Emperor Xiaowu of Jin (simplified Chinese: 晋孝武帝; traditional Chinese: 晉孝武帝; pinyin: Jìn Xiàowǔ Dì; Wade–Giles: Chin Hsiao-wu-ti; 362 – 6 November 396[1]), personal name Sima Yao (司馬曜), courtesy name Changming (昌明),[2] was an emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in China.
Sima Yu declined, both personally and on his son's behalf, and Emperor Fei did not insist on them taking on the greater titles.
In 372, Emperor Jianwen grew ill and he named Sima Yao crown prince on 12 September[3] but in his will, he offered the throne to Huan, if he wanted it.
Finally, at the instigation of Wang Biaozhi (王彪之), Crown Prince Yao took the throne as Emperor Xiaowu.
A major issue for the Jin government was the continued military pressure exerted by the powerful northern rival, Former Qin.
In 376, Empress Dowager Chu officially removed herself from the regent position and returned her powers to Emperor Xiaowu,[5] although the decisions were still largely being made by Xie.
In 378, Former Qin made major attacks against the important Jin cities of Xiangyang, Weixing (魏興, in modern Ankang, Shaanxi), and Pengcheng.
While general Xie Xuan was able to immediately recapture Pengcheng after it fell, Xiangyang and Weixing were taken by Former Qin forces in 379.
In November 383, Former Qin's emperor, Fu Jiān, launched a major attack against Jin, intending to destroy it and unite China.
In 390, Emperor Xiaowu began to tire of how his brother, Sima Daozi, was taking his favors for granted, and he decided to look for counterbalancing forces.