Heba Sheng
Heba Sheng, courtesy name Pohu, was a Tiele military general of the Northern Wei and Western Wei during the Northern and Southern dynasties period. Along with his family, he fought against the rebels of the Six Garrisons before joining the commander, Erzhu Rong, distinguishing himself through his military deeds. After the fall of the Erzhu clan, he was given command over Jing province by Emperor Xiaowu to act as a deterrent against the paramount general, Gao Huan, but when his brother, Heba Yue was suddenly assassinated by Gao in 534, he hesitated to support the emperor and was ultimately driven out to the Liang dynasty.
After a three-year stay in the Liang, Heba returned north to join Yuwen Tai and the Western Wei, fighting in several battles against Gao Huan and the Eastern Wei. In 543, at the Battle of Mount Mang, he came close to killing Gao in battle before his horse was shot down by an enemy general. In reprisal, Gao had Heba's sons under him killed, causing Heba to grow ill in anger and die soon after.
Background
Heba Sheng was born into a Tiele family from Jianshan County, Shenwu Commandery as the son of Heba Duba, the commander of the Wuchuan garrison under the Northern Wei. Together with his elder brother, Heba Yun and his younger brother, Heba Yue, they were renowned for their bravery along the northern border. Heba Sheng was also skilled in archery and horsemanship.Rebellion of the Six Garrisons
Siege of Huaishuo
In 523, rebellion broke out in the Six Garrisons led by Poliuhan Baling of Woye garrison. Poliuhan sent his general, Wei Kegu eastward to attack Huaishuo, which was defended by the commander Yang Jun. Hearing of Heba Duba's reputation, Yang Jun summoned him to join forces against Wei Kegu's invasion. His sons, including Heba Sheng, were also appointed military officers.Wei Kegu placed Huaishuo under siege for over a year. In March or April 524, the imperial court sent the Prince of Linhuai, Yuan Yu to lift the siege, but Yuan Yu stopped at Shuo province and refused to advance any further. Seeing the delay in reinforcements, Heba Sheng asked Yang Jun for permission to leave the city and urge Yuan Yu to help. Heba recruited more than ten brave men and broke through the enemy lines at night, shouting "I am Heba Pohu!" along the way. The rebels did not dare attack him, and Heba managed to reach Shuo province. After delivering an earnest plea for help, Yuan Yu agreed to advance and sent Heba back to Huaishou to report the news. Heba returned swiftly and broke through the siege again, shooting and killing several of his pursuers. At the city gates, he declared, "Heba Pohu has come with a great army!" so the defenders opened the gates and let him in.
Afterwards, Heba Sheng was sent by Yang Jun to scout and observe the situation at Wuchuan. When he learned that Wuchuan had fallen, he turned back to Huaishuo only to find out that that the city was lost to rebels as well. Heba Duba and his sons were captured, and while Yuan Yu did kept his words, he was defeated by rebels at Wuyuan. Fortunately for Heba Sheng, his father and brothers rallied their fellow captives and mounted a revolt against Wei Kegu, killing him in an ambush. Heba Duba then sent Heba Sheng to Shuo province to report their success, but as he did, Heba Duba was soon killed in battle while fighting the Tiele.
Relieving Yuan Yuan
The Inspector of Shuo, Fei Mu appreciated Heba Sheng's talents, so he kept him by entrusting him with military affairs, often employing him as a cavalry officer. Later, the Prince of Guangyang, Yuan Yuan was heavily besieged at Wuyuan garrison by Poliuhan Baling, so the prince decided to call Heba Sheng for reinforcements. Heba led 200 recruits out to the east and killed more than 100 of the rebels, forcing them to retreat for dozens of miles. Yuan Yuan capitalized by withdrawing his army to Shuo province, with Heba Sheng acting as their escort. For his contributions, Heba was given command over an army and promoted to General Who Calms the Waves.Service under the Erzhu clan
Serving Erzhu Rong
Heba Sheng was later reunited with his brothers as they were assigned to guard Heng province. However, in 526, Xianyu Ahu started a rebellion in Shuo province and invased Heng, during which the brothers were again separated when the rebels captured their city. Heba Yun and Heba Yue went to join the Wei commander Erzhu Rong, while Heba Sheng fled to Si province. When Erzhu Rong captured Si from the provincial inspector, Wei Qingbin later that year, Heba Sheng joined him, much to Erzhu's delight, who said, "I have you and your brothers when I have yet to even pacify the world." As rebel forces in Hebei under Du Luozhou and Ge Rong grew, Erzhu appointed Heba as General Who Guards Distant Lands, instructing him to lead 5,000 troops to guard Jingxing and resist the westward advance of the rebels.In 528, after Empress Dowager Hu poisoned Emperor Xiaoming, Erzhu Rong led his troops to Luoyang and carried out the Heyin massacre. After enthroning Emperor Xiaozhuang to the throne, Heba Sheng was enfeoffed the Count of Yiyang County and received a number of offices for his meritorious service. Later that year, he served as Grand Chief Controller of the Vanguard under the Prime Minister, Yuan Tianmu in his campaign against Ge Rong, capturing thousands of prisoners in their victory at Fukou. Later, a remnant of Ge Rong's forces, Han Lou, rebelled in Jicheng. Heba Sheng was appointed Grand Chief Controller and stationed at Zhongshan, during which Han Lou did not dare advace south due to Heba's reputation.
