Murong Chui, courtesy name Daoming, is the fifth son of Murong Huang. He was exceptionally gifted from a young age, very graceful, tall at seven feet seven inches, with hands that reached below his knees. Murong Huang doted on him, often pointing at Murong Chui and saying to his other sons, "This child has a broad mind, very curious; in the future, he will either ruin others or achieve greatness for them." Another son of Murong Huang is Murong Ba, courtesy name Daoye, who received more favor than the crown prince Murong Jun, which made Murong Jun feel quite resentful. Due to his achievements in eliminating the Yuwen tribe, Murong Chui was given the title of Marquis of Duxiang. Later, Shi Jilong attacked, and after the battle ended, Murong Chui still harbored ambitions to conquer other territories, sending General Deng Heng to lead tens of thousands of troops to station in Le'an, preparing to attack the region. Murong Chui stationed at Tuhe, facing Deng Heng, who was too intimidated to launch an attack. When Murong Jun usurped the throne and declared himself king, he changed Murong Chui's name to "Chui Guai" in honor of Xi Chui Guai, but in reality, it was because he disliked his original name. Later, based on prophecies, the character "Guai" was dropped, and he ultimately came to be known as Murong Chui.
After Shi Jilong's death, chaos broke out within the Zhao and Wei countries. Murong Chui said to Murong Jun, "Good opportunities are fleeting. We must seize them quickly, exploit their weakness, and attack them swiftly. Now is the time!" Murong Jun, still mourning, did not agree. Muyu Gen said to Murong Jun, "The prince's suggestion is a rare opportunity. We cannot miss it!" Murong Jun finally agreed and appointed Murong Chui as the vanguard commander. After Murong Jun captured Youzhou, he wanted to execute the surrendering soldiers. Murong Chui advised him, "The principle of ancient warfare has always emphasized benevolence and righteousness. Now that we are about to pacify the Central Plains, we should use kindness to comfort them. Killing prisoners should not be our army's first course of action." Murong Jun listened to his advice. Later, Murong Jun proclaimed himself emperor, appointed Murong Chui as the King of Wu, stationed him in Xindu, appointed him as the Imperial Counselor, general of the right guard, and put him in charge of the affairs of the imperial palace, granting him authority to levy taxes in the northeast region. He was also appointed as the General Conquering the South, governor of Jingzhou and Yanzhou, and had a great reputation in the area south of Liang and Chu. Later, he was appointed as the Colonel-Director of Retainers, and none of the officials beneath the kings and dukes of the puppet court were unafraid of him.
At that time, Murong Wei inherited the throne of the puppet court, and Murong Ke served as the Grand Preceptor. Murong Ke highly regarded Murong Chui and often said to Murong Wei, "The King of Wu's generals and ministers are ten times more capable than I. The late emperor allowed me to take on important positions first because of the order of seniority. If I die, I hope Your Majesty will hand over the government affairs to the King of Wu, in order to favor the worthy and distance the unworthy." Murong Chui defeated Huan Wen at Fangtou, greatly enhancing his reputation. Murong Pi was very jealous and resentful of Murong Chui, and plotted to kill him. Fearing for his life, Murong Chui fled with his son Murong Quan to seek refuge with Fu Jian.
After Fu Jian killed Fu Ke, he planned to deal with Murong Wei, but feared Murong Chui's reputation was too formidable, so he never acted. When he heard that Murong Chui had arrived, Fu Jian was overjoyed, personally went to the outskirts to welcome him, held his hand, and the reception was very grand. Fu Jian told Wang Meng that Murong Chui was very powerful and suggested that Fu Jian kill him. Fu Jian disagreed and instead appointed Murong Chui as the champion general, enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Bindu, and granted him five hundred households in Huayin as his fief. Later, Wang Meng attacked Luoyang and took Murong Chui's son, Murong Quan, to serve as a military officer. Wang Meng intentionally said in front of Murong Quan, "I have already returned to the east; you can figure it out yourself." Murong Quan took it at face value and ran to join Murong Wei. Wang Meng reported Murong Quan's defection; Murong Chui was alarmed and quickly fled eastward, and was caught by pursuers as he reached Lantian. Fu Jian brought him to the East Hall, reassured him, saying, "Your family is in turmoil, so you came to me; your son still wants to go back, that's only natural. Doesn't the 'Book of Documents' say: 'Father and son, father and son, do not interfere'? Why are you so scared and in such a predicament?" So, Fu Jian restored Murong Chui's rank and treated him just as he had before.
When Fu Jian captured Murong Wei, Murong Chui followed Fu Jian into Yecheng. He found his sons and wept bitterly in front of them, his face betraying his displeasure when he saw his former subordinates. Gao Bi, who had previously served as a Langzhongling, privately said to Murong Chui, "Your Majesty, you are a man of exceptional talent, but you have faced unfortunate events, enduring hardships and displacement. Now, fate has presented you with a good opportunity; your fate has temporarily changed. This is just the beginning, like a feather drifting in the wind, or a dragon beginning to take flight. Your Majesty, you should be more compassionate and comfort yourself. Moreover, a wise strategy must include the strategy of retaining old customs. You should embrace and nurture them with an open heart; like a fish that slips through the net, you must cast a wider net. Only by accepting the descendants of old ministers can you achieve great success. How can you abandon them because of momentary anger? I believe, in private, that Your Majesty's actions are misguided." Murong Chui was deeply moved by these words. In Fu Jian's court, Murong Chui served as the Governor of Jingzhao, and later was granted the title of Marquis of Quanzhou. He distinguished himself in every battle he fought.
