong City and killed General Yangwei Shen Jin. Shi Le appointed Murong Zhu as the Acting General, Conqueror of Barbarians, and Inspector of Luozhou, stationed in Jinyong City; he also appointed Murong Chui as the Commander overseeing military affairs in ten provinces including Jing, Yang, Luo, Xu, Yan, Yu, Yong, Yi, Liang, and Qin, Grand General of Conquest in the South, Governor of Jingzhou, and assigned him ten thousand soldiers to garrison in Luyang.
Your Majesty, during the reign of Emperor Shi Wei, frequent floods and droughts occurred throughout the realm. Murong Ke and Murong Ping came to see Your Majesty together, requesting to resign from their official positions and return home. They said: "We are mediocre in talent, and our abilities are not sufficient to govern the country. We are grateful for the late Emperor's promotion and Your Majesty's trust, but we cannot bear the heavy responsibility of being chancellors, which has resulted in recurring floods and droughts, social turmoil, and immense responsibility. We worry night after night. We have heard that a wise monarch should follow the will of heaven in founding a country, select talents, and appoint officials based on their abilities. The position of chancellor is very important, as it is related to the rise and fall of the country. If the wrong person is chosen, it will lead to the country's decline. Holding onto a position without merit will only bring disaster; this is an eternal truth. Even someone as distinguished as Ji Dan had displeased close associates, and there were rumors from afar about Guan Shu and Cai Shu. How much more for us, who have obtained high positions due to family ties? Wealth and status were not earned through genuine talent and learning; how can we long occupy important positions and block the path for the talented? Therefore, we submitted a request to resign from our positions in our middle age, expressing our true feelings. Your Majesty, remembering the past, could not bear to let us leave, but we are attached to wealth and honor, increasing our responsibilities even further. We have held the chancellorship for seven years. Although we have worked hard, our shortcomings in foresight have resulted in uprisings in the border regions, damaging the prestige of the court. Our achievements are far from the glorious era of the Han Dynasty, failing to fulfill the late Emperor's trust and going against Your Majesty's wise intentions. Although we lack ability, we have heard the words of a true gentleman and dare not forget the virtue of Yu Qiu, who shunned the wise, following the principle of 'knowing when to stop' in the "Returning to the Fields" poem. Therefore, we respectfully submit the seals of the Grand Preceptor, Grand Marshal, Grand Tutor, and Grand Commandant, and earnestly request Your Majesty's approval."
The emperor said, "I lack the ability, yet I took on this great responsibility early on. The late emperor's wishes rest entirely on the two esteemed ministers. The two esteemed ministers are highly respected and have merits comparable to the founding heroes of the states of Lu and Wei. They have supported the royal family, aided me in governing the country, promoted benevolence, and fostered peace and prosperity. It is thanks to them that we have been able to pacify external enemies, stabilize the country, achieve peace across the realm, and ensure good governance. This is not solely due to the blessings of our ancestors, but also to the merits of the two esteemed ministers! Currently, the Di people in the Guanzhong region have yet to surrender, and there are still remnants of rebel forces in the Jiang and Wu regions. We need the strategies of the two esteemed ministers to unify the country. How can you so easily resign and betray my deep trust? You must abandon thoughts of personal comfort and achieve the great cause of supporting the country!"
Murong Ke and Murong Ping insisted on resigning. The emperor said, "Virtuous individuals are remembered for their noble endings, and those who assist the monarch aspire to achieve success and recognition. The two esteemed ministers fought alongside the late emperor to establish the country and were appointed by the heavens to eliminate rebellions and restore the prosperity of the Zhou Dynasty. Nowadays, disasters are frequent, the country's fortune is declining, and my abilities are limited in shouldering this heavy responsibility. I cannot fulfill the late emperor's wishes, leading to frequent rebellions. Therefore, given that our achievements remain unfulfilled, how can we simply retreat? Moreover, wise rulers of antiquity never took pride in their dominion but were always concerned for the people, implementing benevolent governance to achieve peace across the realm. With education still not widespread and rebellions unresolved, the safety of the state concerns not only me but also the two esteemed ministers. You must consider how to pacify the populace, quell the rebellions, leave a good legacy for future generations, and emulate the prosperity of the Zhou and Han Dynasties. You must not overly prioritize personal honor and disgrace at the expense of righteousness." The emperor ultimately rejected their request, and Murong Ke and Murong Ping stopped insisting.
Guo Qin submitted a memorial to Emperor Shi Hu, proposing that he adopt 'Mude' as his reign title.
