Emperor Jianwen of Jin

Emperor Jianwen of Jin, personal name Sima Yu and courtesy name Daowan, was an emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in China who lived from 320 to 372. The youngest son of Emperor Yuan, the dynasty's founder, he held the title Prince of Kuaiji and served as a senior minister under his grandnephews Emperor Mu, Emperor Ai and Emperor Fei, sharing the prime ministership with other officials and later holding it alone from 354. Throughout this period the general Huan Wen dominated the court, and Sima Yu worked to restrain him while often yielding to his demands. In winter 371 Huan Wen forced the deposition of Emperor Fei and installed Sima Yu on the throne. His short reign was marked by pressure from Huan Wen, who had Sima Yu's half-brother Sima Xi demoted and exiled. He died in 372 and was succeeded by his young son Sima Yao. Historians describe him as a weak-willed ruler, devoted to Taoist philosophical discussion, who still preserved Jin rule.