生平

早年生活

劉裕家族在早年隨晉室南渡，長居京口（今江蘇鎮江市），《宋書》說他是漢高祖劉邦的弟弟楚王劉交第二十一世孫。《魏書》則猜測其祖先可能姓項。劉裕於興寧元年三月壬寅日（363年4月16日）出生，其時家境貧苦，母親更因分娩後疾病去世，父親劉翹無力請乳母給劉裕哺乳，一度打算拋棄他，只因劉懷敬之母伸出援手，養育劉裕，才得以活下來。劉裕長大後，「雄傑有大度」，身高七尺六寸，風骨奇偉，不拘小節。劉裕早年曾以賣鞋為生，但卻又常賭博樗蒲，傾盡家財，遭鄉里賤視，亦因不修品行而不為當世人們所賞識。不過，劉裕才能出眾，且有大志，當時出身琅琊王氏的王謐就十分敬重他，更曾向他說：「你應當會成為一代英雄。」。

投戎建功

劉裕及後從軍，最初就任北府軍將領、冠軍將軍孫無終的司馬。隆安三年（399年），孫恩起兵反抗晉朝，自海島攻下會稽，三吳各郡皆響應他，孫恩之亂由而爆發。另一北府將領、前將軍劉牢之率軍鎮壓，當時他就請了劉裕參府軍事。

當時劉裕奉命率數十人去偵察敵軍，卻遇上數千人的敵軍並發生戰鬥，雖然所帶的人大多戰死了，但劉裕仍揮動長刀抵抗，殺傷多人。劉牢之子劉敬宣派兵搜尋劉裕，見劉裕獨力抵抗，都讚歎劉裕的能力，並率軍進攻，俘殺一千多人。不久諸軍擊敗孫恩各軍，又攻下會稽郡治所山陰（今浙江紹興市），令孫恩退回海島。

次年（400年）五月，孫恩再襲會稽，殺害駐鎮會稽的謝琰，至十一月時劉牢之率軍前往才擊退孫恩。劉牢之及後命劉裕守句章（今浙江寧波市）。當時句章城小兵弱，而劉裕就常做好作戰準備。翌年（401年）二月孫恩就率眾自浹口（今浙江鎮海）進攻句章，而劉裕就身先士卒，每戰都摧其鋒銳，致令孫恩無法攻下句章，反為劉牢之所敗。三月，孫恩轉戰海鹽（今浙江海鹽縣），劉裕跟隨其進攻方向，於海鹽築城抵抗，又大敗來攻的孫恩。

孫恩後循海路至丹徒（今江蘇鎮江市丹徒區），劉裕率不足千人的部隊趕路，與孫恩同時趕至。當時劉裕軍隊疲累，丹徒守軍亦無鬥志，但面對孫恩來襲，劉裕仍能率眾大敗對方，逼其狼狽登船撤離岸上。孫恩不久轉屯鬱洲（今江蘇灌雲縣東北），朝廷以劉裕為建武將軍、下邳太守，討伐孫恩，多次交戰後大破對方，令其勢力轉弱而南撤。劉裕接著追擊，又再敗孫恩，令其再度逃到海島。次年孫恩就被消滅。

建義討桓

元興元年（402年），驃騎大將軍司馬元顯下令討伐荊州刺史桓玄，並以劉牢之為前鋒。桓玄率軍兵臨建康時，劉裕請求進攻，但劉牢之不肯，反而想叛歸桓玄。劉裕當時與何無忌極力諫止但都無效，劉牢之終向桓玄請降，桓玄亦順利消滅司馬元顯的勢力，掌握朝政。

事後桓玄調劉牢之為會稽內史以削其軍權，劉牢之圖據廣陵（今江蘇揚州市）叛桓玄，但劉裕認為人心已去，事必不成而拒絕與劉牢之合作，最終劉牢之因失去僚屬的支持而自殺。桓脩後以劉裕為其中兵參軍，並於同年參與討伐統領孫恩餘黨的盧循、徐道覆。當時桓玄誅殺了多名北府舊將，但劉裕仍領兵討伐盧循部眾，更獲加任彭城內史。及至桓玄篡位後次年（404年），劉裕跟從桓脩入朝建康，桓玄亦十分賞識他，出遊都殷勤接引，賞賜亦甚為豐厚。當時桓玄皇后劉氏就勸桓玄除去劉裕，但桓玄仍圖藉助劉裕攻略中原，拒絕加害。

早在劉牢之失敗之時，劉裕就向何無忌說：「桓玄若果守著臣子的忠節，就應與你輔助他；否則，就要與你對付他。」及至劉裕入朝後回到京口，就與何無忌、劉毅、孟昶、諸葛長民、王元德等人合謀舉兵討伐桓玄，並準備在京口、廣陵、歷陽（今安徽和縣）及建康（今江蘇南京市）四地同時起兵。元興三年二月乙卯（404年3月24日），劉裕託詞遊獵而外出募眾，終得百多人。次日（3月25日）早上起兵，何無忌殺桓脩，當時桓脩司馬刁弘率眾前來，劉裕則假稱江州刺史郭昶之已在尋陽（今江西九江市）迎晉安帝復位，桓玄更已被處決，自己只是奉密詔誅除桓氏叛黨。刁弘信以為真，劉裕不久就誅除刁弘，控制了京口。同時孟昶等亦成功控制了廣陵，並率眾至京口與劉裕會合，劉裕獲眾人推舉為盟主，總督徐州事，並於次日（3月26日）起兵進攻建康。

桓玄先派吳甫之及皇甫敷抵抗劉裕，劉裕先於江乘（今江蘇句容北）殺吳甫之，至江乘以南的羅落橋時奮力作戰，又殺皇甫敷，繼續進攻。三月己未日（3月28日），劉裕進攻覆舟山，並命弱兵登山，持著旗幟分道而行，營造四周皆有士兵，數量很多的假象；而又因桓玄守軍大多是北府軍出身，面對劉裕都沒有鬥志，劉裕於是與諸軍進攻，順利以火攻擊潰桓玄守軍，而桓玄亦棄城西逃。

劉裕於三月壬戌日（3月31日）獲王謐等人推舉為使持節、都督揚兗豫青冀幽並八州諸軍事、鎮軍將軍，徐州刺史。不久，劉裕奉武陵王司馬遵承制總百官行事。劉裕在進建康城後派諸將追擊桓玄，終於當年六月誅殺了桓玄，並讓在江陵（今湖北江陵）的晉安帝復位。然而，桓氏勢力仍在荊州盤據，並反攻江陵，直至義熙元年（405年）才再收復江陵，驅逐當地桓氏勢力，並自江陵迎晉安帝回建康，不久劉裕就還鎮丹徒。

義熙二年（406年），劉裕因功受封為豫章郡公。義熙四年正月（408年），因上年年末揚州刺史、錄尚書事王謐去世，劉裕聽從劉穆之的勸言入朝議繼任人選，終獲授侍中、車騎將軍、開府儀同三司、揚州刺史、錄尚書事、徐兗二州刺史，入掌朝政大權。

平定盧循

盧循、徐道覆趁劉裕領兵在外，於義熙六年（410年）起兵，進攻江州。當時朝廷急徵劉裕，而當時劉裕剛滅南燕，收到詔書就撤還建康。劉裕至山陽（今江蘇淮安市）時知江州刺史何無忌已戰死，於是加速回防建康，並於四月趕至。五月，豫州刺史劉毅大敗給盧循，盧循繼續東下，而劉裕當時就招募兵眾，修治石頭城並於當地聚兵。不過，由於劉裕急急南返，士卒多有傷病，而建康兵力亦不過千人，面對有十多萬人的盧循大軍顯得實力懸殊，然而劉裕堅決不肯接受諸葛長民及孟昶奉安帝北歸廣陵避敵的建議，決意死戰。

盧循軍到後停駐蔡洲（今江蘇江寧縣西南江中），劉裕就以木柵阻斷石頭城及淮口，修治越城（今江寧縣南）並建查浦、藥園、廷尉三個堡壘，分兵戍守以禦盧循，盧循曾分疑兵進攻白石及查浦，自率大軍進攻丹陽郡，但都沒有取勝，而且在各縣中都無法搶掠到物資，被逼於七月退兵江州。同年十月，劉裕率劉藩、檀韶、劉敬宣等人進攻盧循，並於十二月以火攻擊敗盧循船隊。盧循敗後試圖於左里（今鄱陽湖口）擋住劉裕，但劉裕率軍奮戰，盧循軍無法阻擋而大敗，盧循因而南逃廣州。劉裕早於盧循撤出蔡洲後就已派了孫處及沈田子經海路攻佔了盧循根據地番禺，盧循敗逃廣州後於義熙七年（411年）又於廣州敗於沈田子等人，終在交州被刺史杜慧度所殺。

