Juqu Mengxun is a descendant of the Hu people from the area near Lushui in Linsong. His ancestors were the Left Juqu of the Xiongnu, and thus he adopted his official title as his surname. Mengxun is a well-read and knowledgeable person, with extensive knowledge and a bit of understanding of astronomy. He is a person of great talent and cunning. Liang Xi and Lu Guang both find him impressive and somewhat fear him, so Mengxun often indulges in drinking and merrymaking, intentionally hiding his true abilities.
One day, his uncle Luo Qiu and Qu Zhou followed Lu Guang to fight in Henan, but the vanguard troops under Lu Guang suffered a crushing defeat. Qu Zhou said to his brother Luo Qiu, "Our master has become old, confused, arrogant, and overbearing. His sons are fighting each other, and those treacherous officials are watching us all the time. Now that the army has lost the battle, and it’s easy for capable and courageous individuals to attract suspicion. Can we not be afraid? Lu Guang usually fears us. Instead of waiting for death, why not lead our soldiers west to catch him off guard, shout rebellion, and easily take Liangzhou?" Luo Qiu said, "You make sense, but our family has been loyal for generations and is deeply respected by the local people. We would rather be wronged by others than wrong others." Ultimately, both brothers met their end at the hands of Lu Guang.
Tens of thousands of relatives and friends gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of Luo Qiu and Qu Zhou. Mengxun wept before the crowd, "Back in the weakened days of the Han Dynasty, my ancestors helped Dou Rong defend the safety of the Hexi region. Now Lu Guang is incompetent and cruel, how can we not carry on our ancestors' legacy to bring stability to the world and avenge our two uncles?" Everyone shouted in unison.
Therefore, Meng Xun executed Ma Sui, the Zhongtian Guard of Lu Guang, and Jing Xiang, the magistrate of Linsong County, to pledge their loyalty. Within ten days, he gathered more than 10,000 troops. They occupied Jinshan and supported Meng Xun's cousin Nancheng in nominating Duan Ye as the Governor, Grand Commander, Dragon Cavalry General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Jiankang. They changed the Longfei era of Lu Guang to the Shensi era. Duan Ye appointed Meng Xun as the Governor of Zhangye and Nancheng as the Assistant General, entrusting all military and state affairs to the two brothers.
Duan Ye planned to send Meng Xun to attack Xijun, which everyone thought was unreliable. Meng Xun said, "We must take Xijun, which is blocking the mountain pass." Duan Ye agreed and sent Meng Xun. Meng Xun used water to flood the city, causing the walls to collapse, and captured the prefect Lu Chun. Wang De surrendered Jinchang, and Meng Min surrendered Dunhuang to Duan Ye. Duan Ye conferred the title of Marquis of Linchi upon Meng Xun.
Lu Hong fled from Zhangye to the east, and Duan Ye considered whether he should pursue him. Meng Xun advised him, "There are rules in war. Don't chase the retreating enemy too closely, especially not those who are desperate. Let him go and deal with him later." Duan Ye said, "If we let the enemy escape today, we will regret it in the future!" As a result, he pursued Lu Hong and suffered a crushing defeat. Duan Ye escaped with the help of Meng Xun and lamented, "I should have heeded the advice of strategists like Zhang Liang. Now I am in this situation."
Later, Duan Ye built Xi'an City and appointed his general Zang Mohai as the governor. Meng Xun commented, "Zang Mohai is brave but lacks common sense. He only knows how to charge forward without considering retreat. Building a city for him is akin to constructing his own tomb." Duan Ye did not listen to him. Shortly after, he was defeated by Lu Zuan. Meng Xun feared that Duan Ye would not tolerate him, so he maintained a low profile and sought to avoid direct confrontations with Duan Ye.
