Helian Chang

Who was Helian Chang?

Helian Chang, courtesy name Huan'guo, nickname Zhe, was an emperor of the state Xia. He was the successor and a son of the founding emperor Helian Bobo. After his father's death in 425, he tried to expand Xia further, but soon his state began to collapse in light of pressure from rival Northern Wei. In 427, his capital Tongwan fell to Northern Wei forces, and in 428 he himself was captured. Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei did not kill him but instead treated him as an honored companion, marrying a sister to him and creating him high titles—initially the Duke of Kuaiji and later the Prince of Qin—but in 434, he tried to escape and was killed.