In the first year of Taihe, Shi Hu sent Murong Li, the pacifier, to attack Zhuge You, the Tai Shou of the Jin Dynasty. Zhuge You fled to Huainan, while Murong Li occupied all the counties in Yanzhou and, after settling the officials, he returned. Murong Ke fell ill and was deeply concerned that no one would manage Shi Hu's political affairs. He also believed that Murong Ping was overly suspicious, and the position of Grand Marshal should not be entrusted to those with high prestige. So, he summoned Shi Hu's brother, King Le'an Zang, and said, "Both the powerful Qin and Wu states are currently eyeing us, looking to invade us, fearing they might miss the right moment to strike. The nation's safety hinges on finding suitable talents, and the nation's prosperity relies on wise counsel. If we can promote talented individuals and unite our clans, then what part of the world could resist us? What do these two powerful enemies amount to? My abilities are limited, but I have been entrusted by the late emperor's wishes and have always wanted to pacify Guanzhong and Longxi, eliminate Hou Zhao and Dong Wu, and fulfill the late emperor's wishes to honor his spirit in the afterlife. However, my illness is worsening, and I am afraid I will not be able to fulfill this wish; I will have no regrets after I'm gone. King Wu (Murong Ke referred to Murong Chong) is intelligent, exceptionally talented, and strategic. The choice of the Grand Marshal must not be mistaken. After I die, this position must be given to him. If this position is withheld from you due to family ties, then it must be given to Murong Chong. While you are capable, you may not withstand the storms and tribulations. The nation's safety relies on this. Don't lose sight of the dangers for short-term gains, or you’ll regret it when it’s too late!" He relayed these words to Murong Ping. A month later, Murong Ke passed away, and the entire nation mourned profoundly.
Before this, Zhao Hong, the governor of Nanyang in the Jin Dynasty, led Wancheng to surrender to Shi Hu. Shi Hu stationed his general Zhao Pan to defend Wancheng. Later, Huan Huo, the Right General of the Jin Dynasty, attacked Wancheng, breached the city, and Zhao Pan fled back to Luyang. Huan Huo sent cavalry to chase Zhao Pan, caught up with him in Zhicheng, fought a fierce battle, defeated Zhao Pan, captured him, and returned him to Wancheng to continue guarding it, before returning to the capital with his troops.
That scoundrel Fu Jian trapped Fu Yao in Shanzhou, and Fu Yao surrendered to the former Qin Emperor Fu Jian. At that time, there was a prophecy in a book that said, "The horses of the Yan Kingdom will drink the water of the Wei River." When Fu Jian heard this, he feared Murong Wei would take the opportunity to attack Guanzhong, so he quickly moved his elite troops to Huayin to be on guard.
The ministers under Murong Wei debated whether to send troops to rescue Fu Yao and take control of the Guanzhong region. But Murong Ping, this old fool, has never had much strategic vision, and after receiving bribes from Fu Jian, he came out to oppose it, saying, "Although the Qin Kingdom is a bit chaotic now, it's not easy to conquer. Although our court is still doing well, we can't compare to the late emperor. Our abilities are not as good as Murong Chui's, and we definitely won't be able to conquer the Qin Kingdom. We should just keep to ourselves and defend our territory."
Murong De, who served under Murong Wei, wrote to Murong Wei: "The late emperor followed the will of heaven and received its mandate, using benevolence and righteousness to pacify distant lands and unify the world. Unfortunately, his achievements were left unfinished before he suddenly passed away. When King Wen of Zhou passed away, King Wu succeeded and achieved hegemony. Your Majesty should follow the example of King Wu of Zhou, inherit the late emperor's will, and consolidate the foundation of the country. Currently, the traitors Fu Jian occupy Guanzhong and Longxi, proclaiming themselves as emperors, committing many evils, suspecting and killing each other, causing internal chaos, and dividing the country into four parts. They are all seeking our help, indicating that their time is up, and the situation is turning in our favor. Attacking a chaotic country when it is weak is a winning strategy in warfare. Now that the Qin dynasty is divided, it is a time of weakness. We have the right timing, location, and support. Heaven has given us an opportunity we must seize, or we will face retribution, as seen in the lessons learned from Wu and Yue. We should seize this opportunity, raise the banner against tyranny, let Huangfu Zhen lead the armies of Bingzhou and Jizhou straight to Puban; I will lead the armies of Xuzhou and Luozhou to quickly rescue Fu Yao; the Grand Tutor will command the armies of the capital as the follow-up troops. Send messages by carrier pigeon to the regions of Sanfu, with the voice of benevolence and righteousness arriving before the armies, rewarding those who capture cities with noble titles, even for minor achievements, to inspire talented individuals who lack opportunities, so they stand tall like mountains in Bashang, gathering like dark clouds in Longxi. The net is cast, and we have support both inside and outside; those lowly figures will either flee or surrender. The time for unification is ripe! I hope Your Majesty can make a decisive choice and stop hesitating!" Murong Wei was very pleased after reading the memorial and intended to adopt Murong De's suggestion. However, Murong Ping strongly disagreed, and the matter was shelved. Fu Yao knew that Murong Ping and Murong Wei were short-sighted and worried that reinforcements would not come, so he wrote a letter to Murong Chui and Huangfu Zhen: "Fu Jian and Wang Meng are both outstanding talents; they have always been a threat to Yan, and they will eventually pose a significant threat."
If we don't seize the opportunity to deploy troops now, the lords and ministers of the State of Yan may later regret it!
I received your letter and privately told Zhen Ge, "To cure this disease, the key lies in the state of Qin! The Emperor is currently immersed in pleasure, just like those foolish rulers from the Spring and Autumn Period, having no interest in governance. Look at the Grand Chancellor; does he have the ability to resist Fu Jian, Wang Meng, and the others?" Zhen Ge said, "Yes, the court is currently in utter chaos. Even if we come up with a solution, the Emperor may not listen! What can we do about this?" Yueshi Wan told Emperor Wei, "The Grand Chancellor's policies are too lenient, and the common people are openly flouting the laws. The 'Book of Documents' says, 'Only those with virtue can govern the people with tolerance, followed by severity.' Currently, there are three households sharing one kitchen in the military, with rampant corruption and lax discipline. All military households should be disbanded, the treasury needs to be replenished, and the laws should be strictly enforced to restore stability to the realm." Emperor Wei followed his advice. After Yueshi Wan implemented the policy, the court and the populace were taken aback, and over twenty thousand individuals were dismissed and sent home. Murong Ping was furious and secretly tracked down Yueshi Wan and had him assassinated.
