Helian Bobo, with the courtesy name Qujie, is a descendant of the Xiongnu Right Noble King Qubei and is also related to Liu Yuanhai. His great-grandfather, Wu, was appointed as the Lord of Loufan during the time of Liu Cong and also served as the General of Anbei, overseer of Xianbei military affairs, and the Dingling Colonel, who held significant power and occupied the Sulu River region. He was later defeated by King Dai Yilu and fled beyond the borders.
His grandfather, Baozi, managed to reunite various tribes and became their leader again. Shi Jilong even sent an envoy to bestow upon him the titles of General of Pingbei, Right Noble King, and Dingling Chanyu. His father Wei Chen later settled inside the border, and Fu Jian appointed him as the Western Chanyu, allowing him to command the various Hu tribes in the Hexi region, stationed in Dailai City. After Fu Jian's state descended into chaos, Wei Chen occupied the Shuofang area, commanding a force of 38,000 archers. Later, the Northern Wei army launched an attack, and Wei Chen sent his son Lisiti to resist, but they were ultimately defeated. The Wei army pursued their advantage, crossed the Yellow River, captured Dailai City, took Wei Chen prisoner, and executed him.
Helian Bobo fled to the Chigan tribe. Doufu, the leader of Chigan, handed Helian Bobo over to the Northern Wei. Doufu's nephew, Ali, was stationed in Dailuochuan at that time. Upon hearing that Helian Bobo was to be surrendered, he hurried over to persuade them, saying, "Even if a bird falls into someone's hands, it should still be given a chance to escape. Moreover, Helian Bobo's kingdom has been destroyed, his family is in ruins, and he seeks refuge with us. Even if we cannot accommodate him, we should let him escape on his own. Capturing him and sending him away now is not a righteous act!" Doufu was afraid of being blamed by the Wei kingdom and did not listen to him. Ali secretly dispatched elite soldiers to intercept Helian Bobo on his way back and delivered him to Gao Ping, a subordinate of Yao Xing, who subsequently married his daughter to him.
It is said that this Bo Bo character, standing at a towering eight feet five inches, with a waist as thick as ten men, is both smart and beautiful; his appearance alone makes people feel he’s extraordinary. Yao Xing took one look and felt that this guy was quite impressive, lavished attention on him, directly appointed him as the General of the Valiant Cavalry, and also appointed him as the Carriage Attendant, often allowing him to participate in important court meetings, even more favored than those veteran ministers who had earned their stripes. Yao Xing's younger brother Yao Yong, however, could not bear to see it. He said to Yao Xing, "Big brother, this Bo Bo has a bad character and is utterly unreliable. You are too good to him. I have serious reservations." Yao Xing, however, said, "Bo Bo has the talent to govern. I want to use his abilities and work with him to pacify the world. What's wrong with that?" So, he promoted Bo Bo to the General of An Yuan, appointed him as the Marquis of Yangchuan, and sent him to Gao Ping to assist Mei Yi in guarding the border, assigning him over thirty thousand troops, including some minority ethnic groups from three cities, Shuofang, and the Wei Chen tribe, to scout the movements of the Wei Kingdom. Yao Yong strongly warned against it, insisting it would end in disaster. Yao Xing asked him, "What makes you think he has a bad character?" Yao Yong said, "Bo Bo is arrogant and disrespectful to superiors, cruel to subordinates, inherently greedy, lacking in loyalty, and opportunistic. You are too good to him. He’ll become a disaster for the border sooner or later!" Yao Xing finally dispelled the idea. Some time later, Yao Xing appointed Bo Bo as the Peacekeeper General of the North and Duke of Wuyuan, assigning him over twenty thousand Xianbei troops and troops from other tribes to guard Shuofang. At that time, the Xianbei leader in Hexi, Du Lun, presented eight thousand horses to Yao Xing, crossed the Yellow River and arrived in the capital. Bo Bo captured Du Lun and rallied over thirty thousand of his troops, pretended to be hunting in Gaopingchuan, and then suddenly attacked, killed Mei Yi, and absorbed his army, boosting his forces to tens of thousands in a single stroke.
In the third year of Yixi, Bubo proclaimed himself the Heavenly King and Grand Chanyu, issued a general amnesty, changed the era name to Longsheng, and set up various official positions. He claimed descent from the Xiongnu Xiahou clan and established the Great Xia Kingdom. He appointed his eldest brother as Prime Minister and Duke of Dai, his second brother as Grand General and Duke of Wei, Chigan Ali as Grand Master of Records and Duke of Liang, his younger brother Ali Luo as General of the South and Commandant of the Capital, Ruomen as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Chiyijian as General of the West and Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing, Yidou as General of the North and Supervisor of the Right of the Masters of Writing, and the rest of his brothers were given official positions. That year, we defeated the Xianbei tribe led by Xuegan and two others, capturing tens of thousands of prisoners. Next, we attacked the garrisons north of the Three Cities occupied by Yao Xing, killing their leaders, Yang Pi and Yao Shisheng. The generals advised, "This place is too dangerous; we shouldn't go!" They earnestly urged Bubo, "Your Majesty, if you want to unify the country and eventually march south to take Chang'an, you should first secure your territory and reassure the people to ensure success." Gaoping has a strategic location and fertile land, making it a great choice for the capital.
