Heba Yue
Heba Yue, Xianbei nickname Adouni, was a Tiele military general of the Northern Wei dynasty during the Northern and Southern dynasties. During the rebellion of the Six Garrisons, he joined the Wei commander, Erzhu Rong and followed Erzhu Tianguang in his campaign to pacify the Guanzhong region. After the Erzhu clan's defeat in 532, he seized control over the Guanzhong and later colluded with Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei to wrest power away from Gao Huan, who held paramountcy over the imperial court. In 534, through Gao Huan's instigation, Heba was assassinated by his trusted friend, Houmochen Yue.
Modern historian, Chen Yinke accredit the founding of the Guanlong Group to Heba Yue. After his death, his subordinate, Yuwen Tai assumed leadership over the group and founded the Western Wei, which was later succeeded by the Northern Zhou, Sui and Tang dynasties, all of which were politically dominated by the group.
Background and early career
Heba Yue was an ethnic Tiele whose family lived in Jianshan County, Shenwu Commandery, and his father was Heba Duba, the commander of Wuchuan garrison under the Northern Wei. He studied in the Imperial Academy when he was young, and after reaching adulthood, he was able to use the bow with either one of his hands. He was described as courageous, having great ambitions and drawn to befriending the heroes of his time. Although Heba did not read the Art of War, his tactics were said to be in accordance with the book's teaching, which amazed the people who knew him.In 523, when the Six Garrisons broke out in rebellion, Heba Yue followed his father to reinforce Yang Jun, the commander of the Huaishuo garrison. At the time, the rebel general, Wei Kegu was overlooking the battle from the west, more than 300 steps away from the city. Heba Yue spotted Wei Kegu and shot his arm with an arrow from the city wall, shocking the rebel army. In 524, Wei Kegu captured Huaishuo along with Heba Duba and Heba Yue. However, the Heba family remained loyal to Northern Wei, so they secretly conspired with the other captives and killed Wei Kegu in an ambush. Later, Heba Yue was promoted to the office of General of the Strong Crossbow, and along with his brother Heba Sheng, he was assigned to guard Heng province.
Service under Erzhu Rong
In 526, Heng province was overran by rebels under Xianyu Ahu from Shuo province, so Heba Yue decided to join the Wei commander, Erzhu Rong, who made him a general. Soon, he was appointed as a Chief Controller. Erzhu Rong held Heba Yue in high regard, as their ideas were often consistent with each other.By then, Erzhu Rong had gathered a larger army and wanted to support the imperial court. He told Heba, "Now the Empress Dowager reigns, and her cronies run the government. The bandits are rising in droves, and the realm is in chaos. Time and time again, the imperial army has been dispatched only to be defeated one after another. My family have received the state's grace for generations and shared both joy and sorrow. I wish to personally lead my troops and horses into the capital, cleanse the emperor's entourage and eliminate the rebellions from the outside. What is the plan for the path of victory?" Heba responded, "To accomplish the extraordinary, one must make use of extraordinary men. General, your troops and horses are elite, and your status is high. If you raise the banner of justice, subjugate the rebels and uphold our lord, then wherever we go we will conquer, and whoever we face we will vanquish. As the ancients said, "Morning plans cannot be done in the evening, and words cannot be spoken when the emperor arrives." This was what they meant." Impressed by his response, Erzhu Rong exclaimed, "Your words show the ambitions of a true man!"
In 528, Emperor Xiaoming was secretly assassinated by Empress Dowager Hu, but Erzhu Rong found his death suspicious and led his army to Luoyang with Heba Yue commanding the vanguard. Near Luoyang, Erzhu Rong carried out the infamous Heyin Incident and killed the Empress Dowager along with 2,000 court officials. One of Erzhu's generals, Gao Huan urged him to become emperor, but Heba Yue believed that it was still too early as there were still rebel forces that needed to be defeated. Erzhu sided with Heba and installed a member of the imperial family, Yuan Ziyou to the throne. Heba also urged Erzhu to execute Gao Huan for suggesting outright treason, but many of Erzhu's generals came to his defence, and Heba was ignored.
For his strategic contributions, Heba Yue was promoted to General of the Front and Palace Counsellor. He was also bestowed the title of Baron of Fancheng. Not long after the Heyin Incident, he was appointed Chief Controller of the Front Army and partook in the decisive victory over the rebel, Ge Rong at Fukou, for which he was awarded the office of General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. He was dismissed for an unspecified crime, but soon reinstated through an imperial decree. In 529, he followed Erzhu Rong to recapture Luoyang from Yuan Hao and Chen Qingzhi, and he was promoted to Left Household Counsellor and General of the Military Guards.
