Murong Huang, also known as Yuanzhen, was the third son of his father Murong Hui. He was handsome, with a charismatic demeanor, standing a towering seven feet eight inches tall. He was ambitious and resourceful, had a passion for reading, and a solid understanding of astronomy. After his father Murong Hui became the Duke of Liaodong, he designated Murong Huang as his heir. During the Jianwu period, he was named Champion General and Left Virtuous Prince, and was granted the title of Marquis of Wangping. He led troops in battles and earned significant military accomplishments. In the Taining era, he was promoted to General Who Pacifies the North, and his title was elevated to Prince of Joseon. After his father Murong Hui passed away, he inherited the title, becoming General Who Pacifies the North while also serving as the Inspector of Pingzhou, responsible for the management of the region. Shortly thereafter, a man named Yuwen Qidegui, who had been ousted by his subordinates, ultimately perished outside. Murong Huang pursued him with his troops, and Yuwen Qidegui, fearing for his safety, quickly sought peace and even constructed the cities of Yuyin and Anjin to resolve the conflict.
At first, Murong Huang's half-brother Murong Han, same father, different mother, was highly skilled in martial arts and very capable, which made Murong Huang constantly wary of him. He also had two younger brothers from the same mother, Murong Ren and Murong Zhao, who were both deeply loved by their father, leading Murong Huang to feel resentful. After their father's death, the two brothers feared Murong Huang would turn against them. So Murong Han fled to Duan Liao; Murong Ren urged Murong Zhao to rise against Murong Huang. Murong Huang struck first, killing Murong Zhao, and then sent someone to investigate Murong Ren's situation, only to encounter him along the way. Murong Ren, realizing his cover was blown, killed Murong Huang's messenger and escaped back to Pingguo. Murong Huang sent his younger brother Murong You and Sima Tongshou to chase after him. Murong Ren fought desperately and defeated Murong You's troops, resulting in total defeat. Wang Bing, magistrate of Xiangping in Liaodong, General Sun Ji, and others also rebelled against Murong Huang, while Feng Chou, Yu Yi, Han Jiao, Gao Xu, and others abandoned the city and fled. As a result, Murong Ren occupied a large area of Liaodong, self-proclaimed General of Chariots and Cavalry, Inspector of Pingzhou, and Duke of Liaodong. Yu Wengui, Duan Liao, and other Xianbei tribes came to his aid. In 331 AD, Murong Huang sent Sima Fengyi to assault the Xianbei Mudi in Bailang and sent Yangwei Shuyu to attack the Wuhuan Xiluohou in Pinggang. Both battles were victorious, with enemy generals killed. However, Liu Pei's troops failed to take Yilian. Duan Liao seized the opportunity to attack Tuhe, and Murong Huang sent Zhang Meng to confront him, defeating Duan Liao. Duan Liao's brothers, Duan Lan and Duan Han, then attacked Liucheng but were defeated by Duwei Shi Cong.
A few days later, Duan Lan and Duan Han once again surrounded Liucheng with their forces. Murong Huang sent General Ningyuan, Murong Han, and Feng Yi to rescue Liucheng. Murong Huang warned Murong Han, "The enemy is well-equipped and their morale is soaring; it is difficult to engage them head-on. You must be cautious; be careful not to act rashly. Wait until the army is assembled and the formation is set before attacking." Murong Han was impatient and sent over a thousand cavalry to charge ahead. Feng Yi advised against it, but he did not listen, and ultimately faced defeat at the hands of Duan Lan, suffering heavy casualties. Duan Lan launched another assault on Liucheng, digging tunnels and erecting siege ladders, besieging it for over twenty days. Shi Cong personally urged the soldiers to attack, defeated Duan Lan, beheaded 1,500 enemy soldiers, and Duan Lan finally fled.
That same year, Emperor Cheng sent envoys Xu Meng, Luqiu Xing, and others with the emperor's edict, appointing Murong Huang as Grand General of the Army, Governor of Pingzhou, Grand Chanyu, Duke of Liaodong, granting him powers of command, supervision, and appointment, in line with the treatment previously afforded to Murong Hui. Murong Huang personally led the army to conquer Liaodong, capturing Xiangping. The former governor of Liaodong, Liu Cheng, surrendered along with the city, and Zhang Heng from Xinchang also surrendered. Murong Huang then executed the officials appointed by his predecessor, relocated the prominent clans of Liaodong to Jicheng, established the counties of Heyang, Wuci, and Xile before returning to the court.
