Juqu Mujian
Encyclopedia
| Hexi Aiwang (河西哀王) | |
|---|---|
| Family name Chinese name Personal names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western cultures. Most noticeably, a Chinese name is written with the family name first and the given name next, therefore "John-Paul Smith" as a Chinese name would be "Smith John-Paul"... : |
Juqu (沮渠; jǔ qú) |
| Given name Chinese name Personal names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western cultures. Most noticeably, a Chinese name is written with the family name first and the given name next, therefore "John-Paul Smith" as a Chinese name would be "Smith John-Paul"... : |
Mujian (牧犍, mù jiān) or Maoqian (茂虔, mào qián) |
| Posthumous name Posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life... : |
Ai (哀, āi) literary meaning: "lamentable" |
Juqu Mujian (沮渠牧犍) (died 447), named Juqu Maoqian (沮渠茂虔) in some sources, formally Prince Ai of Hexi (河西哀王), was the a prince of the Chinese
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
/Xiongnu
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
state Northern Liang
Northern Liang
The Northern Liang was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. It was founded by the Xiongnu Juqu family, although they initially supported the Han official Duan Ye as prince, they overthrew him in 401 and took over themselves....
-- with most Chinese historians considering him the last prince, although with some considering his brothers Juqu Wuhui
Juqu Wuhui
Juqu Wuhui is viewed by some historians as a prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu states Northern Liang, as after the state's territory was largely seized by Northern Wei in 439, and his older brother Juqu Mujian was captured by Northern Wei, Juqu Wuhui tried to hold out against Northern Wei, initially...
and Juqu Anzhou
Juqu Anzhou
Juqu Anzhou is viewed by some historians as a prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu states Northern Liang, as after the state's territory was largely seized by Northern Wei in 439, and his older brother Juqu Mujian was captured by Northern Wei, Juqu Anzhou's brother Juqu Wuhui tried to hold out against...
to be princes of the state as well. By the time that Juqu Mujian succeeded his father Juqu Mengxun
Juqu Mengxun
Juqu Mengxun was a prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang, and the first from the Juqu clan. His cousin Juqu Nancheng and he initially supported Duan Ye as prince of Northern Liang in 397 after rebelling against Later Liang, but in 401, Juqu Mengxun tricked Duan Ye into wrongly...
(Prince Wuxuan) in 433, Northern Liang appeared to be stronger than ever, yet was under the shadow of the much stronger state Northern Wei
Northern Wei
The Northern Wei Dynasty , also known as the Tuoba Wei , Later Wei , or Yuan Wei , was a dynasty which ruled northern China from 386 to 534 . It has been described as "part of an era of political turbulence and intense social and cultural change"...
, to which Northern Liang was nominally a vassal. In 439, Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei
Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei
Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei , personal name Tuoba Tao , nickname Foli , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei...
launched a major campaign against Northern Liang and captured both his capital Guzang (姑臧, in modern Wuwei, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
) and Juqu Mujian himself. Juqu Mujian remained an honored Northern Wei subject as Emperor Taiwu's brother-in-law until 447, when Emperor Taiwu, believing him to be trying to rebel, forced him to commit suicide.
During Juqu Mengxun's reign
It is not known when Juqu Mujian was born, nor who his mother was—the historical records seem to indicate that his mother was not Juqu Mengxun's wife Princess MengPrincess Meng
Princess Meng was a princess of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang. Her husband was Juqu Mengxun .Very little is known about Princess Meng. She was mentioned as Juqu Mengxun's wife in 413, when she thwarted an assassination attempt against him by the eunuch Wang Huaizu and captured Wang...
, although do not completely preclude that possibility. He was Juqu Mengxun's third son. The first reference to him in history was in 420, after Juqu Mengxun had destroyed rival Western Liang
Western Liang
The Western Liang was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. It was founded by the Li family of the Han Chinese. The founder of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan , traced his ancestry to the Western Liang rulers....
and captured its capital Jiuquan (酒泉, in modern Jiuquan
Jiuquan
- Suzhou town :The administrative center of the "prefecture-level city" of Jiuquan is the "District" of Suzhou , which occupies 3,386 square km in the eastern part of Jiuquan "prefecture-level city", and had a population of 340,000 as of 2002....
