Early life

Liu Bobo was born in 381, when his father Liu Weichen (劉衛辰) was an important Xiongnu chief and a vassal of Former Qin. It is not known whether his mother Lady Fu was Liu Weichen's wife or concubine. He was one of Liu Weichen's younger sons. After Former Qin collapsed in light of various rebellions after its emperor Fu Jiān's defeat at the Battle of Fei River in 383, Liu Weichen took control of what is now part of Inner Mongolia south of the Yellow River and extreme northern Shaanxi, and while he nominally submitted to both Later Qin and Western Yan as a vassal, he was actually a powerful independent ruler. However, in 391, he sent his son Liu Zhilidi (劉直力鞮 /conf. Chuvash Çăлтăр) to attack Northern Wei's prince Tuoba Gui, and Tuoba Gui not only defeated Liu Zhilidi, but crossed the Yellow River to attack Liu Weichen's capital Yueba (悅拔, in modern Ordos, Inner Mongolia), capturing it and forcing Liu Weichen and Liu Zhilidi to flee. The next day, Liu Weichen was killed by his subordinates, and Liu Zhilidi was captured. Tuoba Gui seized Liu Weichen's territory and people and slaughtered his clan.

However, Liu Bobo escaped and fled to the Xuegan (薛干) tribe, whose chief, Tai Xifu (太悉伏), refused to turn him over despite Northern Wei's demands. Instead, Tai delivered Liu Bobo to the Xianbei tribal chief Mo Yigan (沒奕干) the Duke of Gaoping, a Later Qin vassal, and Mo Yigan not only gave Liu Bobo refuge but also married one of his daughters to Liu Bobo. Liu Bobo, from that point on, became highly dependent on his father-in-law. (Meanwhile, in 393, Tuoba Gui, because of Tai Xifu's refusal to deliver Liu Bobo to him, attacked Tai and slaughtered his people, although Tai himself escaped and fled to Later Qin.) Little is known about Liu Bobo's life during the following years. In 402, Tuoba Gui's brother Tuoba Zun (拓拔遵) the Prince of Changshan attacked Mo's homebase of Gaoping (高平, in modern Guyuan, Ningxia), and Mo was forced to flee to Later Qin, abandoning his own people, who were scattered about, although later Later Qin recaptured Gaoping and gave that city back to Mo.

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. Yao Xing was so impressed by Liu Bobo's abilities when he met Liu Bobo that he wanted to make him a major general to defend against Northern Wei. Yao Xing's brother Yao Yong (姚邕), however, spoke against it, believing Liu Bobo to be untrustworthy, stating:

Liu Bobo is arrogant toward his superiors and elders. He is cruel to his subordinates and associates. He is also greedy, treacherous, lacking in love, and inattentive to friendships. He changes his attitude quickly and abandons things quickly. If you overly trust and favor this type of person, he will surely create a disaster.

Yao Xing initially, at Yao Yong's counsel, did not give Liu Bobo a commission, but eventually was so seduced by his talent that he made him a general and the Duke of Wuyuan, giving him the responsibility of defending Shuofang (朔方, in modern Ordos).

In 407, after suffering a number of losses against Northern Wei, Yao Xing decided to make peace with Northern Wei. 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 Mo Yigan, capturing Gaoping and killing Mo, seizing his troops. He then declared himself a descendant of Yu the Great, the founder of Xia Dynasty, and named his state Xia. He claimed the title "Heavenly King" (Tian Wang).

Early reign

Despite Liu Bobo's stated hatred for Northern Wei, he concentrated his efforts on undermining Later Qin, continually harassing Later Qin's northern territories and draining Later Qin's resources. He therefore did not settle in a capital city; rather, he roved about with his mobile cavalry, constantly looking for Later Qin cities to pillage.

Also in 407, Liu Bobo sought marriage with a daughter of the Southern Liang prince Tufa Rutan, but Tufa Rutan refused. In anger, Liu Bobo launched a punitive raid against Southern Liang but then retreated. Tufa Rutan gave chase and, believing that he greatly outpowered Liu Bobo, was careless in his military actions. Liu Bobo led him into a canyon and then blocked the exit with ice and wagons, and then ambushed him—and the defeat was such that it was said that 60% to 70% of Southern Liang's famed officials and generals died in the battle. Tufa Rutan barely escaped capture.

In 408, Yao Xing sent his general Qi Nan (齊難) to launch a major attack on Liu Bobo. Liu Bobo initially withdraw to let Qi believe that he feared Qi, and Liu Bobo made a surprise counter-attack and captured Qi. Subsequently, much of Later Qin's northern territories fell into Xia hands.

