1
慕容廆
Murong Hui
2
慕容廆，字弈洛瑰，昌黎棘城鮮卑人也。 其先有熊氏之苗裔，世居北夷，邑于紫蒙之野，號曰東胡。 其後與匈奴並盛，控弦之士二十餘萬，風俗官號與匈奴略同。 秦漢之際為匈奴所敗，分保鮮卑山，因以為號。 曾祖莫護跋，魏初率其諸部入居遼西，從宣帝伐公孫氏有功，拜率義王，始建國於棘城之北。 時燕代多冠步搖冠，莫護跋見而好之，乃斂發襲冠，諸部因呼之為步搖，其後音訛，遂為慕容焉。 或云慕二儀之德，繼三光之容，遂以慕容為氏。 祖木延，左賢王。 父涉歸，以全柳城之功，進拜鮮卑單于，遷邑於遼東北，於是漸慕諸夏之風矣。
A Xianbei leader from Jicheng in Changli, style Yiluogui. They claimed Youxiong ancestry, lived beyond the frontier at Zimeng, and were known as Eastern Hu. They matched the Xiongnu in strength—two hundred thousand horsemen with parallel customs. Early Han defeat drove them onto Xianbei Mountain and gave them their tribal name. Mohuba earned Wei's trust against the Gongsuns and planted Murong power north of Jicheng. A hat nicknamed him Buyao until listeners corrupted it into Murong. Another etymology ties Murong to reverence for Heaven, Earth, and the luminaries. Muyan served as Left Wise Prince. Shegui won the Shanyu title for Liucheng and guided the clan toward Chinese ways.
3
廆幼而魁岸，美姿貌，身長八尺，雄傑有大度。 安北將軍張華雅有知人之鑒，廆童丱時往謁之，華甚歎異，謂曰：「君至長必為命世之器，匡難濟時者也。」 因以所服簪幘遺廆，結殷勤而別。 涉歸死，其弟耐篡位，將謀殺廆，廆亡潛以避禍。 後國人殺耐，迎廆立之。
Even young he stood eight chi tall—striking, heroic, broad. Zhang Hua said, "When you grow up you will be an instrument for the age—one who rectifies disaster and aids the times." He gave Hui his cap pin and turban as farewell gifts. Uncle Nai seized power and hunted him until kinsmen restored Hui. The tribe slew Nai and enthroned Hui.
4
初，涉歸有憾于宇文鮮卑，廆將修先君之怨，表請討之。 武帝弗許。 廆怒，入寇遼西，殺略甚眾。 帝遣幽州諸軍討廆，戰於肥如，廆眾大敗。 自後復掠昌黎，每歲不絕。 又率眾東伐扶余，扶余王依慮自殺，廆夷其國城，驅萬餘人而歸。 東夷校尉何龕遣督護賈沈將迎立依慮之子為王，廆遣其將孫丁率騎邀之。 沈力戰斬丁，遂復扶余之國。 廆謀於其眾曰：「吾先公以來世奉中國，且華裔理殊，強弱固別，豈能與晉競乎？ 何為不和以害吾百姓邪！」 乃遣使來降。 帝嘉之，拜為鮮卑都督。 廆致敬於東夷府，巾衣詣門，抗士大夫之禮。 何龕嚴兵引見，廆乃改服戎衣而入。 人問其故，廆曰：「主人不以禮，賓復何為哉！」 龕聞而慚之，彌加敬憚。 時東胡宇文鮮卑段部以廆威德日廣，懼有吞併之計，因為寇掠，往來不絕。 廆卑辭厚幣以撫之。
He sought imperial blessing to avenge Shegui's feud with the Yuwen. The western Jin court refused. He lashed out with raids across western Liaoxi. Imperial troops routed him at Feiru. He kept harassing Changli afterward. He shattered Buyeo, drove its king to suicide, and dragged captives home. He Kan tried to crown a new Buyeo king while Murong ambushed the escort. Jia Shen killed Sun Ding and restored Buyeo. He urged submission to Jin, saying, "Since our forefathers we have honored China; Chinese and barbarian orders differ and strength is uneven—how can we vie with Jin? Why not make peace rather than harm our people!" He sent envoys west to surrender. The court named him commander over the Xianbei. He appeared at He Kan's yamen in scholar dress. When Kan lined up troops, Hui donned armor instead. He said, "If the host shows no courtesy, what should a guest do!" Kan swallowed his pride and deferred. Yuwen and Duan rivals feared annexation and raided endlessly. He bought quiet with gifts and soft words.