During the Jin Dynasty, Grand Marshal Huan Wen, Governor of Jiangzhou Huan Chong, and Governor of Yuzhou Yuan Zhen led fifty thousand troops to attack Emperor Wei of Former Yan. The former Inspector of Yanzhou, Sun Yuan, also raised troops in response. Huan Wen's general, Tan Xuan, attacked Hu Lu and captured Wei's General Murong Zhong. Wei sent his general, Murong Li, to battle Huan Wen at Huangxu, but Murong Li was defeated and fled alone. The Administrator of Gaoping, Xu Fan, surrendered his county to Huan Wen. Huan Wen's vanguard, Zhu Xu, defeated Fu Yan, a general of Wei, at Linzhu, boosting the morale of Huan Wen's army, which subsequently camped at Fangtou. Wei, fearing for his safety, wanted to escape to Helong. Murong Chui replied, "No, let me fight. If I can't win, we can escape later." He was then appointed as the Commissioner-in-Chief and Grand Commander of the South, while Murong De was appointed as the General for Southern Conquest, leading fifty thousand troops to resist Huan Wen and sending an envoy, Le Song, to seek help from Fu Jian. Fu Jian sent General Gou Chi to lead twenty thousand troops from Luoyang to Yingchuan, claiming to provide relief but actually aiming to take advantage of the situation and annex Former Yan. Murong De camped at Shimen and cut off Huan Wen's supply route. The Governor of Yuzhou, Li Bang, led five thousand troops to cut off Huan Wen's food supply. Huan Wen suffered several defeats, and his supplies were cut off, and upon hearing that Fu Jian's army had arrived, he scorched his ships, discarded his weapons, and retreated. Murong De led four thousand elite cavalry, arriving at the east of Xiangyi before Huan Wen, ambushing in the mountain gullies and launching a pincer attack with Murong Chui, resulting in a major defeat for the Jin forces, with casualties exceeding thirty thousand. Upon hearing of Huan Wen's retreat, Gou Chi intercepted and attacked him at Qiaodi, leading to another defeat for the Jin forces, with casualties exceeding ten thousand.
Fu Jian's general, Murong Chui, accomplished significant feats, and his prestige continued to rise, which left Murong Ping feeling quite displeased. Murong Chui claimed that his grandson, Sun Gai, and others had distinguished themselves in battle and deserved recognition and promotion, but Murong Ping paid him no mind at all. Murong Chui and Murong Ping had several heated arguments in court about this. To make matters worse, the Huns, who had long held a grudge against Murong Chui, intentionally tarnished his military reputation and colluded with Murong Ping to have him killed. In fear for his life, Murong Chui hurriedly sought refuge with Fu Jian.
Before that, Former Yan Emperor Murong Wei sent the Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate, Liang Chen, to Fu Jian to build connections. After Liang Chen returned, he reported to Murong Ping: "Given this situation, I doubt the relationship between the two countries will remain peaceful for long. In addition, the King of Wu (referring to Murong Chong) went to Fu Jian; there's definitely something brewing, and we should be prepared early." Murong Ping said, "No, how could the Qin State accept our traitors and not maintain friendly relations with us?" Liang Chen replied, "It's not unusual for neighboring countries to swallow each other up. Moreover, both sides are now calling themselves great powers, and they can't coexist. Fu Jian is sharp, decisive, and open to good advice. Wang Meng is a brilliant strategist and very proactive. Look at how well they cooperate; it's really rare! Huan Wen isn't really a threat; the real danger comes from Wang Meng!" Murong Wei and Murong Ping did not take Liang Chen's words seriously. Huangfu Zhen once again stated the situation, saying, "Although Fu Jian sent messengers back and forth, pretending to be friendly on the surface, in reality, the two countries are at odds, just like in the Warring States period. Fu Jian clearly just wants to take advantage and has never thought about living in peace; he will not ultimately keep his word. Recently, more and more people are coming and going, and the Qin army has reached Luochuan, occupying important strategic locations; we can see this situation clearly. Keeping an eye on what's real and what's not, and looking for chances to scheme, this is a tactic the enemy often uses. Moreover, the King of Wu went to Fu Jian to be his adviser, like the tragedy of Wu Yuan; we need to stay alert! Luoyang, Bingzhou, Huguan, and other places should bolster their forces and beef up defenses just in case." Murong Wei called Murong Ping to discuss. Murong Ping said, "The strength of the Qin State is weak, relying on us as allies, and Fu Jian is still somewhat reasonable; he will not ultimately listen to the words of traitors. We shouldn't freak ourselves out; we need to keep the enemy on their toes." Murong Wei listened to Murong Ping's words.
