 |
| Emperor Zhaowu of Later Yan 後燕昭武帝 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler of Later Yan | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign | August 19, 398 – September 13, 401 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Lan Han (usurper) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Murong Xi | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 373 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | September 13, 401 (aged 27–28) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Burial | Xingping Mausoleum (興平陵) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| House | Murong | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dynasty | Later Yan | ||||||||||||||||||||
Murong Sheng (Chinese: 慕容盛; 373–401), courtesy name Daoyun (道運), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Zhaowu of Later Yan (後燕昭武帝), was an emperor of the Xianbei-led Later Yan dynasty of China. He was the oldest son of Murong Bao (Emperor Huimin), and after Murong Bao was killed by Lan Han (Murong Sheng's father-in-law) avenged his father in a coup and took the throne. During his final years, he demoted himself from Emperor and used the unique title of "Commoner Heavenly King" (庶人天王).
Murong Sheng was described as a talented strategist and general, but he overreacted to what he perceived to be his father's weaknesses—being overly lenient and weak—and was harsh in his reign, causing his officials to be constantly insecure and looking to rebel against him. In one of those rebellions in 401, he was stricken by a rebel soldier and died from his injuries. He was succeeded by his uncle Murong Xi (Emperor Zhaowen). In the Record of Jin, Murong Sheng was described as a strong and courageous man who excelled in archery skills.