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Xiao Xian

Type Figure Region China Time 583–621 Also known as King of Liang

Xiao Xian (583–621), a descendant of the Liang dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, declared himself emperor at Jiangling in the late Sui, restoring Li…

Timeline

  1. 583–617Jiangling · JingzhouXiao Xian was a great-grandson of Liang's Emperor Ming; after Sui destroyed Liang his clan moved to Guanzhong, and he later served as magistrate of Luo County. When Emperor Yang of Sui made his southern tour to Jiangdu, Xiao Xian was ordered to supervise transport, but was stranded in his home village and drawn into the turmoil of the late Sui.
  2. 617–620Jiangling · JingzhouIn the late Sui, Lin Shihong held Jiangling; Xiao Xian was enthroned as King of Liang, later declaring himself emperor, adopting the era name Mingfeng and establishing his capital at Jiangling. He sent generals on southern and northern campaigns, successively defeating Lin Shihong, Shen Faxing, and others, holding over forty provinces and controlling the middle Yangtze.
  3. 620–621Jiangling · JingzhouTang dispatched Li Xiaogong and Li Jing to lead a fleet down the Yangtze, breaking Liang forces one after another. Relying on the natural barrier of the Yangtze, Xiao Xian was lax in defense; the Tang army struck directly at Jiangling, and after the city fell Xiao Xian surrendered and was taken prisoner.
  4. 621Chang'an · Xi'anXiao Xian was escorted to Chang'an, where Emperor Gaozu of Tang ordered him beheaded in the market; the Liang state was extinguished and the middle Yangtze was incorporated into Tang territory.

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