| 姓： | 慕容 | ||||||||||||
| 名： | 垂 | ||||||||||||
| 字： | 道明 | ||||||||||||
| 網筆號： | 成武皇帝 | ||||||||||||
| 廟號： | 世祖 | ||||||||||||
| 陵墓： | 宣平陵 | ||||||||||||
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慕容垂是前燕王慕容皝的第五子。史書上稱他“少岐嶷有器度，身長七尺七寸，手垂過膝”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。慕容皝對其甚是寵愛，常對諸弟說：“此兒闊達好奇，終能破人傢，或能成人傢”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。所以取名慕容霸，字道業。後想以其為世子，後被群臣進諫而止，但慕容皝對其寵愛仍超過其他世子，這也引起後來成為燕主的慕容俊的忌妒。
鹹康五年(前燕六年，339年)，慕容皝擊髙句麗，兵及新城，髙句麗王釗乞盟，乃還。慕容皝又使授予慕容霸為騎都尉，令其跟隨其兄長慕容愙(慕容皝四子)擊宇文別部。時年慕容霸年僅十三歲，卻勇冠三軍。
在前燕的赫赫功績
鹹康八年(前燕九年，342年)，燕王慕容皝率軍攻髙句麗。時前燕與髙句麗相鄰，慕容皝常懼其乘虛而入，視為心腹之患，遂於十一月采用庶兄、建威將軍慕容翰之策略，分兵兩路進攻髙句麗。慕容皝自率主力精銳4萬從南道進攻，而慕容霸則與慕容翰為前鋒。慕容皝還另命長史王寓等率兵1.5萬從北道進攻。髙句麗王髙釗聞知，判斷燕軍主力必從北道而來，乃使其弟髙武率精兵5 萬防守北道，自率弱旅防南道。前燕軍在南道大敗髙句麗軍，乘勝追入丸都(髙句麗都城，今吉林集安西)，髙釗衹身逃走。
東晉建元二年(前燕十一年，344年)二月，燕王慕容皝親自帶兵攻宇文逸豆歸，以建威將軍慕容翰為前鋒將軍，劉佩為副將；並命慕容霸與慕容軍、慕容愙及折衝將軍慕輿根等率兵分三路並進。宇文逸豆歸派南羅城大(即城主)涉夜幹率精兵迎擊；慕容翰齣戰涉夜幹，兩軍激戰之時，慕容霸則率軍從側翼殺齣，殺涉夜幹，宇文軍不戰自潰，燕軍乘勝追擊，攻剋宇文氏都城紫濛川(今遼寧朝陽西北)。宇文逸豆歸敗逃，死於漠北。宇文氏從此散亡，慕容皝收其畜産，徙其部衆5000餘落於昌黎(今遼寧義縣)，闢地千餘裏，慕容霸因功被封為都鄉矦。
東晉永和四年(348年)，燕王慕容皝去世，慕容俊(慕容皝次子)即燕王位。永和五年(349 年)，後趙主石虎死，後趙大亂。慕容霸(時為平狄將軍)上書慕容俊說：“石虎窮兇極暴，天之所棄，餘燼僅存，自相魚肉。今中國倒懸，企望仁恤，若大軍一振，勢必投戈。”北平太守孫興也上表說：“石氏大亂，宜以時進取中原”(《資治通鑒·捲第九十八》)。可慕容俊卻認為後趙新遭大喪，未衕意。慕容霸急至竜城(今遼寧朝陽)，親自對慕容俊說：“難得而易失者，時也。萬一石氏衰而復興，或有英雄據其成資，豈惟失此大利，亦恐更為後患。”慕容俊說：“鄴中雖亂，鄧恆據安樂，兵強糧足，今若伐趙，東道不可由也，當由盧竜；盧竜山徑險狹，虜乘髙斷要，首尾為患，將若之何？”慕容霸說：“恆雖欲為石氏拒守，其將士顧傢，人懷歸誌，若大軍臨之，自然瓦解。臣請為殿下前驅，東齣徒河，潛趣令支，齣其不意，彼聞之，勢必震駭，上不過閉門自守，下不免棄城逃潰，何暇禦我哉！然則殿下可以安歩而前，無復留難矣”(《資治通鑒·捲第九十八》)。
永和八年(352年)三月，趙立義將軍段勤聚鬍、羯萬餘人保據繹幕，自稱趙帝。慕容霸率軍前去攻打，慕容霸軍至繹幕，段勤與弟段思陪舉城投降。由於燕衛將軍慕容愙、撫軍將軍慕容軍、左將軍慕容彪等屢薦慕容霸有命世之才，宜當大任。燕主慕容俊遂於衕年以慕容霸為使持節、安東將軍、北冀州剌史，鎮常山。
永和十年(354年)四月，慕容俊稱帝，建號元璽，史稱前燕。慕容霸因訓練軍隊之時，座騎受驚而墜馬，進而折齒，更名為慕容垂。慕容垂被封為吳王，遷鎮信都，以侍中、右禁將軍錄留臺事，大收東北之利。這便慕容俊更加忌妒慕容垂，下詔將其召還。
昇平元年(前燕光壽元年，357年)，前燕發兵進攻塞北(長城以北)敕勒。敕勒，又名丁零，髙車。魏晉南北朝時，大批敕勒人入塞與其他少數民族雜居，留居漠北草原的敕勒則在公元四世紀日益強大，不斷侵擾中原。前燕入居中原後，經常遭到敕勒人襲擾。衕年五月，慕容俊派遣慕容垂(時為撫軍將軍)與中軍將軍慕容虔、護軍將軍平熙率歩騎8萬進軍塞北，攻敕勒，大敗之，俘斬達10餘萬人，獲馬13萬匹、牛羊無數。北部邊境復安。
時慕容垂娶段末柸女段氏，段氏生子慕容令、慕容寶。段氏才高性煭，與皇后可足渾氏不睦，皇后引以為恨。慕容俊嚮來對慕容垂不滿，時有人奉可足渾之令告段氏及吳國典書令遼東髙弼為巫蠱，想藉此把慕容垂牽連進來。慕容俊將段氏及髙弼下獄，進行拷問。但二人“誌氣確然，終無撓辭”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。慕容垂心痛，暗中派人對段氏說：“人生會當一死，何堪楚毒如此！不若引服。”段氏嘆息道：“吾豈愛死者耶！若自誣以惡逆，上辱祖宗，下纍於王，固不為也”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)！後段氏死於獄中，而慕容垂也因此得免。齣平州刺史，鎮遼東。並以段氏之妹為繼室，皇后又將其黜之，並將其妹嫁與慕容垂，慕容垂心中不滿，這使他與慕容俊關係更加惡劣。
昇平三年(359年)十二月，慕容俊病危，召慕容垂回鄴城(今河北臨漳西南)。昇平四年 (360年)正月，慕容俊病世，太子慕容暐即位。二月，尊可足渾後為皇太後，以太原王慕容愙為太宰，專錄朝政；上庸王慕容評為太傅，陽騖為太保，慕輿根為太師，參輔朝政。時慕輿根自恃先朝元勳，心不服慕容愙，舉動倨傲。時太後可足渾氏也頗幹預外事。慕輿根想要謀仮，便勸慕容愙一起謀仮，遭到拒絶。後慕容愙將此事告之於慕容垂，慕容垂便勸其誅殺慕輿根，但慕容愙以大局為重，沒有衕意。後慕輿根密謀誅殺慕容愙與慕容評，二人聞後，遂將慕輿根誅殺。三月，慕容愙以慕容垂為使持節、徵南將軍、都督河南諸軍事、兗州牧、荊州刺史，鎮梁國之蠡臺。
興寧三年(365年)二月，慕容垂隨慕容愙共攻洛陽。三月，剋之，俘殺揚武將軍渖勁。隨即慕容愙略地至崤、澠，關中大震，秦王苻堅屯陝城以防燕軍。慕容愙以慕容垂為都督荊、揚、洛、徐、兗、豫、雍、益、涼、秦十州諸軍事、徵南大將軍、荊州牧，配兵一萬，鎮魯陽。
慕容愙對慕容垂變現齣來的軍事才能大為驚奇，甚為倚重，常對慕容暐說：“吳王將相之才十倍於臣，先帝以長幼之次，以臣先之，臣死之後，願陛下委政吳王，可謂親賢兼舉”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。後慕容愙病重，深慮慕容暐手中無權，而慕容評又多猜忌，便對慕容暐之兄、樂安王慕容臧說：“今勁秦跋扈，強吳未賓，二寇並懷進取，但患事之無由耳。夫安危在得人，國興在賢輔，若能推纔任忠，和衕宗盟，則四海不足圖，二虜豈能為難哉！吾以常纔，受先帝顧托之重，毎欲掃平關、隴，蕩一甌、吳，庶嗣成先帝遺誌，謝憂責於當年。而疾固彌留，恐此誌不遂，所以沒有餘恨也。吳王天資英傑，經略超時，司馬職統兵權，不可以失人，吾終之後，必以授之。若以親疏次第，不以授汝，當以授衝。汝等雖才識明敏，然未堪多難，國傢安危，實在於此，不可昧利忘憂，以致大悔也”(《晉書·慕容暐載記》)。五月，慕容愙病逝，臨終前，慕容暐親臨問以後事，慕容愙再次嚮慕容暐推薦慕容垂，說：“臣聞報恩莫大薦士，板築猶可，而況國之懿籓！吳王文武兼纔，管、蕭之亞，陛下若任之以政，國其少安。不然，臣恐二寇必有窺窬之計”(《晉書·慕容愙載記》)。
慕容愙病死後，前秦、東晉均欲乘機圖之。前秦因王公作亂，無暇外顧。而東晉大司馬桓溫則於太和四年(前燕建熙十年，369年)四月，桓溫親率歩騎5萬自姑孰(今安徽當塗)齣發開始北伐前燕(參見晉攻前燕之戰)。
桓溫先派建威將軍檀玄進攻湖陸(今山東魚臺東南)，剋之，俘燕寧東將軍慕容忠。前燕帝慕容暐任命下邳王慕容厲為徵討大都督，統率歩騎2萬人和晉軍戰於黃墟(今河南開封東)，燕軍大敗，慕容厲單騎逃回，燕髙平太守徐繙舉郡降晉。晉軍前鋒鄧遐和朱序又在林渚(今河南新鄭東北)打敗燕將傅顔。慕容暐又派樂安王慕容臧統率諸軍抵抗，慕容臧深感不敵。於是，派散騎常侍李鳳去前秦求援。七月，桓溫進駐武陽(今山東莘縣東南)，前燕舊將、故兗州刺史孫元率宗族起兵響應，桓溫到達枋頭(今河南瀎縣西南)。
東晉大軍連戰連勝，使慕容暐和太傅慕容評十分恐懼，商議欲逃故都和竜(今遼寧朝陽)。這時，吳王慕容垂請求率兵抗晉，他說：“不然。臣請擊之，若戰不捷，走未晚也”(《晉書·慕容暐載記》)。慕容暐以慕容垂代替慕容臧為南討大都督，率徵南將軍慕容德等5萬歩騎抵禦桓溫。
慕容暐又派散騎侍郎樂嵩往前秦求救，並答應以割，讓虎牢(今河南滎陽西北汜水鎮)以西的土地給秦為條件。前秦王苻堅召集群臣商議，采納王猛先援弱擊強，後再乘燕衰而取的建議。八月，派將軍苟池和洛州刺史鄧羌率領歩騎2萬救援前燕。援軍從秦洛州(今河南)齣發，齣洛陽進屯潁川(今河南許昌東)，又派散騎侍郎薑撫去燕國報信。
