Emperor Qianfei, emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (b. 449)

The figure known in history as the Former Deposed Emperor of Liu Song, or Emperor Qianfei ((劉)宋前廢帝), born Liu Ziye (劉子業) on 25 February 449 and sometimes referred to by his informal name Fashi (法師), met his end on 1 January 466. He was a tragic and infamous ruler of the Chinese Liu Song dynasty. Despite inheriting the throne of a powerful empire, his extremely brief reign as a teenager, spanning from 464 to 466, became notorious for its profound instability, marked by his incredibly violent and impulsive actions. He is remembered for the wholesale slaughter of numerous high-level officials and engaging in deeply unsettling sexually immoral behavior, which ultimately led to his swift downfall and assassination just over a year after he ascended to power.

The Brief and Violent Reign of Emperor Qianfei

Emperor Qianfei ascended the throne of the Liu Song dynasty, one of the Southern Dynasties that ruled China after the collapse of the Eastern Jin. Born as the eldest son of Emperor Xiaowu, Liu Ziye inherited the imperial mandate upon his father's death. However, his ascension did not bring stability. From the moment he became emperor, his behavior became increasingly erratic and cruel, quickly plunging the imperial court into a state of terror and uncertainty. His reign, though short, offers a stark example of imperial despotism during a tumultuous period of Chinese history.

A Reign of Terror and Depravity

Emperor Qianfei's rule was characterized by extreme paranoia, cruelty, and a shocking disregard for human life and moral conventions. He demonstrated an insatiable thirst for violence, often executing high-ranking officials and imperial relatives on mere whims or for perceived slights, rather than legitimate offenses. His victims included members of his own clan, such as his paternal uncle Liu Yuanjing, and highly respected ministers, leading to widespread fear among the bureaucracy and the populace. Beyond the political purges, his personal conduct was scandalously depraved. He was known for forcing his paternal aunts to engage in sexual acts with his attendants, indulging in incestuous relationships, and compelling officials' wives into public sexual debauchery. Furthermore, he displayed a bizarre and unsettling fascination with cross-dressing, often forcing his male concubines and attendants to dress as women. This combination of unchecked brutality and extreme immorality alienated virtually everyone in his court and family, sowing the seeds of his own destruction.

The Swift Downfall: Assassination

The unbearable tyranny of Emperor Qianfei inevitably led to a conspiracy against him. His reign of terror was abruptly cut short on 1 January 466, when he was assassinated at the age of 16. The plot was orchestrated by his frustrated and fearful uncle, Liu Yu (劉彧), the Prince of Xiangdong, who would later ascend to the throne as Emperor Ming of Liu Song. The assassination reportedly occurred during a ghostly "witchcraft" game held at night within the palace, during which Liu Ziye was lured into a secluded area and killed by his attendants, who were part of the conspiracy. His untimely demise, barely a year into his reign, underscored the volatile nature of succession and power during the Southern Dynasties period and served as a stark lesson on the perils of unchecked imperial power.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Qianfei

Who was Emperor Qianfei of Liu Song?

Emperor Qianfei, personal name Liu Ziye, was a short-reigning and widely reviled teenage emperor of the Chinese Liu Song dynasty, known for his extreme cruelty, impulsiveness, and immoral behavior during his brief rule from 464 to 466 CE.

When did Emperor Qianfei reign?

He reigned for a very short period, from 464 CE to 466 CE. He was assassinated barely a year after his ascension to the throne.

What was Emperor Qianfei known for?

His reign was infamous for widespread executions of high-ranking officials and imperial relatives driven by paranoia, as well as scandalous acts of sexual depravity, including incest and forcing others into immoral acts, which deeply destabilized the imperial court.

How did Emperor Qianfei die?

Emperor Qianfei was assassinated on 1 January 466 CE at the age of 16 by his uncle, Liu Yu (who became Emperor Ming), and palace attendants. This plot was a direct response to his extreme tyranny and erratic behavior.