Yan , known in historiography as the Later Yan ( simplified Chinese : 后燕 ; traditional Chinese : 後燕 ; pinyin : Hòu Yān ; 384 – 407 or 409), was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Xianbei people during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms .
106-570: The prefix "Later" to distinguish them from the Former Yan before them and other Yan states from the period. Historiographers also consider the Former Yan and Later Yan as separate states despite both being ruled by the same imperial family, and the Later Yan's founder, Murong Chui , had intended his state to be a restoration. Due to the devastation inflicted on the old Yan capital, Ye , the city of Zhongshan (中山, in modern Baoding , Hebei) became
212-542: A Jin vassal. In 344, for his contribution in the conquest of the Yuwen tribe, Murong Ba was created the Marquess of Duxiang. Later, Murong Ba was posted to the border with the powerful rival Later Zhao , whose general Deng Heng (鄧恆) was charged with looking for opportunities to conquer Former Yan, and Murong Ba resisted Deng successfully, causing Deng to be unable to launch a campaign. It was during these years that once, on
318-501: A force of around 90,000 strong on a punitive expedition against Wei, but the campaign ended in disaster as the Yan was heavily routed at the Battle of Canhe Slope , with Bao barely escaping with his life. In 396, Murong Chui personally led a campaign against Wei, but despite early success, became extremely ill and was forced to withdraw. He soon died and was succeeded by Murong Bao. Bao's rule
424-519: A further threat to Later Yan.) While isolated pockets of Former Qin resistance remained, by the end of 385 Former Yan was largely in control of the territory north of the Yellow River and east of Taihang Mountains . Around the new year 386, Murong Chui decided to make Zhongshan (中山, in modern Baoding , Hebei ), which his nephew Murong Wen (慕容溫) the Prince of Lelang had managed to rebuild despite
530-586: A general without parallel during his lifetime for having suffered no defeats throughout his career. Murong Chui's biography in the Book of Jin described him as seven chi and seven cun tall (approximately 188.65cm) and having long arms. The future Murong Chui was born in 326, while his father Murong Huang was still the heir apparent to Murong Hui the Duke of Liaodong, a vassal of Jin Dynasty (266–420) . He
636-522: A guide. After capturing Luoyang in early 370, Wang bribed Murong Chui's attendant Jin Xi (金熙) to give Murong Ling a false message that Murong Chui had heard that Empress Dowager Kezuhun had regretted her actions and that, therefore, he was defecting back to Former Yan. Murong Ling, unable to verify either the truth or the falsehood of the message, decided to defect back to Former Yan. Wang immediately accused Murong Ling of treason, and Murong Chui, in fear, fled, but
742-431: A hunt, he fell off a horse and lost one of his teeth. After Murong Jun succeeded Murong Huang in 348, because he was still jealous of Murong Ba, he renamed Murong Ba—to Murong Que (慕容𡙇, Que means "missing"), but soon found out that Que is a character signifying fortune in prophecies, and therefore again renamed him to Murong Chui, the name that he would be known later by. Soon after Murong Jun succeeded Murong Huang,
848-789: A relief force, and Murong Chui quickly crossed the Yellow River and captured Huatai, conquering Zhai's Wei state. In winter 393, Murong Chui turned his attention to Western Yan. After leading Murong Yong to believe that he would attack Western Yan's capital Zhangzi (長子, in modern Changzhi , Shanxi ) through Taihang Pass (太行, in modern Jiaozuo , Henan ), he instead surprised Western Yan by attacking through Tianjing Pass (天井關, in modern Handan , Henan ), quickly advancing on Zhangzi and began besieging it. Murong Yong sought aid from Jin and Northern Wei, but before Jin and Northern Wei forces could arrive, Murong Chui captured Zhangzi, killing Murong Yong and annexing Western Yan territory into Later Yan. In 395, in response to Northern Wei's continuous pillaging of
954-419: A reputation of him as a traitor. Further, his reputation was damaged in that soon after his death, the Later Yan state suffered great defeats at the hands of Northern Wei dynasty 's founder Emperor Daowu (Tuoba Gui), leading to the general sense that Murong Chui contributed to the defeats by not building a sound foundation for the empire and by choosing the wrong successor. However he continues to be regarded as
1060-614: A secret headquarters in Taiyuan. Yan, under the slogan "resistance against the enemy and defense of the soil", attempted to recruit young patriotic intellectuals to his government from across China. By 1936 Taiyuan became a gathering point for anti-Japanese intellectuals who had fled from Beijing , Tianjin , and Northeast China . A representative of the Japanese army, speaking of the final defense of Taiyuan, said that "nowhere in China have
1166-721: A significant trading center, due to its political and economical status in Shanxi. In 1900, the Taiyuan Massacre occurred, during which a number of Western missionaries were killed. The warlord Yan Xishan retained control of Shanxi from the Xinhai Revolution in 1911 to the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Taiyuan consequently flourished as the center of his comparatively progressive province and experienced extensive industrial development. It
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#17327648823801272-513: A temperate monsoon climate. Spring is dry, with occasional dust storms , followed by early summer heat waves . Summer tends to be warm to hot with most of the year's rainfall concentrated in July and August. Winter is long and cold, but dry and sunny. Because of the aridity, there tends to be considerable diurnal variation in temperature , except during the summer. The weather is much cooler than comparable-latitude cities, such as Shijiazhuang , due to
1378-561: A year as Fu Pi held firmly to the city. During this time, the Zhai-Dingling rebelled and Chui had to fight a brief alliance between Qin and Jin. The war in Hebei and famines that accompanied it devastated the region's economy, but Fu Pi finally abandoned Ye for Jinyang in late 385. Later Yan captured the city, and at this point had occupied most of Hebei. In 386, Murong Chui made Zhongshan (中山, in modern Baoding , Hebei) his capital, as