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
), as Juqu Mengxun made him the governor of Jiuquan Commandery and gave him the deceased Western Liang duke Li Xin
Li Xin
Li Xin , courtesy name Shiye , nickname Tongzhui , was a duke of the Chinese state Western Liáng. He succeeded his father Li Gao in 417 and aggressively tried to pursue campaigns against rival Northern Liang's prince Juqu Mengxun, but fell into a trap set by Juqu Mengxun in 420 and was killed in...
's Li Jingshou
Princess Li Jingshou
Princess Li Jingshou was a princess of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang. Her husband was Juqu Mujian .Lil Jingshou was the daughter of the Western Liang prince Li Gao and Lady Yin, who was later princess dowager when Li Jingshou's brother Li Xin became prince in 417...
as his wife.
Juqu Mujian was never named heir by his father's will, as his father initially created Juqu Zhengde (沮渠政德), probably his oldest brother, as heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
, in 413. After Juqu Zhengde was killed in battle against Rouran
Rouran
Rouran , Mongolia name Jujan or Nirun Ruanruan/Ruru , Tan Tan , Juan-Juan or Zhu-Zhuwas the name of a confederation of nomadic tribes on the northern borders of Inner China from the late 4th century until the middle 6th century...
forces in 423, Juqu Mengxun created another brother of Juqu Mujian's, Juqu Xingguo (沮渠興國), as heir apparent. After Juqu Xingguo was captured and detained by the Western Qin
Western Qin
The Western Qin was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. Note that the Western Qin is entirely distinct from the ancient Qin Dynasty, the Former Qin, and the Later Qin....
prince Qifu Mumo
Qifu Mumo
Qifu Mumo , courtesy name Anshiba , was the last prince of the Chinese/Xianbei state Western Qin. When he succeeded his father Qifu Chipan in 428, Western Qin was already in a state of decline, under incessant attack by Northern Liang, Xia, Tuyuhun, and Chouchi, but under Qifu Mumo, who had a...
in 429, and Juqu Mengxun failed in his attempt to ransom Juqu Xingguo back from Western Qin, he created a younger brother of Juqu Mujian's, said to be of the same mother as Juqu Xingguo's, Juqu Puti (沮渠菩提), as heir apparent. However, as Juqu Mengxun was ill in 433, the nobles and the officials considered Juqu Puti too young to govern, so they deposed Juqu Puti and made Juqu Mujian, who was considered studious and kind, heir apparent instead. Juqu Mengxun soon died, and Juqu Mujian succeeded to the throne. He created his son Juqu Fengtan (沮渠封壇) as heir apparent.
Reign
Juqu Mujian's initial policy was one of careful supplication to the powerful Northern WeiNorthern Wei
The Northern Wei Dynasty , also known as the Tuoba Wei , Later Wei , or Yuan Wei , was a dynasty which ruled northern China from 386 to 534 . It has been described as "part of an era of political turbulence and intense social and cultural change"...
and its Emperor Taiwu
Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei
Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei , personal name Tuoba Tao , nickname Foli , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei...
, and, as Juqu Mengxun had already agreed to do, he sent his younger sister Princess Xingping to Emperor Taiwu, who created her an imperial consort, and created Juqu Mujian the Prince of Hexi. Juqu Mujian, however, also carefully cultivated relationships with Northern Wei's rivals Liu Song and Rouran, and in 434, after he sent messengers to Liu Song to show submission as well, Emperor Wen of Liu Song
Emperor Wen of Liu Song
Emperor Wen of Liu Song , personal name Liu Yilong , nickname Che'er , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He was the third son of the dynastic founder Emperor Wu . After his father's death in 422, Liu Yilong's eldest brother Liu Yifu took the throne as Emperor Shao...
also created him the Prince of Hexi.
