生平

萧道成是在元嘉四年(427年)丁卯岁，出生于刘宋南兰陵郡兰陵县（今江苏省常州市武进区）。为兰陵萧氏一族，即西汉丞相、酇文终侯萧何的二十四世孙，五胡乱华后，其高祖淮阴令萧整便跟随东晋朝廷衣冠南渡。随后便以军功建立南齐、南梁王朝，成为侨姓士族的代表家族之一，而萧道成也成为齐梁房支南齐房的始祖。

年少从戎

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉十六年(439年)－12岁

这一年，在鸡笼山这个地方，一代儒学大家雷次宗开始在这边讲学，萧道成便前去学习了《礼记》及《左传》等儒家经典。

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉十七年(440年)－13岁

因为刘宋大将军、司徒、彭城王刘义康因与文帝之间的矛盾日渐明显，故自行上表求退，因而被外放为都督江州诸军事、江州刺史，镇守在豫章（今江西省南昌市），其父刘宋右军将军、晋兴县五等男萧承之领兵驻防，萧道成因此放弃学业与父亲南下。另萧道成在本年以13岁之龄与正妻刘智容生下长子萧赜。

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉十九年(442年)－15岁

这年竟陵（今湖北省天门市）当地的蛮族动乱，宋文帝便派遣萧道成领一支偏军前去讨伐沔水(汉水)北部一带的蛮族。

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉二十一年(444年)－17岁

萧道成率军与北魏交战，率军至丘槛山，并于此击败北魏军队。

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉二十三年(446年)－19岁

萧道成被命令随同雍州刺史、封阳穆侯萧思话，前往镇守襄阳，并驻军卫戍沔北。并且前往征讨樊、邓等一众山中的蛮族部落，成功攻破这些蛮族的聚落。而此时的萧道成也被任命为「左军中兵参军」。

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉二十七年(450年)－23岁

这年北魏率兵围困刘宋在汝南（今河南省驻马店市）当地的主帅，时任左军行参军行汝南郡事的陈宪，刘宋朝廷派遣宁朔将军臧质、安蛮校尉(南平穆王刘铄)司马刘康祖前往救援。而宋文帝便让萧道成负责宣传圣旨，并让他节度诸军。随后这些援军在听闻北魏太武帝拓跋焘已经率军前往彭城，臧质等人便率军回援，当军队到达盱眙时，萧道成与臧质别军将领胡宗之等五军，合计步骑数千人，作为援军的前锋。

但此时拓跋焘早已渡过淮河，因此两军便在莞山下相遇，宋军战败，沿著淮河溃退，胡宗之等将领皆战死。萧道成率残兵退往臧质之处固守，被北魏合兵围攻，形势一度十分危急，但最后萧道成还是成功坚守，并顺利返回京城。

刘宋宋文帝|文帝(刘宋)|元嘉二十九年(452年)－25岁

萧道成率领偏军征讨仇池国，并成功攻克了兰皋戍、武兴戍二垒（今陕西省略阳县）。而后从谷口入关中，在距离长安尚有八十里时，刘宋梁州刺史、宁远将军刘秀之派遣自己手下的司马马注前来协助萧道成，二人合力攻克了谈堤城。随后北魏救兵赶到，萧道成考虑到己方兵力已然不多又很是疲惫，又听闻宋文帝驾崩，便烧城撤兵到南郑（今陕西省汉中市）。而同年萧道成也袭封了父亲萧承之的晋兴县五等男的爵位和食邑三百四十户。