Bobo said, "You only see one point, but not the other. Our cause has just begun, our army is still too small, and Yao Xing is just a temporary hero; the timing for attacking Guanzhong isn't right yet. Besides, the garrisons in his cities all follow his orders. If we only defend one city, they will definitely concentrate their forces to attack us. We can't defeat them, and we'll be done for soon. I want to use cavalry to attack them unexpectedly like clouds, swiftly like the wind. If they save the front, I will attack the rear; if they save the rear, I will attack the front, making them run for their lives while we can live life easily. In less than ten years, Lingbei and Hedong will be ours! Once Yao Xing is gone, we can take our time to seize Chang'an. Yao Hong is weak and useless; I've already got a plan to deal with him. Even the Yellow Emperor migrated for over twenty years in the past, what's so special about that!" So Bobo led his troops to plunder Lingbei, and the city gates in Lingbei wouldn't even open during the day. Yao Xing sighed, "I didn't heed Huang Er's advice, and look where that's got me!" This Huang Er is Yao Yong's nickname. Speaking of Bobo, he had just become king and went to propose to Tuoba Kutai, but she didn't even give him a second glance. Bobo was furious and immediately led twenty thousand cavalry into battle! From Yangfei to Zhiyang, a distance of over three hundred miles, over ten thousand people were killed, and twenty-seven thousand were taken captive, along with loads of cattle, sheep, and horses. Only then did he head back, feeling satisfied.
Tu Fa Nu Tan led his troops in pursuit. His general, Jiao Lang, quickly advised him, "Bo Bo is a talented and formidable leader; his soldiers are formidable. We cannot underestimate him! Now that he has plundered so much, his soldiers are all thinking of going home and fighting individually. It will be difficult for us to confront him head-on. We should take a detour to the north, cross the river to Wanhu Dui, set up camp by the river, and cut off his escape, ensuring victory!"
Another general, He Lian Nu, disagreed, "Bo Bo has survived by luck; now he is leading an disorganized mob to attack. His luck will run out soon. Now that he has plundered so many treasures, his soldiers are only thinking about sharing the spoils; they're not interested in fighting. Our army is closing in; he will surely be defeated! If we retreat now, he will think we are afraid of him. Our morale is high; we should pursue quickly!"
Tu Fa Nu Tan made the final decision: "I've made my decision: anyone who dares to oppose me will face death!"
When Bo Bo heard that Tu Fa Nu Tan was coming after him, he was delighted. He quickly dug through the ice and buried his chariots in Yangwu Shan County to block the road. Tu Fa Nu Tan sent his elite archers to shoot at Bo Bo, and one arrow hit Bo Bo's left arm. Bo Bo was even more furious; he immediately counterattacked, defeating Tu Fa Nu Tan, chasing and killing for over 80 li, inflicting heavy casualties. He also decapitated over a dozen generals, piling their heads into a mound, named "Skull Tower," before making his way back to Lingbei.
Later, Bobo fought another battle against General Yao Xing's general, Zhang Fosheng, at Qingshiyuan, and won again, capturing and killing five thousand seven hundred enemy troops. Yao Xing was displeased and sent General Qinandai with twenty thousand men to attack. Bobo retreated to Hequ. Qinandai saw Bobo running far away, so he let his guard down and his troops began to loot. Bobo launched an ambush, capturing over seven thousand enemy troops and seizing a significant amount of weapons and warhorses. Qinandai fled in humiliation, and Bobo chased him to Mucheng, where he broke through the city, captured Qinandai, and took more than thirteen thousand soldiers and ten thousand warhorses. Many ethnic minority groups in Lingbei surrendered, and Bobo sent people to manage these areas and pacify the people. Later, Bobo led twenty thousand cavalry to Gaogang, arrived at Wujing, raided over seven thousand households of the Hu people in Pingliang, reinforced the rear, and then stationed in Yilichuan. When Yao Xing's forces reached Sancheng, Helian Bobo saw that Yao Xing's army had not fully assembled yet, so he led his cavalry to attack. Yao Xing was frightened and sent General Yao Wenzong to resist. Bobo feigned retreat, setting up an ambush instead. Yao Xing sent Yao Yusheng and others to chase, but they fell into the ambush and were all captured. Yao Xing assembled General Wang Xi along with over three thousand households of Qiang and Hu people at Chiqi Fortress, and Bobo attacked again. Wang Xi was particularly brave and strong, fighting in close combat, wounding many of Bobo's troops. Later, Bobo cut off the water source of the fortress, and the people inside had no option but to surrender Wang Xi. Bobo said to Wang Xi, "You are a loyal minister! I was just thinking of uniting the realm with you!" Wang Xi replied, "I am grateful for your kindness, so let me die with dignity!" He then took his own life along with dozens of his followers.
