Feng Yi | |
---|---|
封奕/封弈 | |
Marshal of Left (左司馬) | |
In office 335 –? | |
Monarch | Murong Huang |
Chief Clerk Of The Left to the Grand General Who Guards The Army (鎮軍左長史) | |
In office ? –? | |
Monarch | Murong Huang |
Chancellor of State (國相) | |
In office 337 –? | |
Monarch | Murong Huang/Murong Jun |
General of the Five Elements (五材將軍) | |
In office ? –? | |
Monarch | Murong Jun |
Administrator of Hejian (河間太守) | |
In office 350 –? | |
Monarch | Murong Jun |
Grand Commandant (太尉) | |
In office 353 –365 | |
Monarch | Murong Jun/Murong Wei |
Personal details | |
Born | Unknown Hengshui,Hebei |
Died | 365 |
Relations | Feng Shi (grandfather) Feng Yu (brother) Feng Fang (brother) Feng Fu (nephew) |
Children | Feng Qi Feng Quàn |
Parent |
|
Courtesy name | Zizhuan (子專) |
Peerage | Duke of Wuping (武平公) |
Posthumous name | Duke Kuang (匡公) |
Feng Yi (died 365), courtesy name Zizhuan, was a Chinese official of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. After his grandfather introduced him to Murong Hui in 310, Feng Yi would go on to be one of the few officials to serve four generations of Murong Hui's lineage. Feng distinguished himself during Murong Huang's tenure as Duke of Liaodong, consecutively defeating the rival Duan and Yuwen Xianbei clans, and later participating in the Yan-Wei War, in which he conquered Bohai and helped capture Ran Min. For his accomplishments, he was given the important positions of Chancellor of the State and subsequently Grand Commandant before dying in 365.
Feng Yi's family originated from Tiao County (蓨縣, in modern Hengshui, Hebei) in Bohai Commandery. His father was Feng Quan (封悛), and his grandfather was Feng Shi (封釋), both who served as Jin officials. Feng Shi fell ill in 310, so he sent Feng Yi to meet with the Grand Chanyu of the Xianbei, Murong Hui, rising power in Liaodong but also a loyal vassal of Jin. Hui was very impressed by Feng Yi through a conversation between the two and made Feng Yi a minor commander under him. [1]
In 313, Feng Yi and his brother, Feng Yu (封裕) were one of the few people that Murong Hui entrusted in handling confidential affairs. Murong Hui also made Feng Yi an Army Libationer, and Feng would remain in these roles for more than 20 years. [2]
Murong Hui died in 333 and was succeeded by his heir Murong Huang. Shortly after, Huang's younger brothers, Murong Zhao (慕容昭) and Murong Ren rebelled against him. After killing Zhao, Huang ordered Feng Yi to march to Liaodong to pacify the region. However, the other generals that Huang sent to defeat Ren were either captured, defeated, or surrendered to him. The official, Sun Ji (孫機) also ceded Xiangping (襄平, in modern Liaoyang, Liaoning) over to Ren. Feng Yi was unable to enter the region, so he retreated while Ren consolidated control over the peninsula.
The following year in 334, Feng Yi campaigned against the Xianbei leader, Mudi (木堤) at Bailang (白狼; near present-day Lingyuan, Liaoning) and killed him. Later that year, the leader of the Duan tribe, Duan Liao, sent his younger brother Duan Lan to attack Liucheng (柳城; southwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning). Although their army was well-equipped, they were unable to get past Liucheng's defences. Murong Huang sent Murong Han (慕容汗; not to be confused with his more notable brother, Murong Han (慕容翰)) and Feng Yi to reinforce the city. Han made the rash decision to rush into battle, so Feng Yi advised him to stop, but Han ignored him. As a result, Han was badly defeated by Duan Lan at Niuwei Valley (牛尾谷; north of Liucheng). However, Feng Yi was able to maintain a solid formation and minimize his own losses.
In 335, Feng Yi was made Murong Huang's Marshal of the Right. He was then sent to surprise attack one of the Yuwen tribe's leader, Yuwen Sheyi (宇文涉奕). Feng Yi captured many of Sheyi's soldiers before returning. Sheyi responded by sending his light cavalry against Feng Yi, but Feng defeated them at the Hun River.