Jian was defeated in Huainan; only Chui's troops managed to survive. Jian fled to Chui, bringing over a thousand cavalry with him. Chui's son Bao said to Chui, "Our homeland is destroyed, the imperial power has collapsed, and the emperor's clear orders are all documented. We should revitalize our country and accomplish great feats like those of Shaokang. The timing isn't right yet, so we should hide our strength and wait for the right moment to strike. Even the heavens are fed up with this chaotic world now; those rebel forces have also disintegrated. This is clearly an opportunity from the heavens, placing this chance in our hands. This once-in-a-lifetime chance is here; we should follow the will of heaven and seize victory. Furthermore, those who accomplish great things don't sweat the small stuff; those who practice great benevolence and righteousness don't bother with minor favors. The Qin state has destroyed three royal cities and seized sacred treasures; the hatred is profound; it doesn't get any worse than this. I hope you won't lose sight of the nation's bigger issues over minor favors. The signs of good fortune from the Five Elements are coming to fruition!"
Chui said, "You are right. But those people surrendered to us sincerely; how can we slaughter them? If heaven intends to forsake them, then we have many ways to deal with them. Even if we let them return to the north, we can wait for another opportunity. This way, we won't be breaking our oath, and we can rightfully take over the world." Chui's younger brother, Dejin, said, "It is common for neighboring countries to annex each other. When the Qin state was strong, it annexed the Yan state. When the Qin state weakened, we went to deal with it; this is called vengeance—how can that be considered a violation of the oath? In the past, Duke Ding of Deng ignored the counsel of his three nephews and was eventually destroyed by the Chu state; King Fuchai of Wu violated the advice of Wu Zixu and was ultimately destroyed by Goujian. The lessons of the past serve as examples for future generations! I hope you do not forsake the legacy established by King Tang and King Wu; do not repeat the failure of Han Xin. Take advantage of their disintegration, administer divine retribution, slay the rebels, restore ancestral sacrifices, rebuild the country, and inherit the glorious achievements. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that must not be missed! If we let tens of thousands of troops go, surrendering weapons to the enemy, that is giving up the right time and waiting for even greater disasters in the future; this is not a good way. As the saying goes: 'What needs to be severed must be severed, or chaos will follow.' I hope you won’t hesitate, my older brother."
Chui said: "In the past, I was not accepted by the Grand Preceptor, so I sought refuge with the King of Qin. I was then slandered by Wang Meng, but later received the Emperor Zhaoliang's favor. The country has treated me with great respect, but my gratitude is far from enough. If the fate of the Qin state is destined to decline, and history is bound to return to me, why worry about the timing of my surrender? In the Guanzhong region, it won't belong to me anyway. There will definitely be troublemakers, but I can confidently pacify Guandong. A gentleman does not aid a tyrant in his tyranny, nor does he actively create chaos. Let's wait and see." So he handed over the military power to Jian. Initially, Bao was in Chang'an, playing board games with Han Huang, Li Gen, and others. Bao sat upright and solemnly swore: "People say there are spirits in board games. Is it false? If I can become wealthy, I will toss three coins three times." So he tossed three coins three times, Bao thanked and accepted the reward, so this is an auspicious omen from Wumu. When Shi Le arrived at Miinchi, Fu Jian wanted to invite his brother Fu Jian to go to Ye City to pay respects at the ancestral tombs and take the opportunity to deal with Zhang Guowei, to reassure the Rongdi. Fu Jian agreed. At this time, Quan Yi came out to persuade, saying: "Fu Jian is a tough character, just like Han Xin and Bai Qi now; he is among the top heroes in the realm, ambitious and cannot be controlled by ordinary people. His surrender before was just to avoid chaos, not out of genuine loyalty. Even granting him tens of thousands of cities wouldn't satisfy his ambition, let alone the title of champion general! Moreover, Fu Jian is like an eagle. When he is hungry, he will depend on others, but once he is full, he will soar high. When chaos arises, he will definitely have big plans. We need to keep a close watch on him and not let him act freely."
However, Fu Jian ignored Quan Yi's advice. He sent Li Man, Min Liang, and Yin Guo to escort him with three thousand troops and stationed Shi Yue in Ye City and Zhang Hao in Bingzhou. This is like giving wings to a tiger!
