Yujiulü Shelun (,

Simplified Chinese Simplification, Simplify, or Simplified may refer to: Mathematics Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one, that is simpler (usually shorter), for example * Simplification of algebraic expressions, ...

: 郁久闾社仑;

pinyin Hanyu Pinyin (), often shortened to just pinyin, is the official romanization system for Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, and to some extent, in Singapore and Malaysia. It is often used to teach Mandarin, normally writte ...

: Yùjiǔlǘ Shèlún,

Wade–Giles Wade–Giles () is a romanization system for Mandarin Chinese. It developed from a system produced by Thomas Francis Wade, during the mid-19th century, and was given completed form with Herbert A. Giles's '' Chinese–English Dictionary'' o ...

: Yü-chiu-lü She-lun) (c. 391–410) or Qiudoufa Khagan (丘豆伐可汗) was khagan of the Rouran from 402 to 410.

Early years

After his brother Heduohan (曷多汗) was defeated and killed by the Northern Wei general Zhangsun Fei (長孫肥), Shelun fled to west in 394, breaking ties with Wei. He found refuge among his uncle Yujiulü Pihouba (郁久闾匹候跋) and cousins. However, they were unhappy about his growing power, which forced Shelun to quickly gather his supporters and capture the sons of Pihouba. Soon, Shelun killed Pihouba as well, and his sons fled to Wei. Shelun was afraid of the revenge of the empire and migrated north through the

Gobi The Gobi Desert ( Chinese: 戈壁 (沙漠), Mongolian: Говь (ᠭᠣᠪᠢ)) () is a large desert or brushland region in East Asia, and is the sixth largest desert in the world. Geography The Gobi measures from southwest to northeast ...

, uniting nomadic tribes on his way.

Reign

Shelun led retaliatory raids against Northern Wei, but suffered a serious defeat in 399 and was forced to flee westward. There he subjugated the Hulu (斛律) tribe and with an aid of a Hulu called Chiluohou (叱洛侯) he defeated the

Gaoche The Tiele (, Mongolian ''*Tegreg'' " eople of theCarts"), also transliterated as Dili (), Chile (), Zhile (), Tele (), also named Gaoche or Gaoju (, "High Carts"), were a tribal confederation of Turkic ethnic origins living to the north of Chin ...

, then declared himself Khagan. Shelun was the first major leader of the steppes to adopt the title of Qiudoufa Khagan (丘豆伐可汗) which was originally a title used by

Xianbei The Xianbei (; ) were a Proto-Mongolic ancient nomadic people that once resided in the eastern Eurasian steppes in what is today Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Northeastern China. They originated from the Donghu people who splintered into th ...

nobles. He reorganized military-administrative system, modeling it after

Xiongnu The Xiongnu (, ) were a tribal confederation of nomadic peoples who, according to ancient Chinese sources, inhabited the eastern Eurasian Steppe from the 3rd century BC to the late 1st century AD. Modu Chanyu, the supreme leader after 20 ...

, divided the army into hundreds and thousands. In order to strengthen his place, he became allied to

Yao Xing Yao Xing (; 366–416), courtesy name Zilüe (子略), formally Emperor Wenhuan of (Later) Qin ((後)秦文桓帝), was an emperor of the Qiang-led Chinese Later Qin dynasty. He was the son of the founding emperor Yao Chang (Emperor Wucheng). Fo ...

, emperor of

Later Qin The Later Qin (; 384–417), also known as Yao Qin (), was a state ruled by the Qiang ethnicity of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin dynasty (266–420) in China. The Later Qin is entirely distinct from the Qin dynasty, the Former Qin and the W ...

. He aided Later Qin against Daowu in 403. In one occasion, his horse tributes to Qin were seized by

Helian Bobo Helian Bobo (; Middle Chinese Guangyun: ; 381–425), né Liu Bobo (劉勃勃), courtesy name Qujie (屈孑), formally Emperor Wulie of Xia (夏武烈帝), was the founding emperor of the Xiongnu-led Hu Xia dynasty of China. He is generally consi ...

in 407. He continued to raid Northern Wei in 407 and 409. In one of those battles in 410, Emperor Mingyuan sent one of his advisors, Baba Song (拔拔嵩) the Duke of Nanping to attack the Rouran, and when Baba was surrounded by Shelun's troops, Emperor Mingyuan personally led an army to relieve Baba. Shelun died from his wounds in May 410 and was succeeded by his brother

Yujiulü Hulü Yujiulü Hulü (; pinyin: Yùjiǔlǘ Húlǜ) (died :414 deaths, 414) was an early 5th century ruler of the Rouran, a confederation of nomadic tribes in Mongolia with the title Aikugai Khagan (). Marriage to Northern Yan princess There is historic ...

, because his sons Duba (度拔) and Sheba (社拔) were still young.

Personality and achievements

Shelun was described as "vicious/cruel, wily/artful, and possesses adaptability" in Book of Wei.''Book of Wei'
"Volume 103; Account 91"
Text: "社崘兇狡有權變" He has been described as a "talented politician" and an autocratic leader by modern scholars, known for his cruelty, cunning and adaptability. He revolutionized the military and public organisation of Rouran (for example, introducing compulsory military recruitment and establishing strict rules of behavior for the warriors, and punishment for those who broke them), introduced the so-called decimal system, overwhelmed and united many Mongolian and Turkic tribes, broke all Rouran's vassalages, and was the first to take the title of ''khagan''.

References

Bibliography

Sources

* Book of Wei,
vol. 103
' 410 deaths Year of birth missing Rouran rulers Founding monarchs {{CAsia-hist-stub