Bobo then captured the fortress held by Yao Xing's general Jin Luosheng, as well as the city defended by Mi Jiahaodi. He relocated over seven thousand households to the capital and appointed Yao Xing's prime minister You Di to oversee Youzhou, sending him to garrison there. Bobo's nephew, Left General Luo Ti, led ten thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Dingyang, which was defended by Yao Xing's general Yao Guangdu. He captured the city, killed over four thousand soldiers, and rewarded Yao Guangdu's daughter to his troops. Then Bobo appointed Yao Guangdu as Grand Minister of Ceremonies. Bobo then attacked Qingshui City, which was defended by Yao Xing's general Yao Shoudou, who fled to Shanggui. Bobo then relocated sixteen thousand households from Qingshui City to the capital. That year, Qi Nan and Yao Guangdu conspired to rebel, and both were killed by Bobo. Yao Xing's general Yao Xiang abandoned three cities and retreated south to Dasu. Bobo sent General Pingdong Lu Yi to pursue him, capturing Yao Xiang along with all his troops. Yao Xiang was brought before Bobo, who scolded him before executing him. That year, Bobo led thirty thousand cavalry to attack Anding, clashing with Yao Xing's general Yang Fosong at Qingshi Beiyuan. He defeated Yang, capturing forty-five thousand soldiers and seizing twenty thousand war horses. Next, he launched an attack on another of Yao Xing's generals, Dang Zhilong, in Dongxiang. He defeated Dang Zhilong and appointed him as Guanglu Xun, relocating over three thousand households from his domain to Ercheng. During this time, Yao Xing's Zhenbei Army Advisor Wang Maide defected to Bobo.
Bo Bo said to Wang Mai De: "I am a descendant of the Great Yu. Our family has lived in Youzhou and Shuozhou for generations. Our ancestors were wise and brave; we have always been adversaries of the Han and Wei dynasties. In the intervening generations, we were weak and consistently under the control of others. In my generation, I have failed to live up to my ancestors' legacy. As a result, the country was destroyed, the family was ruined, and we were scattered as refugees. Now I want to rise in accordance with the will of heaven and restore the career of the Great Yu. What do you think?"
Wang Mai De replied: "Since the Eastern Jin lost control and the imperial power moved south, heroes from all over are towering like mountains, and everyone wants to contend for the world. Your Majesty, you have accumulated merits for generations. To restore the north again, your courage surpasses that of the Han emperors, and your wise strategies exceed those of the ancestors of the Wei dynasty. Shouldn't you seize this heavenly opportunity to accomplish something great? However, although the power of the Qin state is weak now, the powers of various local fiefdoms are still strong. I suggest you accumulate strength first, wait for the right time, and act cautiously."
Bo Bo thought Wang Mai De made sense, so he appointed him as a military strategist.
He pardoned all the people in the territory, changed the era name to Fengxiang, and appointed Chi Gan Ali as the chief architect, responsible for palace construction. Then, he gathered a hundred thousand troops from various tribes in Lingbei and started building a new capital to the north of Shuofang and south of Heishui. Bo Bo boasted, "I'm gonna unify the country and rule the world, so this new capital will be called Tongwan!" Ali was skilled but extremely cruel. During the construction of the city, he used steamed earth to build, demanding the soil be compacted to an inch deep. If the standard was not met, he would kill the craftsmen and continue compacting the soil. Bo Bo saw this as a sign of loyalty, so he entrusted him with the task of building the capital.
Next, Ali started making weapons again, which were crafted of superb quality! After finishing them, he presented them to Bobo. If the arrows couldn't penetrate the armor, the archers would face dire consequences; if they could penetrate, the armor makers would be in grave danger. He also forged a sword called "Daxia Longque," with a handle shaped like a dragon and a bird, engraved with the words: "An ancient weapon of great sharpness, as renowned as the Zhanlu sword from the states of Wu and Chu. Daxia Longque, renowned in the capital. It can strike from a distance with great precision. Like the wind sweeping through grass, it commands respect throughout the nine regions." At that time, this sword was regarded as a prized treasure. He also cast a huge bronze drum, as well as bronze statues of Fei Lian, Weng Zhong, bronze camels, and dragon beasts, all decorated with gold, placed in front of the palace. He sacrificed thousands of craftsmen to create these exquisite objects.
