Murong Han (died 344), courtesy name Yuanyong, was a Xianbei military general of the Former Yan dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.
For seven years, he served the Murong clan's rival tribes, the Duan and Yuwen, but was eventually welcomed back by Huang shortly after the latter declared himself Prince of Yan.
Han was a vital figure in the early years of Former Yan as he played roles in the state's success against Goguryeo and the Yuwen.
[2] In 309, two Xianbei leaders, Suxi Lian (素喜連) and Muwan Jin (木丸津), revolted and caused trouble in Liaodong.
He added that their actions would also present their loyalty to the ruling Jin dynasty and at the same time bring personal gains for their territory.
He then marched to Yangle (陽樂; present-day Yi County, Liaoning), where he fought and captured the Jin Administrator of Liaoxi, Yang Dan (陽躭).
[4] In 319, the Jin Inspector of Pingzhou, Cui Bi was unsettled by Murong Hui's growing influence in Liaodong and conspired with Goguryeo, the Duan and the Yuwen tribe to launch a punitive expedition.
[5] As Murong Han remained stationary, Xiduguan became worried that he was secretly planning and decided to prioritize in defeating him first.
When the battle began between the vanguard forces, Murong Han took the opportunity to infiltrate Xiduguan's camp, setting it ablaze.
As a result, the Yuwen army fell into chaos and suffered a great defeat, with Xiduguan barely fleeing with his own life.
Seizing the opportunity, Duan Lan planned on pursuing the retreating enemy forces and penetrate deep into their territory.
However, Murong Han, secretly concerned for his homeland's safety, advised Duan Lan against his decision, believing that they may be lured into a trap.
Attacked from various directions, Duan Liao considered on intercepting Huang's forces first, but Murong Han suggested that they concentrate their troops on the larger Zhao army.
Murong Huang, who had become the Prince of Yan in 338, knew that Han had not fled intending to rebel against him, but due to his own suspicions.
In February or March 340, Murong Han stole Yidougui's prized horse, retrieved the bow and arrows, and fled with his two sons.
Having experienced living in their domain, Han informed his brother that the Yuwen tribe was in a weak state in terms of leadership and military, and their alliance with Later Zhao was nothing to worry about due to the distance between the two sides.
Han fought Gogugwon at Mokjeo (木底, in modern Fushun, Liaoning) long enough for Murong Huang to arrive.
[17] Yan forces ransaked and destroyed the capital and took tens of thousands captives, including Gogugwon's mother, wife and the body of Micheon, before returning.
Murong Huang initially restrained his generals from engaging Moqian Hun, giving him the impression that the Yan forces were afraid of him.
As Moqian Hun let his guard down by spending his time drinking and hunting, Huang sent Murong Han to attack him.
Han greatly routed the Yuwen army, forcing Moqian Hun to barely escape with his life while capturing all the enemy troops.
In response, Yidougui sent the Chief of Nanluo, Yuwen Sheyegan (宇文涉夜干) with the tribe's elite soldiers to resist the Yan invaders.
The arrow left Han ill and bedridden, but he was able to slowly recover and practiced riding his horse at home as he recuperated.
However, a witness spotted him riding, and they reported what they saw to Murong Huang, believing that Han was secretly faking his illness and plotting something devious.
Yet, with the Jie [Later Zhao] still rampant in the Central Plains, I had hoped to strengthen the state and unify the world in spite of my shortcomings.
He jointly governed Yanci (厭次, around present-day Dezhou, Shandong) with the Inspector of Qingzhou, Zhu Tu (朱禿), who he often flaunted his status as member of the imperial family to.