Emperor An of Jin

Under Sima Daozi's regency

Sima Daozi, the regent, was frequently drunk and relied on the flatterers Wang Guobao and Wang Xu, leading to a corrupt and incompetent administration. In 397, provincial governor Wang Gong and Yin Zhongkan mobilized their forces demanding the execution of Wang Guobao and Wang Xu; Sima Daozi, frightened, forced Wang Guobao to commit suicide and executed Wang Xu, after which the governors withdrew. Thereafter, Sima Daozi trusted only his teenage heir Sima Yuanxian, entrusting him with capital guards, and gave military commands to distant relatives Sima Shangzhi, Sima Xiuzhi, and Wang Yu in 398.

The appointment of Wang Yu angered Yu Kai, who persuaded Wang Gong and Yin that Sima Daozi intended to act against them, prompting another uprising. Sima Daozi persuaded Wang Gong's general Liu Laozhi to turn against Wang Gong, capturing and executing him. Yin Zhongkan, hearing of Wang Gong's death, was forced to withdraw after Huan Xuan and Yang Quanqi were given key posts, dividing his domain into three. In late 398, the magician Sun Tai, a friend of Sima Yuanxian, was executed for plotting to take over the central government; his nephew Sun En fled to Zhoushan Island, planning revenge.

Under Sima Yuanxian's regency

Sima Yuanxian's regency was characterized by his reliance on flatterers and unrealistic ambitions to eliminate provincial warlords. He trusted the strategist Zhang Fashun and introduced many associates into the administration, but was criticized for wasting government money on luxury and ignoring the people's burdens. In late 399, Sun En launched a major attack from Zhoushan Island, briefly taking nearly all of Yang Province and advancing on Jiankang; the rebellion was suppressed by Liu Laozhi, but the province was devastated.

Despite this, Sima Yuanxian grew increasingly extravagant and arrogant. In late 401, apprehensive of Huan Xuan's growing power, Sima Yuanxian declared him a renegade and ordered an attack, but Liu Laozhi, distrusting Sima Yuanxian, turned against him after Huan Xuan made overtures. Jiankang fell to Huan Xuan, who captured and executed Sima Yuanxian and his associates, exiled and killed Sima Daozi, and stripped Liu Laozhi of his command; Liu Laozhi's subsequent rebellion failed as his officers deserted him, and he committed suicide.

Takeover and usurpation by Huan Xuan

Huan Xuan initially attempted reforms that pleased the populace and officials, and offered peace to Lu Xun, Sun En's brother-in-law, by granting him a commandery governorship. However, he soon turned to luxurious living and arbitrary law changes, reducing supplies to the imperial household so that Emperor An nearly suffered from hunger and cold. In fall 403, Huan Xuan had Emperor An create him Prince of Chu and grant the nine bestowments, signs of impending usurpation.

In winter 403, an edict—reportedly forced on Emperor An by Sima Bao, though the account is doubtful given the emperor's handicap—transferred the throne to Huan Xuan, who became emperor of a new Chu state, creating Emperor An as Prince of Pinggu and keeping him and his brother Sima Dewen under virtual house arrest. In spring 404, Liu Yu led a coalition uprising against Huan Xuan, reaching Jiankang within days. Huan Xuan fled, taking Emperor An and Sima Dewen to Jiangling.

Liu Yu declared the restoration of Jin, and by summer 404 his forces defeated Huan Xuan's troops near Jiangling; Huan Xuan was killed by forces of general Mao Qu. Emperor An was restored at Jiangling by officials Wang Kangchan and Wang Tengzhi, but Huan Xuan's nephew Huan Zhen soon captured Jiangling, taking the emperor hostage while ostensibly honoring him. In spring 405, Jiangling fell to Liu Yi's forces, and Emperor An was welcomed back to Jiankang, with Liu Yu now largely in control.

Under Liu Yu's regency

Liu Yu, learning from Huan Xuan's failures, proceeded cautiously, initially sharing power with He Wuji and Liu Yi, and made several offers to resign his posts to establish his indispensability. In spring 405, soldiers in Yi Province rebelled, supporting Qiao Zong as their leader; they defeated and killed Mao Qu and captured Chengdu, establishing the independent Western Shu state. Also in 405, Lu Xun, who had captured Panyu in 404, offered peace by paying tribute; Liu Yu, unable to defeat him, made Lu governor of Guang Province and his lieutenant Xu Daofu governor of Shixing Principality. In 407, Liu Yu commissioned Liu Jingxuan to attack Western Shu, but in 408 his forces stalled against the general Qiao Daofu and retreated due to lack of food.

Did You Know?

• Sima Dezong's mother, Consort Chen Guinü, died in 390 when he was eight years old.
• His younger brother Sima Dewen, described as intelligent and careful, learned to take care of him throughout the years.
• In 395, Sima Dezong was set up in his own residence, the eastern palace, as was customary for crown princes.