In 409, Yao Xing himself launched an attack on Liu Bobo, but when he reached Ercheng (貳城, in modern Yan'an, Shaanxi), he was nearly trapped by Liu Bobo, and escaped only after major casualties. This defeat forced Yao Xing to cancel a mission, commanded by his general Yao Qiang (姚強), to try to save Southern Yan from being destroyed by Jin. (Without Later Qin aid, Southern Yan fell in 410.) For the next several years, Xia and Later Qin forces battled constantly, often inconclusively, but with the wars becoming much more costly to Later Qin than Xia, with Southern Liang and Western Qin no longer being willing to be Later Qin vassals as a result. 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.

By 413, Liu Bobo finally resolved to build a capital—one that he wanted to make absolutely impenetrable. He commissioned his cruel general Chigan Ali (叱干阿利) as the chief architect of the capital, which he named Tongwan—because, as he stated, he wanted to unite China and be the lord of 10,000 states. ("Tong" means "unite," while "wan" means 10,000.) Chigan ordered that the soil used in constructing the wall be steamed, so that it would be hardened and difficult to attack, and he often tested the walls during its construction; if an iron wedge were able to insert even one inch deep into the wall, the workmen who were in charge of that section of wall would be executed, and their bodies would be stuffed into the wall. Further, Liu Bobo himself ordered that when weapons and armors are made, that some of the metalsmiths would be executed—because his orders were, for example, that arrows should be shot at armors; if the arrows could penetrate the armors, the smiths who forged the armors would be executed, and if the arrows could not penetrate the armors, then the smiths who made the arrows would be executed. As a result of this bloodshed, however, Tongwan became a highly defensible city, and the weapons and armors that he had were all of exceedingly high quality.

Also in 413, Liu Bobo believed that his family name should be changed—since his ancestors took on the Liu family name from the Han Dynasty imperial house, believing that one of their female ancestors was a Han princess, but Liu Bobo believed this to be improper. 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.

In 414, Helian Bobo created his wife Lady Liang "Heavenly Princess." (No further reference to the fate of his wife, Lady Mo, was recorded in history, after he killed her father.) He created his son Helian Gui (赫連璝) crown prince, and created his other sons dukes.

In 415, Helian Bobo entered into an alliance with Juqu Mengxun, the prince of Northern Liang.

In 416, with Later Qin, now under the rule of Yao Xing's son Yao Hong, under a major attack by the Jin general Liu Yu, Helian Bobo believed that Later Qin would fall to Jin, but that Jin would not be easily able to hold Later Qin's capital region -- Guanzhong. He therefore intensified his own attacks on Later Qin as well, and preparing to use the opportunity of Later Qin's destruction to seize more territory. As Later Qin neared destruction, Helian Bobo seized its western territory, centering Anding (安定, in modern Pingliang, Gansu), and then prepared for an eventual confrontation with Jin forces, which destroyed Later Qin in 417 and captured its capital Chang'an.

In winter 417, Liu Yu, intent on wanting to seize the Jin throne, left Chang'an under the command of his 11-year-old son Liu Yizhen (劉義真), and while he left several able generals to assist Liu Yizhen, those generals soon conflicted with each other and were killing each other—and eventually, Liu Yizhen, believing that the main assistant whom Liu Yu had left him, Wang Xiu (王脩), was about to rebel, had Wang executed. Meanwhile, Helian Bobo sent his crown prince Helian Gui, another son Helian Chang, and Wang Maide to command armies south, not initially engaging Jin forces but isolating Chang'an from the rest of Jin territory—a task made easier when Liu Yizhen recalled Jin forces near Chang'an all to Chang'an. Liu Yu, hearing this, sent his general Zhu Lingshi (朱齡石) to replace Liu Yizhen and recalled Liu Yizhen, but as soon as Liu Yizhen and his troops left Chang'an, they were intercepted and crushed by Xia forces under Helian Gui. Liu Yizhen barely escaped, but the vast majority of the army was captured. Helian Bobo stacked the skulls of the Jin dead into a hill-like structure. Meanwhile, the people of Chang'an, who were angry that Liu Yizhen's forces pillaged the city before leaving, expelled Zhu, allowing Helian Bobo to enter Chang'an easily. Helian Bobo then claimed the title of emperor.

