Wei ( zh, 魏; 350–352), known as Ran Wei () in

Chinese historiography Chinese historiography is the study of the techniques and sources used by historians to develop the recorded history of China. Overview of Chinese history The recording of events in Chinese history dates back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 ...

, was a short-lived state established by

Ran Min Ran Min (; died 352), also known as Shi Min (石閔), posthumously honored by the Former Yan as Heavenly King Wudao of (Ran) Wei ((冉)魏武悼天王), courtesy name Yongzeng (永曾), nickname Jinu (棘奴), was a military leader during the er ...

. In 350, Ran Wei usurped the

Later Zhao The Later Zhao (; 319–351) was a dynasty of the Sixteen Kingdoms in northern China. It was founded by the Shi family of the Jie ethnicity. The Jie were most likely a Yeniseian people and spoke next to Chinese one of the Yeniseian languages.Vov ...

state in the city of Ye and declared himself emperor of Wei. In 352, Ran Wei was

defeated Defeated may refer to: *Defeated (Breaking Benjamin song), "Defeated" (Breaking Benjamin song) *Defeated (Anastacia song), "Defeated" (Anastacia song) *"Defeated", a song by Snoop Dogg from the album ''Bible of Love'' *Defeated, Tennessee, an unin ...

by the

Former Yan The Former Yan (; 337–370) was a dynastic state ruled by the Xianbei during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. Initially, Murong Huang and his son Murong Jun claimed the Jin dynasty-created title "Prince of Yan," but subsequently, in 352, ...

History

, a general of

, took advantage of a succession crisis after the death of Zhao emperor

Shi Hu Shi Hu (; 295–349), courtesy name Jilong (季龍), formally 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's distant nephew, who took power in a coup ...

, and declared himself emperor in 350.''

Zizhi Tongjian ''Zizhi Tongjian'' () is a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084 AD during the Northern Song dynasty in the form of a chronicle recording Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynast ...

'', Chapter 98. At the same time,

Shi Zhi Shi Zhi (; died 351) was briefly, for about one year, an emperor of the Jie-led Chinese Later Zhao dynasty. He was the last of four short-lived emperors after the death of his father Shi Hu (Emperor Wu), and Later Zhao's final emperor. He is s ...

, Prince Xinxing of Zhao, claimed the throne of Zhao in the city of Xiangguo (襄國). He also sought help from the

and other states in northern China. Ran Min attacked the city but was initially defeated. However, Shi Zhi was killed by general Liu Xian in 351.''

'', Chapter 99. Ran Min attacked Xiangguo again in 352, this time successfully. In May, Ran Min was

and captured by Yan forces led by

Murong Ke Murong Ke () (died 367 CE), courtesy name Xuangong (), formally Prince Huan of Taiyuan (), was a famed general and statesman of the Xianbei-led Chinese Former Yan dynasty. He was the son of Murong Huang (Prince Wenming), and later served as the ...

. In the Yan capital Ji, Ran Min insulted the Yan emperor

Murong Jun Murong Jun (; 319–360), courtesy name Xuanying (宣英), formally Emperor Jingzhao of (Former) Yan ((前)燕景昭帝), was an emperor of the Former Yan. He was the dynasty's second ruler, but after first using the Jin dynasty-created title of ...

, claiming that his people were "barbarians and animals" (夷狄禽獸之類). He was subsequently executed.

Ruler

References

{{16 Kingdoms 350 establishments 352 disestablishments 4th century in China Dynasties in Chinese history Former countries in Chinese history 4th-century establishments in China