Background

Xiao Daocheng was born in 427. His ancestors traced their line to the famed Han Dynasty prime minister Xiao He. If their records were accurate, Xiao Daocheng was Xiao He's 24-generation descendant. During the Jin and Liu Song dynasties, Xiao's ancestors served as low-level officials. His father Xiao Chengzhi (蕭承之) was a general under Emperor Wen of Liu Song, and for his contributions in campaigns against rival Northern Wei was created the Baron of Jinxing. Xiao Daocheng first studied the Confucian classics at the university set up by Emperor Wen and headed by the hermit Lei Cizong (:zh:雷次宗) when he was 12, but by age 15 he was serving in the military. He continued serving as a military officer during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Xiaowu (Emperor Wen's son).

Under Emperor Ming of Liu Song

By the time that Emperor Xiaowu's brother Emperor Ming and Emperor Xiaowu's son Liu Zixun were fighting for the throne in 466 after the brief reign and assassination of Emperor Xiaowu's son Emperor Qianfei, Xiao Daocheng was a general, and his allegiance was with Emperor Ming. He participated in the campaign against the army nominally commanded by Liu Zixun's brother Liu Zifang the Prince of Xunyang and governor of Kuaiji Commandery along the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay. He subsequently defeated the army sent south by Xue Andu (薛安都) the governor of Xu Province (徐州, modern northern Jiangsu and northern Anhui). For these contributions, Emperor Ming created him the Marquess of Xiyang and made him the acting governor of South Xu Province (南徐州, modern western central Jiangsu). Later, he became the governor of Southern Yan Province (南兗州, modern eastern central Jiangsu), defending the important city of Huaiyin (淮陰, in modern Huaian, Jiangsu). It was said that, while at this post, he began to engage a group of talented followers.

During Emperor Ming's reign, there were rumors that Xiao Daocheng's facial features were unusual and were signs that he would become emperor. By 471, Emperor Ming – who had already carried out a campaign of killing most of his brothers and some high-level officials in fear that they would not be loyal to his son Liu Yu the Crown Prince after his death – became suspicious of Xiao, particularly because there were rumors that Xiao was secretly communicating with Northern Wei. Emperor Ming sent his general Wu Xi, a friend of Xiao's, with a sealed pot of wine to Huaiyin to deliver to Xiao. Xiao became fearful that the wine was poisoned and was preparing to flee to Northern Wei. Wu secretly told Xiao that the wine was not poisoned and drank some himself, before Xiao would dare to drink.

Once Wu returned to the capital Jiankang, he assured Emperor Ming that Xiao was loyal. But after details of Wu's leaking the information to Xiao became known to Emperor Ming, Emperor Ming forced Wu to commit suicide; he did not take any actions against Xiao. Soon thereafter he recalled Xiao to Jiankang. Xiao's followers largely suspected that Emperor Ming would kill him and suggested that he resist, but Xiao believed that Emperor Ming would not do so. He therefore returned to Jiankang, where he became a commanding general of Crown Prince Yu's guards. (In secret, Xiao told his followers that he believed that Liu Song would not last much longer and that he would need their support when opportunity presented itself.) When Emperor Ming grew gravely ill in 472, on the recommendation of the high-level official Chu Yuan (to whom, along with Yuan Can, Emperor Ming entrusted the care of Crown Prince Yu), who was a friend of Xiao, Xiao became a commanding general of the capital defense force. Emperor Ming soon died, and Crown Prince Yu took the throne as Emperor Houfei.

Under Emperor Houfei of Liu Song

In 474, Emperor Houfei's uncle Liu Xiufan the Prince of Guiyang and governor of Jiang Province (江州, modern Jiangxi and Fujian), angry that he had not been made the regent, rebelled and made a quick advancement toward Jiankang. At a major military strategy session, although there were a number of high-level officials, powerful associates of the emperor, and senior generals present, no one dared to speak first. Then Xiao Daocheng proposed the strategy of not sending an army to engage Liu Xiufan but rather defend the strong defensive posts in the outskirts of Jiankang and not actively engage Liu Xiufan, forcing him into a stalemate and causing him to run out of food supplies. Without significant opposition, Xiao's plan was adopted.

Liu Xiufan's forces soon arrived. He made a direct assault against Xiao's defensive position. With Xiao's approval, his officers Huang Hui and Zhang Jing'er falsely surrendered to Liu Xiufan and then further informed Liu Xiufan that Xiao wished to surrender as well. While pretending to secretly convey the information, Zhang and Huang then assassinated Liu Xiufan. However, because they had to then discard Liu Xiufan's head to avoid Liu Xiufan's guards, the news was not known initially. Liu Xiufan's forces intensified their siege against the various defense positions. Xiao was barely able to hold his position, but Liu Xiufan's general Ding Wenhao (丁文豪) was able to defeat and kill Liu Mian and Wang Daolong (王道隆) and put the palace under siege. Soon, news of Liu Xiufan's death became gradually known, and Ding's forces collapsed.

In the aftermaths of Liu Xiufan's defeat, Xiao was promoted. He, with Yuan Can, Chu Yuan, and Emperor Houfan's distant uncle Liu Bing, were in charge of the affairs of government and known as the "four nobles" (四貴). In 476, when Emperor Houfei's cousin Liu Jingsu the governor of South Xu Province, who received wrong information that Jiankang had fallen into a state of confusion, started a rebellion, Xiao coordinated the campaign against Liu Jingsu (although he did not personally command troops), and LIu Jingsu was defeated and killed.