When Cao Pi was in Ye City, Sima Yi also arrived. Cao Pi stationed him on the west side of Ye City, and Sima Yi provided a detailed report on the defeat in Huainan. At this time, Cao Pi's general Fu Hui reported that the Dingling leader Zhai Bin had gathered troops and wanted to approach Luoyang. Cao Pi said to Sima Yi, "Zhai Bin and his brother are so arrogant only because of some minor mistakes in our army. Their army is like a rabble, making them difficult to deal with. Only someone as talented and strategic as you can eliminate them. Are you willing to go?" Sima Yi replied, "I am your loyal hound; I will follow your every command." So Cao Pi rewarded him with a great deal of gold and silver, but he asked for nothing but the restoration of his former land and home. Cao Pi agreed, equipped him with two thousand troops, and sent Fu Feilong to lead one thousand Di cavalry as Sima Yi's deputy. Cao Pi warned Fu Feilong, "You are a trusted member of the royal family; although your official position is not high, in effect, you are the commander of the army. Sima Yi is the commander of the three armies; you are Sima Yi's strategist. The authority to command troops in battle and the strategies to avert danger are all entrusted to you; you must work hard!" Sima Yi requested to enter Ye City to pay his respects at the temple, but Cao Pi refused. Consequently, Sima Yi secretly entered the city, but the guards at the city gate stopped him. Furious, Sima Yi killed the guards, burned the guard post, and then left.
Shi Yue reported to Cao Pi: "When Sima Yi was in Yan State, he destroyed the country, disrupted families, and surrendered to our court. He received very generous treatment, but he dared to show contempt for local officials, kill guards, and burn guard posts. His rebellious intentions are already evident, and he will eventually become a source of disaster. Now his army is tired and weak; we can attack him and take him down." Cao Pi said: "Huainan was defeated, soldiers scattered, families separated, but Sima Yi has always served by the emperor's side; this contribution cannot be overlooked." Shi Yue said: "Since Sima Yi is disloyal to Yan State, how can he be loyal to us? Besides, he was originally a slave of a fallen country. The emperor has shown him great favor, like other meritorious officials and generals; he should remember this grace and pledge his loyalty, yet he is scheming to rebel. If we don't strike him now, he will definitely become a disaster in the future." Cao Pi did not follow Shi Yue's advice. After Shi Yue left, he told others: "Cao Pi and his son only care about petty favors, ignoring the overall situation; we'll all end up as captives of the Xianbei!"
Sima Yi arrived in Henan, killed Fu Feilong, exterminated all soldiers of the Di tribe, recruited local people and horses, and his army reached thirty thousand. After crossing the Yellow River, he burned the bridges and ordered: "I am ostensibly using the name of the Qin State, but in reality, I am working to revive the Han Dynasty. Those who violate military laws will be punished accordingly; rewards for those who carry out orders will be distributed within a day; after the world is pacified, titles will be granted based on merit. I will not let you down."
Zhai Bin heard that Fu Jian wanted to cross the Yellow River, so he sent envoys to recommend Fu Jian as the alliance leader. Fu Jian refused the envoys, saying: "Both my father and I have survived thanks to the Qin Dynasty. Now, when facing danger, we are able to turn danger into safety, all thanks to the emperor's immense grace. It is the emperor who has given us a second life! Although we have a monarch-subject relationship, our bond is deeper than that of father and son. How can we have any doubts over a minor disagreement? I originally came to save Yuzhou and did not intend to meet with you. Why do you speak ill of me?" Fu Jian originally wanted to capture Luoyang, so he had shown obedience to Fu Hui earlier, but he was unsure if Zhai Bin was sincere, which is why he used these words to refuse him.
When Fu Jian arrived in Luoyang, Fu Hui kept the city gates closed and resisted, refusing to meet with Fu Jian. Zhai Bin then sent the Governor of Henan, Guo Tong, to persuade Fu Jian, who subsequently persuaded Fu Jian to agree. Zhai Bin led his troops to join Fu Jian and urged him to proclaim himself emperor. Fu Jian said: "The Marquis of Xin (referring to himself) is the rightful ruler of the country, my lord! If we can pacify the eastern region through our combined strength, we should use righteousness to persuade the Qin Dynasty to reinstate him. I have no desire to declare myself emperor; that’s not my aim." Fu Jian consulted with everyone, saying: "Luoyang is surrounded by enemies on all sides, with the Yellow River to the north. Controlling Yan and Zhao would be difficult given our geographical disadvantage. It would be better to first attack Ye City, occupy it, and then plan for the world." Everyone agreed with his idea. Thus, Fu Jian led his troops to the east and sent General Jianwei, Wang Teng, to build a pontoon bridge across the Shimen.
Initially, when Fu Jian set out from Ye City, his son Fu Nong, along with his brother's sons Fu Kai and Fu Shao, and his other son Fu Zhou, were all captured by Fu Pi. After Fu Jian executed Fu Feilong, he secretly sent Tian Sheng to inform Fu Nong and the others, urging them to raise troops in Zhao and Wei. Consequently, Fu Nong and Fu Zhou aligned themselves with local heroes, while Fu Kai and Fu Shao fled to Biyang, where many local people rallied to their cause. Fu Nong recruited the Shangdang cavalry from the Kuru officials to the west and the Dong'a cavalry from Qitegui to the east, with each army numbering in the tens of thousands, bringing the total to over one hundred thousand. Fu Pi sent Shi Yue to attack Fu Nong, but Shi Yue was defeated and killed in Chen.
