Murong Jun, courtesy name Xuan Ying, is the second son of his father Murong Huang. His father Murong Huang always said, "I have accumulated a great deal of good fortune and many good deeds; future generations will definitely be able to take over the Central Plains!" Later, Murong Jun was born, and Murong Huang immediately said, "This child looks extraordinary; our family is destined to thrive!" When Murong Jun grew up, he stood an impressive eight feet two inches tall, tall and mighty, well-read and knowledgeable, skilled in both civil and military affairs, and had great leadership abilities. After his father Murong Huang became the King of Yan, he appointed him as the General of False Authority, General Who Maintains the North, Colonel of the Eastern Yi, King of the Left, Crown Prince of Yan, and the heir apparent. After his father's death, in the fifth year of Yonghe, Murong Jun declared himself King of Yan, emulated the practices of the feudal states in the Spring and Autumn Period, adopted a new era name, and proclaimed a general amnesty. At that time, Shi Jilong had also died, and the rear of Former Yan was in chaos with the states of Zhao and Wei, so Murong Jun sought to seize the opportunity to annex them. He appointed Murong Ke as the Assistant General of the State, Murong Ping as the Assistant General of Counsel, Yang Wei as the Assistant General of Righteousness, and Murong Chui as the Vanguard Commander and General of Establishing Valor, commanding over two hundred thousand elite troops, waiting for the right moment. That year, Emperor Mu of Eastern Jin also sent an envoy, Chen Shen, to appoint Murong Jun as the Imperial Commissioner, Palace Attendant, Grand Commander, Commander of all military affairs in Hebei, Governor of Youzhou, Governor of Jizhou, Governor of Bingzhou, Governor of Pingzhou, Grand General, Grand Chanyu, and King of Yan, allowing him to appoint officials and confer titles like his grandfather Murong Hui and father Murong Huang. The following year, Murong Jun led a large army southward, starting from Lulong and arriving at Wuzhong. Wang Wu, the Youzhou Governor under Shi Jilong, realized the situation was dire and abandoned the city and fled in haste, leaving his subordinate Wang Ta to guard Ji City. Murong Jun captured Ji City, killed Wang Ta, and designated it as his capital. He also moved the people of Guangning and Shanggu to Xuwu, and the inhabitants of Daijun to Fancheng, before returning to the court.
After Ran Min killed Shi Zhi, he declared himself emperor and sent an envoy, Chang Wei, to see Murong Jun. Murong Jun took Chang Wei to see his garden and then had his secretary, Feng Yu, interrogate him: "What auspicious signs could justify his actions of repaying kindness with enmity, usurping the throne, and declaring himself emperor?" Chang Wei replied: "Those who rise by Heaven's will have their own reasons. Wolves and crows appeared during the Three Kings era, and qilins and dragons also appeared during the Han and Wei dynasties. Our lord is following the mandate of Heaven, ruling the world. How could there be no auspicious signs! Furthermore, waging war and conquest are common actions of sage kings. King Tang and King Wu personally led troops to conquer, and Confucius even praised them. Cao Cao came from a family of eunuchs, and no one knew his origins. At first, he didn't have many soldiers under him, but in the end, didn't he achieve great things? Now the barbarians are cruel and brutal; the people are being slaughtered like fish in a barrel. Our lord drew his sword and rose up, killing the barbarians and saving the people. This achievement can be seen as having moved Heaven, just like the great Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. Our lord has been appointed by Heaven, so why can't he declare himself emperor?" Feng Yu asked again: "Last year, Shi Zhi sent Zhang Ju to ask for help, saying that the jade seal was in Xiangguo. Is this true? I also heard that Ran Min tried to cast a golden statue for himself, but failed. How can he say he has the mandate of Heaven?" Chang Wei replied: "The day the barbarians were killed, almost all the people in Ye City were slaughtered. How could the jade seal possibly have ended up in Xiangguo? This was just an excuse for help. The true jade seal of Heaven is in our lord's hands. Those demons and monsters might deceive people with bizarre claims; they may even change their appearance to deify their actions. Our lord now holds the power of the world, like Heaven itself. The world is in his hands, and the great cause has already gathered around him. What does he have to worry about, relying on such things to gain people's trust? As for the matter of casting the golden statue, I have never heard of it."
Murong Jun listened to Chang Wei's words, found them very reasonable, and was also very pleased that Ran Min's attempt to cast a golden statue had failed. He wanted to personally verify Chang Wei's words, so he ordered his men to pile up firewood and light it, and had Feng Yu and others use words to threaten Chang Wei. Chang Wei remained calm and said confidently, "From birth until now, I have never deceived ordinary people, let alone nobles like you! I cannot resort to flattery to save my own life. If I am killed for standing by the truth, then so be it. Go ahead and add more firewood; burn me quickly, this is your gift to me." The people around advised Murong Jun to kill Chang Wei, but Murong Jun said, "In ancient times, messengers often encountered danger in battle; this is also common for ministers." So Chang Wei was pardoned.