平步青云

刘宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝孝建初年(454年)－27岁

被任命为刘宋大司马、江夏文献王刘义恭手下的「大司马参军」。

刘宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝孝建三年(456年)－29岁

随著孝建三年十月丙午(456年12月7日)，江夏王刘义恭进位太宰，领司徒，萧道成也被迁任官职，历任「员外郎」、直阁中书舍人等官职。

刘宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝(刘宋)|大明二年(458年)－31岁

转任抚军将军、扬州刺史、西阳王刘子尚属下的「抚军参军」、而后又改任首都建康县的县令（建康令）。

刘宋宋孝武帝|孝武帝(刘宋)|大明五年(461年)－34岁

因为身为孝武帝刘骏堂妹的殷淑仪相当得到孝武帝的宠爱，因此二人的儿子新安王刘子鸾同样也深受孝武帝的喜爱。在大明五年十月乙卯（461年11月20日），新安王刘子鸾改任北中郎将、南徐州刺史，领南琅邪太守。而同时他也选任幕僚官员，萧道成也因此被选任为「北中郎中兵参军」。而此时其母陈道正过世，萧道成便辞官服丧。在服丧完后被起用为「武烈将军、建康令、北中郎中兵参军」

刘宋宋前废帝|前废帝景和元年(465年)－38岁

这年，萧道成被前废帝升任为「后军将军」（第四品）。

刘宋宋明帝|明帝(刘宋)|泰始元年(465年)－38岁

因前废帝仅在位4个月，明帝便登基称帝，萧道成随后转任为「右军将军」（第四品）。

义嘉从龙

刘宋宋明帝|明帝(刘宋)|泰始二年(466年)－39岁

这年，刘宋江州长史邓琬与雍州刺史袁顗等，在寻阳城推举时年10岁的镇军将军、晋安王刘子勋为帝，年号义嘉，并得到全国州镇的支持，出兵讨伐建康的宋明帝刘彧政权，史称「义嘉之难」。

而前一年末，会稽太守、寻阳王刘子房在行会稽郡事的孔觊主导下，举东方五郡（会稽、东阳、新安、临海、永嘉）起事，以响应义嘉政权。于是宋明帝加萧道成为「辅国将军」（第三品），率军前往平叛东方诸郡。到了晋陵，与刘子房手下的前锋将领程捍、孙昙瓘等发生战斗，一天之间大破刘子房手下十二座堡垒，并分军平定周遭诸县，晋陵太守袁摽弃城走，东方诸郡遂平定了下来。

徐州刺史薛安都在彭城举兵反抗明帝政权，派遣其儿子左将军薛索儿攻打淮阴。刘宋山阳（今山东省巨野县一带）太守程天祚举城叛宋投降北魏，徐州刺史申令孙亦再度投降北魏，于是宋明帝调萧道成前往讨伐。

此时的萧道成刚从东方诸郡返还，又要准备征讨南方，率军驻扎在新亭，在接到明帝的命令后，随即调军北上。刘宋前军此时已出发，之后萧道成就接到薛索儿已经率步骑兵万馀人从睢陵渡过淮河并击杀禁军将领孙耿，并且其军队已经直逼前军镇军将军张永的军营，军情告急。明帝在听闻此消息后，急忙派遣萧道成前往支援。随后萧道成在淮阴打败薛索儿，追杀至徐州附近的锺离，而后得胜回朝，朝廷任命萧道成为「骁骑将军」（第四品），封西阳县侯（第二品），食邑六百户。同时迁任卫将军、巴陵哀王刘休若属下的「卫军司马」，随著巴陵王镇守会稽（今浙江省绍兴市）。

八月，义嘉政权派遣临川内史张淹自鄱阳沿著山道进入三吴地区，禁军将领沈思仁与伪龙骧将军任皇、镇西参军刘越绪各自据险相守。随后宋明帝派遣萧道成领兵三千人前往讨伐。而因此时刘宋朝廷所有军械物资皆提供给南讨的军队，萧道成所率三千人军资匮乏，于是萧道成就用棕皮编成马具装，并砍竹子充作箭矢，随后在夜晚举著火把进军，敌军一见萧道成部火炬连绵不断，被吓得不战而逃。因此功，萧道成被任命为征北大将军、桂阳王刘休范属下的「征北司马、南东海太守、行南徐州事」。

