Western Jin Dynasty Emperor Huidi
Quick Facts About Emperor Huidi
- Emperor Huidi’s father was Emperor Wudi.
- Upon the death of his father in 289 CE, Huidi became the second emperor in 290 CE of the Western Jin dynasty.
- His title Huidi means “Beneficial Emperor”.
China Under Emperor Huidi
Huidi ruled during a chaotic time for the Western Jin dynasty. Most of Emperor Wudi’s sons were fighting each other for supremacy and ultimately for the opportunity to become emperor.
The northern tribes of Xiongnu (Hsiung-nu) and Xiandbei (Hsien-pei), who had been allowed to move to the Chinese side of the Great Wall during Emperor Wudi’s rule, had strengthened in number. In 304 CE, led by a Xiongnu, Liu Yuan, they attacked and conquered most of northern China. Liu Yuan established his own Han dynasty making this the first time a part of China was not ruled by the Chinese.
The Western Jin dynasty government lost a large area of the reunified China. China would be divided between non-Chinese people and dynasties in the north and Chinese people and dynasties in the south for some time to come.
Emperor Huidi died in 306 CE. Upon his death, his brother, Huaidi, succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
Western Jin Dynasty Emperor Huaidi
Quicks Facts About Emperor Huaidi
- Emperor Huaidi’s father was Emperor Wudi.
- Upon the death of his brother, Emperor Huidi, Huaidi became the third emperor Western Jin dynasty.
- His title Huaidi means “Cherished Emperor”.
China Under Emperor Huaidi
To restore stability to China, Emperor Huaidi sought support from the Xiongnu who held northern China. Unfortunately, instead of supporting him, the Xiongnu took him prisoner and destroyed the Western Jin dynasty capital at Luoyang in 311 CE.
Emperor Huaidi died in 312 CE. Upon his death, a cousin, Mindi, succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
Western Jin Dynasty Emperor Mindi
Quick Facts About Emperor Mindi
- Emperor Mindi’s was a grandson of Emperor Wudi.
- Upon the death of his cousin, Emperor Huaidi, Mindi became the fourth and last emperor in 313 CE of the Western Jin dynasty.
- His title Mindi means “Compassionate Emperor”.
China Under Emperor Mindi
The northern tribes continued to attack further into the Chinese empire, forcing many Chinese beyond the Yangzi River. In 316, the Western Jin dynasty capital at Chang’an (Xi’an) was overrun. Emperor Mindi was taken prisoner and later killed.
Emperor Mindi died in 316 CE. Upon his death, a military governor, Sima Rui (Ssu-ma Jui), became the first emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
