Huangfu Zhen
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Huangfu Zhen | |
|---|---|
| 皇甫真 | |
| Minister of Works (司空) | |
| In office 365 – 367 | |
| Monarch | Murong Wei |
| Grand Commandant (太尉) | |
| In office 365 – 367 | |
| Monarch | Murong Wei |
| Commandant of the Chariots (奉車都尉) | |
| In office 371 – ? | |
| Monarch | Fu Jian |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | Unknown |
| Relations | Huangfu Ji (brother) Huangfu Tian (brother) |
| Courtesy name | Chuji (楚季) |
Huangfu Zhen (fl. 4th century), courtesy name Chuji, was a Chinese official of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. One of the few officials to serve four generations of Murong Hui's lineage, Zhen was an outlier of the group, as he was able to live long enough to see Yan's demise to Former Qin in 370. During the reign of Murong Wei, Zhen was a key ally to Murong Ke who warned him about Muyu Gen and aided him in defeating the rebel, Lü Hu. Zhen was also commended for being Yan's last few competent ministers during its final four years of existence as corruption under Murong Ping's regency led the state to its downfall.
Huangfu Zhen was from Chaona County in Anding Commandery (安定郡, present-day Zhenyuan, Gansu province). Ever since he was young, he was noted to be naturally gifted. In 313, his brother, Huangfu Ji (皇甫岌), received an invitation from the Jin dynasty vassal, Murong Hui, who wanted Ji to serve in his administration. Ji accepted it and brought along Zhen to meet with Murong Hui. Both were accepted into Hui's administration, with Zhen being one of Hui's officials who he trusted in handling confidential affairs. When Zhen turned 20, Murong Hui had him served as a Household-Attendant in his fief.
Service under Murong Huang
When Murong Huang succeeded as Duke of Liaodong in 333, Huangfu Zhen was made a Registrar. Although Huang had only taken his father's place, he immediately began imposing harsh and strict laws which unsettled many of his people who were used to Hui's more lenient governance. Huangfu Zhen bluntly advised Huang against his actions, but Huang ignored him. Months later, Huang's younger brother, Murong Ren, rebelled and easily took over Liaodong after many among the populace decided to surrender to him. Huang regretted not taking Huangfu Zhen's earlier warnings, so he had him appointed Attendant Officer With Separate Carriage of Pingzhou.
During the civil war between Huang and Ren, Huang's territory was plagued with internal problems which exhausted the people. Huangfu Zhen proposed to Huang that they reduce their taxes and grant them more rest from corvée labour. However, because his suggestions were not aligned with the state's policy, Murong Huang had him stripped of office.[1]
After defeating Murong Ren in 336, Huang declared himself the Prince of Yan the following year. He began giving out new positions to his officials including Huangfu Zhen, who he made rong qi chang shi (宂騎常侍). Zhen was able to win back Murong Huang's trust in 338 by distinguishing himself in Huang's victory over the Later Zhao general, Ma Qiu. Because of this, Zhen was appointed Commandant of the Chariots and acting Administrator of Liaodong and Yingqiu. In all his new roles, it was said that he governed well.[2]
Service under Murong Jun
Murong Huang became ill in 348 and died shortly after. Following the succession of his son, Murong Jun, Huangfu Zhen was called into the court to serve as Prefect of the Canons and Texts. In 350, Murong Jun held an invasion of the Central Plains. Serving as Prefect of the Directors of Writing, Huangfu Zhen was assigned to the rear, where he was tasked in handling state affairs while Jun and the others oversaw the offence.
Yan captured and executed the ruler of Ran Wei, Ran Min in 352. His heir, Ran Zhi, was in still in their capital, Ye and continued to resist. Murong Jun sent his uncle Murong Ping to capture Ye and later reinforced him with Huangfu Zhen, Yang Wu and Murong Jūn. Ye eventually fell and Ran Zhi was captured on 8 September 352, thus ending the short-lived state. In the aftermath of the siege, Huangfu Zhen did not plunder Ye's many treasures and funds. He instead focused on providing relief to the people within the city as well as gathering maps and records from the archives.[3]
On 3 January 353, prior to becoming Emperor, Murong Jun handed out imperial offices to his officials, including Huangfu Zhen who became deputy director of the Left of the Masters of Writing. The next day, Jun proclaimed himself Emperor of Yan and broke away from the Jin dynasty.