5
太康十年，廆又遷於徒河之青山。 廆以大棘城即帝顓頊之墟也，元康四年乃移居之。 教以農桑，法制同于上國。 永甯中，燕垂大水，廆開倉振給，幽方獲濟。 天子聞而嘉之，褒賜命服。
In Taikang ten he moved to Green Mountain on the Tu River. He rebuilt Greater Jicheng on Zhuanxu's legendary capital. He taught farming and Jin-style statutes. Yongning floods opened his granaries to Youzhou. The emperor rewarded him with court robes.
6
太安初，宇文莫圭遣弟屈雲寇邊城，雲別帥大素延攻掠諸部，廆親擊敗之。 素延怒，率眾十萬圍棘城，眾咸懼，人無距志。 廆曰：「素延雖犬羊蟻聚，然軍無法制，已在吾計中矣。 諸君但為力戰，無所憂也。」 乃躬貫甲胄，馳出擊之，素延大敗，追奔百里，俘斬萬餘人。
Tai'an brought Yuwen raids he smashed personally. Su Yan's hundred thousand terrified Jicheng. He dismissed Su Yan's rabble as leaderless, saying, "Though Yan herds dogs and ants together, his host lacks discipline—I already hold him in my plan. You gentlemen need only fight hard—have no fear." He personally crushed Su Yan and harvested ten thousand heads.
7
永嘉初，廆自稱鮮卑大單于。 遼東太守龐本以私憾殺東夷校尉李臻，附塞鮮卑素連、木津等托為臻報仇，實欲因而為亂，遂攻陷諸縣，殺掠士庶。 太守袁謙頻戰失利，校尉封釋懼而請和。 連歲寇掠，百姓失業，流亡歸附者日月相繼。 廆子翰言於廆曰：「求諸侯莫如勤王，自古有為之君靡不杖此以成事業者也。 今連、津跋扈，王師覆敗，蒼生屠膾，豈甚此乎！ 豎子外以龐本為名，內實幸而為寇。 封使君以誅本請和，而毒害滋深。 遼東傾沒，垂已二周，中原兵亂，州師屢敗，勤王杖義，今其時也。 單于宜明九伐之威，救倒懸之命，數連、津之罪，合義兵以誅之。 上則興復遼邦，下則併吞二部，忠義彰於本朝，私利歸於我國，此則吾鴻漸之始也，終可以得志于諸侯。」 廆從之。 是日，率騎討連、津，大敗斬之，二部悉降，徙之棘城，立遼東郡而歸。
Yongjia opened with his claim to Great Shanyu. Pang Ben's murder of Li Zhen let Sulian and Muqin devastate Liaodong. Yuan Qian stumbled while Feng Shi begged truce. Endless raiding sent refugees streaming to Murong lands. Murong Han urged royalist war on the bandit chiefs, saying, "Nothing secures a lord like aiding the king—every founder has relied on it. The slaughter exceeded anything earlier chaos had shown. The warlords wore Pang Ben as their excuse. Feng Shi's execution of Pang Ben bought no peace. Ruined Liaodong cried out for loyal arms. He called for sanctioned campaigns against Sulian and Muqin. Above we restore Liaodong; below we annex both tribes—loyalty shines at court while profit stays with us: this begins our rise among the lords." Hui adopted the plan. He executed both chiefs, resettled tribes at Jicheng, and drew up Liaodong commandery.
