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后燕世祖[View] [Edit] [History]ctext:182261
Relation | Target | Textual basis |
---|---|---|
type | person | |
name | 后燕世祖 | default |
name | 燕世祖 | |
name | 世祖 | |
name | 慕容垂 | |
mother | person:兰淑仪 | 《十六国春秋别传·卷十一·后燕录》:母兰淑仪。 |
ruled | dynasty:后燕 | |
from-date 后燕世祖元年正月乙酉 384/2/8 | ||
to-date 建兴十一年四月癸未 396/6/2 | ||
authority-cbdb | 95217 | |
authority-wikidata | Q1069768 | |
link-wikipedia_zh | 慕容垂 | |
link-wikipedia_en | Murong_Chui |
Read more...: During Former Yan During Murong Huis and Huangs reigns During Murong Juns reign During Murong Weis reign During Murong Kes regency During Murong Pings regency During Former Qin Reign as Later Yans emperor Early reign: rebellion from Former Qin Middle reign: entrenchment of Later Yan Late reign: deterioration of the state Era names Personal information
During Former Yan
During Murong Huis and Huangs reigns
The future Murong Chui was born in 326, while his father Murong Huang was still the heir apparent to Murong Hui the Duke of Liaodong, a vassal of Jin Dynasty (266–420). He was Murong Huang's fifth son. His mother was Consort Lan, a concubine of Murong Huang. In his youth, he greatly impressed his father with his talent, and his father, sometime after succeeding his grandfather as the Duke of Liaodong in 333, wanted to make him the heir apparent. The officials advised against the action (since the general rules of succession requires that the heir apparent be the oldest son of the wife—in this case, his older brother Murong Jun, the oldest son of Duchess Duan), and Murong Huang agreed and made Murong Jun heir apparent, but still favored him greatly and officially named him Murong Ba (慕容霸, Ba meaning hegemon). Because of this, Murong Jun was very jealous of his younger brother.
Murong Ba became a general for his father early, after his father claimed the title of Prince of Yan and established Former Yan, although nominally still being a Jin vassal. In 344, for his contribution in the conquest of the Yuwen tribe, Murong Ba was created the Marquess of Duxiang. Later, Murong Ba was posted to the border with the powerful rival Later Zhao, whose general Deng Heng (邓恒) was charged with looking for opportunities to conquer Former Yan, and Murong Ba resisted Deng successfully, causing Deng to be unable to launch a campaign. It was during these years that once, on a hunt, he fell off a horse and lost one of his teeth. After Murong Jun succeeded Murong Huang in 348, because he was still jealous of Murong Ba, he renamed Murong Ba—to Murong Que (慕容𡙇, Que means "missing"), but soon found out that Que is a character signifying fortune in prophecies, and therefore again renamed him to Murong Chui, the name that he would be known later by.
During Murong Juns reign
Soon after Murong Jun succeeded Murong Huang, the powerful rival to the south, Later Zhao, collapsed after the death of Shi Hu, as Shi Hu's sons and adoptive grandson Shi Min (who later changed his family name back to his father's original "Ran") engaged in an internecine struggle. Despite the turmoil, Murong Jun was initially hesitant to march south to take over Later Zhao territory, but Murong Chui persuaded him that the opportunity was ripe. With Murong Chui as one of the major generals, Murong Jun advanced south and, after capturing and executing Ran Min in 352, took over the eastern half of former Later Zhao territory. During the next few years, Murong Chui participated in subduing many former Later Zhao generals who were still remaining semi-independent. In winter 352, Murong Jun formally declared himself independent from Jin, as emperor, and in 354, when creating many of his sons, brothers, and uncles princes, he created Murong Chui the Prince of Wu.
However, Murong Jun continued to be jealous of Murong Chui's talents. He briefly made Murong Chui the defender of the important city and former capital Longcheng (龙城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning), but after it became clear that Murong Chui was ruling the region successfully and garnered the support of the people, Murong Jun became fearful and recalled him to the new capital Yecheng (邺城, in modern Handan, Hebei).
In 358, Murong Chui would lose his wife Princess Duan to political intrigue. Princess Duan, being the daughter of Duan Mopei (段末柸) and therefore derived from the royal family of Duan tribe, was proud of her bloodline and disrespectful to Murong Jun's wife Empress Kezuhun. Perhaps at Empress Kezuhun's instigation, the eunuch Nie Hao (涅浩) falsely accused Princess Duan of witchcraft. Murong Jun had her and her alleged coconspirator, Murong Chui's assistant Gao Bi (高弼), arrested.
Princess Duan and Gao were tortured, but they refused to admit the charges of witchcraft, and because of this the torture was intensified. Murong Chui was saddened by his wife's suffering, and he sent her a message trying to persuade her to end her suffering by admitting to the charge (and thus end the torture but be sentenced to death). Princess Duan remarked:
I am not fearful of death. However, if I falsely implicate myself, I admit to treason. I would be betraying my ancestors and dragging Your Royal Highness into this disaster. The results are dire, and I will not do this.
As she was interrogated, Princess Duan replied logically and openly, and Murong Chui was able to avoid being dragged into the case, but she still died in prison, either from the torture or a secret execution.
Murong Chui then married her sister as his new princess. However, after a brief time, Empress Kezuhun ordered that the new Princess Duan be deposed, and she married her sister, the Lady of Chang'an, to Murong Chui as his new princess. Murong Chui did not dare to refuse, but he was displeased, and Empress Kezuhun became even more resentful of him. Because of this, Murong Chui was briefly effectively exiled to be the governor of remote Ping Province (平州, modern eastern Liaoning). He was only recalled when Murong Jun became ill in 359.