Duan Ye later declared himself king, self-proclaimed King of Liang, appointing Meng Xun as the Left Minister and Liang Zhongyong as the Right Minister. Lv Guang sent his two sons, Lv Shao and Lv Zuan, to attack Duan Ye. Duan Ye sought assistance from Tuoba Wugu, who sent his brother Lu Gu and Yang Gui to assist. Lv Shao saw that Duan Ye's side had strong troops and horses, so he planned to take the mountain route from the east to flank Sanmen Pass. Lv Zuan said, "Bypassing the mountain road will make us look weak; we're bound to lose! It's better to establish a solid defense and hold our ground; they will be afraid to attack us easily." Lv Shao then led his troops south. Duan Ye braced for battle, and Meng Xun cautioned, "Yang Gui relies on the powerful Xianbei cavalry and has other intentions! Lv Shao and Lv Zuan's troops are already at a disadvantage and will definitely fight to survive. Not engaging in battle is as stable as Mount Tai; fighting is as dangerous as a stacked egg!" Duan Ye agreed and decided not to engage in battle. Lv Shao also found it difficult, so both sides withdrew their troops. Duan Ye was particularly afraid of Meng Xun and wanted to keep him at a distance. He arranged for Meng Xun's uncle, Yi Sheng, to be the Prefect of Jiuquan, while Meng Xun himself was sent to be the Prefect of Linchi. Duan Ye had a secretary named Ma Quan, who was talented and had exceptional military skills. Duan Ye placed great trust in him while often looking down on Meng Xun. Meng Xun felt both fear and resentment, so he secretly reported to Duan Ye, "There is nothing to worry about in the world; you should be wary of Ma Quan!" Upon hearing this, Duan Ye went so far as to kill Ma Quan.
Meng Xun said to his son Cheng, "Duan Ye is both foolish and inept, not at all the right person to restore order in these chaotic times. He only trusts rumors, prefers sycophants, and has no judgment whatsoever. He is most afraid of Suo Si and Ma Quan, and now that both of them are dead, I want to get rid of Duan Ye to assist my brother. What do you think?" His son Cheng replied, "Duan Ye is now alone. Our current status has been achieved through our own efforts. With the two of us brothers together, everyone supports us like fish need water. Betraying him now is not a good sign." So Meng Xun dismissed the idea.
Meng Xun, who was always feared by Duan Ye, felt uneasy and requested a transfer to Xi'an to serve as prefect. Duan Ye, fearing Meng Xun's ambition and potential rebellion, agreed to his request.
Meng Xun and Cheng planned to go to Lanmen Mountain for a sacrifice. Meng Xun secretly sent Sima Xuxian to inform Duan Ye, "Cheng intends to rebel. He is using the sacrifice at Lanmen Mountain as a cover for his true intentions. If they actually go to Lanmen Mountain for the sacrifice, what I said will prove true." Sure enough, on that day, as expected, Cheng and Meng Xun went to Lanmen Mountain together. Duan Ye captured Cheng and ordered him to take his own life.
Cheng said, "Meng Xun intends to rebel; he had already told me before, but because of our brotherly bond, I endured and didn't say anything. Now that I am alive, my subordinates may not listen to me, so I invited him to the sacrifice to set him up. If I die today, Meng Xun will rebel tomorrow night. Please pretend to believe I'm dead, spread news of my crimes, and Meng Xun will definitely rebel. By then, I can put on armor and lead the troops to defeat him, and things will surely be resolved smoothly." But Duan Ye refused to believe him.