During the early Xiankang period, Murong Huang sent Feng Yi to attack the leader of the Yuwen clan, She Yiyu, and won a decisive victory. She Yiyu led his cavalry to pursue, but was defeated by Murong Huang in the murky waters. Murong Huang planned to launch a naval expedition against Duan Liao, and despite advice from his subordinates to take the land route because of the dangers at sea, he insisted on the naval route. Murong Huang said, "The sea has never frozen in the past, but it has been frozen for three years since Duan Liao's rebellion. Emperor Guangwu of Han achieved great success by using the frozen surface of the Hutuo River. Could it be that heaven wants me to seize this chance to conquer Duan Liao? My mind is made up, and anyone who dares to oppose me will face no mercy!" He then led a large army from Changli, advancing across the ice. Duan Liao was taken by surprise by Murong Huang's approach, only learning of it when Murong Huang's army was just seven li from Pingguo. Duan Liao rushed to the battlefield, only to be captured. Murong Huang killed Duan Liao and returned victoriously.
Finally, Murong Huang established a "borrowed field" east of Chaoyang Gate and set up the necessary offices to oversee it.
Duan Liao sent his subordinate Li Yong to mount a night raid on Wuxing, but encountered heavy rain and was forced to retreat. The captain of Wuxing, Zhang Meng, pursued and captured him. Duan Lan camped with tens of thousands of troops at Qushuiting, preparing to attack Liucheng, with Yu Wen joining the fray to assist Duan Lan. Murong Huang led fifty thousand infantry and cavalry to confront them. When they reached the vicinity of Liucheng, Duan Lan and Yu Wen sensed the tide was turning against them and quickly fled. Murong Huang then sent Feng Yi with light cavalry to pursue and defeat them, capturing their military equipment and supplies, and returned after twenty days of regrouping. Murong Huang told his generals, "These two have lost face and won't take it lying down. They will come back again. We should set up ambushes at key points around Liucheng and wait for them." He then sent Feng Yi to lead the cavalry to ambush at various intersections of Madoushan. Soon after, Duan Liao's cavalry indeed arrived, and Feng Yi attacked from both sides, defeating them and taking down their leader, Rong Bao. Murong Huang then sent Chief Historian Liu Bin and Imperial Physician Yang Jing to escort Xu Meng and others back to the capital. At the same time, he ordered his son Murong Jun to attack various cities of Duan Liao, while Feng Yi struck at other territories of the Yuwen tribe, both achieving great victories. "Create a space for open criticism to encourage honest dialogue."
Later, Murong Huang moved the county government to Changli and constructed a fortified stronghold east of Yilian, with General Lan Bo stationed there to contain Yilian. He also built a fortress at Qushui to support Lan Bo. Yilian faced severe food shortages, so Duan Liao sent food to them, but Lan Bo ambushed and captured the food delivery team. Duan Liao then sent General Qu Yun to attack Xingguo, and a large battle ensued between Qu Yun and Murong Zun's forces at Wuguan River, where Qu Yun was defeated and met his end, and all his soldiers were captured.
Feng Yi felt that Murong Huang had a great responsibility but too low a status, so he should be king. Therefore, Murong Huang ascended to the throne in the third year of Xiankang and issued a decree of general amnesty. He appointed Feng Yi as the Prime Minister and Han Shou as the General, and appointed Pei Kai, Yang Wu, Wang Yu, Li Hong, Duan Qun, Song Gai, Liu Zhan, Shi Cong, Huang Fu Zhen, Yang Xie, Song Huang, Ping Xi, Zhang Hong, and others as ministers and generals. He also constructed the Wenchang Hall, drove a golden chariot drawn by six horses, and when he traveled, he had gongs sounded to clear the way, commanding an imposing presence. He named his wife, Lady Duan, as queen, and his son, Murong Jun, as crown prince, all following the practices of Cao Cao and Sima Yan during their regencies.
Shi Le always had Duan Liao harass the border, which was quite bothersome! Murong Huang sent General Song to go to Shi Jilong to demonstrate his submission and request his assistance in fighting Duan Liao. When Shi Jilong heard this, he immediately mustered his troops. Murong Huang led his army to attack the Lingzhi of Liao State and the northern cities. Duan Liao sent Duan Lan to resist, but we defeated them, killing thousands of enemy soldiers and capturing more than five thousand households! When Shi Jilong reached Xuwu, Duan Liao, terrified, fled to Miyun Mountain. Shi Jilong advanced to Lingzhi, but was frustrated that Murong Huang did not coordinate with him, so he led his troops to attack Murong Huang, reaching Jicheng. Good grief, Shi Jilong's army had hundreds of thousands of soldiers attacking from all sides, and thirty-six cities surprisingly defected and surrendered to him!
After more than ten days of stalemate, Murong Huang's advisors urged him to surrender. Murong Huang said, "I'm on the verge of conquering the world; how could I possibly surrender to anyone else!" So he sent his son Murong Ke with two thousand cavalry to attack at dawn. Shi Jilong's army was terrified, abandoning their helmets and armor as they fled. Murong Ke pursued and killed more than thirty thousand people, and then returned after constructing defensive fortifications. Duan Liao sent a messenger to feign surrender to Shi Jilong, hoping to gain his support. Shi Jilong sent Ma Qiu to meet Duan Liao, but Murong Ke lay in ambush with seven thousand elite troops in the Miyun Mountains, decisively defeating them, capturing Duan Liao's Sima Yangyu and General Xianyuliang, and bringing Duan Liao and his forces back as prisoners.
