Fu Jian
Unified the north by relying on Wang Meng; after the crushing defeat at the Battle of Fei River, Former Qin collapsed.
Life
Employed Wang Meng
Fu Jian, a Di, killed his tyrannical cousin Fu Sheng in 357 and proclaimed himself Heavenly King of Great Qin. He relied on the Han Chinese Wang Meng, cleaned up the administration, founded schools and encouraged farming and sericulture, and Former Qin quickly grew strong.
Unifying the north
In 370 he conquered Former Yan, later also destroying Former Liang and the state of Dai, and unified the north in 376, making him the ruler among the Sixteen Kingdoms who came closest to unifying the whole realm. He treated the surrendered chiefs of various peoples generously.
Defeat at the Fei River
On his deathbed Wang Meng urged him not to attack Jin, but he did not listen. In 383 he led a great army south and was defeated by the Eastern Jin at the Fei River; Former Qin promptly collapsed, and Murong Chui, Yao Chang and others each set up their own states. In 385 he was killed by Yao Chang.
Legacy
Fu Jian was known for his leniency and benevolence and nearly unified the realm, but his haste to campaign south led to utter defeat, making him a famous example of "an arrogant army is bound to lose."
Major works & achievements
- Unifying the north
Did you know? Three idioms, "whips enough to dam the river," "seeing enemy soldiers in every bush and tree," and "taking the wind's sigh and the crane's cry for the enemy," all come from his Battle of Fei River.
Key dates
- 357Proclaimed himself Heavenly King of Great Qin
- 370Conquered Former Yan
- 376Unifying the north
- 383Crushing defeat at the Battle of Fei River
- 385Killed by Yao Chang