In 360, Murong Jun died. He was succeeded by his son and crown prince Murong Wei, with Murong Jun's younger brother and Murong Chui's older brother Murong Ke the Prince of Taiyuan as regent.
During Murong Weis reign
During Murong Kes regency
Unlike Murong Jun, Murong Ke greatly trusted Murong Chui and consulted him on many decisions—including what to do with Muyu Gen when Muyu Gen conspired against him in 360. Later that year, he also sent Murong Chui to pacify southern provinces which became disturbant in light of Murong Jun's death. In 365, he assisted Murong Ke in capturing the important Jin city of Luoyang, and after doing so became the commander of the southern armies, defending against possible Jin counterattacks.
In 367, Murong Ke grew ill, and on his deathbed he advised Murong Wei to let Murong Chui succeed him. He also tried to convince Murong Wei's older brother Murong Zang (慕容臧) the Prince of Le'an and his own uncle and co-regent Murong Ping (慕容评) the Prince of Shangyong of the wisdom of giving at least the post of commander of the armies to Murong Chui. However, after Murong Ke's death later that year, Murong Ping and Empress Dowager Kezuhun disagreed with his advice, and Murong Ping became regent while the commander of the armies post was given to Murong Wei's brother Murong Chong the Prince of Zhongshan.
During Murong Pings regency
Neither Murong Ping nor Empress Dowager Kezuhun trusted Murong Chui, and he was not given important responsibilities. In 368, when four dukes of the rival Former Qin rebelled against its emperor Fu Jiān, Murong Chui was one of the advocates for assisting the four dukes, who sought Former Yan assistance, and further taking the opportunity to conquer Former Qin. However, Murong Ping declined to do so, and Former Qin was able to capture and execute the four dukes.
In 369, the Jin general Huan Wen launched a major attack against Former Yan, defeating each Former Yan army sent against him and advancing all the way to Fangtou (枋头, in modern Hebi, Henan), near Yecheng. Murong Wei and Murong Ping panicked and considered fleeing to the former capital Longcheng. However, Murong Chui volunteered to make one last stand against Huan Wen, and he and his brother Murong De were able to deal Huan a major defeat. Relief forces from Former Qin (which Former Yan requested) then arrived, and together they dealt Huan another major defeat, ending Huan's hopes of destroying Former Yan.
However, both Murong Ping and Empress Kezuhun grew even more jealous of Murong Chui after his victory and denied his soldiers the rewards that he requested. Murong Ping and Empress Kezuhun further considered executing him. Murong Ke's son Murong Kai (慕容楷) and Murong Chui's uncle Lan Jian (兰建) suggested that he start a coup, but Murong Chui declined. Instead, he accepted his heir apparent Murong Ling (慕容令)'s suggestion, seeking to flee and take over Longcheng in order to try to force reconciliation with the imperial government.
Murong Chui put his plan in motion in winter 369. However, once he left Yecheng, his son Murong Lin, whom he had not favored, fled back to Yecheng to report on him, and Murong Ping sent an army to chase after him. Murong Chui then changed his plan and sought to flee to Former Qin instead. He then scattered his followers and fled back south. On the way, another son Murong Manu (慕容马奴) wanted to flee back to Yecheng and was killed by him. When he was stopped at the Yellow River, he killed the commander of the guards stopping him, forcing his way to Luoyang, and then fled to Former Qin with the younger Princess Duan, his sons Murong Ling, Murong Bao, Murong Nong, Murong Long, Murong Kai, Lan Jian, and Gao Bi. Princess Kezuhun remained at Yecheng.
During Former Qin
Upon Murong Chui's arrival in Former Qin territory, Fu Jiān, who had long considered conquering Former Yan but feared Murong Chui's military ability, was greatly pleased and exited the capital Chang'an to personally welcome Murong Chui. He created Murong Chui the Marquess of Bintu and greatly honored him, despite misgivings by his prime minister Wang Meng. He also made Murong Chui one of his generals.
Later in 369, after Murong Ping refused to cede the Luoyang region to Former Qin, as Former Yan had promised when seeking Former Qin's aid against Jin, Fu Jiān sent Wang to attack Former Yan. Wang requested that Murong Chui's heir apparent Murong Ling accompany him as a guide. After capturing Luoyang in early 370, Wang bribed Murong Chui's attendant Jin Xi (金熙) to give Murong Ling a false message that Murong Chui had heard that Empress Dowager Kezuhun had regretted her actions and that, therefore, he was defecting back to Former Yan. Murong Ling, unable to verify either the truth or the falsehood of the message, decided to defect back to Former Yan. Wang immediately accused Murong Ling of treason, and Murong Chui, in fear, fled, but was captured, although Fu Jiān believed that Murong Ling was acting independently and therefore pardoned Murong Chui. Former Yan did not trust Murong Ling and exiled him, and later that year, after he tried to start a rebellion, he was killed in battle after being betrayed by his brother Murong Lin.
Late in 370, after Wang defeated Murong Ping and conquered Former Yan, Murong Chui accompanied Fu Jiān to visit the Former Yan capital Yecheng. Initially, he did not hide his disgust to those officials who failed to support him during the struggle with Murong Ping and Empress Dowager Kezuhun, but at Gao Bi's suggestion, he started to treat them with kindness, with the rebuilding of Yan in mind. Still, in 372, he accused Murong Ping of being the root of Former Yan's destruction and requested that Fu Jiān avenge Former Yan by executing Murong Ping; Fu Jiān did not do so, but effectively exiled Murong Ping by making him the governor of a distant commandery.
