Deng Qiang | |
---|---|
鄧羌 | |
General Who Establishes Fortitude (建節將軍) | |
In office ? –? | |
Monarch | Fu Sheng/Fu Jian |
General of Agile Cavalry (驍騎將軍) | |
In office ? –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
Middle Assistant to the Imperial Secretary (御史中丞) | |
In office 359 –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
General Who Establishes Valor (建武將軍) | |
In office 368 –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
Inspector of Luozhou (洛州刺史) | |
In office 368 –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
General Who Conquers The Caitiffs (征虜將軍) | |
In office 370 –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
Administrator of Anding (安定太守) | |
In office 370 –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
General Who Guards the Army (鎮軍將軍) | |
In office 371 –? | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
Inspector of Bingzhou (并州刺史) | |
In office 376 –379 | |
Monarch | Fu Jian |
Personal details | |
Born | Unknown Pingliang,Gansu |
Died | c. 379 |
Relations | Deng Yu (ancestor) |
Children | Deng Jing Deng Yi |
Peerage | Marquis of Zhending Commandery(真定郡侯) |
Deng Qiang (died c.early 379) was a Chinese military general of the Former Qin dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He came to prominence during the reign of Fu Sheng when he helped defeat and kill the Qiang warlord Yao Xiang, but for most of his career he would serve Sheng's successor, Fu Jian. He was a leading figure in the rise of Former Qin, along with Wang Meng, as he led Fu Jian's army to victory against Zhang Ping and Former Yan. He stamped out corruption in the government and put down the rebellions of Fu Jian's relatives and Zhang Yu (張育). He and his peer Zhang Ci were known as the "Enemies of Ten Thousands (萬人敵)", a title previously held by the generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei during the end of the Han dynasty. [1]
Deng Qiang was a native of Anding Commandery (安定郡; in modern-day Pingliang, Gansu) and his ancestor was said to have been Deng Yu, an Eastern Han dynasty general during the reign of Emperor Guangwu. [2] He was described as having a brave personality, and excelled at horse riding and archery. [3] He was also very fluent in the Art of War that during the reign of Fu Jian, he was instructed to teach it to Fu Jian's son, Fu Pi. [4] His first recorded activity was in 356, serving as General Who Establishes Fortitude, when the Former Yan general Muyu Zhangqing (慕輿長卿) attacked Former Qin's Fort Peishi (裴氏堡, in modern day Yuanqu County, Shanxi). Fu Sheng ordered Deng Qiang to reinforce the fort, so he routed Zhangqing and captured him. [5]
Later that year, Fu Sheng killed his uncle, Qiang Ping (強平), after the latter advised his nephew to change his violent behaviour. In protest, Deng Qiang, together with Fu Fei (苻飛) and Fu Huangmei (苻黃眉), performed obeisance and remonstrated him for killing his own uncle. Fu Sheng refused to listen to their concerns but respected their bravery. Instead of executing them, he had the three banished, with Deng Qiang being sent away to Xingyang. [6]
The following year, Deng Qiang followed Fu Huangmei to defend Guanzhong against the Qiang warlord Yao Xiang. When the Qin forces arrived, Yao Xiang refused to give fight and instead held out at Huangluo (黃洛, in modern-day Tongchuan city, Shaanxi). Deng Qiang knew that Yao Xiang had been flustered by his recent defeats against Huan Wen and Zhang Ping, so he suggested to Huangmei that they beat their drums and march straight into his city to provoke him. Deng Qiang carried out his plans, inciting Yao Xiang to come out and give chase. Yao Xiang pursued Deng Qiang all the way to Sanyuan where Qin forces under Fu Huangmei and Fu Jian awaited them to ambush the Qiang. Deng turned his cavalry around and joined in the ambush. Yao Xiang suffered a great defeat and tried to withdraw, but he was killed during his attempt. [7]