Murong Chui led his army to Xingyang in 378 AD, proclaiming himself as Grand General, Grand Commander, and King of Yan, with the authority to manage political affairs independently, and renaming the era to "Yan Yuan." He established a headquarters with four deputies, and everyone below a prince had to refer to him as a subject, with all appointments and rewards equivalent to those of the emperor. He appointed Zhai Bin as Grand General of Jianyi and King of Henan; Zhai Tan as Grand General of Zhuguo and King of Hongnong; his brother Murong De as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and King of Fanyang; and his nephew Murong Kai as Grand General of the West and King of Taiyuan. Commanding over two hundred thousand troops, they crossed the Yellow River at Shimen and marched directly towards Ye City. Murong Nong, Murong Kai, Murong Shao, and Murong Zhou also brought their troops to join Murong Chui. Murong Chui also appointed his son Murong Bao as Crown Prince of Yan and honored over a hundred individuals with titles such as duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron for their contributions.
In this way, Murong Chui established his own power, with strong soldiers and horses and a grand display of strength, preparing to launch an attack on Ye City. This signals the resurgence of the Former Yan and heralds the arrival of new turmoil in the Central Plains. His series of actions were completely in accordance with the emperor's standards, which reveals his immense ambition. Not only did he proclaim himself king, but he also bestowed high honors upon his loyal followers, laying the foundation for his future ascension to emperor. The phrase "Jianyuan Yanyuan" directly proclaims the birth of a new regime.
Fu Pi sent the attendant Jiang Rang to persuade Murong Chui. Jiang Rang said to Murong Chui, "Last year, when His Majesty went on an inspection tour, you protected His Majesty's carriage with unwavering loyalty, making significant contributions and upholding the esteemed traditions of your ancestors. You should continue to maintain your previous loyalty. Why did you abandon the achievements you made in the lofty mountains and make such a mistake? Even if you make a mistake, you can still correct it, as the sages of the past have done. You should reflect on this carefully; it's not too late to wake up now."
Murong Chui said to Jiang Rang, "I have been greatly favored by His Majesty, so I want to protect Princess Changle's safety, have her go to the capital with everyone, and then restore our country and forge lasting friendship with the Qin state. Why can’t you see the reality of the situation and let me return to Ye City? For the greater good, even sacrificing my own family is a worthy cause, much less for mere personal feelings? If you remain stubborn, I am fully prepared to resort to force. Now that things have happened, I’m afraid it’s likely too late for me to seek forgiveness alone."
Jiang Rang sternly rebuked Murong Chui, saying, "General, you can’t stay in the country or at home any longer. Seek refuge with the court. The lands of Yan are not yours to claim! The Emperor and you have completely different styles, yet you seem to share a bond. The Emperor has a good impression of you, entrusting you with significant responsibilities and showing you more favor than even royal relatives. Such trust between a ruler and his subject is rare in history! The Emperor has entrusted you with important tasks and the vast territory; how can you entertain other plans after just a minor military setback? A rebellion without a just cause is bound to fail; it's destined to end in disaster, and cannot be saved by human effort. General, you are rebelling without a legitimate reason, wanting to pursue a course that is fated to fail; I think it will be difficult to succeed. Princess Changle is the Emperor's daughter, with a reputation and virtue that surpass even those of Tang and Wei. She serves in Shaanxi and is a pillar of the court. How could he possibly hand over dozens of cities to you? In ancient times, officials gave their lives for their rulers, and rulers sacrificed themselves for their states. General, you want to destroy the foundation of the court. If you truly want to do this, then just go to war—why waste breath? But consider your seventy years—having to surrender under a white flag. Your past loyalty has now turned into treachery; it’s truly a pity!" Murong Chui remained silent. Those around him advised Murong Chui to kill Jiang Rang, but Murong Chui replied, "In ancient times, during battles, messengers stood in between; even dogs only bark for their own masters. What’s the point in asking?" So he let Jiang Rang go back.
The minister reported to Fu Jian, saying: "My abilities cannot compare to those ancient famous ministers, which has led to internal chaos. I too have faced hardships and challenges, but ultimately pledged my loyalty to the holy dynasty. Your Majesty's grace is as profound as that of the emperors of the Zhou and Han dynasties. I have received your favor, been appointed a general, and have attained the rank of Marquis. I vow to do my utmost to repay your kindness, constantly fearing that I have not done enough. Last summer, Huan Chong died in battle, and the situation became dire. Later, I led our forces to besiege Yun City, capturing tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. This was indeed a testament to Your Majesty's brilliant strategy, and it also reflected my own courage in battle. I had intended to press our advantage and march on Guizhou, but unexpectedly, fate conspired to fuel the rebellion, and the main forces had to retreat back to the capital. Your Majesty has come to me alone, and I have always remained faithfully by your side. Is this not a reflection of Your Majesty's wisdom in recognizing my sincere loyalty? Surely, heaven and earth bear witness to my loyalty."