Meng Xun heard that Nan Cheng had died, weeping and saying to everyone, "Nan Cheng was loyal to Duke Duan but was tragically killed. Can you all help me seek revenge? Also, the state is in chaos now, and Duke Ye may not be able to control the situation. I initially followed him because I regarded him as a hero akin to Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, but I didn't expect him to believe slander, be suspicious, and vainly kill loyal people. How can we stand by while the people suffer?" Nan Cheng was known for his kindness, and everyone cried with sorrow and indignation, responding to Meng Xun one after another. By the time they arrived at Di Chi, the army had grown to over ten thousand. Zang Mohai, the town commander, also led his subordinates to join Meng Xun, and the Qiang and Hu people also rose up in response. Meng Xun camped at Houwu. Duke Ye initially suspected his right-hand general Tian Ang, imprisoned him, and then apologized and pardoned him, sending him to attack Meng Xun with other warriors like Liang Zhongyong. Duke Ye's general Wang Fengsun said to him, "The Tian family of Xiping has always been rebellious. Tian Ang appears respectful but is actually cruel, ambitious, dangerous, and cannot be trusted!" Duke Ye replied, "I've suspected him for a long time, but besides Tian Ang, I have no one else to go after Meng Xun." Wang Fengsun's suggestion was not adopted, and after Tian Ang arrived at Houwu, he led five hundred cavalry to join Meng Xun. When Meng Xun arrived at Zhangye, Tian Cheng'ai, Tian Ang's nephew, opened the city gates to welcome him, and Duke Ye's soldiers scattered. Meng Xun shouted loudly, "Where is the General of the West?" The soldiers replied, "Here!" Duke Ye said, "I stand alone, cast out by the powerful, and can only ask you to spare my life, let me escape to Lingnan; perhaps I can rise again and be reunited with my family." With that, Meng Xun executed Duke Ye.
Lao Meng, a native of Jingzhao, was well-read and skilled at writing articles. He had served as Du Jin's secretary and had even been to the frontier with him. He was an upright person, an old-school scholar with no political acumen, and was lenient in managing his subordinates, who often acted on their own. He was particularly superstitious about divination, prophecies, witchcraft, and various signs of good and bad luck, making him easily manipulated by unscrupulous individuals.
In the fifth year of the Long'an era, Liang Zhongyong, Fang Gui, Tian Ang, and others supported Meng Xun as the Commissioner, Grand Commander, Grand General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Zhangye. They also declared amnesty in the areas under his jurisdiction and changed the era name to Yong'an. He appointed his cousin Funu as General of the Guard, Prefect of Zhangye, and Marquis of Peace, his younger brother Meng Nuo as General of Loyalty, Marquis of Dugu, Tian Ang as General of the South, Prefect of Xijun, Zang Mohai as General of the State, and Fang Gui and Liang Zhongyong as Chief Historians, with Zhang Zhi and Xie Zhengli serving as Chief Marshals. This wave of appointments was well-received by both civil and military officials, all of whom were highly capable.
At that time, Yao Xing dispatched General Yao Shuode to attack Lv Long; the battle took place in Guzang. Meng Xun sent Li Dian, a junior officer, to contact Yao Xing, seeking to negotiate. Meng Xun thought that Lv Long had already surrendered to Yao Xing, and the counties of Jiuquan and Liangning had also rebelled and joined Li Xuansheng. Therefore, he sent General Jianzhong Meng Nuo and Chief Clerk Zhang Qian of the administrative office to Guzang to see Yao Shuode, requesting Yao Xing to send troops to escort them and take the county’s people to migrate east together. Yao Shuode was very happy, so he appointed Zhang Qian as the Prefect of Zhangye and Meng Nuo as the Prefect of Jiankang. Zhang Qian advised Meng Xun to move east quickly. Meng Nuo privately advised Meng Xun, "Lv Long's forces are still intact, Guzang city has not been taken, Yao Shuode's food is running out, and he can't hold on for long. Why leave your homeland and be subject to others?" Deputy General Mo Hai agreed, "Jianzhong is right!" After hearing this, Meng Xun executed Zhang Qian and then issued an order, saying, "My abilities are limited, but I have been fortunate to serve in this position. I have not been able to revitalize the country, suppress rebellions, and have allowed the enemy to run rampant in the capital like pests and in the west like wild boars. War is constant, the people are not at peace, the farming season has been disrupted, and the common people cannot eat. Now we should abolish all kinds of corvee, let everyone focus on farming, formulate various rules and regulations, and make full use of land resources." It is said that Liang Zhongyong became the Prefect of Xijun and then went to Li Xuansheng. Meng Xun heard about this, laughed, and said, "I have a deep friendship with Zhongyong, but he actually doesn't believe me and only seeks his own abilities. That's not surprising!" After that, he sent Zhongyong's entire family back.