Good grief, not long after, Fu Jian sent his fierce warrior Wang Meng to lead troops to attack Murong Wei, targeting the defensive fortifications Murong Wei had built in Jinyong City. Murong Wei quickly dispatched Murong Zang to his aid. When Murong Zang arrived near Xingyang, Liang Cheng and Deng Qiang under Wang Meng faced off against Murong Zang at Shimen, and Murong Zang suffered a crushing defeat, losing tens of thousands of troops. The two armies were deadlocked at Shimen. The defenders in Jinyong City, seeing that the reinforcements had not arrived, surrendered to Wang Meng's forces. Liang Cheng then executed over three thousand, capturing the general Yang Qu under Murong Zang. Murong Zang fled in disgrace to Xinle City.
After Huan Wen was defeated, he passed the buck to Yuan Zhen, the Governor of Yuzhou. Yuan Zhen was furious and immediately surrendered Shouyang City to Murong Wei. Murong Wei appointed him as the General-in-Chief and various other titles, including Commander of the Southern Army, Grand General for Conquering the South, Commander of the Southern Barbarians, and Governor of Yangzhou, granting him the title of Duke of Xuan City. Unfortunately, before Yuan Zhen could assume his position, he and the appointed Wen Tong both died. Zhu Fu, a supporter of Yuan Zhen, quickly moved to consolidate power in Shouyang by appointing Yuan Zhen's son Yuan Jin as the General of Establishing Might and Governor of Yuzhou.
At this moment, outside, Fu Jian's army and Wang Meng's army were taking turns attacking, with battles raging on; meanwhile, Murong Wei's mother was stirring up chaos in the political arena, with all the ministers being corrupt and greedy, the entire court was a mess, everything was decided based on money, and official appointments were all about connections. The common folk had long had enough. At this time, the Deputy Left Minister of Personnel, Shen Shao, submitted a memorial detailing:
I heard that Emperor Han Xuan said, "Are the only ones who govern the world with me those officials of the two-thousand-stone rank?" So he paid special attention to selecting officials and must select all the talented individuals, all of whom are selected from the tribute scholars and have gone through the training of various levels of internal and external officials. In this way, only through virtue and benevolence can even the fiercest beasts be tamed and auspiciousness brought. But now, some local officials come from common people or soldiers, some leverage connections with the royal family, and some are promoted because they catch a good opportunity. Not only do they have no reputation locally, they also lack experience in the court. Moreover, there is no assessment system, making rewards and punishments ambiguous. Greedy and lazy officials commit wrongdoing without fear of execution; honest and diligent officials abide by the law, but there is no reward of titles. The people are impoverished, bribery is rampant, soldiers desert, and conspire to become thieves. The social atmosphere is corrupt, and there is no mutual supervision and restraint. Furthermore, with more officials, government affairs become cumbersome, which has always been a long-standing issue. Now the population of a state is comparable to that of a large county during the Han Dynasty, yet there are hundreds of official positions, plus the newly established military ranks, making it even more burdensome than before. Pretend official positions neglect agriculture, and both the public and private sectors are overburdened, leaving the people with no means of survival. Official positions should be merged, organizations streamlined, and the people encouraged to farm. The rebellions of Qin and Wu were once rampant, yet they were able to set aside their prejudices and unite their forces. How can the great Yan dynasty, with its successive wise rulers restoring glory and ruling the world, allow good governance to falter and let the corrupt prevail? It is the hope of everyone that neighboring countries have good measures, and if we do not improve, it would be their desire.
Qin and Wu are sly, situated in pivotal locations. They are not only defending the borders, yet they face threats from both Qin and Wu. Their archer cavalry strikes fear into both Qin and Jin. Their troops move swiftly like the wind; this is the norm for them. So why do they always manage to reach the enemy's rear first, while our troops struggle to reinforce quickly? This stems from unstable tax laws and unreasonable conscription practices. Every time officials in the counties mobilize personnel, they always neglect the well-off and select the poor and weak. This creates significant difficulties due to insufficient supplies, leading to widespread complaints and ultimately, desertion, which hinders the timely replenishment of national wealth and disrupts agricultural production. The strength of the army lies not in its numbers, but in its ability to obey orders. Strict military regulations should be established, prioritizing the need for soldiers to rest and recuperate, training the army, conducting realistic training exercises, and stabilizing the army's organization, enabling them to have enough energy to pursue private ventures outside of military service, so their parents and siblings can witness their success, and so their children have someone to rely on. Even if they are called to face great dangers, they will follow orders without hesitation.
Frugality has always been the principle upheld by wise rulers throughout the ages! From ancient times to the present, those sagacious emperors placed great emphasis on frugality. For instance, Zhou Gong advised King Cheng to prioritize frugality, Emperor Wen of Han used coarse cloth tents to change the extravagant trend, Emperor Xiaojing maintained a harem of just over a thousand concubines, and Emperor Wu of Wei never rewarded more than a hundred thousand. They all opted for simple burials without grand tombs, leading by example to encourage the populace to be frugal, thus strengthening the nation. But what about the present? The palace has over four thousand concubines, with attendants and servants numbering ten times that, and daily expenses soaring to tens of thousands of gold, while silk and satin increase every year, neglecting military needs and focusing only on luxury and pleasure. The treasury is nearly depleted, and soldiers can barely afford clothing. Ministers and vassal kings are competing in extravagance, and this trend has taken deep root, making stories of lying on firewood and tasting gall no longer surprising! Therefore, we should cut off those superficial affairs, strictly enforce the regulations governing marriages, funerals, and weddings, ban extravagant waste, marry off the women in the palace, and equitably distribute taxes. Let the court regard the realm as its family, administer rewards and punishments transparently, and uphold strict discipline; only then can we rein in those unruly forces, and disturbances will cease! Your Majesty, you should emulate the frugality of the Han emperors, adopt the virtues of diligence and frugality exemplified by your predecessors; otherwise, this corrupt trend will only escalate, and the song of revival will be out of reach.
