Murong Han

Murong Han
慕容翰
General Who Establishes Might (建威將軍)
In office
?–344
MonarchMurong Huang
Personal details
BornUnknown
Yi County, Liaoning
Died344
RelationsMurong Huang (half-brother)
Murong Ren (half-brother)
ChildrenMurong Gou
ParentMurong Hui (father)
Courtesy nameYuanyong (元邕)
In this Chinese name, the family name is Murong.

Murong Han (died 344), 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 an 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.

Service under Murong Hui[edit]

Murong Han was born the eldest son of the Xianbei chieftain, Murong Hui through a concubine. Records describe him as having a heroic and bold personality along with being well-versed in strategy. He had ape-like arms and was an exceptional archer who wielded a bow weighing over 3 shi and used arrows that were longer than usual.[1] He followed his father on numerous military campaigns and eventually became his General of Hawkish Display.[2]

Suxi Lian and Muwan Jin's rebellion[edit]

In 309, two Xianbei leaders, Suxi Lian (素喜連) and Muwan Jin (木丸津), revolted and caused trouble in Liaodong. At the time, the Jin provincial armies were preoccupied with the upheaval in the Central Plains and were thus ineffective at stopping the revolt. In 311, Murong Han advised his father to campaign against the rebels, arguing that they would bring order and win the support of the people in the region while also absorbing the rebels' armies. He added that their actions would also present their loyalty to the ruling Jin dynasty and at the same time bring personal gains for their territory. Huang was impressed by son's prudence, stating "I merely thought of you as child. How could you have acquired such wisdom?"[3] Thus, Huang campaigned against the rebels and placed Han in command of the vanguard. After killing Suxi Lian and Muwan Jin, they absorbed the rebels' armies and placed around 3,000 households under their governance.

Campaign against the Duan tribe[edit]

In 313, the Murong tribe participated in a joint campaign with the Jin Inspector of Youzhou, Wang Jun and the Tuoba tribe against the Duan tribe. Murong Hui entrusted the command over the expeditionary force to Murong Han. After departing from the Murong capital, Jicheng (棘城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning), Han led his army to capture Tuhe (徒河; in present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning) and Xincheng (新城; northeast of present-day Shenyang, Liaoning). He then marched to Yangle (陽樂; present-day Yi County, Liaoning), where he fought and captured the Jin Administrator of Liaoxi, Yang Dan (陽躭). However, after the Tuoba general, Tuoba Liuxiu, was defeated by the Duan, Han halted the campaign and withdrew to Tuhe, where he utilized its natural defences and remained for several years.[4]

Battle of Jicheng (319)[edit]

In 319, the Jin Inspector of Pingzhou, Cui Bi was unsettled by Murong Hui's growing influence in Liaodong and conspired with Goguryeo, the Duan and the Yuwen tribe to launch a punitive expedition. All three states responded to this alliance by raising troops and advancing towards Jicheng. Murong Hui managed to make Goguryeo and the Duan retreat by sowing discord among their ranks, but the leader of the Yuwen, Yuwen Xiduguan, remained steadfast in his intention to conquer Jicheng and placed the city under siege. As a result, Murong Hui requested Murong Han, who was in Tuhe, to lead his men to partake in the defence of the Jicheng. However, Han sent an envoy rejecting his order, instead insisting that he operate outside of Jicheng to attack the enemy from two sides. Hui was initially unsure with the plan, but after some convincing from his official, Han Shou (韓壽), he agreed to allow Murong Han to remain at Tuhe.[5]

As Murong Han remained stationary, Xiduguan became worried that he was secretly planning and decided to prioritize in defeating him first. He sent a separate dispatchment to carry out a surprise attack on Murong Han, but upon learning that the enemy was approaching him, Han sent his subordinates disguised as envoys of the Duan to meet with the Yuwen forces. Han's subordinates falsely informed them that Duan forces were at Tuhe, and they should quickly advance to take the city together. The Yuwen were delighted by the news and rushed to Tuhe without any precaution. Before they arrived, Han had left the city and concealed his troops to lay an ambush. Once the Yuwen army appeared, Han launched a surprised attack and captured many of their troops.[6]