Murong Ke was sent to fight in Zhongshan, occupy the territory, and at the same time, Murong Ping was sent to attack Wang Wu in Lukou. When Murong Ke arrived in Tangcheng, Bai Tong and the Governor of Zhongshan, Hou Gan, were holding it, and he was unable to capture it. Murong Ke left his general Murong Biao to continue the attack on Tangcheng, while he went to attack Changshan. When Murong Ping was sent to attack Wang Wu and arrived in Nan'an, Wang Wu sent his general Zheng Sheng to stop him. Murong Ping directly counterattacked, killed Zheng Sheng, and Hou Gan, seeing the situation was unfavorable, came out of the city and surrendered. Murong Ke later captured Zhongshan and also killed Bai Tong. Fu Jian's army was disciplined, and the generals were all well-behaved and dared not break the rules. Ran Min's Prefect of Zhangwu, Jia Jian, led the troops from the county to intercept Murong Ping. They fought a battle at Gaocheng, Jia Jian was captured, and more than three thousand enemy soldiers were killed.
That year, the Dingling tribe, led by Zhai Shu, and Ran Min's general Liu Zhun both surrendered to Fu Jian with their forces. Fu Jian appointed Zhai Shu as the King of Guiyi and appointed Liu Zhun as the Left Sima (a military rank).
Duan Qing, the leader of the Xianbei, first surrendered to Murong Jun, but later turned against him. Murong Jun dispatched Murong Ke and Prime Minister Feng Yi to confront Ran Min at Anxi, and also sent Murong Chui to attack Duan Qing. He himself went to Zhongshan to bolster the morale of both armies. Fearful, Ran Min fled to Changshan, but Murong Ke caught up with him at the Gu River, cutting off his escape. Ran Min was notorious, and everyone feared him. Murong Ke addressed his generals, "Ran Min's army is old and tired, with diminished combat effectiveness. Although he is brave, he lacks strategy and is only capable of one-on-one combat. Although he has some troops, they are not a serious threat. I will split our forces into three divisions and employ encirclement tactics against him. Ran Min is hot-headed and reckless; he knows our forces are stronger than his, so he will undoubtedly launch a desperate charge at our center. We will wear thick armor, establish a solid defense, and wait for him to come. As long as you ensure the soldiers are ready and strike from both flanks when the battle commences, we will surely bring him down!"
After the battle began, they defeated Ran Min, beheaded more than 7,000 enemy soldiers, captured Ran Min alive, and escorted him to Longcheng to be executed. Murong Ke set up camp in Hudu. Ran Min's general Su Hai sent his general Jingguang to lead several thousand cavalry to ambush Murong Ke. Murong Ke counterattacked, killed Jingguang, and Su Hai was so frightened that he quickly fled to Bingzhou. Murong Ke then occupied Changshan, and Duan Qin, fearing for his safety, decided to surrender. Then they attacked Ye City. Ran Min's general Jiang Gan shut the city gates to defend against the attack. Murong Jun then sent Murong Ping and others to lead ten thousand cavalry to join the assault on Ye City. At this time, a swallow built a nest under the eaves of the western side of Murong Jun's Zhengyang Hall and gave birth to three baby swallows, each with upright feathers on their heads. A unique bird was presented to Murong Jun, with colorful feathers. Murong Jun asked his ministers, "What does this auspicious sign mean?" The ministers all said, "A swallow is just a swallow. The feathers on its head are like a crown, symbolizing a connection to the heavens, like wearing a hat. The nest under the eaves of the western side of Zhengyang Hall suggests that the emperor will be revered by all nations in the palace. Three baby swallows suggest that the throne will be passed down for three generations. The colorful bird indicates that the wise court will inherit the power of the five elements to rule the world." Murong Jun was thrilled to hear this.
Later, Jiang Gan led five thousand elite troops out of the city to issue a challenge, but was defeated by Murong Ping and his allies, resulting in over four thousand enemy soldiers being beheaded. Only Jiang Gan managed to escape back to Ye city. The ministers then urged Murong Jun to declare himself emperor, but he replied, "I hail from a hunting tribe in the northern Youzhou, where we wear our hair loose and our clothes open to the left. Given the changing rulers of past dynasties, what right do I have to participate? If you keep flattering each other and want me to take the throne, that’s not something I should be hearing!" Murong Ke and Feng Yi attacked Wang Wu at Lukou, and Wang Wu surrendered. Soon after, Murong Ping captured Ye city and sent Rang Min's wife, his subordinates, and all his wealth to Zhongshan.
First, Jiang Gan presented the imperial seal to Murong Jun. Murong Jun sought to elevate his status, claiming that the Mandate of Heaven was his, and claimed that his wife, Lady Min, had received the imperial seal and given it to him. Thus, he conferred upon himself the title "Lord of the Imperial Seal," proclaimed himself emperor in the eighth year of Yonghe, he granted amnesty to all, changed the era name to "Yuanxi," and appointed a large number of officials. He appointed Ye as Grand Commandant, Murong Ke as Palace Attendant, Yang Wei as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Huangfu Zhen as Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing, Zhang Xi as Supervisor of the Right of the Masters of Writing, Song Huo as Director of the Palace Library, Han Heng as Prefect of the Palace Library, and various other officials received different honors. He also honored Murong Hui posthumously as Emperor Wu Xuan and Murong Huang as Emperor Wenming.