Fu Sheng was overthrown and subsequently executed during a coup orchestrated by Fu Jian and his brother Fu Fa later that year. Deng Qiang would continue to serve the state following the regime change with Fu Jian as the new ruler. Also that same year, the Bingzhou warlord, Zhang Ping broke his allegiance to Former Qin and attempted to claim independence. In 358, Fu Jian led his troops to Fen River with Deng Qiang as his vanguard general. Zhang Ping sent out his adopted son, Zhang Ci, to battle the Qin forces. Deng Qiang and Zhang Ci fought for ten days, with neither side getting the upper hand. When Fu Jian moved to Tongbi (銅壁, in modern-day Tongchuan, Shaanxi), Zhang Ci charged into the Qin lines numerous times. In his last charge, he was struck by a spear from the Qin general Lü Guang, and Deng Qiang quickly subdued and brought him before Fu Jian. Zhang Ci's capture caused morale in Zhang Ping's army to collapse, so Ping quickly surrendered back to Qin. [8]
In 359, Deng Qiang campaigned against the rebel Gao Li (高離) in Lüeyang and vanquished him. [9] Later, he was appointed as Middle Assistant to the Imperial Secretary and worked close with Fu Jian's advisor Wang Meng. The two worked very well with each other and within a matter of weeks, they purged the government of corrupted officials and nobles while solving mismanaged law cases. Fu Jian was very pleased with this and exclaimed, "Now I know what a land ruled by law is like!" [10]
In an unspecified year, Zhang Wang (張罔), a member of the Chuge people, rebelled after gathering thousands of people as well as declaring himself the Grand Chanyu. As Zhang invaded and plundered numerous counties and commanderies, Deng Qiang was reappointed as General Who Establishes Fortitude, and with 7,000 soldiers, he managed to quell Zhang's rebellion. In 365, the chieftains, Cao Gu and Liu Weichen rebelled against Qin. While Fu Jian led the army against Cao Gu, Deng Qiang fought and captured Weichen at Mount Mugen (木根山) in Shuofang. Peace was restored after the chieftains agreed to submit back to Qin. [11] In 366, Deng Qiang also participated in Wang Meng's campaign against the Longxi warlord, Li Yan, and was awarded the offices of General Who Establishes Martial Might and Inspector of Luozhou for his contributions. [12]
In 368, a major rebellion broke out led by Fu Jian's cousins, Fu Liu (苻柳), Fu Sou (苻廋) and Fu Wu (苻武), and his brother, Fu Shuang (苻雙). Deng Qiang and Wang Meng were tasked in defeating Fu Liu, who had made Puban (蒲阪, in modern-day Yuncheng, Shanxi) his base. Fu Liu left his son Fu Liang (苻良) to guard the city while he marched towards Chang'an to capture it. Deng Qiang caught him by surprise with a night raid, forcing him to retreat. Wang Meng then intercepted his retreat, leaving Fu Liu with only a few hundred men back to his base. [13] Wang Meng and Deng Qiang easily captured Puban and executed Fu Liu before joining Zhang Ci and Yang An in their assault against Fu Sou at Shancheng (陝城, in modern Sanmenxia, Henan). After all four rebels had been defeated, Deng Qiang was appointed General Who Establishes Valor and Inspector of Luozhou (洛州, covered parts of modern-day Henan and Shanxi).
The following year, the Jin dynasty Grand Marshal, Huan Wen, led his troops to conquer Former Yan. At the advice of Wang Meng, Fu Jian decided to support Yan to prevent Jin from gaining significant land in the north. Fu Jian sent Deng Qiang and Gou Chi (苟池) to Shancheng to reinforce Yan and oversee the upcoming battle between the two sides. [14] Yan managed to repel Jin thanks to the efforts of Murong Chui at the Battle of Fangtou but must now deal with Qin's demands. Yan had initially promised to Qin that they would surrender Hulao to them but retracted their statement, giving Fu Jian a pretext to invade them. Fu Jian had Deng Qiang, Wang Meng and Liang Chen (梁琛) capture Luoyang, which fell the following year. Shortly after, Deng defeated Murong Zang (慕容臧) at Xingyang.