In 436, after Emperor Taiwu had destroyed Northern Yan
Northern Yan
The Northern Yan was a state of Han Chinese during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.The second Emperor of Northern Yan, Feng Ba, was Han chinese.All rulers of the Northern Yan declared themselves "emperors".-Rulers of the Northern Yan:...
and seized its territory, he began to consider conquering Northern Liang. Still, in 437, he sent his sister Princess Wuwei
Princess Tuoba
Princess Tuoba , also known by her Northern Wei title Princess Wuwei , was the daughter of Emperor Mingyuan of Northern Wei and who later was a princess of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang...
to be married to Juqu Mujian. Juqu Mujian, although he was already married to Princess Li, felt compelled to accept, and Princess Wuwei became his princess. At the same time, Emperor Taiwu also ordered that Juqu Mujian's mother be honored as the Princess Dowager of Hexi. Juqu Mujian was forced to divorce Princess Li, who was exiled to Jiuquan from the Northern Liang capital Guzang (姑臧, in modern Wuwei, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
), and died soon thereafter. By Northern Wei demands, Juqu Mujian also sent Juqu Fengtan to the Northern Wei capital Pingcheng (平城, in modern Datong
Datong
Datong is a prefecture-level city in northern Shanxi Province of North China, located a few hundred kilometres west by rail from Beijing with an elevation of...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) as a hostage. However, he also continued to send messengers to Liu Song, offering tributes of books while requesting supplies of other books, and Emperor Wen granted them without question. (Despite the marriage, Emperor Taiwu considered launching a campaign against Northern Liang, but at the urging of Li Shun (李順), who had previously advocated military action as well but by this point was against such actions, arguing that the army was still tired from conquering Northern Yan and Xia
Xia (Sixteen Kingdoms)
Tiefu was a pre-state Xiongnu tribe during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. Its chieftain Liu Bobo established the state of Xia in 407 and changed his family name into Helian....
as well as fighting Liu Song and needed rest, Emperor Taiwu postponed the plans.)
In 439, Juqu Mujian was entangled in a scandal that adversely affected his relationship with Northern Wei. He and his two brothers were all having affairs with the wife of another brother, Lady Li, and Lady Li then plotted, with a sister of Juqu Mujian, to poison Princess Wuwei. Emperor Taiwu sent doctors, who were able to save Princess Wuwei's life, and he then demanded that Juqu Mujian turn over Lady Li. Juqu Mujian refused, and only sent Lady Li to Jiuquan. Meanwhile, the Northern Wei messengers to the Xiyu kingdoms, who were going through Northern Liang frequently, were alleging that Juqu Mujian had informed Xiyu kingdoms that they should not submit to Northern Wei and should submit to Rouran instead. At the encouragement of the prime minister Cui Hao
Cui Hao
Cui Hao , courtesy name Boyuan , was a prime minister of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei. Largely because of Cui's counsel, Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei was able to unify northern China, ending the Sixteen Kingdoms era and, along with the southern Liu Song, entering the Southern and...
, Emperor Taiwu again prepared military action. With Yuan He
Yuan He
Yuan He , né Tufa Poqiang , formally Prince Xuan of Longxi , was a high level official of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei...
, the son of Southern Liang
Southern Liang
The Southern Liang was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. The founding family Tufa was of Xianbei ethnicity and distant relative of the Tuoba imperial house of Northern Wei...
's last prince Tufa Rutan
Tufa Rutan
Tufa Rutan , formally Prince Jing of Liang) , was the last prince of the Chinese/Xianbei state Southern Liang...
, as guide, he launched a speedy attack and arrived at Guzang quickly. Juqu Mujian, in shock, refused to surrender, defending the city against a siege, while seeking immediate military assistance from Rouran's Chilian Khan, Yujiulü Wuti
Yujiulü Wuti
Yujiulü Wuti khan of the Rouran with the title of Chilian Khan . He was the son of Yujiulü Datan....