Late reign

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. He was described by traditional historians in this way:

He was arrogant and cruel, treating the people like wild plants and mustard greens. He often climbed up towers with bows and arrows, and whenever he had a sudden thought of distrust, dislike, or anger at a person, he would kill that person personally. If any of his officials looked at him in a gazing manner, he would gouge out their eyes. Anyone who laughed frivolously would have their lips sliced open with knives. Anyone who dared to offer a contrary opinion would first have his tongue cut out and then head cut off.

In 424, for reasons lost to history, Helian Bobo decided to depose Crown Prince Gui and appoint another son, Helian Lun (赫連倫) the Duke of Jiuquan, a crown prince. Upon hearing this news, Helian Gui commanded his troops north from Chang'an and attacked Helian Lun. Their forces met at Gaoping, and Helian Gui defeated and killed Helian Lun. However, Helian Lun's brother Helian Chang then made a surprise attack on Helian Gui, killing him and seizing his troops, leading them back to Tongwan. Helian Bobo was pleased and created Helian Chang crown prince.

In summer 425, Helian Bobo died. Helian Chang succeeded him.

Era names

• Longsheng (龍升 lóng shēng) 407–413

• Fengxiang (鳳翔 fèng xiáng) 413–418

• Changwu (昌武 chāng wǔ) 418–419

• Zhenxing (真興 zhēn xīng) 419–425

Personal information

• Father

　• Liu Weichen (劉衛臣), Xiongnu chief, posthumously honored as Emperor Huan

• Mother

　• Lady Fu, posthumously honored as Empress Huanwen

• Wives

　• Lady Poduoluo (破多罗夫人), daughter of Xianbei chief Mo Yigan (沒奕干)

　• Empress Liang (created 414)

• Children

　• Helian Gui (赫連璝), the Crown Prince (appointed 414, killed in battle by Helian Chang 424)

　• Helian Yan (赫連延), the Duke of Yangping (appointed 414)

　• Helian Chang (赫連昌), initially the Duke of Taiyuan (appointed 414), later Crown Prince (appointed 424), later emperor

　• Helian Lun (赫連倫), the Duke of Jiuquan (appointed 414, killed in battle by Helian Gui 424)

　• Helian Ding (赫連定), initially the Duke of Pingyuan (appointed 414), later the Prince of Pingyuan, later emperor

　• Helian Man (赫連滿), the Duke of Henan (appointed 414, killed by Northern Wei forces 427)

　• Helian An (赫連安), the Duke of Zhongshan (appointed 414)

　• Helian Zhuxing (赫連助興)

　• Helian Weiyidai (赫連謂以代)

　• Helian Shegan (赫連社干), the Duke of Shanggu

　• Helian Duluogu (赫連度洛孤), the Duke of Guangyang

　• Helian Wushiba (赫連烏視拔), the Duke of Danyang

　• Helian Tugu (赫連禿骨), the Duke of Wuling

　• Princess, later Empress Helian of Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei

　• Princess, later consort of Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei

　• Princess, later consort of Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei

生平

背景

赫連勃勃曾祖父劉虎領導鐵弗部，並曾與代國發生戰鬥，為代國所敗。祖父劉務桓重整部眾，重新壯大鐵弗部，並受後趙封為平北將軍、左賢王。父劉衛辰繼位後搖擺於前秦及代國之間，前秦皇帝苻堅滅代國後更任命劉衛辰為西單于，屯駐代來城（今內蒙古伊克昭盟東勝區西），督攝河西諸部族。前秦瓦解後，劉衛辰一度據有朔方一帶，但在391年受到北魏的攻擊，代來城被攻陷，劉衛辰被殺。年幼的劉勃勃逃奔薛幹部，薛幹酋長把劉勃勃送給後秦高平公沒弈幹，沒弈幹就把女兒嫁給劉勃勃。勃勃受到後秦姚興的寵遇，任為安北將軍、五原公，鎮朔方。此後一直從屬後秦。

背秦自立

後秦弘始九年（407年），赫連勃勃因怨恨後秦與北魏通訊，決意背叛後秦。於是先扣押起柔然可汗送給後秦的八千匹馬，然後假裝在高平川（今寧夏南清水河）狩獵，襲殺沒弈幹，併吞其部眾。勃勃自以是匈奴夏后氏後裔，建國號「大夏」，自立為天王，大單于，國號夏，改年號龍升。史稱其國為「北夏」。