The court sent envoys to see Murong Jun. Murong Jun told the envoys: "Go back and tell your emperor that because the people are suffering and have chosen me, I have already become emperor!" Earlier, Shi Jilong sent people to Mount Hua to explore heavenly secrets and obtained a jade tablet with the words: "In the year of Shen You, unbroken like a thread. In the year of Ren Zi, a true man will appear." The people of Yan believed this was a sign that Murong Jun was destined to be emperor. Murong Jun renamed Sizhou as Zhongzhou and established the office of Sima. The ministers suggested: "Great Yan has received its mandate from heaven and inherited the great achievements of its predecessor, and should adopt the calendar of the Xia Dynasty, wear the ceremonial robes of the Zhou Dynasty, use black flags and sacrifice black livestock." Murong Jun accepted this suggestion. Officials and envoys from various vassal states who participated in the enthronement ceremony were promoted three ranks. The garrison in Ye City and the soldiers who participated in the war also received corresponding rewards. Fallen soldiers were posthumously promoted two ranks, and the descendants of soldiers received compensation. The veteran officials in the palace were also promoted according to their abilities. Murong Jun appointed his wife Kezuhunshi as empress and his son Murong Ye as crown prince.
Rong Hu, the General of Ning Shuo of the Jin Dynasty, led a rebellion in Pengcheng and Lu Jun and surrendered to Murong Jun. Li Du, a man from Changshan, gathered thousands of people and rebelled by fortifying at Pubi. Murong Jun sent Murong Ke to lead troops to quell the rebellion. Earlier, after Ran Min's defeat, Wang Wu proclaimed himself the King of Anguo. After Wang Wu's death, Lv Hu inherited his title and defended Lukou. Murong Ke led his troops to pursue and defeat him, and sent the vanguard Yue Wan to chase them to Yewang, where Lv Hu's forces surrendered.
Yao Xiang surrendered to Murong Jun of the Former Yan dynasty. Murong Jun appointed Murong Ping as the military governor of ten provinces: Qin, Yong, Yi, Liang, Jiang, Yang, Jing, Xu, Yan, and Yu, stationed near the Luo River area; he also appointed Murong Qiang as the vanguard commander, in charge of military affairs in Jingzhou, Xuzhou, and the Huai River basin, stationed in Henan. Murong Jun returned from Helong to Jicheng, and the people of Youzhou and Jizhou were unsettled by the eastward migration and were gathering in groups everywhere. His subordinates requested that troops be sent to quell the chaos, but Murong Jun said, "These people are confused because of my eastward journey. I have now returned, and they will naturally settle down in a few days. However, necessary precautions must be taken as well." He then ordered strict security measures both inside and outside the city. Wang Hui, the prefect of Henan, and Han Gao, the prefect of Liyang, surrendered to Murong Jun along with their counties. The prefects of Lanling, Sun Hei, Jibei, Gao Zhu, and Jianxing, Gao Weng, each led their counties in rebellion and surrendered to Murong Jun. Initially, Liu Ning, Murong Jun's general of chariots and cavalry stationed in Yucheng, surrendered to the Fu clan. He has now come to Jicheng with two thousand households to confess and was appointed as the rear general by Murong Jun. King Jiao of Goguryeo sent envoys to express his gratitude and presented local specialties as tribute. Murong Jun appointed Jiao as the military governor of Yingzhou, Grand General of the East, and Inspector of Yingzhou, bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Lelang, allowing him to retain his kingship. Shen Yin, Murong Jun's attendant Huangmen Chamberlain, submitted a memorial:
Speaking of it, the noble status and solemn etiquette were established by the ancient kings. The style of the crown varied in each dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, because of the contributions of Xiao He and Cao Can, they held a special status, which allowed them to walk with swords to see the emperor without the need to hurry. If it weren’t for their contributions, these privileges would theoretically be revoked. Your Highness, you are too humble now; your demeanor is too humble, which does not conform to the court's etiquette standards. As the crown prince, you bear the heavy responsibility of inheriting the throne, but traveling in casual clothes like other princes, how does this reflect the status and hierarchy? For ceremonies, court meetings, and celebrations, you should wear formal court robes and put on the Nine-Tiered Crown.
Furthermore, in mid-winter, the yin energy is waning while yang energy is emerging. At this time, one should stay in seclusion and rest, not travel far. As the "Book of Rites" states, "In this month, things should be quiet; gentlemen should fast and avoid worldly pleasures." Only the "Zhou Officials" mentions that eight musical instruments are played during the emperor's southern suburb sacrifices. Some believe that this is because it is a sacrifice to the heavens, earth, and spirits, not a regular court meeting or celebration, hence the music performance. A ruler must exercise caution, and the etiquette must be grand. In the past, drums were not played during the Winter Solstice Festival, but now they are, which clearly does not comply with the etiquette. The Winter Solstice Festival is different from other holidays and should not be celebrated loudly to avoid disturbing the spirits, which is also detrimental to the crown prince's well-being. Although the court dress is a traditional practice, the Jiaogu court dress has been in use since the Qin and Han Dynasties and has become a tradition. On the first day of the lunar month, one should wear formal court robes and Shu. According to etiquette, there are three situations in which vassals can retreat during an audience with the emperor, one of which is when their clothes are wet from the rain, which is deemed inappropriate. What should be done if it rains during an audience without a clear etiquette guideline? Etiquette is about appropriateness rather than excessive formality. Recently, due to the wet ground, not being able to wear Shu, wearing formal court robes with casual shoes is also inappropriate.