I was ordered to go north and stationed in Changle. However, I lost the people's support outside, and suspicion filled our ranks. Now I am in the wilderness, unable to even conduct rituals. The Dingling rebels are closing in on Yuzhou, and Shi Zun is insisting that I go alone, restricting the time for our march, providing me with just two thousand battered soldiers, without weapons or equipment, and even sending Feilong to act as a secret assassin. When I arrived in Luoyang, Lord Shi Hui of Pingyuan did not trust me. Personally, I think that even if I succeed, I won't achieve the same greatness as the Marquis of Huaiyin, and even if I fail, I won't suffer repeated defeats like Li Guang. But I am worried that someone will confuse right and wrong like a pesky fly, causing both the Dingling and Han people to doubt my loyalty, so they chose me as their leader. I accepted this daunting responsibility; though I began well, I couldn't see it through. I wept, longing to return to the Western Capital, setting off with tears. When the army reached Shimen, troops from all directions rallied to our cause. Even though King Wu of Zhou convened a meeting at Mengjin and Emperor Gaozu of Han met at Gaixia, those unexpected troops were nowhere near as numerous as this time.
I want General Chang Le to lead all the troops to support and see them off with the proper ceremonies, but Shi Zun is obstinate and refuses to adapt. I have been recuperating and reorganizing the old camp to be prepared, but Shi Yue leads the army of Ye City to underestimate our strength and launch a surprise attack against us. Before the two armies even engaged, Shi Yue was killed. I am alone with only a handful of followers, yet many others are eager to join me; this is truly the will of heaven, not my own doing. Furthermore, Ye City is my old capital and should be shown mercy. Then, I will submit to your command in the west and guard the eastern border indefinitely, fulfilling Your Majesty's expectations while repaying your kindness.
Now, I am currently besieging Ye City and urging Shi Zun to heed the circumstances, but he remains oblivious and keeps to himself. He occasionally emerges to issue challenges, and in multiple skirmishes, I fear that a stray arrow could inadvertently harm Your Majesty and dampen your spirits. My loyalty is beyond question, but to prevent conflict, I have held back my troops and have refrained from any rash attacks. The situation is ever-changing, and retreating or advancing is a common occurrence; I ask for Your Majesty's careful consideration.
The emperor said, "I am mediocre in talent, and I feel unworthy of this position. I have been the emperor for thirty years, favored by heaven. Every small country from afar has come to pay tribute, except for a small territory in the southeast that dared to defy my orders. I raised an army to suppress them, to carry out divine retribution, but things did not go as planned, and the army suffered defeat. Thanks to your loyalty and assistance, the country was saved from destruction; it is all thanks to you. As the Book of Songs says, 'How can one forget this kindness?' I promoted you to be the prime minister and granted you the title of marquis, hoping you would help me through this difficult time and repay your merits. However, you have ruined your integrity like the historical figures Boyi and Liuxia Hui and become depraved! I was deeply saddened by your memorial and felt pity for the ministers in the court. Since you cannot stay in this court, you came to me alone, and I treated you as a general with the highest honors, just like an old minister. Your title is the same as those meritorious officials. We swore loyalty and trust; I thought you would be loyal and grow old with me. I never expected you to betray me, harboring a tiger. There’s no point in regretting it now! Your lofty and unrealistic claims, commenting on the affairs of King Wu of Zhou, are not something an ordinary person like you can discuss. The bird has flown from the cage; the whale has escaped the net. You have fled; what else is there to say? You are old now, yet you have become a traitor, a rebel in life, a demon in death. You have caused countless deaths and injuries to the people; who in the Central Plains would not grieve for them? My fate is not in your hands! I am only concerned that the two young princes, Changle and Pingyuan, have met you in the capital. I fear your skills and strategies may fall short of my expectations. This is what truly disappoints me."
Next, the emperor was preparing to attack Ye City. Pi was defending the city, and the emperor dug trenches to surround Ye City. He also sent elderly and infirm soldiers to Wei County and Feixiang to construct a new city for storing military supplies, and used the Zhang River to irrigate the city. Zhai Bin secretly ridiculed the Dingling and Western Region peoples, requesting the court to appoint him as the Minister of Personnel. When this matter reached Emperor Fu Jian's ears, the court ministers began to discuss it. General Feng Heng of the Eastern Expedition was furious, pointing at Zhai Bin, he exclaimed, "Even the finest steed needs to be harnessed and guided. How can this creature be expected to control itself? Zhai Bin, this barbarian, is taking advantage of favorable circumstances. Both brothers have been appointed as kings since Huan Dou, and have never experienced such fortune! Now he is not satisfied and dares to make such demands; it's simply delusional, he won't last the year!" Although Fu Jian felt anger, he restrained himself and replied, "Prince Zhai has made contributions and deserves a high position and rewards, but the court has not yet stabilized, so the position of Minister of Personnel cannot be granted to him for now. Once the world is at peace, we will revisit this matter."
