Yuan Ye (emperor)
Yuan Ye (c. 509–532), courtesy name Huaxing, also known as the Prince of Changguang, was briefly emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty. He was a distant member of the imperial Yuan line, a descendant of Yuan Zhen, brother of Emperor Wencheng. In 528 he was made Prince of Changguang and governed parts of Bing Province under Erzhu Rong’s power. After Emperor Xiaozhuang killed Erzhu Rong in 530, Erzhu Rong’s clan supported Yuan Ye as a new emperor. His short reign lasted only a few months. In 531, Erzhu Shilong and others forced Yuan Ye to yield the throne to Yuan Gong, who became Emperor Jiemin; Yuan Ye was made Prince of Donghai. Later, a coalition led by Gao Huan overthrew the Erzhu faction and installed Emperor Xiaowu. Xiaowu forced Yuan Ye to commit suicide in 532, on December 26. Yuan Ye’s title Prince of Donghai did not pass to an heir.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:09 (CET).