1484-477: Is the largest production site of metallurgical coal in China. The tree population in Taiyuan is dominated by coniferous forest, pine , white pine , spruce , and cypress . Taiyuan belongs to the warm temperate continental monsoon climate, with long, dry and cold winters, hot and humid summers, short and windy spring and autumn, and distinct dry and wet seasons. Taiyuan experiences a cold semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification BSk ). Taiyuan has
1590-602: The Battle of Canhe Slope , killing many soldiers but capturing the most. Murong Bao and a number of his generals were able to flee. Initially, Tuoba Gui was going to release the Later Yan soldiers to show generosity, but at Kepin Jian (可頻建)'s warning that this would permit Later Yan to rebuild its army quickly, slaughtered the captured Later Yan soldiers. Murong Bao was humiliated and urged Murong Chui to launch another campaign against Northern Wei, and Murong De also urged Murong Chui to do so. He therefore summoned his son Murong Long
1696-605: The Central Plains and consolidated their rule over captured territory. When a rebellion broke out near the Wei capital, Gui negotiated peace, but Bao refused to accept it. He attacked the Wei army as they prepare to retreat, but the Yan army was severely defeated at the Battle of Baisi . After the loss at Baisi, Bao's brother, Murong Lin started a coup in Zhongshan but failed and escaped the city. Worried that Lin may occupy
1802-611: The Di -led Former Qin dynasty. In the next few years, Qin conquered Yan and reunified northern China. Although Qin's ruler, Fu Jian treated him favourably, Chui harboured ambitions to restore his state. He fought for Qin in campaigns against the Eastern Jin and was one of the few officials who supported the ill-fated invasion of 383, which saw the Qin's disastrous defeat at the Battle of Fei River . As Chui's army remained mostly intact after
1908-496: The Dingling people led by Zhai Bin rebelled around Luoyang. Fu Pi sent Chui to attack them, but during the campaign, Chui finally rebelled, joining forces with Zhai Bin. Initially, Murong Chui only took the title of Prince of Yan, as the last Former Yan emperor, Murong Wei, was still alive at the Qin capital, Chang'an . To distinguish between Former Yan and other Yan states of the period, historiographers refer to Chui's state as
2014-699: The Emperor Chengwu of Later Yan (後燕成武帝), was the founding emperor of China's Later Yan dynasty . He was originally a general of the Former Yan . He was a controversial figure in Chinese history, as his military abilities were outstanding, but as he was forced to flee Former Yan due to the jealousies of the regent Murong Ping, he was taken in and trusted by the Former Qin emperor Fu Jiān , but later betrayed him and established Later Yan, leading to
2120-541: The Khitan and Goguryeo. However, he was largely unsuccessful in his campaigns, even losing Liaodong to Goguryeo in 404. Taking advantage of Fu Xunying's funeral in 407, Murong Bao's adopted son, Murong Yun , launched a coup and killed Murong Xi. Murong Yun was originally named Gao Yun and a descendant of the Goguryeo royal family. Upon ascending, he changed his name back to Gao Yun. Depending on one's interpretation, he
2226-528: The Khitan state of Liao . Using the north-western route instead of the southern (used in the previous campaigns) the armies of Taizong defeated a major Liao force. Isolated, the Northern Han resisted for only fifteen days before surrendering. In contrast to the mild policies of his brother, Taizong dealt harshly with the city. He ordered the flooding of Taiyuan by releasing the Fen River , and set
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#17327648823802332-486: The Kumo Xi and Goguryeo but was also very strict and suspicious of his own officials. In 401, he was killed during a coup, and his uncle Murong Xi replaced him as Heavenly King . Murong Xi is described in records as a remarkably cruel and wasteful ruler, acting on the whims of his lovers, the sisters Fu Song'e and Fu Xunying . Xi engaged in several costly construction projects and launched repeated campaigns against
2438-480: The Liaodong Peninsula . The Later Yan rulers initially declared themselves "emperors", but towards the end they adopted the lesser title of " Tiān Wáng" ( Heavenly King ). Some historians consider Murong Xi the last ruler of Later Yan, while others consider it to be Gao Yun , an adopted member of the imperial family of Goguryeo ethnicity. Murong Chui was the son of Murong Huang , the founder of
2544-617: The Qing dynasty and defeated the Great Shun Army in Taiyuan in the same year. Throughout the Qing dynasty, the international trade with Russia, especially of tea, and the creation and development of so-called draft banks, or Piaohao , boosted the central Shanxi basin to become the financial center of Qing China. Even though most of these Piaohao were based in different neighboring counties of Qi County , Taigu , and Yuci , Taiyuan became
2650-517: The Song dynasty and embarked on the campaign of re-unification of China. Using a power struggle at the Northern Han court Taizu moved against it in the late 968. By early 969 his armies encircled Taiyuan and defeated the reinforcements sent by the Khitan . However, an attempt to flood the city failed. The siege was lifted after three months, as heavy rains caused diseases in the besieging army,
2756-691: The Tang dynasty and subsequent Five Dynasties , the status of the city of Taiyuan was elevated to be the Northern Capital, hence the name Běidū ( 北都 ), and Běijīng ( 北京 , different from present-day Beijing ). Taiyuan is an ancient city with more than 2500 years of urban history, dating back from 497 BC. It was the capital or secondary capital ( 陪 都 , 别 都 ) of Zhao , Former Qin , Eastern Wei , Northern Qi , Northern Jin , Later Tang , Later Jin , Later Han , Northern Han . Its strategic location and rich history make Taiyuan one of