Then, Bobo intended to launch an attack on Qifu Chipan. Minister Wang Maide swiftly counseled him, saying, "Great King, when leading troops into battle, you should win people over through virtue, not through brute force! Moreover, Qifu Chipan is a friendly neighboring country to us. They have just experienced a funeral, and attacking them now would not be seizing an opportunity but rather inviting disaster from above! Even if you rely on sheer numbers to exploit their mourning for war, an ordinary person would find it disgraceful, much less an emperor like you!" After listening to this, Bobo said, "You are absolutely right! If you hadn't pointed that out, I might not have considered these matters!"
That year, the emperor issued a decree stating: "My imperial ancestors migrated from the north to Youzhou and Shuozhou, and changed their surname to Si, whose pronunciation differs from that in the Central Plains. Therefore, I adopted my mother's surname, Liu. However, it is considered improper for a son to carry his mother's surname. In ancient times, surnames were not fixed; some derived from their birthplace while others came from their ancestors' names. I now wish to adopt a more fitting surname. The emperor is born by the mandate of heaven, the Son of Heaven; this identity is immensely noble and closely tied to the heavens. Therefore, I have decided to change my surname to Helian, hoping to align with the will of heaven and to enjoy an everlasting era of peace and prosperity. The noble position of the Son of Heaven cannot be shared by collateral descendants. Those who are not direct descendants shall bear the surname Tiefashi! I hope my descendants will be as strong and steadfast as iron, each capable of fighting bravely and emerging victorious!" He then appointed Liang as the empress, designated his son Gao as the crown prince, and bestowed dukedoms upon several of his sons: the dukes of Yan Yangping, Chang Taiyuan, Lun Jiuquan, Ding Pingyuan, Man Henan, and An Zhongshan. He then led his troops to confront General Yao Kui of Yao Xing, fought in Xingcheng for twenty days before finally capturing it, captured Yao Kui along with his generals: Yao Dayong, Yao Anhe, Yao Lipu, Yin Di, and others, and executed twenty thousand enemy soldiers.
Afterwards, he sent Wulogu, the Vice Minister of Justice, to form an alliance with Juqu Mengxun. The letter stated: "Since the downfall of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, chaos has spread throughout the country. Zhao and Wei have become infested with snakes and vermin, while Qin and Long have become habitats for wolves and leopards. The once prosperous capitals are now overgrown wastelands, and the people are suffering in dire straits, unsure of whom to rely on. Now, heaven is determined to change this situation and place hope in our two families. Our territories are adjacent, our roads connected, and we should cultivate friendship and face difficulties together. Throughout history, without oaths, we cannot show our respect for the divine, and without firm commitments, lasting friendships cannot be guaranteed. However, the alliances between Jin and Chu, and Wu and Shu have historically fallen apart. Our situation is different, having forged a deep friendship even before our first words. We should put an end to warfare, govern together, and if there is conflict, raise our banners together; in times of peace, let us learn from the customs of Lu and Wei, help each other, and pass down this friendship for generations." Juqu Mengxun sent his general Juqu Hanping to form an alliance. I heard that Yao Hong sent Yao Song to confront the Di King Yang Sheng, so I led forty thousand cavalry to attack Shanggui. Before arriving, Yao Song was killed by Yang Sheng. We captured Shanggui in twenty days, killing Yao Hong's prefect, Yao Ping, along with five thousand soldiers, and then we destroyed the city before departing. We then attacked Yinmi, killing the general Yao Liangzi and over ten thousand soldiers. I appointed my son, Chang, as the Governor of Yongzhou and stationed him at Yinmi.
Yao Hong's general Yao Hui abandoned Anding City and fled to Chang'an. Hu Yan and Hua Tao, along with fifty thousand households from Anding City, occupied Anding and surrendered to me. I appointed Hu Yan as an attendant and Hua Tao as the Minister of Works, allowing them to garrison Dongyanggou'er Town and assigning them five thousand Xianbei soldiers. Then I went on to attack Yao Hong's general Yao Chen. In Yong City, Yao Chen also fled to Chang'an. I continued to advance and reached near Meicheng. Yao Hong sent his general Yao Shao to stop me, so I retreated to Anding. Consequently, Hu Yan and the others turned against Gou'er, killing him and then surrendering the city back to Yao Hong. I withdrew to Xingcheng, chuckling to the ministers, "Liu Yu's attack on the Qin Kingdom was a simultaneous land and water assault, and Liu Yu also had a brilliant strategy. How could Yao Hong possibly hold out? Judging by the timing, terrain, and popular support, I’m confident I can defeat him. Besides, there is internal turmoil among his brothers; how could they possibly resist others? After Liu Yu takes Chang'an, he will definitely hurry back, which will allow my son and the soldiers to guard Guanzhong. Once Liu Yu leaves, capturing Guanzhong will be as easy as picking up a blade of grass, without the need for more troops." So we rested and reorganized the army. Shortly afterwards, I advanced again and occupied Anding. Yao Hong's garrison in Lingbei and the counties surrendered, so the entire Lingbei region belonged to me. After Liu Yu defeated Later Qin and entered Chang'an, he sent envoys to the Xia Emperor Helian Bobo, seeking to establish friendly relations and become brothers. Helian Bobo had the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Huangfu Hui, draft a reply letter, memorize it, dictate it to his secretary in front of Liu Yu's envoy, seal it, and send it back to Liu Yu. When Liu Yu read the letter, he thought it was exceptionally well-written. The envoy remarked that Helian Bobo appeared especially majestic and imposing, making Liu Yu sigh, "I can't compare to him!" Later, Helian Bobo returned to lead his troops, leaving his son Liu Yizhen to guard Chang'an, while he himself returned.