8
懷帝蒙塵于平陽，王浚承制以廆為散騎常侍、冠軍將軍、前鋒大都督、大單于，廆不受。 建興中，湣帝遣使拜廆鎮軍將軍、昌黎、遼東二國公。 建武初，元帝承制拜廆假節、散騎常侍、都督遼左雜夷流人諸軍事、龍驤將軍、大單于、昌黎公，廆讓而不受。 征虜將軍魯昌說廆曰：「今兩京傾沒，天子蒙塵，琅邪承制江東，實人命所系。 明公雄據海朔，跨總一方，而諸部猶怙眾稱兵，未遵道化者，蓋以官非王命，又自以為強。 今宜通使琅邪，勸承大統，然後敷宣帝命，以伐有罪，誰敢不從！」 廆善之，乃遣其長史王濟浮海勸進。 及帝即尊位，遣謁者陶遼重申前命，授廆將軍、單于，廆固辭公封。
Wang Jun's honors could not buy him. Emperor Min offered guard-general rank and twin ducal patents. Early in Jianwu, Emperor Yuan, acting under provisional authority, appointed Hui Bearer of the Staff, Supernumerary Palace Attendant, commander of the Liaozuo mixed tribes and displaced people, General of Dragon Soaring, Great Shanyu, and Duke of Changli; Hui declined and would not accept. Lu Chang argued only imperial seals could awe rival tribes, saying, "Both capitals have fallen and the Son of Heaven wanders; Langye rules Jiangdong by interim decree—the mandate of life and death rests there. Murong prestige needed Jiankang's mandate. Send envoys to Langye urging enthronement, then proclaim imperial orders and punish the guilty—who would disobey?" He sent Wang Ji across the sea to urge enthronement. Ming's envoy Tao Liao could not force ducal robes on him.
9
時二京傾覆，幽、冀淪陷，廆刑政修明，虛懷引納，流亡士庶多繈負歸之。 廆乃立郡以統流人，冀州人為冀陽郡，豫州人為成周郡，青州人為營丘郡，并州人為唐國郡。 於是推舉賢才，委以庶政，以河東裴嶷、代郡魯昌、北平陽耽為謀主，北海逢羨、廣平遊邃、北平西方虔、渤海封抽、西河宋奭、河東裴開為股肱，渤海封弈、平原宋該、安定皇甫岌、蘭陵繆愷以文章才俊任居樞要，會稽硃左車、太山胡毋翼、魯國孔纂以舊德清重引為賓友，平原劉贊儒學該通，引為東庠祭酒，其世子皝率國胄束修受業焉。 廆覽政之暇，親臨聽之，於是路有頌聲，禮讓興矣。
Clear rule drew refugee elites carrying children on their backs. Hui therefore established commanderies to govern the displaced people: those from Ji Province became Jiyang Commandery, those from Yu Province Chengzhou Commandery, those from Qing Province Yingqiu Commandery, and those from Bing Province Tangguo Commandery. He therefore promoted men of talent and entrusted them with government: Pei Yi of Hedong, Lu Chang of Dai, and Yang Dan of Beiping served as his chief advisers; Feng Xian of Beihai, You Sui of Guangping, Xifang Qian of Beiping, Feng Chou of Bohai, Song Shi of Xihe, and Pei Kai of Hedong were his arms and legs; Feng Yi of Bohai, Song Gai of Pingyuan, Huangfu Ji of Anding, and Miao Kai of Lanling, all distinguished for literary talent and ability, held key posts; Zhu Zuoche of Kuaiji, Humu Yi of Taishan, and Kong Zuan of Lu, respected for their old virtue and pure standing, were brought in as guests and friends; and Liu Zan of Pingyuan, broadly learned in the classics, was appointed libationer of the Eastern Academy, where his heir Murong Huang led the sons of the state in bringing tuition gifts and receiving instruction. He audited the school himself until courtesy songs filled the roads.