誅除異己

劉裕於義熙七年（411年）班師回到建康，並受太尉、中書監職位。次年（412年）四月，劉裕以劉毅為荊州刺史。劉毅自以能力不亞於劉裕，甚不服在劉裕以下，他亦得朝中有名望人士歸心交結，故此遷鎮荊州時就將大部分豫州府屬及江州萬多人的軍隊都帶去荊州，到任後又重新調度荊州郡縣首長，更以患病為由請堂弟劉藩去做他副手。劉裕知其有異心，於是假意答允其請求，但就乘劉藩自兗州治所廣陵入朝時就指稱他與謝混圖謀不軌，將二人賜死，接著就率軍自建康出發討伐劉毅。劉裕派王鎮惡為前鋒，沿路聲言是劉藩前來去騙倒各戍和民眾，直至江陵城外五六里時才被發現，但已趕及在劉毅關閉城門前率兵入城，並在城內作戰。城中民眾知劉裕在率軍前來都十分驚恐，劉毅不敵王鎮惡，唯有出逃，並於牛牧寺自殺。劉裕隨後來到江陵，誅殺了劉毅親信郗僧施，消滅了劉毅勢力。

劉裕征劉毅時以諸葛長民留守府事，但諸葛長民見劉毅敗死，自己亦深感不安，更意圖作亂，劉裕回建康時故意拖慢進度，讓等待迎接他的諸葛長民及其他官員接連幾日都等不到劉裕。劉裕卻乘輕舟快快進城，進入了官邸東府。諸葛長民知道劉裕突然回來了，於是拜訪，劉裕暗中命壯士丁旿埋伏，故意和諸葛長民閒話家常，乘諸葛長民警覺性下降時命丁旿將其殺死，接著又誅殺了長民弟諸葛黎民等人。劉裕接著就加鎮西將軍、豫州刺史，接掌諸葛長民的原職。清除京口武將中的異己勢力之後，劉裕在412年底發動晉滅譙蜀之戰，隔年（413年）西征主將朱齡石成功滅譙蜀，使劉裕加授羽葆、鼓吹及班劍二十人。

412年征討劉毅時，劉裕以晉宗室司馬休之接任荊州刺史。司馬休之頗得當地人心，劉裕懷疑他別有用心想自立；在義熙十年（414年），其子司馬文思又在建康招集輕俠，令劉裕十分厭惡，司馬文思終因被揭發殺害官吏而被捕，劉裕誅殺其黨眾而免文思死，反送他到司馬休之那裏，要他親自教誨他，實質就是要司馬休之將其處死。然而，司馬休之並沒有殺文思，只是上表廢掉文思的譙王爵位，並寫信向劉裕道歉。這舉動令劉裕對其大感不滿，立刻就命江州刺史孟懷玉戒備，準備先下手為強。

義熙十一年（415年），劉裕殺了司馬休之在建康的次子司馬文寶及侄兒司馬文祖，並出兵討伐司馬休之，自加黃鉞，領荊州刺史。司馬休之則上表劉裕罪狀，派兵抵抗；當時雍州刺史魯宗之自感不被劉裕所容，故與司馬休之聯結。劉裕前鋒徐逵之初戰敗於魯軌，眾將除蒯恩外皆戰死，劉裕大怒。然而當他到時，魯軌及司馬文思率軍在懸岸峭壁上列陣，令劉裕難以登岸，胡藩當時就冒險攀登，司馬文思等竟不能抵擋，劉裕就乘對方後撤的機會登岸進攻，終擊潰司馬休之的軍隊，攻下江陵，司馬休之及魯宗之北投後秦。

劉裕在消滅司馬休之後獲劍履上殿、入朝不趨、贊拜不名的崇禮，次年（416年）正月更獲加領平北將軍、兗州刺史、都督南秦州諸軍事，至此其一人已經都督徐州、南徐、豫、南豫、兗、南兗、青、冀、幽、弁、司、郢、荊、江、湘、雍、梁、益、寧、交、廣、南秦共二十二州。

兩度北伐

在魏晉十六國時期，東晉雖偏安江南，卻始終沒有放棄收複中原等漢地北部地區，所以屢次發動北伐戰爭。後秦、南燕出于內亂而敗亡；公元397年北魏軍攻下中山，後燕官吏兵投降兩萬餘人，後燕的疆域被切斷為南燕和北燕二部，405年南燕又發生政變；416年姚興卒，後秦內亂不斷，鎮守蒲阪和嶺北的姚懿、姚恢先後率叛軍進攻長安。劉裕趁後秦、南燕內亂之際，乘機出兵，並一舉攻滅。這次收複中原的版圖之多，是東晉歷次北伐中最成功、影響最深遠的一次，也是以前的多次北伐都無法與之比擬的。

消滅南燕

義熙五年（409年），南燕皇帝慕容超因為缺乏太樂伎人，派兵侵略淮北的宿豫城（今江蘇宿遷縣東南），大掠民眾北歸。及後又派兵進攻淮北，擄去陽平和濟南兩郡太守，俘擄千多家。

劉裕因此上表北伐，並於同年四月出發。當時劉裕認為燕軍短視，不會據守大峴山（今山東臨朐縣東南）天險並堅壁清野，只會進據臨朐（今山東臨朐縣），退守都城廣固（今山東青州市），而當時南燕軍的行動亦果然如此。慕容超知晉軍過了大峴山就親自率軍到臨朐，劉裕前鋒先於巨蔑水擊退燕軍，接著攻臨朐城。晉燕兩軍於臨朐以南作戰，胡藩獻計出奇兵突襲臨朐城內，最終成功攻克，慕容超倉皇自城中逃至城南大軍那裏，而此時劉裕命軍隊進攻，大敗燕軍並斬殺其十多名大將，慕容超於是逃回廣固。劉裕接著乘勝追擊至廣固，並成功攻克其外城。慕容超據守小城抵抗，劉裕就築圍圍困廣固。劉裕圍城戰爭一直維持至次年二月才攻下廣固，並俘殺慕容超，滅了南燕。

北伐關中

劉裕在當日平滅南燕後就已經有攻略後秦的打算，只因盧循作亂才逼令他班師建康，而劉裕在消滅了國內主要異己後，又再重拾昔日計劃。劉裕在獲加督至二十二州後月餘，又獲加中外大都督，解徐兗二州刺史而改領司、豫二州刺史，並奉琅琊王司馬德文北伐，打著晉朝皇室旗號安撫北方漢人。至五月又加北雍州刺史。終在八月，劉裕正式自建康出兵，進軍至彭城（今江蘇徐州市）後又加北徐州刺史。十月，劉裕所派的檀道濟等進攻洛陽（今河南洛陽市），守將姚洸出降，成功收復洛陽。

次年（417年）正月，劉裕自彭城率水軍西進，進入黃河。劉裕一直進軍至潼關，命王鎮惡率軍經渭河進攻後秦都城長安（今陝西西安市），王鎮惡於渭橋大敗姚丕，姚泓所率的軍隊亦因遭姚丕敗兵踐踏而潰亂，最終姚泓於八月出降，後秦滅亡。劉裕於次月到達長安，大賞將士並誅殺歸降的後秦宗室姚璞、姚讚及其百多名宗族。

同年十一月，留守建康的劉穆之去世，當時劉裕還想以長安做基地進攻西北北涼等國，只是諸將都思鄉，大多都不想留下；劉裕向來倚重的劉穆之去世更令他覺得建康根本之地已空虛無靠，於是下了決心班師東歸。劉裕於是留了當時僅得十一歲的次子劉義真鎮守長安，並留下王鎮惡、王脩、沈田子、毛德祖等將領協助他。當地人民知道劉裕要走都向他哭訴，希望他回心轉意，然而劉裕去意已決，還是在當年十二月出發離開。

然而，劉裕走後次年，諸將內訌，沈田子殺王鎮惡，王脩殺沈田子，而劉義真又在諸將唆擺下命人殺害王脩，於是關中大亂，夏國乘機進攻關中，劉裕唯有召還劉義真，派朱齡石等代鎮長安，更指令若關中不能守下去就可放棄。最終晉軍還是撤出長安，關中地區遭夏國佔領。

篡晉建宋

義熙十四年（418年），劉裕接受相國、總百揆、揚州牧的官職，以十郡建「宋國」，受封為宋公，並接受九錫的特殊禮待。同年，劉裕命令中書侍郎王韶之與晉安帝左右侍從密謀以毒酒毒殺安帝，王韶之於是乘司馬德文因病出宮的機會下手，縊殺安帝。當時劉裕因為相信預言書說：「昌明（晉孝武帝）之後尚有二帝」，於是聲稱依照遺詔，立了司馬德文為皇帝，即晉恭帝。