十月，原本见联军土崩瓦解后，欲向刘宋朝廷上表请降的徐州刺史薛安都，却因宋明帝受降的强硬姿态，派遣镇军将军张永、中领军沈攸之率5万兵马北上相迎其来朝，薛安都见此遂决心在彭城叛归北魏。张永等兵败彭城（今江苏省徐州市），淮南地区刘宋势力薄弱，便任命萧道成为「假冠军将军（假即代理，第三品）、持节、都督北讨前锋诸军事（持节都督，第二品）」，镇守淮阴（今江苏省淮安市）。

刘宋宋明帝|明帝(刘宋)|泰始三年(467年)－40岁

刘宋前将军沈攸之、前军将军吴喜等北伐军队在睢口兵败，萧道成奉命解围淮北，解围成功后萧道成升任为「督南兖、徐二州诸军事、南兖州刺史（领兵刺史，第四品），持节、假冠军将军（假即代理，第三品）、督北讨前锋诸军事」（持节都督，第二品），镇守在广陵。

刘宋宋明帝|明帝(刘宋)|泰始五年(469年)－42岁

萧道成原本持节都督的范围被增加为「都督兖、青、冀三州诸军事」。

明帝生疑

刘宋宋明帝|明帝(刘宋)|泰始六年(470年)－43岁

六月，由于萧道成在军中日久，所以民间都说萧道成长的和普通人不一样，应该成为天子。宋明帝因此对其暗生疑心，想把萧道成调回中央，以剥夺其兵权，因此把他任命为「黄门侍郎（第五品，皇帝近臣），领越骑校尉（第四品，禁军将领）」，萧道成畏惧而不敢拜受，朝廷只好恢复授予其冠军将军之职，留守本任。此时萧道成手下的冠军参军荀伯玉劝萧道成派遣数十骑兵进入北魏境内，张贴布告，号召北魏百姓起义。北魏朝廷听闻此事，果然派出游骑兵数百人，沿著两国的边境来回巡逻。萧道成以此消息报告给刘宋朝廷，宋明帝只好恢复萧道成的原职。

九月，萧道成所部被更动驻地，从广陵调到淮阴。

刘宋宋明帝|明帝(刘宋)|泰始七年(471年)－44岁

七月，因担心萧道成在淮阴有二心，与北魏有所勾连，宋明帝遂派遣淮陵太守、冠军将军吴喜率领三千人北使淮阴，并将军队驻扎在破釜，单人携带明帝所赐的银壶酒封赐给萧道成。萧道成对此甚是畏惧，担心这是毒酒，想要逃走，吴喜将情况告知以军装出来迎接的萧道成，并且先将酒饮下，以表示无毒，萧道成见到之后便也饮下酒。随后吴喜返回建康后将萧道成的情况上报给明帝，保证萧道成的忠诚，明帝甚为欣喜。

不久，吴喜因素有计谋，明帝担心会对太子刘昱有所威胁，便将吴喜害死。随后又召萧道成回建康，部下都认为萧道成此去凶险，劝他不要回去，但萧道成说道:「你们并没有看透如前国内的形势，只是因为如今太子年纪太小，担心自己的兄弟在其死后会对太子有所威胁，所以才把自己的兄弟一一剪除，与他人无关。如今我必须立即出发返回京城，若有稍微延误观望，我必定受到陛下的猜忌。而且，如今刘宋皇室之间骨肉相残，其政权势必难以长久，诸位如今大祸将临，各位要与我同心协力才是。」随即萧道成抵达建康，果然无事，被任命为「散骑常侍（第三品）、太子左卫率（第五品，东宫宿卫将领）」并加邑二百户(食邑八百户)。

入朝辅政

刘宋宋明帝|明帝泰豫元年(472年)－45岁

四月己亥（472年5月10日），宋明帝刘彧驾崩，年仅9岁的宋后废帝刘昱即位。宋明帝遗诏中先任命了小皇帝的叔叔江州刺史、桂阳王刘休范加任为司空、侍中，随后更是任命了五位托孤顾命大臣，分别是：