In 378, Murong Chui participated in the campaign commanded by Fu Jiān's son Fu Pi against Jin's key city of Xiangyang. In 382, when Fu Jiān wanted to launch a major campaign to destroy Jin and unite China, most officials, including Fu Jiān's brother Fu Rong, who succeeded Wang as prime minister after Wang's death in 375, opposed, but Murong Chui and Yao Chang urged the campaign, and Fu Jiān launched his campaign in fall 383. However, Former Qin forces, commanded by Fu Rong, was defeated by Jin forces at the Battle of Fei River despite great numerical superiority; Fu Rong was killed, and almost the entire army collapsed—although the forces under Murong Chui's command remained intact, and Fu Jiān, who suffered an arrow wound during the defeat, fled to Murong Chui. Murong Chui's son Murong Bao and brother Murong De both tried to persuade Murong Chui to kill Fu Jiān while he had the power to, but Murong Chui instead returned his forces to Fu Jiān's command and returned to Luoyang with Fu Jiān. However, under suggestion by his son Murong Nong, he planned a rebellion to rebuild Yan.
Murong Chui told Fu Jiān that he was fearful that the people over the Former Yan territory would rebel, and that it would be best if he led a force to pacify the region. Fu Jiān agreed, despite opposition by Quan Yi (权翼). Murong Chui took the army and arrived at Yecheng, which was being defended by Fu Pi. They suspected each other, but each ruled out ambushing the other. When the Dingling chief Zhai Bin (翟斌) rebelled and attacked Luoyang, guarded by Fu Pi's younger brother Fu Hui (苻晖), Fu Pi ordered Murong Chui to put down Zhai's rebellion, and Fu Pi sent his assistant Fu Feilong (苻飞龙) to serve as Murong Chui's assistant. On the way to Luoyang, however, Murong Chui killed Fu Feilong and his Di soldiers and prepared to openly rebel. Meanwhile, despite his suspicions of Murong Chui, Fu Pi did not put Murong Chui's son Murong Nong and nephews Murong Kai and Murong Shao (慕容绍) under surveillance, and the three fled out of Yecheng and started a rebellion of their own.
In spring 384, Murong Chui, not yet in open rebellion against Former Qin, arrived at Luoyang, but Fu Hui, hearing of Fu Feilong's death, refused to welcome him. Murong Chui then entered into an alliance with Zhai Bin, who urged him to take imperial title. Murong Chui refused at this point (reasoning that he should welcome Murong Wei back as emperor) but accepted the title of Prince of Yan, formally breaking away from Former Qin and establishing Later Yan.
Reign as Later Yans emperor
Early reign: rebellion from Former Qin
Immediately, the struggle was on for Murong Chui to capture the territory that was formerly Former Yan's. Both he and Murong Nong quickly captured many cities. Luoyang and Yecheng were isolated. Fu Pi tried to persuade him to stop his rebellion, but he refused, and instead tried to persuade Fu Pi to leave Yecheng with his forces intact; Fu Pi refused, and Murong Chui put Yecheng under siege. With Former Qin now facing further rebellion by Murong Chui's nephews Murong Hong and Murong Chong, and Yao Chang, in the west, Yecheng was not able to receive any reinforcements, but Murong Chui was still unable to capture it quickly. When Zhai Bin, in disappointment over not given a prime ministerial title, considered switching sides again to Former Qin, Murong Chui killed him. Zhai Bin's nephew Zhai Zhen (翟真) rebelled against Later Yan, and for the next several years, while battling Former Qin remnants, Murong Chui also had to battle Dingling forces under Zhai Zhen and later his cousins Zhai Cheng (翟成) and Zhai Liao. Briefly during early 385, he also had to battle Jin forces, which had taken most of the territory south of the Yellow River and was in a temporary alliance with Fu Pi. The future of his Later Yan state did not appear particularly bright at this point. However, after moving north to pacify most of modern Hebei, Murong Chui was eventually able to take Yecheng late in 385 when Fu Pi abandoned it and moved west. (Fu Pi, upon hearing that Fu Jiān had died earlier that year at Yao's hand, then declared himself emperor, but did not pose a further threat to Later Yan.) While isolated pockets of Former Qin resistance remained, by the end of 385 Former Yan was largely in control of the territory north of the Yellow River and east of Taihang Mountains.
Middle reign: entrenchment of Later Yan
Around the new year 386, Murong Chui decided to make Zhongshan (中山, in modern Baoding, Hebei), which his nephew Murong Wen (慕容温) the Prince of Lelang had managed to rebuild despite the warfare, his capital. He also claimed the title of emperor.
In 386, Tuoba Gui, the descendant of the Dai royal house, who had reestablished Dai earlier that year but subsequently claimed the title Prince of Wei (thus establishing Northern Wei) but faced internal rebellions and turmoil, submitted to Murong Chui as a vassal and sought Former Yan aid. Murong Chui sent Murong Lin to help him, and Northern Wei was preserved.
In 387, Murong Chui's youngest son Murong Rou (慕容柔), and Murong Bao's sons Murong Sheng and Murong Hui (慕容会, note different character than Murong Chui's grandfather) fled back from Western Yan, which had been entrenched in modern Shanxi and whose emperor Murong Yong was a distant relative of Murong Chui's and who thus greatly suspected Murong Rou and his nephews. Later that year, all descendants of Murong Chui and Murong Jun remaining in Western Yan were massacred by Murong Yong.