Meng Xun issued an order, saying: "Emperor Jin Wen listened to the opinions of the common folk, which is why he attracted so many outstanding talents and governed the country so well. Besides, I have a shallow character and limited knowledge. How can I not humbly listen to various opinions to reflect on my actions? All officials must actively seek and recommend outstanding talents, gather a wide range of opinions, to help me make up for my shortcomings."
Then, Meng Xun sent General Zang Mohai to attack the mountain bandits in the north, achieving a great victory. General Qinan, sent by Yao Xing, led forty thousand troops to meet Lu Long. Lu Long advised Qinan to attack Meng Xun, but Qinan did not listen. As a result, Mohai defeated Qinan's vanguard, and Qinan had no choice but to ally with Meng Xun and return.
Meng Xun's uncle, the Chief Military Officer Zhongtian, and his confidant, Prefect Kong Du of Linsong, were arrogant and extravagant, making life unbearable for the common folk. Meng Xun said: "It is these two uncles who are causing trouble in my country. How can they manage the people well!" So he ordered them to take their own lives.
Meng Xun attacked Di Luopan in Fanhe but failed, so he relocated over five hundred households from Di Luopan before returning. Yao Xing sent Liang Fei and Zhang Gou to deliver an official position to Meng Xun, appointing him as Grand General of the West, Inspector of Shazhou, and Marquis of Xihai. At the same time, Yao Xing also appointed Tufa Nutan as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Duke of Guangwu. Meng Xun was quite upset when he heard this, and said to Liang Fei and the others: "Tufa Nutan was only given the title of Duke, while I was only appointed as a Marquis. What’s the deal with that?"
Zhang Guo replied, "Tufa Natan is superficial and cunning, lacks a sense of benevolence and righteousness, and his sincerity towards the court is not very apparent. The court granted him such a high title to recognize his loyalty and to demonstrate its grace. General, you are steadfast and have made great contributions. You should enter the core of the court and assist the emperor. How could the court not trust you? Court titles should reflect achievements, and positions should align with virtues. Look at Yin Wei and Yao Chao; when they first made achievements, generals like Qi Nan and Xu Luo were only at the second rank, with titles only up to marquis. Your achievements far surpass theirs; why, then, is your rank lower? Dou Rong is so humble that he doesn’t wish to outshine the elder officials. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Meng Xun also said, "Why didn’t the court directly bestow a title on me in Zhangye, but instead had to travel so far to bestow me in the Western Sea?" Zhang Guo explained, "Zhangye is within the court's planning range, and you already own it. The court bestows the Western Sea upon you to expand your territory." Meng Xun was very happy to hear this and accepted the reward.
At that time, there was an earthquake; mountains collapsed and trees were broken. The Grand Historian Liu Liang told Meng Xun, "Xinyou is metal. The earthquake occurred in metal, and metal restrains wood. If the army moves east, it may not go smoothly." At that time, strange lights frequently appeared in Zhangye City, but Meng Xun said, "This is a sign that the royal aura is coming into being, a sign that we shall achieve victory in every battle!" So he led his troops to attack Yang Tong, the Prefect of Tufa West County, at Rile. Yang Tong surrendered, and Meng Xun appointed him as the Right Chief Historian, rewarding him generously, even more than those veteran officials.
The Prefect of Zhangye, Ju Hule, fled and sought refuge in Xiliang. He appointed his brother Chengdu to be the Prefect of Jinshan, and Chengdu's mother was Luo Qiu; he also appointed Shan as the Prefect of Xijun, and Shan's mother was Qu Zhou. Later, when Ju Hule returned from Xiliang, Meng Xun treated him just as he had before.
