The Easily Forgotten Eastern Jin Dynasty Emperors: Mudi, Aidi, Hai Xi Gong, and Jian Wendi
One common theme runs throughout the reigns of these four emperors: short and relatively uneventful. While history records who they were and when they reigned, little else is noteworthy about their impact on the history of China. If their names hadn’t been recorded, we might have forgotten they ever existed.
Emperor Mudi
Emperor Mudi became the fifth emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 345 CE after the death of Emperor Kangdi. His title Mudi means “Reverent Emperor”.
He had a comparatively long reign for an Eastern Jin dynasty emperor. He was successful in subduing issues in Sichuan and in recapturing Luoyang, the old capital of the Western Jin dynasty.
Emperor Mudi died in 361 CE. Upon his death, Aidi succeeded him as emperor.
Emperor Aidi
Emperor Aidi became the sixth emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 362 CE. His title Aidi means “Sorrowing Emperor”.
His reign wasn’t as successful as Mudi’s. The gain of the northern area of Luoyang that occurred during Emperor Mudi’s reign was lost.
Emperor Aidi died in 365 CE. Upon his death, Hai Xi Gong succeeded him as emperor.
Emperor Hai Xi Gong
Emperor Hai Xi Gong became the seventh emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 366 CE. His title Hai Xi Gong means “King of the Western Ocean”.
Emperor Hai Xi Gong died in 370 CE. Upon his death, Jian Wendi succeeded him as emperor.
Emperor Jian Wendi
Emperor Jian Wendi became the eighth emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 371 CE. His title Jian Wendi means “Refined Literati Emperor”.
Emperor Jian Wendi died in 372 CE. Upon his death, Xiao Wudi succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