After hearing this, Helian Bobo was very happy and asked Wang Maidi, "I want to attack Chang'an, how should I do it?" Wang Maidi said, "Liu Yu destroyed the Qin Kingdom, but it was all chaos without bringing any good days to the people. The geographical location of Guanzhong is so advantageous, yet it is guarded by an incompetent child; this is not a long-term plan. Liu Yu is retreating in a hurry, wanting to seize the throne quickly and has no time to deal with the Central Plains. Your Majesty, you lead the righteous army, fighting against traitors; the people are eagerly awaiting your army's arrival to rescue them, waiting like they are looking at the stars and the moon. Qingni and Shangluo are essential passages for the Southern Army; you should send troops to guard and cut off their supply routes. Then block Tongguan, seal off Xiaoshan and Shanshan, and cut off their water and land transportation. Your Majesty, as long as you issue a decree to attack from Chang'an and proclaim your benevolence, the people of Guanzhong will welcome the army. Liu Yizhen is guarding an empty city alone; he won't be able to escape. Within ten days, he will surrender obediently; this is known as winning without bloodshed, turning the enemy's own strength against them!"
Helian Bobo agreed with Wang Maidi's plan and sent his son Helian Gui to lead 20,000 cavalry as vanguard, serving as Grand Marshal, heading south to attack Chang'an. At the same time, former general Helian Chang was stationed at Tongguan, appointing Wang Maidi as the Grand Marshal's Right Historian, responsible for cutting off the traffic line of Qingni; he himself led the army to follow. When Helian Gui arrived at Weiyang, he encountered frequent surrenders along the way. Liu Yizhen sent General Longxiang Shen Tianzi to resist, but he was defeated and retreated to Liu Huibao. Shen Tianzi had a poor relationship with Liu Yizhen's Sima, Wang Zhen'e, and took the opportunity to kill him when he left the city; Liu Yizhen then killed Shen Tianzi. Liu Yizhen called all the troops outside the city into the city and closed the gates and fortified the defenses. All the counties in Guanzhong surrendered. Helian Gui attempted a night assault on Chang'an but was unsuccessful in capturing it. Helian Bobo set up camp in Xianyang, effectively cutting off the supply of firewood to Chang'an.
After hearing this, Liu Yu was very afraid, so he summoned Liu Yizhen back from the eastern town of Luoyang, appointed Zhu Lingshi as the governor of Yongzhou, and continued to guard Chang'an. After Liu Yizhen carried out some plundering, he fled to Bashang. The people drove away Zhu Lingshi and welcomed Helian Bobo into Chang'an. Helian Gui led thirty thousand troops to chase Liu Yizhen; the Jin forces suffered a major defeat, and Liu Yizhen escaped alone. Wang Maide captured Jin Ning Shuo General Fu Hongzhi, Fu Guo General Kuai En, and Liu Yizhen's Sima Mao Xiuzhi in Qingni, even piling up their heads to make a trophy. So Helian Bobo held a feast in Chang'an to reward the soldiers, raised his glass to Wang Maide, and said, "The things you said before have all come true. You are truly a prophet! Even the gods of the ancestral temple and the country would surely thank you for your strategies! This glass of wine is for you!" So Helian Bobo appointed Wang Maide as the Minister of State, gave him the title of Champion General, and made him the Marquis of Heyang.
Helian Bobo captured Tongguan, where Cao Cao had stationed in the past, and captured Zhu Lingshi and General Longxiang Wang Jing, escorting them to Chang'an. The ministers advised him to proclaim himself emperor, but Bobo said, "I lack the ability to bring peace to these troubled times and cannot save the people. I have been in armor and helmet, waiting with a weapon for twelve years, yet the world remains divided, and the rebels are still rampant. I truly don't know how to answer to my ancestors! I plan to give up the throne, then return to my old home in the northern frontier, live quietly, play the qin, read books, and live out my old age. The title of emperor is not something a person of my character can bear!" After repeated requests from the ministers, he finally agreed.
