28 Facts About Helian Chang

Helian Chang was the successor and a son of the founding emperor Helian Bobo.

In 417, after the Jin general Liu Yu had already captured the Later Qin capital Chang'an and destroyed Later Qin, but who had then left the Chang'an region in the hands of his 10-year-old son Liu Yizhen and several of his generals, Helian Bobo decided to try to conquer Chang'an.

Helian Chang had Helian Gui, Helian Chang, and his key advisor Wang Maide command the troops.

Helian Chang's responsibility was to cut off Tong Gate, so that Jin forces could not escape.

In 418, Xia forces crushed Liu Yizhen's forces as he tried to withdraw from Helian Chang'an, capturing or killing most of Liu Yizhen's army.

Liu Yizhen's successor, the Jin general Zhu Lingshi was expelled by the people of Chang'an and fled to Caogong Castle, where Helian Chang besieged him and his brother Zhu Chaoshi by cutting off the water supply, and then attacking the castle, capturing and killing the Zhu brothers.

In 424, for reasons lost to history, Helian Chang Bobo decided to depose Crown Prince Gui and create another son, Helian Chang Lun the Duke of Jiuquan crown prince.

However, Helian Chang then made a surprise attack on Helian Gui, killing him and seizing his troops, leading them back to the capital Tongwan.

In 425, Helian Bobo died, and Helian Chang succeeded him as emperor.

Helian Chang was a fierce soldier, and while his abilities in governing the state were not known, he tried to expand his state's borders.

On winter solstice, Helian Chang was holding a feast for his officials to celebrate, and suddenly, with Northern Wei forces on the horizon, the entire Xia regime was shaken.

Helian Chang himself engaged the Northern Wei forces but was defeated, and as he retreated into the city, the city gates could not close quickly, and the Northern Wei officer Doudai Tian entered the city and set the palace on fire, before withdrawing.

In spring 427, Helian Chang sent his brother Helian Ding the Duke of Pingyuan south, hoping to recapture Chang'an.

Meanwhile, knowing that Helian Ding was occupied, Northern Wei's Emperor Taiwu made another attack on Tongwan, and this time, Helian Chang initially wanted to recall Helian Ding from Chang'an; instead, Helian Ding advised him to defend Tongwan securely to wear out the Northern Wei forces, and then he, after capture Chang'an, could then return and attack Northern Wei forces on two sides.

Helian Chang agreed and did not engage Northern Wei forces.

However, Helian Chang then received misinformation that Northern Wei forces were out of food supplies and vulnerable.

Helian Chang led his army out of the city and attacked the Northern Wei forces.

Helian Chang was so panicked by the loss that he did not retreat back to Tongwan, but fled to Shanggui.

In spring 428, with Daxi's subordinate Yuchi Juan sieging Shanggui, Helian Chang withdrew to Pingliang.

Helian Chang took the opportunity to counterattack, forcing Northern Wei forces to take refuge in Anding.

Helian Chang attacked on a daily basis, and it appeared that Anding would fall to him.

Helian Chang fell off his horse, and Anchi took him captive.

Helian Chang Ding withdrew to Pingliang and took the throne himself.

Helian Chang was delivered to the Northern Wei capital Pingcheng.

Helian Chang often had Helian Chang attend him on hunts.

In 429, Helian Chang was effectively used as a witness at the imperial advisory council, for the prime minister Cui Hao as he confronted astrologers Zhang Yuan and Xu Bian, who were advising against a campaign against Rouran, which Cui advocated.

In 434, for reasons unknown, Helian Chang turned against Wei and fled west from Pingcheng.

Helian Chang was intercepted by the Wei generals west of the Yellow River and killed.