Despite his early setbacks, Murong Huang was able to defeat and execute Murong Ren in early 336. However, he was still in conflict with the Duan and Yuwen tribes. In the summer of that year, Duan Lan marched his troops once more to Liucheng while the Yuwen chieftain, Yuwen Yidougui attacked Anjin (安晉) to support him. Huang marched to Liucheng and then to Anjin, and in both cases, the enemies retreated without a fight. Feng Yi pursued and heavily routed them while seizing their equipment and grains. Huang suspected that his enemies were not content with their results and would return soon, so he had Feng Yi prepare an ambush at Mount Madou (馬兜山) in Liucheng. Surely enough, Duan Liao led his troops to attack Liucheng again but Feng Yi ambushed him from two sides and defeated him, even killing his general Rong Bobao (榮伯保). [3]
Soon, Feng Yi launched a successful campaign against the Yuwen tribe. In 337, Murong Huang made Feng Yi his Chief Clerk. In November, Feng Yi and a number of ministers pushed Murong Huang to claim the title of Prince of Yan. Huang agreed, and on the 23 November, he declared himself Prince of Yan, and appointed Feng Yi the Chancellor of the State. Feng was also given the title of Duke of Wuping. [4]
In 338, the ruler of Later Zhao, Shi Hu, attacked Yan and placed its capital Jicheng (棘城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning) under siege following the breakdown of their alliance against the Duan tribe. Huang was frightened and wanted to flee but was persuaded by his general Muyu Gen not to. He was still unsure of victory, however, so he consulted Feng Yi. Feng told him that Shi Hu would not last long. He pointed out that the campaign had been costly for Shi Hu and that the Zhao army were already worn down due to the long distance that they had travelled. He was confident that strife will grow in a matter of days within Shi Hu's camp, so the best course of action was to wait. Huang was assured by this and remained in Jicheng. [5] After days of fierce fighting, the Zhao soldiers eventually retreated, Huang's son Murong Ke pursued and dealt them a heavy defeat.
In 348, Murong Jun inherited the Prince of Yan following the death of Murong Huang. In 349, Later Zhao descended into civil war, which prompted many of Jun's ministers to call for an invasion. Jun was reluctant at first, as he was still in a state of mourning, but his brother Murong Ba, was also insistent on invading Zhao. Murong Jun consulted with Feng Yi over the matter, in which Feng supported the invasion and expressed confidence in Yan's military capability and its ability to win support from the people living in Zhao. [6] After further consultation with Huang Hong (黃泓) and Muyu Gen, Jun was finally convinced. He amassed an army of roughly 200,000 strong and launched his conquest of the Central Plains early the following year. Although Murong Jun had initially sought out against Later Zhao, it became apparent that his real challenge to him would actually be Zhao's break-away state, Ran Wei, which was established by Ran Min right before his invasion.
After capturing Zhangwu (章武; in modern-day Pingshu, Hebei) and Hejian in 350, Murong Jun appointed Feng Yi to serve as Administrator of Hejian. In September that year, Murong Jun sent Feng Yi and Gao Kai (高開) to subjugate Wei's portion of Bohai commandery, which was defended by its Administrator, Pang Yue (逄約). [7] As natives of Bohai, Feng and Pang had known each other when they were younger. After reaching Pang Yue's fortress, Feng Yi sent a messenger to Pang, stating his interest to converse as old friends. Pang trusted Feng and agreed to the proposal. The two then met outside on horseback and dismissed their escort riders.
After a friendly conversation between the two, Feng revealed his thoughts to Pang, denouncing Wei and praising Yan. Feng offered Pang to switch sides, which left Pang visibly disappointed but unable to respond. Prior to this, Feng Yi had chosen a strong man named Zhang An (張安) as one of his escorts. Following the instructions given to him, as soon as Pang's expression changed, Zhang quickly rushed forward and snatched the reins of Pang Yue's horse. Zhang rode back to Feng Yi's camp with Pang pulled behind him. After Gao Kai arrived at Bohai, Pang's allies, Liu Zhun (劉准) and Feng Fang (封放; a younger cousin of Feng Yi) surrendered without a fight. Because he had fallen for Feng Yi's ploy, Murong Jun renamed Pang Yue to Pang Diao (逄釣, meaning 'fishhook'). [8]
On May 17, 352, Feng Yi and Murong Ke attacked Ran Min and fought him at Ran Wei's Changlin Terrace (昌廉臺; west of modern-day Wuji County, Hebei). They defeated and captured him in battle, before sending him to Murong Jun (Jun later ordered his execution). [9] In September, Wei's general in Lukou (魯口; in present-day Raoyang County, Hebei), Wang Wu (王午), declared himself King of Anguo, so Feng Yi, Murong Ke and Yang Wu marched against him. They later retreated after Wang Wu handed over Ran Min's son, Ran Cao (冉操) to them. A few days later, Ran Min's successor, his son Ran Zhi, surrendered Ye and himself to Yan, thus ending the Yan-Wei War.