10
時平州刺史、東夷校尉崔毖自以為南州士望，意存懷集，而流亡者莫有赴之。 毖意廆拘留，乃陰結高句麗及宇文、段國等，謀滅廆以分其地。 太興初，三國伐廆，廆曰：「彼信崔毖虛說，邀一時之利，烏合而來耳。 既無統一，莫相歸伏，吾今破之必矣。 然彼軍初合，其鋒甚銳，幸我速戰。 若逆擊之，落其計矣。 靖以待之，必懷疑貳，迭相猜防。 一則疑吾與毖譎而覆之，二則自疑三國之中與吾有韓魏之謀者，待其人情沮惑，然後取之必矣。」 於是三國攻棘城，廆閉門不戰，遣使送牛酒以犒宇文，大言於眾曰：「崔毖昨有使至。」 於是二國果疑宇文同於廆也，引兵而歸。 宇文悉獨官曰：「二國雖歸，吾當獨兼其國，何用人為！」 盡眾逼城，連營三十里。 廆簡銳士配皝，推鋒於前； 翰領精騎為奇兵，從旁出，直沖其營； 廆方陣而進。 悉獨官自恃其眾，不設備，見廆軍之至，方率兵距之。 前鋒始交，翰已入其營，縱火焚之，其眾皆震擾，不知所為，遂大敗，悉獨官僅以身免，盡俘其眾。 於是營候獲皇帝玉璽三紐，遣長史裴嶷送於建鄴。 崔毖懼廆之仇己也，使兄子燾偽賀廆。 會三國使亦至請和，曰：「非我本意也，崔平州教我耳。」 廆將燾示以攻圍之處，臨之以兵，曰：「汝叔父教三國滅我，何以詐來賀我乎？」 廆懼，首服。 廆乃遣燾歸說毖曰：「降者上策，走者下策也。」 以兵隨之。 毖與數十騎棄家室奔於高句麗，廆悉降其眾，徙燾及高瞻等於棘城，待以賓禮。 明年，高句麗寇遼東，廆遣眾擊敗之。
Cui Bi waited for refugees that Murong had already welcomed. Bi enlisted Goguryeo, Yuwen, and Duan against Murong territory. The triple alliance trusted Bi's fiction—ripe for divide-and-rule, he said: "They trusted Cui Bi's lies for quick gain—this is a flock without cohesion. Discord doomed their coalition. Fresh allies wanted a quick pitched battle. A hasty sally played into their trap. Delay would breed mutual suspicion. First they will suspect us colluding with Bi against them; second each ally will fear Han-Wei-style betrayal among themselves—when morale collapses we strike and win." He locked Jicheng and proclaimed to the host, "Cui Bi had envoys here yesterday." Two allies suspected Yuwen treachery and marched home. Siduguan vowed to seize their lands alone, saying, "Though both allies retreat, I alone shall annex their lands—why need others!" He stacked thirty li of camps around Jicheng. He gave Huang crack troops for the van. Murong Han struck the flank with elite horse. Hui rolled forward in formation. Siduguan's overconfidence left camps wide open. Han's raid fired Yuwen tents and shattered their host. Captives yielded imperial seal cords sent south to Jiankye. Bi feigned congratulations through nephew Tao. The allied envoys blamed Pingzhou inspector Cui Bi, saying, "This was never our intent—Inspector Cui Pingzhou urged us." Hui trapped Tao and said, "Your uncle taught three states to destroy me—why pretend congratulations?" Bi groveled in terror. Hui offered surrender or flight, saying, "Surrender is the best plan; flight the worst." Troops pressed Bi toward decision. Bi fled to Goguryeo while Murong settled his people at Jicheng. Murong troops beat back Goguryeo's next Liaodong raid.
11
裴嶷至自建鄴，帝遣使者拜廆監平州諸軍事、安北將軍、平州刺史，增邑二千戶。 尋加使持節、都督幽州東夷諸軍事、車騎將軍、平州牧，進封遼東郡公，邑一萬戶，常侍、單于並如故； 丹書鐵券，承制海東，命備官司，置平州守宰。
Pei Yi's return brought Pingzhou inspector titles and added fiefs. He gained staff authority, chariot-and-cavalry command, Liaodong duke with ten thousand households. Vermilion writ and iron tally let him staff Pingzhou east of the sea.