. Yujiulü Wuti did launch a surprise attack on Pingcheng to try to force Emperor Taiwu to give up the campaign, but after initial successes, he failed to capture Pingcheng, and his brother Yujiulü Qiliegui (郁久閭乞列歸) was captured by Northern Wei forces. After nearly two months of siege, Juqu Mujian's nephew Juqu Wannian (沮渠萬年) surrendered to Northern Wei forces, and Guzang collapsed. Juqu Mujian tied his own arms as sign of submission and surrendered. Emperor Taiwu took the city, but continued to treat Juqu Mujian with respect, as a brother-in-law, and while he took Juqu Mujian to Pingcheng, he continued to allow him to carry the title of Prince of Hexi. (Allegedly, as he surrendered, he opened up the royal treasury to let it be pillaged—an action that would have detrimental consequences to him later on.)
After capture by Northern Wei
While Juqu Mujian's brothers Juqu WuhuiJuqu Wuhui
Juqu Wuhui is viewed by some historians as a prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu states Northern Liang, as after the state's territory was largely seized by Northern Wei in 439, and his older brother Juqu Mujian was captured by Northern Wei, Juqu Wuhui tried to hold out against Northern Wei, initially...
, Juqu Yide (沮渠宜得), and Juqu Anzhou
Juqu Anzhou
Juqu Anzhou is viewed by some historians as a prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu states Northern Liang, as after the state's territory was largely seized by Northern Wei in 439, and his older brother Juqu Mujian was captured by Northern Wei, Juqu Anzhou's brother Juqu Wuhui tried to hold out against...
and cousin Juqu Tang'er (沮渠唐兒) would continue to hold out at various Northern Liang cities and later flee and try to establish a permanent present at Gaochang
Gaochang
Gaochang is the site of an ancient oasis city built on the northern rim of the inhospitable Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China. A busy trading center, it was a stopping point for merchant traders traveling on the Silk Road...
, Juqu Mujian himself appeared to have had no ability to participate in those events. It was around this time that his mother died, and she was buried with honors due a princess dowager.
In 447, however, accusations were made that when Juqu Mujian opened up the royal treasury when Guzang fell, that the treasures ended up back in his possession. Treasures allegedly from the Northern Liang treasury were then found in Juqu Mujian's possession, as were many kinds of poisons and magical items that Juqu Mujian, Juqu Mengxun, and Juqu Mujian's sisters were said to use. In anger, Emperor Taiwu ordered Consort Juqu to commit suicide, and executed many members of the Juqu clan. Later that year, accusations were made that Juqu Mujian was communicating with his former subjects and planning a rebellion. Emperor Taiwu sent Cui Hao to the residence that Juqu Mujian shared with Princess Wuwei, and there forced Juqu Mujian to commit suicide.
Personal information
- Father
- Juqu MengxunJuqu MengxunJuqu Mengxun was a prince of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang, and the first from the Juqu clan. His cousin Juqu Nancheng and he initially supported Duan Ye as prince of Northern Liang in 397 after rebelling against Later Liang, but in 401, Juqu Mengxun tricked Duan Ye into wrongly...
(Prince Wuxuan)
- Juqu Mengxun
- Wives
- Princess Li JingshouPrincess Li JingshouPrincess Li Jingshou was a princess of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang. Her husband was Juqu Mujian .Lil Jingshou was the daughter of the Western Liang prince Li Gao and Lady Yin, who was later princess dowager when Li Jingshou's brother Li Xin became prince in 417...
(divorced 437), daughter of Li GaoLi GaoLi Gao , courtesy name Xuansheng , nickname Changsheng , formally Prince Wuzhao of Liang , was the founding duke of the Chinese state Western Liáng...
, prince of Western LiangWestern LiangThe Western Liang was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. It was founded by the Li family of the Han Chinese. The founder of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan , traced his ancestry to the Western Liang rulers.... - Princess TuobaPrincess TuobaPrincess Tuoba , also known by her Northern Wei title Princess Wuwei , was the daughter of Emperor Mingyuan of Northern Wei and who later was a princess of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Northern Liang...
(married 437), Princess Wuwei of Northern Wei, daughter of Emperor Mingyuan of Northern WeiEmperor Mingyuan of Northern WeiEmperor Mingyuan of Northern Wei , personal name Tuoba Si , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei. He was the oldest son of the founding emperor Emperor Daowu...
- Princess Li Jingshou
- Children
- Juqu Fengtan (沮渠封壇), the Heir Apparent (created 433)
- Princess Wuwei