• 中书令、护军将军、散骑常侍、雩都县伯褚渊

• 中领军、尚书右仆射、鄱阳县侯刘勔

• 尚书令、丹阳尹、兴平县子袁粲

• 使持节、都督荆湘雍益宁南北秦八州诸军事、征西将军、开府仪同三司、荆州刺史、散骑常侍、乐安县伯蔡兴宗

• 持节、都督郢州及豫州西西阳及司州之义阳二郡诸军事、镇军将军、郢州刺史、贞阳县公沈攸之

又因褚渊素来与萧道成关系良好，因此向当时卧病的宋明帝推荐萧道成，因此在遗诏之中将萧道成任命为「右卫将军（第四品），领卫尉（第三品）」，加兵五百人，与上述等大臣共掌机要大事。

而后，萧道成又别领东北选事（铨选职官的官职）。不久萧道成被解除卫尉的职位，改加任「侍中（第三品）」，并负责石头城的防务军事。

平乱掌权

刘宋宋后废帝|后废帝(年号)|元徽二年(474年)－47岁

因宋明帝担心后废帝的叔叔们会威胁到他的统治，因此在统治晚期大肆诸杀宗室藩王，桂阳王刘休范因实在太过平凡而得以不受诛杀，但等到后废帝即位后，刘休范开始对皇位有觊觎之心，开始练习骑马，招揽士卒兵马，并在这年五月，在寻阳（今江西省九江市）举兵造反。数天之内便得士卒两万馀人，马匹五百匹。随后兵发盆口，乘坐商旅船舰，沿著长江直取建康而来。刘宋大雷戍主杜道欣、鹊头戍主刘諐等皆急忙将此事变告知朝廷，朝廷闻此消息，无不惶骇惊惧。

萧道成与护军将军褚渊、征北将军张永、中领军刘勔、尚书左仆射刘秉、游击将军戴明宝、骁骑将军阮佃夫、右军将军王道隆、中书舍人孙千龄、员外郎杨运长等朝廷大臣，集中在中书省一起商议对策，但却没有一个人开口说话。

萧道成见此便说道:「昔日长江上游的造反，皆因行事过于迟缓而导致失败，刘休范此次造反必定吸取过去的教训，令士卒轻装直下长江，趁我等不备而来。所以如今应变的方法，不应该派兵远征。若远征的部队战败，则我方军心必定受挫。如今我们应当在新亭、白下两处堡垒屯兵，并派兵坚守建康宫城、东府城、石头城三处。则刘休范的军队千里孤军深入，没有后继之力，求战不得之下必定军队溃散瓦解。所以我请求由我率军屯兵新亭作为前锋，征北将军张永则率兵驻守白下，中堂过去是军队集结的地方，因此应由中领军刘勔屯兵在宣阳门指挥各军。至于其馀各位大人请安坐殿内，不须尽出，我必能击破叛贼刘休范的军队。」在场的众位大臣纷纷签字同意刚刚萧道成的建议。

但其中唯有中书舍人孙千龄，因为与刘休范早有秘密契约，因此独排众议的说道：「如今我们应该和过去一样派遣军队占据梁山等地，禁军若不离开白下城，则应该屯兵南州。」萧道成正色说道：「如今叛贼已经攻近，怎可派军赶到梁山呢！新亭乃是兵家必争之地，所以我欲誓死杀敌以报国厚恩罢了。平时我可以委曲求全，听取你的诸般意见，但今日事关重大，绝不行听你所言。」大家散会离座后，萧道成对刘勔说道：「中领军您已经和在下商议好对敌之策，之后切不可随意改变。」随后萧道成乘坐马车，身著白服，率领前锋军队抵达新亭。刘宋朝廷任命萧道成为「使持节、都督征讨诸军（持节都督，第二品）、平南将军（第三品）」，加鼓吹一部。