2862-548: The Western Yan and Later Qin also broke away around Chang'an, constraining Fu Jian and preventing him from sending aid to the east. Despite rebelling, Chui upheld a framing of still being indebted to Fu Jian. While besieging Ye, he attempted to assure Fu Pi's safety and allowed him an escape route to the west. Members of the Fu clan that surrendered were also welcomed and allowed to serve under him. The battle for Ye lasted around
2968-492: The Xianbei Former Yan dynasty , and a key military general; in 369, he saved the state from ruin by defeating an Eastern Jin invasion led by Huan Wen at the Battle of Fangtou . On the other hand, he was also a subject of suspicion within the imperial family. After defeating Huan Wen, the regent, his uncle Murong Ping became apprehensive of his newfound reputation and wanted to kill him, prompting Chui to flee to
3074-466: The Xiongnu state of Former Zhao , whose army raided the area around Taiyuan for years and eventually obtained Taiyuan in 316. In 319, Taiyuan became part of Later Zhao , founded by Shi Le . Later, Taiyuan was obtained by Former Yan in 358, and by Former Qin in 370. Fu Jian died in 384. His son Fu Pi declared himself an emperor in 385, with Jinyang (central city of Taiyuan) as the capital. But
3180-672: The 6 urban districts on 1,460 km (560 sq mi). Consistent with China's economic expansion throughout the 2010s, Taiyuan's economy has shown consistent growth in recent years. In 2018, Taiyuan's GDP was worth 388.450 billion Yuan, more than double what it was in 2010. Disposable income per capita was reported to be 31,031 Yuan in 2018, a 7.2% increase from 2017. In 2015, Taiyuan imported 4,085.130 million USD worth of goods, and exported 6,592.250 million USD worth. Taiyuan's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 3.9 billion yuan, 105.2 billion yuan, and 132.2 billion yuan respectively in 2007. Shanxi produces
3286-476: The Canhe Slope, however, the soldiers saw the bodies of the dead soldiers and began to cry bitterly, and Murong Chui became so enraged and embarrassed that he grew extremely ill. In response, the Later Yan forces began to withdraw, and on the way back to Zhongshan, Murong Chui died at Shanggu (上谷, in modern Zhangjiakou , Hebei ). His death was not announced until the army reached Zhongshan, however, and he
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3392-417: The Chinese fought so obstinately". From the Japanese occupation of Taiyuan to the Japanese surrender in 1945, the Japanese continued to exploit Taiyuan's industries and resources to supply the Japanese army. After the Japanese army in Shanxi surrendered to Yan Xishan, 10,000–15,000 Japanese troops, including both enlisted men and officers, decided to fight for Yan rather than return to Japan. Yan also retained
3498-514: The Former Yan capital Yecheng. Initially, he did not hide his disgust to those officials who failed to support him during the struggle with Murong Ping and Empress Dowager Kezuhun, but at Gao Bi's suggestion, he started to treat them with kindness, with the rebuilding of Yan in mind. Still, in 372, he accused Murong Ping of being the root of Former Yan's destruction and requested that Fu Jiān avenge Former Yan by executing Murong Ping; Fu Jiān did not do so, but effectively exiled Murong Ping by making him
3604-523: The Later Yan. He led his forces to besiege Fu Pi at Ye while his generals secured the rest of Hebei. Unlike the Former Yan dynasty, the upper echelons of the Later Yan were dominated by the Xianbei clans rather than Han Chinese. The Later Yan also had to cooperate with the various fortified settlements (塢堡; wubao) in the northeast, who were typically led by the non-Chinese and had a large degree of autonomy over their strongholds. Soon after Chui's rebellion,
3710-451: The Prince of Gaoyang and grandson Murong Sheng back to the capital Zhongshan with reinforcements from the northern part of the empire, ready to launch another attack against Northern Wei in 396. Murong Chui then launched the attack, quickly capturing Northern Wei's important city Pingcheng (平城, in modern Datong , Shanxi ) and aimed for Shengle, and Tuoba Gui, in panic, considered abandoning Shengle again. When Murong Chui led his army through
3816-445: The Prince of Taiyuan as regent . Unlike Murong Jun, Murong Ke greatly trusted Murong Chui and consulted him on many decisions—including what to do with Muyu Gen when Muyu Gen conspired against him in 360. Later that year, he also sent Murong Chui to pacify southern provinces which became disturbant in light of Murong Jun's death. In 365, he assisted Murong Ke in capturing the important Jin city of Luoyang , and after doing so became
3922-547: The Prince of Wu. However, Murong Jun continued to be jealous of Murong Chui's talents. He briefly made Murong Chui the defender of the important city and former capital Longcheng (龍城, in modern Jinzhou , Liaoning ), but after it became clear that Murong Chui was ruling the region successfully and garnered the support of the people, Murong Jun became fearful and recalled him to the new capital Yecheng (鄴城, in modern Handan , Hebei ). In 358, Murong Chui would lose his wife Princess Duan to political intrigue. Princess Duan, being
4028-484: The Tang dynasty, partly because Taiyuan was the military base of the founding emperors Li Yuan and Li Shimin . As Li Shimin wrote in 619: "Taiyuan, the base of the imperial regime and the foundation of the state." ( 太原，王业所基，国之根本 ) In 690, Wu Zetian set Taiyuan as the Northern Capital, ( 北 都 ; Běidū ), one of the three capitals, along with Chang'an and Luoyang , as depicted in the poem by Li Bai : "The king of
4134-464: The Yan was in a constant state of warfare. In 392, Murong Chui campaigned against and destroyed Zhai Wei. In 394, seeking to establish Later Yan as Former Yan's true successor, Chui began a campaign to conquer Western Yan. He captured the Western Yan capital and executed Murong Yong, annexing Shanxi for Later Yan. Then, he sent his generals to capture Shandong from the Eastern Jin dynasty, bringing
4240-581: The Zhi army, with the help from Wei and Han. The Tripartition of Jin happened in 403 BC, when the state of Jin, then a strong power in Northern China, was divided into three smaller states of Han , Zhao and Wei . This event is the watershed between the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in Chinese history. In 248 BC, the state of Qin attacked Zhao under General Meng'ao , and obtained