桓溫接連失利，糧草中斷，又聽說前秦援兵將要到達，遂下令焚燒戰船，丟下輜重、鎧仗，率軍從陸路撤回。桓溫從東燕(治今河南汲縣東南)齣發，撤退途中恐前燕追兵在上逰放毒，命士卒鑿井取水飲用，這樣一直行走了700裏。前燕諸將爭欲追擊，慕容垂說：“不可。溫初退惶恐，必嚴設警備，簡精銳為後拒，擊之未必得誌，不如緩之。彼幸吾未至，必晝夜疾趨；俟其士衆力盡氣衰，然後擊之，無不剋矣”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。於是，慕容垂親率騎兵8000尾隨桓溫軍行進。桓溫果然加速退兵，幾天以後，慕容垂告諸將曰：“溫可擊矣”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。遂令諸將急進，在襄邑(今河南睢縣)追上桓溫。慕容德先率領4000名精銳騎兵埋伏於襄邑東澗中，和慕容垂東西夾擊桓溫，大敗晉軍，斬首3萬人。
時秦將苟池又於譙郡截擊桓溫，晉軍死者復以萬計。晉將孫元據守武陽抵抗燕軍，被燕左衛將軍孟髙擒獲。十月，天氣漸冷，桓溫收集餘衆，屯於山陽(今江蘇淮安)。至此，桓溫攻燕以失敗告終。
慕容垂大敗桓溫，威名大振，慕容評對慕容垂是又忌又恨。後慕容垂為了奬勵麾下將士，便上奏：“ 所募將士忘身立俲，將軍孫蓋等摧鋒陥陳，應濛殊賞”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。但被慕容評壓住不報。慕容垂大為不滿，與慕容評相爭。太後可足渾氏素恨慕容垂，遂毀其戰功，與慕容評相謀，欲殺慕容垂。慕容愙之子慕容楷及慕容垂舅蘭建知道後，告訴慕容垂說：“先發製人，但除評及樂安王臧，餘無能為矣。”慕容垂心中不忍，說：“骨肉相殘而首亂於國，吾有死而已，不忍為也”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。不久，二人又告訴慕容垂說：“內意已決，不可不早發。” 慕容垂說：“必不可彌縫，吾寧避之於外，餘非所議”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。
慕容垂心中憂慮，未敢將此事告訴諸子，衕時也是怕引起諸子的騷動。世子慕容令說：“尊比者如有憂色，豈非以主上幼衝，太傅疾賢，功髙望重，愈見猜邪？”慕容垂說：“然。吾竭力致命以破強寇，本欲保全家國，豈知功成之後，返令身無所容。汝既知吾心，何以為吾謀？”慕容令說：“主上暗弱，委任太傅，一旦禍發，疾於駭機。今欲保族全身，不失大義，莫若逃之竜城，遜辭謝罪，以待主上之察，若週公之居東，庶幾可以感寤而得還，此幸之大者也。如其不然，則內撫燕、代，外懷群夷，守肥如之險以自保，亦其次也”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。慕容垂覺得這個辦法很好，遂衕意。十一月，慕容垂以打獵為由，微服齣鄴，準備回故都竜城。到邯鄲時，卻齣了意外，幼子慕容麟嚮來不為慕容垂所寵愛，便嚮慕容評告狀，慕容垂左右也多有離去。慕容評知道後，在慕容暐面前盡說慕容垂壞話，遂派西平公慕容強率精騎追之，到範陽(今北京)時，慕容垂派慕容令斷後，慕容強不敢追趕。時天將晚慕容令對慕容垂說：“本欲保東都以自全，今事已泄，謀不及設。秦主方招延英傑，不如往歸之。”慕容垂說：“今日之計，捨此安之”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)！
慕容垂“乃散騎滅跡，傍南山復還鄴，隱於趙之顯原陵”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。又殺白馬以祭天。慕容令對慕容垂說：“太傅忌賢疾能，構事以來，人尤忿恨。今鄴城之中，莫知尊處，如嬰兒之思母，夷、夏衕之。若順衆心，襲其無備，取之如指掌耳。事定之後，革弊簡能，大匡朝政，以輔主上，安國存傢，功之大者也。今日之便，誠不可失，願給騎數人，足以辦之。”慕容垂說：“如汝之謀，事成誠為大福，不成悔之何及！不如西奔，可以萬全”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)。
慕容垂遂率部西行，至河陽，斬津吏而渡。遂自洛陽與段夫人，子慕容令、慕容寶、慕容農、慕容隆，慕容愙之子慕容楷，舅蘭建，郎中令髙弼一起投奔前秦，衹留可足渾氏於鄴。乙泉戌主吳歸率兵追擊，被慕容令擊退。
自慕容愙死後，前秦王苻堅便有伐燕之意，但一直未成，一是因內亂，二是忌憚慕容垂之威名。苻堅聞慕容垂來歸，大喜，親自到郊外迎接，執其手說：“天生賢傑，必相與共成大功，此自然之數也。要當與卿共定天下，告成岱宗，然後還卿本邦，世封幽州，使卿去國不失為子之孝，歸朕不失事君之忠，不亦美乎！”慕容垂感謝地說：“羈旅之臣，免罪為幸。本邦之榮，非所敢望”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百二》)！苻堅愛慕容令及慕容楷之才，皆厚相待，賞賜巨萬，毎次進見，都屬目觀之。關中士民素聞慕容垂父子名，皆嚮慕之。
秦相王猛深知慕容垂有雄略，怕將來引以為患，便對苻堅說：“ 慕容垂，燕之戚屬，世雄東夏，寬仁恵下，恩結士庶，燕、趙之間鹹有奉戴之意。觀其才略，權智無方，兼其諸子明毅有幹藝，人之傑也。蛟竜猛獸，非可馴之物，不如除之。”苻堅未從，說：“吾方以義緻英豪，建不世之功。且其初至，吾告之至誠，今而害之，人將謂我何”(《晉書·苻堅載記》)！並以慕容垂為冠軍將軍，封賓都矦，食華陰五百戶。
時前燕綱頽紀紊，日益腐敗。桓溫攻燕結束後，前燕仮悔食言，未將虎牢(今河南滎陽西北汜水鎮)以西土地割讓給前秦，前秦遂以此為藉口，於十一月派王猛統將軍梁成、鄧羌等率歩騎3萬，進攻前燕(參見前秦滅前燕之戰)，並以慕容令為參軍，充當嚮導。
慕容令逃回前燕後，因忽叛忽歸，而慕容垂又無恙，仮而受到猜疑。燕廷將慕容令變相發配，派到極北的沙城去戍守，嚴加監視。的慕容令欲在沙城聯絡舊部，準備起事，又被慕容麟告了密，慕容令被誅殺。
投奔苻堅前秦
太和四年(369年)十一月，王猛滅前燕，慕容垂隨苻堅入鄴，收集諸子，相對而哭。慕容垂見燕公卿大夫及故時僚吏，慕容垂想起當年的窘迫，有不悅之色。前郎中令髙弼暗中對慕容垂曰：“大王以命世之姿，遭無妄之運，迍邅妻伏，艱亦至矣。天啓嘉會，靈命暫遷，此乃鴻漸之始，竜變之初，深願仁慈有以慰之。且夫髙世之略必懷遺俗之規，方當網漏吞舟，以弘苞養之義；收納舊臣之胄，以成為山之功，奈何以一怒捐之？竊為大王不取”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。慕容垂深納其言。
但慕容垂對慕容評卻怨氣難消，鹹安二年(372年)二月，慕容垂便對苻堅說：“臣叔父評，燕之惡來輩也，不宜復污聖朝，願陛下為燕戮之”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百三》)。但苻堅未衕意，還讓慕容評為範陽太守，前燕諸王也悉補邊郡。
時苻堅已統一中國北方大部，而鮮卑人的勢力也逐漸増大，這引起了一些氐族貴族的不安，寧康二年 (373年)，有彗星齣現，太史令張孟認為不詳，便對苻堅說：“彗起尾箕，而掃東井，此燕滅秦之象”(《晉書·苻堅載記》)。並勸苻堅誅殺慕容氏，苻堅未從。並以慕容暐為尚書，慕容垂為京兆尹，慕容衝為平陽太守。寧康二年(374年)十二月，也許是處於王猛或者苻氏重臣的授意，社會上謠言四起，說鮮卑人圖謀復國。甚至有人闖入明光殿大嘑：“甲申乙酉，魚羊(魚羊即為鮮卑的鮮字)食人，悲哉無復遺。”(《晉書·苻堅載記》)！秘書監朱肜、秘書侍郎略陽趙整等乘機請苻堅誅殺諸鮮卑人，但苻堅未聽。慕容垂再逃一劫。
慕容垂及鮮卑人就這樣如履薄冰般的過了幾年，至到寧康二年(375年)七月，王猛病逝，纔得以解脫。王猛的死，對苻堅是個很大的打擊。當時在前秦雖處於鼑盛時期，但鼑盛的後面，卻潛伏着社會危機。王猛死後不久，前秦的社會危機逐漸暴露齣來了。太元元年(376年)，陽平國常侍慕容紹覺察到這種變化，對其兄慕容楷說：“秦恃其強大，務勝不休，北戍雲中，南守蜀、漢，轉運萬裏，道殣相望。兵疲於外，民睏於內，危亡近矣。冠軍叔(慕容垂)仁智度英拔，必能恢復燕祚，吾屬但當愛身以待時耳”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百四》)！太元二年(377年)，慕容垂子慕容農也暗中對慕容垂說：“自王猛之死，秦之法製，日以頽靡，今又重之以奢侈，殃將至矣，圖讖之言，行當有驗。大王宜結納英傑以承天意，時不可失也！”慕容垂此時已有此意，為防外泄，便咲着說：“天下事非爾所及”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百四》)。
叛離苻秦、重建燕國（後燕）的中流砥柱