Then, he set up an altar in Bashang, boldly declared himself emperor, granted amnesty to the world, and changed the era name to Changwu. He also dispatched General Chihouhou with twenty thousand troops to attack the Jin Dynasty's Governor of Bingzhou, Mao Dezhu, at Puban. Mao Dezhu fled to Luoyang, so Bobo appointed Chihouhou as the Governor of Bingzhou to defend Puban.
Bobo returned to Chang'an and sent someone to invite the hermit Wei Zusai from Jingzhao. After Wei Zusai arrived, he showed excessive respect and caution, which angered Bobo. Bobo said, "I invited you as a man of great talent, but you treated me with such an inappropriate attitude! You didn't pay respects to Yao Xing before; why do so for me now? I am not dead yet; you don't even treat me as an emperor. After I die, where do you plan to place me, you who only know how to manipulate words?" So Bobo killed Wei Zusai.
The ministers advised him to move the capital to Chang'an, but Bobo said, "Of course I know Chang'an is the capital of the emperors of the past, with its strategic location, easy to defend and hard to attack! But Jingzhou and Wudi are too far away to pose a threat. We are adjacent to Dong Wei, only a few hundred miles away from Tung Wan. If we move the capital to Chang'an, Tung Wan may not be able to hold. If I stay in Tung Wan, they will not dare to cross the river. You just didn't see this point!" The ministers all said, "We didn't consider these." So Bobo established the Nantai in Chang'an, appointed Gui as the Grand General and Governor of Yongzhou, and also managed the affairs of the Minister of Nantai.
Bobo returned to Tung Wan, the palace was finished, and he issued a general amnesty, changing the era name to Zhenxing. He inscribed stone monuments on the southern side of the capital, praising his own achievements, with the inscription as follows:
... (this is a poem couplet, the original text is quoted) ...
It is said that people of noble character can establish immortal achievements; those who accumulate virtues and do good deeds can enjoy endless blessings. In the times of Yao and Shun, the world suffered many disasters. Our ancestor Dayu, with his extraordinary abilities, stepped forward at a critical moment, opened the Longmen Pass, opened the Yique Pass, dredged the Three Rivers, managed the Nine Rivers, resolved great disasters, and saved the people from water and fire. His achievements can be compared to heaven and earth; his supernatural powers were immense, transcending the natural order. As a result, he was blessed by heaven and aided by divine spirits, abdicated, and laid the foundation of the Xia Dynasty. The Xia Dynasty lasted for twenty generations, lasting four hundred years, with wise monarchs and ministers who rose to power in succession, inheriting the achievements of Xia Yu. Their achievements are unmatched in history.
However, the ways of heaven are unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous situations may arise. Xia Jie was cruel and unjust, leading to the downfall of the Xia Dynasty, and the Shang Dynasty also declined as a result, causing the glory of the Xia Dynasty to wane, and the country's rule was interrupted. However, the prosperity of the Xia Dynasty did not end there; its blessings have endured through the ages. The descendants of the Xia Dynasty, some flourished in the southern deserts, while others established their homes in the north, with influence extending from the Kunlun Mountains in the west to the other side of the sea in the east. From the beginning of the Xia Dynasty until now, it has been over two thousand years. Although many dynasties have come and gone, with instances of usurpation and violence in the Qin and Yong states, and wars over land in the Zhou and Yu states, the descendants of the Xia Dynasty have consistently maintained peace in Youzhou and the northern regions, with the rulers always respected; the coastal areas have remained stable and peaceful, with the people living in peace and prosperity, without major upheavals.
Therefore, the descendants of the Xia Dynasty command an army exceeding one million; they are brave and skilled in battle, having repeatedly invaded the Qin and Zhao states, causing chaos in the Central Plains and leaving various vassal states in disarray. This situation has persisted for a long time. Thus, even if a small force is sent out, they can defeat the Zhou army in Jingyang; even a brief uprising can thwart the ambitions of the Han Dynasty's ancestors in Pingyang. Even those who inherit the legacy of the hegemon shine like the rising sun; even the brave heroes shine briefly like the moon in the night sky. Since the beginning of time, there has never been such a prosperous situation! If not for the Xia Dynasty's long rule and strong foundation, how could it have thrived and shone so brightly, growing even more prosperous after enduring hardships and becoming even more brilliant?! "A great virtue must establish an enduring legacy; accumulated blessings must enjoy endless fortune."
The emperor issued a command for conquest, and great success is on the horizon. The emperor was born to fulfill the mandate of heaven, to follow the will of heaven, to respond to the trend of the times, and to satisfy the desires of the people. The emperor personally visited Beijing, and his name echoed throughout the land; the emperor toured the entire country, and his reputation reached the four corners of the earth. At a time when warlords were vying for power and evil forces were rising, the emperor managed a multitude of affairs every day, governed diligently, strategized behind the scenes, achieved victories from afar, personally led the army, and was undefeated in battle. As a result, the accumulated wealth of three generations of the pretender Qin state was finally wiped out in the Guanzhong and Longxi regions; the people in the Heyuan region surrendered upon seeing the imperial flag, and the northern nomadic tribes submitted to the emperor's authority and paid tribute. The emperor's grace extended far and wide, intimidating rebels with his majesty, governing with both culture and military might, conducting sacrifices alongside military campaigns. Within five years, the social atmosphere greatly improved, and after seven years, the emperor's rule became even more solidified.