元熙元年（419年），劉裕進爵為宋王，又加十郡增益宋國，令宋國包括了二十郡。年末劉裕又獲加皇帝規格的的十二旒冕、天子旌旗等一系列特殊禮待。元熙二年（420年），劉裕入輔，傅亮知劉裕想要晉恭帝禪讓帝位予他但難於啓齒，於是代為向恭帝暗示，恭帝於是在六月禪讓帝位給劉裕，東晉滅亡，劉裕即位為帝，改國號為「宋」，改元永初。劉裕在稱帝之後，為了斬草除根，還殺掉了恭帝。此行為可謂劉裕一生中一個汙點，因為其行為開啟了前朝遜位之主不得善終之先（新朝王莽之於西漢孺子嬰、曹魏文帝曹丕之於東漢獻帝劉協、西晉武帝司馬炎之於曹魏元帝曹奐，都沒有加害前朝末主），至此，南朝末主除了陳後主陳叔寶其亡國非遭逢篡位外，全都被改朝換代的新主所殺。

永初三年（422年），劉裕患病，五月病重時遺命司空徐羨之、尚書僕射傅亮、領軍將軍謝晦及護軍將軍檀道濟四人為顧命大臣，輔助太子劉義符。劉裕於五月癸亥日（6月26日）去世，享年六十歲。

劉裕稱帝之後，將亡妻臧愛親神牌供入太廟為天子七廟之一，令其成為中國曆史上首個女廟主。劉裕此舉因不合禮法受到後世譏諷。王鳴盛指出這是劉裕意在讓自己死後得到太祖廟號。但劉裕未能如願，他最後的廟號為高祖，諡為武皇帝，葬在初寧陵（今江蘇南京紫金山）。

為政措施

劉裕自他繼王謐以錄尚書事掌權起直至其去世，一直掌握著東晉以及南朝宋的軍政大權，曾對當時積弊已久的政治、經濟狀況有所整頓。

• 門閥士族兼併土地的行為令百姓流離失所，無法保護其產業，劉裕則一改東晉以來對這種事寬鬆的規管，重訂規管並展示公眾，大大抑制了門閥豪強的兼並行為。及至會稽虞氏的虞亮藏匿一千多名脫離戶籍逃亡的人，劉裕將之處死，連時任會稽內史的司馬休之也遭免官。另劉裕又針對當時門閥豪強私佔山澤，人民去砍柴釣魚都受限制的問題，禁止豪強這種行為。刁氏一族向來富有，奴客亦多，在其宗族桓玄敗死後被誅滅時，劉裕亦將刁家的資產都分發給人民，讓人們按己力取用，賑濟當時處於饑荒及戰亂中的人民。劉裕亦於義熙九年（413年）將臨沂、湖熟原屬皇后所有，用來資助其化妝品開銷的田地分配給窮人。如此削奪了世族以及皇室的私產，用來資濟人民。即位為帝後更派大使巡行四方，舉善旌賢，訪問民間疾苦。

• 劉裕選才用人不重門第而重其才能，故對於寒門出身的劉穆之一直予以重任，在收復建康後讓他主持政局，大改官場之風，及至在劉裕領兵在外時更讓其主掌中樞重任。劉裕在晉時見州郡推薦的很多秀才、孝廉水平都不合要求，於是上請申明舊制，以策試考核他們。至登位後更曾到延賢堂為各秀才、孝廉作策試。而曾與劉裕起兵討伐桓玄的魏順之在盧循之亂時因為不敢救援部將謝寶，反倒退卻；魏順之雖為功臣，亦是魏詠之的弟弟，但劉裕大怒之下仍將其處死，此舉亦震懾其他桓玄之役中的功臣，都聽籨其命令。

• 劉裕於義熙九年（413年）再度實行土斷，各地人民依界土斷，只有僑居於晉陵的徐、兗、青三州人民不受影響，而當時很多僑郡僑縣都在這次土斷中被裁撤，重新整理了全國戶籍，便利於統計藏匿人口及增加賦稅收入。永初元年（420年），劉裕更下令所有逃避戶籍的人只要在限期內自首就能獲赦，並免去他們兩年的租賦，但凡有黃籍或證明文件的人都可恢復其原籍，再次減少國內藏匿人口。

• 劉裕消滅劉毅後，下令嚴禁荊、江二州地方官吏濫征租稅、徭役，規定租稅、徭役，都以現存戶口為準。凡是州、郡、縣的官吏利用官府之名，占據屯田、園地獲利的，皆一律廢除。劉裕即位後，下令凡宮府需要的物資都要到市場採購，照價給錢，不得向人民徵調。又下令官員不可徵去人民車牛，亦不能以官威逼迫人民獻出車牛，另亦將繁多的交易稅項作出減省，便利市場商業交易。

劉裕對政治、經濟的整頓，進一步打擊了門閥士族的勢力，改善了政治和社會狀況，對平民百姓的痛苦亦有所減輕。

而劉裕在建立南朝宋後亦削弱強藩，集權中央，於是限制了荊州州府置將和官吏數額，前者不可多於二千人，後者亦不可多於一萬人；另其他州府置將及官吏數亦不分別不得多於五百人及五千人。為防止權臣擁兵，他特別下詔命不得再別置軍府，宰相領揚州刺史的話可置一千兵。而凡大臣外任要職要需軍隊防衞，或要出兵討伐，一律配以朝廷軍隊，事情完結後軍隊都需交回朝廷。另劉裕為防外戚亂政，下令有幼主的話都委事宰相，不需太后臨朝。

性格特徵

• 劉裕高七尺六寸，氣質奇特。

• 劉裕行軍法令嚴明，軍隊軍容齊整，絕不擾民。而他在軍事行動的分析亦常常精準無誤，例如伐南燕時料定燕軍不會據守大峴山抵抗，而慕容德果然否決公孫五樓守大峴的計劃。命令朱齡石征伐西蜀時亦預計敵方會猜測晉軍循內水進攻，必以重兵守涪城，於是指令要從外水進攻，改派疑兵引誘涪城重兵，以圖直取成都。最終亦正如劉裕預計那樣，朱齡石成功繞過涪城重兵，直取成都，獲得勝利。

• 在生活上劉裕崇節儉，不愛珍寶，不喜豪華，宮中嬪妃也少。寧州地方官曾經奉獻琥珀枕，是無價之寶，他不稀罕。在出征後秦時，有人說琥珀能夠治療傷口，他就命人將它砸碎，分給將領作為治傷藥。平定關中後，他得到了美女姚氏（後秦天王姚興的姪女），十分寵愛。臣下謝晦勸諫他不要因女色而荒廢政務，他當晚就將姚氏送出宮去。後來劉裕進封宋公，東西堂將要放置以金塗釘釘製的局腳牀，但劉裕以節為由而改用鐵釘釘製的直腳牀。又一次廣州進貢一匹筒細布，劉裕因其過於精巧瑰麗，製作必定擾民，故此下令彈劾獻布那郡的太守，將布匹送還並下令禁止再製作這種布。劉裕因患有熱病，常常要有冰冷的物件去降溫，於是有人就獻上石床。劉裕躺上冰冷的石床，感到十分舒服，但又感木牀已經很耗人力，大石頭要磨成牀就更甚了，於是下令將石床砸毀。劉裕更加下令將自己昔日的農具收起，留給後人。其子宋文帝一次看見，得知內情後大感慚愧。而其孫宋孝武帝拆毀劉裕生前的臥室而建玉燭殿，發現牀頭上有土帳，牆上掛著葛布製的燈籠及麻製蠅拂，袁顗稱許劉裕有儉素之德，但孝武帝沒有說甚麼，只說：「老農夫有這些東西，已經過於富裕了。」

• 劉裕不擅文才，故劉毅曾在宴會中特地賦詩：「六國多雄士，正始出風流」特意展示其文學造詣勝過劉裕。劉裕書法亦差，曾被劉穆之規勸，並在其指示下改寫大字。

• 劉裕不信神祇，登位後更曾下令將民間廟宇拆毀，只有先賢以及以有勳德的人的廟祠才得豁免。劉裕去世前患病，群臣上請劉裕祈求神祇庇佑，但劉裕不接受，只派了謝方明去太廟告知祖先。