The emperor dispatched envoys to elevate Murong Huang's rank, appointing him as the Grand General of the North Expedition, Governor of Youzhou, and Governor of Pingzhou, and he was bestowed the title of Imperial Secretariat, increasing his fief by ten thousand households, while retaining other titles such as Chief Commandant, Commander, Chanyu, and Duke.
Murong Ping, the former commander of the vanguard, defeated Shi Jilong's generals such as Shi Cheng in Liaoxi, and also killed generals Hu Yanhuang and Zhang Zhi, capturing over a thousand households. Later, Duan Liao attempted to rebel again, and Murong Huang executed him.
Shi Jilong sent Shi Cheng to attack Fancheng, but failed to seize it, then turned to attack Guangcheng, which he successfully captured. Although Murong Huang declared himself the King of Yan, he had not received formal recognition from the court. He sent his Chief Clerk Liu Xiang to deliver the news of victory to the capital, expressing his ambition to temporarily seize power and requesting the court to send troops to pacify the Central Plains. He also learned of Yu Liang's death and that Yu Bing and Yu Yi had taken his place, so he submitted a memorial stating:
I carefully studied the incompetent and wise monarchs of past dynasties and found that those who could get close to virtuous ministers and make good use of them would bring peace and prosperity to the country; but those who got close to faction members and relatives would definitely bring disaster to the country. For example, during the Zhou dynasty, Shen Bo, although known as a virtuous uncle, was in a remote region and did not wield any power in court affairs. As for King Zhaoxiang of Qin, although considered a wise monarch, he placed too much trust in his two uncles, almost causing chaos in the country. Emperor Wu of Han heavily relied on Tian Fen, and everything in the court was under Tian Fen's control. After Tian Fen's death, Emperor Wu of Han deeply regretted and felt a profound sense of remorse. Emperor Cheng of Han was weak and incompetent, easily swayed by his favored concubine, and allowed his five uncles to wield excessive power, eventually leading to Wang Mang's usurpation of the throne. Every time I see these historical events, I feel a deep sorrow! If uncles were as capable as Rang Hou and Wang Feng, then we would only hear of two virtuous ministers, and not of two incompetent rulers. However, if uncles are not capable, disasters like those caused by Dou Xian and Liang Ji will arise. There are countless examples of both success and failure! If we can learn from these lessons and change our approach, we can avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Your Majesty, you are a natural ruler and should revitalize the country. Unfortunately, you have encountered numerous challenges and crises. Looking back at history, it still sends shivers down people's spines. The root cause of this lies in the former Minister of Works, Liang, who is your maternal uncle; he held too much power, controlled the court, and showed contempt for the border generals. This led to the anger of figures like Su Jun and Zu Yue, ultimately causing rebellion and the downfall of the country. The Empress Dowager also succumbed to grief as a result. If the country lacks divine protection and neither mortals nor deities can assist, won't the wicked be free to act with impunity? We must remember the lessons of the past to inform our future actions. Currently, those in the Imperial Secretariat, including General Bing, wield power in the court and command the armies. These brothers occupy high offices simultaneously, and no one in the court can compare to them. Your Majesty places great trust in them, but Bing and the others should be cautious. I have always held the view that if a monarch wishes to elevate family members, why not appoint them as princes, provide them with generous stipends, and limit their power? This approach would eliminate favoritism above and quell criticism below. What then would define honor and disgrace? And where would rumors start? In the past, it was only Liang, with his reputation, who was enough to cause great changes in the country. What about these individuals who were previously obscure? Besides, human emotions can easily cloud judgment and are often hard to articulate. Even if Your Majesty harbors no ulterior motives, how can the populace be convinced of this?
My official rank and career circumstances are vastly different from Bing's (referring to Deng Bing). I am also related to the emperor, so theoretically, I should follow the emperor's lead to ensure things go smoothly. However, I choose to take risks and speak my mind, for the sake of the emperor and for Deng Bing's well-being. I loathe sycophants, so I want to take this opportunity to reveal the outcomes of these matters. If there is a problem and it is not corrected in time, what good are those ministers? In the past, Xu Fu advised Emperor Han Xuandi to be wary of the Huo family, but the emperor ignored his warning, and loyal officials were instead treated as rebels because the emperor failed to investigate thoroughly and take precautions. What I'm saying now is to prevent this from happening again! But I fear the emperor may not grasp my loyalty and might disregard my advice. By the time a problem arises, it will be too late to remedy. In the past, Wang Zhang and Liu Xiang criticized the Wang family without mercy in their petitions, resulting in their sons being executed or sentenced. Gu Yong and Zhang Yu, on the other hand, were ambiguous and noncommittal, managing to save themselves but subjecting themselves to ridicule. My hair is unkempt, and my attire sets me apart, yet I hold a high position. Day and night, I fret over how to repay my country, striving to defeat external enemies and offer loyal counsel within, doing everything I can to repay the nation's kindness. If I don't speak up, who else will have the courage to?