The emperor observed from afar the foundation laid by King Wen of Zhou for founding a country, surveyed the terrain up close, and ultimately selected a site to build the capital. The capital city was backed by famous mountains, faced a great river, had a crossing to the left and a dangerous pass to the right. The towering city walls blocked out the sunlight, reaching high into the clouds, stretching for thousands of miles like a heavenly lake. The city's geographical location was strategically advantageous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, surpassing Xianyang and more magnificent than Zhouluo. Following the ancient imperial ritual of sacrificing outside the city, the emperor perfected the sacrificial system of the seven temples, built the sacrificial altars for the Left and Right, held ceremonies at the Temple of Taiyi, and constructed palaces in the style of ancient imperial sleeping quarters. The lofty palaces were magnificent, the Lingzhao of Hualin Garden, the lofty palaces and hidden chambers, interconnected houses and corridors, wide roads and gardens, all arranged in magnificent order, like the Purple Star encircling the North Star, with Langfeng Terrace rising majestically above the land.
Officials and common people alike all believed that this imperial palace was grander in scale than the palaces of previous emperors. Therefore, the emperor enlisted extraordinary talents like Wang Er and skilled craftsmen like Ban Shu, gathered the finest wood from Denglin, collected exquisite jade from Mount Heng, and received contributions of gold, silver, and treasures from all over the country. The emperor personally participated in the design and construction, constructing a detached palace south of the terrace and an additional hall north of the Palace of Eternal Peace. The palace towered into the clouds, with a remarkably deep foundation, exquisitely carved black roof beams that arched like rainbows, and overhanging eaves like soaring eagles. After the completion of the interior and exterior of the palace, the imperial throne was positioned at the intersection of the five elements, the four corners of the palace were arranged, and the emperor's throne was also placed. The warm and cool sections of the palace harmonized beautifully, decorated with pearls and golden mirrors. Although sunlight shone in from outside, the palace's interior remained unaffected by the passage of day and night; although there were changes in yin and yang outside, there were no changes in temperature inside. Therefore, even the most observant individuals struggled to articulate its magnificence, and knowledgeable individuals could not fully comprehend its splendor. This was truly a miracle created by the divine, beyond the reach of human effort. If one were to seek a similar structure to compare it to, based on its appearance to speculate on its true nature, based on its materials to infer its name, its uniqueness defied description. Even the pagoda of the Tathagata Buddha on Mount Sumeru or the heavenly palace of Emperor Shakra in the Trayastrimsa Heaven paled in comparison, especially when it came to its decorations.
In the time of King Zhou Xuan, he liked to recite poetry and write essays in the study. Whenever there was a happy event in the palace, he would promptly summon musicians to compose songs of praise. Furthermore, our Taiwei Palace has just been completed, the capital has just been finished, and the system established by the Wenchang Emperor has just been put in place. Everything is beginning anew, with all the officials in order, envoys from all nations coming to court, and the common people are experiencing a broadening of their horizons. The world is celebrating this peaceful and prosperous era. How can we not compose music and sing songs, and have them engraved in gold and stone for future generations to cherish? Therefore, let us erect a monument to celebrate this prosperous era, so that the beauty of this era may be passed down through the ages, and the emperor's virtues will endure through time! The monument is written as follows:
"Ode to the Radiant Divine Blessings, matching Qian Bilong. Grand Yu, magnificent holy achievements. Benevolence embraced by the people, virtue reaching the mysterious sky. The emperor bestowed the jade scepter, showing humility and receiving the end. The sage king upheld the legacy, shining and explaining the distinguished wind. The path is not always smooth, and sometimes the numbers do not compete. The golden essence moves south, and the heavenly light reflects north. The divine blessings are flourishing, the world's leaves are flourishing. Only ancestors and fathers, broadening and resting in peace. Like the sun and moon, connecting light and reflecting mirrors. Mysterious symbols and auspicious virtues, the cycle of heaven returns. The birth bell rings for me, the dragon flies according to the map. Majestic and martial, expansive and holy figure. The reputation spreads internally, and the demons are expelled externally. The transformation illuminates the four directions, the power pervades all realms. The system of the capital, the king always follows. Extending the land, establishing the imperial capital. The land flourishes in glorious shape, common people come, and it is completed in no time. The grand platform rises high, the beautiful pavilion in the clouds. Thousands of pavilions in every corner, ten thousand pavilions connecting the screens. Bright as the dawn, shining like the stars. The separate palace has been constructed, separate buildings and clouds are scattered. Constructing the lofty Ming, looking up to the heavenly rites. Hanging bells in the wind, flying carriages and descending clouds. The warm halls rise majestically, the layered city is uneven. The pillars are carved with mythical beasts, the joints are engraved with dragons. Adorned with precious gems, decorated with rare wonders. Praised for their virtues, their names are elevated by their deeds. Great is the imperial family, magnificent are their achievements! The noble spiritual realm, the beauty is still endless. Following the tracks of the past, leaving behind the hegemony. Passing on for eternity, shining for countless generations."