Meng Xun led twenty thousand cavalry troops on an eastern expedition, encamped at Danling. The northern leader, Si Pan, led three thousand men to surrender to him.
Two trees whose branches are intertwined grew in Yong'an. County magistrate Zhang Pi reported: "Different branches on the same trunk, suggesting harmony from distant lands; different roots growing together, symbolizing unity from top to bottom." This signifies a peaceful world and a good omen for the people.
Meng Xun humbly said, "These are the results of the diligent and benevolent governance of the two-thousand-stone officials, not something my meager virtue could inspire!" He did not dare to take credit and attributed the success to the responsible officials.
Meng Xun led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Tu Fa Lu Tan, and the army camped in Xijun. Suddenly, a strong wind blew in from the northwest, with colorful auspicious light appearing in the wind. In no time, the sky darkened. This strange phenomenon frightened everyone, indicating that the battle would not go well. Later, Meng Xun resettled thousands of households in Xianmei territory and withdrew his troops. The battle felt inexplicable, as if the will of heaven was beyond comprehension.
Tu Fa Lu Tan caught up with Meng Xun and chased him to Qiongquan, where Meng Xun prepared himself to fight. His subordinates advised, "The enemy has already set up camp; we shouldn't attack recklessly!" Meng Xun replied, "Lu Tan must think we are exhausted from the long journey and will underestimate us. Their camp is not yet fully established; now is the ideal moment for us to defeat them!" Meng Xun then ordered an attack, defeating the enemy, pursuing them to Guzang, and subduing countless people from both the Hu and Han ethnic groups. The battle was fought brilliantly, gaining unstoppable momentum!
Nuo Tan was afraid, sought reconciliation, and Meng Xun agreed, then returned to court. Unexpectedly, after Nuo Tan fled south to Ledu, the Wei'an man Jiao Lang actually declared himself king in Guzang. Meng Xun then led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Jiao Lang. After capturing Guzang, he pardoned Jiao Lang. Meng Xun hosted a banquet at Qian Guang Palace to entertain officials and soldiers, rewarding them with gold horses of varying ranks. Because Zhang Mubo was knowledgeable in history and literature, Meng Xun promoted him to be the Minister of the Central Secretariat, entrusting him with significant responsibilities. He also appointed Zhang Mubo's brother, Zhang Nuo, as the Protector of Qiang, Inspector of Qinzhou, and Marquis of Anping, stationed in Guzang. Unfortunately, Zhang Nuo died not long after. Meng Xun then appointed Zhang Mubo's cousin, Zhang Yizi, as General of the Capital, Protector of Qiang, Inspector of Qinzhou, stationed in Guzang. This was truly a case of some families rejoicing while others mourned! Not long after, Meng Xun moved to Guzang, declared himself emperor in the eighth year of the Yixi era, proclaiming himself the King of Hexi, granting amnesty throughout the territory, and changing the era name to Xuanshi. He imitated the practices of Lü Guang when he was the King of Sanhe, establishing bureaucratic institutions, renovating palaces, constructing city gates, and various other buildings. He also appointed his son Meng Zhengde as Crown Prince, and bestowed upon him the titles of Grand General of the Guards and Recorder of the Imperial Library. Thus, this King of Hexi had officially ascended the throne! Nuo Tan led troops to attack, but Meng Xun defeated him at Ruohouwu. Meanwhile, the Prefect of Huanghe, Wenzhi, occupied Huangchuan, and General Cheng Yihou surrendered to Meng Xun. Meng Xun then appointed Wenzhi as Grand General of the East, Prefect of Guangwu, Marquis of Zhenwu, and Cheng Yihou was appointed as General of Zhenwei, Prefect of Huangchuan, while General Wang Jian was appointed as the Prefect of Huanghe.