12
段末波初統其國，而不修備，廆遣皝襲之，入令支，收其名馬寶物而還。
He raided unprepared Duan Mobo at Lingzhi for horses and loot.
13
石勒遣使通和，廆距之。 送其使於建鄴。 勒怒，遣宇文乞得龜擊廆，廆遣皝距之。 以裴嶷為右部都督，率索頭為右翼，命其少子仁自平郭趣柏林為左翼，攻乞得龜，克之，悉虜其眾。 乘勝拔其國城，收其資用億計，徙其人數萬戶以歸。
He rebuffed Shi Le's overtures. He shipped Later Zhao envoys south to Jiankang. Shi Le answered Murong's snub by ordering Yuwen Qidegui north; Huang blocked him. Huang split wings—Pei Yi and Suotou on the right, Ren circling from Pinggu—crushing Qidegui. They looted the Yuwen capital and resettled tens of thousands southward.
14
成帝即位，加廆侍中，位特進。 咸和五年，又加開府儀同三司，固辭不受。
Chengdi added him palace attendant with eminent precedence. He refused Three-Duke parity again in Xianhe five.
15
廆嘗從容言曰：「獄者，人命之所懸也，不可以不慎。 賢人君子，國家之基也，不可以不敬。 稼穡者，國之本也，不可以不急。 酒色便佞，亂德之甚也，不可以不戒。」 乃著《家令》數千言以申其旨。
He warned that justice holds lives in the balance, remarking, "Prisons suspend men's lives—there must be no carelessness. He insisted rulers must honor worthy men. He ranked farming as the dynastic bedrock. Wine, women, and flatterers ruin virtue worst—they demand vigilance." He codified family maxims expounding those themes.
16
遣使與太尉陶侃箋曰：
His letter to Tao Kan began:
17
明公使君轂下：振德曜威，撫甯方夏，勞心文武，士馬無恙，欽高仰止，注情彌久。 王途險遠，隔以燕越，每瞻江湄，延首遐外。
He flattered Tao Kan's prestige on the Yangzi. Geography severed Murong from court.
18
天降艱難，禍害屢臻，舊都不守，奄為虜庭，使皇輿遷幸，假勢吳、楚。 大晉啟基、祚流萬節，天命未改，玄象著明，是以義烈之士深懷憤踴。 猥以功薄，受國殊寵，上不能掃除群羯，下不能身赴國難，仍縱賊臣，屢逼京輦。 王敦唱禍于前，蘇峻肆毒於後，凶暴過於董卓，惡逆甚於傕、汜，普天率土，誰不同忿！ 深怪文武之士，過荷朝榮，不能滅中原之寇，刷天下之恥。
He mourned Luoyang's fall and the court's exile south. He asserted Jin's cosmic legitimacy survived. He confessed Murong power insufficient alone while rebels threatened Jiankang. He catalogued Jin's domestic rebels beside Han villains. He reproached southern ministers for inertia against Shi Le.
19
君侯植根江陽，發曜荊、衡，杖葉公之權，有包胥之志，而令白公、伍員殆得極其暴，竊為丘明恥之。 區區楚國子重之徒，猶恥君弱、群臣不及先大夫，厲己戒眾，以服陳、鄭； 越之種蠡尚能弼佐句踐，取威黃池； 況今吳土英賢比肩，而不輔翼聖主，陵江北伐。 以義聲之直，討逆暴之羯，檄命舊邦之士，招懷存本之人，豈不若因風振落，頓阪走輪哉！ 且孫氏之初，以長沙之眾摧破董卓，志匡漢室。 雖中遇寇害，雅志不遂，原其心誠，乃忽身命。 及權據揚、越，外杖周、張，內馮顧、陸，距魏亦壁，克取襄陽。 自茲以降，世主相襲，咸能侵逼徐、豫，令魏朝旰食。 不知今之江表為賢俊匿智，藏其勇略邪？ 將呂蒙、淩統高蹤曠世哉？ 況今凶羯虐暴，中州人士逼迫勢促，其顛沛之危，甚於累卵。 假號之強，眾心所去，敵有釁矣，易可震盪。 王郎、袁術雖自詐偽，皆基淺根微，禍不旋踵，此皆君侯之所聞見者矣。
He urged Tao Kan to emulate Chu loyalists against barbarians. He cited Spring and Autumn shame-forged virtue. Wu-Yue precedent proved peripheral grit could win. He contrasted Wu talent with southern lethargy. Northern expedition should sweep Shi Le easily. Sun Jian's loyalty anchored Wu rise. Sun lineage sacrifice deserved respect. Sun Quan's teamwork humbled northern power. Successive Wu kings threatened central plains. He challenged southern elites to show courage. He invoked Wu's famed commanders. Northern Chinese suffered imminent ruin under Shi. Shi Le's regime was brittle. Pseudo-emperors fell quickly before true mandate.