In 477, Emperor Houfei, by now age 14, was growing increasingly impulsive and violent, often wandering outside the palace with his guards and killing all people or animals they encountered. One day, he suddenly charged into Xiao's headquarters and saw Xiao sleeping naked. He was intrigued by the large size of Xiao's belly. He woke Xiao up, drew a target on Xiao's belly, and prepared to shoot him with arrows. Xiao pleaded for his life, and Emperor Houfei's attendant Wang Tian'en (王天恩) pointed out that if he killed Xiao with an arrow, he would lose Xiao's belly as a wonderful target. So, at Wang's suggestion, Emperor Houfei shot Xiao with bone-made round-point arrows and was pleased when he was able to target Xiao's bellybutton successfully. Xiao became fearful after the incident; he initially discussed with Yuan and Chu the possibilities of deposing the emperor but could not get them to go along with his plan. Xiao therefore acted on his own, associating with Emperor Houfei's attendants and eventually getting one of them, Yang Yufu, to kill Emperor Houfei while Emperor Houfei was asleep. Xiao then forced Yuan and Liu Bing to effectively grant him near-imperial powers, leading to concerns that Xiao would next take the throne.

Under Emperor Shun of Liu Song

Xiao Daocheng made Emperor Houfei's brother Liu Zhun the Prince of Ancheng emperor (as Emperor Shun). In response, the general Shen Youzhi arose with the troops of his Jing Province (荊州, modern central and western Hubei), accusing Xiao of wanting to usurp the throne. Yuan Can and Liu Bing also believed that that was Xiao's intent. As Xiao prepared for a campaign against Shen, they secretly planned another uprising within Jiankang to overthrow Xiao. Yuan, believing that the plot would not succeed without Chu Yuan's support, told Chu of the plot as well. Chu, who was friendly with Xiao, quickly informed Xiao. Yuan, not aware of this, continued his preparations, aligning with a number of generals and preparing to rise. However, Liu Bing panicked during the preparation stage and fled to Yuan's defense post at the fortress of Shitou Cheng several hours before the scheduled time, alarming Xiao and allowing him to further start a counterinsurrection, arresting and killing several generals aligned with Yuan and Liu Bing before they could act. Xiao's troops then sieged Yuan's defenses at Shitou, killing Yuan and Liu Bing.

Meanwhile, the provincial governors whom Shen invited to join him all declined and either resisted him or stood by. Shen nevertheless had a strong army, and the imperial army generals were apprehensive about facing him. He initially progressed quickly toward Jiankang. But as he went past Yingcheng (郢城, in modern Wuhan, Hubei), he was provoked by insults of Liu Shilong (柳世隆), the chief of staff for Liu Zan the Prince of Wuling and governor of Ying Province into stopping and putting the well-fortified Yingcheng under siege.

In 478, with his forces unable to capture Yingcheng, Shen Youzhi's soldiers began to desert. Shen aggravated the situation by imposing severe punishments on the commanding officers of deserting soldiers — which caused them to desert. Shen's officer Liu Rangbing surrendered to Liu Shilong, causing his forces to collapse. Shen tried to retreat to Jiangling (the capital of Jing Province). By the time he did so, Zhang Jing'er, whom Xiao had made the governor of Yong Province (雍州, modern southwestern Henan and southwestern Hubei) with the intent of having him attack Shen from the rear, had already captured Jiangling and killed Shen Yuanyan, whom Shen Youzhi had left in charge of Jiangling. Shen's remaining army — seeing that Jiangling had fallen, collapsed, and he initially tried to flee, but realizing that his escape route had been cut off he committed suicide. Xiao was now without substantial opposition, particularly after he killed Huang Hui, who had been implicated in conspiracies with Liu Jingsu and Yuan Can, later that year after Huang showed signs of insubordination. He began to put his sons into important posts as well. He also engaged the nobly born official Wang Jian as a key assistant and, with Chu's tacit agreement, started making moves toward the throne, including quietly assassinating Emperor Houfei's brothers. In 479, over a brief two months, he had Emperor Shun create him the Duke of Qi, and then the Prince of Qi, and bestow upon him the nine bestowments, all progressive steps toward the throne. In summer 479, he forced the fearful Emperor Shun into yielding the throne to him, ending Liu Song and starting Southern Qi, as its Emperor Gao.

Reign

A major trend that Emperor Gao tried to start after he took the throne was a move against wastefulness and luxury and a move toward frugality. He appeared to be fairly frugal, although the effects his edicts on those subjects had on his officials and nobles are unclear.

Later in 479, when someone was riding a horse near the mansion of the former Emperor Shun (now the Prince of Ruyin), the guards whom Emperor Gao posted to watch over the former emperor panicked, believing someone was about to start a rebellion. They killed the former emperor. Emperor Gao did not punish these guards, but rewarded them and further carried out a massacre of Liu Song's imperial clan. Later that year, he made princes of his son Xiao Ze (who had by that point been known as an able general, now crown prince), his other sons, as well as Xiao Ze's oldest son Xiao Zhangmao.