Pacifying the Guanzhong
Deferring command to Erzhu Tianguang
Previously in 528, one of the major rebels, Moqi Chounu proclaimed himself emperor in the Guanzhong region, which worried the imperial court. In 530, Erzhu Rong commissioned for Heba Yue to pacify the region. However, during a private meeting with Heba Sheng, he expressed concern that failing his duty would have him convicted, but succeeding would also draw suspicion from Erzhu Rong, especially with Gao Huan close by to spread accusations. Heba Sheng agreed and suggested to Erzhu Rong that he give the commanding role to a relative while relegating his brother to a deputy. Erzhu Rong was pleased by Heba's deferral and appointed his cousin, Erzhu Tianguang to lead the campaign. Heba Yue served as Erzhu Tianguang's Left Chief Controller, while his close friend, Houmochen Yue served as the Right Chief Controller.Early in the campaign, the roads at Chishui were blocked by bandits from the Shu region. Erzhu Tianguang only had less than 2,000 troops with him and was reluctant to advance. Heba Yue encouraged him to fight, but Tianguang refused and entrusted Heba with clearing out the bandits. Heba advanced and routed the bandits north of the Wei River, acquiring 2,000 war horses and increasing the prestige of their army.
Capturing Yuchi Pusa
In March or April 530, Moqi Chounu led his army to invade Qi province and ordered his generals, Yuchi Pusa and Moqi Wu, to cross the Wei River from Wugong to attack the Northern Wei camp. Heba Yue went to provide reinforcements for the camp, but by the time he arrived, Yuchi had captured it and returned to Qi. Instead, Heba led 800 cavalries, including Yuwen Tai, Li Hu, Houmochen Chong, Zhao Gui, Yu Jin, Kou Luo, Wang Xiong, Helian Da, Daxi Wu and Ruogan Hui, to cross north of the Wei River to attack Moqi's officials and people. Yuchi was provoked and brought 20,000 troops to pursue Heba to the north bank of the Wei River.Along the river, Heba personally led a few dozen cavalries across to speak with Yuchi and win him over. However, Yuchi only sent a messenger to respond to him, which angered Heba who shot the messenger to death with arrows. The following day, Heba returned with more than a hundred troops to speak with Yuchi again, but this time, he gradually moved and led the rebel army eastward. Once they reached a shallow part of the river where they could wade through, Heba's forces suddenly bolted away to the east. Yuchi thought that Heba was escaping, so he abandoned his infantry and only brought his light cavalry across the river to chase after him.
Prior to their meeting, Heba had hid his other cavalrymen along a ridge for an ambush. Once half of the enemy soldiers crossed the river, Heba turned back with his entire force and rushed down the ridge, routing the enemy. He then announced to the rebels that he would spare any one of them who dismount from their horse. In the end, Yuchi Pusa was captured alive along with 3,000 cavalrymen. Heba then crossed the Wei River again and captured a further 10,000 soldiers as well as their baggage.
Defeat of Moqi Chounu
When Moqi Chounu received news of Yuchi's defeat, he abandoned Qi province and fled north to Anding in Jing province, allowing Erzhu Tianguang to march from Yong province to occupy Qi. In April or May, Erzhu's forces arrived at the confluence of the Qian and Wei rivers. Heba began spreading a false rumour that the Wei army will attack in the autumn, as the summer was too hot. The rumour reached Moqi, who believed it and disbanded his army, forcing his people to farm along the Xi River to the north of Qi province. He also instructed his general, Hou Yuanjin to lead 5,000 soldiers and set up camp in several different strategic locations. With the rebel army dispersed, Heba then led his soldiers to attack.At dawn, the Wei forces broke through Hou Yuanjin's camp, capturing him and his followers alive but soon releasing them. When the other rebels heard that Heba had spared Hou and his soldiers, many of them surrendered their forts one after another. Heba then marched day and night before reaching Anding, where provincial inspector under Moqi, Qiji Changgui, surrendered the region. Moqi attempted to flee to Gaoping, but Heba pursued him with his light cavalry and caught up with him at Changkeng, where Houmochen Chong captured him alive. Heba's forces also defeated Moqi Daoluo at Mount Qiantun.
Daoluo was able to flee and join the bandit leader of Lüeyang, Wang Qingyun, but in July or August, Heba and Erzhu Tianguang marched to Shuiluo City and captured the two men, killing 17,000 of their surrendered soldiers. With the defeat of Moqi Chounu, the Three Qins and the provinces of He, Gua, Liang and Shan all submitted to the imperial court. Heba was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and enfeoffed the Count of Fancheng County. He was soon elevated to Chief Controller of military affairs in the Four Provinces of Jing, Northern Bin and the Two Xias as well as the Duke of Fancheng County.