Zhai Bin was furious when he heard this; he secretly colluded with Fu Pi, secretly instructing the Dingling to sabotage the defenses and flood the city. Once the plot was uncovered, Fu Jian ordered Zhai Bin to be executed. Zhai Zhen fled to Handan with his troops and then launched an attack on Ye City, planning to coordinate an inside-outside assault with Fu Pi against Fu Jian. Fu Jian dispatched Crown Prince Fu Bao and Champion General Murong Long to engage him, ultimately defeating Zhai Zhen. Zhai Zhen escaped north from Handan, and Fu Jian sent Murong Kai with cavalry to chase him down. The two armies met in battle at Xiayi, and Murong Kai was defeated by Zhai Zhen, who then took up position at Chengying. Fu Jian told his generals, "This desperate man Fu Pi will certainly fight to the bitter end and will not surrender. The Dingling people's rebellion is a major threat to us. I want to move the army to the new city to leave him an escape route, to show gratitude for the Qin Dynasty's past kindness, and to make it easier for us to deal with Zhai Zhen." Thus, Fu Jian withdrew his troops from Ye City and stationed at the new city. Murong Nong defeated Zhai Song in the Huangni region. Fu Jian told Prince of Fanyang Murong De, "Even if Fu Pi is let go, he will not leave. He is waiting for the Jin Dynasty's army to attack Ye City, so we can't afford to ignore him." Thus, Fu Jian launched another attack on Ye City, leaving Fu Pi a route to the west. Fu Jian aimed to relocate the capital to Zhongshan, and Murong Nong led tens of thousands of troops to meet him. Meanwhile, the ministers learned of Murong Wei's death at the hands of Fu Jian and advised Fu Jian to declare himself emperor. Fu Jian appointed Murong Chong as the King of Guanzhong, but he declined to declare himself emperor.
General Longxiang of the Jin Kingdom, Liu Laozhi, led his troops to the aid of Fu Pi. Upon arriving at Ye City, Fu Jian fought against Liu Laozhi and was defeated. He was forced to retreat to Xincheng. Fu Jian fled northward from Xincheng, but Liu Laozhi pursued him, defeating Fu Jian's army in several skirmishes. At Wuqiaoze, Fu Jian's army was defeated once more. Murong De and Murong Long intercepted Liu Laozhi at Wuzhangqiao. Liu Laozhi rode his horse over the deep ravine at Wuzhangqiao. Fu Pi arrived with troops to provide assistance, enabling Liu Laozhi to escape.
Zhai Zhen fled to Chengying, then moved to Xingtang to establish a garrison. Eventually, his Sima Xianyu Qi killed Zhai Zhen and his entire family, declaring himself the King of Zhao. The people of Chengying attacked and killed Xianyu Qi, appointing Zhai Zhen's younger brother as their leader. Zhai Zhen's son, Zhai Liao, escaped to Liyang.
Goguryeo invaded Liaodong, and the former Yan Emperor Murong Chui sent General Murong Zuo's Sima Hao Jing to lead troops for rescue. However, they were defeated by Goguryeo, and Liaodong and Xuantu commandery were occupied by Goguryeo.
General Jianjie Xu Yan rebelled in Wuyi, capturing over four thousand people and fleeing north to Youzhou. Murong Chui quickly ordered his general Pinggui to hold the position and not engage in battle until defeating the Xianbei, promising to personally deal with Xu Yan. However, Pinggui disobeyed and fought, which led to his defeat. Xu Yan, seizing the opportunity, attacked Jicheng, looting over a thousand households before departing, burning and pillaging along the way, and finally occupying Lingshi.
Xianyu, the Chief Historian of Zhaicheng, killed Zhaicheng and surrendered to Murong Chui. Murong Chui entered Xingtang and executed all of Zhaicheng's troops, marking a significant shift in power.
Fu Pi abandoned Ye City and fled to Bingzhou.
Murong Nong captured Lingzhi City and killed the Xu Yan brothers. At the same time, Murong Chui launched an attack against Goguryeo, recapturing Liaodong and Xuantu prefectures, and then returned to camp in Longcheng. Murong Chui decided to establish Zhongshan as the capital, and his ministers advised him to proclaim himself emperor, preparing for a grand sacrificial ceremony. Murong Chui agreed and proclaimed himself emperor in the eleventh year of the Taiyuan era. He ordered a pardon for all criminals within his realm, appointed officials, repaired ancestral temples, designated his son as crown prince, and assigned various officials to their positions. Murong Chui posthumously honored his mother, Lan Shi, as Empress Wenzhao, removed Murong Huang's empress, Duan Shi, and allowed Lan Shi to participate in the sacrifices alongside Murong Huang. Scholars Liu Xiang and Dong Mi suggested that Lan Shi's status should be ranked third, in accordance with the status of Yao's mother, and should not surpass that of Jiang Yuan, in order to embody the way of the sage king. However, Murong Chui chose to disregard their advice. Murong Chui dispatched his generals, including Murong Kai, Murong Lin, Murong Shao, and Murong Zhou, to launch an attack against Fu Jian's Jizhou Governor Fu Ding, Zhendong General Fu Shao, Youzhou Governor Fu Mo, and Zhenbei General Fu Liang. Murong Kai wrote a letter to Fu Ding and others, appealing to their reason and emotions, resulting in the surrender of Fu Ding and his associates.