An altercation nearly broke between Deng Qiang and Wang Meng during the war. Wang Meng intended to execute the general Xu Cheng (徐成) for returning late from scouting. Deng Qiang, who came from the same commandery as Xu, defended him, stating that Qin needs to preserve its numbers, even more so since Xu Cheng is a high-ranking officer. Wang Meng argued in favor of upholding military laws but Deng Qiang further advocated that Xu Cheng be redeemed by fighting the Yan forces in the upcoming battle. Even then, Wang Meng refused, causing Deng Qiang to rally his men against Wang Meng. Wang was impressed by Deng's dedication to protect Xu Cheng and finally pardoned him. Deng Qiang also apologised and the two reconciled. [15]
As Wang Meng and Murong Ping's armies came face to face at the Battle of Luchuan (潞川, in modern-day Changzhi, Shanxi), Wang Meng placed his trust in Deng Qiang to rout them despite Qin's inferior numbers. However, another disagreement occurred between the two. Deng Qiang wanted Wang Meng to appoint him Colonel-Director of Retainers after he wins, but Wang Meng pointed out that he did not have the power to do so, although he tried to compensate him with Administrator of Anding and a Marquis of ten thousand households. Deng Qiang withdrew unsatisfied and when the battle began, he was still asleep in his camp. Wang Meng quickly rode to his tent and made a compromise with Deng. When all was settled, Deng Qiang drank heavily before setting out with Zhang Ci and Xu Cheng. He personally charged into the enemy lines several times and killed several of the Yan troops. By noon, the Yan forces were annihilated and Murong Ping fled alone to Yecheng. [16]
Deng Qiang's last merit in the war would be at Xindu, where he defeated Murong Huan (慕容桓). After Qin conquered Yan, he was rewarded by Fu Jian with Credential Bearer, General Who Conquers The Caitiffs, Administrator of Anding and Marquis of Zhending Commandery (真定, in modern-day Shijiazhuang, Hebei). In 371, Wang Meng decided to honour his promise at Lu River and asked Fu Jian to make Deng Qiang Director of Retainers. However, Fu Jian believed that Deng Qiang deserves better for his past merits as well, and made him General Who Guards the Army and honored him as Specially Advanced. [17]
In 373, Former Qin conquered the region of Yizhou and Liangzhou from the Jin dynasty. However, one year later, two natives, Zhang Yu and Yang Guang (楊光), rebelled and tried to set up their state with the aid of Jin. Fu Jian dispatched Deng Qiang to destroy them while Jin sent Zhu Yao (竺瑤) and Huan Shiqian, who defeated Yao Chang and forced him to retreat to Wucheng (五城, around present-day Guanghan, Sichuan). Zhang Yu declared himself King of Shu and besieged Chengdu. However, Zhang Yu began to quarrel with his peers and followers and they all started fighting one another. With the rebels disunified, Deng Qiang and Yang An quickly routed them, causing Zhang Yu and Yang Guang to pull out to Mianzhu. Deng proceeded to defeat Zhu Yao and Huan Shiqian in the west before finally claiming Zhang Yu and Yang Guang's heads at Mianzhu. Before he left, Deng Qiang carved a stele at the Min Mountains. [18]
Fu Jian had long appreciated Deng Qiang but his recent victory in Yizhou impressed him very much. After Deng Qiang returned from Chengdu, Fu Jian summoned him to the palace, where he told him, "Long ago, your ancestor Zhonghua (Deng Yu) met with Shizu of Han. Now, you too have met with me. The Deng clan must be so fortunate." Deng Qiang replied, "I have always told myself that it was Guangwu who met with Zhonghua, not Zhonghua who met with Guangwu." Fu Jian laughed and said to him, "If it is as you say, then it is not you who is fortunate, but me who was blessed to meet such a worthy man." [19]
In 376, Deng Qiang, Zhang Ci and others led 200,000 infantry and cavalry troops to accompany the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition, Fu Luo, in his conquest of the Dai state. After the fall of Dai, he was awarded the office of Inspector of Bingzhou. His final appearance in history would be in 378 during Fu Jian's grand siege of Xiangyang, serving as the vanguard general in attacking Fancheng with Yang An. [20] Details of his merits in the siege are not known, and his name ceases to appear in records from this point on. It could be inferred that Deng Qiang died sometime during the campaign, as Zhang Ci succeeded him in his office of Inspector of Bingzhou in c.March 379. [21]
