Empress Kezuhun (Jingzhao)
Encyclopedia
Empress Kezuhun was an empress of the Chinese
/Xianbei
state Former Yan
. Her husband was Murong Jun
(Emperor Jingzhao).
(Prince Wenming)'s heir apparent
. In 353, after he had claimed imperial title, he created her empress. His son Murong Ye (慕容瞱), whom he created crown prince
that year, appeared to be her son. After Murong Ye died in 356, he created her younger son Murong Wei
crown prince in 357. She appeared to exert some political influence during his reign, and in 358, after Princess Duan
, the wife of Murong Jun's brother Murong Chui
the Prince of Wu was disrespectful to her, it might have been at her instigation that the eunuch
Nie Hao (涅浩) falsely accused Princess Duan of witchcraft
, leading to Princess Duan's arrest and death. Murong Chui then married Princess Duan's younger sister as the new princess, but Empress Kezuhun forcibly deposed her and forced him to marry her younger sister. Murong Chui did not dare to refuse but was displeased, and Empress Kezuhun therefore disliked him as well.
, and she was involved in governmental matters, even though Murong Jun's brother Murong Ke
the Prince of Taiyuan served as regent
, with assistance from Murong Jun's uncle Murong Ping
the Prince of Shangyong and Muyu Gen (慕輿根). Muyu, intending to grab more power, initially tried to persuade Murong Ke to seize the throne, and after Murong Ke refused, tried to persuade Empress Dowager Kezuhun that Murong Ke and Murong Ping were intending to rebel. She believed him and was ready to authorize him to strike against the princes, but the young emperor Murong Wei (then age 10) disbelieved him and stopped him from acting. Soon, Murong Ke discovered this and had Muyu put to death, but contrary to Muyu's false accusations, served the empire faithfully until his death in 367. On his death bed, Murong Ke recommended that major military responsibility be given to Murong Chui, but both Empress Dowager Kezuhun, who disliked Murong Chui, and Murong Ping, who feared that Murong Chui would divide his powers, disagreed, and Empress Dowager Kezuhun and Murong Ping thereafter had dominance at court. Both entrusted corrupt officials, and Former Yan's strength, built up by Murong Jun and Murong Ke, began to be sapped.
In 369, probably under Empress Dowager Kezuhun's orders, Murong Wei married the daughter
of her cousin Kezuhun Yi (可足渾翼) the Duke of Yuzhang as his empress.
Later that year, the Jin general Huan Wen
launched a major attack against Former Yan, defeating forces commanded by Murong Wei's older brother Murong Zang (慕容臧) the Prince of Le'an. Murong Wei sought assistance from Former Qin
's emperor Fu Jiān
, but at the same time was prepared to abandon the capital Yecheng
and flee back to the old capital Helong (和龍, in modern Jinzhou
, Liaoning
). Murong Chui dissuaded them and volunteered to engage Huan in one more battle. Murong Chui soon defeated Huan and, with the assistance of Former Qin troops under Gou Chi (苟池), nearly annihilated his troops. Former Yan was preserved.
However, Empress Dowager Kezuhun and Murong Ping soon engaged in two damaging decisions. Still resentful of Murong Chui, Empress Dowager Kezuhun denied him and his soldiers rewards and in fact considered killing him. Murong Chui, hearing the news, fled to Former Qin and became a general for Fu Jiān. Further, they reneged on the promise that they made to secure Former Qin assistance—ceding the Luoyang
region to Former Qin. In 370, Fu Jiān sent his prime minister Wang Meng to attack Former Yan, and despite being severely outnumbered, Wang defeated Former Yan forces under Murong Ping's command, quickly advancing on Yecheng and capturing it. Soon, Murong Wei, who fled Yecheng, was also captured, ending Former Yan. Oddly, what happened to Empress Dowager Kezuhun was not stated, although presumably when Murong Wei was soon relocated to the Former Qin capital Chang'an
, she was relocated there as well.
