Helian Bobo (Chinese: 赫連勃勃; Middle Chinese Guangyun: [xɐk-li̯ɛn˩ bʰuət-bʰuət]; 381 – c. September 425[1]), né Liu Bobo (劉勃勃), courtesy name Qujie (屈孑), also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Wulie of Xia (夏武烈帝), was the founding emperor of the Xiongnu-led Hu Xia dynasty of China.
He is generally considered to be an extremely cruel ruler, one who betrayed every benefactor whom he had, and whose thirst for killing was excessive even for the turbulent times that he was in.
[2] He built an impressive capital for his state at Tongwancheng (統萬城, in modern Yulin, Shaanxi) that remained difficult to besiege, even centuries later during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
[4] However, Liu Bobo escaped and fled to the Xuegan (薛干) tribe, whose chief, Taixifu (太悉伏), refused to turn him over despite Northern Wei's demands.
[5] Sometime before 407, Liu Bobo, who had become known for being handsome, able to speak well, alert, and intelligent, came to the attention of Later Qin's emperor Yao Xing.
Upon hearing this, Liu Bobo became angry, because his father had been killed by Northern Wei, and he planned rebellion.
He therefore forcibly seized the horses that Yujiulü Shelun (郁久閭社崙), the khan of Rouran, had recently offered to Yao Xing as a tribute, and then made a surprise attack on his father-in-law Moyigan, capturing Gaoping and killing Moyigan, seizing his troops.
Tufa Rutan gave chase and, believing that he greatly outpowered Liu Bobo, was careless in his military actions.
[6] In 408, Yao Xing sent his general Qi Nan (齊難) to launch a major attack on Liu Bobo.
In 412, when Western Qin's prince Qifu Gangui was assassinated by his nephew Qifu Gongfu (乞伏公府), Liu Bobo considered attacking Western Qin despite its status as an ally, but at the counsel of his advisor Wang Maide (王買德) did not do so.
He therefore changed his family name to Helian—intending it to mean that his might was so great that it would, alas (赫 hè) be connected (連 lián) to the heavens.
He also ordered the nobles to change their family name to Tiefa (鐵伐), intending it to mean that they were as strong as iron (鐵 tiě) and be able to attack (伐 fá) others.
Most of Helian Bobo's officials suggested that he move the capital to Chang'an, but he, believing that Tongwan was in a better position to defend against Northern Wei, refused and kept his capital at Tongwan, leaving Helian Gui in charge of Chang'an as viceroy.
The campaign against Jin showcased Helian Bobo's abilities, but at this time, he also grew increasingly cruel.