• 劉裕重恩惡仇，對其有恩者必有回報，對其有仇者也會毫不留情; 昔日劉裕曾欠下刁逵三萬錢，無力償還，被刁逵抓著，王謐則去見刁逵，並替劉裕償還欠款，劉裕才得釋放；而當時劉裕既無名聲亦貧賤，不被其他具名望人士看重，唯有王謐去與他結交。王謐後在桓玄篡位時奉天子玉璽及冊文給桓玄，在桓楚任司徒，更獲封公爵，甚為禮侍。劉裕義軍攻下建康後，王謐仍任司徒，領揚州刺史、錄尚書事，但王謐既因在桓楚任高職，甚得寵待，故很不安心，最終出奔。然而劉裕沒有向王謐問罪，並念及昔日恩情，請武陵王司馬遵追還王謐，並讓其官復原職。而昔日為其債主的刁逵，在桓楚任豫州刺史，並為桓玄收捕起義失敗的諸葛長民。他在桓玄敗後出奔，終被部下抓住，可是刁氏一族接著卻遭誅殺，只有刁聘獲赦，然而不久刁聘亦因謀反而被誅，令刁氏族滅。

逸事

• 傳說劉裕出生時有神光照亮室內，當晚還降甘露。

• 劉裕曾到京口竹林寺，並獨自躺臥在寺內講堂內。一眾僧人竟看見他上面有五色龍形物體出現，大感吃驚並告知劉裕，劉裕則十分高興起說：「僧人是不會說謊的。」

• 有言曲阿、丹徒有天子之氣，而劉翹的墓就在丹徒，當時一個叫孔恭的人擅長占卜墓穴吉凶，劉裕一次就在父親墓前問孔恭，孔恭就言那是不平凡的墓地。劉裕聽後更為自負。更劉裕又覺得身邊總有兩條小龍，連旁人也曾看見過，至劉裕名聲漸高時，小龍也變大了。

• 傳說劉裕一次去伐木砍柴，射傷了一條大蛇。翌日再去時卻聽見有杵臼搗藥的聲音，發現有幾個小童正在製藥。劉裕於是問他們為何要製藥，小童則答：「我們的王被劉寄奴射傷，所以要製藥醫治。」劉裕追問：「你們的王既有神通，為何不殺了他？」小童卻答：「劉寄奴是王者，不可以殺。」劉裕喝跑了小童，拿走他們的藥。後來一次到下邳遊玩，一個僧人向他說：「江南地區會有動亂，令此地安定的人就是你呀。」僧人又給了劉裕一些傷藥，接著就失去了蹤影。劉裕手部有傷患，一直都無法痊癒，但用了僧人的藥一次後卻痊癒了。劉裕於是視剩餘的的傷藥及當日在小童那裏的藥為珍寶，每次受了傷，用那些藥都能醫好。

• 盧循譏諷劉裕智窮，劉裕則以續命湯反譏盧循命不長。典出藝文類聚·卷八十七：果部下：益智。

後世評論

• 劉裕是兩晉南北朝時期最卓越的軍事統帥之一。劉裕在不到二十年時間裡，對內平息戰亂，先後平定孫恩、盧循的叛亂，消滅桓玄、劉毅等軍事集團；對外致力於北伐，取譙蜀、滅南燕、破後秦，從一名普通軍人成長為名垂青史的軍事統帥，取得世人矚目的成就，更徹底改變晉朝政權對征服漢地北部的塞外各民族一直處於被動的局面。北魏謀臣崔浩在評價劉裕時說：「劉裕奮起寒微，不階尺土，討滅桓玄，興復晉室，北擒慕容超，南梟盧循，所向無前，非其才之過人，安能如是乎！」崔浩亦說：「劉裕之平禍亂，司馬德宗之曹操也。」何去非在《備論》中也說：「宋武帝以英特之姿，攘袂而起，平靈寶于舊楚，定劉毅于荊豫，滅南燕于二齊，克譙縱於庸蜀，殄盧循於交廣，西執姚泓而滅後秦，蓋舉無遺策而天下憚服矣。北方之寇，獨關東之拓跋，隴北之赫連耳。方其入關，魏人雖強，不敢南指西顧以議其後。」《南史》評論說：「宋武地非齊、晉，眾無一旅，曾不浹旬，夷凶翦暴，誅內清外，功格上下。若夫樂推所歸，謳歌所集，校之魏、晉，可謂收其實矣。」

• 劉裕的軍事生涯，指揮無數次作戰，最大特點是以少勝多，而且作戰中常身先士卒，所以能夠贏得廣大將士尊敬。劉裕北伐是中國戰爭史上最成功的北伐之一，成就不但遠較以前東晉各次北伐高，中國歷史上僅次於朱元璋，所以辛棄疾用「金戈鐵馬，氣吞萬里如虎」的詩句來形容劉裕北伐時的氣勢。司馬光敘述劉裕北伐成功後匆忙東歸，關中複失時，大發感嘆：「惜乎，百年之寇，千里之土，得之艱難，失之造次，使豐、鄗之都複輸寇手。荀子曰：『兼併易能也，堅凝之難。』信哉。」而王夫之直指劉裕是為了急急篡位而放棄關中，說：「劉裕滅姚秦，欲留長安經略西北，不果而歸，而中原遂終于淪沒。史稱將佐思歸，裕之飾說也。王、沈、毛、傅之獨留，豈繄不有思歸之念乎？西征之士，一歲而已，非久役也。新破人國，子女玉帛足系其心，梟雄者豈必故土之安乎？固知欲留經略者，裕之初志，而造次東歸者，裕之轉念也。夫裕欲歸而急于篡，固其情已。」但王夫之仍然肯定了「然使裕據關中，撫雒陽，捍拓拔嗣而營河北，拒屈丐而固秦雍，平沮渠蒙遜而收隴右，勛愈大，威愈張，晉之天下其將安往？曹丕在鄴，而漢獻遙奉以璽綬，奚必反建康以面受之於晉廷乎？蓋裕之北伐，非徒示威以逼主攘奪，而無志于中原者，青泥既敗，長安失守，登高北望，慨然流涕，志欲再舉，止之者謝晦、鄭鮮之也。蓋當日之貪佐命以弋利祿者，既無遠志，抑無定情，裕欲孤行其志而不得，則急遽以行篡弒，裕之初心亦絀矣。」他還稱劉裕「為功于天下，烈于曹操，而其植人才以贊成其大計，不如操遠矣。操方舉事據兗州，他務未遑，而亟于用人；逮其後而丕與叡猶多得剛直明敏之才，以匡其闕失。」顯然也包括了對劉裕北伐成功的肯定。「裕起自寒微，以敢戰立功名，而雄俠自喜，與士大夫之臭味不親，故胡藩言：一談一詠，搢紳之士輻湊歸之、不如劉毅。當時在廷之士，無有為裕心腹者，孤恃一機巧汰縱之劉穆之，而又死矣；傅亮、徐羨之、謝晦，皆輕躁而無定情者也。孤危遠處于外，求以制朝廷而遙授以天下也，既不可得，且有反面相距之憂，此裕所以汔濟濡尾而僅以偏安艸竊終也。當代無才，而裕又無馭才之道也。身殂而弒奪興，況望其能相佐以成底定之功哉？曹操之所以得志于天下，而待其子始篡者，得人故也。豈徒奸雄為然乎？聖人以仁義取天下，亦視其人而已矣。」

• 呂思勉則認為，劉裕急急篡位的說法只是史家附會王買德的話，說：「宋武代晉，在當日，業已勢如振槁，即無關、洛之績，豈慮無成？苟其急於圖，篡平司馬休之後，逕篡可矣，何必多伐秦一舉？武帝之於異己，雖雲肆意翦除，亦特其庸中佼佼者耳，反之子必尚多。劉穆之死，後路無所付託，設有竊發，得不更詒大局之憂？欲攘外者必先安內，則武帝之南歸，亦不得訾其專為私計心也。義真雖雲年少，留西之精兵良將，不為不多。王鎮惡之死，在正月十四日（應為十五），而勃勃之圖長安，仍歷三時而後克，可見兵力實非不足。長安之陷，其關鍵，全在王脩之死。義真之信讒，庸非始料所及，此尤不容苟責者也。」

• 劉裕在對待刁逵及王謐截然不同的態度，招來了不少批評，南朝梁湘東世子蕭方等就曾言：「夫蛟龍潛伏，魚蝦褻之。是以漢高赦雍齒，魏武赦梁鵠，安可以布衣之嫌而成萬乘之隙也！今王謐為公，刁逵亡族，醻恩報怨，何其狹哉。」裴子野亦言：「刁逵，玄之爪牙；王謐，楚之上相，論逆則王重，定罪則逵輕。稚遠以舊德錄萬機，長民以宿憾夷七族，以為晉政偏頗甚矣！且神龍伏於罟網，漁者安知其靈化；霸王匿於人庶，庸夫何以悟其英雄！苟在不悟則驕之者，眾可勝怨乎？是知宋高祖之非弘亮也，同盟多貳宜乎哉！」

