Fu Jian (337–385) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Xuanzhao of Former Qin 前秦宣昭帝
Heavenly King of Great Qin
Ruler of Former Qin
Reign	357–385
Predecessor	Fu Sheng
Successor	Fu Pi
Prince of Donghai
Reign	354–357
Born	Pú Jiān (蒲堅) 337
Died	October 16, 385(385-10-16) (aged 47–48)
Spouse	Empress Gou Princess Qinghe of Former Yan [zh]
Issue	Fu Pi
Full name Fú Jiān (苻堅) Era dates Yǒngxīng (永興): 357–359 Gānlù (甘露): 359–364 Jiànyuán (建元): 365–385 Regnal name Heavenly King of Great Qin (大秦天王) Posthumous name Emperor Xuānzhāo (宣昭皇帝, lit. "responsible and accomplished") (by Former Qin) Heavenly King Zhuanglie (壯烈天王) (by Later Qin) Emperor Wenzhao (文昭皇帝) (by Later Liang) Temple name Shìzǔ (世祖)
House	Fu (Pu)
Dynasty	Former Qin
Father	Fu Xiong, Prince of Donghai
Mother	Princess Consort Gou

Fu Jian (Chinese: 苻堅; 337–385) was an important ruler of ancient China. He was the third leader of the Former Qin dynasty. This dynasty was led by the Di people. Fu Jian ruled as a "Heavenly King."

During his time, Former Qin became very powerful. He united much of Northern China. He did this by conquering other states like Former Yan and Former Liang. However, his attempt to conquer the Eastern Jin failed at the Battle of Fei River in 383. After this defeat, his empire began to fall apart. Fu Jian was killed in 385 by Yao Chang, who used to work for him. Yao Chang then started his own dynasty called Later Qin. Many historians believe Fu Jian was a good and fair ruler. But, they also say that being too kind to his enemies led to his downfall.

Fu Jian's Early Life

Fu Jian was born in 337. His family name was originally Pu. His father was Fu Xiong and his mother was Lady Gou. His grandfather, Pu Hong, was a Di leader and a general for the Later Zhao dynasty. Pu Hong later changed his name to Fu Hong. He planned to take over the Guanzhong region. But he died from poisoning.

Fu Hong's son, Fu Jian (317–355) (Fu Jian's uncle), took over. He conquered the Guanzhong region. In 351, he started the Former Qin dynasty. Fu Jian's father, Fu Xiong, helped him a lot. Fu Xiong was made the Prince of Donghai. When Fu Xiong died in 354, Fu Jian inherited his father's title. This was even though he had an older brother. Fu Jian became known for being a good son and a smart, capable person.

Becoming a General

As Fu Jian grew up, he took on military roles. He served under his cousin, Fu Sheng. Fu Sheng became the emperor in 355. In 357, a powerful leader named Yao Xiang attacked Former Qin. Fu Jian was one of the generals who fought and defeated him. Yao Xiang was captured and killed. His brother, Yao Chang, surrendered. The lead general wanted to kill Yao Chang. But Fu Jian stepped in and saved him.

Fu Sheng's rule was very harsh and cruel. He killed many officials. Everyone in the government was afraid. Many officials asked Fu Jian to overthrow Fu Sheng. Fu Jian met a wise man named Wang Meng. They quickly became good friends. Fu Jian was hesitant to act against Fu Sheng because Fu Sheng was a strong fighter. However, Fu Sheng planned to kill Fu Jian and his brother. So, Fu Jian and his brother attacked the palace. Fu Sheng's guards gave up easily. Fu Jian then had Fu Sheng killed and took control. He chose the title "Heavenly King" instead of emperor. He honored his father as an emperor. His mother, Lady Gou, became the empress dowager. His wife, Lady Gou, became the empress.

Ruling with Wang Meng's Help

When Fu Jian started his rule, he had several important advisors. These included Wang Meng, his brothers Fu Fa and Fu Rong, and his son Fu Pi. Wang Meng became very important, almost like a prime minister. Other officials, especially those from the Di group, were often jealous of Wang Meng. But Fu Jian always supported Wang Meng.

