Early life

Qibi Heli was born to a Tiele tribe called Qibi, he was son of Qibi Ge (契苾葛), who was a younger brother of Yiwuzhenmohe Qaghan (易勿真莫賀可汗). Orphaned at 9 years old he became the khagan of his tribe and lived a nomadic life around Lake Zài (nowadays Issyk-Kul lake). His father's title was Baghatur Tegin (莫賀咄特勤).

In 632, he led his tribe to submit Tang in Hexi, himself going to Chang'an while his mother Lady Feng and brother Qibi Shamen (契苾沙門) left behind to handle tribal affairs. He was created a general and was stationed in Liangzhou.

During reign of Taizong

He participated in Emperor Taizong's campaign against Tuyuhun in 634-635, in one occasion saving lives of generals Xue Wanjun (薛萬均) and his brother Xue Wanche (薛萬徹) besides capturing Murong Fuyun's wife and children. He later participated in Tang campaign against Karakhoja in 640.

After rise of Zhenzhu Khagan of Xueyantuo in 642, Qibi tribe submitted to him. Heli, tried to convince them to stay loyal to Tang. However, he was captured and brought to Khagan's camp. Where he spoke against him and proclaimed allegiance to Taizong, even cut of his ear. Taizong in turn offered a Tang princess to bribe Zhenzhu to ransom Heli. Although once freed, he persuaded Taizong to not to proceed with marriage.

He was appointed deputy of Ashina She'er during Tang campaign against Kucha in 648 and later in Goguryeo–Tang War. Taizong himself tended to the injuries of the Tujue Generals Qibi Heli and Ashina Simo, who were both wounded during the war against Goguryeo. Qibi Heli was especially praised for his valor that despite being severely injured by a spear from enemies, he continued fighting furiously alongside with his subordinate soldiers. Despite requesting to commit suicide on Taizong's death in 649, he was forbidden by Gaozong.

During reign of Gaozong

In 657, he joined Tang conquest of the Western Turks, at some point killing Shatuo leader Zhuxie Guzhu (朱邪孤注). He participated in second Goguryeo-Tang War, defeated a Goguryeo army at the Yalu River and was instrumental on siege of Pyongyang in 668. After which he was created Great General of Left Guard and Duke of Liangguo (凉国公) by Gaozong. In 676, when the Tibetan Empire attacked Tang's western prefectures, Tang prince Li Xiǎn and his younger brother Li Lun, the Prince of Xiang, were nominally put in charge of the two armies that were actually commanded by the generals Liu Shenli (劉審禮) and Qibi Heli (契苾何力), but neither Li Xiǎn nor Li Lun actually set out with the troops.

He died in 677 and was buried in Zhao Mausoleum. He was posthumously renamed Lie (烈) and awarded with titles. His descendants continued to serve Tang dynasty.

Family

He was married to Tang dynasty relative, a daughter of governor of Lintong in 635. He fathered at least 3 sons and 6 daughters. Known sons:

• Qibi Ming (契苾明) (649-695) - General of Tang dynasty, Duke of Liangguo (Posthumously Jing - 靖)

• Qibi Guang (契苾光, d. 709) - General of the Guards during reign of Wu Zetian

• Qibi Zhen (契苾贞) - Secretary of the Palace

In popular media

He was portrayed in Korean TV drama series Yeon Gaesomun by Lee Kye-in in 2006-2007.

生平

出身鐵勒可汗世家，哥論易勿施莫賀可汗之孫。幼年喪父，在熱海（今伊塞克湖）一帶遊牧。

降唐

唐太宗貞觀六年（632年），率部千人歸降唐朝，被封為左領軍將軍，駐守涼州。貞觀九年（635年），率部參加對吐谷渾的戰爭，奮戰力俘吐谷渾王慕容伏允，獲得頭功，被調往長安任北門宿衛、檢校屯營事，以宗室女臨洮縣主下嫁。貞觀十四年（633年），為蔥山道副大總管，參加滅高昌之戰。

貞觀十六年（635年），契苾何力在回鄉省親之時被反叛的部眾綁架至薛延陀。唐太宗不惜以公主（一說宗室女新興公主，一說為太宗嫡出幼女新城公主）下嫁為條件換回他。契苾何力回國後竭力勸說唐太宗不要許婚，以免日後白白替薛延陀夷男可汗鞏固地位，後任左驍衛大將軍，昆丘道副總管，作為阿史那社爾的副手參加對龜茲、于闐等國的征討。

在唐朝滅西突厥汗國的戰鬥中，他任弓月道行軍大總管。之後又作為唐軍前軍指揮官參加了伐高句麗的戰爭，在征討高句麗的戰爭中，身先士卒衝鋒陷陣，亂陣中腰部被敵方勇士高突勃以長矛刺傷，尚輦奉御薛萬備單槍匹馬殺入萬軍中救出契苾何力，契苾何力更加意氣奮怒，包紮上傷口再次衝殺，所部胡族騎兵們也跟進奮擊，大破高麗軍，乘勝追擊幾十里。貞觀二十二年（648年）為昆丘道總管，領兵攻擊龜茲，生擒龜茲王訶梨布失畢及諸首領。太宗逝世後，契苾何力欲以身殉葬，為唐高宗勸止。

高宗時期

唐高宗顯慶、龍朔年中，與蘇定方等人屢次征討高句麗。不久，高句麗大將蓋蘇文死，國中內亂。唐高宗詔契苾何力任遼東道大總管，作為李勣副手攻克平壤。戰後授鎮軍大將軍，行左衛大將軍，徒封涼國公，檢校右羽林軍。

儀鳳二年（677年），契苾何力去世，唐高宗將其陪葬昭陵，追贈輔國大將軍、并州都督，謚號烈。

家庭

契苾何力三子：長子契苾明，左鷹揚衛大將軍、鎮軍大將軍、行左屯衛將軍、兼賀蘭都督、襲爵涼國公；次子契苾光，武則天時官至右豹韜衛將軍，為酷吏所殺；三子契苾貞，官至司膳少卿。契苾何力有孫特進涼國公行道州別駕契苾嵩，尚臨洮縣主，封張掖郡公。契苾明有女嫁左屯衛將軍、皋蘭州都督渾某。契苾光子契苾嶔，太子通事舍人、張掖縣開國男；契苾嶔子吏部常選契苾尚賓。