Meanwhile, Emperor Gao received reports that Northern Wei was about to make an attack and claim to be trying to reestablish Liu Song on the behalf of Liu Chang the Prince of Danyang, a son of Liu Song's Emperor Wen who had in 465 fled to Northern Wei over fears that Emperor Qianfei would kill him. Emperor Gao prepared the northern borders in anticipation of a major attack, which Northern Wei launched in winter 479. The Northern Wei attack, however, after Northern Wei forces made a failed siege of Shouyang. Realizing that Jiankang was relatively defenseless (as throughout Jin and Liu Song, a wall had never been built around Jiankang), he started a construction project to build a wall around Jiankang. Northern Wei and Southern Qi forces would continue to have minor border battles for another year, until spring 481, but there would be no further major campaigns by either side.

In spring 482, Emperor Gao died. Crown Prince Ze succeeded him as Emperor Wu.

Era name

• Jianyuan (建元 jiàn yuán) 479-482

Family

Consorts and Issue:

• Empress Gaozhao, of the Liu clan of Guangling (高昭皇后 廣陵劉氏; 423–472), personal name Zhirong (智容)

　• Xiao Ze, Emperor Wu (武皇帝 蕭賾; 440–493), first son

　• Xiao Yi, Prince Yuzhang Wenxian (豫章文獻王 蕭嶷; 444–492), second son

• Guipin, of the Xie clan (貴嬪 謝氏)

　• Xiao Ying, Prince Linchuanxian (臨川獻王 蕭映; 459–490), third son

　• Xiao Huang, Prince Changshawei (長沙威王 蕭晃; 460–490), fourth son

• Guiren, of the Qu clan (貴人 區氏)

　• Xiao Jun, Prince Hengyang (衡陽王 蕭鈞; 473–494), 11th son

• Xiuyi, of the Lu clan (修儀 陸氏)

　• Xiao Qiang, Prince Poyang (鄱陽王 蕭鏘; 468–494), seventh son

　• Xiao Qiu, Prince Jinxi (晉熙王 蕭𨱇; 479–494), 18th son

• Xiurong, of the Yuan clan (修容 袁氏)

　• Xiao Shuo, Prince Guiyang (桂陽王 蕭鑠; 470–494), eighth son

• Shufei, of the Zhang clan (淑妃 張氏)

　• Xiao Feng, Prince Jiangxia (江夏王 蕭鋒; 475–494), 12th son

　• Xiao Xuan, Prince Hedong (河東王 蕭鉉; 480–498), 19th son

• Meiren, of the Liu clan (美人 李氏)

　• Xiao Rui, Prince Nanping (南平王 蕭銳; 476–494), 15th son

• Lady, of the Luo clan (羅氏)

　• Xiao Ye, Prince Wulingzhao (武陵昭王 蕭曄; 467–494), fifth son

• Lady, of the Ren clan (任氏)

　• Xiao Hao, Prince Anchenggong (安成恭王 蕭皓; 468–491), sixth son

• Lady, of the He clan (何氏)

　• Xiao Jian, Prince Shixingjian (始興簡王 蕭鑑; 471–491), tenth son

　• Xiao Keng, Prince Yidu (宜都王 蕭鏗; 477–494), 16th son

• Unknown

　• Princess Yixingxian (義興憲公主), first daughter

　　• Married Shen Wenhe (沈文和)

　• Princess Huainan (淮南公主), second daughter

　　• Married Wang Jian (王暕)

　• Princess Linhai (臨海公主), third daughter

　　• Married Wang Bin (王彬)

Ancestry

Genealogy

• Xiao Zheng (萧整)

　• Xiao Juan (萧隽)

　　• Xiao Lezi

　　　• Xiao Chengzhi (萧承之)

　　　　• Xiao Daocheng

　• Xiao Xia (萧辖)

　　• Xiao Fuzi (萧副子)

　　　• Xiao Daoci (萧道赐)

　　　　• Xiao Shunzhi (萧顺之)

　　　　　• Xiao Yan

生平

蕭道成是在元嘉四年(427年)丁卯歲，出生於劉宋南蘭陵郡蘭陵縣（今江蘇省常州市武進區）。為蘭陵蕭氏一族，即西漢丞相、酇文終侯蕭何的二十四世孫，五胡亂華後，其高祖淮陰令蕭整便跟隨東晉朝廷衣冠南渡。隨後便以軍功建立南齊、南梁王朝，成為僑姓士族的代表家族之一，而蕭道成也成為齊梁房支南齊房的始祖。

年少從戎

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉十六年(439年)－12歲

這一年，在雞籠山這個地方，一代儒學大家雷次宗開始在這邊講學，蕭道成便前去學習了《禮記》及《左傳》等儒家經典。

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉十七年(440年)－13歲

因為劉宋大將軍、司徒、彭城王劉義康因與文帝之間的矛盾日漸明顯，故自行上表求退，因而被外放為都督江州諸軍事、江州刺史，鎮守在豫章（今江西省南昌市），其父劉宋右軍將軍、晉興縣五等男蕭承之領兵駐防，蕭道成因此放棄學業與父親南下。另蕭道成在本年以13歲之齡與正妻劉智容生下長子蕭賾。