At the end of 352, Feng Yi, along with 210 Yan officials, presented a petition urging Murong Jun to claim the title of Emperor, which he agreed to. Feng and 55 other officials presented Jun with the imperial seals of office in December, and on 3 January, 353, Murong Jun began handing out imperial offices, making Feng Yi his Grand Commandant. The next day, Murong Jun became Emperor and proclaimed Yan's independence from the Jin dynasty. [10]
In 358, military drafts and levies became increasingly common. Too many ministers and officers were sending their agents out to handle the drafting. The roads and streets were filled with agents, and there was a lot of trouble in trying to accommodate for all of them in counties and commanderies. Because of this, Feng Yi told Murong Jun to stop officials from sending their agents to carry out drafts and levies and instead let the local offices to handle these issues. Feng Yi's advice was taken. [11]
Murong Jun's son, Murong Wei, ascended the throne after his father died in 360. Feng continued to serve as Grand Commandant until his death on 15 June, 365. He was posthumously named Duke Kuang and his position of Grand Commandant was succeeded by Yang Wu.
Murong Huang, courtesy name Yuanzhen (元真), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Wenming of Former Yan (前燕文明帝), was the founding monarch of the Xianbei-led Former Yan dynasty of China. When he first succeeded his father Murong Hui in 333, he carried the Eastern Jin-bestowed title Duke of Liaodong, but in 337 claimed the title of Prince of Yan, which is traditionally viewed as the founding date of Former Yan. After his son Murong Jun completely broke away from the Eastern Jin and claimed the title of emperor in January 353, he was posthumously elevated to imperial status. In the Book of Jin, Murong Huang was described as a strong looking tall man.
Wu Yan, courtesy name Shize, was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China and later for the Jin dynasty (266–420). He is most known for his valiant defence of Jianping during Jin's conquest of Wu. After Wu fell, Wu Yan served in administrative positions under Jin, with his most notable being the Inspector of Jiaozhou, succeeding Tao Huang, who was also a former official of Wu.
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.
Zu Yue (祖約), courtesy name Shishao, was a Chinese military general and warlord of the Jin dynasty. He was the younger brother of the famed Jin general Zu Ti who marched north to reclaim lost lands from the barbarians. After Ti's death in 321, Zu Yue succeeded him but was said to have lacked his talents. In 327, dissatisfied with his treatment by the Jin court, he joined forces with Su Jun and took over the capital. However, he was defeated by loyalist forces in 329 and fled to Later Zhao, where he and his family were executed by Shi Le.
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.
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.
Cao Ni was a Chinese military general of Han-Zhao and warlord during the Jin dynasty (266–420) and Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was one of the followers of the bandit Wang Mi and followed him into service with Liu Yuan's state of Han. Wang Mi entrusted him to secure his family in Qingzhou, but after Wang Mi was killed by Shi Le in 311, Cao Ni gradually became an independent warlord, causing much concern in the Han-Zhao court. He was finally killed in 323 when Shi Le sent his nephew Shi Hu to subdue him once and for all. His name can be rendered as Cao Yi.
Yu Bing, courtesy name Jijian, was a Chinese politician. He served as a minister of the Eastern Jin dynasty. He was a part of the prestigious Yu clan of Yingchuan as the younger brother of Yu Liang and elder brother of Emperor Ming of Jin's empress, Yu Wenjun. After Yu Liang died in February 340, Yu Bing and another brother of his, Yu Yi inherited Liang's influence in the court. During the succession issues of 342 and 344, Yu Bing pushed for his nephews to inherit the throne to retain his clan's power, in contrast to his court rival and brother-in-law He Chong, who supported the dying emperors' sons to succeed instead.
Yang Wu, courtesy name Shiqiu, was an official of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Yang was one of the few officials of Yan who served four generations of Murong Hui's family, from Hui himself to his great-grandson, Murong Wei. He was favoured by all four rulers for his upright and reliable character, and the responsibilities that he held were equal to that of Murong Ke. Prior to Murong Jun's death in 360, Yang was among the few chosen people than Jun entrusted to act as regent to his child heir, Murong Wei.
Muyu Gen was a military general and regent of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was a main contributor to Murong Huang's victory in the defence of Jicheng in 338 and convinced Murong Jun to carry out his conquest of Later Zhao in 349, which led to Yan's control over the Central Plains. A distinguished veteran, he was chosen by Murong Jun to serve as one of Murong Wei's regents in 360. Although Muyu Gen was brave, he was also jealous and stubborn in nature. He attempted to kill his co-regent Murong Ke by sowing discord between Ke and the emperor, but his schemes were uncovered, and he was executed less than a year into his regency.