一到新亭，萧道成便开始修建城垒，但是尚未修筑完毕，刘休范的叛军前军便已经抵达新亭了。萧道成为了安抚士众内心，于是解开衣服躺在床上，以示自己胸有成竹，随后要来发布军令的白虎幡，登上西边的城墙。命令宁朔将军高道庆、羽林监、彭泽县子陈显达、员外郎、重安县子王敬则率领舰队与叛贼进行水战，从新林（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。今江苏省南京市六合区东南）大破叛军水师，烧其船舰，叛军死伤甚众。随后叛军在新林徒步上岸，萧道成遣使禀报刘勔此处情况，接著命令手下使用大小浮桥渡上长江北岸。

此时，刘休范乘座肩舆率领叛军来到新垒南侧，萧道成便派遣宁朔将军、屯骑校尉、葛阳县男黄回和冗从仆射、骑官主、马军主、晋安县子周盘龙率领军队出垒与叛军对阵。刘休范分兵攻打新垒东面，两军随后短兵接战，从巳时（9-11时）战到午时（11-13时），见己方众多兵将脸色都有点变色。萧道成安抚众将说道：「叛军人虽然很多而军阵却是混乱不堪，不用多久我军就可以把他们击败了。」随后，萧道成命龙骧将军杨运长率领三齐射手七百人以箭矢掩护部队，成功阻止敌军直接攻打新垒。

刘休范身穿白色便服，坐著两人抬的轻便小轿，亲自登上新亭南面的临沧观，仅带数十名卫士。官军屯骑校尉黄回与越骑校尉张敬儿，商量向刘休范诈降，以便偷袭他。黄回对张敬儿说：「你可以取刘休范的性命，我曾发誓绝不诛杀亲王！」张敬儿把这打算报告萧道成，萧道成说：「如果你能够成功，就把本州赏赐给你。」张敬儿于是跟黄回出城南下，放下武器，边跑边大喊「投降」。刘休范大喜，把二人叫到轿旁，黄回假装传达萧道成的秘密旨意，刘休范信以为真，把两个儿子刘德宣、刘德嗣，送给萧道成作为人质。两个儿子一到，萧道成立即把他们斩首。刘休范把黄回、张敬儿留在身边，他的亲信李恒、钟爽，都加以劝阻，刘休范不听。这时刘休范每天饮酒，黄回看刘休范没有防备，便向张敬儿使一个眼色，张敬儿抽出刘休范的防身佩刀，砍下刘休范的人头，侍卫人员惊慌逃窜，张敬儿骑马飞奔，带著刘休范的人头跑回新亭。

萧道成出自兰陵萧氏，父亲萧承之仕于刘宋为右将军，萧道成亦在刘宋担任军官，出镇淮阴，任南兖州刺史。当时传言他当为天子，宋明帝一度怀疑他，但最终释然，后又召他回京。明帝驾崩，萧道成以右卫将军领卫尉的名衔，与其他数位大臣受遗诏掌机要，为辅政大臣。刘昱即位皇帝后，皇叔桂阳王兼江州刺史刘休范叛变，为萧道成领军所平定，权势日隆。

但青春期的刘昱喜好弓马，时常杀人取乐，又滥杀无辜，一次突然跑到萧道成家中，道成是个大胖子，「方坦而昼卧，腹大如瓠」。刘昱玩心顿起，觉得这么大的肚子是个绝好的箭靶，拿起箭来就「弯弓欲射其腹」。萧道成苦苦哀求，左右随从也纷纷劝解说：萧大人肚子这么大，这么好的目标，一箭就射死太可惜了！以后想射就没有了！好说歹说之下，刘昱答应去掉箭镞才射，结果一箭射中肚脐，欢呼高歌而去。剩下吓得一身冷汗，死里逃生心有馀悸的权臣萧道成。

477年，刘昱被萧道成的党羽杨玉夫所弑，萧道成改立宋顺帝刘准，独揽朝政。并在同年和隔年（478年），分别消灭了忠于宋室的尚书令袁粲和割据地方的荆州刺史沈攸之，宰制全国。同年，以谋反为由杀南平王刘伯玉。

