Liang Dynasty Emperor Jian Wendi
Quick Facts About Emperor Jian Wendi
- Emperor Jian Wendi was born in 501 CE.
- His name at birth was Xiao Gang.
- His father was the Liang dynasty emperor, Wudi.
- After his father, Emperor Wudi’s death in 549 CE, Xiao Gang became the second emperor of the Liang dynasty in 550 CE.
- Jian Wendi means “Refined Literati Emperor”.
How Jian Wendi Became Emperor
Emperor Jian Wendi rebelled against his father Emperor Wudi in 548 CE. He and other rebels attacked the Liang dynasty capital at Jiankang (modern day Nanjing). During the four-month siege, many wealthy people died due to starvation. Their cooks left and the wealthy people did not know how to cook.
Emperor Jian Wendi was urged to rebel by a northern rebel, Hou Jing. Ironically, this same Hou Jing killed Emperor Jian Wendi a few months later.
Emperor Jian Wendi’s Family and Death
Emperor Jian Wendi’s wife was Empress Wang. Upon his death in 550 CE, his brother, Yu Zhang Wang, succeeded him as the third emperor of the Liang dynasty. Emperor Jian Wendi’s tomb is at Zhuangling, Danyang, Jiangsu.
Liang Dynasty Emperor Yu Zhang Wang
Quick Facts About Emperor Yu Zhang Wang
- Emperor Yu Zhang Wang’ father was Emperor Wudi.
- After his brother, Emperor Jian Wendi’s death in 550 CE, Yu Zhang Wang became the third emperor of the Liang dynasty in 551 CE.
- Yu Zhang Wang means “King of Yuzhang”.
Yu Zhang Wang was emperor for a very a short time before he was killed by his brother, Yuandi. Upon his death in 551 CE, his brother, Yuandi, succeeded him as the fourth emperor of the Liang dynasty.
Liang Dynasty Emperor Yuandi
Quick Facts About Emperor Yuandi
- Emperor Yuandi was born in about 507 CE.
- His name at birth was Xiao Yi.
- His father was the Liang dynasty emperor, Wudi.
- After his brother, Emperor Yu Zhang Wang’s death in 551 CE, Xiao Yi became the fourth emperor of the Liang dynasty in 552 CE.
- Yuandi means “Original Emperor”.
China Under Emperor Yuandi
Due to the rebellion and natural causes, famine spread throughout the country prior to Yuandi becoming emperor.
Yuandi was a cruel emperor who had many people killed, some by starvation.
Although Emperor Yuandi had similar religious ideals as his father, Emperor Wudi, he did not embrace all the aspects of Buddhist philosophy but rather, practiced Daoism. He even thought his Daoist books had magical powers that would protect him. When northern armies defeated his armies, he burned his library, which held more than 200,000 books on Daoism.
Emperor Yuandi’s Family and Death
Emperor Yuandi had at least nine children. Upon Emperor Yuandi’s death in 554 CE, his son, Jingdi, succeeded him as the fifth emperor of the Liang dynasty.
Liang Dynasty Emperor Jingdi
Quick Facts About Emperor Jingdi
- Emperor Jingdi was born in 542 CE.
- His name at birth was Xiao Fangzhi.
- His father was the Liang dynasty emperor, Yuandi.
- After his father, Emporer Yuandi’s death in 554 CE, Jingdi became the fifth emperor of the Liang dynasty in 555 CE.
- Jingdi means “Esteemed Emperor”.
Emperor Jingdi’s Reign and Fall
Emperor Jingdi ruled over a reduced empire. He was unable to affect much change. He was forced to abdicate the throne in 556 CE and was killed in 558 CE by Chen Baxian who became the first emperor of the Chen dynasty.