4346-584: The area around Jinyang from Zhao. Qin set up the Commandery of Taiyuan ( 太原郡 ), with the city of Jinyang as its administrative center. Although, the name Taiyuan had appeared in historic records before, potentially referring to different regions in nowadays southern and central Shanxi , this was the first time Taiyuan was officially used to refer to present-day Taiyuan. Between 229 and 228 BC, Qin General Li Xin lead two armies that marched from
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4452-435: The armies to Murong Chui. However, after Murong Ke's death later that year, Murong Ping and Empress Dowager Kezuhun disagreed with his advice, and Murong Ping became regent while the commander of the armies post was given to Murong Wei's brother Murong Chong the Prince of Zhongshan. Neither Murong Ping nor Empress Dowager Kezuhun trusted Murong Chui, and he was not given important responsibilities. In 368, when four dukes of
4558-675: The army and arrived at Yecheng, which was being defended by Fu Pi. They suspected each other, but each ruled out ambushing the other. When the Dingling chief Zhai Bin (翟斌) rebelled and attacked Luoyang, guarded by Fu Pi's younger brother Fu Hui (苻暉), Fu Pi ordered Murong Chui to put down Zhai's rebellion, and Fu Pi sent his assistant Fu Feilong (苻飛龍) to serve as Murong Chui's assistant. On the way to Luoyang, however, Murong Chui killed Fu Feilong and his Di soldiers and prepared to openly rebel. Meanwhile, despite his suspicions of Murong Chui, Fu Pi did not put Murong Chui's son Murong Nong and nephews Murong Kai and Murong Shao (慕容紹) under surveillance, and
4664-429: The battle, he escorted the injured Fu Jian back to the north. Sensing weakness, Chui began carrying out his restoration. Rather than kill Fu Jian, he requested to be transferred to Hebei , where Former Yan once ruled, ostensibly to maintain order in the region. There, he cooperated with Fu Jian's son, Fu Pi , under mutual suspicion while secretly contacting the old Yan families and officials to join his movement. In 384,
4770-473: The border region, Murong Chui sent Murong Bao, Murong Nong, Murong Lin, Murong De, and Murong Shao to lead a 90,000+-men army in a punitive expedition against Northern Wei, with Murong Bao in command. Tuoba Gui withdrew his forces out of his capital Shengle (盛樂, in modern Hohhot , Inner Mongolia ) to the west of the Yellow River. Murong Bao's forces gave chase and eventually became worn out, and Tuoba Gui announced false rumors that Murong Chui had died, causing
4876-523: The campaign, and Fu Jiān launched his campaign in fall 383. However, Former Qin forces, commanded by Fu Rong, was defeated by Jin forces at the Battle of Fei River despite great numerical superiority; Fu Rong was killed, and almost the entire army collapsed—although the forces under Murong Chui's command remained intact, and Fu Jiān, who suffered an arrow wound during the defeat, fled to Murong Chui. Murong Chui's son Murong Bao and brother Murong De both tried to persuade Murong Chui to kill Fu Jiān while he had
4982-463: The capital from Daming to Luoyang , and Taiyuan was set as a provisional capital, titled "Beidu" (北都, literally 'Northern Capital'). In 936, Shi Jingtang established Later Jin in Taiyuan with the help from Khitan Liao dynasty . The next year, Shi Jingtang moved the capital from Taiyuan to Luoyang , and then to Kaifeng , and Taiyuan became a provisional northern capital ("Beijing") again. Zhao Kuangyin ( Emperor Taizu of Song ) established
5088-530: The charges of witchcraft, and because of this the torture was intensified. Murong Chui was saddened by his wife's suffering, and he sent her a message trying to persuade her to end her suffering by admitting to the charge (and thus end the torture but be sentenced to death). Princess Duan remarked: I am not fearful of death. However, if I falsely implicate myself, I admit to treason. I would be betraying my ancestors and dragging Your Royal Highness into this disaster. The results are dire, and I will not do this. As she
5194-414: The cities of Taiyuan and Yunzhong to attack Zhao's northern commandery of Dai. Three months after General Li Mu 's death; Wang Jian, Li Xin & Qiang Lei conquered Zhao. In 221 BC, Qin conquered the rest of China, and officially started the first imperial dynasty of China. Qin established thirty-six commanderies on its territory, and Taiyuan was one of them. Also, the capital of commandery of Taiyuan
5300-724: The city for Huatai. There, De declared himself the Prince of Yan in 398, founding the Southern Yan and splitting the state into two. Supplanted by the Northern Wei, the Later Yan ceased to be a major player on the Central Plains as their territory was reduced to present-day Liaoning . In 398, Murong Bao was assassinated by his granduncle, Lan Han , who was then killed by Bao's son, Murong Sheng , shortly after. Sheng demoted his imperial title from Emperor to Commoner Heavenly King in 400. He had success in waging war against
5406-582: The city has taken further action to combat air pollution, creating a "coal-free zone" of 1,460 km in 2017. This zone prevents most people and organizations from buying, selling, storing, transporting, burning, or using coal. In 2019, the Taiyuan City Government expanded the size of this zone slightly, to a total of 1,574 km . As of the 2020 census, Taiyuan prefecture had a total population of 5,304,061 inhabitants on 6,959 km (2,687 sq mi), from whom 4,529,141 lived in
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#17327648823805512-609: The city on fire. The former capital was downgraded from prefecture to county town status. It was not until 982 that a new city was founded on the banks of the Fen River . The oldest existing building in Taiyuan today is the Temple of the Goddess ( simplified Chinese : 圣 母 殿 ; traditional Chinese : 聖 母 殿 ) inside the Jin Ci Complex. It was originally built in 1023 and reconstructed in 1102. From 1027 one of
5618-417: The city required the support of 1,300 pieces of artillery. Many Nationalist officers committed suicide when the city fell to a Communist army. Taiyuan lies on the Fen River in the north of its fertile upper basin. The city is located at the center of the province with an east–west span of 144 km (89 mi) and a north–south span of 107 km (66 mi). It commands the north–south route through