As for the matter of expanding territory, we cannot focus just on the cities and territories at hand. To control the barbarians, we need to win them over with kindness. Currently, there are more than four hundred li of land north of Luyang and Shangjun that have not been controlled. We can't rely on this to settle border issues, but instead make those who like to cling to power feel scared. Therefore, we should capture Bingzhou and Yuzhou, occupy both banks of the Yellow River, improve transportation routes, and follow the example of wise ancient rulers; strengthen the defense of Jinyang, increase the army in the south, be prepared for war, use substantial resources to buy people's hearts, accumulate strength, wait for the right moment to strike, and then take out the enemy in one go. If they stubbornly resist, wait for them to enter the territory before annihilating them, so that they won't even be able to take a horse back. This not only prevents the enemy from spying but is also the key to completely pacifying the rebellion. Your Majesty, please consider carefully!
The emperor dismissed these suggestions.
Fu Jian sent Wang Meng and Yang An to attack Shi Le's descendants—the Later Yan Emperor Murong Wei. Wang Meng attacked Huguan, and Yang An attacked Jinyang. Murong Wei sent Murong Ping and others to lead more than 400,000 elite soldiers to resist. Wang Meng and Yang An's armies advanced to Luchuan. At this time, bandits were rampant in various places in Later Yan, and there were many strange phenomena in Ye City. Murong Wei was anxious and unsure of what to do, so he summoned his ministers and asked, "How's the Qin army doing? Now that our army is going out, can Wang Meng and the others fight?" Someone replied, "The army of Qin is weak. How can they be a match for our army! Wang Meng's strategies are pretty average, not even comparable to our Grand Tutor (Murong Chui), there's nothing to be concerned about!"
Huangmen Shilang Liang Chen and Zhongshu Shilang Le Song stepped forward and said, "That's not right! Military texts say you should assess the enemy's combat strength. Counting on the enemy to not fight is not a solid plan! As noted in the 'Qing Zheng Ji', 'Although the Qin army is small, their soldiers' combat strength is several times greater than ours.' The size of the army isn't the problem! Moreover, the Qin army traveled a thousand miles to fight; how could they not fight?" Murong Wei was not pleased.
Wang Meng and Murong Ping confronted each other. Murong Ping believed that Wang Meng had penetrated deep into enemy territory and should end the battle quickly, suggesting a war of attrition to wear down the enemy. Wang Meng then sent his general Guo Qing to lead five thousand cavalry, departing at night from a secret path, setting fire to Murong Ping's supplies, with flames visible all the way to Ye City. Murong Ping was both greedy and miserly; he hoarded the mountain spring water, sold firewood and water, and amassed a fortune in money and goods, while his troops lacked any fighting spirit. Murong Wei sent Lanyi to persuade Murong Ping, saying, "You are the son of Gaozu (Murong Huang), you should put the state and its people first. How can you not care about your soldiers' safety, only thinking about amassing wealth? The treasures in the treasury, I am not particularly fond of either! If the enemy attacks, what good is that money to you? Without a solid foundation, what can you build on top? You should distribute the wealth to the soldiers, defeat the enemy first, then talk about triumph!" Murong Ping was afraid, so he went to battle against Wang Meng in Luchuan. As a result, Murong Ping's army was defeated, with over fifty thousand men lost, and Murong Ping and others fled alone. Wang Meng pressed his advantage, threatening Ye City directly, while Fu Jian brought a hundred thousand troops to join Wang Meng in attacking Murong Wei.
Initially, Murong Huan stationed over ten thousand troops at Shating, preparing to support Murong Ping. Upon hearing that Murong Ping had been defeated, Murong Huan retreated to Neihuang. Fu Jian dispatched the general Deng Qiang to attack Xindu, while Murong Huan led five thousand Xianbei soldiers to take up defense at Heliu. Cavalry Attendant Xu Wei and others, along with troops from Fuyu, Goguryeo, and over five hundred hostages from Shangdang, opened the city gates under the cover of night to welcome Fu Jian's forces. Murong Wei and Murong Ping, along with a small contingent of horsemen, escaped to Changli.
Fu Jian dispatched Guo Qing to pursue Murong Wei, catching up to him in Gaoyang. Fu Jian's general Ju Wu captured Murong Wei and attempted to bind him. Murong Wei said, "Who are you, daring to bind an emperor!" Ju Wu replied, "I am Ju Wu of Liangshan, tasked with capturing rebels, what do you mean, emperor?" He then handed Murong Wei over to Fu Jian. Fu Jian asked him why he had fled, and Murong Wei said, "A fox should perish in its own lair; I only wish to return to my ancestors' graves to die!" Fu Jian took pity on him, so he released him and permitted him to return to the palace to rally the civil and military officials for surrender. Guo Qing then continued his pursuit of Murong Ping and Murong Huan to Heliu. Murong Huan killed General Murong Liang of Zhendong and incorporated his troops, then launched an attack on Han Chou, the Governor of Liaodong, at Pingchuan. Guo Qing sent the general Zhu Yi to attack Murong Huan, capturing him and delivering him to Fu Jian.