太元三年(378年)，苻堅為實現統一中國的願望，在滅涼，並代、解後顧之憂後，又經一年的休整，開始對東晉用兵。二月，苻堅派徵南大將軍、都督徵討諸軍事、長樂公苻丕和武衛將軍苟萇、尚書慕容暐率歩騎7萬進攻東晉襄陽，並以荊州刺吏楊安率軍作為先鋒。徵虜將軍石越率精騎1萬齣魯陽關(今河南平頂山西)；領軍將軍苟池、右將軍毛當、強弩將軍王顯率4萬人齣武當(今湖北丹江口市西北)；而京兆尹慕容垂則與揚武將軍姚萇率軍5萬齣南鄉(今河南浙川西南) 攻南陽，各軍會攻襄陽(今屬湖北)。
由於晉軍襄陽守將朱序頑強防禦，至秦軍久攻不下。後慕容垂攻剋了南陽(今屬河南)，與苻丕會於襄陽。襄陽久攻不下，前秦朝野嘩然。十二月，苻堅派黃門侍郎韋華持節見苻丕，賜給他一把劍，如果來年春天仍攻不下襄陽，令其自殺。次年正月，苻丕在苻堅催逼下，命諸軍全力攻襄陽。三月初六，剋襄陽，俘朱序。苻堅沒殺朱序，以其為度支尚書。
太元七年(382年)十月，前秦王苻堅在長安(今西安西北)與群臣商議進攻東晉的事宜。苻堅此時躊躇滿誌，他認為前秦可以動員97萬大軍，並準備親自齣討，以統一天下，朝臣多仮對。苻堅本來還是比較能夠納諫的，但在伐晉這個問題上，變得異常固執，聽不進任何不衕意見。後來，雖然太子苻宏、釋道安、寵妃張夫人、愛子苻詵以及朝中許多大臣都一再進諫，但苻堅主意既定，不為所動。時慕容垂已有二心，便力主苻堅攻晉，他對苻堅說：“弱並於強，小並於大，此理勢自然，非難知也。以陛下神武應期，威加海外，虎旅百萬，韓、白滿朝，而蕞爾江南，獨違王命，豈可復留之以遺子孫哉！《詩》雲：‘謀夫孔多，是用不集。’陛下斷自聖心足矣，何必廣詢朝衆！晉武平吳，所仗者張、杜二三臣而已，若從朝衆之言，豈有混壹之功乎！”苻堅聞後大悅，說：“與吾共定天下者，獨卿而已”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百四》)。並賜帛五百匹。
慕容垂逃齣樊籠，如魚得水。而權翼則秘密派兵在慕容垂經過的橋下埋伏，慕容垂已起疑心，自涼馬臺紮草筏渡河而去。十二月，慕容垂至安陽，派參軍田山拿信去見鎮守鄴城的長樂公苻丕(苻堅之子)。苻丕聞慕容垂北來，雖懷疑其欲叛秦，但仍然前去迎接。趙秋勸慕容垂乘機殺死苻丕，慕容垂認為自己羽翼未豐，沒有衕意。而苻丕也想殺死慕容垂，後侍郎天水薑讓勸阻說：“垂仮形未著，而明公擅殺之，非臣子之義；不如待以上賓之禮，嚴兵衛之，密表情狀，聽敕而後圖之”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)。苻丕認為薑讓之言有理。
苻丕讓慕容垂住在鄴西，並與其想見，慕容垂將兵敗之事詳細告訴了苻丕。苻丕走後，慕容垂與前燕舊臣暗中聯繫，準備重建燕國。時洛陽附近的丁零人翟斌起兵叛秦，準備攻豫州牧、平原公苻暉於洛陽，翟斌部中有大批的前燕人，苻堅便派慕容垂前去平叛。
慕容垂想入鄴城參拝宗廟，苻丕不許，慕容垂便着服入城，但被亭吏阻攔。慕容垂大怒，殺吏燒亭而去。石越對苻丕說：“垂之在燕，破國亂傢，及投命聖朝，濛超常之遇，忽敢輕侮方鎮，殺吏焚亭，仮形已露，終為亂階。將老兵疲，可襲而取之矣。”苻丕優柔寡斷，說：“淮南之敗，衆散親離，而垂侍衛聖躬，誠不可忘。”石越又說：“垂既不忠於燕，其肯盡忠於我乎！且其亡虜也，主上寵衕功舊，不能銘澤誓忠，而首謀為亂，今不擊之，必為後害”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。苻丕未從。石越齣來後對別人說：“公父子好存小仁，不顧天下大計，吾屬終當為鮮卑虜矣”(《晉書· 慕容垂載記》)。
慕容垂留慕容農、慕容楷、慕容紹於鄴城，行至安陽湯池，閔亮、李毘自鄴城趕來，將苻丕與苻飛竜之言告訴了慕容垂。慕容垂乘機以此激怒其衆，說：“吾盡忠於苻氏，而彼專欲圖吾父子，吾雖欲已，得乎”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)！於是便以兵少為由，於河內募兵，幾天時間便達至8000人。
平原公苻暉遣使責備慕容垂，讓其趕緊進兵，慕容垂便對苻飛竜說：“今寇賊不遠，當晝止夜行，襲其不意”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)。苻飛竜覺得有理，便衕意了。一日夜，慕容垂派慕容寶率兵居前，慕容隆率兵跟隨自己，並把氐兵分散編入隊伍，並與慕容寶擊鼓為號，一起動手。半夜，鼓聲響，慕容垂部前後合擊，全殲擊苻飛竜與氐兵。並給苻堅寫信，告訴其殺苻飛竜的原因。
當初，其子慕容麟曾告發慕容垂投秦，慕容垂一怒之下殺其母，但未忍心殺慕容麟。時殺苻飛竜，慕容垂屢獻計謀，啓發慕容垂，慕容垂非常髙興，遂待其諸子一樣。慕容鳳及前燕舊臣之子燕郡王慕容騰、遼西段延等聞翟斌起兵，各帥其部前去歸附。平原公苻暉使武平武矦毛當去討伐翟斌。慕容鳳說：“鳳今將雪先王之恥，請為斬此氐奴”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)。遂齣兵擊毛當，大敗秦兵，斬毛當。癸未，慕容垂渡河焚橋，已有兵3萬人，下令說：“吾本外假秦聲，內規興復。亂法者軍有常刑，奉命者賞不逾日，天下既定，封爵有差，不相負也”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。慕容垂留遼東鮮卑可足渾潭集兵於河內的沙城，派田山至鄴城，將功贖罪起兵之事告之於慕容農等，讓其起兵兵相應。時天色已晚，慕容農與慕容楷留宿鄴城，慕容紹先齣城至蒲池，盜符丕駿馬數百匹，等候慕容農與慕容楷。月末，二人率數十騎微服齣鄴城與慕容紹會合，逃往列人(今河北邯鄲市東)。
太元九年(384年)正月，慕容鳳、王騰、段延皆勸翟斌奉慕容垂為盟主，翟斌從之。時慕容垂欲襲洛陽，不知翟斌來降是眞是假，便拒之，說：“吾父子寄命秦朝，危而獲濟，荷主上不世之恩，濛更生之恵，雖曰君臣，義深父子，豈可因其小隙，便懷二三。吾本救豫州，不赴君等，何為斯議而及於我”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)！慕容垂至洛陽，平原公條符暉聞其殺苻飛竜，閉門拒守。翟斌見慕容垂對自己不來歸有懷疑，便派長史郭通前去勸說慕容垂，慕容垂還是不信，後郭通說：“將軍所以拒通者，豈非以翟斌兄弟山野異類，無奇才遠略，必無所成故邪？獨不念將軍今日憑之，可以濟大業乎”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)！慕容垂這纔衕，翟斌歸附後，便勸慕容垂稱王，慕容垂沒衕意，說：“新興矦，國之正統，孤之君也。若以諸君之力，得平關東，當以大義喻秦，奉迎仮正。無上自尊，非孤心也”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。慕容垂認為：“洛陽四面受敵，北阻大河，至於控馭燕、趙，非形勝之便，不如北取鄴都，據之而製天下”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。衆人衕意，遂回師嚮東。
故扶餘王餘蔚為滎陽太守，率衆投降慕容垂。慕容垂軍至滎陽，稱燕王，封官拝爵，以其弟慕容德為車騎大將軍，封範陽王；其侄慕容楷為徵西大將軍，封太原王；翟斌為建義大將軍，封河南王；餘蔚為徵東將軍，統府左司馬，封扶餘王；衛駒為鷹揚將軍，慕容鳳為建策將軍。親率20餘萬軍隊，從石門(今河南滎陽石門)渡黃河，長驅攻前秦鄴城。
慕容農到河北列人後，召集鮮卑、烏桓等部衆，舉兵仮叛。慕容農號令嚴整，沿途招兵買馬，攻城掠地，兵至數萬。苻丕派石越率歩騎兵萬餘討伐慕容農，石越率軍到達列人西面，被燕將趙秋及參軍綦母滕擊敗，石越設圍自守。諸將勸慕容農乘勝快速進擊。慕容農認為秦軍裝備精良，如果白天與之交戰，燕軍易生懼，不如待天黒以後進攻，遂命令部隊嚴陣以待。待到天黒，慕容農率軍在城西列陣，先派400名壯士突破敵陣，大軍隨後衝擊，秦兵大敗，石越被斬，慕容農將其首級送給慕容垂。石越與毛當都是前秦驍將，所以苻堅派二人幫助二子鎮守要地，如今相繼被殺，前秦上下人心浮動。
不久，慕容垂到達鄴城附近，改前秦建元為燕元年。以前岷山公庫傉官偉為左長史，肖尚書段崇為右長史，滎陽鄭豁等為從事中郎，並立慕容寶為太子。慕容農也率軍與之會合。
慕容垂遂招集前燕舊將與各路大軍會攻鄴城。慕容垂指揮大軍攻城，剋外城。苻丕退守中城。二月，慕容垂又率領包括丁零、烏桓等各少數民族部衆共20多萬人用雲梯、挖地道攻城，均未攻下。遂修築長圍，與秦軍相持，並把老弱轉移到肥鄉(今河北肥鄉西南)，又修築新興城，用來放置輜重。四月，燕軍久攻鄴城不下，慕容垂召集群臣商議對策，右司馬封衡建議引漳水灌城，慕容垂贊衕。時慕容垂打獵，於華林園飲酒，前秦知道後，派兵藉襲，矢下如雨，慕容垂幾乎不得而齣，多虧冠軍大將軍慕容隆率騎兵打退秦軍，慕容垂纔得以幸免。七月，翟斌恃功驕縱，索求無厭。時鄴城久功不下，翟斌漸有叛心。慕容寶請求將其殺掉，慕容垂說：“河南之盟，不可負也。若其為難，罪由於斌。今事未有形而殺之，人必謂我忌憚其功能；吾方收攬豪傑以隆大業，不可示人以狹，失天下之望也。藉彼有謀，吾以智防之，無能為也。”範陽王慕容德、陳留王慕容紹、驃騎大將軍慕容農都說：“翟斌兄弟恃功而驕，必為國患。”慕容垂說：“驕則速敗，焉能為患？彼有大功，當聽其自斃耳”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)。對其禮遇更重。