• 劉裕攻下南燕都城廣固後，因為怨恨城池久久不下，故此意圖將城內人民全部坑殺，並將其妻女賞賜給將士，只因韓範勸止才不實行，但仍然盡殺南燕王公共三千人，並抄沒萬餘人。此意圖亦招來司馬光批評：「晉自濟江以來，威靈不競，戎狄橫騖，虎噬中原。劉裕始以王師翦平東夏，不於此際旌禮賢俊，忍撫疲民，宣愷悌之風，滌殘穢之政，使群士嚮風，遺黎企踵，而更恣行屠戮以快忿心；跡其施設，曾苻、姚之不如，宜其不能蕩壹四海，成美大之業，豈非雖有智勇而無仁義使之然哉！」

• 王夫之在《讀通鑑論》評論劉裕：「宋武興，東滅慕容超，西滅姚泓，拓跋嗣、赫連勃勃斂跡而穴處。自劉淵稱亂以來，祖逖、庾翼、桓溫、謝安經營百年而無能及此。後乎此者，二蕭、陳氏無尺土之展，而浸以削亡。然則永嘉以降，僅延中國生人之氣者，唯劉氏耳。舉晉人坐失之中原，責宋以不蕩平，沒其撻伐之功而黜之，亦大不平矣。君天下者，道也，非勢也。如以勢而已矣，則東周之季，荊、吳、徐、越割土稱王，遂將黜周以與之一等；而嬴政統一六寓，賢于五帝、三王也遠矣。拓拔氏安得抗宋而與並肩哉？唐臣隋矣，宋臣周矣，其樂推以為正者，一天下爾。以義則假禪之名，以篡而與劉宋奚擇焉？中原喪于司馬氏之手，且愛其如綫之緒以存之；徒不念中華冠帶之區，而忍割南北為華、夷之界乎？半以委匪類而使為君，顧抑撻伐有功之主以不與唐、宋等倫哉？漢之後，唐之前，唯宋室猶可以為中國主也。」

家庭

先祖

• 劉交，漢朝太上皇劉太公之四子，漢高祖劉邦之弟，封楚王，諡號楚元王，漢文帝元年卒

父母

父

• 宋孝帝劉翹，東晉彭城郡功曹

母

• 孝穆皇后趙安宗

• 孝懿皇后蕭文壽（繼母）

兄弟

• 劉道鄰，劉裕二弟，封長沙王，官至太尉

• 劉道規，劉裕三弟，晉南郡公，官至征西大將軍，劉裕篡晉前去世，獲追封臨川王

妻妾

• 妻子

　• 武敬皇后臧愛親，生劉興弟，結髮之妻，後追贈豫章公夫人、武敬皇后

• 妾室

　• 夫人張闕，生劉義符、劉惠媛，後為皇太后、營陽王太妃

　• 孫修華，生劉義真

　• 章皇太后胡道安，生劉義隆，後追贈婕妤、皇太后

　• 王修容，生劉義康

　• 袁美人，生劉義恭

　• 呂美人，生劉義季

　• 孫美人，生劉義宣

　• 符修儀，生廣德公主

　• 姚氏，姚興從女

子女

子

• 劉義符，宋少帝，晉時為劉裕世子，劉裕篡位後為皇太子，並在其死後繼位，不久被輔政的徐羨之等人廢黜為營陽王，隨後被殺。

• 劉義真，晉封桂陽公，宋時封廬陵王，官至司徒，少帝時被徐羨之等廢為庶人，不久被殺。

• 劉義隆，宋文帝，晉時封彭城公，宋時封宜都王，官至鎮西將軍、荊州刺史。受徐羨之推舉為帝。

• 劉義康，封彭城王，官至司徒、錄尚書事、領揚州刺史，執掌朝政，但後來被貶處江州，更因范曄謀反之事被廢為庶人。後又因胡誕世等人慾奉劉義康謀反而被宋文帝殺害。

• 劉義恭，封江夏王，官至太宰，宋前廢帝時與柳元景密謀廢帝而被前廢帝肢解殺害。

• 劉義宣，封南郡王，曾參與討平劉劭弒父自立的事件，官至中書監。後任荊湘二州刺史，起兵謀反事敗被捕，於獄中自殺。

• 劉義季，封衡陽王，官至征北大將軍，劉義康被廢後酗酒終日，任徐州刺史時即使北魏南侵仍只飲酒。

女

• 劉興弟，劉裕長女，會稽長公主，曾封壽陽公主，嫁徐逵之

• 劉榮男，吳興長公主，嫁王偃

• 廣德公主。

• 宣城公主，嫁周嶠

• 新安公主，嫁王景深

• 吳郡公主，妹始安公主死後嫁褚湛之為繼室

• 富陽公主，嫁徐喬之

• 始安公主，嫁褚湛之

• 劉惠媛，義興長公主

• 劉欣男，劉裕幼女，豫章長公主，先嫁徐喬，後嫁何瑀

文學作品中的形象

在黃易小說《邊荒傳說》中，劉裕是書中三位主角之一，與另一主角燕飛交好，而和另一主角拓跋珪亦敵亦友。劉裕出場時為北府兵一名斥候，藉淝水之戰中嶄露頭角，並得謝玄賞識，最後成為南方最有權勢的人。雖心愛王淡真，卻因王淡真被家族關係羈絆而未能一起。

註釋

Early life

Liu Yu was born in 363, to his father Liu Qiao and mother Zhao Anzong, while they were living at Jingkou (京口, in modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu). His great grandfather Liu Hun was originally from Pengcheng (彭城, in modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu), before moving to Jingkou. Liu Qiao was said to be a 20th generation descendant of Han Dynasty's Prince of Chu, Liu Jiao, a younger brother of Han's founder Emperor Gaozu of Han. Liu Qiao was a police officer, while Zhao Anzong was the daughter of a commandery governor. They had married in 360, and lived in fair poverty. Lady Zhao died immediately after giving birth to Liu Yu, and Liu Qiao, unable to take care of the child financially or otherwise, considered abandoning the child. Upon hearing this, Liu Yu's aunt, who had given birth to his cousin Liu Huaijing less than a year ago, went to Liu Qiao's house and took Liu Yu, weaning Liu Huaijing and giving her milk to Liu Yu instead. At some point, Liu Qiao remarried, and his new wife Xiao Wenshou bore him two sons, Liu Daolian and Liu Daogui. Liu Yu was said to be respectful to his stepmother and treated her as his own mother.

It is not known when Liu Qiao died, but in any case, Liu Yu grew up with great ambitions and was said to be strong and brave, but he was poor and uneducated, knowing only a few characters. He maintained himself by selling straw sandals, and he liked gambling. The people in his village all looked down on him. At some point, he became an officer under the general Sun Wuzhong.

When the magician Sun En rebelled against Jin rule in 399, Liu Yu joined the army of the general Liu Laozhi, and he became friends with Liu Laozhi's son Liu Jingxuan. On one occasion, he led some tens of soldiers on a scouting mission, when they suddenly encountered several thousand of Sun's soldiers. All of Liu Yu's soldiers were killed, and Liu Yu fell onto a riverbank, but he stood his position there and killed all of Sun's soldiers who dared to approach. Liu Jingxuan, meanwhile, realizing that Liu Yu had been away from camp for too long, went to try to find him, and saw him alone chasing and dispersing thousands of Sun's soldiers. He greatly praised Liu Yu.

Both because of his bravery and his friendship with Liu Jingxuan, Liu Yu rose through the ranks of Liu Laozhi's army. Liu Laozhi, at the time, was a powerful warlord who controlled modern Jiangsu and Zhejiang except for the region around the capital Jiankang. In 401, with Sun En, who had fled to Zhoushan Island in late 399, trying to launch a comeback and attacking Haiyan (海鹽, in modern Jiaxing, Zhejiang), Liu Yu fought him, winning several victories over him despite being outnumbered. However, eventually Sun En was able to regroup and head toward Jiankang, which he could not capture and was forced to withdraw from. He regrouped on a sea island. By imperial edict (probably at Liu Laozhi's wishes), Liu Yu was made the governor of Xiapei Commandery (下邳, roughly modern eastern Xuzhou, Jiangsu), and he was ordered to attack Sun En on his island. This allowed Liu Yu to win victories over Sun En. Sun En began to grow weaker and headed south on the coast, with Liu Yu following. In winter 401, Liu Yu defeated Sun En again at Haiyan, forcing Sun to flee far from the coast.

