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Murong Huang (; 297 – 25 October 348(燕王皝有疾，召世子俊属之曰：“今中原未平，方资贤杰以经世务。恪智勇兼济，才堪任重，汝其委之，以成吾志！”又曰：“阳士秋士行高洁，忠干贞固，可托大事，汝善待之！”永和四年九月，丙申，薨。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.98. (以永和四年死，在位十五年，时年五十二。) Jin Shu, vol.109), courtesy name Yuanzhen (元真), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Wenming of Former Yan (前燕文明帝), was the founding monarch of the Xianbei-led Former Yan dynasty of China. When he first succeeded his father Murong Hui in 333, he carried the Eastern Jin-bestowed title Duke of Liaodong, but in 337 claimed the title of Prince of Yan, which is traditionally viewed as the founding date of Former Yan. After his son Murong Jun completely broke away from the Eastern Jin and claimed the title of emperor in January 353, he was posthumously elevated to imperial status. In the Book of Jin, Murong Huang was described as a strong looking tall man (approximately ).(龙颜版齿，身长七尺八寸。雄毅多权略，....) Jin Shu, vol.109
During Murong Hui's rule as tribal chief, the Jin dynasty's central government was in constant turmoil and eventually collapsed due to infighting and agrarian rebellions, the strongest of which was the Xiongnu state Han-Zhao. As a result, many refugees arrived in Murong Hui's relatively safe domain, and as he treated the ethnically Han Chinese refugees with kindness, most chose to stay, greatly strengthening his power, and as Jin forces in the north gradually fell to Han-Zhao's general Shi Le, Murong Hui became the only domain in northern China still under titular Jin rule, carrying the Jin-bestowed title of the Duke of Liaodong. He entrusted Murong Huang with many important military tasks. These included fighting the powerful fellow Xianbei Yuwen tribe in 320 and 325. In early 322, Murong Hui named Murong Huang heir apparent. However, Murong Hui also greatly favored Murong Huang's brothers Murong Ren, Murong Zhao, and particularly Murong Han, who was regarded very highly as a general. Murong Huang became jealous and suspicious of these brothers, feelings which became known to them and which would sow the seeds of future troubles.
Murong Huang carried out strict and harsh enforcement of laws and regulations, which unsettled some of his subordinates. His suspicions of Murong Han, Murong Ren, and Murong Zhao also became clear. Murong Han fled to the Duan tribe (Dukedom of Liaoxi) and became a general for the Duan chief Duan Liao (段遼). Murong Ren and Murong Zhao conspired to have Murong Ren attack the capital Jicheng (棘城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning) from his defense post of Pingguo (平郭, in modern Yingkou, Liaoning) and for Murong Zhao to rise within Jicheng to join him, ready to divide the dukedom if they succeeded. Murong Ren soon launched a surprise attack, but scouts by Murong Huang discovered the attack and readied for it, so Murong Ren instead captured the cities in the eastern dukedom (Liaodong Peninsula). The forces that Murong Huang sent to attack him were repelled, and Murong Ren claimed the Duke of Liaodong title for himself. Jin messengers sent to bestow Murong Huang the same titles his father had were intercepted and detained by Murong Ren.
Also in 334, Duan forces, under the commands of Murong Han and Duan Liao's brother Duan Lan (段蘭) attacked Liucheng (柳城, in modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning), and Murong Huang's forces sent to relieve Liucheng were defeated by Duan forces. Duan Lan wanted to further advance on Jicheng, but Murong Han, fearful that his own tribe would be destroyed, ordered a withdrawal.
In early 336, Murong Huang made a surprise attack, personally leading his army by a route that Murong Ren did not expect—over the frozen Bohai Sea—arriving at Pingguo. Murong Ren, not realizing that it was a major attack, came out of the city to fight Murong Huang, who defeated and captured him, forcing him to commit suicide.
That same year, Murong Huang, countering his father's prior policy of having no contact with the Jin's rival Later Zhao, sent messengers to Later Zhao promising to be a vassal and requesting a joint attack against the Duan. Later Zhao's emperor Shi Hu was pleased, and they agreed on an attack in 338. In the spring, they launched the attacks. Murong Huang quickly attacked and pillaged the Duan cities north of its capital Lingzhi (令支, in modern Tangshan, Hebei), defeating Duan Lan's forces. He then withdrew, and when Later Zhao forces arrived, Duan Liao no longer dared to face them but instead abandoned Lingzhi and fled. Lingzhi surrendered to Later Zhao. Shi Hu was happy about the victory but angry that Murong Huang withdrew before the armies could meet, and he decided to turn his armies against Murong Huang instead. With Later Zhao's massive armies arriving in Former Yan territory, nearly all of the cities submitted to Later Zhao except Jicheng. Murong Huang considered fleeing, but on the advice of his general Muyu Gen, he stayed and defended the city for nearly 20 days, and Later Zhao forces were forced to withdraw; Murong Huang then sent his son Murong Ke to attack the retreating Later Zhao troops, scoring a victory, and the only Later Zhao force remaining intact was that of Ran Min, Shi Hu's adopted grandson. After Later Zhao's withdrawal, Murong Huang recaptured the cities that had rebelled. He also took over cities formerly ruled by the Duan, extending into modern northern Hebei. In early 339, after Duan Liao sent conflicting requests to Later Zhao and Former Yan, requesting surrender, the Later Zhao and Former Yan forces engaged, and Murong Ke again won a victory over Later Zhao. Murong Huang honored Duan Liao as a guest and merged Duan's remaining forces into his own. Later that year, however, Duan planned a rebellion and was killed by Murong Huang. From this point on, Former Yan forces conducted yearly raids against Later Zhao's border region. They also periodically attacked the Yuwen tribe and Goguryeo.
Also in 339, Murong Huang married his sister to Tuoba Shiyiqian, the Prince of Dai, cementing an alliance between the two Xianbei powers. He also sent messengers to the Jin capital to formally request from Emperor Cheng the title of Prince of Yan, explaining that he needed it to increase his authority over the people but that he was still loyal to the Jin. In 341, after several months of debate, Emperor Cheng granted Murong Huang the princely title.
In 340, Murong Han, who had fled to the Yuwen after the Duan were defeated but who had subsequently been mistrusted and mistreated by the Yuwen, agreed to return under Murong Huang's command, and returned to Liaodong. Murong Huang gave him a military command.
In 341, Murong Huang moved his capital from Jicheng to a newly built city, Longcheng (龍城, in modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning).
In 344, Murong Huang, with Murong Han as his deputy, attacked Yuwen, defeating it and forcing its chief Yuwen Yidougui (宇文逸豆歸) to flee. The Former Yan forces forcibly moved the Yuwen tribe south and merged them into Former Yan's own population. Later that year, Murong Huang, still apprehensive of Murong Han's abilities, forced him to commit suicide.
In 345, Murong Huang stopped using Jin's —which is viewed by some as the sign of Former Yan's formal independence.
In January or February 347, Buyeo was attacked by Murong Huang, and King Hyeon (玄) was captured.(永和三年初，夫馀居于鹿山，为百济所侵，部落衰散，西徙近燕，而不设备。燕王皝遣世子儁帅慕容军、慕容恪、慕舆根三将军、万七千骑袭夫馀。儁居中指授，军事皆以任恪，遂拔夫馀，虏其王玄及部落五万馀口而还。皝以玄为镇军将军，妻以女。)
In October 348, Murong Huang grew ill and died. He was succeeded by his son Murong Jun.
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