屢侵秦涼

勃勃自立後不久就出兵薛干部等三部，收降數萬人後轉攻後秦三城（今陝西綏德縣）以北諸戍。當時諸將都反對出兵後秦，建議勃勃先固守高平，穩固根本，然後才圖長安。但勃勃認為夏國初建，實力仍弱，關中仍因後秦強大而未能攻取，若果自守一城，必會引來後秦各鎮的聯手攻伐，終兵敗亡國，故此特意不長居一處，以游擊戰術，出其不意，讓對方疲於奔命，以取嶺兵、河東之地，再待後秦君主姚興死後才攻取長安。最終勃勃的進襲令到嶺兵各城日間也要緊閉城門。勃勃稱天王後曾向南涼王禿髮傉檀請婚但遭拒，於是怒而率兵進攻南涼，殺傷一萬多人並掠奪二萬七千人及數十萬頭牲畜。後更在陽武（今甘肅靖遠縣境）大敗來攻的禿髮傉檀，殺傷甚眾，很多南涼的名將都戰死。

大破南涼後，勃勃與後秦屢有戰事。勃勃先於青石原（今甘肅涇川縣境）擊敗秦將張佛生，次年（408年）後秦將齊難來攻，勃勃先退守河曲，待齊難縱兵掠奪時就進軍，並追擊至木城（今陝西榆林市榆陽區），生擒齊難，俘獲大量兵眾及戰馬。戰後，歸降夏國的嶺北胡漢數以萬計，勃勃更置地方官員安撫他們。龍升三年（409年），勃勃又率兵攻秦，掠奪平涼雜胡共七千多戶配給後援軍隊，進據依力川。同年姚興親征勃勃，但勃勃乘秦軍未集，率軍進攻姚興所駐的貳城，秦軍兵敗，姚興只得退回長安。接著勃勃又攻下了敕奇堡、黃石固及我羅城。龍升四年（410年），勃勃派兵攻平涼，為姚興所敗，但進攻定陽（今陝西宜川縣西北）的一軍卻取勝，接著勃勃親自率軍進攻隴右，攻破白崖堡，並進逼清水城，令後秦略陽太守姚壽都棄城逃走。龍升五年（411年），勃勃攻安定，在青石以北平原擊破楊佛嵩，又攻下東鄉。

鳳翔元年（413年），勃勃下令修築夏國都城統萬城（今陝西靖邊北白城子），並任用了殘忍的叱幹阿利為將作大匠。工人以蒸土築城，而巡工發現牆面能用鐵錐子刺入一寸，便把修築那處的人處死，尸體也被築入牆內，因此，統萬城的城牆堅硬如鐵。其時又用銅鑄造了大鼓、飛廉、翁仲、銅駝、龍獸等裝飾物，並用黃金裝飾，排在宮殿前，但製作這些東西又殺了數千個工匠。同時，又以其祖輩跟隨母系姓劉不合禮，於是改姓赫連，表示「徽赫實與天連」；又將非皇族的其他鐵弗部眾改姓「鐵伐」，以示「剛銳如鐵，皆堪伐人。」

此後，勃勃仍然繼續侵襲後秦，先於鳳翔三年（415年）攻下杏城（今陝西黃陵縣西南）；次年又乘後秦與仇池楊盛爭戰的時機先後攻下上邽（仱甘肅天水市）及陰密（今陝西靈臺縣西），更令駐守安定的姚恢棄城出走，當地人胡儼等於是獻城夏國。勃勃隨後又進攻雍城（今陝西鳳翔縣南）及郿城（今陝西郿縣），但在郿城遭姚紹抵抗而未能攻下，於是退回安定。胡儼等人此時卻殺勃勃所命留守安定的羊苟兒，轉而降秦。勃勃唯有退返杏城。不過，其時勃勃知東晉劉裕要進攻後秦，他估計劉裕必定能攻滅後秦，但肯定很快班師，留下子弟及將領守關中。勃勃認定這就是他奪取關中的好時機，並且十分輕易，故此不必耗費兵力與後秦作戰。故此秣馬厲兵，休養士卒。不久勃勃再引兵佔據安定，後秦在嶺北的各戍及郡縣都向夏國投降，嶺北全境盡入夏國。另一方面，勃勃又先後與北燕及北涼結盟。