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉十九年(442年)－15歲

這年竟陵（今湖北省天門市）當地的蠻族動亂，宋文帝便派遣蕭道成領一支偏軍前去討伐沔水(漢水)北部一帶的蠻族。

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉二十一年(444年)－17歲

蕭道成率軍與北魏交戰，率軍至丘檻山，並於此擊敗北魏軍隊。

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉二十三年(446年)－19歲

蕭道成被命令隨同雍州刺史、封陽穆侯蕭思話，前往鎮守襄陽，並駐軍衛戍沔北。並且前往征討樊、鄧等一眾山中的蠻族部落，成功攻破這些蠻族的聚落。而此時的蕭道成也被任命為「左軍中兵參軍」。

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉二十七年(450年)－23歲

這年北魏率兵圍困劉宋在汝南（今河南省駐馬店市）當地的主帥，時任左軍行參軍行汝南郡事的陳憲，劉宋朝廷派遣寧朔將軍臧質、安蠻校尉(南平穆王劉鑠)司馬劉康祖前往救援。而宋文帝便讓蕭道成負責宣傳聖旨，並讓他節度諸軍。隨後這些援軍在聽聞北魏太武帝拓跋燾已經率軍前往彭城，臧質等人便率軍回援，當軍隊到達盱眙時，蕭道成與臧質別軍將領胡宗之等五軍，合計步騎數千人，作為援軍的前鋒。

但此時拓跋燾早已渡過淮河，因此兩軍便在莞山下相遇，宋軍戰敗，沿著淮河潰退，胡宗之等將領皆戰死。蕭道成率殘兵退往臧質之處固守，被北魏合兵圍攻，形勢一度十分危急，但最後蕭道成還是成功堅守，並順利返回京城。

劉宋宋文帝|文帝(劉宋)|元嘉二十九年(452年)－25歲

蕭道成率領偏軍征討仇池國，並成功攻克了蘭皋戍、武興戍二壘（今陝西省略陽縣）。而後從谷口入關中，在距離長安尚有八十里時，劉宋梁州刺史、寧遠將軍劉秀之派遣自己手下的司馬馬注前來協助蕭道成，二人合力攻克了談堤城。隨後北魏救兵趕到，蕭道成考慮到己方兵力已然不多又很是疲憊，又聽聞宋文帝駕崩，便燒城撤兵到南鄭（今陝西省漢中市）。而同年蕭道成也襲封了父親蕭承之的晉興縣五等男的爵位和食邑三百四十戶。

平步青雲

劉宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝孝建初年(454年)－27歲

被任命為劉宋大司馬、江夏文獻王劉義恭手下的「大司馬參軍」。

劉宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝孝建三年(456年)－29歲

隨著孝建三年十月丙午(456年12月7日)，江夏王劉義恭進位太宰，領司徒，蕭道成也被遷任官職，歷任「員外郎」、直閣中書舍人等官職。

劉宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝(劉宋)|大明二年(458年)－31歲

轉任撫軍將軍、揚州刺史、西陽王劉子尚屬下的「撫軍參軍」、而後又改任首都建康縣的縣令（建康令）。

劉宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝(劉宋)|大明五年(461年)－34歲

因為身為孝武帝劉駿堂妹的殷淑儀相當得到孝武帝的寵愛，因此二人的兒子新安王劉子鸞同樣也深受孝武帝的喜愛。在大明五年十月乙卯（461年11月20日），新安王劉子鸞改任北中郎將、南徐州刺史，領南琅邪太守。而同時他也選任幕僚官員，蕭道成也因此被選任為「北中郎中兵參軍」。而此時其母陳道正過世，蕭道成便辭官服喪。在服喪完後被起用為「武烈將軍、建康令、北中郎中兵參軍」

劉宋宋前廢帝|前廢帝景和元年(465年)－38歲

這年，蕭道成被前廢帝升任為「後軍將軍」（第四品）。

劉宋宋明帝|明帝(劉宋)|泰始元年(465年)－38歲

因前廢帝僅在位4個月，明帝便登基稱帝，蕭道成隨後轉任為「右軍將軍」（第四品）。

義嘉從龍

劉宋宋明帝|明帝(劉宋)|泰始二年(466年)－39歲

這年，劉宋江州長史鄧琬與雍州刺史袁顗等，在尋陽城推舉時年10歲的鎮軍將軍、晉安王劉子勛為帝，年號義嘉，並得到全國州鎮的支持，出兵討伐建康的宋明帝劉彧政權，史稱「義嘉之難」。

而前一年末，會稽太守、尋陽王劉子房在行會稽郡事的孔覬主導下，舉東方五郡（會稽、東陽、新安、臨海、永嘉）起事，以響應義嘉政權。於是宋明帝加蕭道成為「輔國將軍」（第三品），率軍前往平叛東方諸郡。到了晉陵，與劉子房手下的前鋒將領程捍、孫曇瓘等發生戰鬥，一天之間大破劉子房手下十二座堡壘，並分軍平定周遭諸縣，晉陵太守袁摽棄城走，東方諸郡遂平定了下來。

徐州刺史薛安都在彭城舉兵反抗明帝政權，派遣其兒子左將軍薛索兒攻打淮陰。劉宋山陽（今山東省巨野縣一帶）太守程天祚舉城叛宋投降北魏，徐州刺史申令孫亦再度投降北魏，於是宋明帝調蕭道成前往討伐。