Meng Xun wrote in a letter: "In ancient times, those wise kings who were able to restore order all first pacified the four corners before implementing good customs. Although I am not capable of pacifying rebellions, my duty is to save the people, while the cunning Nü Tan occupies the old capital and oppresses the people. The slaughter in Dongyuan is even more brutal than the Battle of Changping; the chaos at the borders is more serious than the invasions of the Xiongnu. Whenever I think of the innocent people suffering, I can't eat or sleep in peace; I put on my armor and helmet and travel through the dust. Although I have captured his stronghold, he still refuses to surrender. Nü Tan's brother, Wen Zhi, following the example of Xiang Bo, has occupied important cities and seeks to submit. From Xiping to the south, all cities have surrendered one after another. Only this evil and ruthless fiend Nü Tan remains entrenched in Ledian. Surrounded on all sides, how much longer can he hold out? The time is right, the opportunity is ripe, and we will soon pacify the rebellion and let the people live in peace. Spread this news to everyone so they all know."
Meng Xun sent troops advancing westward like vines, with the champion general Fu En leading ten thousand cavalry to attack the Beihé and Wūtí minority tribes, achieving a resounding victory and capturing more than two thousand enemies. While Meng Xun was resting in Xintai, the eunuch Wang Huaizu launched an attack, injuring his foot. Meng Xun's wife, Lady Meng, caught Wang Huaizu and killed him, wiping out his entire clan.
Meng Xun's mother, Madam Che, became seriously ill. Meng Xun went up to Nanjing Gate, distributing money to reward the people. He wrote a letter saying, "I depend on the spirits of our ancestors and the blessings of heaven and earth to turn the tide and rescue the people from danger, and I hope to eliminate evil and bless the people with peace. However, the Empress Dowager is gravely ill, and her condition is deteriorating. Could this be due to unjust punishments and the grievances of the people? Are the heavy taxes and labor burdens too much for the people to bear? Are the incompetent officials in the court responsible for the disasters befalling us? I have reflected deeply on my actions, unsure of what mistakes I might have made. Therefore, I declare a general amnesty, pardoning all crimes except for those punishable by death." Not long after, Madam Che passed away. Meng Xun dispatched his generals to transport grain along the Huang River, while he personally led the army to seize Guangwu County from Qifu Chipan. Due to delays in grain transport, he traveled from Guangwu County to the Huang River and crossed the Haoli River. Qifu Chipan sent his general, Qifu Tuniyin, to intercept Meng Xun, but was ultimately defeated and killed. Qifu Chipan then sent generals Wang Heng, Zhe Fei, and Qu Jing to lead ten thousand cavalry to occupy Lejie Ridge. Meng Xun pressed forward, fighting and defeating them, capturing more than seven hundred soldiers, including Zhe Fei, while Qu Jing escaped. Meng Xun appointed his brother Meng Hanping as General of the Zhe Chong and Prefect of the Huang River before he withdrew his troops.
During the Jin Dynasty, the Governor of Yizhou, Zhu Lingshi, sent envoys to contact Meng Xun. Meng Xun sent his retainer, Huang Xun, to visit Yizhou and also submitted a memorial to the court, saying: "Calamities have befallen the people, the world is in chaos; only the south still has a glimmer of hope, and the common people suffer under the oppression of foreign forces. Your Majesty, you have inherited the legacy of your ancestors; your civil and military accomplishments surpass those of both the Zhou and Han Dynasties, and your benevolence and grace extend throughout the realm. Although I am just a barbarian from the borderlands and I am not particularly talented, I was accidentally chosen as the leader by the people of Hexi. My ancestors have always received the grace of the emperor; even though they have experienced many dangers, they have always remained loyal to the court, just like the loyal figures Boyi and Shuqi, always thinking of the court. Last winter, the Governor of Yizhou, Zhu Lingshi, sent envoys to see me, which informed me about the situation at court. I heard that General Liu Yu is actively preparing for war, ready to recover the Central Plains; this is indeed a blessing for the Great Jin Dynasty, and Your Majesty has also received wise assistance. I have heard that both Shao Kang's restoration of the Xia Dynasty and Emperor Guangwu's restoration of the Han Dynasty began from humble beginnings and eventually achieved success, leaving behind poems and songs such as 'Chariot Attack' to praise them. Your Majesty currently occupies the entire Chu region, with elite troops from both Jingzhou and Yangzhou; why remain complacent, allowing the two capitals to fall into enemy hands? If the court's army can advance north, there is hope of recovering lost territories. I am willing to lead the Hexi troops as the vanguard of Great Jin's right wing."