No further act of the former empress dowager was recorded in history. When, in the aftermaths of Former Qin's defeat at the Battle of Fei River
, Murong Chui and Murong Jun's sons Murong Hong
and Murong Chong
rebelled and tried to reestablish Yan, Murong Wei tried to join them and was executed in 385 along with members of the Murong clan remaining in Chang'an. It is not known whether she survived to that point or survived that incident, but by 386 historical accounts implied that she was no longer living. That year, Murong Chui, having established Later Yan
, was ready to reestablish the imperial shrine, and he posthumoustly demoted her to commoner status and enshrined Murong Jun's concubine Consort Duan instead with Murong Jun.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
/Xianbei
Xianbei
The Xianbei were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The title “Khan” was first used among the Xianbei.-Origins:...
state Former Yan
Former Yan
The Former Yan was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.Initially, Murong Huang and his son Murong Jun claimed the Jin Dynasty -created title "Prince of Yan," but subsequently, in 352, after seizing most of the former Later Zhao territory, Murong Juan would...
. Her husband was Murong Jun
Murong Jun
Murong Jun , courtesy name Xuanying , formally Emperor Jingzhao of Yan , was an emperor of the Chinese state Former Yan...
(Emperor Jingzhao).
During Murong Jun's reign
She appeared to have been Murong Jun's wife when he was his father Murong HuangMurong Huang
Murong Huang , courtesy name Yuanzhen , formally Prince Wenming of Yan was a ruler of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan and the commonly recognized founder of the state...
(Prince Wenming)'s heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
. In 353, after he had claimed imperial title, he created her empress. His son Murong Ye (慕容瞱), whom he created crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
that year, appeared to be her son. After Murong Ye died in 356, he created her younger son Murong Wei
Murong Wei
Murong Wei , courtesy name Jingmao , formally Emperor You of Yan was the last emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan...
crown prince in 357. She appeared to exert some political influence during his reign, and in 358, after Princess Duan
Princess Duan (Murong Chui)
Princess Duan , formally Empress Chengzhao was the first wife of the Former Yan general Murong Chui, who would later become the founder of Later Yan...
, the wife of Murong Jun's brother Murong Chui
Murong Chui
Murong Chui , courtesy name Daoming , formally Emperor Wucheng of Yan was a great general of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan who later became the founding emperor of Later Yan...
the Prince of Wu was disrespectful to her, it might have been at her instigation that the eunuch
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...
Nie Hao (涅浩) falsely accused Princess Duan of witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, leading to Princess Duan's arrest and death. Murong Chui then married Princess Duan's younger sister as the new princess, but Empress Kezuhun forcibly deposed her and forced him to marry her younger sister. Murong Chui did not dare to refuse but was displeased, and Empress Kezuhun therefore disliked him as well.
During Murong Wei's reign
In 360, Murong Jun died, and Murong Wei succeeded to the throne. He honored his mother as empress dowagerEmpress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
, and she was involved in governmental matters, even though Murong Jun's brother Murong Ke
Murong Ke
Murong Ke , courtesy name Xuangong , formally Prince Huan of Taiyuan , was a famed general and statesman of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan...
the Prince of Taiyuan served as regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
, with assistance from Murong Jun's uncle Murong Ping
Murong Ping
Murong Ping was a regent of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan during the reign of Murong Wei , after the death of the previous, far more capable regent Murong Ke...
the Prince of Shangyong and Muyu Gen (慕輿根). Muyu, intending to grab more power, initially tried to persuade Murong Ke to seize the throne, and after Murong Ke refused, tried to persuade Empress Dowager Kezuhun that Murong Ke and Murong Ping were intending to rebel. She believed him and was ready to authorize him to strike against the princes, but the young emperor Murong Wei (then age 10) disbelieved him and stopped him from acting. Soon, Murong Ke discovered this and had Muyu put to death, but contrary to Muyu's false accusations, served the empire faithfully until his death in 367. On his death bed, Murong Ke recommended that major military responsibility be given to Murong Chui, but both Empress Dowager Kezuhun, who disliked Murong Chui, and Murong Ping, who feared that Murong Chui would divide his powers, disagreed, and Empress Dowager Kezuhun and Murong Ping thereafter had dominance at court. Both entrusted corrupt officials, and Former Yan's strength, built up by Murong Jun and Murong Ke, began to be sapped.
In 369, probably under Empress Dowager Kezuhun's orders, Murong Wei married the daughter
Empress Kezuhun (You)
Empress Kezuhun was an empress of the Chinese/Xianbei state Former Yan. Her husband was Murong Wei , the last emperor of the state....
of her cousin Kezuhun Yi (可足渾翼) the Duke of Yuzhang as his empress.
