Battle of Jinyang (312)
The Battle of Jinyang (312) was a key clash during the Upheaval of the Five Barbarians. From August to December 312, Han-Zhao invaders attacked the Jin and Tuoba Dai-held city of Jinyang in Taiyuan, Shanxi. Jin and Tuoba Dai formed an alliance to defend the region. Jin Chong led the first invasion, besieging Jinyang for three months. In May, Tuoba Yilu arrived with his army, broke the siege, and forced the Han-Zhao forces to retreat.
After the relief, Liu Kun planned to strike Pingyang and briefly appointed Xu Run as prefect of Jinyang. Xu Run’s harsh, arbitrary rule sparked clashes with Linghu Sheng, Liu Kun’s Army Protector. Linghu Sheng urged Liu Kun to kill Xu Run, but Liu Kun refused; Xu Run accused Linghu Sheng, and Liu Kun ordered Linghu Sheng executed. Linghu Ni defected to Han and informed Liu Cong of Liu Kun’s troubles.
In August 312, Liu Cong sent his sons Liu Can and Liu Yi, along with Liu Yao and Linghu Ni, to invade Liu Kun’s territory again. At the same time, the Shangdang administrator Xi Chun surrendered to Han, and the Wuhuan tribes rebelled. Liu Kun marched east to gather more troops, while Hao Shen and Zhang Qiao were defeated and killed opposing the Han advance. Jinyang’s defenders, Gao Qiao and Hao Yu, surrendered to Han, and Liu Kun fled with his family toward Zhao.
Liu Can, Liu Yi, and Liu Yao pressed on, and Jinyang fell on 19 September. Liu Yao’s position was strengthened there, while Liu Kun fled and Liu Can, Liu Yi, and Liu Yao returned to Han. Liu Kun sought help from Tuoba Yilu. In October or November, Yilu sent a large relief force—led by his son Tuoba Liuxiu, his nephew Tuoba Pugen, and generals Wei Xiong, Ji Dan, and Fan Ban—while Yilu himself moved with reserves to Langmeng. Liuxiu’s forces defeated Liu Yao east of the Fen River; Fu Hu sacrificed his own horse to save Liu Yao, who escaped back to Jinyang.
That night, Liu Can and Liu Yi burned their supply trains and sacked the city before escaping through Mount Meng toward Pingyang. In November or December, Tuoba Yilu’s pursuers caught them at Lan Valley, inflicting heavy losses and capturing many Han leaders, including Liu Feng; Liu Can, Liu Yi, and Liu Yao returned to Han territory. After the victory, Tuoba Yilu hosted a hunt, and Liu Kun came to his camp to thank him and ask for further advances, but Yilu declined, noting his troops were exhausted. He did, however, give Liu Kun livestock and carriages and left Ji Dan and Duan Fan to guard Jinyang, while Liu Kun moved his capital north to Yangqu to regroup.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 07:50 (CET).