The purpose of wearing morning court dress is to attend court. The two systems of etiquette, whether abolished or retained, truly go against the original intention of etiquette. The Great Yan Dynasty was appointed by the heavens, emulating the rituals of the ancient dynasties. These ritual systems should be modified and perfected, established as the permanent regulations of the imperial court.
Jun Chen said: "Regarding the practice of wearing swords and shoes when entering the court, and not running or walking quickly during court visits, this issue should be discussed with the Ministry of Rites. The Crown Prince wearing ceremonial robes and a crown adorned with nine dragons is too extravagant and inappropriate. The regulations on ceremonial attire should not be casually abolished or implemented, but carefully considered and decided upon."
Duan Kan, the son of Duan Lan, fled to Guanggu with his troops, claiming himself as king due to Ran Min's rebellion. He declared himself a vassal of Jianye, even writing a letter to Jianye showing defiance against Huan Wen. Huan Wen then sent Murong Ke and Murong Chen to attack him. Murong Ke crossed the Yellow River.
Duan Kan's younger brother, Duan Pi, was clever and shrewd. He advised Duan Kan: "Murong Ke is skilled in warfare and has many troops. We may not be able to compete with them. Even if we set up a formation under the city walls, they may not agree to our surrender. Your Majesty should hold the city and let me lead the elite soldiers to fight them. If we win, you can lead the pursuit to ensure none escape. If we lose, we can surrender right away and still keep your marquis title." Duan Kan disagreed. After repeated requests from Duan Pi, in a fit of rage, Duan Kan killed him and then led thirty thousand troops to fight against Murong Ke.
Murong Ke faced Duan Kan south of the Jishui River, fought a battle, defeated Duan Kan, killed Duan Kan's brother Duan Qin, and captured all of Duan Kan's troops. Murong Ke moved to besiege Guanggu. Many generals advised Murong Ke to attack the city quickly, but Murong Ke said, "The strategy of warfare is contingent upon the situation. Some battles require a methodical approach to secure victory, while others need a swift resolution. If both sides are evenly matched and the enemy has reinforcements, we must launch a swift attack to secure a quick victory. If we are stronger than the enemy, have no external reinforcements, and possess enough strength to control them, then we should slowly besiege them and wait for them to collapse on their own. The art of war states to surround the city on ten sides and attack on five sides; this is a fundamental military principle. Duan Kan has good relations with those rebellious individuals, and his men are still loyal to him. In the battle of Jinan, he did not lack effort, but he lacks tactical acumen, which is why he failed. Now he relies on the natural defenses, unity of his troops, and a balance of offense and defense, which is a basic tenet of military strategy. If we launch a fierce attack, we could defeat him in a few months, but it could lead to significant casualties. Since the start of the war, our soldiers have not been able to rest properly. I often ponder this, and it keeps me awake at night. How can we so readily sacrifice our soldiers' lives? We should besiege him for the long haul and gradually wear him down." The generals all said, "We are not capable of doing that." So Murong Ke had people build houses, pretend to cultivate the land, and strengthen the defensive works. Wang Teng, the governor of Xu Zhou appointed by Duan Kan, and Xue Yun both surrendered to Murong Ke.
After Duan Wan was surrounded, he sent envoys to Jianye seeking assistance. Emperor Mu sent the General of the Northern Central Command, Xun Xian, to rescue him, but out of fear of Murong Ke's power, he delayed and dared not advance. Murong Ke attacked Yangdu, after killing Wang Teng, and then returned. Finally, Murong Ke captured Guanggu, named Duan Wan as the Fushun General, relocated more than 3,000 households of Xianbei, Hu, and Jie people to Jicheng, and left Murong Chen to guard Guanggu. Murong Ke then returned to the court.
The Crown Prince Ye died, and the court posthumously honored him with the title "Xianhuai." In the first year of Guangshou, Fu Jian named his second son, Fu Wei, as the Crown Prince, granted a general amnesty, and changed the era name.
Fu Jian sent his pacification army Murong Chui, central army Murong Qian, and guard Ping Xi, among others, leading eighty thousand troops northward to campaign against the Dingling and Chiehle tribes, which resulted in a great victory, capturing or killing over 100,000 people, seizing 130,000 horses, as well as countless head of cattle and sheep.
Initially, Fu Jian had a good horse named Zhebai, which was exceptionally beautiful and fast. During the attack by Shi Le on Jicheng, Fu Jian wanted to ride it to escape, but the horse neighed and kicked, preventing anyone from approaching. Fu Jian said, "This horse senses the changes of the previous dynasty. I have relied on it to navigate tough situations, but now it refuses to let me ride. Perhaps this is the intention of my ancestors!" So he gave up. Shi Le later retreated, and Fu Jian grew increasingly impressed by the horse. By now, the horse was forty-nine years old, yet still strong and vigorous, exhibiting no signs of aging. Fu Jian compared it to the horse described in Bao Zhao's poem, had a bronze statue created, wrote an inscription himself, and erected it at the East Gate of Jicheng. That year, the statue was completed, but the horse passed away.