In 402, as the regent Sima Yuanxian and the warlord Huan Xuan prepared for battle, Sima Yuanxian believed that he had Liu Laozhi's support, and Liu Laozhi postured in support of Sima Yuanxian by bringing his forces to Jiankang. However, when Liu Yu requested to engage Huan Xuan, Liu Laozhi refused to give permission. Huan Xuan then sent messengers to try to persuade Liu Laozhi to switch sides, despite the oppositions of his nephew He Wuji (何無忌) and Liu Jingxuan, as well as Liu Yu. Without support from Liu Laozhi, Sima Yuanxian's forces collapsed in response to Huan Xuan's attack, and Sima Yuanxian and his father Sima Daozi were killed by Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan, who did not trust Liu Laozhi, immediately stripped Liu Laozhi of his military command, and Liu Laozhi, upon receiving the order, considered resisting it. He requested Liu Yu's opinion, and Liu Yu found the idea foolish, left Liu Laozhi's army, and returned to Jingkou as a civilian; He Wuji joined him as well. With the rest of the army not willing to go with his plan either, Liu Laozhi committed suicide, and Liu Jingxuan fled to Later Qin and then to Southern Yan.

By summer 402, however, Liu Yu was again in the army, and by 403 he carried a general's rank, when Sun En's nephew Lu Xun (盧循), who had succeeded him after his death in battle in 401, attacked Dongyang (東陽, in modern Jinhua, Zhejiang), and Liu Yu repelled Lu's attack. He then counterattacked and won several battles over Lu, forcing Lu to head south on the sea. At this time, He Wuji tried to persuade him to declare a rebellion at Shanyin (山陰, in modern Shaoxing, Zhejiang) against Huan Xuan, but at the advice of Kong Jing (孔靖), he declined at this time, waiting for Huan Xuan to seize the throne so that he would have a reason. When Huan Xuan's cousin Huan Qian (桓謙) asked Liu Yu's opinion about whether Huan Xuan should receive the throne, Liu Yu pretended to be a Huan clan loyalist and encouraged Huan Xuan to receive the throne. In winter 403, Huan Xuan forced Emperor An of Jin to yield the throne to him, establishing the new state of Chu. Liu Yu initially continued to feign loyalty, and Huan Xuan, believing in him and his talents, considered giving him greater authorities, despite counsel from his wife Empress Liu that Liu Yu could not be trusted and should be executed.

Campaign against Huan Xuan

Meanwhile, Liu Yu and He Wuji, now at Jingkou, continued their planning to rebel against Huan Xuan now that Huan Xuan had seized the throne. They were soon joined in their plans by Liu Yi and Meng Chang (孟昶), and soon a number of other disaffected individuals joined their plan, with Liu Yu as the leader. Their plan was to simultaneously start several uprisings:

• Liu Yi, Liu Yu's brother Liu Daogui, and Meng would surprise and kill Huan Xuan's cousin Huan Hong (桓弘), then the governor of Qing Province (青州, then with its headquarters at Guangling (廣陵, in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu)), and seize Guangling.

• Zhuge Zhangmin (諸葛長民) would surprise and kill Diao Kui (刁逵), the governor of Yu Province (豫州, then modern central Anhui) and seize Liyang (歷陽, in modern Chaohu, Anhui).

• Wang Yuande (王元德), Xin Huxing (辛扈興), and Dong Houzhi (董厚之) would rise in Jiankang and attack Huan Xuan directly.

• Liu Yu, He Wuji, and the other conspirators would surprise and kill Huan Xuan's cousin Huan Xiu (桓脩) the Prince of Ancheng, then the governor of Xu (徐州) and Yan (兗州) Provinces, then with their headquarters at Jingkou, and seize Jingkou.

The conspirators put their plans into action. Liu Yu and He Wuji were able to surprise Huan Xiu and seize Jingkou, and Liu Yu then persuaded the capable administrator and writer Liu Muzhi to join him as his propaganda specialist and assistant. Liu Yi, Liu Daogui, and Meng Chang persuaded Huan Hong to go on a hunt, and as Huan Hong opened the city gates to let his hunters out, they surprised him and killed him. However, Zhuge Zhangmin's plans were leaked, as were those of the conspirators at Jiankang. All were arrested, and the conspirators at Jiankang were executed. (Zhuge Zhangmin was subsequently rescued before he could be executed.)

Liu Yu quickly headed for Jiankang, and Huan Xuan, hesitant to engage him directly, waited at Jiankang, trying to see if he could wear Liu Yu down, although, at Huan Qian's insistence, he sent a detachment to try to stop Liu Yu. However, Liu Yu quickly defeated Huan Xuan's generals Wu Fuzhi and Huangfu Fu (皇甫敷) and arrived at Jiankang. He then defeated Huan Qian, and Huan Xuan, in panic, fled west, intending to go back to his power base at Jiangling (江陵, in modern Jingzhou, Hubei). Liu Yu entered Jiankang and declared the reestablishment of Jin, even though at this time Emperor An and his brother Sima Dewen were both still in Huan Xuan's control. Liu Yu entrusted most administrative matters to Liu Muzhi while dealing severe punishment to corrupt officials and those who had supported Huan Xuan, and quickly the government was cleaned up. (The only Huan Xuan supporter who was spared was Huan Xuan's prime minister Wang Mi (王謐), who, when Liu Yu was poor, had helped him and paid off his gambling debts, and therefore Liu Yu not only spared but entrusted him with high posts.) Liu Yu, however, prepared for the contingency that Emperor An would not be recovered by making Sima Zun the Prince of Wuling (a grandson of Emperor An's great-grandfather Emperor Yuan) acting emperor.

Liu Yu sent Liu Yi, He Wuji, and Liu Daogui west to attack Huan Xuan. They quickly defeated Huan Xuan's general He Danzhi (何澹之) and took Jiang Province (江州, modern Jiangxi and Fujian), and then continued to head toward Jiangling. They encountered Huan Xuan's much larger force at Chenghong Island (崢嶸洲), in modern Ezhou, Hubei), and despite the numerical disadvantage, they crushed Huan Xuan's forces. Huan Xuan fled back to Jiangling with Emperor An, while Huan Xuan's brother-in-law Yin Zhongwen (殷仲文) turned against him and took Emperor An's wife Empress Wang Shen'ai and Emperor Mu's wife Empress Dowager He to Jiankang.

Once Huan Xuan arrived back in Jiangling, he tried to prepare to flee to his distant relative, Huan Xi (桓希) the governor of Liang Province (梁州, modern southern Shaanxi and northwestern Hubei). His forces collapsed, however, refusing to follow his orders. At the inducement of his subordinate Mao Xiuzhi (毛脩之), whose uncle Mao Qu (毛璩) was the governor of Yi Province (modern Sichuan and Chongqing), he decided to try to flee to Yi Province instead, but on the way, he was intercepted by Mao Qu's subordinates Mao Youzhi (毛佑之) and Fei Tian (費恬), who attacked him, and the officer Feng Qian beheaded him. The officials Wang Tengzhi (王騰之) and Wang Kangchan (王康產) then declared Emperor An's restoration at Jiangling.

However, with Liu Yi's forces still on the way to Jiangling, Huan Qian and Huan Xuan's nephew Huan Zhen (桓振) made a surprise attack on Jiangling, capturing it and seizing Emperor An and Sima Dewen. Huan Zhen and Huan Qian did not try to redeclare Chu; rather, they tried to hold Emperor An as collateral while trying to maintain their status as Jin officials. They initially defeated He Wuji's forces, but by 405, with the other members of the Huan clan (including Huan Xi and Huan Wei (桓蔚) the governor Yong Province (雍州, then southwestern Henan and northwestern Hubei) defeated, Jiangling fell to Liu Yi, and Huan Qian and Huan Zhen fled. He Wuji escorted Emperor An back to Jiankang, and Liu Yu effectively became regent, even though the government was at this point still a coalition of near equals.

As regent

Early years

Liu Yu, although he had ambitions to be emperor, learned from Huan Xuan's failures that he could not act too quickly, but must establish his authority through further victories first, particularly since because he led a coalition of generals and officials with different agendas in his victory over Huan. He therefore proceeded cautiously, initially sharing power with He Wuji and Liu Yi, among others. For the next few years, he also made several offers to resign his posts, judging correctly that the imperial officials would not dare to accept them, to further establish the image that he was indispensable.

In spring 405, Mao Qu's soldiers, unhappy that Mao sent them on long-distance campaigns initially against Huan Xuan and then against Huan Zhen, rebelled, supporting the military officer Qiao Zong as their leader. They defeated and killed Mao and captured Chengdu (成都, in modern Chengdu, Sichuan), and Qiao Zong established his independent Western Shu state there.