Wang Meng, with Fu Jian's help, made sure laws were followed. He even had a corrupt relative of the founding emperor executed. This happened even though Fu Jian wanted to pardon him. The empire was known for being well-run and fair during this time. Fu Jian also got rid of the cruel laws from Fu Sheng's reign. He encouraged officials to suggest talented people for government jobs. He rewarded or punished them based on how well those people performed. Because of this, Former Qin officials were very skilled and responsible.

Expanding the Empire

In 364, Fu Jian made the ruler of Former Liang, Zhang Tianxi, a vassal of Former Qin. This meant Zhang Tianxi had to show loyalty to Fu Jian. But in late 365, Zhang Tianxi stopped being loyal.

Later in 364, Fu Sheng's brother, Fu Teng, rebelled. He was captured and executed. Wang Meng worried about Fu Sheng's other brothers. He suggested killing them all. But Fu Jian refused. In late 364, Fu Jian tried to let his relatives, like his brothers and sons, hire their own assistants. But he stopped this when some hired rich merchants just for their money.

In 365, the Former Yan general Murong Ke captured the city of Luoyang. He seemed ready to attack Former Qin. Fu Jian prepared his army. But Murong Ke did not attack. Later in 365, two Xiongnu chiefs rebelled. Fu Jian personally attacked them. He captured one and made the other surrender. But he let them keep their armies. This decision would cause problems later. Also that year, another of Fu Sheng's brothers rebelled but was killed.

In 367, Murong Ke died. His less capable replacement, Murong Ping, took over. Fu Jian then planned to conquer Former Yan. However, four of Fu Sheng's brothers rebelled together. They offered to join Former Yan. But Murong Ping refused to help them. Fu Jian sent armies to fight them. The rebellious brothers were quickly defeated and killed.

Conquering Former Yan

In 369, a major Jin general, Huan Wen, attacked Former Yan. Former Yan asked Former Qin for help. They promised to give the Luoyang region to Former Qin if they helped. Most Former Qin officials disagreed with helping. But Wang Meng told Fu Jian that he must stop Huan Wen. If Jin destroyed Former Yan, Jin would be too strong for Former Qin to fight alone. So, Fu Jian sent troops. They helped Former Yan defeat Huan Wen.

However, Former Yan did not keep its promise about Luoyang. So, Fu Jian sent Wang Meng with 60,000 soldiers to attack Former Yan. Wang Meng's campaign looked even better when Murong Chui, a Former Yan general, joined Former Qin. Murong Chui was afraid of Murong Ping's jealousy.

In spring 370, Wang Meng captured Luoyang. He then moved on, defeating all resistance. He captured Jinyang. Murong Ping led 300,000 soldiers against Wang Meng. But Murong Ping was afraid of Wang Meng. He stopped his army. Murong Ping was also very corrupt. He charged fees for people to gather firewood or fish. He became rich, but his soldiers lost their morale. In winter 370, Wang Meng's army crushed Murong Ping's much larger force. Murong Ping fled. The Former Yan emperor, Murong Wei, tried to escape but was captured. Fu Jian pardoned him. This ended the Former Yan dynasty.

Fu Jian put Wang Meng in charge of all the conquered Former Yan land. He moved Murong Wei and many of his Xianbei people to the Guanzhong region. This was the heart of Former Qin. In 372, Wang Meng returned to the capital as prime minister. Fu Rong took over the eastern empire. Wang Meng's power was so great that Fu Jian did not have to worry much about running the country.

Fu Jian continued his goal to unite all of China. In 373, he attacked Jin's western region. He conquered modern Sichuan, Chongqing, and southern Shaanxi. Many Former Qin officials, including Wang Meng, worried about the large number of Xianbei people in the empire's center. They also worried about how many Xianbei officials held important jobs. They asked Fu Jian to reduce the power of Xianbei officials. But he refused. In 375, Wang Meng became very sick. On his deathbed, he told Fu Jian to stop fighting Jin. He also advised him not to trust the Xianbei and Qiang officials too much. After Wang Meng died, Fu Jian did not follow his advice. He continued to give power to Xianbei and Qiang officials.

After Wang Meng's Death

After Wang Meng died, Fu Jian kept trying to unite the empire. These campaigns were mostly successful. But they used up many resources and tired out his soldiers. Also, Fu Jian, who used to live simply, started spending a lot on palace designs. The government also became less honest. For example, in 382, there was a huge locust problem in many provinces. But government reports said these areas had great harvests. This showed that officials were not reporting the truth. They only reported things that would please Fu Jian. This might be because Fu Jian felt he had to do everything himself after Wang Meng's death. He was taking on too many tasks.