Chipan led an army of 30,000 to attack Huanghe. Han Ping fought fiercely and sent Sima Weiren to sneak attack Chipan at night, managing to behead hundreds of enemy soldiers. Chipan, seeing that he couldn't win, decided to retreat, prioritizing the evacuation of the elderly and weak soldiers first. Han Ping's Chief of Staff, Jiao Chang, and General Duan Jing secretly advised him to surrender, but Chipan launched another attack on Han Ping. After listening to Jiao Chang and Duan Jing, Han Ping bound himself and surrendered. Weiren and over a hundred soldiers held the south gate tower for three days without coming down. Eventually, they were captured by Chipan due to being outnumbered. Chipan was very angry and wanted to kill Weiren. Duan Hui swiftly intervened, arguing, "Weiren fought valiantly in a crucial moment, showing no fear of death. This is a testament to his loyalty and righteousness! He should be spared to inspire others to be loyal to the court." Chipan then took Weiren back. Weiren stayed with Chipan for five years, with Duan Hui advocating for him repeatedly before finally allowing him to return to Guzang. Upon his return, Meng Xun grasped his hand and said, "You are truly my Su Wu!" and appointed him as the Governor of Gaochang Province. He was respected in his position and loved by the people, though he had a penchant for greed. Meng Xun traveled west to Jinshan to perform sacrifices and sent Juqu Guangzong with 10,000 cavalry to attack the Wuti tribe, and returned victorious. Meng Xun then continued west to Tiaodou, dispatching General Juqu Chengdu with 5,000 cavalry to assault the Beihe tribe. Meng Xun himself led the way with 30,000 troops, and the Beihe tribe ultimately surrendered. They then traveled west along the coast to Yanchi to pay homage at the Temple of the Queen Mother of the West. Inside the temple hung a painting titled "Mysterious Stone God." Meng Xun commissioned Zhang Mu, the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, to write a poem that was then engraved at the temple entrance before he returned to Jinshan.
Meng Xun issued an edict saying, "It has been dry since spring, and the crops have all withered. The lush green fields have suddenly turned into dry land. Is my law unjust, with false accusations and wrongful cases below? Is the corvée too heavy, the taxes too high, angering the heavens? I have many shortcomings; it is all my fault. As the Book of Documents states, 'If the people make mistakes, the responsibility lies with me alone.' Therefore, from now on, except for capital punishment, all criminals are pardoned!" The next day, a heavy rain fell.
Meng Xun heard that Liu Yu had defeated Yao Hong, and he was furious. There was a doorkeeper named Liu Xiang under him, who was discussing matters with Meng Xun, and Meng Xun directly said, "You dare to talk in front of me even after hearing that Liu Yu has crossed the pass!" And he killed Liu Xiang. He was known for his violent temper. Then he said to those around him, "In ancient times, they never attacked the local lords during battles. The Yao clan are descendants of Emperor Shun and descendants of the Yellow Emperor! Now the town is under the protection of Xuanyuan, but Liu Yu has destroyed them, and he will not be able to hold onto Guanzhong for long."
Meng Xun was defeated by Li Shiye in Xianzhijian, and then gathered his scattered troops to regroup for another battle. At this time, the former general Chengdu stepped forward to advise him, saying, "I heard that the founding emperor was defeated in Pengcheng back in the day, but ultimately, he established the Great Han Dynasty. You should quickly pull back your troops and carefully consider your future plans." Meng Xun listened and returned to Jiankang City.