Fu Jian moved Murong Wei and his royal ministers, as well as more than 40,000 Xianbei families, to Chang'an, appointing Murong Wei as the Marquis of Xinxing and as a Minister. Fu Jian appointed Murong Wei as the General of Pacification and Commander of Separate Forces when he campaigned against Shouchun. Following the defeat at the Battle of Huainan, Murong Wei returned to Chang'an with Fu Jian. Later, Murong Chui attacked Fu Pi in Ye City, Murong Chong rebelled in Guanzhong, and Murong Wei attempted to assassinate Fu Jian in response to their actions. When the plot was uncovered, Murong Wei was killed by Fu Jian at the age of thirty-five. When Fu Deng usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, he posthumously granted Murong Wei the title of Emperor of You.
Murong Kui, whose courtesy name was Xuan Gong, was the fourth son of Murong Huang. He was cautious, sincere, calm, and level-headed from a young age. His mother, Lady Gao, was not in favor, so Murong Huang did not initially pay much attention to him. At the age of fifteen, Murong Kui stood at eight feet seven inches tall, handsome and imposing, often engaging in discussions about state matters. Murong Huang then took notice of him and allowed him to lead troops. Murong Kui accompanied Murong Huang on several campaigns, always coming up with clever strategies on the battlefield. Later, he was assigned to defend Liaodong, where he ruled effectively and earned the people's trust. Goguryeo feared him greatly and did not dare to invade. Murong Huang sent him and Murong Jun to attack the Buyeo Kingdom, with Murong Jun directing from the rear as Murong Kui led the charge, bravely pushing forward and consistently winning battles.
Before Murong Huang died, he said to Murong Jun, "The Central Plains have not yet been unified. It is the time to make a name for yourself. Murong Ke is both wise and brave. You must entrust the matter to him." After Murong Jun succeeded to the throne, he placed even greater trust in Murong Ke. Murong Ke achieved great success in battle multiple times and was appointed as the King of Taiyuan, holding important positions including attendant to the emperor, acting commander, grand commander, and recorder of imperial edicts. When Murong Jun fell seriously ill, he entrusted his final affairs to Murong Ke and Murong Ping. When Murong Wei became emperor, Murong Ke held great political power. When the city of Jianye heard of Murong Jun's death, it was said, "We can now attack the Central Plains!" However, Huan Wen remarked, "As long as Murong Ke is still alive, he is our greatest concern!"
When Murong Gen was killed, there was fear throughout the court and the populace. However, Murong Ke remained calm and composed, carrying on with his duties as usual with only one follower by his side. When warned to be cautious, Murong Ke said, "Everyone is afraid. I should reassure them. If I am not at ease, how can they be at ease?" Gradually, people felt reassured. Murong Ke treated others with respect, listened to a wide range of opinions, and assigned tasks according to each person's abilities, enabling everyone to fulfill their roles. The court was orderly, with established protocols for everything. Even though he held power, he consulted with Murong Ping on all important matters. After returning home from court, he focused on reading, often with a book in hand. He never publicly punished subordinates for their mistakes, leading officials to become very cautious and errors to be rare.
When Murong Ke besieged Luoyang, the Guanzhong region was in a state of great panic. Fu Jian personally led troops to defend Tongguan until Murong Ke withdrew, and then the situation stabilized. Murong Ke led his troops into battle, without insisting on strict authority, but managing the army with kindness and trust, focusing on strategic principles, and not exhausting the soldiers over trivial matters. If soldiers committed offenses, he would often let them go in secret, only capturing and executing the most heinous ringleaders as a warning to the army. His camp seemed lax and easy to breach, but in reality, the defense was extremely tight-knit, and there were no defeats in the end.
Just before he died, Murong Wei personally asked Murong Ke about what would happen after his death. Murong Ke said, "I have heard that the best way to repay kindness is by recommending talented individuals. If building city walls with mud can be done, why not protect the nation's crucial defenses! King Wu (meaning Murong Chui) is talented in both civil and military affairs, comparable to Guan Zhong and Xiao He. If Your Majesty lets him take control of the government, the country will be far more stable. Otherwise, I fear that two strong enemies (referring to Former Yan and Former Qin) will surely seize the opportunity to invade." After saying this, Murong Ke passed away.
