23 Facts About Ran Min

Ran Min, known as Shi Min, posthumously honored by the Former Yan as Heavenly King Wudao of Wei, courtesy name Yongzeng, nickname Jinu, was a military leader during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China and the only emperor of the short-lived state Ran Wei.

Ran Min was known for ordering the culling of the Jie and other barbarians, during which 200,000 people, both Han and non-Han people, were killed between 349 and 350.

Ran Min's father Ran Liang, who later changed his name to Ran Zhan, was from Wei Commandery and was a descendant of an aristocratic family, but one who must have, in the serious famines c 310, joined a group of refugees known as the Qihuo led by Chen Wu.

Shi Zun hesitated, and meanwhile, Shi Jian, one of the princes attending the meeting, quickly reported the news to Shi Ran Min, who acted quickly and surrounded the palace, capturing and executing Shi Zun, Empress Dowager Zheng, Shi Zun's wife Empress Zhang, Shi Yan, and several key officials loyal to Shi Zun.

Ran Min made Shi Jian emperor, but he and Li Nong seized the control of the government.

Shi Jian could not endure Shi Ran Min's hold on power, and he sent his brother Shi Bao, the Prince of Leping, and the generals Li Song and Zhang Cai against Shi Ran Min, but after they were defeated Shi Jian pretended as if they had acted independently and executed them all.

Shi Ran Min began to realize that Shi Jian was behind Sun's attack, and he decided that he needed to disarm the Jie people, who knew that he was not a Jie but ethnically Chinese.

Ran Min ordered that all non-Chinese not be allowed to carry arms, and most non-Chinese fled Yecheng after that.

Shi Ran Min put Shi Jian under house arrest with no outside communication.

Troop commanders in various parts of the state received a rescript from Shi Ran Min to kill the Hus ; as a result half of the people with high noses and bushy beards were killed.

Ran Min honored his mother Lady Wang with a title of empress dowager.

Ran Min appointed his wife Lady Dong an empress, and his oldest son Ran Zhi a crown prince.

Ran Min proclaimed a general amnesty, hoping to have the generals who became independent abide by his edicts, but few of them accepted, though most Han generals outwardly did not defy him either.

Ran Min sent a letter to Emperor Mu of Jin's court with a mixed message, appearing to invite Jin to send forces north and agreeing to submit, but the letter could be read as a defiant challenge.

Ran Min backtracked on his initial policy against the Hu, as he intended to win back their support.

Ran Min appointed his son, Ran Yin as the Grand Chanyu, tasked with managing the tribes, and executed his official, Wei Xiao for suggesting he continue his hostile treatment towards the Hu.

In spring 351, Ran Min set a siege of the Shi Zhi's capital Xiangguo.

Ran Min was thought to be dead, but when he appeared in Yecheng, the city was calmed.

Shi Zhi had his general Liu Xian besiege Yecheng, but Ran Min defeated Liu in battle and awed him so much that Liu agreed that once he returned to Xiangguo, he would kill Shi Zhi and surrender.

Liu Xian, after briefly submitting to Ran Min, proclaimed himself emperor.

Ran Min, having captured Xiangguo in early 352 and executed Liu Xian, decided to head north to face Former Yan's army, against the advice of several officials who felt that his army needed a rest.

Ran Min himself wielded two weapons, one in each hand, and fought fiercely, inflicting many casualties on the Xianbei soldiers.

Ran Min is mostly known for his order to execute all of the Wu Hu, particularly the Jie.