I wrote to Bing again, saying: With your status as a relative of the Queen and your close ties to her family, you wield significant power in the court, capable of relaying the Emperor's commands, and you also command many generals and officials of the states and counties. Your brothers are spread throughout the court. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, it's rare to find someone with such power! In my opinion, if you can achieve great things, you will definitely be remembered in history, like Shen Bo; but if you fail, you might meet the same fate as Liang Ji and Dou Wu. I often read historical texts and have noticed that emperors throughout history tend to favor their own clans, granting them power and disrupting court politics, gaining temporary glory and later suffering losses due to their mistakes. The saying "love can be harmful" illustrates this point. I've always been frustrated that emperors throughout history fail to take preventive measures against the dangers of favoritism. Why not grant them land and allow them to be princes for generations? This way, the emperor's dignity would be preserved, so what is there to worry about? Though Dou Wu and He Jin were upright and humble, they attracted wise men to their side, yet they were ultimately harmed by eunuchs, which brought sorrow to the people. Even though they remained humble and sacrificed for their country, they ultimately failed. Now the world is in chaos, the Central Plains are occupied by rebel bandits, every family has deep-seated grievances, everyone has a desire for revenge; how can we sleep peacefully and leisurely get through this year?! Though my abilities are modest, I've been entrusted by the late Emperor and the generals to lead the people of these counties. I still aim to conquer powerful enemies! Since then, I've been engaged in constant fighting, spending one year farming and three years in battle, yet the army remains strong, and the granaries still have surplus grain. The enemies grow increasingly fearful, our territory is expanding day by day, not to mention that we now hold a kingly position, a truly magnificent one; how can we even compare to the past!
Bing expressed great fear upon receiving your letter, due to the long journey and his inability to control the situation. So he, along with He Chong and others, jointly submitted a petition, requesting the emperor to appoint Murong Huang as the King of Yan. That year, Murong Huang attacked Goguryeo, and after Wang Zhao requested an alliance, he pulled back his troops. The following year, Wang Zhao sent his crown prince to meet Murong Huang. Initially, after Duan Liao's defeat, Jian Weihan fled to Yu Wen Gui. He believed he was well-known but ultimately could not protect himself. Therefore, he feigned madness, singing and dancing with his hair unkempt. Yu Wen Gui believed him and did not kill him, allowing Jian Weihan to wander around freely. He carefully inspected places with convenient terrain and important military passages. Murong Huang dispatched the merchant Wang Che to covertly observe Jian Weihan. Upon seeing Wang Che, Jian Weihan fell silent and sighed. After Wang Che returned with his report to Murong Huang, he said, "He wants to come back." He then sent Wang Che with a bow and arrows for Jian Weihan, and Jian Weihan secretly brought back a fine horse and his two sons. Murong Huang was gearing up to attack the Shi clan. He calmly addressed his generals, saying, "Shi Jilong believes the defenses of each city are strong, and there are likely no defenses in the north-south direction of the city. If we take a secret route now and catch them off guard, we can break through the land north of Jizhou." So he led 20,000 cavalry through the Zelang Pass, marched straight to Ji City, crossed the Wusui Ferry, entered Gaoyang, burned crops wherever they went, and plundered over 30,000 households in Youzhou and Jizhou. Then he sent Yang Yu, Tang Zhu, and others to construct Longcheng, build palaces and temples, and renamed Liucheng as Longcheng County. At this time, Emperor Cheng appointed Da Honglu Guo Xi to confer upon Murong Huang the titles of attendant, commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Hebei, general, and King of Yan, with all other titles unchanged. He also honored over a hundred officials for their contributions.
In the year 341 AD, Emperor Ran Huang of the Ran State moved the capital to Longcheng. He led forty thousand elite troops from southern Shaanxi to attack the Yuwen and Goguryeo kingdoms. He sent Han and his son Ran Chui as vanguards, and also sent the Chief of Staff Wang Yu with fifteen thousand troops to attack from the north. When Goguryeo King Zhao heard that the Ran State army was coming from the north, he sent his brother Wu Tong to lead fifty thousand elite troops to intercept the Ran State forces, while he himself led a weaker force to defend southern Shaanxi. Han and Goguryeo King Zhao fought a battle at Mudu, where Han achieved a great victory. He pursued the enemy and captured Wandu, forcing Zhao to flee on horseback. Ran Huang dug up the tomb of King Li, Zhao's father, and looted his corpse, along with Zhao's mother, wife, and treasures, capturing over fifty thousand men and women as prisoners. They burned Goguryeo's palace and destroyed Wandu before returning. The following year, Goguryeo King Zhao sent envoys to Ran Huang, submitted to him, and offered local specialties, in return for which Ran Huang returned the corpse of Zhao's father to him. Yuwen Gui sent his prime minister Mo Qianhun to attack Ran Huang, and although the Ran State generals requested to fight, Ran Huang did not agree. Mo Qianhun believed Ran Huang was afraid of him, so he indulged in drinking and hunting, neglecting preparations for battle. Ran Huang said, "Mo Qianhun is too arrogant and complacent; we can fight now!" He then sent Han to lead the cavalry to attack, and Mo Qianhun was defeated and fled alone, with all his soldiers captured.