In fall 376, Fu Jian attacked Former Liang. Its ruler, Zhang Tianxi, refused to visit the Former Qin capital. He also killed Fu Jian's messengers. Zhang Tianxi's generals were unhappy with him. They surrendered or were easily defeated. In less than a month, Zhang Tianxi had to surrender. Former Liang's land was added to Former Qin. Just two months later, Fu Jian attacked Dai. Its prince had just been killed. Fu Jian conquered Dai as well. But he allowed the young grandson of the prince, Tuoba Gui, to stay with a tribal chief. Tuoba Gui would later become the heir to the Dai throne.

In 378, Fu Jian sent his son Fu Pi and others to attack the important Jin city of Xiangyang. Fu Jian was unhappy with how slowly his son was capturing the city. He ordered Fu Pi to capture it by spring 379 or die. Fu Pi then launched a big attack and captured the city. Another city, Weixing, also fell. However, another Former Qin army was defeated by the Jin general Xie Xuan. They had to give up a city they had captured.

In 380, Fu Jian's cousin, Fu Luo, rebelled. He felt he had not been rewarded enough for his victories. He also thought Fu Jian's army was tired. But he was defeated and captured. Fu Jian did not kill him. He only sent him away. Historians criticized this. They believed that by not executing rebels, Fu Jian encouraged more rebellions. These rebellions eventually led to his empire's fall.

Also in 380, Fu Jian made a controversial decision. He spread his Di people, who were a small group, to different parts of the empire. He put his sons and other generals in charge of them. He probably wanted them to help keep order. But this meant the heart of the empire, Guanzhong, had few Di people. It was filled with Xianbei and Qiang people. This later caused problems. He also brought his brother Fu Rong back to the capital. Fu Rong took over jobs that Wang Meng used to have. Fu Pi took over Fu Rong's duties in the eastern empire.

In late 382, Fu Jian planned to conquer Jin again. Most important officials, including Fu Rong, were against it. But Murong Chui and Yao Chang supported the plan. Fu Jian was determined. When an official said the Yangtze River was hard to cross, Fu Jian famously said, "We have so many soldiers that if they threw down their whips, it would be enough to stop the flow of the Yangtze."

In 383, Fu Jian sent Lü Guang on a campaign to the Western Regions (modern Xinjiang and Central Asia). Some kingdoms there were loyal to Former Qin, but others were not. Lü Guang's campaign would last several years and be very successful. But by the time it was done, Fu Jian would be dead. Former Qin would be almost destroyed.

Battle of Fei River

In 383, Fu Jian launched his campaign against Jin. Fu Rong was in command, even though he was against it. Former Qin had some early wins. They captured the Jin city of Shouyang. But the advance troops then lost some battles to Jin generals Xie Xuan and Liu Laozhi. The armies faced each other at the Fei River. Former Qin was on the west side, and Jin was on the east.

Xie Xuan suggested that Fu Rong's army move back. This would let Jin forces cross the river. Fu Jian and Fu Rong agreed. But as the Former Qin army started to retreat, they panicked. They could not be stopped. Fu Rong tried to calm his troops. But his horse fell, and he was killed by Jin forces. This led to a complete collapse of the Former Qin army. Fu Jian himself was hit by an arrow. He had to flee to Murong Chui's army, which was one of the few that did not break apart. Murong Chui's son and brother tried to convince him to kill Fu Jian and restart their own Yan dynasty. But Murong Chui refused. He safely escorted Fu Jian back to Luoyang.

After the Battle of Fei River

Murong Chui did not want to kill Fu Jian because of Fu Jian's kindness to him. But he did decide to try and restart the Yan dynasty. He told Fu Jian he wanted to calm the people in the eastern empire. He convinced Fu Jian to let him lead an army northeast. As Murong Chui reached Yecheng, he and Fu Pi suspected each other. But they both ignored suggestions to ambush the other.

At this time, a leader named Zhai Bin rebelled against Former Qin. Murong Chui's nephew helped him. They attacked Luoyang. Fu Pi sent Murong Chui south to help Luoyang. On the way, Murong Chui ambushed a Di general and killed his soldiers. But he still wrote an explanation to Fu Jian. In spring 384, Murong Chui joined Zhai. He declared himself Prince of Yan. This started the Later Yan dynasty. He soon captured many cities in the eastern empire. But Yecheng and Luoyang held out against him.

