Muyu Gen
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Muyu Gen | |
|---|---|
| 慕輿根 | |
| City Chief of Kehu (榼盧城大) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Murong Huang |
| General Who Breaks And Charges (折衝將軍) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Murong Huang/Murong Jun |
| General of the Palace (殿中將軍) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Murong Jun |
| General Who Spreads Might (廣威將軍) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Murong Jun |
| General Who Leads The Army (領軍將軍) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Murong Jun |
| Grand Instructor (太師) | |
| In office 360 – 360 | |
| Monarch | Murong Wei |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 360 Beijing, Beijing Municipality |
Muyu Gen (died 360) was a military general and regent of Former Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was a main contributor to Murong Huang's victory in the defence of Jicheng (棘城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning) in 338 and convinced Murong Jun to carry out his conquest of Later Zhao in 349, which led to Yan's control over the Central Plains. A distinguished veteran, he was chosen by Murong Jun to serve as one of Murong Wei's regents in 360. Although Muyu Gen was brave, he was also jealous and stubborn in nature. He attempted to kill his co-regent Murong Ke by sowing discord between Ke and the emperor, but his schemes were uncovered, and he was executed less than a year into his regency.
Muyu Gen's family, the Muyu clan (慕輿氏), was a Xianbei family that was particularly active during the Sixteen Kingdoms and appear to have close ties with the Murong clan. Many of their members served under Murong-led regimes such as Murong Hui's administration, Former Yan, Later Yan and Southern Yan. According to the Tongzhi, the name 'Muyu' (慕輿) is a corruption of 'Murong' (慕容), and their members were one of the same clan.[1] However, Hu Sanxing's annotation in the Zizhi Tongjian states that the Muyu was a separate branch of the Xianbei and were distinguished from the Murong.[2]
Service under Murong Huang
Muyu Gen was a City Chief of Kehu (榼盧城; east of present-day Funing District, Hebei). He excelled at both riding and archery. Once, he followed Murong Huang during a hunting trip when they saw a goat standing on a tall cliff. Huang ordered his aides to shoot it, but no one was able to land a hit. Finally, Muyu Gen took up his bow and managed to kill it with a single shot. Huang was impressed at his display, and Gen would serve as one of his staff officers.[3]
Defence of Jicheng (338)
In 338, following a victorious joint campaign against the Duan clan, the ruler of Later Zhao, Shi Hu, turned against Murong Huang and invaded his territory. The Zhao troops were able to arrive at Jicheng in June, causing him to panic. Huang wished to flee, but Muyu Gen remonstrated him, believing that doing so is playing right into Zhao's hands. He also convinced Huang that the city would be strong enough to hold out and that there would be ample time to flee if worst comes to the worst.[4]
Huang took his advice, but was still anxious of defeat. It was not until Liu Pei's (劉佩) successful charges and Feng Yi's encouragement that Huang regained his confidence. The Zhao army encircled the entire city, but Muyu Gen and the others fought back fiercely day and night. The siege lasted for ten days before the Zhao army was ordered to retreat. Once they did, Huang had his son Murong Ke pursue them, and Ke dealt them a heavy defeat. Muyu Gen was rewarded following their victory.
Campaigns in Liaoxi and Buyeo (339 and 346)
Muyu Gen became General Who Breaks And Charges some time after. In 339, Muyu Gen along with Murong Ping, Murong Jūn and Muyu Ni (慕輿泥) invaded Zhao's dominion in Liaoxi. The generals captured thousands of households before turning back. Zhao in response sent Shi Cheng (石成), Huyan Huang (呼延晃) and Zhang Zhi (張支) to pursue them, but the generals managed to fight them off, even killing Huang and Zhang.
In 346, Muyu Gen commanded one of the armies during Murong Huang's campaign against Buyeo. The campaign was a huge success as they were able to capture King Hyeon (王玄) along with roughly 50,000 households.