Ran Huang personally inspected various prefectures, encouraged agricultural production, and also built a palace complex in Longcheng. Not long after, he personally led twenty thousand cavalry to attack Yu Wengui, with Han and Ran Chui leading the vanguard. Yu Wengui sent his cavalry general She Yi Yu to lead all his forces to intercept Han's forces. Ran Huang quickly sent someone to deliver a message to Han, saying, "She Yi Yu is a formidable opponent; you should avoid him for now and wait until the enemy becomes overconfident before striking." Han replied, "Yu Wengui's elite troops are all here. If we can defeat him now, Yu Wengui could conquer the country without fighting again. She Yi Yu is just famous; he is not as tough as his reputation suggests. We should not let the enemy go, as it would dampen our morale." So Han fought with She Yi Yu, killed him, captured all the soldiers, and Yu Wengui fled to Mobei. Ran Huang expanded his territory by over a thousand miles, relocated over fifty thousand of Yu Wengui's households to Changli, and renamed She Yi Yu's city to Weide City. Ran Huang also held a grand celebration, recognizing achievements with varying rewards. He distributed cattle to poor families, permitting them to cultivate land in the imperial gardens, where eighty percent of the harvest went to the people and twenty percent to the imperial family. Those who had cattle but no land could also farm in the imperial gardens, with seventy percent of the harvest going to the people and thirty percent to the imperial family. Ran Huang's secretary, the military officer Feng Yu, advised:
"I have heard that wise kings govern their realms with a light touch, ensuring that the benefits reach the common people. They distribute land to the people according to their rank, collecting a tax of one-tenth. When the people are cold, they give them clothes to wear; when hungry, they give them food to eat. Every household lives worry-free. Even in the event of floods and droughts, it does not cause major problems; how is that possible? Because they select excellent agricultural officials who wholeheartedly guide agricultural production; one person can farm one hundred mu of land without the need for cattle. Hard workers will be recognized and rewarded, while the lazy will face punishment."
In addition, they set official positions according to the importance of the matter, allocated personnel according to the size of the official positions, ensuring that each position is filled by someone capable. They determined the salaries of officials based on the revenue generated each year. In addition to paying the salaries of the officials, the remaining food was stored in the national treasury. With three years of farming, there would be enough surplus food for a year. By accumulating in this way, how could the national finances possibly be insufficient? Even in the event of floods or droughts, the common people would not go hungry! However, despite repeated orders to boost agricultural production, few of those officials with a rank of two thousand stones truly served the public interest and made efforts to maximize the benefits of the land.
Therefore, Emperor Gaozu of Han knew that the situation was like this. Because the policy to develop wasteland was not implemented, he killed more than ten officials with a rank of two thousand stones as a warning to all. As a result, during the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Zhang, the country enjoyed peace and prosperity.
After the chaos during the Yongjia period, the common people fled everywhere, the Central Plains lay in ruins, and within a thousand miles, there was no sign of human activity. The bodies of those who starved or froze to death littered the ditches. Our former kings, through wise decisions and strong leadership, preserved peace in one region, used military might to root out corruption, and used benevolence to attract people from afar. Therefore, people from all over the country, even minority ethnic groups from remote areas, came here with their families, traveling thousands of miles as if returning to the warm embrace of a loving father. The number of exiles had increased tenfold, with a large population and limited land, thus, those without land made up one-fourteenth of the population.
Your Highness, you have inherited the will of the late king, demonstrating great wisdom and military prowess. You have defeated the powerful Zhao kingdom in the south, defeated the Ju Li in the east, expanded the territory by more than three thousand miles, and increased the population by one hundred thousand. You have inherited and developed the achievements of the late king, on par with the ancient King Wen of Zhou. It is now time to dismantle some of the royal gardens and distribute the land to the exiled common people. Those who have come here with nothing should be awarded a cow. Since they are your subjects, how could the cows possibly be lost? The best treasures lie in the hearts of the people, and achieving this is sufficient. Recently, you have won the hearts of the people, who all come to greet you with food and drink; what significance does Shi Le (Shi Jilong) hold? Furthermore, even in the Wei and Jin periods, although it was a time of chaos, the exploitation of the people did not reach seventy or eighty percent. When the government's cows plow and cultivate official land, the government gets sixty percent, and the people get forty percent; when private cows plow and cultivate official land, the government and the people share equally, allowing the people to live in peace and happiness. Everyone feels happy. I still contend that this is not the path of a wise ruler, especially with the current tax increases! Moreover, natural disasters like droughts and floods are unavoidable; the current emperor should take measures to dredge canals, following the examples set by Zheng Guo Baigui, Simen Bao, Shi Qi, and others in repairing water conservancy and irrigation methods. In case of drought, dig trenches to bring in water, and in case of floods, let water flow into the canals, ensuring there are no worries about natural disasters and no harm from floods.