20
王司徒清虛寡欲，善於全己，昔曹參亦綜此道，著畫一之稱也。 庾公居元舅之尊，處申伯之任，超然高蹈，明智之權。 廆於寇難之際，受大晉累世之恩，自恨絕域，無益聖朝，徒系心萬里，望風懷憤。 今海內之望，足為楚、漢輕重者，惟在君侯。 若戮力盡心，悉五州之眾，據兗、豫之郊，使向義之士倒戈釋甲，則羯寇必滅，國恥必除。 廆在一方，敢不竭命。 孤軍輕進，不足使勒畏首畏尾，則懷舊之士欲為內應，無由自發故也。 故遠陳寫，言不宣盡。
He praised Wang Dao's quiet survival craft. He noted Yu Liang's cautious stance. Murong loyalty endured despite distance. Tao Kan alone could tip balance. Joint northward strike could restore Jin. Murong pledged full support from Liaodong. Coordinated fronts needed secret Jin allies. Letter ran long by necessity.
21
廆使者遭風沒海。 其後廆更寫前箋，並齎其東夷校尉封抽、行遼東相韓矯等三十餘人疏上侃府曰：
The first embassy drowned crossing the sea. Murong coordinated a joint petition southward.
22
自古有國有家，鮮不極盛而衰。 自大晉龍興，克平㟭、會，神武之略，邁蹤前史。 惠皇之末，後黨構難，禍結京畿，釁成公族，遂使羯寇乘虛，傾覆諸夏，舊都淪滅，山陵毀掘，人神悲悼，幽明發憤。 昔獫狁之強，匈奴之盛，未有如今日羯寇之暴，跨躡華裔，盜稱尊號者也。
Opening lament on dynastic cycles. Jin founding triumphs outshone antiquity. Hui's reign disasters enabled Shi Le. Shi Le exceeded ancient northern foes.
23
天祚有晉，挺授英傑。 車騎將軍慕容廆自弱冠蒞國，忠於王室，明允恭肅，志在立勳。 屬海內分崩，皇輿遷幸，元皇中興，初唱大業，肅祖繼統，蕩平江外。 廆雖限以山海，隔以羯寇，翹首引領，系心京師，常假寤寐，欲憂國忘身。 貢篚相尋，連舟載路，戎不稅駕，動成義舉。 今羯寇滔天，怙其丑類，樹基趙、魏，跨略燕、齊。 廆雖率義眾，誅討大逆，然管仲相齊，猶曰寵不足以禦下，況廆輔翼王室，有匡霸之功，而位卑爵輕，九命未加，非所以寵異籓翰，敦獎殊勳者也。
Divine aid sustained Jin survivors. Petition praised Murong youth and loyalty. Southern courts sustained mandate. Murong fixation on restoration despite barriers. Steady tribute demonstrated virtue. Shi's realm sprawled north. Petition argued Murong deserved kingly rank to command allies.