In 529, Heba Sheng was recalled from Zhongshan and made Grand Chief Controller of the Front Army in Erzhu Rong's campaign against Yuan Hao and the Liang general, Chen Qingzhi at Luoyang. With Erzhu Zhao, Heba Sheng led 1,000 cavalrymen to cross the river from Xiashi to attack Yuan Hao. In his retreat, Yuan Hao was killed, while his son Yuan Guanshou and the Liang general, Chen Sibao were all captured. Heba pressed on to Luoyang and recaptured the capital. After the campaign, he was made General of the Military Guards and Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, while his fief was elevated to the Duke of Zhending County. Later, he was made Right General of the Guards and Regular Mounted Attendant.
Rebellion of the Erzhu clan
In 530, after two years of mounting tension, Erzhu Rong was assassinated by Emperor Xiaozhuang at Luoyang. Upon receiving the news, Heba Sheng immediately rushed to Erzhu Rong's residence. At the time, Luoyang was yet to be placed under martial law. One of Erzhu's accomplice, Tian Yi proposed to storm the palace, but Heba, due to their lack of troops and believing that the emperor had laid out a trap, argued that they should leave the city and then plan out their next move. Erzhu Rong's family escaped from Luoyang that night through Erzhu Shilong's guidance. Heba accompanied them to Heqiao, but there, he had a change of heart and decided to return to Luoyang and support Emperor Xiaozhuang.Not long after, Erzhu Zhao and Erzhu Zhongyuan brought their armies to attack Luoyang in revenge for Erzhu Rong and propped up the Prince of Changguang, Yuan Ye in challenge of Emperor Xiaozhuang. Xiaozhuang appointed Heba Sheng and General of the Cavalry and Chief Controller of the Eastern Expedition, instructing him to join forces wth Zheng Xianhu in resisting the Erzhu clan. However, Heba was not trusted by Zheng, who placed him outside of the main without the rest of his men and horses. Heba fought against Erzhu Zhongyuan, but without success, so he defected back to the Erzhu, who defeated and executed Emperor Xiaozhuang the following year.
Battle of Guang'a and Hanling
The Erzhu clan briefly held paramountcy over the empire, but in 531, their general, Gao Huan, raised an army in Xindu in rebellion of their rule. Erzhu Zhao, Erzhu Dulü and Erzhu Zhongyuan brought their forces to fight against Gao Huan, but they were internally at odds with one another, which Gao Huan used to his advantage. Heba was serving in Erzhu Dulü's staff, and fearing that the family's infighting will lead to defeat, he and Husi Chun visited Erzhu Zhao to mediate. However, Zhao had the two men imprisoned, prompting Dulü to withdraw his forces. He then wanted to execute Heba for the crimes of "killing Wei Kegu" and his previous betrayal of the Erzhu clan. Heba argued that the charges were absurd, stating that Wei Kegu was a rebel, and that Erzhu Rong's death was a result of the emperor's own will. Unable to retort, Zhao released Heba, who then rushed back to Luoyang to rejoin Dulü. Erzhu Zhao was subsequently defeated by Gao Huan at Guang'a.In 532, Gao Huan captured Xiang province and threatened the Erzhu clan into reuniting against his power. The Erzhu clan converged at Hanling and faced Gao Huan in a decisive battle. While Erzhu Zhao advanced to attack, Erzhu Dulü was reluctant to do so, instead ordering his soldiers to wait and see. Realizing that the Erzhu clan can never reconcile with each other, Heba Sheng decided to bring his forces over to Gao Huan in surrender. In the end, Gao Huan destroyed the Erzhu clan at Hanling, scattering their forces for them to be eliminated one by one. Gao Huan asserted his authority as paramount general of the empire with Emperor Xiaowu of Wei on the throne, and Heba Sheng was appointed General Who Leads the Army and later a Palace Attendant.
Division of Northern Wei
Control over Jing province and invasion of Liang
Behind the scenes, Emperor Xiaowu was at odds with Gao Huan, as he was apprehensive of the power he held over the imperial government. At the time, Heba Yue controlled the Guanzhong region in the west, so Xiaowu formed a secret alliance with him to overthrow Gao Huan. In 533, to add more leverage, the emperor appointed Heba Sheng as the Chief Controller of military affairs in the Three Provinces of Jing, General of the Cavalry, Inspector of Jing province and Grand Branch Censorate of the Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing of the Southern Circuits.Upon his instatement, Heba Sheng immediately invaded the Liang dynasty in the south to expand his sphere of influence. He captured Xialuo garrison and enticed the local barbarian ruler, Wen Daoqi into surrendering. He then repeatedly defeated the Liang Inspector of Yong province, Xiao Xu and extended his reach south of the Han river. Afterwards, he marched to Fandeng region where he captured several counties in the vicinity of Xiangyang. The Liang suffered heavy losses, with records stating that land north of the Mianyang was almost destroyed to ruins while Xiao Xu was entrapped in Xiangyang. For his achievements, Heba was appointed Secretariat Director and elevated to Duke of Langya.