Later in 387, Murong Chui personally attacked Zhai Liao, who was then occupying Liyang Commandery (黎阳, roughly modern Hebi, Henan), and Zhai Liao submitted to him. However, later that year, Zhai Liao rebelled again, and when Zhai Liao made another overture to submit in 388, Murong Chui refused, and Zhai Liao declared himself the "Heavenly Prince" (Tian Wang) of Wei.
In 388, Murong Chui, at age 62, transferred much of his day-to-day authority to Murong Bao, now his crown prince, only deciding the most important matters personally. He created his now-wife Duan Yuanfei—the niece of two of his deceased wives—empress.
Late reign: deterioration of the state
In 391, an incident that would have terrible consequences occurred to lead to the break of relations between Later Yan and Northern Wei. That year, Tuoba Gui sent his brother Tuoba Gu (拓拔觚) to Later Yan to offer tribute, and Murong Chui's sons detained Tuoba Gu and ordered Tuoba Gui to offer horses to trade for Tuoba Gu's freedom. Tuoba Gui refused and broke off relations with Later Yan, instead entering into an alliance with Western Yan.
In 392, after Zhai Liao's son and successor Zhai Zhao attacked Later Yan's border region, Murong Chui personally led an army against Zhai Zhao's capital Huatai (滑台, in modern Anyang, Henan). Zhai sought aid from Western Yan, but Murong Yong declined to send a relief force, and Murong Chui quickly crossed the Yellow River and captured Huatai, conquering Zhai's Wei state.
In winter 393, Murong Chui turned his attention to Western Yan. After leading Murong Yong to believe that he would attack Western Yan's capital Zhangzi (长子, in modern Changzhi, Shanxi) through Taihang Pass (太行, in modern Jiaozuo, Henan), he instead surprised Western Yan by attacking through Tianjing Pass (天井关, in modern Handan, Henan), quickly advancing on Zhangzi and began besieging it. Murong Yong sought aid from Jin and Northern Wei, but before Jin and Northern Wei forces could arrive, Murong Chui captured Zhangzi, killing Murong Yong and annexing Western Yan territory into Later Yan.
In 395, in response to Northern Wei's continuous pillaging of the border region, Murong Chui sent Murong Bao, Murong Nong, Murong Lin, Murong De, and Murong Shao to lead a 90,000+-men army in a punitive expedition against Northern Wei, with Murong Bao in command. Tuoba Gui withdrew his forces out of his capital Shengle (盛乐, in modern Hohhot, Inner Mongolia) to the west of the Yellow River. Murong Bao's forces gave chase and eventually became worn out, and Tuoba Gui announced false rumors that Murong Chui had died, causing the soldiers to become worried. Meanwhile, some of Murong Lin's supporters considered a coup to support Murong Lin as emperor, and while Murong Lin himself was not involved, mutual suspicions emerged. Murong Bao therefore decided to retreat, not realizing that Tuoba Gui was shadowing his army in the dark winter cold. In deep winter 395, Northern Wei forces ambushed the unsuspecting Later Yan forces at the Battle of Canhe Slope, killing many soldiers but capturing the most. Murong Bao and a number of his generals were able to flee. Initially, Tuoba Gui was going to release the Later Yan soldiers to show generosity, but at Kepin Jian (可频建)'s warning that this would permit Later Yan to rebuild its army quickly, slaughtered the captured Later Yan soldiers.
Murong Bao was humiliated and urged Murong Chui to launch another campaign against Northern Wei, and Murong De also urged Murong Chui to do so. He therefore summoned his son Murong Long the Prince of Gaoyang and grandson Murong Sheng back to the capital Zhongshan with reinforcements from the northern part of the empire, ready to launch another attack against Northern Wei in 396. Murong Chui then launched the attack, quickly capturing Northern Wei's important city Pingcheng (平城, in modern Datong, Shanxi) and aimed for Shengle, and Tuoba Gui, in panic, considered abandoning Shengle again. When Murong Chui led his army through the Canhe Slope, however, the soldiers saw the bodies of the dead soldiers and began to cry bitterly, and Murong Chui became so enraged and embarrassed that he grew extremely ill. In response, the Later Yan forces began to withdraw, and on the way back to Zhongshan, Murong Chui died at Shanggu (上谷, in modern Zhangjiakou, Hebei). His death was not announced until the army reached Zhongshan, however, and he was buried with imperial honors. Murong Bao succeeded him, but in less than a year most of Later Yan would fall into Northern Wei's hands.