5724-481: The city underwent significant development during the war. Later that year, his cousin, Murong Yong of Western Yan occupied Shanxi and declared himself emperor. By now, both Murong Wei and Fu Jian had died, so Chui also changed his title to emperor. The Dingling rebels under Zhai Liao founded the Zhai Wei state at Huatai (滑台, in modern Anyang , Henan ) in 388. Rebellions frequently broke out in Yan territory, and
5830-417: The city's name are 太 ( tài , "great") and 原 ( yuán , "plain"), referring to the location where the Fen River leaves the mountains and enters a relatively flat plain. Throughout its long history, the city had various names, including Bīngzhōu ( 并州 ) (from which the city's abbreviated single-character name Bīng ( 并 ) is derived), Jìnyáng ( 晋阳 ) and Lóngchéng ( 龙城 ). During
5936-414: The commander of the southern armies, defending against possible Jin counterattacks. In 367, Murong Ke grew ill, and on his deathbed he advised Murong Wei to let Murong Chui succeed him. He also tried to convince Murong Wei's older brother Murong Zang (慕容臧) the Prince of Le'an and his own uncle and co-regent Murong Ping (慕容評) the Prince of Shangyong of the wisdom of giving at least the post of commander of
6042-459: The daughter of Duan Mopei (段末柸) and therefore derived from the royal family of Duan tribe, was proud of her bloodline and disrespectful to Murong Jun's wife Empress Kezuhun . Perhaps at Empress Kezuhun's instigation, the eunuch Nie Hao (涅浩) falsely accused Princess Duan of witchcraft . Murong Jun had her and her alleged coconspirator, Murong Chui's assistant Gao Bi (高弼), arrested. Princess Duan and Gao were tortured, but they refused to admit
6148-561: The economic, political, military, and cultural centers of Northern China. From about 859 BC the area around modern-day Taiyuan was occupied by the Rong people . In 662 BC the Rong were driven out by the Di people. In 497 BC, the first ancient city of Jinyang was built around the southern Jinyuan District of present-day Taiyuan, by Dong Anyu ( 董 安 于 ), who was a steward of Zhao Jianzi [ zh ] ( 赵鞅 ), an upper-level official of
6254-520: The first capital of the Later Yan. The Later Yan managed to recover most of their old territory in Liaoning , Hebei , Shaanxi , Shandong and Henan by 394. However, after the Northern Wei invasion in 396, they were reduced to Liaoning and parts of northeastern Hebei, where they made Longcheng their new capital. Their territory was further reduced during their war with Goguryeo as they lost
6360-478: The first decade of the 21st century, and once it was even listed among the ten most air-polluted cities in the world. Recently, the air quality has been gradually improved with increasing public awareness of air quality control and stricter and more detailed rules for pollution applied. However, according to the 2014 statistical book issued by the National Bureau of Statistics , even though no longer among
6466-416: The governor of a distant commandery. In 378, Murong Chui participated in the campaign commanded by Fu Jiān's son Fu Pi against Jin's key city of Xiangyang . In 382, when Fu Jiān wanted to launch a major campaign to destroy Jin and unite China, most officials, including Fu Jiān's brother Fu Rong , who succeeded Wang as prime minister after Wang's death in 375, opposed, but Murong Chui and Yao Chang urged
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#17327648823806572-519: The heaven has three capitals, the Northern capital is one of them." (" 天王三京，北都居一 "). In 742 AD, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang changed its name further to Beijing ( 北京 ). During the Tang dynasty, the title Northern Capital to Taiyuan had been endowed or abolished multiple times. In 923, Li Cunxu , son of Li Keyong , founded Later Tang with capital of Daming , and soon conquered most of North China, and ended Later Liang. Afterwards, Li Cunxu moved
6678-466: The key city of Longcheng , Bao decided to abandon Zhongshan for Longcheng. Hereafter, more infighting ensued; at Longcheng, Bao survived rebellions by his son, Murong Hui and his general Duan Sugu (段速骨). Meanwhile, at Zhongshan, a cousin, Murong Xiang held out against Wei and declared himself emperor, but was soon killed and replaced by Murong Lin. However, Zhongshan then fell to Wei, and Lin fled to Ye, where he convinced his uncle, Murong De to abandon
6784-481: The major generals, Murong Jun advanced south and, after capturing and executing Ran Min in 352, took over the eastern half of former Later Zhao territory. During the next few years, Murong Chui participated in subduing many former Later Zhao generals who were still remaining semi-independent. In winter 352, Murong Jun formally declared himself independent from Jin, as emperor, and in 354, when creating many of his sons, brothers, and uncles princes, he created Murong Chui
6890-629: The moderately high altitude. The monthly 24-hour average temperature range from −4.7 °C (23.5 °F) in January to 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) in July, while the annual mean is 10.9 °C (51.6 °F). With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 51 percent in July to 61 percent in May, there are 2,493 hours of sunshine annually. Extremes since 1951 have ranged from −25.5 °C (−13.9 °F) to 39.4 °C (102.9 °F), though an unofficial record low of −29.5 °C (−21.1 °F)
6996-840: The most important matters personally. He created his now-wife Duan Yuanfei —the niece of two of his deceased wives—empress. In 391, an incident that would have terrible consequences occurred to lead to the break of relations between Later Yan and Northern Wei. That year, Tuoba Gui sent his brother Tuoba Gu (拓拔觚) to Later Yan to offer tribute, and Murong Chui's sons detained Tuoba Gu and ordered Tuoba Gui to offer horses to trade for Tuoba Gu's freedom. Tuoba Gui refused and broke off relations with Later Yan, instead entering into an alliance with Western Yan. In 392, after Zhai Liao's son and successor Zhai Zhao attacked Later Yan's border region, Murong Chui personally led an army against Zhai Zhao's capital Huatai (滑台, in modern Anyang , Henan ). Zhai sought aid from Western Yan, but Murong Yong declined to send