Deng Qiang had several sons, all of who were praised for their upright characters, but only two of them were recorded: Deng Jing (鄧景) and Deng Yi (鄧翼). Deng Jing's only known event was in 386, when he raised troops in support of Fu Pi after he succeeded Fu Jian. Jing captured Peng Pond (彭池, west of Chang'an) and together with Dou Chong he led the frontlines against Later Qin and was made Intendant of Jingzhao. [22]
Deng Yi was the younger of the two and was serving as Chancellor of Hejian prior to the Battle of Fei River in 383. When Murong Chui revolted and formed Later Yan in 384, he appointed Yi as General of the Rear, Inspector of Jizhou and Marquis of Zhending. However, Yi cried and said, "My late father was loyal to the house of Qin, so why should I rebel? No loyal minister has served two lords since ancient times. I dare not heed your orders." Chui consoled him by saying, "Though our family names differ, your father and I were close like brothers, and so I see you much like a son. Are you now content to leave?" Yi eventually decided to join Chui, but asked him to find a better candidate to serve as Inspector of Jizhou. Yi was thus created General Who Establishes Martial Might, Prefect of Hejian and Assistant of the Left of the Masters of Writing, all of which he served with distinction before he died in office as Interior Minister of Zhao. [23]
Deng Yi's son Deng Yuan would serve Northern Wei after Wei took the Central Plains from Yan. Yuan was a notable minister under Emperor Daowu who kickstarted Wei's history recording project but was forced to commit suicide in 403 because of his cousin, Deng Hun (鄧暉), who was closely associated with the He clan that defected to Later Qin that year. Despite that, Deng Qiang's descendents continued to serve Northern Wei for multiple generations. [24]
Fu Deng, courtesy name Wengao (文高), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Gao of Former Qin (前秦高帝), was an emperor of the Di-led Chinese Former Qin dynasty. He assumed the throne in 386 after the deaths of Fu Jiān and Fu Jiān's son Fu Pi, even though he was only a distant relative of theirs, as by that time the Former Qin's territory had largely been reduced to the territory under his control. He battled the Later Qin emperor Yao Chang for years in a stalemate that neither could conclusively prevail, but in 394, he made a major attack on Later Qin after Yao Chang's death, seriously underestimating Yao Chang's son and successor Yao Xing, who captured and executed him. Later that year, his son Fu Chong, who succeeded him, would die in battle, ending the Former Qin dynasty.
Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions refer to a series of eleven military campaigns launched by the state of Shu Han against its rival state, Cao Wei, between 240 and 262 CE during the Three Kingdoms period in China. The campaigns were led by Jiang Wei, a prominent Shu general. Unlike the previous Northern campaigns led by Zhuge Liang, which added Wudu and Yinping commanderies to Shu Han state territories, Jiang Wei's campaigns ended up being unpopular in both the military and civil circles in Shu. Also unlike Zhuge Liang's campaigns which often featured 60,000 to sometimes even 100,000 Shu Troops, Jiang Wei's were often much smaller rarely exceeding 30,000 even after the death of Fei Yi, where Jiang Wei assumed control of the military. The Zhuge Liang campaigns did suffer from logistical and supply issues for their large army. Zhuge's successor Jiang Wan, believed that it was the Hanzhong's mountainous terrain itself that were to blame for the campaigns failures and attempted to switch the route through the Han river. Fei Yi, who succeeded Jiang Wan, agreed, and never allowed any large campaigns to be launched by Hanzhong. Jiang Wei however overlooked these concerns and used Hanzhong as his home base as Zhuge Liang did.
Yao Yizhong, posthumously honored as Emperor Jingyuan, was a Qiang military general of the Later Zhao dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Starting out as a refugee leader during the Disaster of Yongjia, Yizhong later submitted to Later Zhao in 329, where he became a favorite general of the state's third ruler, Shi Hu. As Zhao collapsed in 350, he sided with Shi Zhi against the Ran Wei breakaway state, becoming one of Shi Zhi's top commanders, but ultimately could not prevent the state’s demise. After his death in 352, his fifth son Yao Xiang led his family to join the Jin dynasty (266–420) before becoming a roving warlord in the Central Plains. Yizhong's twenty-fourth son, Yao Chang, would go on to establish the Later Qin dynasty and posthumously honor him as an emperor in 384.