Era names
• Yanwang ("Prince of Yan") (燕王 yàn wáng) 384–386
• Jianxing (建兴 jiàn xīng) 386–396
Personal information
• Father
• Murong Huang (Prince Wenming of Former Yan)
• Mother
• Consort Lan, posthumously honored as Empress Wenzhao
• Wives
• Princess Duan (died in prison 358), daughter of Duan Mopei (段末柸), posthumously honored as Empress Chengzhao, mother of Heir Apparent Ling and Crown Prince Bao
• Princess Kezuhun (married 358, effectively divorced 369), sister of Empress Kezuhun, wife of Murong Jun (Emperor Jingzhao of Former Yan)
• Princess Duan (initially married and forced to be deposed 358, became wife again 369), the sister of the first Princess Duan
• Empress Duan Yuanfei (created 388, committed suicide 396), niece of Princesses Duan, mother of Princes Lang and Jian
• Major Concubines
• Consort Duan, mother of Prince Xi
• Children
• Murong Ling (慕容令) or Murong Quan (慕容全), the heir apparent (killed in battle 370), posthumously honored the Emperor Xianzhuang by his nephew Murong Sheng (Emperor Zhaowu)
• Murong Bao (慕容宝), the Crown Prince (created 384), later Emperor Huimin
• Murong Manu (慕容马奴) (executed 369)
• Murong Nong (慕容农), Prince Huanlie of Liaoxi (created 386, killed by rebels in 398)
• Murong Long (慕容隆), Prince Kang of Gaoyang (created 386, killed by Murong Hui 397)
• Murong Lin (慕容麟), the Prince of Zhao (created 386, killed by Murong De 398)
• Murong Rou (慕容柔), the Prince of Yangping (created 387)
• Murong Xi (慕容熙), the Prince of Hejian (created 393), later Emperor Zhaowen
• Murong Lang (慕容朗), the Prince of Bohai (created 393, killed by rebels of Duan Sugu 397)
• Murong Jian (慕容鉴), the Prince of Boling (created 393, killed by rebels of Duan Sugu 397)
• Murong Wonu (慕容倭奴), the Prince of Luyang (captured by Northern Wei 395 and presumptively killed)
Read more...: 生平 初为偏将 助击后赵 为兄所忌 夺取洛阳 枋头之战 出奔前秦 乘乱自立 侵夺邺城 攻灭西燕 两度伐魏 评价 家庭 正室 侧室 诸子 相关作品
生平
初为偏将
原名慕容霸的慕容垂甚得父亲慕容皝宠爱,甚至比起身为世子的哥哥慕容儁更多,故此慕容儁忿忿不平。咸康八年(342年),慕容皝进攻高句丽,慕容霸与慕容翰作前锋,终攻陷高句丽都城丸都(今吉林集安西)。建元二年(344年),慕容皝攻伐宇文逸豆归,慕容翰为前锋都督,慕容霸与慕容军、慕容恪及慕舆根则受命兵分三道进攻。当时逸豆归派遣涉奕于率领精兵抵御,慕容翰决意以击败涉奕于以摧毁宇文部士气,令宇文部自溃,于是主动进攻,涉奕于亲自迎战,慕容霸于是在侧邀击,与慕容翰击败涉奕于。宇文部士兵于战后果然自溃,宇文逸豆归出逃败死漠北,成功消灭了宇文部。慕容霸则以此功封都乡侯。永和元年(345年),后赵将领邓恒领兵数万驻屯乐安(今河北乐亭县东北),意图并吞前燕。慕容皝以慕容霸为平狄将军,驻军徒河(今辽宁锦州西北),邓恒因为畏惧慕容霸而不敢进犯。