Capitalizing on his victory, Murong Han advanced and dispatched an envoy to Jicheng, requesting Murong Hui to mobilize his entire army and attack the main force of the Yuwen. In response, Murong Hui entrusted Murong Huang and his chief clerk Pei Yi with an elite force as the vanguard, while he personally led a large army as the main force. Xiduguan, completely unprepared, hastily sent out his entire army upon learning of Murong Hui's departure. At that time, Murong Han, leading a thousand cavalry, had already stationed himself behind the enemy camp. When the battle began between the vanguard forces, Murong Han took the opportunity to infiltrate Xiduguan's camp, setting it ablaze. As a result, the Yuwen army fell into chaos and suffered a great defeat, with Xiduguan barely fleeing with his own life.[7]

Guarding Liaodong[edit]

Later that year, King Micheon of Goguryeo launched frequent raids on the Murong tribe's domain. Murong Hui sent Murong Han and Murong Ren to suppress Goguryeo, but shortly after doing so, Micheon sued for peace. Thus, the campaign was halted and the army withdrew. In 321, Hui appointed Han to guard Liaodong. Han was known for comforting the people and favoring Confucianism, and it was said that no one, from scholars to soldiers, refused to follow him. His influence was significant, and Goguryeo did not dare carry out further raids under his watch.[8]

Service under Duan Liao[edit]

After Murong Hui died in 333, he was succeeded by his heir, Murong Huang, and Murong Han was appointed General Who Establishes Might. Despite being the heir, Huang harbored jealousy towards Han and his two other brothers, Murong Ren and Murong Zhao, as they were their father's favorites. In Han's case, although he was an illegitimate child, he also had an exceptional reputation and was backed by the local gentry. Han knew about his brother's jealousy towards him and became worried that harm would come to him. Thus, Han fled and defected to the Duan tribe with his sons. The leader of the Duan, Duan Liao, had long heard of his fame and happily received him, treating him with courtesy and respect.[9]

Battle of Liucheng[edit]

In 334, Murong Han followed Duan Liao's brother, Duan Lan, to attack the Murong stronghold of Liucheng (柳城; southwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning). Liucheng's defenders, Shi Cong (石琮) and Muyu Ni (慕輿泥) fiercely defended the city and forced the Duan army to retreat. Due to their loss, Duan Liao reprimanded Duan Lan and Murong Han and angrily forced them to take the stronghold at all cost. Duan Lan attacked Liucheng again, but was once more unsuccessful. However, he was able to inflict a great defeat on the Murong reinforcements at Niuwei Valley (牛尾谷; north of Liucheng). Seizing the opportunity, Duan Lan planned on pursuing the retreating enemy forces and penetrate deep into their territory. However, Murong Han, secretly concerned for his homeland's safety, advised Duan Lan against his decision, believing that they may be lured into a trap. Duan Lan saw through his excuse and attempted to assure him his tribe's safety, but Murong Han persisted by ordering his troops to withdraw, forcing Duan Lan to follow suit.[10]

Fall of the Duan tribe[edit]

In 338, Shi Hu of the Later Zhao and Murong Huang began a joint campaign to conquer Liaoxi from the Duan. Attacked from various directions, Duan Liao considered on intercepting Huang's forces first, but Murong Han suggested that they concentrate their troops on the larger Zhao army. Duan Lan, who was nearby, angrily accused Han of planning to undermine the Duan as he previously did at Liucheng and refused to listen to his plan. Duan Lan led his troops to attack Murong Huang, but was decisively defeated in an ambush.[11] As Zhao forces captured Duan cities in succession, Duan Liao decided to abandon his capital and flee with his followers to Mount Miyun (密雲山; in present-day Miyun District, Beijing). Before leaving, Duan Liao expressed his regret for not following Murong Han's advice. The two parted ways, with Han fleeing north to join the Yuwen tribe.[12]