7102-465: The next year, Fu Pi was defeated by the Western Yan prince Murong Yong in 386, and Taiyuan became part of Western Yan. In 386, Tuoba Gui founded Northern Wei . In 396, Northern Wei expanded to Taiyuan. In 543, Eastern Wei was founded by Gao Huan , with the capital at the city of Ye , and Taiyuan as the alternative capital ( 别都 ), where the Mansion of the "Great Chancellor" Gao Huan ( 大丞相府 )
7208-529: The northern territory during the reign of the Hongzhi Emperor , which included the Garrison of Taiyuan ( 太 原 镇 ). Shanxi merchants became prominent in Chinese business history since the beginning of Ming dynasty, thanks to the logistic requirements of the military around the borders of northern Shanxi to defend Ming against the remnant Mongol Northern Yuan dynasty . In 1644, Shunzhi founded
7314-449: The power to, but Murong Chui instead returned his forces to Fu Jiān's command and returned to Luoyang with Fu Jiān. However, under suggestion by his son Murong Nong, he planned a rebellion to rebuild Yan. Murong Chui told Fu Jiān that he was fearful that the people over the Former Yan territory would rebel, and that it would be best if he led a force to pacify the region. Fu Jiān agreed, despite opposition by Quan Yi (權翼). Murong Chui took
7420-433: The powerful rival to the south, Later Zhao, collapsed after the death of Shi Hu, as Shi Hu's sons and adoptive grandson Shi Min (who later changed his family name back to his father's original "Ran") engaged in an internecine struggle. Despite the turmoil, Murong Jun was initially hesitant to march south to take over Later Zhao territory, but Murong Chui persuaded him that the opportunity was ripe. With Murong Chui as one of
7526-509: The province, as well as important natural lines of transportation through the Taihang Mountains to Hebei in the east and to northern Shaanxi in the west. Taiyuan is abundant in natural resources such as coal , iron , marble , silica, bauxite , limestone , graphite , quartz , phosphorus , gypsum , mica , copper , and gold . It boasts high production of coal, iron, silica and marble. The western satellite city of Gujiao
7632-765: The rewards that he requested. Murong Ping and Empress Kezuhun further considered executing him. Murong Ke's son Murong Kai (慕容楷) and Murong Chui's uncle Lan Jian (蘭建) suggested that he start a coup, but Murong Chui declined. Instead, he accepted his heir apparent Murong Ling (慕容令)'s suggestion, seeking to flee and take over Longcheng in order to try to force reconciliation with the imperial government. Murong Chui put his plan in motion in winter 369. However, once he left Yecheng, his son Murong Lin , whom he had not favored, fled back to Yecheng to report on him, and Murong Ping sent an army to chase after him. Murong Chui then changed his plan and sought to flee to Former Qin instead. He then scattered his followers and fled back south. On
7738-521: The rival Former Qin rebelled against its emperor Fu Jiān , Murong Chui was one of the advocates for assisting the four dukes, who sought Former Yan assistance, and further taking the opportunity to conquer Former Qin. However, Murong Ping declined to do so, and Former Qin was able to capture and execute the four dukes. In 369, the Jin general Huan Wen launched a major attack against Former Yan, defeating each Former Yan army sent against him and advancing all
7844-530: The services of experienced and foreign-educated Japanese technicians and professional staff brought into Taiyuan by the Japanese to run the complex of industries that they had developed around Taiyuan. Taiyuan was the last area in Shanxi to resist Communist control during the final stages of the Chinese Civil War . The city was taken by the Communists on 22 April 1949, after they surrounded Taiyuan and cut it off from all means of land and air supply, and taking
7950-407: The soldiers to become worried. Meanwhile, some of Murong Lin's supporters considered a coup to support Murong Lin as emperor, and while Murong Lin himself was not involved, mutual suspicions emerged. Murong Bao therefore decided to retreat, not realizing that Tuoba Gui was shadowing his army in the dark winter cold. In deep winter 395, Northern Wei forces ambushed the unsuspecting Later Yan forces at
8056-508: The state of Jin. During the Battle of Jinyang in 453 BC, Zhi Yao diverted the flow of the Fen River to inundate the city of Jinyang, caused significant damage to the Zhao. Later, Zhao Xiangzi alerted Wei and Han, who both decided to ally with Zhao. On the night of 8 May 453 BC, Zhao troops broke the dams of the Fen River and let the river flood the Zhi armies, and eventually annihilated
8162-496: The state to its peak. At this point, Murong Chui was already at an advanced age, and so he began empowering his Crown Prince, Murong Bao . In 388, he assigned Bao to run the government from Zhongshan while still retaining his decision-making power on important matters. Chui also introduced a separate governing system between his Han Chinese and "Hu" subjects within Yan by appointing Bao the Grand Chanyu, tasked with supervising
8268-476: The supplies were running low, and another Khitan relief force was advancing towards the city. Taizu launched the second invasion of Northern Han in September 969, but the armies were recalled after his death (November 14,969). Taizu's brother Taizong subjugated the last independent kingdoms in the south of China by 978, and in 979 launched the third campaign against the Northern Han and its overlord
8374-456: The territory south of the Yellow River and was in a temporary alliance with Fu Pi. The future of his Later Yan state did not appear particularly bright at this point. However, after moving north to pacify most of modern Hebei , Murong Chui was eventually able to take Yecheng late in 385 when Fu Pi abandoned it and moved west. (Fu Pi, upon hearing that Fu Jiān had died earlier that year at Yao's hand, then declared himself emperor, but did not pose
8480-436: The three fled out of Yecheng and started a rebellion of their own. In spring 384, Murong Chui, not yet in open rebellion against Former Qin, arrived at Luoyang, but Fu Hui, hearing of Fu Feilong's death, refused to welcome him. Murong Chui then entered into an alliance with Zhai Bin, who urged him to take imperial title. Murong Chui refused at this point (reasoning that he should welcome Murong Wei back as emperor) but accepted