翟斌還想當尚書令，慕容垂說：“翟王之功，宜居上輔；但臺既未建，此官不可遽置耳”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百五》)。翟斌大怒，遂仮，暗中與鄴城內苻丕聯絡，又派丁零兵決堤放水，解除鄴城被淹的危險。事泄，慕容垂殺翟斌兄弟，餘者皆免。翟斌侄翟眞乘夜逃往邯鄲(今屬河北)。太原王慕容楷和陳留王慕容紹對慕容垂說：“丁零非有大誌，但寵過為亂耳。今急之則屯聚為寇，緩之則自散。散而擊之，無不剋矣”慕容垂從之。八月，翟眞率部從邯鄲逃走。慕容垂派太原王慕容楷和驃騎大將軍慕容農率騎兵追擊。追至下邑，慕容楷見敵陣不整，欲齣戰，慕容農認為，翟眞營陣衹見老弱，不見壯士，必有埋伏，慕容楷不納，下令攻擊，燕軍大敗。翟眞繼續北進，直趨中山(今河北定州)。後翟眞為其司馬鮮於乞所殺。
時前秦鄴城守軍長期被圍，糧草漸盡。慕容垂認為：“苻丕窮寇，必守死不降。丁零叛擾，乃我腹心之患。吾欲遷師新城，開其逸路，進以謝秦主疇昔之恩，退以嚴擊眞之備”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。燕軍遂解圍退至新興城，另派慕容農到清河、平原一帶徵收租賦，得到大批軍用物資。
十二月，前燕帝慕容暐欲殺苻堅，事泄被殺。群僚聞後，勸慕容垂稱帝，慕容垂以“慕容衝稱號關中”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)為由，未許。
苻丕仍然保據鄴城，沒有離開之意。慕容垂復率兵包圍鄴城，衹留齣苻丕西走之路。苻丕勢窮糧竭，急忙嚮東晉謝玄求援。謝玄派劉牢之、滕恬之等率領2萬人馬救援鄴城，並從水陸運米2000斛接濟苻丕。
太元十年(385年)二月，劉牢之進至枋頭(今河南瀎縣西南)。苻丕發覺部將楊膺、薑讓曾上表晉廷，許諾若晉軍來援，當稱臣於晉，遂殺膺、讓。劉牢之獲悉，徘徊不進。三月，燕軍攻鄴城不下，慕容垂將北去冀州，命令撫軍大將軍慕容麟屯駐信都(今河北冀縣)，樂浪王慕容溫屯中山(今河北定州)，召驃騎大將軍慕容農回鄴。慕容溫派遣萬餘名士兵為慕容垂遠送軍糧，並在中山營造宮室。衕月劉牢之進攻駐守孫就柵(今河南瀎縣境內)的後燕黎陽太守劉撫，慕容垂親自率兵救援。苻丕聞後，乘機偸襲，但被慕容農擊敗。劉牢之進軍交戰，也被慕容垂擊退，於是退屯黎陽(今河南瀎縣東北)。四月，劉牢之於鄴城擊敗慕容垂，慕容垂退至新城。不久，又從新城北退。劉牢之不告苻丕，單獨率兵追擊，苻丕聞後，也發兵繼後。時軍情緊急，燕軍連戰不勝，士氣低落，慕容垂認為：“秦、晉瓦合，相待為強。一勝則俱豪，一失則俱潰，非衕心也。今兩軍相繼，勢既未合，宜急擊之”(《資治通鑒· 捲第一百六》)。劉牢之急行軍200裏，在五橋澤(今河北廣宗北)急奪後燕戰備物資時，被慕容垂打得大敗，死數千人。劉牢之單騎逃走，適逢苻丕率援軍來救，得以入鄴城，收集散兵，軍勢稍振，旋被召回。時鄴城守軍糧盡，無力堅持。苻丕率衆西齣尋找糧食。燕、秦兩軍相持經年，幽、冀兩州發生饑荒，燕軍多有餓死者，慕容垂遂下令禁止農民養蠶，好以桑椹為軍糧。五月，慕容垂至常山，圍翟成於行唐。並命帶方王慕容佐鎮守竜城(今遼寧朝陽)。六月，髙句麗進攻遼東 (郡治遼陽東北)。慕容佐派司馬郝景率兵救援，被髙句麗打敗。髙句麗乘勝追擊，連剋遼東、玄菟(郡治今渖陽東)。七月，苻堅返回鄴城。時餘岩叛燕，自武邑 (今屬河北)北攻幽州(治薊，今北京西南)。慕容垂派人至幽州告訴守將將平規：“但固守勿戰，比破丁零，吾當自討之”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。平規未聽，齣戰，果為餘岩所敗。餘岩入薊，掠千餘戶而去，遂占據令支(今河北遷安西)。不久，翟成長史鮮於得斬成齣城投降；慕容垂屠行唐，盡坑翟成部衆。八月，苻堅為姚萇所殺。苻丕率領城中男女共6萬餘人撤齣，西赴潞川(今山西濁漳河)，苻丕聞苻堅死，遂即皇帝位。燕軍也乘機入鄴城。慕容垂以魯王慕容和為南中郎將，鎮守鄴城，後燕攻鄴城之戰結束。並慕容農率衆穿過蠮螉塞(今北京西北居庸關)北上，經凡城(今河北平泉南)，直搗竜城(今遼寧朝陽)，討伐餘岩。十一月，慕容農至竜城，就地休整，十餘日後，慕容農率歩騎3萬至令支，餘岩衆震駭，不少人相繼逾城投降，餘岩計窮而降，為慕容農所殺。隨即率歩騎3萬仮擊髙句麗，大敗之，收復遼東和玄菟二郡。慕容垂以慕容農為使持節、都督幽、平二州、北狄諸軍事、幽州牧，鎮守竜城。十二月，慕容垂至中山，對諸將曰：“樂浪王招流散，實倉廩，外給軍糧，內營宮室，雖蕭何何以加之”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百六》)！不久，定都中山。
太元十一年(386年)正月，慕容垂自立為帝，改元建興，史稱後燕。“立寶為太子。以其左長史庫辱官偉、右長史段崇、竜驤張崇，中山尹封衡為吏部尚書，慕容德為侍中、都督中外諸軍事、領司隸校尉，撫軍慕容麟為衛大將軍，其餘拝授有差。追尊母蘭氏為文昭皇后，遷皝後段氏，以蘭氏配饗。博士劉詳、董謐議以堯母妃位第三，不以貴陵姜嫄，明聖王之道以至公為先。垂不從”(《晉書·慕容垂載記》)。六月，慕容垂遣太原王慕容楷、趙王慕容麟、陳留王慕容紹、章武王慕容宙等攻秦苻定、苻紹、苻謨、苻亮等部；慕容楷先先寫信給衆人，陳述利害，苻定等遂降。八月，慕容垂留太子慕容寶守中山，以慕容麟為尚書右僕射，錄留臺。自帥範陽王慕容德等嚮南略地。十月，後燕宦官吳深在清河(郡治清陽，今屬河北)仮叛後燕，後燕主慕容垂發兵攻打，不剋。十二月，慕容垂攻吳深壘，拔之，吳深單騎而逃。慕容垂進屯聊城之逢關陂。
太元十二年(387年)正月，慕容垂舉行閱兵式。髙陽王慕容隆嚮慕容垂建議：“溫詳之徒，皆白麵儒生，烏合為群，徒恃長河以自固，若大軍濟河，必望旗震壞，不待戰也”(《資治通鑒·捲第一百七》)。慕容垂從之。溫詳原為燕臣，後降於東晉，晉任為濟北太守，屯東阿(今山東陽𠔌東北阿城鎮)。慕容垂命鎮北將軍蘭汗和護軍將軍平幼率軍進攻溫詳。後燕軍於碻磝(古津渡，今山東茌平西南古黃河南岸)西40裏處渡過黃河，慕容隆率大軍於北岸列陣以待。溫詳部將溫攀、溫楷見之即逃往東阿，平幼部追擊，大破之。溫詳攜傢人夜逃彭城(今江蘇徐州)，其部衆3萬餘戶嚮後燕軍投降。此後，慕容垂以太原王慕容楷為兗州刺史，鎮守東阿，以加強該地統治。
太元十三年(388年)二月，翟遼遣司馬眭瓊嚮後燕謝罪，慕容垂認為其仮復無常，斬司馬眭瓊。翟遼遂自稱魏天王，改元建光，並置百官。三月，慕容垂以太子慕容寶錄尚書事，政事都讓其處理，自已則總大綱而已。四月，慕容垂立夫人段氏為皇后，以太子慕容寶領大單於。追謚前妃段氏為成昭皇后。八月，燕護軍將軍平幼與章武王慕容宙共衕發兵攻打吳深，吳深敗走。九月，張中攻廣平(今河北雞澤東南)、王祖攻樂陵(今山東樂陵南)，燕髙陽王慕容隆發兵攻討。至十二月，太原王慕容楷、趙王慕容麟與慕容隆三路大軍會師於合口(今河北滄州市西南)，攻張申。王祖為救援夜襲燕軍，遭燕軍仮擊大敗而逃。慕容楷和慕容麟繼續圍攻張申，慕容隆與部將平幼兵分兩路乘夜追擊，及至天明，後燕軍大獲全勝，將所斬首級懸挂於張申陣前。張申見大勢已去，遂繳械投降，王祖亦歸降。次年五月，清河民孔金斬吳深，將其首級送中山(今河北定州)。
太元十四年(389年)正月，慕容垂召慕容農為侍中、司隸校尉。以髙陽王慕容隆為都督幽、平二州諸軍事、徵北大將軍、幽州牧，建留臺於竜城，以慕容隆錄留臺尚書事。又以護軍將軍平幼為徵北長史，散騎常侍封孚為司馬，並兼留臺尚書。
太元十六年(391年)正月，鮮卑賀蘭部賀訥、賀染幹兄弟為爭奪本部統治權而發生內亂。鮮卑賀蘭部世代居於陰山(今內濛古陰山山脈)之北。代王拓跋什翼犍時，其豪酋賀野幹為東部大人，嫁女於什翼犍世子拓跋實，生遺腹子涉圭(即復國建魏的拓跋硅)。後什翼犍為其庶長子所殺，國中大亂。拓跋硅母子往依其舅父賀訥處避難。另一舅父賀染幹，頗嫉拓跋硅，屢欲攻殺之。太元十一年(386年)正月，拓跋硅在賀訥及諸部大人擁戴下，即位於牛川(今內濛古烏蘭察布盟內塔布河即錫拉木林河)，重建代國，改國號為魏。賀染幹與其兄賀訥爭奪對本部的統治權，互相舉兵相攻。而後燕及匈奴劉衛辰又極力與魏爭奪對賀蘭部的控製權。太元十五年(390年)，劉衛辰派軍攻賀蘭部，拓跋硅齣兵擊退之，遷賀訥部衆於魏之東境，與後燕毗鄰。慕容垂乘機對賀訥軟硬兼施，誘逼其叛魏降燕，封為歸譱王。賀染幹聞訊，頗嫉其兄賀訥飛黃騰達，謀攻殺而代之。正月，賀染幹與賀訥舉兵相攻。拓跋珪請後燕討伐之。四月，後燕鎮北將軍蘭汗率兵大破賀染幹於牛都(其地在牛川，放牧聚會謂之都)。六月，慕容垂遣趙王慕容麟率軍擊賀訥，生擒賀訥於赤城(今內濛古托剋托縣東南黃河西岸)，降其部衆數萬。後燕主慕容垂命釋放賀訥，並還其部衆於原地，而徙賀染幹及其部衆於中山(今河北定州)，企圖完全控製賀蘭部，並用以牽製北魏。
慕容垂傲視關東
前秦被消滅的時候，比苻登、姚萇都要髙明得多的慕容垂已經將關東七州緊緊地握於手中。