The Xiongnu Chanyu Helai Tou surrendered to Fu Jian along with 35,000 followers. Fu Jian appointed him to the position of General of Ningxi, Duke of Yunzhong County, and granted him residence in Pingshu City in Daijun.
During the Jin Dynasty, the Governor of Taishan, Zhuge You, attacked Fu Jian's Eastern County. Fu Jian sent Murong Ke to resist, and as a result, the Jin forces were defeated. Xie Wan, the General of the Northern Central Army, who was stationed in Liangzhou and Songzhou, was so frightened upon hearing the news that he quickly fled. Murong Ke, taking advantage of his victory, advanced into Henan, capturing Ruzhou, Yingzhou, Qiaozhou, and Peizhou. After securing the defenses of these cities, Murong Ke withdrew his troops.
Fu Jian relocated the capital from Jicheng to Yecheng, issued a general amnesty, restored the palaces, and reconstructed the Bronze Sparrow Terrace.
The Minister of Justice, Chang Wei, reported: "Although Great Yan has reformed and established new systems, the system of selecting and appointing officials by the court largely adheres to the old system of Wei and Jin. Only those who have not buried their grandparents are not allowed to hold office, which is indeed the fundamental teaching of the Way of Kings and an unchangeable rule. However, etiquette must be timely, and the times may bring gains and losses. Therefore, the founding emperor established the Three Chapters Law, and the people of Qin were able to live and work in peace. Recently, there have been continuous wars in the Central Plains, with cities being destroyed and entire armies being decimated, soldiers facing massacre, bodies floating in rivers, leaving a multitude of orphans and widows. In addition, warlords rule in all directions, fathers and sons may find themselves in different countries, and life and death are unpredictable. Some simply ignore the situation, while others follow the old customs of Qin to handle funerals. Even if a filial son does his best, he may be powerless to follow the wishes of his grandson. Although offering a symbolic burial to express sincere filial piety is possible, there is no such ceremony in etiquette, and there are no regulations in the law. Many situations like this exist, where talents are unable to fulfill their ambitions, causing great sorrow! This may not be in line with the principles of promoting talents and cherishing them. Talented individuals like Wu Qi and Er Chen may ultimately be unable to showcase their abilities. How could Han Gaozu escape the siege of Pingcheng? How could the head of the Yizhi Khan be hung on the border of the Han Dynasty? I carefully examined the 'Wuchen Edict' to eliminate all filth and start anew with the world, to demonstrate the glory of reform. However, within five or six years, wars continue to occur, which goes against the practice of following the will of heaven, leaving me feeling deeply unsettled."
Murong Jun said: "Chang Wei is highly respected, knowledgeable, and well-versed in criminal law. The opinions he has put forward are indeed worth considering. Now that the world has not yet been unified and turmoil has not subsided, it is a critical time for selecting talents, and we cannot temporarily address all issues. Let's set this aside for now and allow the Datong to deliberate on it separately."
Then, Murong Jun ordered the construction of temples dedicated to Murong Hui in Changli and Liaodong counties, and temples for Murong Huang in Fanyang and Yanzhou. He appointed the guard Ping Xi as the chief builder, responsible for overseeing the construction of these two temples.
Fu Jian's Governor of Pingzhou, Liu Te, led five thousand families to surrender to Murong Jun.
Li Hei from Hejian gathered over a thousand followers and launched an attack on the counties, killing the county magistrate Wei Yan in Zhaoqiang. Murong Jun sent the Prefect of Changle, Fu Yan, to suppress and kill him.
In the Changshan area, a large tree collapsed on its own, revealing seventy jade bi discs and seventy-three jade gui tablets, shining with an extraordinary luster, unlike ordinary jade. Murong Jun believed this was a manifestation of the mountain god's favor, so he sent the Shangshu Lang Duan Qin to offer sacrifices with great offerings.
At first, when Ran Min proclaimed himself emperor, Shi Hu sent Li Li, Zhang Ping, Gao Chang, and their respective troops to pay homage to Ran Min, and even sent his son to serve as a hostage. Later, these people went to Jianye to surrender, allied with Fu Jian, were awarded official titles, and appeared to submit while secretly looking out for themselves. Although they continuously sent envoys to pay tribute, they might not have been genuine. After Lu Hu fled to Yewang, he sent his brother to apologize to Ran Min, who subsequently appointed him as General of Ningnan and Prefect of Henan. Feng Yang from Shangdang claimed the title of prefect and allied with Zhang Ping, who repeatedly interceded with Ran Min on behalf of Feng Yang. Due to Zhang Ping's influence, Ran Min pardoned Feng Yang and appointed him as Prefect of Jingzhao. Lu Hu and Feng Yang were secretly in cahoots with the court.
