•
A Frugal Founder and a Peaceful Succession Emperor Gao of Southern Qi, Xiao Daocheng, rose from humble origins – much like Liu Yu, founder of the Liu Song dynasty. Having witnessed the suffering of commoners, he ruled with remarkable frugality: palace utensils were made of iron, not gold or bronze; he wore no ornaments;…
•
A Son’s Betrayal: The Murder of Emperor Wen In 453 CE, just one year after the assassination of Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, the southern court of Liu Song met its own horror. Emperor Wen, once a capable ruler who restored stability after his father’s death, was murdered – not by rebels or rivals,…