His subordinates presented him with a memorial, roughly stating: "Establishing official positions and allocating responsibilities is for the governance of the country and the stability of society; only by diligently and responsibly fulfilling their duties can state affairs be orderly. Officials should wholeheartedly serve the public and fulfill their duties; once assigned a task, one should selflessly complete it. Since the court has been in turmoil and wars have broken out, everyone has been busy rebuilding their homes and have neglected to follow the old rules. However, many courtiers are now violating the system and not abiding by the laws; some official documents are piled up on the imperial desk while the officials are napping at home; some matters that clearly need attention are being ignored. Up to now, the court's system of rewards and punishments has become practically meaningless; various opinions and suggestions have been suppressed, good and bad people are blended together, everyone has lost their drive and is just trying to get through each day. What happened to the ideals of selflessness and loyalty to the court? Now that the imperial favor is abundant and the world is at peace, it is time to reform the regulations and restore the old system." Mong Xun adopted this suggestion and ordered General Yao Ai and Secretary Fang Gui to draft court regulations. After a few days of implementation, all civil and military officials became more disciplined.
The Chief Historian, Zhang Yan, told Mong Xun, "There will be a battle on the west side of Linze City this year." Mong Xun then sent his son Zhengde to station troops at Ruohouwu.
When Mong Xun arrived at Bai'an, he said to Zhang Yan, "I expect to accomplish something significant this year, but this year, the Grand Duke is in Shen, and so is the Month Builder. Now isn't the right time to go west. Let's first go south to inspect; wait for them to submit on their own; we need to act as the hosts, not the guests, in order to comply with the will of heaven. Plans should be adaptable, and keep them under wraps." So he attacked Haowei, but a snake was coiled in front of the camp. Mong Xun laughed and said, "It used to be soaring snakes; now it is coiled in front of my tent. This is a heavenly sign for me to pull back and first capture Jiuquan." So he burned the siege equipment and withdrew, stationed at Chuanyan.
It is said that Li Shiye is recruiting troops to attack Zhangye. Meng Xun said, "He took the bait. But I'm worried that if he catches wind of our troop withdrawal, he won't have the guts to show up. In warfare, the most important thing is to adapt to changing circumstances." So he issued a statement to the western territories, claiming that he had captured Haowei and was preparing to attack Huanggu. Li Shiye was thrilled to hear this, so he led his troops into Dudu Gully. Meng Xun secretly led his troops to ambush, defeated Li Shiye at Bad City, and then captured Jiuquan. The people enjoyed peace and prosperity, with no disturbances caused by the military. He appointed his son Mao Qian as the prefect of Jiuquan, and Li Shiye's former subordinates were appointed according to their skills.
Meng Xun proclaimed himself governor in the fifth year of the Yong'an reign of Emperor An of Eastern Jin, and declared himself emperor in the eighth year of the Yixi era. Eight years later, the Song dynasty took over, and he passed away in the tenth year of the Yuanjia era at the age of sixty-six, having reigned for thirty-three years. His son Mao Qian succeeded him but was captured by the Wei Kingdom six years later, resulting in the fall of the Meng Xun family's power after thirty-nine years.
Historical records state: Meng Xun hailed from a backwater, yet became a major player in the border regions. He experienced the betrayal of the court by Lu Guang, nursing a grudge against his enemies. He supported Duan Ye to save the situation at that time, following the examples set by Eastern Wu and the Chen dynasty. He recruited troops at Baijian, sought peace with Nanliang; he marched to Danling, and the enemies in the north all surrendered. However, he was ruthless in pursuit of personal gain, ultimately leading to the ruin of his family. Although he could control a region, he also possessed various evil qualities.
Praise: Spotting talents, yet fearing the capable. Partying and hiding one's smarts, masking true intentions. Satisfying wicked desires, bragging about false accomplishments. Playing cunning games, competing fiercely in today's world.