Zhang Ping held control over the regions of Xinxing, Yanmen, Xihe, Taiyuan, Shangdang, and Shangjun, constructing over three hundred fortifications and governing over a hundred thousand households, comprising both Hu and Jin peoples. As a result, Ran Min conferred upon him titles such as Zheng and Zhen, granting him considerable power and creating a situation of mutual dependence. Ran Min then dispatched the Minister of Works, Murong Ping, to confront Zhang Ping, sent the army leader Muyu Gen to attack Feng Yang, dispatched the Minister of Works Yang Wuyu to assault Gao Chang, and sent the military governor Murong Zang to engage Li Li. Numerous fortifications in the Bingzhou region capitulated, and Ran Min appointed Shangshu Yue Wan as the General of Western Pacification, overseeing the Xiongnu Guard and serving as the Governor of Bingzhou, responsible for pacifying the people there. Many of the generals under Zhang Ping, such as General Zhuge Xiang of the West, General Su Xiang of the North, General Qiao Shu of Ningdong, General Shi Xian of the South, and others, all surrendered to Ran Min, who, feeling quite pleased, reinstated them to their former ranks. However, not long after, Zhang Ping fled to Pingyang with three thousand followers, Feng Yang escaped to Yewang, Li Li retreated to Xingyang, and Gao Chang withdrew to Shaoling, each surrendering along with their respective forces. Ran Min then devised another invasion plan, intending to assault the Guanzhong region; therefore, he commanded all prefectures to conduct a census, carefully checking for underreporting, leaving one person per household, and conscripting the rest into the army, with the goal of mustering a total of 1.5 million infantry. The plan was to assemble the army next year and then march to Luoyang, implementing three-way military control. Liu Gui from Wuyi submitted a memorial strongly advising against this, stating that the people were already exhausted, forced conscription was illegal, and the people might not be able to bear it, leading to a massive uprising. He also enumerated thirteen current political grievances. Ran Min was quite pleased after reviewing the memorial, submitted it to his ministers for deliberation, and many suggestions were adopted. As a result, the conscription ratio was adjusted to three out of five, reducing the length of military service, and all troops were commanded to assemble in Ye City during the winter of the following year.
That year, General Xun Xian of Jin State attacked Shanchi, captured the city, and killed the rebel Jia Jian. The Qingzhou rebel leader, Murong Chen, sent Sima Yueming to rescue, but Xun Xian's army defeated the rescuers and reclaimed Shanchi. Murong Jun set up a school in Xianxianli, teaching the children of officials how to read. He also named his son Murong Hong King of Jibei and Murong Chong King of Zhongshan. Once, he hosted a banquet for his courtiers at Puchi, and as the wine flowed, he composed a poem and then engaged them in discussions about history and classics. When he mentioned the Crown Prince of the Zhou Dynasty, Prince Jin, Murong Jun felt a wave of sadness, with tears in his eyes, he turned to his courtiers, saying, "I used to think those two monarchs were just grieving out of love for their sons, not because of any noble qualities. Since my son Murong Ye's death, my hair has gone white, and now I truly understand how Cao Cao and Sun Quan felt. So, what do you think of my son Murong Ye? Do you think my deep sorrow and longing for him will seem strange to future generations?"
His left chancellor, Li Ji, replied, "When the Crown Prince was in the Eastern Palace, I served as a Grand Secretary and had the honor of serving by the Crown Prince's side. I have a deep understanding of his character and ambitions. I have heard that only a sage can achieve perfect virtue. The Crown Prince has eight great virtues, without any flaws." Murong Jun said, "You are exaggerating a bit, but please continue." Li Ji said, "First, he is extremely filial; filial piety comes naturally to him, and his nature is in harmony with the Dao. Second, he is intelligent and quick-witted, with a high level of understanding; his thinking flows smoothly like water. Third, he is calm and resolute, good at making decisions; there's no problem he can't handle. Fourth, he dislikes flattery and prefers straightforward people, and is willing to listen to honest opinions. Fifth, he is eager to learn, values talent, and isn't afraid to ask questions. Sixth, he is exceptionally talented, surpassing even the ancients; his skills also exceed those of his contemporaries. Seventh, he is humble and courteous, respects his teachers, and values righteousness. Eighth, he is generous and kind-hearted, always attentive to the suffering of the people." Murong Jun cried and said, "Although you are praising him, if my child were still alive, I would have no worries. I can't relinquish power like Tang, Yao, and Shun did to those of virtue, nor can I inherit like the Three Kings. My son Murong Jingmao is still young; his abilities have yet to fully emerge. What do you think of him?" Li Ji said, "The Crown Prince is intelligent, and his virtue is increasing day by day, but he lacks two of these eight virtues. He enjoys hunting and is obsessed with music; these are his flaws." Murong Jun turned to Murong Wei and said, "Bayang's words are like good medicine; you should remember them well." Then, Murong Jun inquired about the suffering of the elderly, the sick, the lonely, and the helpless, and according to their situations, provided them with food and clothing.
Shi Le had a nightmare, in which Shi Jilong bit his arm. Upon waking, he felt very uneasy and ordered Shi Jilong's tomb to be opened, had the corpse dug up, and stepped on it while cursing fiercely, "You dead barbarian, dare to impersonate the emperor in my dream!" Then he sent the Imperial Censor Wei Yang to list Shi Jilong's crimes, whipped the body, and tossed it into the Zhang River.