Yang Wu, courtesy name Shi Qiu, was a man from Wuzhong, a region in Youbeiping. His father, Yang Dan, served as an official under Murong Hui and rose to the rank of Colonel of the Eastern Yi. Yang Wu was upright and honest from a young age, loved learning, had broad knowledge, and lofty aspirations. He initially served as the Deputy of Pingzhou and presented many strategies for stabilizing the country, many of which were adopted, which greatly impressed Murong Hui. After Murong Huang ascended the throne, he was promoted to Left Chancellor. He was consistently involved in military strategy during campaigns. Before his death, Murong Huang said to Murong Jun, "Yang Shi Qiu is loyal and upright, firm and incorruptible. You must treat him well." When Murong Wei succeeded to the throne, he treated him with the respect of a mentor, and his esteem for him grew day by day. When he became Grand Commandant, he reflected and remarked, "Chang Lin and Xu Mai, both great ministers of the previous dynasty, resigned from their roles due to their significant responsibilities. I am unremarkable; what qualities do I possess that make me worthy of this position?" He firmly requested to resign, with sincerity. Although Murong Wei tried to persuade him to stay, he ultimately accepted. Yang Wu was upright, honest, modest, and prudent, and as he grew older, his integrity deepened over time. Due to his reputation and experience, everyone from Murong Ke and below treated him with the highest respect. He lived frugally, often traveling in dilapidated carriages and on frail horses. Even after his death, he left behind no savings.
Huangfu Zhen, styled Chuji, was a native of Nana County of the Anding Dynasty. When he was young, due to his outstanding talent, he was appointed as the Attendant of Liaodong by Murong Hui. After Murong Huang succeeded to the throne, he was promoted to Assistant to the Prefect of Pingzhou. At that time, the internal turmoil continued for many years, and the people were exhausted. Huangfu Zhen suggested reducing taxes and reducing corvée labor. However, his suggestions were not adopted, and he was dismissed from his position as a result. Later, he was appointed as the Commandant of the Imperial Guard for his achievements in the Battle of Pomaqiu, and later served as Prefect of both Liaodong and Yingqiu Counties, achieving notable political successes. After Murong Jun usurped the throne, he was appointed as the Chief Archivist. Later, he followed Murong Ping in attacking Yedu City, which was filled with countless treasures, but he did not take any, focused solely on the safety of the people and gathering and cataloging records. Before his death, Murong Jun entrusted him, along with Murong Ke and others, to posterity.
Muyu Gen was plotting a rebellion, and Huangfu Zhen secretly discovered it and quickly told Murong Ke, suggesting that they eliminate him. Murong Ke was hesitant and didn’t dare to act directly at the time. Shortly thereafter, Muyu Gen's plot was uncovered, and he was executed. Afterwards, Murong Ke told Huangfu Zhen, "If we hadn't listened to you, we would have been done for!"
Later, Lü Hu rebelled, and Murong Ke proposed in the court, "The people in the border regions are disobedient; we should adopt benevolent policies to win them over. Given Lü Hu's current situation, we should issue a gracious edict to persuade him to surrender, instead of using force to conquer." Murong Ke's words made sense, but Murong Chui said, "This little brat Lü Hu has defied the king's orders three times in nine years; his wickedness has never ceased! Think about it, I once watered my horses by the rivers in Jiangling and Xiangshui and engraved inscriptions at Jiange, all to suppress the rebellion! Now this little brat Lü Hu is causing trouble right under our noses; shouldn't we send troops to deal with him? Persuade him with paperwork? No chance!" Murong Ke also thought it made sense, so he agreed. Afterwards, Murong Chui was appointed Champion General and Commander of a separate division. After the war ended, he was promoted to General of the West, Governor of Bingzhou, and also served as Protector of the Xiongnu. After returning triumphantly to the court, he was appointed as an attendant and Grand Master of Ceremonies, eventually rising to Grand Commandant and attendant.
Fu Jian, this old rascal, secretly planned to absorb the Yan Kingdom. He wanted to find an opportunity to make his play, so he sent his subordinate Guo Bian to secretly contact the Xiongnu King Cao Gu and had Cao Gu dispatch envoys to Ye City. Guo Bian went with the envoys. Huangfu Zhen's older brother served as a Cavalry Attendant in Fu Jian's court, while his cousins Fen and Fu were officials in the Guanxi region. After arriving in Ye City, Guo Bian visited officials and nobles everywhere and found Huangfu Zhen, saying, "My ancestors were destroyed by the Qin Kingdom, so they entrusted themselves to King Cao. Your brother and cousins Fen and Fu had past ties with my family." Huangfu Zhen was incensed by this and reported to Murong Wei, demanding a thorough investigation into Guo Bian. However, Murong Wei and Murong Ping both disagreed. Guo Bian then reported to Fu Jian, saying, "The Yan court is undisciplined and easy to attack. The only one with any real capability and insight is Huangfu Zhen." Fu Jian replied, "Is there really no one talented from the Six Provinces? Huangfu Zhen is from the Qin Kingdom, yet he is highly valued in the Yan Kingdom, showing that the Guanxi region is brimming with talent."
Huangfu Zhen was renowned for his integrity, frugality, and simple way of life, and he had a disinterest in wealth. He had a remarkable tolerance for alcohol and could drink copiously without ever getting drunk. He also enjoyed writing poetry and essays, having penned over forty poems and essays.
Wang Meng entered Ye City, and Huangfu Zhen immediately dismounted to kneel and pay his respects to him. The next day when they met again, Huangfu Zhen addressed Wang Meng as "Qing" (a formal and honorific way to say "you"). Wang Meng said, "Yesterday you knelt before me, but today you call me 'Qing'; why has your attitude changed so much?" Huangfu Zhen replied, "Yesterday you were still a rebel, but today you are a hero of the country. I knelt before a rebel, but now you are a hero of the country; is there anything strange about that?" Wang Meng was deeply impressed by him and said to his subordinate Quan Yi, "Huangfu Zhen is truly an extraordinary person!" Later, Huangfu Zhen followed Fu Jian into Guanzhong, serving as the Commander of the Chariots, and he passed away a few years later.