Service under Yuwen Yidougui[edit]

Although the chieftain of the Yuwen, Yuwen Yidougui, initially welcomed Murong Han, he soon grew apprehesive of Han due to his talents and reputation. Han, not wanting to garner anymore suspicion, pretended to be mad and drink in excess. He would ruffle his hair while singing loudly, urinate himself while lying down and kneel and beg for food. The people living within the Yuwen state believed his acting, hating him but also deeming him not a threat. As he was left unobserved, Murong Han would secretly go out to study and memorize the geography of the tribe's domain.

Returning to Murong Huang[edit]

Murong Han lived with the Yuwen tribe until 340. Murong Huang, who had become the Prince of Yan in 338, knew that Han had not fled intending to rebel against him, but due to his own suspicions. Huang sent a merchant, Wang Che (王車), to the marketplace of the Yuwen domain to observe Han's activities. When Han saw the merchant, he did not say a word, but only hit his own chest and nodded. Hearing Wang Che's report on the incident, Huang knew that Han wanted to return and sent Wang Che to welcome him back. Huang had given Wang Che a bow and arrows crafted specifically for Han, which Wang Che buried at the side of a road and informed Han of their location. In February or March 340, Murong Han stole Yidougui's prized horse, retrieved the bow and arrows, and fled with his two sons.[13]

Yidougui sent a hundred riders to chase after him. From a distant, Han said to his pursuers, "I have long desired to return to my homeland, and now that I have obtained this valuable horse, I will never return again. In the past, I foolishly deceived you with my words, but my archery skills have not diminished. If you come any closer, you will be heading towards your own deaths!" However, the riders ignored his warning and continued their pursuit. Han then said, "I have been under the care of your state for a long time, so I have no grudge with you. Place a blade a hundred paces away from me, and I will show you that I can shoot it. If I shoot through it, you may return home. If I miss, you are free to come closer." The riders agreed to his request, and with a single shot, Han was able to shoot through the ring of the blade. Honouring their deal, the riders gave up their chase.[14] Huang was ecstatic by his brother's return and treated him with generous treatment and favour.

Service under Former Yan[edit]

Campaign against Goguryeo[edit]

After his return, Murong Han grew to the rank of General Who Establishes Might. Eventually, Han proposed to Huang his plan to deal with Former Yan's enemies, Goguryeo and the Yuwen tribe. Having experienced living in their domain, Han informed his brother that the Yuwen tribe was in a weak state in terms of leadership and military, and their alliance with Later Zhao was nothing to worry about due to the distance between the two sides. However, he was more concern about Goguryeo, who would likely take advantage of Yan's absence should they campaign against the Yuwen tribe. Therefore, he advised Huang that they pacify Goguryeo first before going after the Yuwen tribe, believing that the Yuwen were too dependent on their defences to react. Huang was pleased with his plan and accepted it.[15]

In 342, Huang made preparations to invade Goguryeo. There were two routes leading to Goguryeo; a flat and wide northern route, and a narrow and dangerous southern route. Han advised Huang to send the main force down the southern route to catch the enemy by surprise, as Goguryeo would likely expect an invading army to go through the northern route and concentrate their forces there. He also added that they send smaller force down the northern route to act as a distraction before falling back. Huang accepted his suggestions and made Han one of his vanguard generals.[16]

As Murong Han predicted, the Goguryeo king, Gogugwon, sent his brother, Gomu (고무; 高武), with 50,000 elite soldiers to defend the northern route while he led weaker troops to guard the southern route. Han fought Gogugwon at Mokjeo (木底, in modern Fushun, Liaoning) long enough for Murong Huang to arrive. After a great defeat, Gogugwon went into hiding as Yan troops took the Goguryeo capital, Hwando.[17] Yan forces ransaked and destroyed the capital and took tens of thousands captives, including Gogugwon's mother, wife and the body of Micheon, before returning. Gogugwon would submit to Yan the following year.