The people of Ju Li, Baekje, as well as the Yuwen and Duan tribes, were all forced to move due to war, unlike the people of the Central Plains who came willingly; they all want to go back home. With a population of nearly one hundred thousand now crowded in the capital, it may bring serious harm to the country in the future. Their brothers and clans should be moved to various cities in the west, offering them compassion while enforcing laws to guide their behavior, to prevent them from scattering among the populace, allowing them to grasp the true state of the country.
The Central Plains are still not stable. We should stockpile more supplies. There are too many officials and a lot of idlers. If someone doesn’t farm, they’ll starve in a year. We must collect food from the farmers to support them. If one person has to support another, and there are tens of thousands of idle people, the losses will be multiplied. How can the people live and work in peace and the country thrive? Your Majesty, you are well-versed in historical examples. The greatest political disaster comes from this. Those who are talented and can offer advice to the country should be promoted and valued. If not, they should just focus on farming, raising silkworms, and weaving cloth. This is only fair! Your Majesty is generous and eager to hear all kinds of opinions, so everyone feels free to speak their minds, even if they offend you. Though some of their comments might have crossed a line, military officials Wang Xian and Liu Ming devoted themselves to offering advice. The chief official claimed they were stirring up trouble, committing crimes, and should be punished. Your Majesty showed mercy and spared them from the death penalty, only demoting them and sidelining them in court. If they were right, Your Majesty should take it on board; if they’re wrong, you should still be tolerant of their honesty. Punishing ministers who speak frankly and offer advice will not lead to loyalty. Agriculture, crafts, trade, and education are the backbone of the country, with education being key to the nation's success. Learning military skills and farming is essential. Other industries are just secondary. The number of soldiers should be based on the army's needs, and the rest should go back to farming, while being taught military skills. If they haven't accomplished anything after three years of training, they should go back to farming as well. They shouldn’t just be given official positions, blocking the way for more talented individuals.
If I am right, I hope you will put it into action quickly; if I am wrong, then punish me severely, even kill me, so that everyone knows the court is open to good advice and punishes wrongdoers without hesitation. Wang Xian and Liu Ming are loyal servants, and I hope you can overlook their offense. Please consider their suggestions, just like taking good medicine, and you'll see positive outcomes.
Shi Le said: "After reading the memorials from the memorial chamber, I am genuinely alarmed. The common people are the foundation of the country, and they rely on food to survive. Thus, farmers are indeed the backbone of the nation. However, those officials receiving a stipend of two thousand stones do not follow the spring planting orders, do not actively encourage agricultural production, and should impose penalties on those who fail to diligently cultivate the land to serve as a warning to other officials. Responsible officials must investigate and verify carefully, and report the specifics to me. The imperial gardens can be repurposed and distributed to those people who do not have land. For those who are extremely poor and cannot survive, each person will be given a cow as assistance. If anyone has the ability and is willing to use the government's cows to cultivate the government's land, then follow the traditional practices of the Wei and Jin dynasties. Building canals and irrigating farmland are beneficial to both the government and the people. Responsible officials must build according to the actual situation, making full use of water and land resources. The Central Plains region has not yet been pacified; the fighting persists, there are many meritorious officials, and officials cannot be reduced temporarily. After the rebellion is quelled, we can slowly discuss this matter. The number of craftsmen, merchants, and traders should be determined quickly by the four assistants and column leaders, and the rest should return to farming. Those students who are not competent to teach should also be taken off the list. It is not easy for ministers to advise the monarch, so frivolous matters can be disregarded, and only good suggestions should be accepted. Although Wang Xian and Liu Ming should be punished, it’s also my shortcoming for not being more lenient. Let them both return to their original positions and continue their roles in the Advisory Council. Feng Sheng is upright and exemplifies the virtues of a loyal minister. Isn't it said in the Book of Songs that 'No speech goes unrewarded'? Reward him with fifty thousand coins, publicly announce it both inside and out, and if anyone wishes to point out my errors, regardless of their rank, they should not hide anything."
Shi Le personally led his ministers to Longshan to witness the dragons. They stood about two hundred steps from the dragons, where they offered sacrifices. The two dragons playfully nodded at each other, then flew away after uncoiling their horns. Shi Le was very happy and returned to the palace, pardoning all criminals in the area and naming the new palace "Palace of Harmony with the Dragons." He also built a "Dragon Soaring Buddha Temple" on the mountain.