The historical records comment: Look at the dark evil on the northern border, where the ugly Hu people gather and thrive, blocking access to the Central Plains, preventing civilization from reaching their lands. They occupy different territories, and greed and ferocity have become their customs. Rebelling first and then submitting has become their custom. Since the court's political situation is chaotic, the ministers who hold military power fight each other. The achievements in quelling rebellions can be likened to the downfall of Shu Han and Wu, and the strategy for resisting foreign enemies, while it appeased the barbarians, still had its flaws. Although Murong Hui is a formidable figure on the frontier, his instigation of war and treacherous schemes are, in fact, the root cause of the chaos. Why say so? He raised troops without justification, like the profound critiques of nameless villains found in the history of Lu. He used force to punish others, like the Great King in the "Yao Dian" using force to carry out civilization. Moreover, he indulged his desires, brought calamity, waged wars, and exposed his cruel nature; he plundered cities, slaughtered the people, expanded his territory, and indulged in his brutality. Later, the two emperors of Former Yan faced a crushing defeat at Pingyang, remained passive, and bided their time; the five emperors of Eastern Jin established a dynasty in Jinling, and Murong Hui submitted to them. His loyalty to the emperor was demonstrated during the emperor's peril, before the dynasty was firmly established; his loyalty to the monarch only materialized once the country was stable. Isn't this simply responding to circumstances rather than acting out of premeditation? Nonetheless, he was skilled in military tactics, showed generosity to his subordinates, promoted agriculture and sericulture, employed talents, and selected capable people, which allowed him to build a regional power and lay the groundwork for future generations.
Yuan Zhen's appearance and demeanor were not fixed, but he was in accordance with the mandate of heaven; he was steady and had unique strategies. At that time, various heroes rose up, competing with each other. Jin Xianzong ascended the throne and performed sacrifices at a young age, while Yu Liang controlled the court, which was rife with corruption, and the nation faced dire straits. Yuan Zhen capitalized on the existing power, seizing the opportunity of chaos in the world, marched south with his army, and the Wuhuan people donned their armor to confront him in battle; he conquered the east, and the army of the Yuwen clan was defeated. He then fortified his position by leveraging the strategic terrain, became increasingly proud and arrogant due to his victories, and proclaimed himself king and emperor without awaiting the court's formal appointment. Although Duke Wu of Zheng had accomplished three great deeds, his title did not change, and he remained a count; although Duke Huan of Qi had convened nine alliances with the vassals, his status remained that of a vassal. Looking at the achievements and status of his predecessors, and then at Yuan Zhen's achievements and status, the disparity is truly striking; this is what is called "great achievements shake the ruler"!
Xuan Wang was a well-rounded individual, excelling in both literature and military prowess, and particularly decisive. Due to the provocation of the Shi clan, he first targeted the Central Plains region. The scholars of Yan State provided him with strategies, and the cavalry of Jizhou served him. He quelled a major rebellion in one battle, captured a strong city in another battle, frightened neighboring countries, and subjugated border areas. He believed his achievements were significant and that he was destined by heaven to be emperor, so he seized the throne, indulged in a life of luxury, leaving a mark on history. He also wanted to sweep through the capital and Luoyang, allowing his unruly followers to run rampant; he exploited the people, allowing his army to devour everything like a whale. The turmoil and suffering in the Jiangnan region were directly attributable to him. Had it not been for heaven's disdain for the previous dynasty, ushering in the rise of this unusual dynasty, his power would not have developed to such an extent!
Jing Mao lacks capability and is not diligent in managing state affairs; capable ministers have been sidelined by him, and the plots of treacherous officials have come to fruition. As a result, Jin Yong City fell, Henan surrendered, the Copper City was captured, and the northern desert area was also threatened. The elite troops of West Qin stationed at Hangu Pass dared not advance, and the remaining populace of East Xia surrendered at Ye Palace. At this time, Xuan Wang's brutality escalated. After Xuan Gong died, the cruel Empress Dowager took control of the court, citing Xuan Wang's significant achievements but untrustworthiness, and using his greed for wealth and meddling in governance as a pretext, rendering it impossible for the ambitious to pledge loyalty and allowing evil officials to rise. Underestimating neighboring countries led to swift retribution; neglecting national defense, pitting exhausted troops against foes willing to sacrifice themselves. Even before the war commenced, Baigou had already fallen; upon even the slightest engagement with the enemy, Luoyang was reduced to ruins. This suggests that when figures like Yu Yu emerge, the Rongdi will meet their demise; when individuals like Zichang rise to power, Yingdu will also fall. Ultimately, Xuan Wang met his end in a foreign land; his intelligence and cunning could not save him. Success and failure, rise and fall, all hinge on the individual, truly exemplifying that saying!
Praise: The green mountains have been relocated and restored; the Xuan Pass has redefined its boundaries. These mixed tribes have thrived for generations. Like a corner obscuring the moon, like a broom stirring up frost and snow. They rise with the advantage of treacherous terrain, acting arrogantly on their steep strongholds. Feigning to seize divine artifacts, they oppress the imperial capital. By failing to govern with virtue, they ultimately reap what they have sown.