479年，萧道成又剪除出镇地方的宗室刘赞、刘绰等，以谋反为由诛杀鄱阳王刘士弘兄弟、原南平王刘宣曜兄弟等，邵陵王刘友、衡阳王刘伯道、始平王刘延之、巴陵王刘冲始、长沙王刘纂、南丰王刘颁等藩王也都在这一年「薨逝」。最终萧道成于同年篡宋自立为天子，国号齐。登基后杀死包括顺帝在内的明帝诸子。

他为政务节俭，实施检籍政策，清查诈入士族籍贯的寒人。

与南朝宋的刘裕一样，在位仅四年去世，终年56岁。

除了在政治上的功业，萧道成也广览经学、史学书籍，善写作文、书法和下棋。

北宋的司马光评论他：「高帝以功名之盛，不容于昏暴之朝，逆取而顺守之，亦一时之良主也。」

经历

• 元嘉二十三年(446年)－19岁：左军中兵参军

• 元嘉二十九年(452年)－25岁：袭封父亲的晋兴县五等男爵位（食邑三百四十户）

• 孝建初年(454年)－27岁：大司马参军

• 孝建三年(456年)－29岁：员外郎→直阁中书舍人

• 大明二年(458年)－31岁：抚军参军→建康令

• 大明五年(461年)－34岁：北中郎中兵参军→武烈将军、建康令、北中郎中兵参军

• 景和元年(465年)－38岁：后军将军

• 泰始元年(465年)－38岁：右军将军

• 泰始二年(466年)－39岁：辅国将军→骁骑将军、卫军司马，封西阳县侯爵位（食邑六百户）→征北司马、南东海太守、行南徐州事→假冠军将军、持节、都督北讨前锋诸军事

• 泰始三年(467年)－40岁：都督南兖、徐二州诸军事、南兖州刺史，持节、假冠军将军、都督北讨前锋诸军事

• 泰始五年(469年)－42岁：都督南兖、徐、兖、青、冀三州诸军事、南兖州刺史，持节、假冠军将军、都督北讨前锋诸军事

• 泰始七年(471年)－44岁：散骑常侍、太子左卫率，加邑二百户(食邑八百户)

• 泰豫元年(472年)－45岁：右卫将军、卫尉→右卫将军、侍中

• 元徽二年(474年)－47岁：持节、都督征讨诸军、平南将军→散骑常侍、中领军、都督南兖徐兖青冀五州军事、镇军将军、南兖州刺史，持节，封西阳县公爵位，加邑二千户(食邑二千八百户)

• 元徽四年(476年)－49岁：尚书左仆射、散骑常侍、中领军、都督南兖徐兖青冀五州军事、镇军将军、南兖州刺史，持节

• 元徽五年(477年)－50岁：骠骑大将军、开府仪同三司→骠骑大将军、开府仪同三司、南徐州刺史→骠骑大将军、开府仪同三司、南徐州刺史、督豫、司二州诸军事

• 升明二年(478年)－51岁：太尉、都督南徐、南兖、徐、兖、青、冀、司、豫、荆、雍、湘、郢、梁、益、广、越十六州诸军事，加邑三千户（五千八百户）→假黄钺、都督中外诸军事、太傅、领扬州牧、使持节、太尉、骠骑大将军、录尚书事、南徐州刺史