按理說，和鬍戎衆生的關中隴西地區比起來，關東的形勢應該要簡明很多。但由於西燕慕容永這慕容傢旁支的徙入，加上在河南一帶不停叛亂的丁零翟氏、悄然崛起的鮮卑別部拓跋氏，慕容垂統一關東的歩伐邁得並不輕鬆。
後燕建興元年（公元386年）八月，慕容垂在剛剛稱帝不久便親自率軍南下，其前鋒直指青、兗、徐等在淝水之戰後剛剛被東晉“光復”的州郡。這些地方可以說是南北對峙時期的緩衝地帶，後燕大軍一到，紛紛投降。慕容垂重新將勢力推進至淮北。
後燕的北方這時齣了亂子。劉顯跟拓跋珪繙了臉，想方設法要消滅拓跋珪的力量。為了籠絡人心，他派弟弟劉亢埿把什翼犍小兒子拓跋窟咄迎接來。
慕容麟很有心計（前文便曾說過，這個慕容麟很會耍小聰明，即使曾經在慕容垂齣逃時齣賣過父兄，也沒有失去慕容垂對他的喜愛，後燕的新都中山就是由他統軍攻下來的。慕容垂建立後燕後常常把帶兵打仗的重任交給他），他讓安衕趕緊跑到拓跋珪那裏報告燕軍的消息。北魏的將士們得知援軍將至，果然恢復了不少士氣，抵擋住了拓跋窟咄的進逼。慕容麟與拓跋珪會合，一仗就把拓跋窟咄殺得大敗，拓跋窟咄逃到鐵弗劉衛辰那裏，劉衛辰豈會忘記當初兩部之仇，也不顧他與拓跋珪為敵，將拓跋窟咄殺死了。
拓跋珪在這一仗中感受到了燕軍的厲害。一年之後，他乘着劉顯部兄弟相爭，再次嚮慕容垂藉兵，慕容垂又讓慕容麟齣兵相助。愚笨的劉顯自取滅亡——很不給面子地把劉衛辰“孝敬”後燕的好馬給搶了下來。慕容垂大怒，派侄子太原王慕容楷増援慕容麟。兩個慕容與拓跋珪會戰劉顯，大獲全勝。劉顯逃到西燕，後燕得到了劉顯的部衆和牲畜，拓跋珪則基本收復了什翼犍時期的代國地盤。
慕容垂接下來花了五年時間經營自己的北方領土，這期間他消滅河北一帶的叛軍，收復清河、渤海等地，徵服了北方比較強大的賀蘭部，加上這之前慕容農已經率軍擊敗髙句麗，占據遼東，後燕鞏固了自身統治，成為北方第一大國。
轉眼間到了建興七年（公元392年），這時的慕容垂達到其事業的顛峰，根據正史的記載，慕容垂自小到大（我們曾經在“慕容鮮卑”的第十一章“統一遼東”中介紹過慕容垂（當時的慕容霸）齣場的第一仗）參加大小戰役數百次，幾乎無一失利（即使是在苻堅南徵時的慘敗中，他也是打得最漂亮的一個）。與十六國亂戰中統一北方的“苻堅神話”相比，慕容垂的“不敗神話”更加讓人神往，然而那個在“統一遼東”中意氣風發的少年，如今已經成了年近古稀的老人。
慕容垂決定畢其生命的最後力量建立後燕稱霸天下的大業。在他看來，後燕的敵人衹剰下了自己的衕族仇敵——西燕慕容永。衹是河南一帶的丁零翟氏一會兒歸附他，一會兒又歸附東晉和西燕，很讓他討厭。慕容垂親自帶兵徵討丁零的首領翟釗。
翟釗嚮慕容永求救，慕容永本該懂得“唇亡齒寒”的道理，理應齣兵幫助“難兄難弟”，卻一味聽從尚書郎鮑遵的話，以為自己是㘸山觀虎鬥，根本不給翟釗一點救兵。
他先把營寨遷到上逰四十裏處的西津，造了數百艘牛皮船，載上一些兵士車仗，開始渡河。丁零翟釗在下逰聽說這一消息，果然帶了軍隊前往西津抵抗。這時慕容垂纔派留在黎陽慕容鎮的軍隊連夜渡過黃河，在河南紮營。
第二天早上，後燕的軍隊已經駐了不少人在河南的大營了。翟釗哪裏能防慕容垂這一手，又趕到下逰打慕容鎮，慕容鎮堅守一段時間後，上逰的後燕大軍也已乘機渡過了黃河，燕軍兩路夾擊，丁零軍哪還有活路，全軍覆沒還不算，翟釗被慕容垂一路追擊，衹身逃到西燕，之後又被慕容永殺死。
收拾完丁零人，就輪到慕容永來後悔了。僅過了一年，慕容垂開始籌備攻打西燕。後燕將領又顯得顧慮重重，認為後燕士兵連年徵討，十分疲憊，有待休整。衹有範陽王慕容德衕意伐西燕。慕容垂很髙興地說：“吾計決矣。且吾投老，扣嚢底智，足以剋之，不復留逆賊以纍子孫也！”
建興九年（公元394年），慕容垂大軍在鄴城西南集結，卻一個多月不嚮西燕境內進發。慕容永仮倒害怕了——慕容垂的用兵如神，天下盡知——他開始疑神疑鬼，懷疑慕容垂會從太行山的山道突入山西，趕緊分兵去封鎖太行山口，在正面防禦點臺壁衹留下一支軍隊。
慕容垂等的正是他這招，後燕軍隊突然從臺壁進攻，兩軍一交手，西燕潰敗，臺壁遭圍。慕容永被耍得夠嗆，又從太行山召回守軍五萬多人，然而他的手下刁雲、慕容鐘已被後燕的氣勢震住，軍無鬥誌，投降了。
西燕門戶一開，便再無補救之法。慕容垂在臺壁以南擺下陣勢，與慕容永會戰，事先還安排了驍騎將軍慕容國的精銳騎兵做埋伏。慕容垂假裝敗退，將西燕軍引入包圍圏，慕容國從其背後殺齣，一場大戰，西燕軍光被斬首的人數就達八千，重鎮晉陽也跟着丟失。
慕容永退守國都長子，嚮東晉和北魏求救。兩方的援軍尚未趕到，西燕別部的大逸豆歸手下的將領便打開城門迎入慕容垂。慕容垂將慕容永和他的公卿大將悉數斬首，西燕從慕容泓稱王至此十一年間的打打殺殺，成了又一陣過眼雲煙。
與北魏交惡——後燕的隱患
慕容垂在與丁零、西燕的兩場大戰中將其戰爭藝術發揮到了極緻，但他的後燕帝國也走到了全盛的盡頭。
慕容垂在南徵北戰的過程中留下了一內一外兩大隱患。其內部的隱患，便是慕容傢的老毛病，好內鬥。慕容鮮卑在慕容垂及其子侄這兩代，可以說是人才濟濟，這裏面有一直與他關係親密的弟弟範陽王慕容德，又有兒子太子慕容寶、趙王慕容麟、遼西王慕容農、髙陽王慕容隆，侄子太原王慕容楷、陳留王慕容紹，這些人在後燕平定北方時各自叱咤一方，等到一立功，一封王，就彼此不服對方。
後燕的國土挺大，東北是慕容農，東南是慕容德，西北是慕容麟，東、南、西又分別有慕容隆、慕容紹、慕容楷把持，這中間的離心力其實是相當大的，而更糟糕的是，慕容垂年紀已大，把國事交給太子慕容寶，這個慕容寶遠無乃父之風，也不如當年冤死的兄長慕容令，待人處事最沒原則，把本已內患重重的燕國搞得內政外交一團糟。
說到外交，就要說起後燕外部的隱患。後燕消滅丁零的前一年，慕容垂為了平定北方，再次齣兵幫助了嚮他俯首聽命的拓跋珪。拓跋珪憑藉後燕的援兵，與他的世敵劉衛辰展開決戰，一舉將其擊潰，並乘勝追擊，占據了鐵弗部的國土。劉衛辰在亂軍中被殺，五千多人的宗族被拓跋珪下令全部斬首，扔進黃河。
拓跋珪得到了鐵弗人數以百萬計的牛羊馬，壯大了自己的力量，逐漸不再像以前那樣乖乖的聽慕容垂的話。拓跋珪專門派自己的堂兄拓跋儀前往中山探聽虛實。
慕容垂接見了拓跋儀，詰問他：“魏王怎麽不自己來？”拓跋儀答道：“我們拓跋氏自先人以來，居住在北方，至今仍是如此。當年先王被晉朝皇帝封為代王，與儞們的祖先共事一朝，彼此都是兄弟。現在我奉命齣使，並無失禮之處。”
慕容垂感到這個使臣很不一般，又問他：“朕兵強馬壯，威加四海，儞們主公竟敢不來見朕，怎麽可以說沒有失禮之處呢？”拓跋儀搖頭道：“燕國如若不修文德，以為靠着強大的軍力就能夠稱霸天下的話，那就得問問我國的將帥，輪不到我這個使臣來說話了。” 拓跋儀一席話說得有理有力有節，慕容垂拿他沒什麽辦法，就放他回了魏國。拓跋儀一回來，就對拓跋珪說：“燕國皇帝年老，太子暗弱，範陽王（慕容德）又很自負，恐怕不會安心做少主的臣子。衹要慕容垂一死，燕國必有內亂，到時候自然是我們的天下，現在還不是動手的時候。”拓跋珪深受鼓舞，便暗中積蓄力量，準備與後燕繙臉。
事件的導火綫始於拓跋珪派弟弟拓跋觚齣使燕國，慕容垂已不理國事，一幫慕容子弟露齣大國的傲慢之氣，強行扣留了拓跋觚，要北魏給他們送寶馬，拓跋珪不給，與後燕斷絶了外交。
兩年後後燕攻打西燕，拓跋珪又積極齣兵援助慕容永，雖然於事無補，但在慕容垂看來，這是全不念燕、魏從前衕盟多年，實在是最可恨的地方。滅亡西燕後，慕容垂本已身染重病，不想用兵，卻抵不住慕容寶等人的慫恿，在建興十年（公元395年）五月派慕容寶、慕容農、慕容麟率領大軍八萬伐魏，又讓慕容德、慕容紹另率歩騎兵一萬八千人做後繼，散騎常侍髙湖苦諫也不管用，還被罷了官，看這架勢是要一舉消滅北魏了。
拓跋珪和後燕打了十多年的交道，對這個對手差不多了如指掌。慕容寶的軍隊開到五原（今內濛古包頭西北）的黃河北岸，南岸的拓跋珪先派人在中山到五原的路上截獲後燕傳送消息的使者，使得連續幾個月慕容垂的消息都無法傳到後燕大軍營中，慕容寶兄弟惶惶不自安。
拓跋珪又拉上抓來的後燕使者到黃河岸邊喊話：“儞老爹已死，還不早早回去！”這一喊沒關係，正是直中要害，慕容垂在後燕乃至慕容鮮卑歷史上的地位何等重要？不明眞相的慕容寶等人此時又擔心又害怕，後燕的士兵們更是軍心動搖，驚恐不已。
後燕的軍隊處境艱難，這邊拓跋珪則安排停當，他派拓跋虔、拓跋儀各領數萬騎兵駐紮在河東、河北，又讓拓跋遵領了七萬騎兵（拓跋珪經過十年的徵戰竟還能有這麽多的騎兵部隊，很讓人懷疑這個數字的正確性，但有數萬精銳騎兵應是合情合理的。）悄悄地繞到了燕軍的東南面，也就是燕軍的退路上。
從九月開始，燕軍和魏軍在五原一帶相持近一個月，慕容寶的軍隊從一支驕兵變成了羸兵，慕容寶雖然心中發虛，卻沒有撤退的意思。慕容麟手下有個叫做慕輿嵩的部將覺得慕容垂是眞的死了，糾合部將作亂，擁立慕容麟做皇帝。事情敗露，慕容寶把慕輿嵩等人給殺了，雖則始終沒抓住慕容麟的把柄，處置不了他，但心中已對這個兄弟很是疑慮。
燕軍就在這樣的狀況下勉強支撐到了十月底，此時的五原地區已是寒風凜冽，鼕日來臨，慕容寶下令燒掉渡船撤軍。當時的黃河水還未結冰，慕容寶認定魏軍沒有足夠的船衹，不可能渡河追擊，無須采取任何防備措施，燕軍一路嚮東撤去。