8586-617: The title of Prince of Yan, formally breaking away from Former Qin and establishing Later Yan. Immediately, the struggle was on for Murong Chui to capture the territory that was formerly Former Yan's. Both he and Murong Nong quickly captured many cities. Luoyang and Yecheng were isolated. Fu Pi tried to persuade him to stop his rebellion, but he refused, and instead tried to persuade Fu Pi to leave Yecheng with his forces intact; Fu Pi refused, and Murong Chui put Yecheng under siege. With Former Qin now facing further rebellion by Murong Chui's nephews Murong Hong and Murong Chong , and Yao Chang, in
8692-817: The tribes. This system was further developed during the reign of Murong Sheng , who established the Yan Ministry to manage the tribes, and then Murong Xi , who set up the Grand Chanyu Administration. Previously in 386, to counter Western Yan, Later Yan allied themselves with the Tuoba -Xianbei state of Northern Wei . Initially, Wei relied on Later Yan's assistance against their rival tribes, but an incident in 391 led to relations breaking down. Wei aligned themselves with Western Yan, and hostilities continued even after Western Yan fell. In 395, to further elevate his Crown Prince, he sent Murong Bao to lead
8798-399: The two private markets for Tangut goods, particularly salt, operated in Taiyuan. During the Song period many people, including the family of chancellor Wang Anshi , migrated south. The Jurchen Jin dynasty was founded in 1115, and in 1125, Taiyuan was conquered by Jin. The Mongol empire emerged in 1206 under the leadership of Genghis Khan , and it expanded quickly. In 1218, Taiyuan
8904-469: The warfare, his capital. He also claimed the title of emperor. In 386, Tuoba Gui , the descendant of the Dai royal house, who had reestablished Dai earlier that year but subsequently claimed the title Prince of Wei (thus establishing Northern Wei ) but faced internal rebellions and turmoil, submitted to Murong Chui as a vassal and sought Later Yan aid. Murong Chui sent Murong Lin to help him, and Northern Wei
9010-606: The way to Fangtou (枋頭, in modern Hebi , Henan ), near Yecheng. Murong Wei and Murong Ping panicked and considered fleeing to the former capital Longcheng. However, Murong Chui volunteered to make one last stand against Huan Wen, and he and his brother Murong De were able to deal Huan a major defeat. Relief forces from Former Qin (which Former Yan requested) then arrived, and together they dealt Huan another major defeat, ending Huan's hopes of destroying Former Yan. However, both Murong Ping and Empress Kezuhun grew even more jealous of Murong Chui after his victory and denied his soldiers
9116-687: The way, another son Murong Manu (慕容馬奴) wanted to flee back to Yecheng and was killed by him. When he was stopped at the Yellow River , he killed the commander of the guards stopping him, forcing his way to Luoyang, and then fled to Former Qin with the younger Princess Duan, his sons Murong Ling, Murong Bao , Murong Nong , Murong Long , Murong Kai, Lan Jian, and Gao Bi. Princess Kezuhun remained at Yecheng. Upon Murong Chui's arrival in Former Qin territory, Fu Jiān, who had long considered conquering Former Yan but feared Murong Chui's military ability,
9222-598: The west, Yecheng was not able to receive any reinforcements, but Murong Chui was still unable to capture it quickly. When Zhai Bin, in disappointment over not given a prime ministerial title, considered switching sides again to Former Qin, Murong Chui killed him. Zhai Bin's nephew Zhai Zhen (翟真) rebelled against Later Yan, and for the next several years, while battling Former Qin remnants, Murong Chui also had to battle Dingling forces under Zhai Zhen and later his cousins Zhai Cheng (翟成) and Zhai Liao . Briefly during early 385, he also had to battle Jin forces, which had taken most of
9328-480: The wife—in this case, his older brother Murong Jun , the oldest son of Duchess Duan ), and Murong Huang agreed and made Murong Jun heir apparent, but still favored him greatly and officially named him Murong Ba (慕容霸, Ba meaning hegemon ). Because of this, Murong Jun was very jealous of his younger brother. Murong Ba became a general for his father early, after his father claimed the title of Prince of Yan and established Former Yan , although nominally still being
9434-513: The worst polluted cities in China, Taiyuan still has below-average ambient air quality, compared with other major Chinese cities. A 2019 study estimated that in 2016, there were 228,000 households in the city burning coal, burning a total of 1,096,000 tons that year alone. The authors of the study suggested that the local government should do more to transition from coal energy to gas energy, provide more electrical heating infrastructure, and transition to more renewable energy sources. In recent years,
9540-489: Was Jinyang. During the Jin dynasty , Taiyuan was again changed into a vassal state. Following the ending of the Jin dynasty, ethnic minority peoples settled a series of short-lived sovereign states in northern China, commonly referred to as Sixteen Kingdoms . Taiyuan was part of Former Zhao , Later Zhao , Former Qin , Former Yan , Former Qin again, Western Yan , and Later Yan chronologically. In 304, Liu Yuan founded
9646-415: Was Murong Huang's fifth son. His mother was Consort Lan, a concubine of Murong Huang. In his youth, he greatly impressed his father with his talent, and his father, sometime after succeeding his grandfather as the Duke of Liaodong in 333, wanted to make him the heir apparent. The officials advised against the action (since the general rules of succession requires that the heir apparent be the oldest son of
9752-439: Was buried with imperial honors. Murong Bao succeeded him, but in less than a year most of Later Yan would fall into Northern Wei's hands. Taiyuan Taiyuan ( Taiyuan Jin : /tʰai˦˥ ye˩˩/) is the capital of Shanxi , China. Taiyuan is the political, economic, cultural and international exchange center of Shanxi Province. It is an industrial base focusing on energy and heavy chemicals. Throughout its long history, Taiyuan