He ordered that the children of the ministers, as well as the students studying to become officials, be referred to as "High Gate Students." He established the East Academy in the old palace, implemented village archery rites, and personally went to observe and test them every month to evaluate their abilities. Shi Le had a passion for reading and teaching, attracting over a thousand students. He personally wrote the "Supreme Chapter" to replace the "Urgent Chapter," and also wrote fifteen "Precepts" to educate future generations.
Murong Ke attacked the southern territory of Goguryeo, conquered it, left the army to guard it, and returned. Three years later, Murong Huang sent his sons Murong Jun and Murong Ke, along with seventeen thousand cavalry, to attack Buyeo from the east, also conquering it and returning with the Buyeo king and over fifty thousand captives.
Murong Huang personally examined the students at the East Academy, promoting those with exceptional academic performance to serve as his attendants. Due to a long drought, he reduced the agricultural taxes for the people. He also abolished several counties such as Chengzhou, Jiyang, and Yingqiu, relocating the Bohai people to Xingji County, the Hejian people to Ningji County, the Guangping and Weijun people to Xingping County, the Donglai and Beihai people to Yuli County, and the Wu people to Wuxian County, all of which fell under Yan's jurisdiction.
Murong Huang once went hunting on the western border while crossing the Yellow River. He saw an elderly man dressed in red, riding a white horse, who raised his hand to gesture to Murong Huang, saying, "This is not a hunting place; you should go back." Murong Huang secretly took note of this but said nothing, still crossed the river, and had great success in hunting for several days. Later, he saw a white rabbit, chased after it, and shot, causing his horse to panic and throw him off, resulting in his injury. It was only then that he recalled seeing the old man. He was carried back to the palace and entrusted the future to Murong Jun. Murong Huang passed away in the fourth year of Yonghe, having reigned for fifteen years, at the age of fifty-two. Murong Jun seized the throne and posthumously honored Murong Huang as Emperor Wenming.
Murong Han, styled Yuanyong, was the eldest son of Murong Hui. He had a bold and strategic character, with arms as strong as a monkey's, exceptional archery skills, and far greater physical strength than the average person. Murong Hui greatly appreciated him and entrusted him with important military tasks. He was stationed in Liaodong, where Goguryeo dared not invade, consistently achieving great success and earning a fearsome reputation. He was also skilled at winning the people's trust, valued Confucianism, and everyone from scholars to common soldiers was eager to follow him.
After Duan Pidi arrived in Liao, the King of Liao respected him and treated him well. Later, during the Battle of Liucheng, Duan Lan wanted to chase after the enemy, but Duan Pidi, considering the potential harm it could cause to the country, cleverly persuaded Duan Lan not to pursue. Later, Shi Jilong attacked Liao, and Murong Huang personally led a large army to attack the area north of Lingshi. The Liao forces wanted to pursue Murong Huang, but Duan Pidi knew that with Murong Huang personally leading his troops, victory was almost certain. He said to the King of Liao, "The Shi army has arrived; we are facing a strong enemy, and we shouldn’t let ourselves be distracted by minor issues. Prince Yan Murong Huang's army is elite and powerful. War is cruel and dangerous. If we lose, how will we defend against enemies from the south?" Duan Lan retorted angrily, "I listened to your nonsense before, which led to our current predicament. I will not listen to you again!" He then led his troops to pursue Murong Huang, but was defeated. Although Duan Pidi was in enemy territory, he remained loyal to his duty, which reflected his character.
Later, Liao was defeated, and Duan Pidi fled to Yuwen Gui. Not long after, he fled again, and Yuwen Gui sent over a hundred cavalry to chase him. Duan Pidi said from afar to the pursuers, "I miss my homeland and want to return. I will not change my mind. You all know my archery skills. Do not force me, or you will meet your doom. I have been in your country for a long time, having wished to kill you all. Raise your swords and stand a hundred paces apart. If I can hit the blade with my arrow, you go back; if not, you can come closer." The cavalry of Yuwen Gui raised their swords, and Duan Pidi shot the blade with one arrow, which caused the pursuers to scatter.
When he arrived at Murong Huang's place, Murong Huang treated him with great kindness. In the second year of the Jianyuan era, Duan Pidi followed Murong Huang to attack Yu Wen Gui. He was hit by a stray arrow on the battlefield and was bedridden for a long time. Later, his condition gradually improved, and he practiced riding at home on horseback. Someone reported that he was secretly practicing riding, suspecting him of having ulterior motives. Murong Huang always distrusted him, so he ordered him to be executed. Duan Pidi said to the messenger before he died: "I am suspected of trying to escape, a crime that cannot be forgiven. I cannot allow my body to remain in the enemy's camp; therefore, I place the blame on the authorities. I am grateful to heaven for not allowing me to be executed in public. Today, my death is, in fact, a relief for me. However, the Xiongnu still occupy the Central Plains, which remain unsettled. I have always been resolute in my determination to eliminate these vile Xiongnu, fulfill the wishes of the former kings, and repay the country. Unexpectedly, my wish was not fulfilled, yet I have no regrets. Such is fate!" After speaking, he took poison and died.