Meanwhile, Murong Chui's nephew, Murong Hong, also rebelled in Guanzhong. He gathered Xianbei soldiers. He claimed his old title, Prince of Jibei. This started Western Yan. Fu Jian sent his brother Fu Rui, helped by Yao Chang, against Murong Hong. Murong Hong was scared and was about to leave Guanzhong. Fu Rui wanted to block his escape. But Yao Chang suggested letting the Xianbei leave. Instead, Murong Hong was forced to fight. He defeated and killed Fu Rui. When Yao Chang reported the defeat, Fu Jian became very angry. He killed Yao Chang's messengers. This made Yao Chang panic. He fled with his Qiang soldiers. Yao Chang then declared himself "the Prince of Qin of Ten Thousand Years." This started the Later Qin dynasty.

Murong Hong moved towards Chang'an. He was joined by his brother, Murong Chong. Murong Hong demanded that Fu Jian send Murong Wei to him. Murong Wei secretly urged Murong Hong to attack Chang'an. However, Murong Hong was then killed by his own generals. Murong Chong took over and claimed the title of crown prince. Fu Jian himself led an army against Yao Chang but was not successful. Fu Jian's son Fu Hui left Luoyang to help Chang'an. All of the eastern empire was lost except for Yecheng. Jin also launched attacks. They recaptured the modern Chongqing, Sichuan, and southern Shaanxi regions by early 385. They also took much of Former Qin land south of the Yellow River.

In late 384, Murong Wei tried to kill Fu Jian at a feast. When this was found out, Fu Jian killed Murong Wei and other Xianbei people in Chang'an. Murong Chong heard this news. He declared himself emperor in early 385. He continued to defeat Fu Hui, and Fu Hui died. Murong Chong surrounded Chang'an. The city suffered a terrible famine. Fu Jian decided to lead an army out of the city to find food. He left his crown prince, Fu Hong, in charge. But as soon as he left, the city fell. Fu Hong fled to Jin.

Fu Jian took his army to Wujiang Mountain. But he was surrounded and captured by Later Qin forces. He was taken to Xinping and imprisoned there. His concubine, Consort Zhang, his son Fu Shen, and his daughters Fu Bao and Fu Jin were with him. Yao Chang tried to make him officially give up the throne. But Fu Jian was angry at Yao's betrayal and refused. He also killed his daughters, Fu Bao and Fu Jin. He said he did not want Yao's followers to harm them. In fall 385, Yao Chang sent his soldiers to kill Fu Jian. Consort Zhang and Fu Shen also died. Even Later Qin soldiers felt sad for Fu Jian. Yao Chang pretended he did not kill Fu Jian. He honored him after his death with the title Heavenly King Zhuanglie. However, Fu Pi, who became emperor after hearing of Fu Jian's death, did not use this title.

Personal Information

• Father: Fu Xiong (苻雄), Prince Jingwu of Donghai. He was the brother of Fu Jian (317–355). He was honored as Emperor Wenhuan after his death.
• Mother: Empress Dowager Gou
• Wife: Empress Gou (became empress in 357)
• Important Concubines:
  • Consort Zhang
  • Consort Murong, daughter of Murong Jun
• Children:
  • Fu Hong (苻宏), the Crown Prince (became crown prince in 357)
  • Fu Pi (苻丕), the Duke of Changle (became duke in 357), later emperor
  • Fu Hui (苻暉), Duke Dao of Pingyuan (became duke in 357, died 385)
  • Fu Rui (苻叡), Duke of Julu (killed by Murong Hong of Western Yan in 384)
  • Fu Xi (苻熙), the Duke of Guangping (became duke in 357)
  • Fu Lin (苻琳), the Duke of Hejian (killed by Western Yan forces in 384)
  • Fu Shen (苻詵), the Duke of Zhongshan (died 385)
  • Fu Bao (苻寶), Princess (executed in 385)
  • Fu Jin (苻錦), Princess (executed in 385)
  • Princess Shunyang, wife of Yang Bi (楊璧)
  • A daughter, wife of Yang Ding, later leader of Chouchi