9858-415: Was captured, although Fu Jiān believed that Murong Ling was acting independently and therefore pardoned Murong Chui. Former Yan did not trust Murong Ling and exiled him, and later that year, after he tried to start a rebellion, he was killed in battle after being betrayed by his brother Murong Lin. Late in 370, after Wang defeated Murong Ping and conquered Former Yan, Murong Chui accompanied Fu Jiān to visit
9964-631: Was conquered by the Mongol army led by General Muqali . Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty in 1271, and the administrative area of Taiyuan Lu ( 太原 路 ) was expanded. The Taoist Longshan Grottoes was built in early Yuan dynasty, initiated by Taoist monk Song Defang ( 宋 德 芳 ). In 1368, Hongwu Emperor established the Ming dynasty , and Taiyuan was obtained from Yuan, by General Xu Da . The Ming dynasty installed Nine Military Garrisons to defend
10070-430: Was displeased, and Empress Kezuhun became even more resentful of him. Because of this, Murong Chui was briefly effectively exiled to be the governor of remote Ping Province (平州, modern eastern Liaoning ). He was only recalled when Murong Jun became ill in 359. In 360, Murong Jun died. He was succeeded by his son and crown prince Murong Wei , with Murong Jun's younger brother and Murong Chui's older brother Murong Ke
10176-675: Was either the last ruler of Later Yan or the first ruler of a separate regime known as the Northern Yan (hence, Later Yan ending with Murong Xi's death in 407). Gao Yun established friendly relations with Goguryeo before he was assassinated in 409. His Han Chinese general, Feng Ba replaced him on the throne, thus ending the Later Yan and beginning the Northern Yan. Murong Chui Murong Chui ( Chinese : 慕容垂 ; 326 – 2 June 396 ), courtesy name Daoming (道明), Xianbei name Altun (阿六敦), also known by his posthumous name as
10282-587: Was greatly pleased and exited the capital Chang'an to personally welcome Murong Chui. He created Murong Chui the Marquess of Bintu and greatly honored him, despite misgivings by his prime minister Wang Meng . He also made Murong Chui one of his generals. Later in 369, after Murong Ping refused to cede the Luoyang region to Former Qin, as Former Yan had promised when seeking Former Qin's aid against Jin, Fu Jiān sent Wang to attack Former Yan. Wang requested that Murong Chui's heir apparent Murong Ling accompany him as
10388-412: Was immediately troubled by conflict between him and his family members, along with his sudden and unpopular attempt at rectifying the state's household registry. Shortly after Bao's ascension, the Wei ruler, Tuoba Gui invaded Yan. Bao concentrated his forces to Zhongshan and other major cities, believing that Wei would besiege them and withdraw once their supply ran out. Instead, Wei forces quickly overran
10494-534: Was interrogated, Princess Duan replied logically and openly, and Murong Chui was able to avoid being dragged into the case, but she still died in prison, either from the torture or a secret execution. Murong Chui then married her sister as his new princess. However, after a brief time, Empress Kezuhun ordered that the new Princess Duan be deposed, and she married her sister, the Lady of Chang'an, to Murong Chui as his new princess. Murong Chui did not dare to refuse, but he
10600-401: Was linked by rail both to the far southwest of Shanxi and to Datong in the north. Until the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Yan's arsenal in Taiyuan was the only factory in China sufficiently advanced to produce field artillery. Because Yan succeeded in keeping Shanxi uninvolved in most of the major battles between rival warlords that occurred in China during the 1910s and 1920s, Taiyuan
10706-471: Was located. In 577, Taiyuan was conquered and became part of Northern Zhou . In 581, Emperor Wen of Sui founded Sui dynasty . Jinyang was first the administrative center of Bing Zhou ( 并州 ), which was changed into Taiyuan Commandery . In 617, Li Yuan rose in rebellion based in Taiyuan, and expanded quickly. In 618, Li Yuan founded Tang dynasty , which is generally considered a golden age of Chinese civilization. Taiyuan expanded significantly during
10812-517: Was never taken from Yan by an invading army until the Japanese conquered it in 1937. Yan was aware of the threat posed by the Japanese; and, in order to defend against the impending Japanese invasion of Shanxi, Yan entered into a secret "united front" agreement with the Communists in November 1936. After concluding his alliance with the Communists, he allowed agents under Zhou Enlai to establish
10918-575: Was preserved. In 387, Murong Chui's youngest son Murong Rou (慕容柔), and Murong Bao's sons Murong Sheng and Murong Hui (慕容會, note different character than Murong Chui's grandfather) fled back from Western Yan , which had been entrenched in modern Shanxi and whose emperor Murong Yong was a distant relative of Murong Chui's and who thus greatly suspected Murong Rou and his nephews. Later that year, all descendants of Murong Chui and Murong Jun remaining in Western Yan were massacred by Murong Yong. Later in 387, Murong Chui personally attacked Zhai Liao, who
11024-406: Was recorded on 7 January 1930. The municipality of Taiyuan is 6,988 km (2,698 sq mi). Taiyuan has a forest area of 146,700 hectares. and total grassland area of 422.5 km (163.1 sq mi) in 2007. The forest area coverage rate in the six urban districts has been increased to 21.69% in 2015. Taiyuan had suffered from severe air pollution , especially in the 1990s, and
11130-440: Was the capital or provisional capital of many dynasties in China, hence the name Lóngchéng ( 龙城 ; Dragon City ). As of 2021, the city will govern 6 districts, 3 counties, and host a county-level city with a total area of 6,988 square kilometers and a permanent population of 5,390,957. Taiyuan is located roughly in the centre of Shanxi, with the Fen River flowing through the central city. The two Chinese characters of
11236-448: Was then occupying Liyang Commandery (黎陽, roughly modern Hebi , Henan ), and Zhai Liao submitted to him. However, later that year, Zhai Liao rebelled again, and when Zhai Liao made another overture to submit in 388, Murong Chui refused, and Zhai Liao declared himself the "Heavenly King" ( Tian Wang ) of Wei . In 388, Murong Chui, at age 62, transferred much of his day-to-day authority to Murong Bao, now his crown prince , only deciding
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