Prince Bao stayed behind in Zhongshan, leading his generals south against Zhai Liao, appointing Kai as the vanguard commander. Most of Zhai Liao's soldiers were from Yan and Zhao, all saying, "The Prince of Taiyuan is like our parents!" They all surrendered. Zhai Liao was afraid and quickly sent envoys to surrender. Murong Chui arrived in Liyang, where Zhai Liao begged for forgiveness, bare-chested. Murong Chui graciously comforted him.
For Prince Bao, Murong Chui built Chenghua Pavilion, entrusting Bao with state affairs, both major and minor, while Murong Chui focused on the overall direction. He appointed Bao's wife, Lady Duan, as empress and appointed Bao to various key positions. He set up a government office in Longcheng, with Prince Gaoyang Murong Long overseeing its affairs. Murong Chui also summoned the spirits and buried Murong Wei and other royal relatives who were killed by Fu Jian.
Hebei Prefect He Geng gathered troops in Dingling to rebel, colluding with Zhai Liao's forces. Murong Nong led troops to quell the rebellion, killing He Geng and destroying Dingling City. The army then marched on Ye City, but its vast terrain made it difficult to conquer, so they constructed a barrier on the eastern side of Fengyang Gate.
Lou Hui, the Shangshu Lang, wrote a memorial saying, "The three-year mourning period is a universal custom. Now, with frequent wars and continuous killings, everything else is neglected in favor of selecting talents. People are restless, consumed by thoughts of promotion and wealth, even neglecting filial piety to engage in work. This isn't loyalty to the country; it's clearly self-serving! A wise king upholds education and won't abandon principles in times of turmoil, to curb the trend of seeking fame and profit and to block the path of competition. Your Majesty inherits the legacy of countless kings and lays the foundation for revitalization; the world is gradually pacified, and the war is about to end. It is essential to cleanse the corruption and adhere to the old system. Officials who encounter major mourning should be allowed to complete the three-year mourning ritual, so that the world recognizes your teachings and the people can uphold the rituals." Murong Chui did not adopt his suggestion.
Zhai Liao passed away, and his son Zhai Zhao succeeded him as the leader, then led the army to attack Ye City. As a result, Murong Nong launched a counterattack and routed Zhai Zhao's forces.
Fu Jian personally led the army to fight Zhai Zhao at Huatai this time. When the army reached Liyang Ferry, they found Zhai Zhao entrenched on the south bank, fiercely defending his position. Fu Jian's subordinates noticed Zhai Zhao's soldiers were robust and well-prepared and felt that attacking would be difficult, advising Fu Jian against crossing the river. Fu Jian chuckled and said, "What’s this little Zhai Zhao? Today, I’ll show you how to handle him!" So, he moved the camp to Xiji, had over a hundred cowhide boats constructed, with dummies aboard wielding sticks, intentionally creating the illusion of crossing the river, and then sailed upstream.
Zhai Zhao at first stationed his main forces in Liyang. When Fu Jian headed towards Xijin, he quickly abandoned the camp in Liyang and ran west to prepare for defense. To his surprise, Fu Jian secretly sent Guiling King Murong Zhen and General of the Cavalry Murong Guo to cross the Yellow River from Liyang at night and set up camp in Henan. When Zhai Zhao heard this, he panicked and rushed back, his soldiers were exhausted and thirsty as they fled back to Huatai. Zhai Zhao took only a few hundred cavalrymen with his wife and kids and fled north to Bailu Mountain. Murong Nong kept up the chase and captured most of Zhai Zhao's troops, while Zhai Zhao himself escaped to Changzi on horseback.
Notably, the seven counties Zhai Zhao oversaw, home to thirty-eight thousand households, were peaceful and trouble-free. Later, Fu Jian relocated over seven thousand households who had been exiled from Xuzhou to Liyang.
Back then, some suggested launching a campaign against Murong Yong's eldest son. Many generals spoke up against it, saying that Murong Yong had not committed any major wrongdoings and that the troops were worn out from years of fighting, suggesting waiting until next year. The emperor was leaning towards agreeing, but then he heard an idea from Murong De. The emperor laughed and said, "I've already made up my mind! Besides, I’m getting old, and this time I've drained the treasury, which is enough to deal with him. We can't let this traitor threaten future generations!" So, they dispatched seventy thousand infantry and cavalry, with Dan Yang King Murong Zan and General Longxiang Zhang Chong leading the attack on Murong Yong's younger brother in Jinyang.