The meaning of this inscription is that our royal fortune is thriving, in harmony with heaven and earth! Just think about the monumental achievements of Yu the Great in controlling the floods! The emperor is kind and loves the people, his benevolence extends across the land, his virtues are noble, reaching up to the heavens! The emperor inherited the abdication system of Yao and Shun, carrying forward the excellent traditions of our ancestors. While the will of heaven can be unpredictable at times, our country continues to prosper and thrive. Our ancestors were diligent in governance and loved the people, which is why they were able to make the country stronger and stronger, shining like the sun and moon, their brilliance everlasting! Heaven has favored our emperor, fulfilling the prophecy of the dragon soaring through the skies. The emperor is wise and martial, with a grand demeanor, enacting benevolent policies and eradicating all evil, his blessings spreading across the four seas, his reputation far and wide! Building a capital city has been a common practice among emperors throughout history, and now we have also built this magnificent imperial capital, boasting superior geography and favorable conditions, the people working together, it was completed in no time! The palaces tower into the clouds, the pavilions and towers are breathtakingly beautiful, a multitude of palaces interconnected, magnificent and splendid, like the morning sun, shining like stars in the night sky! Not only is the main palace magnificent, but each of the other palaces has its own unique features, built according to celestial laws, with flying eaves and towering corners, majestic and grand, lavishly adorned with precious gems and treasures, truly deserving of its name! The greatness of the royal family and their remarkable achievements make this imperial city even more glorious! The magnificence of this imperial city will be remembered for generations, surpassing even the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, setting an example for future emperors, ensuring that the brilliance of this prosperous era shines on for generations to come!
Hu Yizhou named the palace of Helian Bobo as follows: the south gate is called Chaosong Gate, the east gate is called Zhaowei Gate, the west gate is called Fuliang Gate, and the north gate is called Pingshuo Gate. He also honored Helian Bobo's ancestors: his great-grandfather Xun'er was named Emperor Yuan, his grandfather Wu was named Emperor Jing, his grandfather Baozi was named Emperor Xuan, and his father Wei Chen was named Emperor Huan with the temple name Taizu; his mother, Lady Fu, was named Empress Huanwen.
Helian Bobo was born fierce and violent, especially fond of killing, lacking any sense of righteousness or morality. He often sat on the city wall with a bow and arrow by his side, ready to kill at the slightest provocation. If ministers dared to meet his gaze in a way he found displeasing, he would blind them; if they dared to smile at him, he would slice off their lips; if they dared to advise him, he would accuse them of treason, cut off their tongues, and then behead them. The common people lived in constant fear, making their lives unbearable. He ruled as emperor for thirteen years, then abdicated in favor of Emperor Wen of Song, Liu Yilong, and died in the second year of Song Yuanjia. His son Helian Chang inherited the throne but was captured by Northern Wei shortly after. His brother Helian Ding declared himself emperor in Pingliang but was also overthrown by Northern Wei. It took only twenty-six years from Helian Bobo to Helian Ding for their dynasty to fall.
The historical records say: Helian Bobo is a descendant of the Xiongnu, inhabiting the frontier regions. At that time, the Central Plains dynasty was in a period of division, and he seized the opportunity to incite chaos, take up arms, and seize the Shuofang region. He imitated the institutions of the Central Plains dynasty to build palaces, construct ancestral temples, and usurp the titles of the former kings, continuing to use the rituals and systems of the Central Plains, compelling talented individuals to serve him, attempting to unify the country. It must be said that he was indeed very talented, remarkable in demeanor and striking in appearance. Yao Xing held him in high regard upon meeting him, and Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Liu Yu, was also shocked to hear about him. Could such a genius truly have emerged from the Yinshan Mountains? Otherwise, how could there be such a figure? Although he was outstanding in talent, his brutal nature remained unchanged. He covered up his faults, rejected others' advice, and ruthlessly killed courtiers, creating panic in the court, leaving loyal ministers and generals mute. His downfall was already inevitable, and even his son suffered the same fate, which cannot simply be attributed to bad luck.
Praise: A descendant of purity, a king among names. Howling like a dragon, stirring up strife.
Though wielding divine artifacts, still deemed a perilous force.