助击后赵
永和四年(348年),慕容皝去世,慕容儁继位燕王,就以慕容霸曾经堕马而撞断了牙齿为由改其名为「慕容𡙇」,后更去「夬」而改名慕容垂。次年后赵皇帝石虎去世,国内因诸子争位而大乱,慕容垂于是上书慕容儁建议出兵后赵。慕容儁初以慕容皝新死而不允,但慕容垂亲往都城龙城(今辽宁朝阳市)劝说慕容儁,更自请为前驱领兵威逼邓恒。在封奕等人的支持下,慕容儁以慕容垂为前锋都督、建锋将军,选二十多万精兵准备伐赵。
永和六年(350年)二月,慕容儁命慕容垂领二万兵经循东路经徒河伐赵,另遣慕舆于出西道,自率中军,兵分三路伐赵。慕容垂到三陉(今河北抚宁县矛石山),邓恒惊惧而烧仓库出逃,退保蓟城(今北京)。慕容垂到后尽收乐安、北平两郡兵粮,与慕容儁会合共攻蓟城。三月,燕军攻下蓟城,慕容垂劝止了慕容儁坑杀后赵士卒的决定。不久慕容儁又亲率军队进攻邓恒,至清梁(今河北清苑县西南)时赵将鹿勃早率数千人夜袭燕军,突入慕容垂幕下,慕容垂于是奋力反击,手刃了十多人,遏制了鹿勃早的攻击,及后慕舆根等人领兵击败鹿勃早,成功击退了来袭。
为兄所忌
元玺元年(352年),慕容儁称帝,任黄门侍郎,又迁安东将军、冀州刺史,镇常山。至元玺三年(354年)封慕容垂为吴王,并移镇信都(今河北冀县)。后召为侍中、右禁将军、录留台事,转镇龙城,但因慕容垂在当地很得人心,故被慕容儁召还。后又转抚军将军,并于光寿元年(357年)与中军将军慕容虔等率军大败敕勒。
光寿二年(358年),中常侍涅皓知慕容儁不喜欢慕容垂,又因可足浑皇后不满慕容垂妻段氏,于是诬称段氏与吴国典书令高弼行巫蛊之术,意图以此牵连慕容垂。段氏宁死不屈,虽然最终死在狱中,但都没有将慕容垂牵连到事件中,后慕容垂迁镇东将军、平州刺史,外镇辽东。
夺取洛阳
建熙元年(360年),慕容儁去世,太子慕容暐继位,以慕容垂为河南大都督、征南将军、兖州牧、荆州刺史,领护南蛮校尉,镇梁国。建熙六年(365年),慕容垂与慕容恪共攻东晋控制的洛阳(今河南洛阳市),击败并俘虏晋将沈劲,攻下了洛阳,随后迁都督荆扬洛徐兖豫雍益凉秦十州诸军事、征南大将军、荆州牧,镇鲁阳。
太宰慕容恪深知慕容垂的才能,故此在建熙八年(367年)病死前向乐安王慕容臧指出应以慕容垂担任大司马一职,又向慕容暐推荐慕容垂在其死后接替自己,将政事都交给慕容垂处理。慕容臧虽将慕容恪的话告诉主政的太傅慕容评,但慕容评没有按慕容恪的意思做,以慕容冲为大司马,又调慕容垂为侍中、车骑大将军、仪同三司。
枋头之战
建熙十年(369年)四月,东晋大司马桓温北伐前燕,诸将都无法抵抗晋军,让晋军于七月进驻枋头(今河南浚县)。当时慕容暐及慕容评皆大惊,想逃回故都龙城避难。慕容垂于是请求让他出战。慕容暐就任命他接替慕容臧担任南讨大都督,率慕容德等五万兵出战。慕容垂又请了黄门侍郎封孚、司徒左长史申胤及尚书郎悉罗腾从军。桓温当时以降人段思为响导,悉罗腾与晋军接战,生擒了段思;接著桓温派李述进攻,又被悉罗腾所败,李述更战死,晋军士气于是下降。同时慕容德等又至石门阻止晋军开通漕运,豫州刺史李邽又断晋军粮道,桓温屡战不利,粮食又不足,终于九月循陆路撤军。当时诸将打算立刻追击,但慕容垂以晋军初退,必定严加戒备,以精锐军队断后,于是打算迟点才追击,待晋军乘追兵未至而加速行军,令兵士筋疲力尽时才进攻。慕容垂因而率领八千骑兵缓缓尾随晋军,发现桓温果然在看不见追兵后加速。数日后慕容垂下令进攻,骑兵于是加速,于襄邑(今河南睢县西)赶上晋军,配合慕容德所率埋伏于襄邑的伏兵夹击桓温,于是大败晋军,杀三万人。桓温只有收拾残军南退。
出奔前秦
枋头之战大胜后,慕容垂威名大振,却令慕容评更加嫌忌他,慕容垂上请有战功的将领获得封赏都没得批准,两人就因此事在廷上互相争论,更加深化了两人的嫌隙。时为太后的可足浑皇后亦厌恶慕容垂,于是与慕容评密谋诛除他。慕容恪子慕容楷及慕容垂舅舅兰建得悉阴谋,于是建议慕容垂先发制人,除去慕容臧及慕容评。然而慕容垂却表示宁愿出奔国外亦不想骨肉相残。世子慕容令得知后建议慕容垂北奔龙城,并向慕容暐谢罪,盼望慕容暐感悟召还;即使不然,仍可以固守当地以求自保。慕容垂听从,于同年十一月就上请到大陆泽狩猎,微服潜归龙城。然而到邯郸(今河北邯郸)时,向来不得宠的儿子慕容麟却逃还邺城(今河北临漳西)告发父亲的意图,于是跟随慕容垂的人大多都逃走,慕容强亦奉命追捕慕容垂。至范阳(今河北涿县)时慕容强追上慕容垂,但因慕容令亲自断后,慕容强也不敢进逼。日落后,慕容令表示原本的计划已不再可行,又建议投奔前秦,慕容垂计穷,亦得接受,于是弃用马匹以免留下踪迹,悄悄回邺城并躲于显原陵。不久竟有数百个猎人从四方向他们所在聚集,慕容垂等人敌不过他们,却又无处可逃,甚么也做不了。就在此时,猎人的猎鹰却同时飞起,猎人于是散去,慕容垂因而杀白马祭天,与随行者誓盟。慕容令在那时又建议让他回邺城袭杀慕容评,并以慕容垂的名望取而代之,入辅朝廷。但慕容垂以此危险而否决,于是与妻段氏、慕容令、慕容宝、慕容农、慕容楷及兰建、高弼等西奔前秦。前秦天王苻坚得知慕容垂来奔,十分高兴并亲自迎接,以慕容垂为冠军将军,封宾徒侯。