Zhuge You led thirty thousand troops against Shi Le, entering through Shimen and setting up camp by the river. You's general Kuang Chao took control of Zao, Xiao Guan was stationed at Xin Zha, and he also sent Protector Xu Jiong to command three thousand naval troops to patrol the water, creating a pincer movement from the east and west. Shi Le sent Murong Ping, Fu Yan, and others to lead fifty thousand infantry and cavalry to fight Wang Shi in Dong'e, which led to the defeat of Wang Shi.
The seven northern states, Helan, Shele, and others surrendered to Shi Le.
Soon after, Shi Le fell seriously ill. He told Murong Ke, "My illness is serious; I fear it’s not looking good. Life and death are fated; what's there to regret? There are still two traitors to deal with, and Jing Mao is still young and may struggle to bear such great responsibilities. I want to entrust the state to you, following the example of Emperor Xuan of Song." Murong Ke replied, "Though the Crown Prince is young, he's sharp and will surely be able to quell the rebellion and stabilize the situation. We can't overlook the Crown Prince for personal reasons!" Shi Le angrily said, "Do brothers really need to be so hypocritical?" Murong Ke said, "If Your Majesty believes I can handle the weight of the world, can’t I also assist the young prince?" Shi Le said, "If you can support the young prince like the Duke of Zhou supported King Cheng, then I have nothing to worry about! Li Ji is honest and loyal, capable of handling important affairs; you should take good care of him."
At that time, Ye City was heavily garrisoned, and bandits were rampant, attacking and robbing every night, making it unsafe to go out during the day. Therefore, Shi Le increased taxes, enforced strict prohibitions, rewarded informants with the title of Commandant of the Imperial Carriages, and captured and killed over a hundred bandits, including the leader Muguke, before ultimately quelling the banditry.
In the fourth year of Shengping, Shi Le passed away at the age of forty-two, after ruling for eleven years. He was posthumously honored as Emperor Jingzhao, with the temple name Liezu and the posthumous name Longling. Shi Le enjoyed reading and was diligent in his studies from the time he ascended the throne until his death. He engaged in discussions on ethics and principles with his attendants and wrote over forty articles. He was serious-minded and conscientious, paid attention to his appearance, and never treated state affairs lightly or negligently. Even during rest or banquets, he was meticulous.
Han Heng, styled Jingshan, was from Guanjin. His father, Han Mo, was highly respected for his knowledge and virtue. Han Heng showed writing talent from a young age and studied under Zhang Zai, a respected scholar from the same county. Zhang Zai valued him highly, saying, "This child will assist emperors in the future!" He stood over eight feet tall, was well-read, and knowledgeable in various subjects. During the chaotic Yongjia period, he fled to Liaodong to avoid the turmoil.
After defeating Cui Bi, Murong Hui moved to Changli and summoned Han Heng, admiring him and appointing him as a military advisor. During the Xianhe period, Song Gai and others suggested that Murong Hui had made great achievements on the border, was loyal and devoted to the court, but his current low rank and heavy responsibilities were not enough to deter barbarians from all sides. They proposed that the court should confer upon him the titles of Grand General and King of Yan. Murong Hui accepted this suggestion, inviting his subordinates to discuss it widely, and everyone agreed that Song Gai's suggestion was sound.
However, Han Heng opposed, saying: "Since the Hu took advantage of the situation to cause chaos, the people have suffered from the turmoil, the Central Plains are in ruins, and social order has completely collapsed. Your loyalty and bravery, your concern for the country and the people, and your achievements accomplished in isolation and far from home have already become a model of loyalty to the royal family throughout history. Those who have achieved success fear a bad reputation and a lack of trustworthiness the most, rather than worrying about not having a high official position. Just like Duke Huan of Qi, he pacified the rebellion, unified the country, and did not immediately pursue titles and orders to the feudal lords. You should first reorganize the army, wait for the right time, eliminate those treacherous officials, pacify the world, and when the great achievements are accomplished, the Nine Honors will naturally follow. Moreover, seeking titles from the ruler is not the duty of a loyal subject!"
Murong Hui was displeased with Han Heng's opinion and demoted him to the county magistrate of Xinchang. Later, Murong Huang became the General of the Garrison and summoned Han Heng back to serve as a military advisor. Afterwards, Han Heng was promoted to be the Commandant of Yingqiu, with notable achievements, leading to a peaceful and content populace. When Murong Jun became the Grand General, he summoned Han Heng to be a military advisor, and also bestowed upon him the title of General of Yanglie.
After Shi Le seized the throne, he sought to determine the order of the five elements, and the ministers were already debating and expressing differing opinions. At that time, Wang Heng was in Longcheng, so Shi Le called him to make the decision. Before Wang Heng arrived, the ministers were already arguing that Yan should inherit the water virtue of the Jin Dynasty.
When Wang Heng arrived, he said to Shi Le, "The State of Zhao owns the Central Plains region; this is not something that can be achieved solely by human effort; it is ordained by heaven! The heavens originally bestowed the Central Plains to the State of Zhao, but now it has been taken away by others. I believe this is not right. Furthermore, the original stronghold of the King of Yan was located in the Zhen direction. In the Book of Changes, the Zhen hexagram symbolizes the Azure Dragon. When the King of Yan first received his mandate, a dragon appeared in the capital city; dragons symbolize the virtue of Wood, which is a good omen given by heaven!" Although Shi Le was initially hesitant, he ultimately heeded Wang Heng's advice.
