Xianbei
The Xianbei (; ) were an ancient nomadic people that once resided in the eastern Eurasian steppes in what is today Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Northeastern China. The Xianbei were likely not of a single ethnicity, but rather a multiling ...
tribe during the
Sixteen Kingdoms
The Sixteen Kingdoms (), less commonly the Sixteen States, was a chaotic period in Chinese history from AD 304 to 439 when northern China fragmented into a series of short-lived dynastic states. The majority of these states were founded b ...
period. He was the last chieftain of the tribe before they were conquered by the
Murong
Murong (; Eastern Han Chinese, LHC: *''mɑC-joŋ''; Middle Chinese, EMC: *''mɔh-juawŋ'') or Muren refers to an ethnic Xianbei tribe who are attested from the time of Tanshihuai (reigned 156–181). Different strands of evidence exist linking ...
state of
Former Yan
Yan, known in historiography as the Former Yan (; 337–370), was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Murong clan of the Xianbei during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. From Liaoning, the Former Yan later conquered and ruled over Hebei, Shaanxi, ...
. Throughout his rule, Yidougui was in conflict with the Duke of
Liaodong
The Liaodong or Liaotung Peninsula ( zh, s=辽东半岛, t=遼東半島, p=Liáodōng Bàndǎo) is a peninsula in southern Liaoning province in Northeast China, and makes up the southwestern coastal half of the Liaodong region. It is located ...
and later Prince of Yan,
Murong Huang
Murong Huang (; 297 – 25 October 348), courtesy name Yuanzhen (元真), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Wenming of Former Yan (前燕文明帝), was the founding monarch of the Xianbei-led Former Yan dynasty of China. When h ...
. He was defeated in the end, and the Yuwen clan's autonomy was abolished as Murong Huang absorbed their whole territory into his. Yidougui was the direct ancestor of
Yuwen Tai
Yuwen Tai () (505/7 – 21 November 556According to Yuwen Tai's biography in ''Book of Zhou'', he died aged 52 (by East Asian reckoning) on the ''yihai'' day of the 10th month of the 3rd year of the reign of Emperor Gong of Western Wei. This co ...
, the paramount leader of
Western Wei
Wei (), known in historiography as the Western Wei (), was an imperial dynasty of China that followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei. One of the Northern dynasties during the era of the Northern and Southern dynasties, it ruled the weste ...
who laid the foundation of the Yuwen-led
Northern Zhou
Zhou (), known in historiography as the Northern Zhou (), was a Xianbei-led Dynasties in Chinese history, dynasty of China that lasted from 557 to 581. One of the Northern and Southern dynasties#Northern dynasties, Northern dynasties of China's ...
state during the
Northern and Southern dynasties
The Northern and Southern dynasties () was a period of political division in the history of China that lasted from 420 to 589, following the tumultuous era of the Sixteen Kingdoms and the Eastern Jin dynasty. It is sometimes considered a ...
period.
Life
Early reign
According to the ''
Book of Zhou
The ''Book of Zhou'' () records the official history of the Xianbei-led Western Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties of China, and ranks among the official Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China. Compiled by the Tang dynasty
The Tang dy ...
'', Yuwen Yidougui was supposedly the ninth descendant of Yuwen Mona (宇文莫那). He was initially the chieftain of the eastern Yuwen tribe. In 333,
Yuwen Qidegui
Yuwen Qidegui (; pinyin: Yǔwén Qǐdeguī) (?–333) chieftain of the Yuwen tribe (early 4th century – 333). He succeeded his father Yuwen Xunniyan as chieftain.
In 325, Later Zhao
Zhao, briefly known officially as Wei (衛) in 350 AD, know ...
, the head chief of the clan, was driven out (or killed) by Yidougui, who then made himself the new chieftain. This caused the Duke of Liaodong, Murong Huang to lead his soldiers and attack Yidougui. Yidougui was alarmed by this, so he quickly sought for peace. Huang accepted it, but before leaving, he built two forts named Anjin (安晉) and Yuyin (榆陰) between his and Yidougui's territory.
In November of that year, Huang's brother,
Murong Ren
Murong Ren (died 336), childhood name Qiannian, was the brother of the Prince of Former Yan, Murong Huang during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was Murong Hui's second son through Hui's wife, Lady Duan (段夫人). In 333, following the succe ...