Murong Yong sent his generals Diao Yun and Murong Zhong with fifty thousand troops garrisoned in Luchuan. On the Emperor's side, Murong Kai was dispatched from Fukou, Murong Nong from Huguan, and the Emperor himself stayed put in the southwest of Yecheng for a month. Murong Yong thought the Emperor was pulling a fast one to attack him, so he hastily pulled his troops back to Dutaihangzhi Pass. The Emperor then led his army from Tianjingguan all the way to Hubi. Murong Yong led fifty thousand elite soldiers to intercept, taking up a defensive position at the river bend, and even sent out a challenge. The Emperor set up his troops south of Hubi, with Murong Nong and Murong Kai serving as the left and right wings, while Murong Guo led a thousand troops ambushed in a deep ditch and faced off against Murong Yong. The Emperor pretended to retreat, and Murong Yong chased after him for several miles. Suddenly, Murong Guo's ambushed troops emerged, cutting off his escape route. Murong Kai and Murong Nong flanked from both sides, and Murong Yong's army was defeated, with over eight thousand enemy soldiers killed. Murong Yong managed to escape back to Changzi. Murong Zan also captured Jinyang. The Emperor subsequently laid siege to Changzi, with Murong Yong's generals Jia Tao and others working together in secret. The Emperor's army entered the city, but Murong Yong was captured by the vanguard troops and executed, along with over thirty officials including Diao Yun. Murong Yong's jurisdiction over the eight counties, with a population of seventy-six thousand eight hundred, along with his vehicles, clothing, musical instruments, and treasures, all came into the Emperor's possession. The Emperor then sent Murong Nong to reclaim the territory in Henan, attacking Linqiu and Yangcheng, both of which were captured. The garrison troops in Taishan, Langye, and other counties surrendered or fled, and Murong Nong went all the way to the seaside before ensuring the defenders were in place and returning. The Emperor went to the Dragon City Temple to pay homage and celebrate his victories.
Prince Bao, accompanied by Nong and Murong Lin, led eighty thousand troops to attack the Wei Kingdom. Murong De and Murong Shao provided rear support with eighteen thousand infantry and cavalry. Upon hearing that Prince Bao was approaching, the Wei Kingdom quickly retreated west of the river. Prince Bao arrived at the Yellow River with his army, filled with fear and hesitant to cross. The army camped at Canhe (placename). Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and a dark cloud materialized in the sky, taking on a dam-like shape, rising and falling unpredictably, and seemed about to crush the army. A monk named Zhi Tan Meng quickly advised Prince Bao, "The wind is strong, the dark cloud is powerful, and the Wei army's reinforcements are approaching. We should send troops to resist!" Prince Bao just laughed and ignored him. After repeated persuasion from Zhi Tan Meng, Prince Bao finally sent Murong Lin to lead thirty thousand cavalry to guard the rear, just in case. Murong Lin thought the monk's words were nonsense and took the cavalry out for a hunt instead. In a short while, a yellow fog enveloped the area, obscuring everything, even the sun and moon. That night, the Wei army attacked, resulting in the collapse of the three armies. Prince Bao and Murong De fled with a few thousand cavalry, and only about one in ten soldiers managed to return. Murong Shao died in battle. Earlier, when Prince Bao first arrived in Youzhou, the axle of his carriage mysteriously broke. A fortune-teller named Jin An warned him that it was a bad omen and strongly advised him to leave. Prince Bao, angered, did not listen, which ultimately led to his disastrous defeat in battle.
Prince Bao always harbored a grudge over the failure at Canhe, and he always said that there was an opportunity to exploit in the Wei Kingdom. Murong De also said, "The people of the Wei Kingdom have become arrogant and complacent due to their victory at Canhe. They look down upon the prince. We should seize this opportunity to strike at their arrogance." Emperor Murong Chui agreed to their proposal, leaving Murong De to guard Zhongshan, leading a large army from Canhe, cutting a path through the mountains, and arriving at Lieling. Then he sent Prince Bao and Nong to Tianmen, and let the Northern General Murong Long and the Western General Murong Sheng launch a surprise attack on Chenliu Gongni in Pingcheng, Wei Kingdom, capturing over 30,000 troops from Wei, and then returning in triumph.
When they arrived at Canhe and saw the battlefield where they had fought before, the bones lay piled high like a mountain. Murong Chui held a ceremony to honor the fallen, and the fathers and brothers of the deceased cried out, leading the entire army into mourning. Murong Chui felt a mix of shame, anger, and profound sorrow, and as a result, he fell ill and was forced to travel by carriage.
Thirty miles north of Pingcheng City, his condition worsened, so he set up a camp near Yanchang City before returning. When Murong Bao and the others arrived in Yunzhong, they heard that Murong Chui was ill and quickly returned. When Murong Chui returned to Pingcheng, some individuals defected and surrendered to Wei, saying, "Murong Chui has died of illness, and his body is in the army!" The Wei forces heard the cries from Canhe and believed it, sending troops to pursue. They retreated only after discovering that Pingcheng had been captured and returned to the Yinshan Palace.
Murong Chui passed away in Juyang, Shanggu, in the 21st year of the Taiyuan era. He was 71 years old at the time, having reigned as emperor for a total of thirteen years. Before his death, he left a will stating, "The country is currently in a crisis, keep the funeral proceedings simple. Complete the funeral that very night, prepare the body for burial the following morning, don mourning attire once the funeral is over, and remove the mourning attire three days later to resume state affairs. With strong enemies lurking, do not disclose the funeral to anyone. Wait until we return to the capital to hold the mourning ceremony and don mourning attire." Murong Bao and others adhered to his wishes. He was later posthumously titled Emperor Chengwu, with the temple name Shizu and the tomb name Xuanping Ling.