24
方今詔命隔絕，王路險遠，貢使往來，動彌年載。 今燕之舊壤，北周沙漠，東盡樂浪，西暨代山，南極冀方，而悉為虜庭，非復國家之域。 將佐等以為宜遠遵周室，近准漢初，進封廆為燕王，行大將軍事，上以總統諸部，下以割損賊境。 使冀州之人望風向化。 廆得祗承詔命，率合諸國，奉辭夷逆，以成桓文之功，苟利社稷，專之可也。 而廆固執謙光，守節彌高，每詔所加，讓動積年，非將佐等所能敦逼。 今區區所陳，不欲苟相崇重，而愚情至心，實為國計。
Communication lag hindered investiture. Geographic loss demanded counter-title. Petition requested Murong kinghood like Han vassals. Royal patent would sway northerners. Kingship empowered lawful campaigns. Murong humility delayed acceptance. Petitioners stressed practical need.
25
侃報抽等書，其略曰：「車騎將軍憂國忘身，貢篚載路，羯賊求和，執使送之，西討段國，北伐塞外，遠綏索頭，荒服以獻。 惟北部未賓，屢遣征伐。 又知東方官號，高下齊班，進無統攝之權，退無等差之降，欲進車騎為燕王，一二具之。 夫功成進爵，古之成制也。 車騎雖未能為官摧勒，然忠義竭誠。 今騰箋上聽，可不遲速，當任天臺也。」 朝議未定。 八年，廆卒，乃止。 時年六十五，在位四十九年。 帝遣使者策贈大將軍、開府儀同三司，諡曰襄。 及俊僭號，偽諡武宣皇帝。
Tao Kan praised Murong's loyalty and frontier victories in his reply, writing in gist: "The General of Chariots and Cavalry forgets self for the state—tribute baskets crowd the road; Jie bandits sued peace yet he handed envoys to court; he struck west at Duan lands, campaigned north beyond the passes, soothed Suotou tribes—distant desert peoples submitted tribute. Northern raids still troubled Murong. Eastern offices needed royal coordination before king-making. Tao cited precedent for promotion. He acknowledged logistical limits yet praised devotion. Now his memorial reaches us—delay must not tarry; Heaven's terrace decides." Jiankang stalled on investiture. Hui's death in Xianhe eight ended king talks. Murong ruled forty-nine years at sixty-five. Court gave posthumous honors Xiang. Later Former Yan canonized Wu-Xuan.
26
裴嶷，字文冀，河東聞喜人也。 父昶，司隸校尉。 嶷清方有幹略，累遷至中書侍郎，轉給事黃門郎、滎陽太守。 屬天下亂，嶷兄武先為玄菟太守，嶷遂求為昌黎太守。 至郡，久之，武卒，嶷被征，乃將武子開送喪俱南。 既達遼西，道路梗塞，乃與開投廆。 時諸流寓之士見廆草創，並懷去就。 嶷首定名分，為群士啟行。 廆甚悅，以嶷為長史，委以軍國之謀。
Pei Yi bio opens—style Wenji, Hedong Wenxi. Father Pei Chang held metropolitan colonel rank. Yi was upright, principled, and capable in administration; he rose through repeated promotions to Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat, then became Yellow-Gate Gentleman and governor of Xingyang. He pursued Changli post near Murong. Death recalled him with nephew Kai. Liaoxi obstruction drove him to Murong. Early refugees wavered over Murong's regime. Pei Yi imposed order on refugee protocols. Murong made him chief strategist.
27
及悉獨官寇逼城下，外內騷動，廆問策於嶷，嶷曰：「悉獨官雖擁大眾，軍無號令，眾無部陣，若簡精兵，乘其無備，則成擒耳。」 廆從之，遂陷寇營。 廆威德於此甚振，將遣使獻捷於建鄴，妙簡行人，令嶷將命。
Pei said, "Siduguan masses a crowd yet lacks orders or formations—pick elite troops and strike unprepared—he can be captured." The raid succeeded on Pei's advice. Pei Yi chosen for Jiankang embassy.