, rebelled and seized Liaodong from him, dividing the Murong clan's territory into two. Shortly after Ren's success, Yidougui, as well as other Xianbei chieftains, most prominently
Duan Liao
Duan Liao (段遼) (died 339), also known as Duan Huliao (段護遼), was a Xianbei chieftain of the Duan tribe during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of China. He was the last chieftain of the Duan state before it was conquered in 338. Duan Liao laun ...
of the
Duan tribe
The Duan () was a tribe of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. They were a powerful tribe in the Liaoxi region and played a key role during the fall of the Western Jin dynasty. Unlike the Xianbei tribes of the steppe, ...
, gave their support for Ren against Huang. In 335, Murong Huang's Marshal of the Right,
Feng Yi
Feng Yi (?- A.D. 34) was a Chinese military general of the Eastern Han dynasty, who helped Emperor Guangwu of Han establish the Eastern Han dynasty. One of his greatest contributions was the final defeat of the Red Eyebrows rebels.
He was fam ...
, surprise attacked one of the Yuwen leaders, Yuwen Sheyi (宇文涉奕). Many of Sheyi's soldiers were captured, and when Sheyi led his light cavalry to pursue Feng Yi, he was once again defeated at the Hun River. Later that year in December, Yuwen Yidougui, as well as Duan Liao, sent their envoys to meet with Murong Ren. The envoys stayed overnight outside the city, where they were ambushed by Murong Huang's general Zhang Ying (張英). Ten of Yidougui's men were killed while Duan Liao's envoys were all captured and brought to Murong Huang.
Murong Ren was killed by Murong Huang in early 336. Shortly after Ren's death, the Duan and Yuwen led a joint attack against Huang. Duan Liao's brother,
Duan Lan Duan may refer to:
* Duan (surname), a Chinese surname
** Duan dynasty, the ruling dynasty of the Dali Kingdom
* Duan tribe, pre-state tribe during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China
* Duan language, spoken on the Laotian–Vietnamese border
* ...
, led his army to camp west of Liucheng while Yidougui attacked Anjin to support him. Huang marched to Liucheng (柳城; southwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning), causing Duan Lan to retreat without a fight, and Yidougui would do the same after Huang arrived at Anjin. Huang sent Feng Yi to pursue them with his light cavalry, and Feng inflicted them a great defeat, seizing much of their equipment and ration. Afterwards that same year, Feng Yi led a successful campaign against the Yuwen tribe.
Middle reign
In 338, Murong Huang, now Prince of his established state, Former Yan, and
Shi Hu
Shi Hu (; 295 – 26 May 349), courtesy name Jilong (季龍), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Wu of Later Zhao (後趙武帝), was an emperor of the Jie-led Chinese Later Zhao dynasty. He was the founding emperor Shi Le (Em ...
of
Later Zhao
Zhao, briefly known officially as Wei (衛) in 350 AD, known in historiography as the Later Zhao (; 319–351) or Shi Zhao (石趙), was a dynasty of China ruled by the Shi family of Jie ethnicity during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Among the ...
agreed to hold a joint campaign to subjugate the Duan tribe. When the Duan's demise was clear, Duan Liao's general and Murong Huang's half-brother,
Murong Han
Murong Han (died 344), courtesy name Yuanyong, was a Xianbei military general of the Former Yan dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was an accomplished commander under his father, Murong Hui, and was most known for his victory over ...
decided to flee north to receive protection from the Yuwen tribe. Yidougui accepted him initially but became jealous of Han's talents and reputation. Knowing this, Han pretended to go mad, which he did so convincingly enough to cause the Yuwen to hate him but also underestimate him and not monitor his activities.
During Murong Han's stay with the Yuwens, there was communication between Murong Huang and him through Huang's agent, the merchant Wang Che (王車). Huang hoped to convince his brother to return, and Han expressed his desire to go back home. Huang welcomed him back, and Han began planning his escape with Wang Che. In February 340, Han stole Yidougui's prized horse and made his way to his brother's state. Yidougui responded by sending 100 riders to chase after Han, but Han managed to persuade the riders to let him go.
Late reign and fall of the Yuwen state
In February 343, Yidougui sent his Chancellor of State Moqian Hun (莫淺渾) to attack Yan. Many of Murong Huang's generals wanted to fight him, but Huang ordered them to wait. Moqian Hun thought that Huang was afraid to face him, so he did not prepare any defences and instead spent his time drinking and hunting. Huang sent Murong Han to attack Hun, who was badly routed. Moqian Hun barely escaped with his life while all his troops were captured by Han. Later that year, Yidougui arrested Duan Lan, who had been on the run since the Duan state's destruction. As tribute to Zhao, Yidougui handed Duan Lan over to Shi Hu along with 10,000 fine horses.