此時的蕭道成剛從東方諸郡返還，又要準備征討南方，率軍駐紮在新亭，在接到明帝的命令後，隨即調軍北上。劉宋前軍此時已出發，之後蕭道成就接到薛索兒已經率步騎兵萬餘人從睢陵渡過淮河並擊殺禁軍將領孫耿，並且其軍隊已經直逼前軍鎮軍將軍張永的軍營，軍情告急。明帝在聽聞此消息後，急忙派遣蕭道成前往支援。隨後蕭道成在淮陰打敗薛索兒，追殺至徐州附近的鍾離，而後得勝回朝，朝廷任命蕭道成為「驍騎將軍」（第四品），封西陽縣侯（第二品），食邑六百戶。同時遷任衛將軍、巴陵哀王劉休若屬下的「衛軍司馬」，隨著巴陵王鎮守會稽（今浙江省紹興市）。

八月，義嘉政權派遣臨川內史張淹自鄱陽沿著山道進入三吳地區，禁軍將領沈思仁與偽龍驤將軍任皇、鎮西參軍劉越緒各自據險相守。隨後宋明帝派遣蕭道成領兵三千人前往討伐。而因此時劉宋朝廷所有軍械物資皆提供給南討的軍隊，蕭道成所率三千人軍資匱乏，於是蕭道成就用棕皮編成馬具裝，並砍竹子充作箭矢，隨後在夜晚舉著火把進軍，敵軍一見蕭道成部火炬連綿不斷，被嚇得不戰而逃。因此功，蕭道成被任命為征北大將軍、桂陽王劉休範屬下的「征北司馬、南東海太守、行南徐州事」。

十月，原本見聯軍土崩瓦解後，欲向劉宋朝廷上表請降的徐州刺史薛安都，卻因宋明帝受降的強硬姿態，派遣鎮軍將軍張永、中領軍沈攸之率5萬兵馬北上相迎其來朝，薛安都見此遂決心在彭城叛歸北魏。張永等兵敗彭城（今江蘇省徐州市），淮南地區劉宋勢力薄弱，便任命蕭道成為「假冠軍將軍（假即代理，第三品）、持節、都督北討前鋒諸軍事（持節都督，第二品）」，鎮守淮陰（今江蘇省淮安市）。

劉宋宋明帝|明帝(劉宋)|泰始三年(467年)－40歲

劉宋前將軍沈攸之、前軍將軍吳喜等北伐軍隊在睢口兵敗，蕭道成奉命解圍淮北，解圍成功後蕭道成升任為「督南兗、徐二州諸軍事、南兗州刺史（領兵刺史，第四品），持節、假冠軍將軍（假即代理，第三品）、督北討前鋒諸軍事」（持節都督，第二品），鎮守在廣陵。

劉宋宋明帝|明帝(劉宋)|泰始五年(469年)－42歲

蕭道成原本持節都督的範圍被增加為「都督兗、青、冀三州諸軍事」。

明帝生疑

劉宋宋明帝|明帝(劉宋)|泰始六年(470年)－43歲

六月，由於蕭道成在軍中日久，所以民間都說蕭道成長的和普通人不一樣，應該成為天子。宋明帝因此對其暗生疑心，想把蕭道成調回中央，以剝奪其兵權，因此把他任命為「黃門侍郎（第五品，皇帝近臣），領越騎校尉（第四品，禁軍將領）」，蕭道成畏懼而不敢拜受，朝廷只好恢復授予其冠軍將軍之職，留守本任。此時蕭道成手下的冠軍參軍荀伯玉勸蕭道成派遣數十騎兵進入北魏境內，張貼布告，號召北魏百姓起義。北魏朝廷聽聞此事，果然派出遊騎兵數百人，沿著兩國的邊境來回巡邏。蕭道成以此消息報告給劉宋朝廷，宋明帝只好恢復蕭道成的原職。

九月，蕭道成所部被更動駐地，從廣陵調到淮陰。

劉宋宋明帝|明帝(劉宋)|泰始七年(471年)－44歲

七月，因擔心蕭道成在淮陰有二心，與北魏有所勾連，宋明帝遂派遣淮陵太守、冠軍將軍吳喜率領三千人北使淮陰，並將軍隊駐紮在破釜，單人攜帶明帝所賜的銀壺酒封賜給蕭道成。蕭道成對此甚是畏懼，擔心這是毒酒，想要逃走，吳喜將情況告知以軍裝出來迎接的蕭道成，並且先將酒飲下，以表示無毒，蕭道成見到之後便也飲下酒。隨後吳喜返回建康後將蕭道成的情況上報給明帝，保證蕭道成的忠誠，明帝甚為欣喜。

不久，吳喜因素有計謀，明帝擔心會對太子劉昱有所威脅，便將吳喜害死。隨後又召蕭道成回建康，部下都認為蕭道成此去凶險，勸他不要回去，但蕭道成說道:「你們並沒有看透如前國內的形勢，只是因為如今太子年紀太小，擔心自己的兄弟在其死後會對太子有所威脅，所以才把自己的兄弟一一剪除，與他人無關。如今我必須立即出發返回京城，若有稍微延誤觀望，我必定受到陛下的猜忌。而且，如今劉宋皇室之間骨肉相殘，其政權勢必難以長久，諸位如今大禍將臨，各位要與我同心協力才是。」隨即蕭道成抵達建康，果然無事，被任命為「散騎常侍（第三品）、太子左衛率（第五品，東宮宿衛將領）」並加邑二百戶(食邑八百戶)。