Nie Xiong, Shi Le's secretary supervisor from Qinghe, couldn't help but sigh after hearing Wang Heng's words, "Without gentlemen like Wang Heng, how could the nation thrive? This echoes the words of Lord Han!" Later, Wang Heng and Li Chan served as tutors for the crown prince together, attending court with Crown Prince Shi Ye. Shi Le looked at them and said to the people around him, "These two are both great men of their generation; it's hard to find someone to replace them!" This illustrates Wang Heng's esteemed position in Shi Le's eyes.
Li Chan, styled Ziqiao, was from Fanyang. He was strong-willed and ambitious from a young age. During the Yongjia Rebellion, when his fellow townsman Zu Ti established his forces in the south, strong enough to ensure his own safety, Li Chan went to join him. Zu Ti always liked taking risks, and his brother Zu Yue also had great aspirations. Li Chan vaguely knew their thoughts, so he secretly returned to his hometown with a dozen or so followers, aligned himself with the Shi family, and took up an official post as the governor of his commandery.
When Murong Jun marched south to campaign, the vanguard troops arrived at the county's border. The villagers advised Li Chan to surrender, but he said, "Since I have accepted others' pay, I should share their joys and sorrows. If I abandon this responsibility to save myself, how will honorable people see me?" Once everyone had scattered, he went to the enemy camp to surrender. Murong Jun scoffed at him, saying, "You were favored and elevated by the Shi family; why can't you establish merit for the country instead of surrendering? Should a martyr like you really act this way?" Li Chan cried and said, "I know that destiny is hard to resist, not something a mere subject like me can defy. But like a dog or horse serving its master, how could I forget my duty? It's just that I am weak and powerless, unable to use my talents. I have no choice but to yield; it's not out of sincerity." Murong Jun appreciated his integrity and said to those around him, "This is a true elder!" He promoted and appointed him to various official positions. Li Chan was upright and liked to speak frankly, always addressing the court's successes and failures with Murong Jun. His colleagues respected him, and Murong Jun admired his scholarly demeanor. Later, Li Chan requested retirement several times, citing his old age and frailty. He was eventually appointed as the Tutor to the Crown Prince. He told his son Li Ji, "I have achieved more with my abilities than I originally wished for. I cannot let future generations mock me in my old age." He resolutely resigned and returned home, and eventually passed away there. His son was named Li Ji.
It is said that this young man named Wang Ji gained fame for his noble character and logical reasoning from a young age. He became the county's magistrate at just over twenty years old. At that time, Shi Jilong personally led the troops into battle to eliminate the remnants, and the army was stationed in Fanyang. The people were starving, and the army faced severe shortages of supplies. Shi Jilong was furious, causing the magistrate of Fanyang to hide in fear. Wang Ji stood up and said, "Our county is close to the northern border and borders the enemy. The people in the border areas are living in fear. I heard that you personally led the troops into battle to eliminate the remnants. Whether infants or elderly, they all hope to serve the country. This is not only for the country but also for their own peace of mind. Even if it means dying in battle, they would willingly do so. Who dares to withhold military supplies for personal gain? However, in recent years, we have faced constant disasters and famines. Every household is unable to provide for themselves, living in poverty. Those who owe taxes have their reasons, which are understandable." Shi Jilong saw that Wang Ji was so courageous at a young age and held him in high regard, so he forgave him, and the magistrate of Fanyang was spared. Later, Governor Wang Wu brought him on as his registrar.
When Fu Jian went on a southern campaign, Wang Ji followed Wang Wu to Lukou. Deng Heng said to Wang Wu, "Wang Ji's hometown is in the north, and his father has already surrendered to the Yan Kingdom. Although he is here now, he will eventually not be of use to us, but will instead become a liability for us." Wang Wu replied, "In times of chaos, Wang Ji forsook his family ties and upheld his integrity. His actions are comparable to the loyal figures of antiquity. If we doubt him and take action against him, it will surely dishearten everyone." Deng Heng then stopped. Wang Wu was worried that Wang Ji would eventually be harmed by Deng Heng, so he gave him some money to leave. When Wang Ji arrived at Fu Jian's court, Fu Jian reproached him for betraying his family by seeking refuge only now. Wang Ji replied, "I have heard the story of Yu Rang avenging Duke Zhuang, which has been recorded in history. Since I have become an official, what is there that I cannot do to serve the monarch! Your Majesty is implementing benevolent governance like Yao and Shun; I believe my surrender is not too late." Fu Jian said, "This is also a way of being loyal to the monarch." So Wang Ji was promoted all the way to become the Chief Minister to the Crown Prince.
After Fu Deng ascended the throne, Murong Ke wanted Wang Ji to serve as the Right Supervisor of the Secretariat, but Fu Deng did not agree because Wang Ji had said some things in the past that had left him with a grudge. Murong Ke requested multiple times, but Fu Deng said to Murong Ke, "I have entrusted all the important matters of the country to you, Uncle. Wang Ji is just one person; I, Fu Deng, wish to make my own choices." Wang Ji fell ill from worry and eventually passed away.
