Murong Hui

Murong Hui (慕容廆), (269–333) Xianbei chief and Duke Xiang of Liaodong, posthumously honored as Prince Wuxuan of Yan. In the Book of Jin, Murong Hui was described as tall, physically strong and having a beautiful appearance.

This article is about the ancestor of the rulers of Former Yan. For his great-grandson, see Murong Hui (Later Yan).

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Murong.

Murong Hui had initially been a Xianbei chief who fought Jin forces during the late reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, Jin's founding emperor, but he submitted as a Jin vassal in 289. Under constant attack by fellow Xianbei chief Duan Jie (段階) of the Duan tribe, he humbly sought peace with the Duan and married one of Duan Jie's daughters. From this union came Murong Huang (in 297) and two of his younger brothers, Murong Ren (慕容仁) and Murong Zhao (慕容昭).[1][2]

During Murong Hui's rule as tribal chief, the Jin Dynasty's central government was in constant turmoil and eventually collapsed due to infighting and agrarian rebellions, the strongest of which was the Xiongnu state Han Zhao. As a result, many refugees arrived in the relatively safe domain of Murong Hui's, and as he treated the ethnically Han refugees with kindness, most chose to stay, greatly strengthening his power, and as Jin forces in the north gradually fell to Han Zhao's capable general Shi Le (who later established his own independent state Later Zhao), Murong Hui became the only domain in northern China still under titular Jin rule, carrying the Jin-bestowed title of the Duke of Liaodong. He entrusted Murong Huang with many important military tasks such as fighting the powerful fellow Xianbei Yuwen tribe in 320 and 325. In early 322, Murong Hui named Murong Huang heir apparent. However, Murong Hui also greatly favored Murong Huang's brothers Murong Ren, Murong Zhao, and particularly Murong Han (慕容翰), who was regarded very highly as a general. Murong Huang became jealous and suspicious of these brothers, feelings which became known to them and which would sow the seeds of future troubles.

Personal Information

Sons

• Murong Huang
• Murong Ren (慕容仁)
• Murong Zhao (慕容昭)
• Murong Han (慕容翰)
• Murong You (慕容幼)
• Murong Zhi (慕容稚)
• Murong Jūn (慕容军) (different note than his nephew Murong Jun)
• Murong Han (慕容汗) (different character than his elder brother)
• Murong Ping
• Murong Biao (慕容彪)

References

1. Fang Xuanling. "慕容廆" [Murong Hui]. Book of Jin. Volume 108.
2. Tsui Hung. "前燕錄" [Former Yan]. Shiliuguo Chunqiu. Volume 3.

Duke Xiang of Liaodong House of Murong Born: 269 Died: 333
Chinese nobility
New creation	Duke of Liaodong 321–333	Succeeded by Murong Huang