Later that year, the Jin general Huan Wen
Huan Wen
Huan Wen , courtesy name Yuanzi , formally Duke Xuanwu of Nan Commandery , was a general of the Jin Dynasty...
launched a major attack against Former Yan, defeating forces commanded by Murong Wei's older brother Murong Zang (慕容臧) the Prince of Le'an. Murong Wei sought assistance from Former Qin
Former Qin
The Former Qin was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. Founded by the Fu family of the Di ethnicity, it completed the unification of North China in 376. Its capital had been Xi'an up to the death of the ruler Fu Jiān. Despite its name, the Former Qin was much later and less powerful than...
's emperor Fu Jiān
Fu Jian
Fu Jian may refer to:* Fú Jiàn , founding emperor of Former Qin, posthumous name Emperor Jingming* Fú Jiān , ruler of Former Qin, posthumous name Emperor Xuanzhao-See also:...
, but at the same time was prepared to abandon the capital Yecheng
Ye, China
Ye or Yecheng was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County, Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County, Henan....
and flee back to the old capital Helong (和龍, in modern Jinzhou
Jinzhou
Jinzhou , is a prefecture-level city of Liaoning province, China. It is a geographically strategic city located in the "Liaoxi Corridor" , which connects land transportation between North China and Northeast China. Jinzhou is China's northernmost seaport and the coastal economic center of West...
, Liaoning
Liaoning
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the northeast of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "辽" , a name taken from the Liao River that flows through the province. "Níng" means "peace"...
). Murong Chui dissuaded them and volunteered to engage Huan in one more battle. Murong Chui soon defeated Huan and, with the assistance of Former Qin troops under Gou Chi (苟池), nearly annihilated his troops. Former Yan was preserved.
However, Empress Dowager Kezuhun and Murong Ping soon engaged in two damaging decisions. Still resentful of Murong Chui, Empress Dowager Kezuhun denied him and his soldiers rewards and in fact considered killing him. Murong Chui, hearing the news, fled to Former Qin and became a general for Fu Jiān. Further, they reneged on the promise that they made to secure Former Qin assistance—ceding the Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
region to Former Qin. In 370, Fu Jiān sent his prime minister Wang Meng to attack Former Yan, and despite being severely outnumbered, Wang defeated Former Yan forces under Murong Ping's command, quickly advancing on Yecheng and capturing it. Soon, Murong Wei, who fled Yecheng, was also captured, ending Former Yan. Oddly, what happened to Empress Dowager Kezuhun was not stated, although presumably when Murong Wei was soon relocated to the Former Qin capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, she was relocated there as well.
No further act of the former empress dowager was recorded in history. When, in the aftermaths of Former Qin's defeat at the Battle of Fei River
Battle of Fei River
The Battle of Fei River or “Feishui” was a battle in 383, where Fu Jiān of the Di Former Qin Empire was decisively defeated by the numerically inferior Jin army of Eastern Jin....
, Murong Chui and Murong Jun's sons Murong Hong
Murong Hong
Murong Hong was the founder of the Chinese/Xianbei state Western Yan. He was a son of the Former Yan emperor Murong Jun and a younger brother of Former Yan emperor Murong Wei....
and Murong Chong
Murong Chong
Murong Chong , formally Emperor Wei of Yan , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei state Western Yan. He was a son of the Former Yan emperor Murong Jun and a younger brother of Former Yan emperor Murong Wei....
rebelled and tried to reestablish Yan, Murong Wei tried to join them and was executed in 385 along with members of the Murong clan remaining in Chang'an. It is not known whether she survived to that point or survived that incident, but by 386 historical accounts implied that she was no longer living. That year, Murong Chui, having established Later Yan
Later Yan
The Later Yan was a Murong-Xianbei state, located in modern day northeast China, during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.All rulers of the Later Yan declared themselves "emperors". Later Yan fell to the Goguryeo dynasty.-Rulers of the Later Yan:...
, was ready to reestablish the imperial shrine, and he posthumoustly demoted her to commoner status and enshrined Murong Jun's concubine Consort Duan instead with Murong Jun.