入朝輔政

劉宋宋明帝|明帝泰豫元年(472年)－45歲

四月己亥（472年5月10日），宋明帝劉彧駕崩，年僅9歲的宋後廢帝劉昱即位。宋明帝遺詔中先任命了小皇帝的叔叔江州刺史、桂陽王劉休範加任為司空、侍中，隨後更是任命了五位託孤顧命大臣，分別是：

• 中書令、護軍將軍、散騎常侍、雩都縣伯褚淵

• 中領軍、尚書右僕射、鄱陽縣侯劉勔

• 尚書令、丹陽尹、興平縣子袁粲

• 使持節、都督荊湘雍益寧南北秦八州諸軍事、征西將軍、開府儀同三司、荊州刺史、散騎常侍、樂安縣伯蔡興宗

• 持節、都督郢州及豫州西西陽及司州之義陽二郡諸軍事、鎮軍將軍、郢州刺史、貞陽縣公沈攸之

又因褚淵素來與蕭道成關係良好，因此向當時臥病的宋明帝推薦蕭道成，因此在遺詔之中將蕭道成任命為「右衛將軍（第四品），領衛尉（第三品）」，加兵五百人，與上述等大臣共掌機要大事。

而後，蕭道成又別領東北選事（銓選職官的官職）。不久蕭道成被解除衛尉的職位，改加任「侍中（第三品）」，並負責石頭城的防務軍事。

平亂掌權

劉宋宋後廢帝|後廢帝(年號)|元徽二年(474年)－47歲

因宋明帝擔心後廢帝的叔叔們會威脅到他的統治，因此在統治晚期大肆諸殺宗室藩王，桂陽王劉休範因實在太過平凡而得以不受誅殺，但等到後廢帝即位後，劉休範開始對皇位有覬覦之心，開始練習騎馬，招攬士卒兵馬，並在這年五月，在尋陽（今江西省九江市）舉兵造反。數天之內便得士卒兩萬餘人，馬匹五百匹。隨後兵發盆口，乘坐商旅船艦，沿著長江直取建康而來。劉宋大雷戍主杜道欣、鵲頭戍主劉諐等皆急忙將此事變告知朝廷，朝廷聞此消息，無不惶駭驚懼。

蕭道成與護軍將軍褚淵、征北將軍張永、中領軍劉勔、尚書左僕射劉秉、遊擊將軍戴明寶、驍騎將軍阮佃夫、右軍將軍王道隆、中書舍人孫千齡、員外郎楊運長等朝廷大臣，集中在中書省一起商議對策，但卻沒有一個人開口說話。

蕭道成見此便說道:「昔日長江上游的造反，皆因行事過於遲緩而導致失敗，劉休範此次造反必定吸取過去的教訓，令士卒輕裝直下長江，趁我等不備而來。所以如今應變的方法，不應該派兵遠征。若遠征的部隊戰敗，則我方軍心必定受挫。如今我們應當在新亭、白下兩處堡壘屯兵，並派兵堅守建康宮城、東府城、石頭城三處。則劉休範的軍隊千里孤軍深入，沒有後繼之力，求戰不得之下必定軍隊潰散瓦解。所以我請求由我率軍屯兵新亭作為前鋒，征北將軍張永則率兵駐守白下，中堂過去是軍隊集結的地方，因此應由中領軍劉勔屯兵在宣陽門指揮各軍。至於其餘各位大人請安坐殿內，不須盡出，我必能擊破叛賊劉休範的軍隊。」在場的眾位大臣紛紛簽字同意剛剛蕭道成的建議。

但其中唯有中書舍人孫千齡，因為與劉休範早有秘密契約，因此獨排眾議的說道：「如今我們應該和過去一樣派遣軍隊佔據梁山等地，禁軍若不離開白下城，則應該屯兵南州。」蕭道成正色說道：「如今叛賊已經攻近，怎可派軍趕到梁山呢！新亭乃是兵家必爭之地，所以我欲誓死殺敵以報國厚恩罷了。平時我可以委曲求全，聽取你的諸般意見，但今日事關重大，絕不行聽你所言。」大家散會離座後，蕭道成對劉勔說道：「中領軍您已經和在下商議好對敵之策，之後切不可隨意改變。」隨後蕭道成乘坐馬車，身著白服，率領前鋒軍隊抵達新亭。劉宋朝廷任命蕭道成為「使持節、都督征討諸軍（持節都督，第二品）、平南將軍（第三品）」，加鼓吹一部。

一到新亭，蕭道成便開始修建城壘，但是尚未修築完畢，劉休範的叛軍前軍便已經抵達新亭了。蕭道成為了安撫士眾內心，於是解開衣服躺在床上，以示自己胸有成竹，隨後要來發布軍令的白虎幡，登上西邊的城牆。命令寧朔將軍高道慶、羽林監、彭澤縣子陳顯達、員外郎、重安縣子王敬則率領艦隊與叛賊進行水戰，從新林（胡三省注，古代港口名，距南宋建康城外二十里）至赤岸（古山名。今江蘇省南京市六合區東南）大破叛軍水師，燒其船艦，叛軍死傷甚眾。隨後叛軍在新林徒步上岸，蕭道成遣使稟報劉勔此處情況，接著命令手下使用大小浮橋渡上長江北岸。