Also in 405, Lu Xun, who had in 404 marched south and captured Panyu (番禺, in modern Guangzhou, Guangdong) during the wars relating to Huan Xuan, offered peace to the imperial government by paying a tribute. Liu Yu, believing that he had no abilities to defeat Lu by this point, made Lu the governor of Guang Province (廣州, modern Guangdong and Guangxi) and Lu's brother-in-law and lieutenant Xu Daofu (徐道覆) the governor of Shixing Principality (始興, roughly modern Shaoguan, Guangdong).

In 407, Liu Yu commissioned his friend Liu Jingxuan to launch a major attack on Qiao Zong's Western Shu, but in 408, Liu Jingxuan's forces became stalled against the Western Shu general Qiao Daofu (譙道福) and was forced to retreat when food supplies ran out.

Campaigns against Southern Yan and Lu Xun

In 409, the Southern Yan emperor Murong Chao began a campaign of attacking and pillaging the Jin northern borders, intending to capture men and women to be trained as musicians. In response, Liu Yu decided to launch a campaign to destroy Southern Yan, over the objections of most imperial officials, but was supported by Meng Chang. While Liu Yu was quickly able to defeat Southern Yan's main forces at the Battle of Linqu in late 409 and put the Southern Yan capital Guanggu (廣固, in modern Qingzhou, Shandong) under siege, Guanggu did not fall quickly. While Liu Yu was besieging Guanggu, Xu Daofu persuaded a reluctant Lu Xun (who was afraid of a confrontation with Liu Yu) to attack north, reasoning that eventually when Liu Yu was ready, Liu Yu would attack first, and that with Liu Yu besieging Guanggu, they could capture the rest of the empire together.

In spring 410, Liu Yu captured Guanggu, ending Southern Yan, and considered further readying a campaign against Later Qin, but was informed that Lu and Xu were attacking north, and therefore quickly returned south towards Jiankang. Meanwhile, He Wuji led a fleet against Xu at Yuzhang (豫章, in modern Nanchang, Jiangxi), but was defeated and killed by Xu. A second force commanded by Liu Yi was also defeated by Xu and Lu. However, Liu Yi's captured soldiers informed Lu that Liu Yu was on his way back to Jiankang, and Lu, intimidated, considered ending his campaign, but continued to Jiankang at Xu's insistence. A number of imperial officials, including Meng, suggested that Emperor An be taken across the Yangtze River to evade Lu's forces, but Liu Yu refused, choosing to defend Jiankang.

Once at Jiankang, Lu refused several strategies that Xu offered that were risky but offered chances of success, instead trying to intimidate Liu Yu's forces into collapsing, which he could not do. Soon he ran out of food supplies and withdrew to Xunyang (尋陽, in modern Jiujiang, Jiangxi). Liu Yu gave chase, but also ordered his generals Sun Chu and Shen Tianzi (沈田子) to take a fleet by sea to attack Panyu, fully confident that he can defeat Lu and make it impossible for Lu to then retreat to his home base. Meanwhile, Xu attacked Jing Province (荊州, modern Hubei and Hunan), but was defeated by Liu Daogui, and rejoined Lu, preparing for a confrontation with Liu Yu. Around the new year 411, they engaged Liu Yu at Dalei (大雷, in modern Anqing, Anhui), but Liu Yu destroyed their fleet with fire. Lu and Xu fled toward Panyu, which had however been captured by Sun at this point. Lu put Panyu under siege, but Shen, who was then trying to capture other commanderies, returned to Panyu and defeated Lu along with Sun. Lu fled toward Jiao Province (交州, modern northern Vietnam) where he was defeated by the governor, Du Huidu (杜慧度). Lu then killed his wife and concubines and committed suicide by jumping into a river.

Campaigns against Western Shu and Later Qin

With the state having been stabilized after Lu Xun's destruction, Liu Yu again turned his attention outward, hoping to use military victories to propel himself into sufficiently high public standing that he can take the throne for himself. At the same time, however, he began to remove members of his coalition who stood or might stand in his way. In 412, believing that Liu Yi, then governor of Jing Province, was about to act against him along with Liu Yi's cousin Liu Fan the governor of Yan Province, he arrested Liu Fan and his friend Xie Hun, and then made a surprise attack against Liu Yi, defeating Liu Yi's forces easily. Liu Yi was killed in flight. In 413, Liu Yu also surprised and killed Zhuge Zhangmin, whom he suspected of considering to act against him when he was away from Jiankang attacking Liu Yi.

Meanwhile, in late 412, Liu Yu commissioned the general Zhu Lingshi (朱齡石) to attack Qiao Zong's Western Shu, secretly instructing him to take the long route to Qiao Zong's capital Chengdu by Min River (岷江), rather than the short route by Fu River (涪江). Zhu's forces were able to surprise Qiao Zong's main general Qiao Daofu and Qiao Zong himself, capturing Chengdu in 413 and annexing Western Shu back into Jin.

In 414, Liu Yu began to suspect Liu Yi's replacement as the governor of Jing Province, Sima Xiuzhi, who was a member of the imperial clan and whose son Sima Wensi had been created the Prince of Qiao and had gathered many adventurers around him. In spring 414, Liu Yu had Sima Wensi's confederates arrested and executed, while delivering Sima Wensi to Sima Xiuzhi, intending for Sima Xiuzhi to show submission by executing Sima Wensi himself. Instead, Sima Xiuzhi only requested that Sima Wensi's princely title be stripped. In spring 415, Liu Yu arrested another son of Sima Xiuzhi, Sima Wenbao, and Sima Xiuzhi's nephew Sima Wenzu, ordering the two to commit suicide, and then launched an attack on Sima Xiuzhi, who was joined by Lu Zongzhi (魯宗之) the governor of Yong Province. Initially, Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi enjoyed some successes, defeating Liu Yu's son-in-law Xu Kuizhi (徐逵之), but after Liu Yu himself arrived, he defeated Sima Xiuzhi's forces, capturing Jiangling and forcing Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi to flee to Later Qin. Liu Yu now no longer had significant opposition in Jin.

In 416, Liu Yu launched a major attack against Later Qin, in light of the recent death of the Later Qin emperor Yao Xing, entrusting the capital to his assistant Liu Muzhi, with his teenage heir apparent Liu Yifu being nominally in charge. In winter 416, the important city Luoyang fell to Liu Yu's general Tan Daoji (檀道濟). In light of Luoyang's fall, Liu Yu had Emperor An create him Duke of Song and bestow him the nine bestowments, showing his intentions to take the throne eventually, although he declined both honors at that point.

In spring 417, Tan Daoji and another general, Shen Linzi (沈林子), engaged in a major campaign with Later Qin's most prominent general, Yao Shao (姚紹) the Duke of Lu, the uncle of the emperor Yao Hong. After a month of battles, Yao Shao was defeated, and he died in anger. With Yao Shao dead, the other Later Qin generals could not resist Jin forces. Liu Yu's fleet, commanded by Wang Zhen'e (王鎮惡, Wang Meng's grandson), advanced quickly, while Yao Hong tried to first destroy Liu Yu's flank forces, commanded by Shen Linzi's brother Shen Tianzi. Despite Yao Hong's large advantage in numbers, Shen Tianzi crushed him, forcing him to flee back to his capital Chang'an. Wang Zhen'e's fleet then arrived and defeated Later Qin's final resistance, entering Chang'an. Yao Hong surrendered, and Liu Yu had him delivered to Jiankang and executed, ending Later Qin.

Steps toward usurpation

With Later Qin destroyed, there was an expectation that Liu Yu would next advance northwest and either destroy or force the subjugation of the several states in the northwest still -- Xia, Western Qin, Northern Liang, and Western Liang. Indeed, at this point, Western Qin's prince Qifu Chipan, Northern Liang's prince Juqu Mengxun, and Western Liang's prince Li Gao were all sufficiently intimidated that they nominally submitted to Jin's authority. However, Liu Muzhi then died at this time, and Liu Yu, intending on taking the throne, decided to return to Jiankang himself, leaving his 11-year-old son Liu Yizhen and the generals Wang Zhen'e, Shen Tianzi, Mao Dezu (毛德祖), and the official Wang Xiu (王脩) in charge of Chang'an.

