, was from Lanchang County, Nanlanling Commandery (modern-day Wujin District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province). He was a member of the royal family of the
, being the seventeenth son of Prince Xiao Hui of Zhonglie of Poyang.
Biography
Xiao Xun was initially granted the title Kaiguo Marquess of Yifeng County, with a fief of 500 households, and later served as Acting Weiwei. Due to his deep favor with Emperor Wu of Liang, he was directly promoted from Weiwei to Qingche General and Governor of Northern Xu Province, stationed in Zhongli. In the first year of Zhongdatong (546 AD), Xiao Xun was transferred to serve as Xinwu General and Governor of Liang and Qin Provinces, guarding Hanzhong. During his seven years in Hanzhong, he reformed customs and was hailed by the people as a "benevolent father."
In the fifth year of Taqing (551 AD) October, when Hou Jing's army approached Jiangling, Prince Xiao Yi of Xiangdong sought aid from Western Wei, ordering Xiao Xun to cede Hanzhong to Western Wei. Unwilling to do so, Xiao Xun sent a messenger to seek help from Prince Xiao Ji of Wuling, the Governor of Yizhou. Xiao Ji dispatched Yang Gan Yun, the Governor of Tongzhou, for assistance. In April of the first year of Tianzheng (552 AD), Xiao Ji proclaimed himself emperor and appointed Xiao Xun as Governor of Yizhou, granting him the title Duke of Sui Commandery. However, Yang Gan Yun was defeated by Western Wei's Daxi Wu. In May, Daxi Wu sent Liu Daiwei to persuade Xiao Xun, who subsequently surrendered. Western Wei captured 20,000 men and women, thereby incorporating the area north of Jian into its territory.
In October of the sixth year of Taqing (552 AD), Xiao Xun was released by Yuwen Tai and returned to Jiangling. Prince Xiao Yi of Xiangdong appointed him as Pingbei General and Kaiyue Yitong Sansi. In November of the first year of Chengsheng (552 AD), Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi, ascended the throne and appointed Xiao Xun as Governor of Xiang Province, promoting him to General Piaoqi. In December, Lu Na, the former Chancellor of Xiang Province under Wang Lin, launched a surprise attack on Balin County but was defeated by Xiao Xun.
In February of the fourth year of Chengsheng (555 AD), when Prince Xiao Fangzhi of Jin'an returned to Jiankang, General Piaoqi Xiao Xun was promoted to Taifu. In the same year, Xiao Xun was transferred to Governor of Ying Province. In October of the first year of Shotaixi (555 AD), Emperor Jing of Liang, Xiao Fangzhi, ascended the throne, promoting Taifu Xiao Xun to Taibao and summoning him to court. However, Xiao Xun only accepted the title of Taibao and declined to come to court on some pretext. In February of Shotaixi's second year (556 AD), Xiao Xun inherited the title Xiao Tai, took over the administration of Ying Province. Taking advantage of this situation, Wang Lin sent the Governor of Yanzhou, Wu Cang, to attack Jiangxia, but he was defeated and killed.
Character
Xiao Xun loved scholars and amassed a large collection of books. Fu Zai freely read through them, thereby becoming well-versed in literature. Xiao Xun generously allowed scholars access to his book collection.
Family
• Fourth son: Xiao Qiao, County Magistrate of Feixiang during the Sui Dynasty.
• Son: Xiao Zao, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and Duke of Liang'an during the Tang Dynasty.
References
• 蕭循 (Chinese)
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Xiao Xun (6th century – 556 AD), courtesy name Shi He, was from Lanchang County, Nanlanling Commandery (modern-day Wujin District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province). He was a member of the royal family of the Southern Liang Dynasty, being the seventeenth son of Prince Xiao Hui of Zhonglie of Poyang.