Conquest of Southern Yan by Jin

Conflict between the Southern Yan and Eastern Jin began in 399 when Murong De, leader of the Southern Yan, attacked and conquered the Eastern Jin Qing Province (which corresponds to modern central and eastern Shandong), following the conquest of Southern Yan’s previous territory by the Northern Wei. At the time, the Jin were struggling with internal problems and rebellions and so didn’t take any military action against Southern Yan. Following Murong De’s death, he was succeeded by Murong Chao, who was forced to become a vassal to the Later Qin in return for his wife and mother, who were stranded in Later Qin.[1] Another clause in this agreement was that Murong Chao was forced to give his court musicians to Later Qin and so, in 409, Murong Chao decided to raid Jin territory and capture people to be trained as new musicians. This raid was very successful and so Murong Chao would later launch numerous further raids into Jin territory as well. However, Jin was in a better state than it had been in 399 and the Jin regent Liu Yu decided to launch an invasion of Southern Yan. Upon hearing of the planned invasion, the main Southern Yan generals proposed that their army defend Daxian Mountain (next to modern Weifang). However, Murong Chao rejected this idea, wanting to engage his enemy in the plains as he had the superior cavalry. Liu Yu entered Shandong and met the Southern Yan army outside the city of Linqu.

Liu Yu's success against the Southern Yan increased his prestige and reputation. He would launch another successful northern expedition in 416, this time against the Later Qin. His victories in the north would help contribute to his establishment of the Liu Song dynasty in 420.