慕容垂奔秦次年,前秦就灭了前燕,而慕容垂在前秦官至京兆尹,进封为泉州侯。建元十八年(382年),苻坚执意要攻伐东晋,苻融、石越、苻宏等人都反对,而慕容垂却说:「弱者被强者所吞,小的被大的兼并,这是合乎自然的,并不难理解。以陛下神武,顺应天期,声威布于海外,百万衞士,满朝韩信、白起那样的良将,晋这个于江南的小国独独违抗王命,怎可以再留她给子孙。《诗经》说:「谋夫孔多,是用不集」陛下自己决定就够了,又何必询问一众朝臣!晋武帝平灭东吴,也不过只有张华、杜预几个臣子支持而已,若果他顺从朝臣主流意见,又怎能成就统一大业!」苻坚听后大喜,更说:「和我一起平定天下的人,就只有你呀。」建元十九年(383年)五月,东晋荆州刺史桓冲北伐,亲率主力进攻襄阳(今湖北襄阳市),慕容垂就与苻睿率兵救援。苻睿以慕容垂为前锋进至沔水,慕容垂在夜间命士兵每人拿十个火把,将它们缚在树枝上,让桓冲以为援军兵力很强,成功逼使他撤还。同年八月,苻坚正式出兵伐晋,并命苻融及慕容垂率二十五万兵作为前锋。苻融攻下了寿春(今安徽寿县),而慕容垂就率别军攻下了郧城(今湖北郧县)。
乘乱自立
十一月,苻坚于淝水大败给晋军,前线的前秦军队溃败,就只有没有参加淝水之战的慕容垂一军是完整的,故此苻坚就率残军投靠他。当时慕容宝等人就劝慕容垂杀了苻坚,但慕容垂不肯,还将兵权交给苻坚。苻坚到了洛阳后已经又招聚了十多万人,一直到了渑池(今河南渑池县西),慕容垂表示想去安抚河北,并想去拜谒宗庙。苻坚不顾权翼反对而准许慕容垂所请。
当时驻守邺城的苻丕知道慕容垂要来,怀疑他意图作乱,更想袭击他,只是姜让以慕容垂未有谋反举动,劝苻丕先严兵守衞,注意其举动,苻丕才安置慕容垂住在邺城西部。慕容垂当时虽然不肯乘机杀死苻丕,但仍暗中联结前燕旧臣,密谋复国。此时,丁零人翟斌起兵,苻坚命慕容垂讨伐,苻丕一直怕慕容垂于邺城作乱,正就打算藉此机会送走他,更期望他与翟斌打得两败俱伤,好让自己消灭两股势力。于是给了慕容垂二千弱兵及差劣的兵器铠甲,更派了苻飞龙为副手,意图以他解决慕容垂。
慕容垂留了慕容农、慕容楷及慕容绍于邺,在行军途中闵亮和李毗就从邺来到,并告知苻丕与苻飞龙的图谋。慕容垂于是以此激怒士众,又以兵少为由留于河内郡募兵,十日间就令部众增至八千人。及后正受翟斌攻击的豫州刺史苻晖请慕容垂快点进兵,慕容垂向苻飞龙说要改在夜里行军,出其不意,然而其实就已与诸子计划袭杀苻飞龙,终在晚上袭杀了苻飞龙及他手下的一千氐兵。第二日,慕容垂命田山回邺告知留于邺城的慕容农等起兵响应自己,三人于是与数十骑微服出走,在列人(今河北肥乡县东北)起兵。
燕元元年(384年),慕容垂图攻洛阳,当时翟斌帐下有前燕宗室慕容凤及前燕旧臣之子段延等,都劝翟斌奉慕容垂为盟主,慕容垂原本不知翟斌究竟是否真心归附,并没答允,但到洛阳后苻晖因知苻飞龙遇害而拒绝以营救苻晖为名的慕容垂进城,至此慕容垂才接受了翟斌。不久慕容垂以洛阳是四战之地,于是改攻邺城,至荥阳(今河南荥阳)时,群下请慕容垂称帝。正月丙戌(384年2月9日),慕容垂则以晋元帝的先例,先称大将军、大都督,燕王,承制行事。接著率二十多万大军直攻邺城。慕容垂至邺后改元「燕元」。
侵夺邺城
慕容垂接著引兵攻邺,苻丕派了姜让去责备慕容垂,又劝他放弃叛变。然而慕容垂却表示只想苻丕和平离开,献出邺城,并允诺与前秦世代友好;又恐吓若果苻丕不从,将要以兵力强攻,怕苻丕到时即使想全身而退也不能。姜让听后指责慕容垂背叛王室,不顾昔日前秦收留自己的恩德,现在要做叛逆的鬼。慕容垂听后沉默,但没有听从旁人所说将姜让杀害,反表示尊敬,让他回去。然而最终仍然陈述利害,劝苻丕弃城出走,激得苻坚及苻丕再写书指责。游说不果后,燕军开始进攻邺城,并攻下其外城,苻丕退守中城。接著慕容垂又用二十多万丁零及乌桓人用梯及地道战术攻城,但都不成功,于是下令修筑长围作防守,筑新兴城放置辎重,作长期战。不久又以漳水灌城,仍不能攻下,于是改为围困邺城,只留西边缺口让秦军西走。
燕元二年(385年)四月,东晋将领刘牢之入援邺城,慕容垂诈败诱敌,于是撤围退屯新城,不久再北撤,刘牢之于是追击,苻丕闻讯亦率军后继,刘牢之一路追击至五桥泽,因为军队忙于抢夺燕军辎重而遭慕容垂击败。至八月,苻丕弃守邺城,燕军终成功占领邺城。十二月,慕容垂正式定都中山(今河北定州市)。燕元三年(386年)正月,慕容垂称帝,二月改元「建兴」,始置百官。八月,慕容垂率兵南征以扩疆土,并于次年正月袭河东地区,击败晋济北太守温详。
攻灭西燕
慕容柔、慕容盛及慕容会于建兴三年(387年)从西燕都城长子(今山西长子县西)到达中山,投奔后燕,当时慕容垂就问当地情况,意图攻取。不久,慕容永将治下慕容儁、慕容垂子孙不问男女全部杀死。建兴八年(392年),慕容垂率军击溃了丁零人翟钊,吞并了其部众。次年十一月,慕容垂就亲率七万兵西征西燕;次年二月慕容垂大发司、冀、青、兖四州兵,分置各兵准备进攻。至五月,燕军经天井关进攻台壁,先后击败大逸豆归及小逸豆归,围困了台壁。慕容永自太行回军台壁,慕容垂亦率军到台壁,两军于是交战。事前慕容垂派了骁骑将军慕容国在涧下设伏,于是假装撤退引慕容永追击,数里后慕容国伏兵出现断慕容永后路,燕军于是四面进攻,大败慕容永。慕容永败后逃回长子,慕容垂就于六月追至,并围困城池。至八月,被围的慕容永困急,先后向东晋及北魏求援,但在援军到来前大逸豆归部将伐勤就开城门迎燕军,慕容垂于是俘虏慕容永并将其杀害,吞并了西燕。
