Emperor Wu of Song

Emperor Wu of (Liu) Song, personal name Liu Yu, was the founding emperor of the Liu Song dynasty. Born in 363 to a poor family, his mother died shortly after his birth, and his father considered abandoning him until an aunt intervened, nursing him alongside her own child. Liu Yu grew up uneducated, knowing only a few characters, and supported himself by selling straw sandals and gambling, earning the contempt of his neighbors. He eventually became an officer under General Sun Wuzhong. In 399, when the magician Sun En rebelled, Liu Yu joined the army of the warlord Liu Laozhi. During a scouting mission, he was ambushed by thousands of enemy soldiers; after all his men were killed, he stood his ground alone, killing any who approached, and was later found by Liu Laozhi’s son chasing off the remaining forces. His bravery and friendship with that son helped him rise through the ranks. In 401, he won several victories over Sun En despite being outnumbered, and was made governor of Xiapei Commandery, tasked with pursuing Sun En to his island stronghold. By 402, when the regent Sima Yuanxian and the warlord Huan Xuan clashed, Liu Yu advised Liu Laozhi against switching sides, but was ignored. After Huan Xuan seized power and stripped Liu Laozhi of command, Liu Yu left the army and returned to civilian life at Jingkou. He soon rejoined the military, and by 403 he held a general’s rank, repelling an attack by Sun En’s successor, Lu Xun. In 404, Liu Yu led a rebellion that overthrew Huan Xuan, who had usurped the Eastern Jin throne. Using political and military skill, he gradually concentrated power and expanded Jin’s territory. In 420, he forced Emperor Gong of Jin to abdicate, ending the Eastern Jin and founding the Liu Song dynasty. He ruled only two years before dying in 422, passing the throne to his son. An outstanding commander, perhaps the greatest of his era, he conquered two of the Sixteen Kingdoms and remained undefeated in battle. The *History of the Southern Dynasties* recorded his height as seven *chi* and six *cun*.