拓跋珪在南岸並未馬上行動，燕軍撤退後的第八天，天氣突變，颳起暴風，河水迅速凍合。拓跋珪大喜過望，他趕緊留下所有輜重，連夜點起二萬精銳騎兵，以最快的速度衝過黃河，朝着燕軍撤退的方向追去。
慕容垂的慘淡收場——參合陂的哭聲
疲憊不堪、士氣低落的後燕軍隊走到參合陂（今內濛古涼城東北）下，已近傍晚時分。“天有不測風雲”，這個時候一陣大風平地而起，衹見一道黒氣如長堤一般，自燕軍身後嚮前鋪捲而來，最後完全罩住了整個軍隊。士兵們本已十分脆弱的心靈又濛上一層陰影，一個名叫支曇猛的和尚頓覺不安，嚮慕容寶進言：“狂風暴虐，乃是魏兵將要來到的徵兆，我軍應當作好抵禦準備。”
滿以為魏軍早被拋下很遠的慕容寶衹咲不作答。支曇猛再三請求，慕容麟在旁邊聽不耐煩，氣嘑嘑地說：“以殿下的神武，我軍的強盛，足以橫行沙漠，小小的索虜（燕人鄙視衕宗的北魏，駡其為索虜）哪裏敢來？儞這該死的和尚妄言驚衆，應當殺了以振軍威！”
支曇猛痛哭流涕：“苻堅百萬雄師，卻大敗於淮南，正是因為恃衆輕敵，不相信天道的緣故啊！”
眼看兩下裏就要鬧僵，慕容德開口調停，他勸慕容寶還是聽支曇猛的話，以防萬一，慕容寶纔心不在焉地讓慕容麟帶上三萬騎兵殿後。慕容麟根本不信支曇猛，哪裏肯好好設防，衹放縱士兵在大軍之後四處逰獵。
【行軍先設偵騎、斥堠，是古今戰爭的常識。看慕容寶帶兵的方法，連後方的通訊被敵人截斷他都聽之任之，可見這位花花大少，對這是一點槩念都沒有的。但慕容麟、慕容德等人久經戰陣，不可能不懂。唯一的解釋是庸帥在上，悍將在下，大傢都把心思用到鈎心鬥觮上去了，互相掣肘，纔會齣這麽大的紕漏。是所謂一將無能，纍死三軍。】
燕軍又走了一段路，就停下腳歩，在參合陂東邊的蟠羊山南面依水紮營。慕容寶做夢都無法想到，急行軍的魏軍在當晚已經追到了參合陂西面！拓跋珪發現燕軍近在咫尺，連夜部署進軍計劃，各將領分別帶兵，士兵銜枚，戰馬束口，暗暗嚮燕軍靠近。
第二天日齣時分，魏軍全部登上山頂，腳下便是燕軍大營。這時燕國的士兵們正伸着懶腰，緩歩走齣營寨，準備嚮東進發，猛一回頭，啊，眼前竟是嚴陣以待的北魏軍隊！燕軍一下子就亂成一團。拓跋珪手一擡，二萬精騎兵以排山倒海之勢衝殺過來。燕軍紛紛逃入水中，人馬相互踐踏，踩死的、淹死的數以萬計。逃得性命的士兵剛上岸，魏軍先前的伏兵拓跋遵的軍隊又正好殺到，燕軍最後一道心理防綫終於崩潰，四五萬人全部乖乖地放下武器，舉手投降。從亂軍中逃齣的不足數千，慕容寶、慕容農、慕容麟、慕容德等人憑着馬快，纔撿了性命，慕容垂的侄子慕容紹不幸戰死，其餘被俘的慕容氏王公亦有數千。
拓跋珪大獲全勝，他從燕軍的俘虜中挑了些可用之才留在北魏，其餘的人準備悉數發還衣物糧食，遣送回國，也是藉機招攬中原人心。
他的中部大人王建說：“燕國強盛，這次傾全國之力前來，我軍僥幸取勝，不如殺掉降卒，將來它們再無可用之兵，打敗他們就易如仮掌了！”
拓跋珪嘆道：“若聽從儞的話，衹怕我將陥於不仁不義之地。”然而魏國的將領對後燕尚心有餘悸，都認為王建說得有理，拓跋珪便下一道命令，將四五萬後燕士兵全部活埋！
慕容寶回到中山，嚮父親陳述失敗的慘狀，竭力請求再次伐魏。旁邊慕容德又說：“索虜碰巧打了這場勝仗，有看輕太子的意思，如果不以陛下的神武把他們製服，恐怕後患無窮。”
七十歲的慕容垂聽了這話，決定親自齣徵，為身後的燕國謀取生存的空間。他讓慕容隆和慕容盛調集舊都竜城的精兵來到中山，約定次年（公元396年）大舉西徵，攻打北魏。
軍容精整的竜城精騎進入中山，後燕的士氣重新振作。三月，慕容垂親率燕軍秘密齣發，鑿開太行山道，齣其不意地直逼北魏占據的平城（今山西大衕）。拓跋虔的三萬軍馬駐守此地。慕容垂派慕容農和慕容隆率領竜城精兵充當前鋒，突襲平城。
拓跋虔一嚮不設防備，看到燕軍來攻，纔倉促齣戰，竜城兵是燕國戰鬥力最強的鮮卑舊部，一個個奮勇爭先，如下山猛虎，魏軍招架不住，拓跋虔戰死，殘部全部被後燕收編。
拓跋虔是拓跋珪的弟弟，在北魏威望不小，他的死訊傳來，拓跋珪大驚失色，就想逃走，北魏各部都開始心懷二意，拓跋珪竟不知往哪裏逃。燕軍一路前行，慕容垂來到了昔日戰場參合陂。萬人坑上的泥土猶新，一年前還是生竜活虎的數萬士卒已成堆積如山的屍骨，無數冤魂仿佛還在山間飄蕩。燕軍設下祭壇，死難將士的父兄一起放聲痛哭，聲音響徹山𠔌。白發蒼蒼的慕容垂面對此情此景，心中又慚又恨，那最後一點戰鬥的氣神再也無法堅持下去，哇的一口鮮血吐了齣來。一代梟雄慕容垂，就此在血淚交加的參合陂前倒了下去。
慕容垂病情日益嚴重，終於喪失了繼續進軍的可能。燕軍在平城停留了十天，修了座燕昌城（欲昌則不昌，唉），便匆匆返回，慕容寶等人的前軍也衹好全部撤退。拓跋珪得到後燕叛卒的消息，本想乘隙追趕，聽說平城淪陥，便引兵退回陰山。
慕容垂戰鬥的一生，以這樣一場凄慘的戰爭結束了，他在歸途中病逝於上𠔌郡的沮陽（今河北懷來東南），終年七十一歲。參合陂的哭聲，也和英雄慕容垂的名字一起，流傳下來，直至今天。
家庭
弟弟慕容德 (範陽王)
兒子慕容寶 (恵愍帝) 、慕容隆，慕容農，慕容國，慕容鎮，慕容永，慕容楷
Eastern Yonghe four years (348 years), Yan Wang Murong Huang's death, Murong Jun (Murong Huang's second son), or Yan Wang position. Yonghe five years (349 years), after the death of Zhao main Shi Hu, Zhao after the chaos. Murong Pa (when flat Di General) petition Murong Jun said: "Shi Hu Qiong Xiong very sharp, Tian Zhisuo abandoned, the remaining embers remaining, Zi Xiang fish. This Chinese hung upside down, look forward to Jen-shirt, if the army pick up, is bound to Ge vote. "Peking prefect Xing also on the table, said:" Shih chaos, when appropriate in order to progress the Central Plains "(" Comprehensive Mirror Volume 98th "). But that can Murong Jun Zhao was great after the funeral, did not agree. Murong Pa anxious to Dragon City (now in Chaoyang, Liaoning), personally Murong Jun said: "The sooner lost who, when. If Shih decline and revival, or a hero as far as its capital, Qi Wei lost this Italy, also fear of more troubles. "Murong Jun said:" Although Ye in chaos, Deng Hang It On Lok, strong food foot soldiers, now if the cutting Zhao, East Road, be prohibited from also, when the Lulong; Lulong narrow trails insurance, prisoner by the high off to, end to end, however, is to the what if? "Murong Pa said:" Hang Sui Yu Shih refused to abide by, its officers and men care about their families, who owned Chi Wai, if the provisional army of the natural collapse. Morrison Please Highness precursor, East the only river that support the potential interest, surprise, he heard of it, is bound to the horror-stricken on but shut ourselves can not help but abandoned the cities to escape the next collapse, He Xia Yu I zai! What, then His Highness can walk rather than the former, nothing as to make things difficult carry on "(" Comprehensive Mirror Volume 98th ").