Yao Xiang (331?–357), courtesy name Jingguo, posthumously honored Prince Wu of Wei, was an ethnic Qiang warlord during the Sixteen Kingdoms and Jin dynasty (266–420) in Chinese history. He was the fifth son and heir of the Later Zhao general Yao Yizhong. After the destruction of Zhao and the death of Yizhong in 352, he went south to serve under the Jin dynasty. However, due to animosity between him and the Jin commander, Yin Hao, he broke away and roved the Central Plains to establish a base while fighting against Jin and the Former Qin. Although he suffered major losses from time to time, his charismatic personality allowed him to win and keep the support of the people wherever he went. In the end, he was killed in an ambush in 357 while fighting Qin forces at Sanyuan. After his death, his brother, Yao Chang, surrendered to Qin and became one of its generals. In 384, he rebelled and established the Later Qin, posthumously honouring Yao Xiang as a prince in the process.
Zhang Ci, originally named Gong Ci, was a Chinese military general of Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the adopted son of the warlord Zhang Ping and fought during his father's war against Former Qin in 358. After he was captured in battle, Zhang Ci served Qin's ruler Fu Jian, participating in his campaigns against Former Yan, Dai and the Jin dynasty until his presumed death in 386 while serving Fu Pi. He and Deng Qiang were known as the "Enemies of Ten Thousands (萬人敵)", a title previously held by the generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei during the end of the Han dynasty. His name can be rendered as Zhang Hao.
Yang An was a military general of Former Qin and possibly a prince of Chouchi. He was mostly active in Qin's conquest of western China, helping Fu Jian in conquering Chouchi, Yizhou and Liangzhou. Although not as grand as his contemporaries, Deng Qiang and Zhang Ci, the Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms classed him as an important general of Qin whose merits were comparable to the two.
Zhu Xu, courtesy name Cilun, was a military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was most famous for his involvement in the crucial Battle of Fei River in 383, in which he set up a ruse that caused the disastrous retreat of the Former Qin army. Prior to Fei River, Zhu put down the rebellion of Sima Xun and defended Xiangyang from Qin for more than a year before he was captured and served a brief stint under Qin. After Fei River, Zhu Xu returned to Jin and continued to serve the state. He guarded the northern borders and fought against the states of Zhai Wei and Western Yan before retiring in 392.
Huan Shiqian, childhood name Zhen'e, was a Chinese military general of the Eastern Jin dynasty. He was the nephew of Huan Wen and Huan Chong. Shiqian rose to fame in 354, when he single-handedly saved Huan Chong from being surrounded by Former Qin forces. He later led and followed in campaigns against Qin during the 370s as Fu Jian invaded the south to conquer Jin. Shiqian was remembered by the people of his time for his ferocity and bravery.
Huan Yi, courtesy name Shuxia was a Chinese military general and musician of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was a very popular administrator among the people of Yuzhou, from his early days of Prefect of Huainan to Inspector of the province. He participated in the famous Battle of Fei River in 383, fighting alongside Xie Xuan as they repel Former Qin forces. Outside his military career, Huan Yi was most known for was his contribution in music. It is believed that he was the original composer of the popular guqin composition "Mei Hua Sannong (梅花三弄)" or "3 Variations on the Plum Blossom".
Fu Xiong, courtesy name Yuancai, originally named Pu Xiong (蒲雄), was a Di military general of Former Zhao and Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the father of Fu Jiān, the third ruler of Former Qin. During the confusion following Shi Hu's death, he served as a general under his father Pu Hong, and during the reign of his brother Fu Jiàn, he was given the role of Prime Minister. Fu Xiong's biggest contribution to the state was when he repelled a major invasion from the Grand Marshal of Jin, Huan Wen, at the Battle of Bailu Plain in 354. After Fu Jiān killed Fu Sheng and took the throne in 357, he was posthumously honoured as Emperor Wenhuan.
Ma Qiu was a military general of Later Zhao and Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Ma Qiu participated in Zhao's campaigns against Former Yan and Former Liang, in which both he met with failures. During the confusion of Shi Hu's death, he sided with Ran Min, helping in his order to exterminate the barbarians. However, he was captured by Fu Jiàn, Pu Hong's son, and executed after his attempted coup which resulted in Pu Hong's death.
Yuan Zhen, courtesy name Yanren, was a Chinese military general of the Eastern Jin dynasty. He had a long career serving the Jin dynasty but he was mostly known for his rebellion in November or December 369. After failing to build a canal to secure the Jin forces' supply route during Huan Wen's campaign against Former Yan, Huan Wen was quick to blame Yuan Zhen after he returned defeated. In response, Yuan Zhen revolted in Shouchun in late 369 but would die not long after. His son Yuan Qin continued the rebellion, but he was defeated and executed in 371.