Campaign against the Yuwen tribe[edit]

In 343, Yuwen Yidougui sent his general, Moqian Hun (莫淺渾), to attack Yan. Murong Huang initially restrained his generals from engaging Moqian Hun, giving him the impression that the Yan forces were afraid of him. As Moqian Hun let his guard down by spending his time drinking and hunting, Huang sent Murong Han to attack him. Han greatly routed the Yuwen army, forcing Moqian Hun to barely escape with his life while capturing all the enemy troops.[18]

In 344, Murong Huang began his conquest of the Yuwen tribe, with Murong Han serving as the vanguard general. In response, Yidougui sent the Chief of Nanluo, Yuwen Sheyegan (宇文涉夜干) with the tribe's elite soldiers to resist the Yan invaders. Huang sent a messenger to Han warning him of Sheyegan's capabilities, but Han believed that defeating a key general will cause the rest of the Yuwen tribe's forces to collapse. Han added that he was familiar with Sheyegan and knew that his reputation was merely based on rumours. He led a frontal assault against Sheyegan and enticed him to advance. Then, Huang's son, Murong Ba, brought his army to attack Sheyegan's flank. Sheyegan was killed in battle, causing the Yuwen soldiers to stop fighting and scatter. The Yan forces then advanced onto the Yuwen tribe's capital, Zimengchuan (紫蒙川, northwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning), and forced Yidougui into fleeing, thus conquering their state.[19]

Death[edit]

Despite Yan's victory over the Yuwen tribe, Murong Han was struck by an arrow during the campaign. The arrow left Han ill and bedridden, but he was able to slowly recover and practiced riding his horse at home as he recuperated. However, a witness spotted him riding, and they reported what they saw to Murong Huang, believing that Han was secretly faking his illness and plotting something devious. Huang, who remained jealous of Han even after accepting him back, thus ordered him to commit suicide. Han killed himself by poison, and before his death, he said to his attendants, "I fled with guilt, yet shamefully returned. My death today is long overdue. Yet, with the Jie [Later Zhao] still rampant in the Central Plains, I had hoped to strengthen the state and unify the world, in spite of my shortcomings. Although I could not fulfill my ambition, I hold no resentment. It must be the will of heaven."[20]

Children[edit]

