Murong Hui


Murong Hui, courtesy name Yiluo ', was an Xianbei chief, formally known as Duke Xiang of Liaodong, posthumously honored as Emperor Wuxuan'. In the Book of Jin, Murong Hui was described as tall, physically strong and having a beautiful appearance.
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 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 and two of his younger brothers, Murong Ren and Murong Zhao.
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, 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, 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.

Family

Consort and issue:
  • Empress Wuxuan, of the Duan clan
  • *Murong Huang, Prince Wenming, third son
  • *Murong Ren, Duke of Liaodong, fourth son
  • *Murong Zhao, fifth son
  • Unknown
  • *Murong Han, first son
  • *Second son
  • *Murong You, sixth son
  • *Murong Zhi, seventh son
  • *Murong Jūn, Prince Xiangyang, eight son
  • *Murong Han, ninth son
  • *Murong Ping, Prince Shangyong, tenth son
  • *Murong Biao, Prince Wuchang, eleventh son
  • *Princess Murong, first daughter
  • **Married Tuoba Shiyiqian, a son of Tuoba Yulü