• 升明三年(479年)－52岁：相国，总百揆、封十郡为齐公，备九锡之礼、骠骑大将军、扬州牧、南徐州刺史→加封十郡为齐王、相国、扬州牧、骠骑大将军、南徐州刺史

• 建元元年(479年)－52岁：登基称帝，建立南齐王朝，改元建元

• 建元四年(482年)－55岁：驾崩于临光殿，谥曰太祖高皇帝

家庭

父母

• 父：齐宣帝萧承之

• 母：孝宣皇后陈道正

异母兄

• 大哥 衡阳元王萧道度

• 二哥 始安贞王萧道生：其子萧鸾即位为皇帝后追封其为景皇。

后妃

• 皇后

　• 刘智容，生武帝、豫章文献王嶷

• 妃嫔

　• 罗太妃，生武陵昭王萧曅，追封

　• 任太妃，生安成恭王萧暠

　• 何太妃，生始兴简王萧鉴、宜都王萧铿

　• 谢贵嫔，生临川献王萧映、长沙威王萧晃

　• 陆修仪，生鄱阳王萧锵、晋熙王萧銶

　• 袁修容，生桂阳王萧铄

　• 区贵人，生衡阳王萧钧

　• 张淑妃，生江夏王萧锋、河东王萧铉

　• 李美人，生南平王萧锐

儿女

• 儿

　• 长子 萧赜：字宣远，后为齐武帝，母高昭皇后刘智容。

　• 次子 萧嶷：豫章文献王，母高昭皇后刘智容。

　• 三子 萧映：临川献王，母谢贵嫔。

　• 四子 萧晃：长沙威王，母谢贵嫔。

　• 五子 萧曅：武陵昭王，母罗太妃。494年卒。

　• 六子 萧暠：安成恭王，母任太妃。

　• 七子 萧锵：鄱阳王，母陆修仪。494年被齐明帝所杀。

　• 八子 萧铄：桂阳王，母袁修容。

　• 九子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十子 萧鉴：始兴简王，母何太妃。

　• 十一子 萧钧：衡阳王，母区贵人。

　• 十二子 萧锋：江夏王，母张淑妃。

　• 十三子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十四子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十五子 萧锐：南平王，母李美人。

　• 十六子 萧铿：宜都王，母何太妃。

　• 十七子 ：未命名，早亡。

　• 十八子 萧銶：晋熙王，母陆修仪。

　• 十九子 萧铉：河东王，母张淑妃。

• 女

　• 长女 义兴宪公主：下嫁沈文和

　• 次女 淮南长公主：下嫁王暕

　• 三女 临海长公主：下嫁王彬

后裔

• 七世孙：萧德绪，唐朝银青光禄大夫、舒杭颍三州刺史、兰陵郡公。

　• 八世孙：萧元晃，徐州蕲县令。

　　• 九世孙：萧凝，信州录事参军

　　　• 十世孙：萧鍊（？－805年），字惟柔，天德军摄团练判官、太原府参军。

　　　　• 十一世孙：萧绍初

　　　　• 十一世孙：乳名郑儿

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 (萧承之) 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 (南兖州, modern eastern central Jiangsu), defending the important city of Huaiyin (淮阴, 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" (四贵). 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 (荆州, 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 广陵刘氏; 423–472), personal name Zhirong (智容)

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

　• Xiao Yi, Prince Yuzhang Wenxian (豫章文献王 萧嶷; 444–492), second son

• Guipin, of the Xie clan (贵嫔 谢氏)

　• Xiao Ying, Prince Linchuanxian (临川献王 萧映; 459–490), third son

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

• Guiren, of the Qu clan (贵人 区氏)

　• Xiao Jun, Prince Hengyang (衡阳王 萧钧; 473–494), 11th son

• Xiuyi, of the Lu clan (修仪 陆氏)

　• Xiao Qiang, Prince Poyang (鄱阳王 萧锵; 468–494), seventh son

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

• Xiurong, of the Yuan clan (修容 袁氏)

　• Xiao Shuo, Prince Guiyang (桂阳王 萧铄; 470–494), eighth son

• Shufei, of the Zhang clan (淑妃 张氏)

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

　• Xiao Xuan, Prince Hedong (河东王 萧铉; 480–498), 19th son

• Meiren, of the Liu clan (美人 李氏)

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

• Lady, of the Luo clan (罗氏)

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

• Lady, of the Ren clan (任氏)

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

• Lady, of the He clan (何氏)

　• Xiao Jian, Prince Shixingjian (始兴简王 萧鉴; 471–491), tenth son

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

• Unknown

　• Princess Yixingxian (义兴宪公主), first daughter

　　• Married Shen Wenhe (沈文和)

　• Princess Huainan (淮南公主), second daughter

　　• Married Wang Jian (王暕)

　• Princess Linhai (临海公主), 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