28
初，朝廷以廆僻在荒遠，猶以邊裔之豪處之。 嶷既使至，盛言廆威略，又知四海英賢並為其用，舉朝改觀焉。 嶷將還，帝試留嶷以觀之，嶷辭曰：「臣世荷朝恩，濯纓華省，因事遠寄，投跡荒遐。 今遭開泰，得睹朝廷，復賜恩詔，即留京輦，於臣之私，誠為厚幸。 顧以皇居播遷，山陵幽辱，慕容龍驤將軍越在遐表，乃心王室，慷慨之誠，義感天地，方掃平中壤，奉迎皇輿，故遣使臣，萬里表誠。 今若留臣，必謂國家遺其僻陋，孤其丹心，使懷義懈怠。 是以微臣區區忘身為國，貪還反命耳。」 帝曰：「卿言是也。」 乃遣嶷還。 廆後謂群僚曰：「裴長史名重中朝，而降屈於此，豈非天以授孤也。」 出為遼東相，轉樂浪太守。
Jiankang underestimated Liaodong. His briefing rewrote metropolitan opinion. Pei declined detention citing Jin loyalty, saying, "My house owes dynastic grace—I washed cap tints in the capital before exile drove me to wilderness. He honored imperial favor. He justified returning to Murong's restoration cause. Detention would wound Murong morale. Thus your petty servant forgets body for state—greedy only to report back." The emperor said, "You speak rightly." Pei Yi returned north. Murong told officials, "Chief Clerk Pei bears renowned weight in central court yet bends to us—is Heaven not gifting him to me?" Pei governed Liaodong then Langle.
29
高瞻，字子前，渤海蓚人也。 少而英爽有俊才，身長八尺二寸。 光熙中，調補尚書郎。 屬永嘉之亂，還鄉里，乃與父老議曰：「今皇綱不振，兵革雲擾，此郡沃壤，憑固河海，若兵荒歲儉，必為寇庭，非謂圖安之所。 王彭祖先在幽、薊，據燕、代之資，兵強國富，可以托也。 諸君以為何如？」 眾咸善之。 乃與叔父隱率數千家北徙幽州。 既而以王浚政令無恆，乃依崔毖，隨毖如遼東。
Gao Zhan bio—style Ziqian, Bohai Xiu. Gao stood eight chi two cun. Guangxi posting brought him to ministry. He urged abandoning Bohai for safer refuge, telling elders, "Imperial net slackens and armies swarm—this fertile coast behind rivers and sea—if famine hits war it becomes bandit ground—not where we seek safety. He pointed to Wang Jun's Yan stronghold. What do gentlemen think?" The assembly endorsed his plan. He and Uncle Yin marched thousands north toward Youzhou. Wang Jun's erratic rule drove them under Cui Bi toward Liaodong.
30
毖之與三國謀伐廆也，瞻固諫以為不可，毖不從。 及毖奔敗，瞻隨眾降於廆。 廆署為將軍，瞻稱疾不起。 廆敬其姿器，數臨候之，撫其心曰：「君之疾在此，不在餘也。 今天子播越，四海分崩，蒼生紛擾，莫知所系，孤思與諸君匡復帝室，翦鯨豕於二京，迎天子于吳、會，廓清八表，侔勳古烈，此孤之心也，孤之願也。 君中州大族，冠冕之餘，宜痛心疾首，枕戈待旦，柰何以華夷之異，有懷介然。 且大禹出於西羌，文王生於東夷，但問志略何如耳，豈以殊俗不可降心乎！」 瞻仍辭疾篤，廆深不平之。 瞻又與宋該有隙，該陰勸廆除之。 瞻聞其言，彌不自安，遂以憂死。
Zhan warned against Cui Bi's triple alliance; Bi ignored him. After Bi's rout Zhan submitted with the refugees. Murong named him general; Zhan feigned sickness. Murong pressed him personally, saying, "Your ailment lies here, nowhere else. Murong proclaimed plans to sweep bandits from Luoyang and Chang'an and escort Jin home. He urged Zhan to shed ethnic prejudice for restoration. Moreover Yu the Great rose from western Qiang; King Wen was born among eastern Yi—only ambition matters—must foreign customs block sincere hearts!" Zhan stayed "ill"; Murong grew bitter. Song Gai baited Murong to execute Zhan. Word of the plot terrified Zhan to death.