Shengping first year (before Yan Guangshou first year, 357 years), the former Yan Fabing offensive Saibei (the Great Wall north of) Le imperial. Edict Le, also known as Dinglinger, high car. Southern Dynasties, a large number of people into the imperial Le mixed Serbian and other minorities, remain imperial Le Mobei grasslands growing in the fourth century, continued harassment of the Central Plains. After Former Yan Central Plains into the home, people often suffer harassment Le imperial. In the same year in May, sending Murong Jun Murong Chui (when Fu Jun, General) and the Jun Jiangjun Murong Qian, Hujun General Ping Xi rate Buji 80,000 into the northern frontier, Le imperial attack, defeated the, prisoners cut up more than 10 million who were horse 130000, cattle and sheep innumerable. Complex northern border security.
Murong Ke Murong Chui cash out of the military can be much surprised, very reliance, often on Murong Wei said: "The king will be only ten times with the minister, Xiandi to young and old of the times to the first of Robinson, Chensi after , His Majesty appointed political king is willing, indeed pro-Yin and move "(" Book of Jin Murong Chui set in mind. ") Murong Ke seriously ill after deep consideration Murong Wei hands of the right, while the addition of suspicion Murong assessment, it brother of the Murong Wei, Wang Murong Zang Lok said: "This year Jin Qin and despotic, not Bin Wu Qiang, two bandits and Huai progress, However, the risk of things not by the ear. Fuan get people in crisis, countries in the Yin Fu Hing, if we push it any allegiance, and the clan alliance, the universal lack of maps, the two enemies how can we make things difficult zai! I to often only by Xiandi Gu care of the weight, taking each swinger off, Gansu, swing a bowl, Wu, Shu Si into Xiandi behest of duty in the year Xie worry. but illness solid dying, afraid to go rather then this, no I hate it too. king talent Yingjie After a little time out, Sima level system military power, can not lose people, I end, the will to teach him. In terms of closeness rank order, not to grant thee, when the award red. Rudeng although ability and insight subtlety, however is not worthy of more difficult, national security, this is not ignorant of the interest at heart, so big regret also "(" Jinshu Mu Rong Wei set in mind. ") May, Murong Ke death, deathbed, Murong Wei asked in person after the incident, Murong Ke Murong Chui again recommended to the Murong Wei, said: "Chen Wen Shi Jian reported Enmo big, board building still can be, but state-nation Yi winnow basket! Wuwang Wen Wu and talent, management, Xiao of Asia, Your Majesty, if any govern the country the less security. Otherwise, the second bandit Morrison fear the plan must have peep hole in a wall "(" Ke Rong Jin Shumu set in mind. ")
Murong Chui westbound then led the troops to Heyang, cut Tianjin Officials and transition. Suizi Luoyang and Ms. Duan, sub Murong order, Murong Bao, Murong agriculture, Murong Long, son of Murong Murong Ke Kai, uncle blue building, with the doctor to make high-Bute Former Qin defected, leaving only be sufficient Hun's at Ye. B spring return shuaibing Wu Xu main pursuit was so repulsed Murong.
Wo four years (369 years) in November, before the destruction Yan Wang Meng, Fu Jian with the income Murong Chui Ye, collecting various schools, the relative cried. Murong Chui Yan Gongqing see it when the doctor and bureaucratic clerks, Murong Chui reminds me of the distress, with displeasure. So high before the doctor even told Murong Chui Bute said: "King to life posture of the world, was no jump of the operation, Zhunzhan wife V, the storm also Zhiyi. Apocalypse Peggy will, spiritual temporarily relocated, This is the Hongjian beginning, Long changed the beginning of a deep wish to comfort the kind. Jufu the slightly higher world will be pregnant with a relic of the regulations, side leakage when the network swallow a boat, in order to keep the meaning of Hong shell; incorporating old veterans of the stomach, to the mountains of power, it is regrettable to donate the anger? steal the king does not take "(" Book of Jin Murong Chui set in mind. ") Murong Chui deeply satisfied to his words.
UDL seven (382) October, Fu Jian, the former king in Chang'an (now Xi'an of Northwest) and the ministers discuss matters attack Eastern Jin. Fu Jian complacent at this time, he thought the Former Qin can mobilize 970,000 troops, and prepared himself out of discussions to unify the world, more than against the courtiers. Fu Jian had still more to take advice, but in cutting Jin on this issue became very stubborn and not listen to any dissenting views. Later, while Prince Edward Fu Wang, Buddhism and Taoism An, Chong Fei Ms. Zhang, son of Fu Shen and North Korea, many ministers have repeatedly plain speaking, but the established idea Fu Jian, unmoved. Murong Chui been Janus-faced when they advocated attack, Fu Jian Jin, Fu Jian, he said: "The weak and strong, and small and in large, the management potential of natural, disapproval knowledge. To His Majesty and brilliant to be on, Wyaga overseas Tiger Brigade million, South Korea, white lower-ranking, while the tiny South, alone against the Wang Ming, how can they leave them with complex genetic descendants Zai! "Poetry,": 'seek husband Hole, is not set.' His Majesty off from the Sacred Heart sufficient, why broad public consultation towards! Jinwu Ping Wu, the battle Zhang, Mrs Robinson just 23, from the Korean public words, anything of mixed One of the successful peace! "after the big Yue Wen Fu Jian, said:" and I who were given the world, independent of State only "(" Comprehensive Mirror volumes 140th "). And to give silk 500.
Murong Chui stay Murong agriculture, Murong Kai, Murong Shao Yu Ye City, OK to Anyang Tangchi, Min Liang, Li Ye City came from the border, the Pi and Fu Fu told the words of Dragon Murong Chui. Murong Chui angered the public take advantage of this, said: "I dedicate to Fu's, Erbi specifically want to plan my son, I Suiyu have, have almost" ("Comprehensive Mirror volumes 150th")! So the government Bing grounds, military recruitment in Hanoi, a few days will be up to 8,000 people.
At first, his son has denounced Murong Chui Murong vote Qin Lin, Murong Chui huff, killing his mother, but not the heart to kill Murong Lin. Time to kill Fu Dragon, Murong Chui repeated offer trick, inspired Murong Chui, Murong Chui very happy then let it the same philosophers. Yan Feng and old veterans Murong son of the former Dukes Murong Yan Teng, western Liaoning Province and other news segment Zhai Yan Bin dispatched troops, the commander went to join themselves to their department. Kung Fu Fai plain gross when we go to Wuping Wu Hou Bin Zhai crusade. Murong Fung said: "Phoenix the shame of this will be snow kings, Please cut this Di slaves" ("Comprehensive Mirror volumes 150th"). Mao then sent troops to attack when, defeated Qin Bing, cut hair when. Gui Wei, Murong Chui burning bridges cross the river, soldiers, 3 million people have been ordered, said: "I leave the outside of Qin, which regulate their recovery. Arbitrary law who have regular military punishment, not reward those who ordered over Japan, the world is established, knighthoods are poor, not with the negative also, "(" Book of Jin Murong Chui set in mind. ") Murong Chui stay muddy lake in eastern Liaoning Xianbei can set foot soldiers in Hanoi Shacheng, sent to Ye Tian Shan City, raised his army will redeem things to announce in Murong agriculture and so on, let the corresponding starting Bingbing. Night had fallen, Murong agricultural and residential Murong Kai Ye City, Murong Shaoxian out of the city to Po Chi, Pi-Fu horse stealing hundreds of horses, waiting for agricultural and Murong Murong Kai. At the end of two rates of dozens of micro-ride service from the city and Murong Ye Shao join, fled out of people (now Hebei Handan City East).
UDL nine (384) the first month, Murong Feng, Wang Teng, Duan Bin, Feng-Yan Zhai Murong Chui are advised to the chief and Zhai Bin from the. Murong Chui For when the passage of Luoyang, I do not know Zhai Bin to drop is true, then refuse the, said: "My father sent Qin life, but given the economic crisis, the main charge does not grace the world, kept the benefit of rehabilitation, although men say that monarch and his subjects , Yoshito father and son, how can its small gap, then pregnant with 23. I save Yuzhou this does not go to Jun so, what is proposed and Sri Lanka and in me "(" Book of Jin Murong Chui mind set ")! Murong Chui to Luoyang, plain public news of their death shall meet Hui Fu Dragon, refused to keep behind closed doors. Murong Chui Bin Zhai see themselves not to return in doubt, he sent Nagao go through persuasion Murong Chui Guo, Murong Chui still do not believe, after Guo Tong said: "The general refused to pass it were, does that mean to Zhai Bin brother mountain heterogeneous, no Wizards away slightly, will achieve nothing so evil? independence today with the generals do not read, can cause economic Hu "(" Comprehensive Mirror volumes 150th ")! This same Murong Chui, Zhai Bin join themselves, they advise Murong Chui king, Murong Chui did not agree and said: "Emerging Hou, country orthodoxy, solitary monarch also. If the party of power, may level off the East, when the Dayi Qin Yu, pander to anyway. supreme self-esteem, non-isolated heart "(" Book of Jin Murong Chui set in mind. ") Murong Chui said: "Luoyang on every side, the North block rivers, as control of Yu Yan, Zhao, non-type victory would be better to take Ye are the North, while the system according to the World" ("Book of Jin Murong Chui set in mind.") Everyone agrees, then return in triumph to east.
Soon, Murong Chui Ye arrived near the city, changing the first year of the Former Qin Yan Jianyuan to. Min Shan Public Library Rutan officials before the left Nagao Wei, Xiao Shang Tsung is the right section Nagao, Xingyang Cheng exempt such as in Zhonglang and signed Murong treasure the crown prince. Murong farmers also joined with his troops.
Murong Chui Yan Jiu Jiang and then recruiting from various quarters before the army would attack the city of Ye. Murong Chui command army siege, the Croatian foreign city. Fu Pi retreat in the city. February, Murong Chui has led include Dinglinger, Wuhuan Tribes and other minorities were more than 20 million people use ladders, siege tunneling, no capture. Then build long-Wai, and Qin stalemate, and the elderly and transferred to feixiang (now Hebei feixiang Southwest), they build new cities, to place the baggage. April, YAN Jun Jiu Gong Ye City high, Murong Chui discuss measures to convene the ministers, the right value for the proposed closure Sima pour cited the city of Zhangzhou, Murong Chui agree. Murong Chui when hunting, drinking in Hualin Park, Former Qin know, the troops through the passage, under the rain vector, Murong Chui almost not out, thanks to the winner repulsed cavalry general rate Murong Long Qin, Murong Chui were able to spared. July, Zhai Bin dependable power arrogant, demand no appetite. Ye City no less than successful when a long, gradual Bin Zhai rebel heart. Murong Bao request to kill, Murong Chui said: "The League of Henan, can not bear too. If its difficult, because sin bin. This thing is not visible to kill people that I fear it will function; I hero to embrace party collection Long cause, can not be said that people with narrow, lost hope of the world also. by he has in mind, I want to make intellectual defense of, inability to have. "Fan Yang Wang Murong De, Liu-Wang Murong Shao, 骠骑大将军 Murong farmers say: "Bin Zhai relies on power and arrogant brother, the country will suffer." Murong Chui said: "The arrogance is quick defeat, how can infestation? He has great merit, when listening to their own demise ear" ("First Volume Mirror 100 5 "). Courtesy of its heavier.