两度伐魏
建兴二年(386年),拓跋圭复代国,不久改称魏王,建立了北魏。同年因国内不稳而请后燕援军,慕容垂派慕容麟救援,终助拓跋圭解决事件。事后虽然拓跋圭不接受后燕封爵,但燕魏两国每年都有使臣往来。建兴七年(391年),拓跋圭派弟弟拓跋觚出使后燕,但当时主事的慕容垂诸子为求良马,竟扣留了拓跋觚,如此令拓跋圭中断两国交往。至建兴十一年(395年)五月,慕容垂因北魏侵扰边塞诸郡而命太子慕容宝等人率兵伐魏。当时魏军率众回避,燕军于七月到了五原(今内蒙古包头西北),收降三万多家及大量粮食,但未与魏军决战。而拓跋圭乘当时慕容垂患病,故意阻截燕军通往中山的道通,捕捉后燕使者,令燕军与其国内通讯断绝,从而以慕容垂已死的假消息扰动燕军军心。两军自九月临五原河相持至十月,慕容宝及慕容麟因为慕容麟部将慕舆嵩相信慕容垂死讯而图谋作乱的事件而互相猜疑,终于烧船乘夜撤退。当时河面尚未结冰,慕容宝认为魏军不能渡河追击,于是不设斥候监视魏军。至十一月,魏军因暴风令河面结冰而追击,在参合陂追上燕军,并发动突袭大败燕军,大量文武官员及四五万人的燕军士兵都被俘,后北魏更坑杀全数燕军士兵。
慕容宝败逃回中山,并以参合陂之战为耻,再请进攻北魏。当时司徒慕容德建言说慕容宝大败后已被北魏轻视,想要慕容垂亲自率兵征服他们,以免留为后患。慕容垂于是命幽州牧慕容隆及留守蓟城行台的慕容盛率手下精兵到中山,决定次年再度伐魏。
三月,慕容垂秘密出兵,跨越青岭(今河北易县西南五廻山),经天门(今河北涞源县)凿山开路,出魏军不意直攻云中郡。慕容垂率军至猎岭(今山西代县夏屋山)时就命慕容隆及慕容农为前锋,进袭平城(今山西大同市)。当时燕国军队都因参合陂之战大败而畏惧魏军,就只有慕容隆这批来自龙城的士兵仍然奋勇进攻;而留守平城的魏将拓跋虔亦没作防备,故此在闰三月慕容隆兵临平城时才发现燕军,率众抵抗,最终败死,部众都被燕军接收。拓跋虔战死的消息令身处盛乐(今内蒙古和林格尔北)的拓跋圭感到恐惧,打算出走回避,但各诸知拓跋虔死讯亦各怀二心,令拓跋圭不知何去何从。
慕容垂经过参合陂战场时看见被坑杀的士兵骸骨堆积如山,就为他们置祭,士兵们见此皆伤心痛哭,这令慕容垂既惭愧又愤恨,终因而呕血病发,要坐马车前进,到平城西北三十里处停驻。当时慕容宝已领兵至云中,闻讯亦退兵。有叛燕军人就因而向北魏报告慕容垂已死的消息,拓跋圭想去追击,但知平城陷落后就打消念头。慕容垂在平城停留了十日后病情加重,于是修筑燕昌城而南归,至四月癸未日(6月2日)于沮阳(今河北怀来县)去世,享年七十一岁。諡号为成武皇帝,庙号世祖。
评价
• 崔浩:「垂藉父兄之资,修复旧业,国人归之,若夜虫之就火,少加倚仗,易以立功。」(《资治通鉴·卷一百一十八·晋纪四十》)
家庭
正室
• 先段妃,段末柸女,吴王妃,追谥成昭皇后,生慕容令、慕容宝,358年瘐死
• 可足浑王妃,可足浑皇后妹,长安君,358年娶,369年被抛弃
• 段王妃,先段妃妹,358年娶,吴王妃,同年被迫降为侧室,369年复立正室
• 成哀皇后段元妃,上述两位段妃的侄女,生慕容朗、慕容鉴,388年立,396年被赐死
侧室
• 段贵嫔,生慕容熙
• 某氏,生慕容农
• 某氏,生慕容隆
• 某氏,生慕容麟,370年被慕容垂杀死
• 某氏,生慕容柔
诸子
• 慕容令,初被立为世子,母为先段后,原随父入秦,并参与伐燕。因中了王猛之计而被逃逼回前燕,却因受猜疑而作乱被杀。后追谥为献庄太子,慕容盛在位时更追尊为献庄皇帝
• 慕容农,慕容垂三子,诸姬所生,辽西桓烈王,官至大司马,后因士兵作乱而被遇害。
• 慕容宝,慕容垂四子,先段后所生,后燕惠愍帝。
• 慕容隆,高阳康王,官至幽州牧,因慕容会恃功自矜而屡加训责,反为对方所杀。
• 慕容麟,赵王,初不受慕容垂喜爱,但在建立后燕时多次进言献策而令慕容垂改观。及后因谋反而为慕容德所杀。
• 慕容柔,阳平孝王,卒于西元393年正月。
• 慕容朗:渤海王,母为后段后段元妃。397年被叛将段速骨所杀
• 慕容鉴:博陵王,母为后段后段元妃。397年被叛将段速骨所杀
• 慕容熙,慕容垂幼子,后燕昭文帝,初封河间王,母为贵嫔段氏
相关作品
• 近肖古王 (电视剧)中的慕容垂。
• 广开土太王 (电视剧)中的慕容垂。
Source | Relation | from-date | to-date |
---|---|---|---|
后燕昭文帝 | father | ||
后燕烈宗 | father | ||
建兴 | ruler | 386/4/4建兴元年二月辛卯 | 396/6/2建兴十一年四月癸未 |
Text | Count |
---|---|
北史 | 19 |
周书 | 1 |
资治通鉴 | 30 |
晋书 | 65 |
魏书 | 17 |
册府元龟 | 6 |
十六国春秋 | 23 |
十六国春秋别传 | 37 |
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