With Liu Yu having left Chang'an, Xia's emperor Helian Bobo was intent on taking Chang'an himself. He had his sons Helian Gui (赫連璝) and Helian Chang, along with his general Wang Maide (王買德), make a three-pronged advance toward Chang'an while cutting off the supply route between Luoyang and Chang'an. Meanwhile, with Wang Zhen'e and Shen Tianzi being previously envious of each other, Shen Tianzi suspected Wang Zhen'e of being ready to rebel, and so killed him. Wang Xiu then executed Shen Tianzi, but then Liu Yizhen believed the accusations that Wang Zhen'e was in fact about to rebel and that Wang Xiu was ready to as well, and so executed Wang Xiu. Once Wang Xiu was executed, Liu Yizhen himself was without supervision, and he, in fear of Xia forces, withdrew all of his forces inside Chang'an, and Xia forces then besieged the city. Liu Yu, hearing this, sent Zhu Lingshi to replace Liu Yizhen and ordered Liu Yizhen to withdraw. Liu Yizhen's forces, however, having pillaged Chang'an, could not withdraw quickly, and they were crushed by Xia forces at Qingni (青泥, in modern Xi'an, Shaanxi), with nearly the entire army killed or captured. Liu Yizhen barely escaped with his life, and the Chang'an region became Xia possession, although Jin retained the Luoyang region. Liu Yu, initially not knowing whether Liu Yizhen had survived, prepare a campaign to attack Xia, but once he heard of Liu Yizhen's survival, he stopped those plans. He continued to bestow great power (even if at times nominal) in his brother Liu Daolian and in his sons, in order to try to further affirm his authority.

Meanwhile, Liu Yu, having accepted the title Duke of Song and the nine bestowments in summer 418, had Emperor An create him the Prince of Song, but then publicly declined the title. Meanwhile, he became convinced of the truth of a prophecy that stated, "There will be two more emperors after Changming." (Changming, which meant "dawn," was the courtesy name of Emperor An's father Emperor Xiaowu.) He therefore became resolved to kill Emperor An, and he tried several times to have Emperor An's servants poison him, but because Emperor An's brother Sima Dewen continuously attended to him, the servants had no chance to poison him. However, around the new year 419, Sima Dewen was himself ill and had to be at his house. Liu Yu's assassin Wang Shaozhi (王韶之) then took the opportunity to kill Emperor An—according to Zizhi Tongjian, by twisting clothes into a rope and then using it to strangle Emperor An. Liu Yu then made Sima Dewen emperor (as Emperor Gong).

Emperor Gong's reign was brief and powerless. In fall 419, Liu Yu accepted the title Prince of Song. In spring 420, Liu Yu, then at Shouyang (壽陽, in modern Lu'an, Anhui) sent his assistant Fu Liang to Jiankang to pressure Emperor Gong to yield the throne. Emperor Gong responded by summoning Liu Yu back to the capital in summer 419, and Fu then offered him a draft of an abdication edict, requesting that he write it personally. Sima Dewen did so, and then left the palace and went to his old house while he was Prince of Langya. Three days later, Liu Yu took the throne and established Liu Song (as Emperor Wu), ending Jin.

Reign

Emperor Wu created the former Jin emperor the Prince of Lingling. He honored his stepmother Princess Dowager Xiao as empress dowager. He created his brother Liu Daolian, his sons, and his nephews princes. In fall 420, he posthumously honored his wife Zang Aiqin, who had died in 408, empress, and created his oldest son Liu Yifu crown prince. Also, having seen how much damage bad reputation can do to people first hand, he ordered that those who had been labeled undesirables by public opinion be allowed new chances to show their worth.

Soon, Emperor Wu, still believing Sima Dewen to be a threat, sent Sima Dewen's former attendant Zhang Wei a bottle of poisoned wine, ordering him to poison Sima Dewen. Zhang, not wanting to carry out the order, drank the wine himself and died. Meanwhile, however, in order to prevent any likelihood that Sima Dewen would have a male heir, Liu Yu ordered brothers of Sima Dewen's wife Princess Chu, Chu Xiuzhi (褚秀之) and Chu Danzhi (褚淡之,) to poison any male children that Princess Chu or Sima Dewen's concubines would bear. Sima Dewen himself feared death greatly, and he and Princess Chu remained in the same house, cooking their own meals, with Princess Chu paying for the material herself. Assassins that Emperor Wu sent initially could find no chance to kill the former emperor. In fall 421, Emperor Wu sent Chu Danzhi and his brother Chu Shudu (褚叔度) to visit their sister. As Princess Chu came out to meet her brothers in a different house, soldiers that Liu Yu sent intruded into Sima Dewen's house and ordered Sima Dewen to take poison. He refused, stating that Buddhism prohibited suicide and that those who committed suicide could not receive human bodies in their next rebirths. The assassins therefore used a blanket to cover his head and asphyxiated him.

In 422, having been warned by his official Xie Hui that Crown Prince Yifu was often spending his time with people lacking in wisdom, Emperor Wu considered making Liu Yizhen the Prince of Luling crown prince instead. Xie, however, after meeting with Liu Yizhen, had an even worse opinion of Liu Yizhen, and so Emperor Wu stopped considering so.

In summer 422, Emperor Wu became extremely ill, and he entrusted Crown Prince Yifu to Xu Xianzhi, Fu Liang, Xie Hui, and Tan Daoji. He then died, and Liu Yifu took the throne as Emperor Shao.

Tomb

Liu Yu was buried in the Chuning Tomb (初宁陵, Chuning Ling), which is located in what is Jiangning District, in the eastern suburbs of the present-day Nanjing. The only surviving statues of his spirit way are two qilin, facing each other across the street in the appropriately named Qilinpu Cun ("Qiling Place Village") of the Qilin Town.

Legacy

Liu Yu is mostly remembered as one of greatest generals of the Northern and Southern dynasties. Under him, the Southern Chinese empire came the closest to reconquering the North. Although the territory which he won in the Northwest was quickly lost, his campaigns allowed the Southern dynasties the advantage of defending along the Yellow River, and preserved an independent Southern Chinese state long enough for the Xianbei states in the North to be assimilated.

Era name

• Yongchu (永初 yǒng chū) 420–422

Family

Consorts and Issue:

• Empress Wujing, of the Zang clan of Dongguan (武敬皇后 東莞臧氏; 360–408), personal name Aiqin (愛親)

　• Princess Kuaijixuan (會稽宣公主; 383–444), personal name Xingdi (興弟), first daughter

　　• Married Xu Kuizhi of Donghai (東海 徐逵之; d. 415), and had issue (two sons)

• Empress Dowager, of the Zhang clan (皇太后 張氏; d. 426), personal name Que (闕)

　• Liu Yifu, Prince Yingyang (營陽王 劉義符; 406–424), first son

　• Princess Yixinggong (義興恭公主), personal name Huiyuan (惠媛)

• Empress Dowager Zhang, of the Hu clan (章皇太后 胡氏; 368–409), personal name Dao'an (道安)

　• Liu Yilong, Emperor Wen (文皇帝 劉義隆; 407–453), third son

• Xiuyi, of the Fu clan (修儀 符氏)

　• Princess Guangde (廣德公主), third daughter

• Xiuhua, of the Sun clan (修華 孫氏)

　• Liu Yizhen, Prince Luling Xiaoxian (廬陵孝獻王 劉義真; 407–424), second son

• Xiurong, of the Wang clan (修容 王氏; d. 432)

　• Liu Yikang, Prince Pengcheng (彭城王 劉義康; 409–451), fourth son

• Meiren, of the Yuan clan (美人 袁氏)

　• Liu Yigong, Prince Jiangxia Wenxian (江夏文獻王 劉義恭; 413–465), fifth son

• Meiren, of the Sun clan (美人 孫氏)

　• Liu Yixuan, Prince Nan (南王 劉義宣; 415–454), sixth son

• Meiren, of the Lü clan (美人 呂氏)

　• Liu Yiji, Prince Hengyangwen (衡陽文王 劉義季; 415–447), seventh son

• Unknown

　• Princess Wuxingzhao (吳興昭公主), personal name Rongnan (榮男), second daughter

　　• Married Wang Yan of Langya (琊瑯 王偃; 403–456), and had issue (four sons, two daughters including Empress Wenmu)

　• Princess Xuancheng (宣城公主)

　　• Married Zhou Jiao (週嶠)

　• Princess Xin'an (新安公主)

　　• Married Wang Jingshen (王景深)

　• Princess Wuxuan (吳宣公主)

　　• Married Chu Zhanzhi (褚湛之), and had issue (one son)

　• Princess Fuyang (富陽公主)

　　• Married Xu Qiaozhi (徐喬之)

　• Princess Shi'an'ai (始安哀公主)

　　• Married Chu Zhanzhi (褚湛之)

　• Princess Yuzhangkang (豫章康公主; 410–464), personal name Xinnan (欣男)

　　• Married Xu Qiaozhi (徐喬之)

　　• Married He Yu of Lujiang (廬江 何瑀; d. 449), and had issue (one son, one daughter)

Ancestry