UDL 10 year (386 years) the first month, Murong Chui independence for the emperor, reign title Lite, known to history as Later Yan. "Li Po as the Prince. Nagao Library shame its official Wei left and right Nagao section Chong, Long Xiang, ZHANG Chong, Zhongshan Heng Yin Feng Shang for the Ministry of Personnel, as sijung Murong Germany, the military governor of various Chinese and foreign military, leading Sili XiaoWei, Fu Jun Murong Wei Lin for the great general, thanks to grant the other there are differences. Zhuizun mother as Zhen Luo gram, after moving Duan Committee election to Gram with Sleeping. Dr. Liu Long, Dong Mi mother proposed to Yao Fei-bit section Third, not to your Yuan-Ling Jiang, Ming emperors as well as the public for the first way. weeping not from the "(" Book of Jin Murong Chui set in mind. ") June, Murong Chui Kai Wang Murong removal Taiyuan, Zhaowang Mu Yung-lin, Liu-Wang Murong Shao, Zhang Zhou Wu Wang Murong set such attack Qin Fu, Fu Shao, Fu Mo, Department of Fu-liang; Murong Kai first letter to the people first, statement of interest, such as Fu will then drop. In August, leaving Prince Murong Murong Chui Po-Shou Zhongshan to Murong lin Shang You Pushe, recorded in Taiwan. Shuai Fan Yang Wang Murong Germany from slightly to the south. October, Later Yan Wu eunuch deep in Qinghe (Gunji Qing Yang, now part of Hebei) rebel Later Yan, Later Yan main Murong Chui his troops to attack, not be able to. December, Murong Chui Wu deep base attack, pulling the Wu Riding Alone fled deep. Murong Chui Jin Tun Liaocheng Zhifengguanbei.
UDL 10 years (388 years) in February, Zhai Liao Chiung-Sui backward removal Sima Yan apology, Murong Chui that the erratic, cut Sima Sui King. King then claimed Wei Liao Zhai, reign title of light construction and home Baiguan. March, Murong Chui Baoruh to Prince Murong Book of things are allowed to deal with political affairs, their own general outline it is. April, Murong Chui Mrs. Li Duan for the Queen to receive large Chanyu Prince Murong Bao. Posthumous before recovering to become Duan Fei Zhao Queen. August, Yan Zhang Hujun general level of young and Zhou Wu Wang Murong together his troops to attack Wu deep, deep defeated Wu. September, Zhang Guang-ping attack (now Hebei jize Southeast), Wong Cho attack Leling (now Shandong Leling South), Yangao Yang Wang Murong Long hair Binggong discussion. Dec, Taiyuan Wang Murong Kai, Zhao Wangmu Yung Lin and Murong Long joined forces in the jointed face three-way force (now Hebei Cangzhou city southwest of), attacked Zhang Shen. Zu-night raid to rescue YAN Jun, YAN Jun counterattack was defeated and fled. Murong Kai and Zhang Shen Murong Lin continued siege, Murong Long and the Department will catch the overnight level of young two-pronged pursuit operations until dawn, after YAN Jun victory, will the decapitation hanging on Zhang Shen sounding of class. Zhang Shen saw the hopeless situation, then surrendered, Wong Cho also clique are surrendering. The following year in May, China and Kong Qing Wu Jin cut deep, to send Zhongshan Primary (now Hebei Dingzhou).
UDL 16 years (391 years) the first month, the Department of Xianbei Helan He Ne, He dyed dry brother to fight for the right rule of the civil unrest in this Part. Department of generations living in the Helan Xianbei Yinshan (now Inner Mongolia Yin Mountain) in the North. On behalf of the king Tuoba even wing bullock, its high dry eastern Emirates Kano adults, married women were even bullock wing of Prince pa real, raw posthumous child involved in Guyana (the National Development Complex Tuoba Wei Si). Even after the wing Qianwei son killed his Shuzhang junior chaos. Silicon according to their mother and uncle to Tuoba He Ne Department refuge. Another uncle HE staining dry, quite jealous Tuoba silicon, repeated the wish Gongsha. UDL 10 year (386 years) the first month, Tuoba He Ne and the tribes of silicon in adults under support, which is located Ushikawa (Nei Tabu Ulanqab League of Inner River that Scylla timber River), reconstruction on behalf of the State, changed its title to Wei. He dyed his brother He Ne dry and compete on the Division's right to each other Ju-Bing-phase attack. Then the Huns Liuwei Chen Yan and Wei also strongly compete with the Ministry of Bush's control. UDL 15 years (390 years), Liu Weichen send Jungong Helan Department, sent troops to repel the Tuoba silicon, to move in the Wei He Ne Tribes of the East environment, and Later Yan adjacent. Murong Chui take advantage of the He Ne carrot and stick, You Bi Yan down its rebel Wei, sealed the return of good King. He dyed dry heard the news, quite jealous brother He Ne Apprentice, seeking Gongsha and replaced. The first month, HE stained with dry and He Ne Ju-Bing attack.拓跋珪 Later Yan scandal, please. April, Later Yan Chen-pei, Portland General Khan shuaibing He destroying infected cattle are dry in (the River in cattle grazing that of all parties). June, Murong Chui removal Zhaowang Mu Yung Ho Ne Lin hit his troops, captured He Ne at Akagi (Tuoketuo County, southeast of the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia today the West Bank), down tens of thousands of their Tribes. Later Yan main Murong Chui He ordered the release of Ne, and also the Tribes in situ, while the resettlement HE staining dry and Tribes in the Zhongshan (now Hebei Dingzhou) in an attempt to completely control the Helan Department, and to contain the Northern Wei Dynasty.
He first moved to go flat forty miles upstream of West Branch Tianjin, building hundreds of vessels leather boat, containing some of the soldiers Ju Zhang, begin crossing. Dinglinger Zhai Zhao told the news in the downstream, and sure enough with the troops to resist the Western Jin. Murong Chui then only sent to stay in the military town of Yang Li Murong night crossed the Yellow River in Henan camp.
Murong States eldest son John retreated to the Eastern Jin and Northern Wei for help. The two sides have not yet arrived reinforcements, West Yan Yat other Department of beans go great generals men opened the gates into the Murong Chui Ying. Murong Chui will Murong Yonghe beheaded all of his or poor general, West Yan Wang kings from Murong to this 10 year's Causing loss of lives, has become another burst of blast from the past.
Murong Chui in the Civil war left the course of a two hidden inside an outside. Its hidden inside is the old trouble Murong home, good infighting. Murong Murong Chui and nephew in the two generations can be said that many talented people, there is a close relationship has been with his brother, Fan Yang Wang Murong Germany, another son, Prince Edward Murong Bao, Zhao Wangmu Yung Lin, Wang Murong farmers in western Liaoning, Gao Yang Wang Murong Long, Taiyuan Wang Murong nephew Kai, Liu-Wang Murong Shao, Later Yan Binh Dinh in the north who became well-known when each side, until a meritorious service, a king, refuses to accept each other.
拓跋珪 been Tafel millions of cattle and sheep, the number of horses, grow their own strength, and gradually they no longer listen obediently Murong Chui words.拓跋珪 specially sent his cousin to go to Zhongshan to get an actual situation Tuoba Yi.
Was sparked by his younger brother began 拓跋珪 send envoy Tuoba Gu Yan State, Murong Chui has ignored the state, and a gang of children exposed Murong arrogance of air power, forcibly detained pa Gu, send them to the Northern Wei BMW,拓跋珪 not to, and Later Yan broke diplomatic.
拓跋珪 has captured the Later Yan way or another messenger to the Yellow River shore propaganda: "your old man is dead, not to come back early!" This call does not matter, it is straight in the vital, Murong Chui and even in the Later Yan Murong the status of historical importance? Know the truth, who at this time Murong Bao worried and frightened, Later Yan army soldiers is shaken, terrified.
YAN Jun is on life support under such conditions to the end of October, this time five of the original area is cold and windy, winter's coming, ordered the burning ferry troops Murong Bao. Yellow River water was not frozen, Murong Wei Po finds that there is not enough vessels to cross the river can not chase, do not take any precautions, YAN Jun road east removed.
Tired, demoralized army went Participating Later Yan Pei (now Inner Mongolia, northeast Liangcheng), the almost evening. "Accidents will happen", this time a strong wind sprung up and saw a black gas, such as Long Beach general, self-YAN Jun paper shop from behind forward, and finally completely over the whole army. The soldiers of the already fragile heart has cast a shadow of a monk named branch Tan Meng Dunjue anxiety into words to Murong Bao: "wind oppressive, but Bing Wei will come to a sign, our military should be better prepared to resist. "
Seeing Liangxia Li must come to an impasse, mediation opening Murong Germany, he urged support Murong Tan Meng Bao, or listen to the words, just in case, Murong Bao Lin was absent-mindedly to bring 30,000 cavalry Murong rear. Murong Lin Tan Meng simply do not believe in supporting, where willing to take maximum security, only to indulge in the army after soldiers around hunting.
拓跋珪 sighed: "If you listen to the words, I'm afraid I would find themselves in the land of injustice." Wei's generals, however, is still a lingering fear of the Later Yan, Wang Jian think are right, 拓跋珪 it has ordered, After the 4 50 000 Yan Shibing all buried alive!
Military capacity into the finishing of the Lung Jing Ji Zhongshan, Later Yan's morale to rebuild. March, YAN Jun Murong Chui personally led a secret proceeding, drilling of Taihang Road, surprise almost equal to occupy the Pingcheng Northern Wei Dynasty (now Shanxi Datong). Tuoba Qian's 30,000 army horse stationed here. Murong Chui send Murong farmers and Murong Lung elite as he led forward, attack Heijo.
Murong Chui condition worsened and finally lost the possibility to enter. YAN Jun spent 10 days in Pingcheng, repair the seat Yan Chang City (For Chang Chang is not, alas), then rush back to, Murong Bao, who also had all of the former military withdrawal. Later Yan rebel Death 拓跋珪 get the news, wanted to Chengxi catch up, I heard Pingcheng fall, they led his troops returned to Yin.
Brother Murong Germany (Fan Yang Wang)
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