此時，劉休範乘座肩輿率領叛軍來到新壘南側，蕭道成便派遣寧朔將軍、屯騎校尉、葛陽縣男黃回和冗從僕射、騎官主、馬軍主、晉安縣子周盤龍率領軍隊出壘與叛軍對陣。劉休範分兵攻打新壘東面，兩軍隨後短兵接戰，從巳時（9-11時）戰到午時（11-13時），見己方眾多兵將臉色都有點變色。蕭道成安撫眾將說道：「叛軍人雖然很多而軍陣卻是混亂不堪，不用多久我軍就可以把他們擊敗了。」隨後，蕭道成命龍驤將軍楊運長率領三齊射手七百人以箭矢掩護部隊，成功阻止敵軍直接攻打新壘。

劉休范身穿白色便服，坐著兩人抬的輕便小轎，親自登上新亭南面的臨滄觀，僅帶數十名衛士。官軍屯騎校尉黃回與越騎校尉張敬兒，商量向劉休范詐降，以便偷襲他。黃回對張敬兒說：「你可以取劉休范的性命，我曾發誓絕不誅殺親王！」張敬兒把這打算報告蕭道成，蕭道成說：「如果你能夠成功，就把本州賞賜給你。」張敬兒于是跟黃回出城南下，放下武器，邊跑邊大喊「投降」。劉休范大喜，把二人叫到轎旁，黃回假裝傳達蕭道成的秘密旨意，劉休范信以為真，把兩個兒子劉德宣、劉德嗣，送給蕭道成作為人質。兩個兒子一到，蕭道成立即把他們斬首。劉休范把黃回、張敬兒留在身邊，他的親信李恆、鐘爽，都加以勸阻，劉休范不聽。這時劉休范每天飲酒，黃回看劉休范沒有防備，便向張敬兒使一個眼色，張敬兒抽出劉休范的防身佩刀，砍下劉休范的人頭，侍衛人員驚慌逃竄，張敬兒騎馬飛奔，帶著劉休范的人頭跑回新亭。

蕭道成出自蘭陵蕭氏，父親蕭承之仕於劉宋為右將軍，蕭道成亦在劉宋擔任軍官，出鎮淮陰，任南兗州刺史。當時傳言他當為天子，宋明帝一度懷疑他，但最終釋然，後又召他回京。明帝駕崩，蕭道成以右衛將軍領衛尉的名銜，與其他數位大臣受遺詔掌機要，為輔政大臣。劉昱即位皇帝後，皇叔桂陽王兼江州刺史劉休範叛變，為蕭道成領軍所平定，權勢日隆。

但青春期的劉昱喜好弓馬，時常殺人取樂，又濫殺無辜，一次突然跑到蕭道成家中，道成是個大胖子，「方坦而晝臥，腹大如瓠」。劉昱玩心頓起，覺得這麼大的肚子是個絕好的箭靶，拿起箭來就「彎弓欲射其腹」。蕭道成苦苦哀求，左右隨從也紛紛勸解說：蕭大人肚子這麼大，這麼好的目標，一箭就射死太可惜了！以後想射就沒有了！好說歹說之下，劉昱答應去掉箭鏃才射，結果一箭射中肚臍，歡呼高歌而去。剩下嚇得一身冷汗，死裡逃生心有餘悸的權臣蕭道成。

477年，劉昱被蕭道成的黨羽楊玉夫所弒，蕭道成改立宋順帝劉準，獨攬朝政。並在同年和隔年（478年），分別消滅了忠於宋室的尚書令袁粲和割據地方的荊州刺史沈攸之，宰制全國。同年，以謀反為由殺南平王劉伯玉。

479年，蕭道成又剪除出鎮地方的宗室劉贊、劉綽等，以謀反為由誅殺鄱陽王劉士弘兄弟、原南平王劉宣曜兄弟等，邵陵王劉友、衡陽王劉伯道、始平王劉延之、巴陵王劉衝始、長沙王劉纂、南豐王劉頒等藩王也都在這一年「薨逝」。最終蕭道成于同年篡宋自立為天子，國號齊。登基後殺死包括順帝在內的明帝諸子。

他為政務節儉，實施檢籍政策，清查詐入士族籍貫的寒人。

與南朝宋的劉裕一樣，在位僅四年去世，終年56歲。

除了在政治上的功業，蕭道成也廣覽經學、史學書籍，善寫作文、書法和下棋。

北宋的司馬光評論他：「高帝以功名之盛，不容於昏暴之朝，逆取而順守之，亦一時之良主也。」

經歷

• 元嘉二十三年(446年)－19歲：左軍中兵參軍

• 元嘉二十九年(452年)－25歲：襲封父親的晉興縣五等男爵位（食邑三百四十戶）

• 孝建初年(454年)－27歲：大司馬參軍

• 孝建三年(456年)－29歲：員外郎→直閣中書舍人

• 大明二年(458年)－31歲：撫軍參軍→建康令

• 大明五年(461年)－34歲：北中郎中兵參軍→武烈將軍、建康令、北中郎中兵參軍

• 景和元年(465年)－38歲：後軍將軍

• 泰始元年(465年)－38歲：右軍將軍

• 泰始二年(466年)－39歲：輔國將軍→驍騎將軍、衛軍司馬，封西陽縣侯爵位（食邑六百戶）→征北司馬、南東海太守、行南徐州事→假冠軍將軍、持節、都督北討前鋒諸軍事

