Liu Song Dynasty Emperor Wudi
Quick Facts about Emperor Wudi
- Emperor Wudi was born in 355 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Yu.
- He became the first emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 420 CE.
- Wudi means “Martial Emperor”.
How Wudi became Emperor
Emperor Wudi was a commoner who became a soldier. During his career in Eastern Jin Emperor Gongdi’s army, he rose to the rank of general. He forced Emperor Gongdi to abdicate the throne in 420 CE.
China under Emperor Wudi
Although Emperor Wudi brought unity back to the government, he spent much of his reign dealing with tribes invading from the north where the Northern Wei dynasty, established by the Toba, reigned. The Toba were successful in increasing the amount of land claimed as Northern China, but were unsuccessful in their attempts to overtake the territory of China south of the Yangzi River.
Buddhism continued to flourish during the Liu Song dynasty, however, Emperor Wudi was a Daoist and ruled his court with Daoist principles
Emperor Wudi’s death
Emperor Wudi’s wife was Empress Cang. He had at least two children. Upon his death in 422 CE, his son, Ying Yang Wang, succeeded him as emperor of the Liu Song dynasty. Emperor Wudi’s tomb is in Chuningling, Qilinpu, Nanjing, Jiangsu.
Liu Song Dynasty Emperor Ying Yang Wang
Quick Facts about Emperor Ying Yang Wang
- Emperor Ying Yang Wang was born in 404 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Yifu.
- His father was Emperor Wudi (see above).
- After his father, Emporer Wudi’s death in 422 CE, Liu Yifu became the second emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 423 CE.
- Ying Wang Wang means “Sun King of Ying”.
- Ying Yang Wang was also known as Shaodi.
Emperor Ying Yang Wang’s rule
Emperor Ying Yang Wang ruled for less than one year. After his death in 423, his brother, Emperor Wendi, succeeded him as the third emperor of the Liu Song dynasty.
Liu Song Dynasty Emperor Wendi
Quick Facts about Emperor Wendi
- Emperor Wendi was born in 406 CE.
- His name at birth was Liu Yilong.
- His father was Emperor Wudi (see above).
- His mother was one of his father’s concubines.
- After his brother, Emperor Ying Yang Wang’s death in 423 CE, Liu Yilong became the third emperor of the Liu Song dynasty in 424 CE.
- Wendi means “Literary Emperor”.
China under Emperor Wendi
Emperor Wendi restored prosperity to the people in Southern China.
He studied Confucianism and believed that scholars were important for his government to succeed. Buddhism and Daoism became quite successful during Wendi’s reign due to a difference in taxes to be paid by monasteries. As these establishments did not need to pay taxes, wealthy landowners changed their land titles to that of monastery. Less tax money was paid to the government and therefore, there was less money for the government to use for reform.
Emperor Wendi forced a change in the established monasteries by having the monks and nuns reviewed. Those who failed to meet certain standards of moral code were removed from the monasteries. Some of the activities of the monasteries, such as the building of temples, came back under government rule.
Wendi continued to fight the people of the Wei dynasty who held court to the north of the Yangzi River. Several times during Wendi’s reign, the Wei armies tried to take control of southern China. Each time, they failed due to the geography of the southern land. However, they were more successful in stopping a southern attack when the Liu Song armies invaded into Wei territory in 451 CE.
Emperor Wendi had at least two children. Upon his death in 453, his son, Xiao Wudi, succeeded him as the fourth emperor of the Liu Song dynasty. Wendi’s tomb is in Changningling, Nanjing, Jiangsu.
