Juqu Mujian - Reign

Reign

Juqu Mujian's initial policy was one of careful supplication to the powerful Northern Wei and its Emperor Taiwu, and, as Juqu Mengxun had already agreed to do, he sent his younger sister Princess Xingping to Emperor Taiwu, who created her an imperial consort, and created Juqu Mujian the Prince of Hexi. Juqu Mujian, however, also carefully cultivated relationships with Northern Wei's rivals Liu Song and Rouran, and in 434, after he sent messengers to Liu Song to show submission as well, Emperor Wen of Liu Song also created him the Prince of Hexi.

In 436, after Emperor Taiwu had destroyed Northern Yan and seized its territory, he began to consider conquering Northern Liang. Still, in 437, he sent his sister Princess Wuwei to be married to Juqu Mujian. Juqu Mujian, although he was already married to Princess Li, felt compelled to accept, and Princess Wuwei became his princess. At the same time, Emperor Taiwu also ordered that Juqu Mujian's mother be honored as the Princess Dowager of Hexi. Juqu Mujian was forced to divorce Princess Li, who was exiled to Jiuquan from the Northern Liang capital Guzang (姑臧, in modern Wuwei, Gansu), and died soon thereafter. By Northern Wei demands, Juqu Mujian also sent Juqu Fengtan to the Northern Wei capital Pingcheng (平城, in modern Datong, Shanxi) as a hostage. However, he also continued to send messengers to Liu Song, offering tributes of books while requesting supplies of other books, and Emperor Wen granted them without question. (Despite the marriage, Emperor Taiwu considered launching a campaign against Northern Liang, but at the urging of Li Shun (李順), who had previously advocated military action as well but by this point was against such actions, arguing that the army was still tired from conquering Northern Yan and Xia as well as fighting Liu Song and needed rest, Emperor Taiwu postponed the plans.)

In 439, Juqu Mujian was entangled in a scandal that adversely affected his relationship with Northern Wei. He and his two brothers were all having affairs with the wife of another brother, Lady Li, and Lady Li then plotted, with a sister of Juqu Mujian, to poison Princess Wuwei. Emperor Taiwu sent doctors, who were able to save Princess Wuwei's life, and he then demanded that Juqu Mujian turn over Lady Li. Juqu Mujian refused, and only sent Lady Li to Jiuquan. Meanwhile, the Northern Wei messengers to the Xiyu kingdoms, who were going through Northern Liang frequently, were alleging that Juqu Mujian had informed Xiyu kingdoms that they should not submit to Northern Wei and should submit to Rouran instead. At the encouragement of the prime minister Cui Hao, Emperor Taiwu again prepared military action. With Yuan He, the son of Southern Liang's last prince Tufa Rutan, as guide, he launched a speedy attack and arrived at Guzang quickly. Juqu Mujian, in shock, refused to surrender, defending the city against a siege, while seeking immediate military assistance from Rouran's Chilian Khan, Yujiulü Wuti. Yujiulü Wuti did launch a surprise attack on Pingcheng to try to force Emperor Taiwu to give up the campaign, but after initial successes, he failed to capture Pingcheng, and his brother Yujiulü Qiliegui (郁久閭乞列歸) was captured by Northern Wei forces. After nearly two months of siege, Juqu Mujian's nephew Juqu Wannian (沮渠萬年) surrendered to Northern Wei forces, and Guzang collapsed. Juqu Mujian tied his own arms as sign of submission and surrendered. Emperor Taiwu took the city, but continued to treat Juqu Mujian with respect, as a brother-in-law, and while he took Juqu Mujian to Pingcheng, he continued to allow him to carry the title of Prince of Hexi. (Allegedly, as he surrendered, he opened up the royal treasury to let it be pillaged—an action that would have detrimental consequences to him later on.)