• 泰始三年(467年)－40歲：都督南兗、徐二州諸軍事、南兗州刺史，持節、假冠軍將軍、都督北討前鋒諸軍事

• 泰始五年(469年)－42歲：都督南兗、徐、兗、青、冀三州諸軍事、南兗州刺史，持節、假冠軍將軍、都督北討前鋒諸軍事

• 泰始七年(471年)－44歲：散騎常侍、太子左衛率，加邑二百戶(食邑八百戶)

• 泰豫元年(472年)－45歲：右衛將軍、衛尉→右衛將軍、侍中

• 元徽二年(474年)－47歲：持節、都督征討諸軍、平南將軍→散騎常侍、中領軍、都督南兗徐兗青冀五州軍事、鎮軍將軍、南兗州刺史，持節，封西陽縣公爵位，加邑二千戶(食邑二千八百戶)

• 元徽四年(476年)－49歲：尚書左僕射、散騎常侍、中領軍、都督南兗徐兗青冀五州軍事、鎮軍將軍、南兗州刺史，持節

• 元徽五年(477年)－50歲：驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司→驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、南徐州刺史→驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、南徐州刺史、督豫、司二州諸軍事

• 昇明二年(478年)－51歲：太尉、都督南徐、南兗、徐、兗、青、冀、司、豫、荊、雍、湘、郢、梁、益、廣、越十六州諸軍事，加邑三千戶（五千八百戶）→假黃鉞、都督中外諸軍事、太傅、領揚州牧、使持節、太尉、驃騎大將軍、錄尚書事、南徐州刺史

• 昇明三年(479年)－52歲：相國，總百揆、封十郡為齊公，備九錫之禮、驃騎大將軍、揚州牧、南徐州刺史→加封十郡為齊王、相國、揚州牧、驃騎大將軍、南徐州刺史

• 建元元年(479年)－52歲：登基稱帝，建立南齊王朝，改元建元

• 建元四年(482年)－55歲：駕崩于臨光殿，謚曰太祖高皇帝

家庭

父母

• 父：齊宣帝蕭承之

• 母：孝宣皇后陳道正

異母兄

• 大哥 衡陽元王蕭道度

• 二哥 始安貞王蕭道生：其子蕭鸞即位為皇帝後追封其為景皇。

后妃

• 皇后

　• 劉智容，生武帝、豫章文獻王嶷

• 妃嬪

　• 羅太妃，生武陵昭王蕭曅，追封

　• 任太妃，生安成恭王蕭暠

　• 何太妃，生始興簡王蕭鑒、宜都王蕭鏗

　• 謝貴嬪，生臨川獻王蕭映、長沙威王蕭晃

　• 陸修儀，生鄱陽王蕭鏘、晉熙王蕭銶

　• 袁修容，生桂陽王蕭鑠

　• 區貴人，生衡陽王蕭鈞

　• 張淑妃，生江夏王蕭鋒、河東王蕭鉉

　• 李美人，生南平王蕭銳

兒女

• 兒

　• 長子 蕭賾：字宣遠，後為齊武帝，母高昭皇后劉智容。

　• 次子 蕭嶷：豫章文獻王，母高昭皇后劉智容。

　• 三子 蕭映：臨川獻王，母謝貴嬪。

　• 四子 蕭晃：長沙威王，母謝貴嬪。

　• 五子 蕭曅：武陵昭王，母羅太妃。494年卒。

　• 六子 蕭暠：安成恭王，母任太妃。

　• 七子 蕭鏘：鄱陽王，母陸修儀。494年被齊明帝所殺。

　• 八子 蕭鑠：桂陽王，母袁修容。

　• 九子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十子 蕭鑑：始興簡王，母何太妃。

　• 十一子 蕭鈞：衡陽王，母區貴人。

　• 十二子 蕭鋒：江夏王，母張淑妃。

　• 十三子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十四子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十五子 蕭銳：南平王，母李美人。

　• 十六子 蕭鏗：宜都王，母何太妃。

　• 十七子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十八子 蕭銶：晉熙王，母陸修儀。

　• 十九子 蕭鉉：河東王，母張淑妃。

• 女

　• 長女 義興憲公主：下嫁沈文和

　• 次女 淮南長公主：下嫁王暕

　• 三女 臨海長公主：下嫁王彬

後裔

• 七世孫：蕭德緒，唐朝銀青光祿大夫、舒杭潁三州刺史、蘭陵郡公。

　• 八世孫：蕭元晃，徐州蘄縣令。

　　• 九世孫：蕭凝，信州錄事參軍

　　　• 十世孫：蕭鍊（？－805年），字惟柔，天德軍攝團練判官、太原府參軍。

　　　　• 十一世孫：蕭紹初

　　　　• 十一世孫：乳名鄭兒