In 344 (or 345 according to the ''Book of Wei''), Murong Huang set out to conquer the Yuwen tribe once and for all. As the Yan soldiers approached his territory, Yidougui sent out his strongest general, the Chief of Nanluo, Yuwen Sheyegan (宇文涉夜干), with many of their best soldiers to fight. Sheyegan fought Murong Han head on but a sudden attack by Murong Ba from the flank was enough to overwhelm and kill him. His death caused many of the Yuwen soldiers to lose heart and abandon their ranks. The Yan forces pressed on and chased after the fleeing Yuwen troops into their capital in Zimengchuan (紫蒙川, northwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning). Yidougui managed to flee the city, running away to the northern desert and later moving to
Goguryeo
Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD) (; ; Old Korean: Guryeo) also later known as Goryeo (; ; Middle Korean: 고ᇢ롕〮, ''kwòwlyéy''), was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korea, Korean Peninsula an ...
where he would remain for the rest of his life. The Yuwen tribe's territory was absorbed into Yan, thus ending the clan's tribal state.
Descendants
Yuwen Yidougui had at least six sons. They were Yuwen Ling (宇文陵), Yuwen Babagui (宇文拔拔瓌), Yuwen Hewei (宇文紇闍), Yuwen Muyuan (宇文目原), Yuwen Heduqizhi (宇文紇闍俟直) and Yuwen Muchen (宇文目陳). After Yidougui's defeat, the tribe dispersed. Members of the Yuwen tribe either followed Yidougui to Goguryeo or surrendered to Yan while the
Kumo Xi
The Kumo Xi (Xu Elina-Qian, p.296b), also known as the Tatabi, were ancient steppe people located in current Northeast China from 207 AD to 907 AD. After the death of their ancestor Tadun in 207, they were no longer called Wuhuan but joined the ...
and Khitan branch of the tribe fled to the Songmo region in modern
Heshigten Banner
Hexigten Banner (; zh, s=克什克腾旗) is a banner (Inner Mongolia), banner of Inner Mongolia, China under the jurisdiction of Chifeng, bordering Hebei province to the south. In 1690 the Battle of Ulan Butung between Qing and Dzungar Khanate ...
and Ongniud Banner. Yuwen Ling surrendered and had a notable career in Former Yan as well as in its revival state,
Later Yan
Yan, known in historiography as the Later Yan (; 384 – 407 or 409), was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Xianbei people during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms.
The prefix "Later" to distinguish them from the Former Yan before them and othe ...
. He served as Chief Commandant of Escorting Cavalry and was bestowed the title of Duke of
Xuantu Commandery
Xuantu Commandery (; ) was a commandery of the Chinese Han dynasty. It was one of Four Commanderies of Han, established in 107 BCE in the northern Korean Peninsula and part of the Liaodong Peninsula, after the Han dynasty conquered Wiman Joseon. ...
. He later worked under
Northern Wei
Wei (), known in historiography as the Northern Wei ( zh, c=北魏, p=Běi Wèi), Tuoba Wei ( zh, c=拓跋魏, p=Tuòbá Wèi), Yuan Wei ( zh, c=元魏, p=Yuán Wèi) and Later Wei ( zh, t=後魏, p=Hòu Wèi), was an Dynasties of China, impe ...
, where his descendants would live for generations. Yidougui was a direct ancestor of the Western Wei paramount leader, Yuwen Tai, as well as Tai's other family members who would go on to establish their state of Northern Zhou in 557.(其子陵仕燕，拜駙馬都尉，封玄菟公。魏道武將攻中山，陵從慕容寶禦之。寶敗，陵率甲騎五百歸魏，拜都牧主，賜爵安定侯。天興初，徙豪傑於代都，陵隨例遷武川焉。陵生系，系生韜，並以武略稱。韜生肱。) Book of Zhou, Volume 1
Book of Jin
The ''Book of Jin'' is an official Chinese historical text covering the history of the Jin dynasty (266–420), Jin dynasty from 266 to 420. It was compiled in 648 by a number of officials commissioned by the imperial court of the Tang dynasty, ...
Zizhi Tongjian
The ''Zizhi Tongjian'' (1084) is a chronicle published during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) that provides a record of Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynasties and spanning almost 1400 years. The main text is ...
Book of Wei
The ''Book of Wei'', also known by its Chinese name as the ''Wei Shu'', is a classic Chinese historical text compiled by Wei Shou from 551 to 554, and is an important text describing the history of the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei from 386 to 5 ...
Book of Zhou
The ''Book of Zhou'' () records the official history of the Xianbei-led Western Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties of China, and ranks among the official Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China. Compiled by the Tang dynasty
The Tang dy ...