Dou Chong was a Di military general and ruler of Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Dou Chong rose to prominence after the Battle of Feishui in 383, remaining loyal to Fu Jian after most of Qin's generals had betrayed the state and becoming a key general. Dou Chong continued his service with Qin under Fu Pi and Fu Deng, but by 393, despite receiving much favour from Fu Deng, he rebelled and declared himself the King of Qin. Dou Chong's Qin only lasted for a year before he was defeated and captured by Later Qin.
Yang Ding was a ruler of Chouchi and a military general of Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. His family was a part of the Yang clan that ruled Chouchi but fled to Former Qin after they failed to usurp their relatives' throne. Yang Ding became the son-in-law of Qin's ruler, Fu Jian, and after the Battle of Feishui, he became one of the state's most powerful supporters up to its destruction in 394. However, he also took advantage of Qin's period of weakness by restoring the Chouchi state in 385, which had been conquered by Qin in 371. His reign is seen as the start of Later Chouchi (後仇池).
Quan Yi, courtesy name Ziliang, was a minister of Former Qin and Later Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Quan Yi was one of the followers of the Qiang general, Yao Xiang, who surrendered from Later Zhao to the Jin dynasty. After Yao Xiang was killed in 357, Quan Yi followed Xiang's brother, Yao Chang and surrendered to Former Qin, where he served for 28 years. Following the disastrous Battle of Fei River in 383, Quan Yi attempted to stop Murong Chui from marching to north, but was outmaneuvered. As Western Yan troops encircled the capital Chang'an, Quan Yi fled to Yao Chang, now ruler of Later Qin, who he served until his death.
Qi Wannian, or Qiwannian, was an ethnic Di chieftain and rebel leader during the Western Jin dynasty of China. In 296, he became the leader of a tribal uprising against Jin in Qin and Yong provinces that lasted until early 299. The rebellion raised concerns among some ministers regarding the tension between the Han and tribal people while also triggering mass displacement and migration of refugees into Hanzhong and Sichuan.
Yang Nandi was a ruler of Chouchi during the Jin dynasty (266–420) and Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the son of Yang Maosou who founded Chouchi in 296. During his reign, attacks on Chouchi by Former Zhao and Cheng-Han became more frequent. Nandi met these with mixed results, sometimes having to resort to vassalage, but was ultimately successful in preserving the survival of Chouchi.
Shi Yue was a military general of Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Initially starting out as an envoy to Former Yan, he helped the Qin army in capturing Xiangyang and in quelling the rebellion of Fu Jian's cousin, Fu Luo. He was most noted to be one of the main oppositions towards Fu Jian's plan to conquer the Jin dynasty (266–420) in 382, whose failure to win him over led to the disastrous defeat of the Qin army at the Battle of Feishui. After the defeat, he was entrusted the important task of defending Ye, where he urged Fu Pi to get rid of the suspicious Murong Chui but failing to convince his superior once more. Shi was killed in battle against Murong Nong in 384, and his head was used as an offering to Nong's father, Chui.
Huangfu Zhen, courtesy name Chuji, was a Chinese official of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. One of the few officials to serve four generations of Murong Hui's lineage, Zhen was an outlier of the group, as he was able to live long enough to see Yan's demise to Former Qin in 370. During the reign of Murong Wei, Zhen was a key ally to Murong Ke who warned him about Muyu Gen and aided him in defeating the rebel, Lü Hu. Zhen was also commended for being Yan's last few competent ministers during its final four years of existence as corruption under Murong Ping's regency led the state to its downfall.
Zhang Ping was a warlord during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of China. He was initially the Inspector of Bingzhou under the Later Zhao dynasty who later gained autonomy over the province following the decline of the state at the start of the 350s. He wavered his loyalty between Former Qin, Former Yan and the Eastern Jin dynasties until he was able to muster the strength to briefly compete with the Former Qin and Former Yan as a rival state in 357. That year, he went to war with Fu Jiān but was decisively defeated and forced back into submission. Shortly after his defeat, Zhang surrendered to the Former Yan. In 361, Zhang Ping rebelled against the Former Yan over a territorial dispute but was killed by invading Former Qin forces in the process.