Quan Yi

However, Yao Xiang did not get along with Jin's leading commander, Yin Hao. During the Jin northern expedition of 353, Yin Hao grew disturbed of Yao Xiang's independent power and wanted to get rid of him. He tried to assassinate him twice but both attempts failed. In the second attempt, Yin Hao's general Wei Jing (魏憬) led the ill-fated ambush against Yao Xiang and was killed. After his death, Wei Jing's family continuously visited Yao Xiang and Yin Hao's base in Shouchun, much to Yao Xiang's worries. Yao Xiang sent Quan Yi to talk to Yin Hao regarding the recent turn of events.[2]

As Quan Yi and Yin Hao discussed, Yin Hao accused Yao Xiang of acting discretely without consulting him. Quan Yi remonstrated him by saying that the reason his lord served Jin was because he had heard of how well the ministers ran the state. He further accused Yin Hao of being the main culprit for the suspicion between the two. Yin Hao continued to criticize Yao Xiang by saying that he executes anyone as he pleases but allowed one of his soldiers to go free after he stole Yin Hao's horse. Quan Yi replied, “You had said that the General Yao is a powerful man, too difficult to control, and that you plan to subdue him one day. That was why he took your horse, in order to defend himself." Yin Hao laughed and simply said, "Now how could that be?"[3]

Shortly after the talk, another northern expedition was held, but during the campaign, Yao Xiang rebelled and successfully ambushed Yin Hao's army. Quan Yi followed Yao Xiang throughout his independent career until his lord was killed by Former Qin forces in 357. Quan Yi followed his brother Yao Chang, who brought over the army to surrender to the Qin forces after his death.[4]

For the next decade, Fu Jian continued his conquest of China, eventually leaving the Jin dynasty as the last remaining state in China to oppose the Qin expansion. Fu Jian wanted to conquer the southlands once and for all. However, this was met with heavy opposition from some prominent officials including Quan Yi, Fu Rong, Dao'an and Shi Yue in 382. Quan Yi argued that although Jin was weak, the alliance of Huan Chong and Xie An was strong and their officials were still loyal to their dynasty. Quan Yi also submitted a petition remonstrating him but his suggestion fell on deaf ears.[10]

As many had expected, Fu Jian's string of success came to a screeching halt with a terrible defeat at the Battle of Feishui in 383. Although Fu Jian managed to return to the north, the effects of the battle were beginning to show, as the Murong clan began to make their moves. Murong Chui was persuaded by his son, Murong Nong to revive their fallen state of Yan in Liaodong. Chui agreed, and at Mianchi, he successfully tricked Fu Jian into letting him move to the northern borders, supposedly to secure the area from revolts. Quan Yi saw through his ruse, and quickly told Fu Jian to recall him back to the capital. However, Fu Jian was confident in Murong Chui's loyalty and refused to do so.[11]

Despite Fu Jian's rejection, Quan Yi was determined to stop Murong Chui from reaching the north. Quan Yi, without Fu Jian's knowledge, sent warriors to intercept Murong Chui at the bridge across the Yellow River south of Kongcang (空倉). Murong Chui suspected something was off, so instead of taking the bridge, he created rafts in order for he and his men to cross the river. Meanwhile, he had one of his officers, Cheng Tong (程同) to wear his clothes and ride his horse while leading his boy attendants to use the bridge. Quan Yi's men ambushed Cheng Tong but he managed to escape, and so did Murong Chui.[12]

The following year in 384, Former Qin began to fall apart. Murong Chui broke away and formed Later Yan, while his nephew Murong Hong created Western Yan. Yao Chang would also later declare independence and form Later Qin that year. Fu Jian regretted not following Quan Yi's advice and asked him what their next move should be. Quan Yi told him, "The enemies would not last for long. Murong Chui is preoccupied in securing east of the mountains, and will not pose a threat. Our primary concern should be within the capital region, where the Xianbei clans densely reside. You should deal with this immediately." Fu Jian agreed and handed out new appointments to his loyalists officials.[13]

In 385, Western Yan forces were close to conquering Qin's capital of Chang'an. Fu Jian had fled the city, promising to return with an army to save it. However, Fu Jian never returned as he was captured by Later Qin forces and eventually executed. Meanwhile, the Western Yan forces eventually overwhelmed the defenses, prompting Fu Jian's son, Fu Hong (苻宏) to abandon the capital. Quan Yi also fled the city with many others including Xue Zan, Huangfu Fu (皇甫覆), Zhao Qian (趙遷) and Duan Keng (段鏗) over to Later Qin.[14]