襲取關中

鳳翔五年（417年），東晉大將劉裕滅後秦，同年年末班師，留兒子劉義真及王鎮惡、沈田子、傅弘之等諸將守關中。勃勃聞訊十分高興，就派兒子赫連璝督前鋒攻長安、赫連昌出兵堵塞潼關，又派王買德阻斷青泥，然後自率大軍在後。次年，赫連璝行軍至渭陽時已經有很多人在路邊請降，其時晉軍沈田子作戰失利，更因與王鎮惡不和而殺了他，沈田子隨後亦被劉義真長史王脩處死。劉義真於是召集外軍入城並閉門拒守，關中各郡縣於是都降夏。勃勃隨後進據咸陽，令長安城無法獲得物資補給。劉裕見此唯有派朱齡石接替劉義真，並命劉義真東歸。當時劉義真部眾大肆掠奪物資才離開，令關中人民驅逐朱齡石，迎勃勃入主長安。勃勃入長安後大宴將士，不久就在灞上（今陝西藍田縣）稱帝，改元昌武。及後群臣都勸勃勃遷都長安，但勃勃慮及全國中心南遷長安後，北魏會易於攻擊距邊界才百里的統萬，認為定都統萬才能阻遏北魏侵襲北境。於是在次年（419年）於長安置南臺，留太子赫連璝留守。不久回師，因統萬宮殿完工而刻石於城南，歌功頌德。

真興六年（424年），勃勃想要廢黜太子赫連璝，改立幼子赫連倫。赫連璝知道後率兵七萬自長安攻伐赫連倫，終在高平一戰中擊敗並殺死對方。赫連倫兄赫連昌則率軍襲擊赫連璝，將其殺死，勃勃於是立赫連昌為太子。勃勃於真興七年（425年）死于帝位，諡號武烈皇帝，廟號世祖。

特徵

• 勃勃儀表俊美，身高八尺五寸，形體高大壯碩，聰穎而有辯才。

• 勃勃頗有權謀智術，當劉裕滅後秦、占關中之時，勃勃一度震攝於劉裕的兵鋒威勢，答應劉裕「約為兄弟」的和平要求，但勃勃為了在氣勢上勝過劉裕，在接見劉裕的使者之前，先讓文才優異的部下皇甫徽寫好給劉裕的回書，再將文字背的爛熟，然後才接見使者，命令部下將自己當場背出的回書寫下並交付給使者。結果使者就以為勃勃真的即席創作出文採斐然的回書，將此事回報給劉裕，果然讓老粗一名的劉裕敬佩勃勃的文思敏捷，邊讀回書邊感嘆說：「吾不如也！」

• 勃勃天性刻薄寡恩，凶暴好殺，在陽武大敗南涼軍及關中大敗東晉軍時曾將屍體或人頭堆積起來，建起「髑髏臺」，當作景觀觀賞。也常常在城上，身旁準備好弓箭刀劍，一旦對人有所不滿就會動手殺人。而群臣若敢直接與其對視就會被弄瞎，敢笑就割下其嘴唇，敢進諫就先割下其舌頭再斬殺。這令當時人們十分不安。

• 勃勃十分自大，建的統萬城四個城門，東門叫招魏門，南門叫朝宋門，西門叫服涼門，北門叫平朔門。

評論

• 後秦君臣姚興、姚邕兩方的意見：「姚邕說：『勃勃不可近也。』姚興說：『勃勃有濟世之才，吾方與之平天下，柰何逆忌之？』姚邕說：『勃勃奉上慢，御眾殘，貪猾不仁，輕為去就；寵之踰分，恐終為邊患。』」後來勃勃反叛後秦並成為大患，姚興因此感嘆說：「吾不用黃兒之言，以至於此！」（按：姚邕小字黃兒）

• 南涼大臣焦朗評論：「勃勃天姿雄健，御軍嚴整，未可輕也。」

妻子

妻

• 破多羅夫人，鮮卑首領沒弈幹女《魏書·鐵弗劉虎傳》：「屈孑，本名勃勃，太宗改其名曰屈孑，屈孑者，卑下也。太悉伏送之姚興，興高平公破多羅沒弈於妻之以女。」

• 梁皇后

子

• 太子赫連璝

• 陽平公赫連延，414年封

• 太原公赫連昌，後為太子、皇帝

• 酒泉公赫連倫

• 平原公赫連定，後為平原王、皇帝

• 河南公赫連滿，427年被北魏軍所殺

• 中山公赫連安

• 赫連助興

• 赫連謂以代

• 上谷公赫連社幹

• 廣陽公赫連度洛孤

• 丹陽公赫連烏視拔

• 武陵公赫連禿骨

• 赫連那勿黎，胡夏七兵尚書

女

• 赫連氏，北魏太武皇后

• 赫連氏，太武皇后妹妹，魏太武帝拓跋燾妃

• 赫連氏，魏太武帝拓跋燾妃

• 赫連氏，嫁北魏侍中、使持節、征西大將軍、都督河以西諸軍事、常山康王拓跋素

• 赫連氏，嫁北魏平原鎮都大將、東雍州刺史、常山王拓跋倍斤

注釋