Murong Han had at least two sons, but only one son, Murong Gou (慕容鉤), was recorded. Despite the manner of his father's death, Gou served as the Administrator of Leling under Murong Huang's successor, Murong Jun. He jointly governed Yanci (厭次, around present-day Dezhou, Shandong) with the Inspector of Qingzhou, Zhu Tu (朱禿), who he often flaunted his status as member of the imperial family to. In 354, Zhu Tu grew frustrated with his behaviour and killed him before defecting to the neighbouring Duan Qi state.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^ (翰彎弓三石馀，矢尤長大...) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  2. ^ (慕容翰，字元邕，廆之庶長子也。性雄豪，多權略，猿臂工射，膂力過人。廆甚奇之，委以折沖之任。行師征伐，所在有功，威聲大振，為遠近所憚。) Jin Shu, vol.109
  3. ^ (廆少子鷹揚將軍翰言於廆曰︰「自古有爲之君，莫不尊天子以從民望，成大業。今連、津外以龐本爲名，內實幸災爲亂。封使君已誅本請和，而寇暴不已。中原離亂，州師不振，遼東荒散，莫之救恤，單于不若數其罪而討之。上則興復遼東，下則幷吞二部，忠義彰於本朝，私利歸於我國，此霸王之基也。」廆笑曰︰「孺子乃能及此乎！」) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.87
  4. ^ (廆遣慕容翰攻段氏，取徒河、新城，至陽樂，聞六脩敗而還，翰因留鎭徒河，壁青山。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.88
  5. ^ (廆使召其子翰於徒河。翰遣使白廆曰：「悉獨官舉國爲寇，彼衆我寡，易以計破，難以力勝。今城中之衆，足以禦寇，翰請爲奇兵於外，伺其間而擊之，內外俱奮，使彼震駭不知所備，破之必矣。今幷兵爲一，彼得專意攻城，無復他虞，非策之得者也；且示衆以怯，恐士氣不戰先沮矣。」廆猶疑之。遼東韓壽言於廆曰：「悉獨官有憑陵之志，將驕卒惰，軍不堅密，若奇兵卒起，掎其無備，必破之策也。」廆乃聽翰留徒河。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.91
  6. ^ (乃分遣數千騎襲翰。翰知之，詐爲段氏使者，逆於道曰：「慕容翰久爲吾患，聞當擊之，吾已嚴兵相待，宜速進也。」使者旣去，翰卽出城，設伏以待之。宇文氏之騎見使者，大喜馳行，不復設備，進入伏中。翰奮擊，盡獲之，乘勝徑進，遣間使語廆出兵大戰。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.91
  7. ^ (悉獨官初不設備，聞廆至，驚，悉衆出戰。前鋒始交，翰將千騎從旁直入其營，縱火焚之，衆皆惶擾，不知所爲，遂大敗，悉獨官僅以身免。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.91
  8. ^ (廆徙慕容翰鎭遼東，慕容仁鎭平郭。翰撫安民夷，甚有威惠；仁亦次之。) Zizhi Tongzhi, vol.91
  9. ^ (為皝所深忌，及廆死，翰乃歎曰：「吾受事於先公，不敢不盡力，幸賴先公之靈，所向有功，此乃天贊吾國，非人力也。而人謂吾之所辦，以為雄才難制，吾豈可坐而待禍邪？」遂與其子出奔段遼。) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  10. ^ (栁城之戰，段蘭欲乘勝深入。翰慮成本國之害，詭說於蘭曰：「夫為將，當務慎重，審已量敵。若非萬全，不可輕動。今雖挫其前鋒，一作偏師，未能屈其大勢。皝多權詐，好為潛伏。若悉國中之眾自將以拒我，我懸軍深入，眾寡不敵，此危道也。且受命之日，正求此捷。若違命貪進，萬一取敗，功名俱喪，何以返命？」蘭曰：「此已成擒，無有歸理。卿正慮遂滅卿國耳。今千年在東，若進而得志，吾將迎之以為國嗣，終不負卿，使宗廟不祀也。」 翰曰：「吾投身相依，無復還。理國之存亡於我何有，但欲為大國之計，且相為惜功名耳。」乃命所部欲獨還。蘭遂不進。 ) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  11. ^ (遼議欲追之，翰知皝躬自總戎，戰必克勝，乃謂遼曰：「今石氏向至，方對大故，不宜復以小小為事。燕王自來，士馬精銳。兵者凶器，戰有危慮，若其失利，何以南禦乎！」蘭怒曰：「吾前聽卿誑說，致成今患，不復入卿計中矣。」乃率眾追皝，蘭果大敗。) Jin Shu, vol.109