Yang Yu, whose courtesy name was Shilun, was from Wuzhong, Hebei. His parents died when he was young, and his brothers passed away at an early age. He was alone, and although no one in his clan respected him, his uncle held him in high regard, saying: "This child is not only an outstanding figure in our family, but also a talented person who can assist the present era!" Later, the governor and Yan appointed him as an advisor. After Wang Jun became the governor, he promoted Yang Yu to be an assistant, but Wang Jun was jealous of his talent and failed to utilize his talents effectively.
After Shi Le seized Ji City, he inquired of Zao Song, "Who are the most exceptional talents in Youzhou?" Zao Song replied, "Liu Han from Yan Kingdom, of noble character and trustworthy; Yang Yu from Beiping, very capable." Shi Le asked, "If what you say is true, why didn't Wang Jun use him?" Zao Song said, "It was precisely Wang Jun's failure to utilize him effectively that led to his defeat by you." Shi Le then decided to appoint Yang Yu, but Yang Yu quietly disguised himself and made his escape.
At that time, Duan Juan, the Xianbei chieftain, was appointed as the General of Cavalry and Chariots and the Duke of Liaoxi by the Jin Dynasty. He had a great appreciation for talent and sincerely invited Yang Yu to work for him. Yang Yu said to his friend Cheng Pan, "Confucius happily accepted the invitation of Duke Ai of Lu and compared himself to a gourd; Yi Yin also said, what matter is not for the ruler, and what person is not for the people? Even the sages are like this, much less us! Duan Juan's invitation to me is certainly not just idle chatter!" Cheng Pan said, "Now the Central Plains are divided and in chaos; the only area we can control is around the Yishui River. If we want to wait for peace in the world like waiting for the Yellow River to clear, it'll be a long wait! How long can a person live? The ancients have long lamented that life is as fleeting as a white horse darting past. Shao You also said, 'Even a county official can provide for his descendants,' let alone a prime minister! Following the footsteps of Yi Yin and Confucius, you truly understand the situation!" So Yang Yu accepted the invitation. He was appointed as the Prefect of the Palace Attendants and the General of the Central Army, ranking among the top officials, serving under the five sovereigns of the Duan clan, who all held him in high regard.
When Duan Liao and Murong Huang went to battle, Yang Yu advised, "I have heard that being close to a benevolent and righteous sovereign, treating neighboring countries well, is fundamental to a nation's prosperity. The Murong clan has intermarried with our country for generations, and Murong Huang is also a monarch of virtue. The two sides should refrain from attacking each other and causing the people to suffer. I am worried that calamity will arise from this. I hope both sides can put aside their past grievances, restore friendly relations, and stabilize the country like Mount Tai, so that the people can live in peace and happiness." Duan Liao did not listen to him. Yang Yu was appointed as the Prefect of Yan Province. Later, when Shi Jilong captured Lingshi, Yang Yu led Yan Province to surrender and was later appointed as the Prefect of Beiping, and subsequently summoned to serve as the Deputy Minister of Personnel.
Duan Liao recommended Ran Min to Shi Le. Shi Le appointed Ran Min as the Left Chancellor and Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Expedition Army, in charge of the military operations for the autumn campaign. The autumn campaign ended in failure, resulting in Ran Min's capture by the enemy, who intended to send him to Murong Huang. Murong Huang had long heard of Ran Min's reputation and immediately ordered his release, appointing him as the Director of Palace Attendants and later promoting him to the Grand General of the Left Guards. He achieved victory over Goguryeo in the east and defeated Yuwen Gui in the north, with Ran Min involved in the planning of these battles, which earned him high praise from Murong Huang.
When Murong Huang moved his capital to Helong, Ran Min demonstrated his extraordinary talent. The cities and palaces built by Murong Huang were all constructed according to Ran Min's design drawings. Though Ran Min served only a short time alongside Murong Huang, his position and treatment surpassed those of the veteran officials. He was humble, respectful, frugal, upright, kind, and generous, extending kindness and compassion to everyone, despite his high position. He helped resettle and ensure proper burials for exiled and wandering officials, as well as taking care of orphans and widows. Regardless of their own talents, both scholars and officials admired him, earning great respect from everyone.
Initially, the people of Fanyang praised Ran Min, saying, "I have experienced the peaceful period of the Jin Dynasty and seen many officials in the court. People as loyal, honest, resolute, adhering to righteousness, and courageous and wise as Ran Min are truly rare!" Murong Huang was deeply saddened by Ran Min's death at the age of sixty-two.
