During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, Fu Jian of Former Qin centralized power, boosted agriculture, and expanded revenues, gradually unifying most of the north and seizing some Eastern Jin territory. However, constant warfare burdened the people, deepening class tensions. In 383 AD, Fu Jian mobilized 900,000 troops to attack Eastern Jin but suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Fei River, crippling the state and prompting tribal leaders to rebel and declare independence.
Two years later, Former Qin came under attack from Later Yan and Later Qin, and its capital Chang'an was besieged. Fu Jian was forced to retreat to Mount Wujiang, where he was soon captured alive by the army of Yao Chang, ruler of Later Qin, and imprisoned in a temple. Yao Chang threatened Fu Jian, demanding he hand over the imperial jade seal. Fu Jian not only flatly refused but also cursed Yao Chang fiercely. Enraged, Yao Chang ordered Fu Jian executed.
When Wang Yong, the governor of Youzhou under Former Qin, learned of this news, he immediately sent word to Fu Jian's son Fu Pi and supported him in ascending the throne. The following year, Fu Pi granted titles to his ministers, and Wang Yong was further honored as Left Chancellor.
After Wang Yong took office, he wrote a manifesto calling on the Former Qin's armed forces everywhere to unite and attack the leaders of Later Qin and Later Yan. The manifesto declared:
"His late Majesty was tragically killed in territory controlled by rebels, the capital Chang'an has become the enemy's lair, the nation is in ruins, and the people suffer in mud and fire, enduring unbearable pain. All civil and military officials, upon seeing this proclamation, must immediately dispatch troops to assemble and prepare for battle."
Despite this, because the Later Qin army was powerful and the troops Wang Yong commanded from various regions were not strong, they were ultimately defeated. In 394 AD, Former Qin was conquered by Later Qin.
Later, the idiom "Living Beings in Mud and Charcoal" came to describe extreme hardship, depicting people trapped in a mire and fire pit, in dire straits.
Source: *Book of Jin*, "Records of Fu Jian"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "生灵涂炭" came to describe extreme hardship, depicting people trapped in a mire and fire pit, in dire straits.