  12. ^ (將行，執翰手而泣曰：「不用卿言，自取亡敗。我固甘心令卿失所，深以為愧。」翰遂北奔宇文氏。) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  13. ^ (時，皝亦以翰初非叛亂以嫌疑出奔。雖在他國，常潛為燕計。乃遣商人王車通市於宇文部，以窺翰。翰見車，無言，撫膺頷之而已。車還以白皝曰：“翰欲來也。”複使車迎之。翰彎弓三石馀矢，尤長大。皝為之造可手弓矢，使車埋於道旁而宻告之。) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  14. ^ (逸豆歸遣勁騎百馀追之。翰遙謂追者曰：「吾既思戀而歸，既得上馬，必無反面。吾向日陽愚以誑汝，吾之弧矢，汝曹足知否。無為相逼，徒自取死。」追騎輕之，直突而前。翰曰：「吾處汝國久矣，誓一作恨，不欲殺汝。汝可百步豎汝刀，吾射中者，汝便宜反。若不中者，可來前也。」追騎解刀豎之。翰一發，便中刀钚，追騎乃散。) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  15. ^ (乃言於皝曰「宇文強盛日久，屢為國患。今逸豆歸篡竊得國，群情不附。加之性識庸暗，將帥非才，國無防衛，軍無部伍。臣久在其國，悉其地形；雖遠附強羯，聲勢不接，無益救援；今若擊之，百舉百克。然高句麗去國密邇，常有闚□之志。彼知宇文既亡，禍將及己，必乘虛深入，掩吾不備。若少留兵則不足以守，多留兵則不足以行。此心腹之患也，宜先除之；觀其勢力，一舉可克。宇文自守之虜，必不能遠來爭利。既取高句麗，還取宇文，如返手耳。二國既平，利盡東海，國富兵強，無返顧之憂，然後中原可圖也。」皝曰：「善！」) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.30
  16. ^ (句麗有二道，其北道平闊，南道險狹，眾欲從北道。翰曰：「虜以常情料之，必謂大軍從北道，當重北而輕南。王宜帥銳兵從南道擊之，出其不意，丸都不足取也。別遣偏師出北道，縱有蹉跌，其腹心己潰，四支無能為也。」皝從之。) Shiliuguo Chunqiu, vol.97
  17. ^ (皝率勁卒四萬，入自南陝，以伐宇文、高句麗，又使翰及子垂為前鋒，遣長史王寓等勒眾萬五千，從北置而進。高句麗王釗謂皝軍之從北路也，乃遣其弟武統精銳五萬距北置，躬率弱卒以防南陝。翰與釗戰於木底，大敗之，乘勝遂入丸都，釗單馬而遁。) Jin Shu, vol.109
  18. ^ (宇文歸遣其國相莫淺渾伐皝，諸將請戰，皝不許。渾以皝為憚之，荒酒縱獵，不復設備。皝曰：「渾奢忌已甚，今則可一戰矣。」遣翰率騎擊之，渾大敗，僅以身免，盡俘其眾。) Jin Shu, vol.109
  19. ^ (逸豆歸遣南羅大涉夜干將精兵逆戰，皝遣人馳謂慕容翰曰：「涉夜干勇冠三軍，宜小避之。」翰曰：「逸豆歸掃其國內精兵以屬涉夜干，涉夜干素有勇名，一國所賴也。今我克之，其國不攻自潰矣。且吾孰知涉夜干之為人，雖有虛名，實易與耳，不宜避之，以挫吾兵氣。」遂進戰。翰自出衝陣，涉夜幹出應之；慕容霸從傍邀擊，遂斬涉夜干。宇文士卒見涉夜干死，不戰而潰；燕兵乘勝逐之，遂克其都城) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.97
  20. ^ (慕容翰之與宇文氏戰也，為流矢所中，臥病積時不出。後漸差，於其家試騁馬。或告翰稱病而私飛騎乘，疑欲為變。燕王皝雖藉翰勇略，然中心終忌之，乃賜翰死。翰曰：「吾負罪出奔，既而復還，今日死已晚矣。然羯賊跨據中原，吾不自量，欲為國家蕩壹區夏。此志不遂，沒有遺恨，命矣夫！」飲藥而卒。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.97
  21. ^ (燕樂陵太守慕容鉤，翰之子也，與青州刺史朱禿共治厭次。鉤自恃宗室，每陵侮禿。禿不勝忿，秋，七月，襲鉤，殺之，南奔段龕。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.99
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