One of the few officials to serve four generations of Murong Hui's lineage, Zhen was an outlier of the group, as he was able to live long enough to see Yan's demise to Former Qin in 370.
29 Facts About Huangfu Zhen
1.
2.
Huangfu Zhen was commended for being Yan's last few competent ministers during its final four years of existence as corruption under Murong Ping's regency led the state to its downfall.
3.
Huangfu Zhen was from Chaona County in Anding Commandery.
4.
In 313, his brother, Huangfu Zhen Ji, received an invitation from the Jin dynasty vassal, Murong Hui, who wanted Ji to serve in his administration.
5.
Ji accepted it and brought along Huangfu Zhen to meet with Murong Hui.
6.
When Huangfu Zhen turned 20, Murong Hui had him served as a Household-Attendant in his fief.
7.
When Murong Huang succeeded as Duke of Liaodong in 333, Huangfu Zhen was made a Registrar.
8.
Huangfu Zhen bluntly advised Huang against his actions, but Huang ignored him.
9.
Huangfu Zhen proposed to Huang that they reduce their taxes and grant them more rest from corvee labour.
10.
Huangfu Zhen began giving out new positions to his officials including Huangfu Zhen, who he made rong qi chang shi.
11.
Huangfu Zhen was able to win back Murong Huang's trust in 338 by distinguishing himself in Huang's victory over the Later Zhao general, Ma Qiu.
12.
Huangfu Zhen's heir, Ran Zhi, was in still in their capital, Ye and continued to resist.
13.
Huangfu Zhen instead focused on providing relief to the people within the city as well as gathering maps and records from the archives.
14.
Huangfu Zhen attempted to stir trouble by to persuading Ke into taking the throne.
15.
Huangfu Zhen had always suspected Muyu Gen of attempting to grab more power for himself.
16.
Now that this incident came to light, Huangfu Zhen told Ke that he must do what was best for the state and get rid of Muyu Gen before he causes trouble in the future.
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However, Huangfu Zhen disagreed, pointing out that Lu Hu have betrayed Yan three times already in the past nine years.
18.
Huangfu Zhen argued that Lu Hu must be killed in order to show their strength.
19.
Huangfu Zhen's division was the weakest between his and Murong Ke's, so Zhen warned his subordinates to be wary as he suspected that Lu Hu would make a last resort attack on their army in order to flee.
20.
Murong Ke quickly linked up with Huangfu Zhen and attacked Lu Hu.
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Huangfu Zhen was then recalled to the court to serve as Palace Attendant and Household Counsellor.
22.
Huangfu Zhen asked Murong Ping to interrogate Guo, but Ping refused.
23.
Only Huangfu Zhen is knowledgable, so we should be careful of him.
24.
Fu Sou later wrote a letter to Murong Chui and Huangfu Zhen, warning them about Fu Jian and his talented advisor Wang Meng, as well as asking them for help.
25.
When Yan's envoy, Liang Chen returned from Qin, his alarming reports were disregarded by both Murong Ping and Murong Wei, but Huangfu Zhen became worried when he came to know of it.
26.
Huangfu Zhen submitted a petition to the court, urging them to take the Qin threat seriously and fortify Luoyang, Taiyuan, and Huguan garrisons.
27.
When Wang Meng first entered Ye, Huangfu Zhen only looked up at the head of Wang's horse and saluted him.
28.
Huangfu Zhen was appointed Commandant of the Chariots and would serve Qin for several years before dying of old age.
29.
Huangfu Zhen did not associate himself with any industry and was measured in the way he drinks.