Yue Wan was a general and politician of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He defended Fancheng from Later Zhao in 339 and helped defeat Ran Min with Yao Xiang and Shi Zhi during the Yan-Wei War in 351. He was mostly known for his reforms in 368, in which he attempted to fix Yan's household registration system that was being abused by the nobility and corrupted officials. Following his conquest of Yan in 370, Former Qin's ruler, Fu Jian, lamented that he was unable to recruit Yue Wan while he was still alive.
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.
Murong Ren, childhood name Qiannian, was the brother of the Prince of Former Yan, Murong Huang during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was Murong Hui's second son through Hui's wife, Lady Duan (段夫人). In 333, following the succession of Murong Huang to their father's title, Murong Ren conspired with his younger brother Murong Zhao (慕容昭) to rebel against Huang. Although their plot was discovered, Ren was able to secure Liaodong from Huang and challenge his claim as the Duke of Liaodong. The civil war between Huang and Ren lasted for four years before Ren was defeated by Huang's daring surprise attack through the frozen Bohai Sea in 336.
Yuwen Yidougui (宇文逸豆歸), also known as Yuwen Houdougui (宇文俟豆歸), was a chieftain of the Yuwen-Xianbei tribe during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the last chieftain of the tribe before they were conquered by the Murong state of Former Yan. Throughout his rule, Yidougui was in conflict with the Duke of Liaodong and later Prince of Yan, Murong Huang. He was defeated in the end, and the Yuwen clan's autonomy was abolished as Murong Huang absorbed their whole territory into his. Yidougui was the direct ancestor of Yuwen Tai, the paramount leader of Western Wei who laid the foundation of the Yuwen-led Northern Zhou state during the Northern and Southern dynasties period.
Wang Hun, courtesy name Xuanchong, was a Chinese military general and politician of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period and Western Jin dynasty period. He spent most of his early career serving at the eastern borders of Jin and Eastern Wu, where he occasionally battled with the southern state. He was most known for his role in the Conquest of Wu between 279 and 280, during which he destroyed Wu's main forces under Zhang Ti, as well as his subsequent dispute with Wang Jun, who he accused of going against orders by capturing Jianye on his own and stealing Wang Hun's chance at glory. Despite the controversy surrounding him following the conquest, he remained an accomplished and well-respected figure within the state.
Duan Liao (段遼), also known as Duan Huliao (段護遼), was a Xianbei chieftain of the Duan tribe during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of China. He was the last chieftain of the Duan state before it was conquered in 338. Duan Liao launched a number of attacks against the Duke of Liaodong and later Prince of Former Yan, Murong Huang after civil war erupted between Huang and his brother, Murong Ren. Duan Liao met with repeated failures, and in 338, Murong Huang and Shi Hu of Later Zhao formed an alliance for a joint campaign against the Duans which resulted in the destruction of their state. Duan Liao surrendered to Murong Huang, but later rebelled and was killed in 339. Although the Duan tribe's state was destroyed, they remained an important family throughout the period through their marriages with the Murongs.
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.
Xu Yi, courtesy name Jicai, was a strict official, trusted by the warlord Cao Cao to look after the capital Ye, in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China
Murong Han, courtesy name Yuanyong, was a Xianbei military general of the Former Yan dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was an accomplished commander under his father, Murong Hui, and was most known for his victory over the Yuwen tribe in the Battle of Jicheng in 319. After his half-brother, Murong Huang, succeeded their father in 333, he was forced to flee due to Huang's suspicion of him. For seven years, he served the Murong clan's rival tribes, the Duan and Yuwen, but was eventually welcomed back by Huang shortly after the latter declared himself Prince of Yan. Han was a vital figure in the early years of Former Yan as he played roles in the state's success against Goguryeo and the Yuwen. However, he soon caught the suspicion of Huang once more, and was finally forced to commit suicide.
Cui Bi was a military general and politician of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He served as the Inspector of Ping province during the fall of Western Jin. Isolated from the conflict of the Central Plains, Cui Bi had autonomy over eastern Liaodong, where he developed a rivalry with the Xianbei chieftain and Jin vassal, Murong Hui. In 319, he formed an alliance with the Duan and Yuwen tribes along with Goguryeo to destroy Murong Hui, but was defeated and forced to flee to Goguryeo.