Xiao Ni

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Xiao Ni (c. 444 – 492), also known as Xuanyan, was an imperial prince of Southern Qi. He was the son of the dynasty’s founder, Xiao Daocheng (Emperor Gao), and the brother of Emperor Wu (Xiao Ze). He held the title Prince Wenxian of Yuzhang.

As a young man, Xiao Ni held several minor government jobs, including a county post and a census administrator. In 466, when his father received a higher title, Xiao Ni became the Marquess of Jinshou. He then fought as a general under his father during the 474 rebellion led by Liu Xiufan.

In 477 the young Emperor Houfei ruled erratically, causing fear. One night he visited Xiao Ni’s home with his guards and saw a sword dance arranged by Xiao Ni’s men; fearing an attack, Houfei left. Meanwhile, Xiao Daocheng decided to seize power with the help of Yang Yufu and had Houfei assassinated, making Liu Zhun Emperor Shun in name but a puppet under Xiao Daocheng. Xiao Ni was made Duke of Yong’an, and in 478 he was appointed governor of Jing Province after Xiao Daocheng defeated Shen Youzhi. In 479, Xiao Daocheng ended Liu Song and started Southern Qi, and Xiao Ni became Prince of Yuzhang. He was later recalled to Jiankang to govern the capital region, Yang Province, a post he kept for life.

Xiao Ni was very close to his older brother Xiao Ze, who became Crown Prince and then Emperor Wu. They often discussed state matters privately, and Emperor Wu valued Xiao Ni’s advice. Emperor Wu even allowed Xiao Ni’s wife, Princess Yu, to oversee the ancestral worship of their parents and grandparents.

In 482, Xiao Gao died, and Xiao Ni mourned so deeply that his eyes bled. Emperor Wu then became Emperor Wu and honored Xiao Ni, who remained influential at court while usually acting as a trusted adviser rather than making formal policy decisions.

Xiao Ni wanted Yang Province to stay in his family, but Emperor Wu did not transfer it to his son Xiao Ziliang. Xiao Ni did not have a lasting heir at first and is believed to have adopted Emperor Wu’s son Xiao Zixiang as his heir. In 488, after Zixiang threw a tantrum over status, the adoption was reversed, and Zixiang returned to Emperor Wu’s line as Prince of Badong. Zixiang was executed in 490 after killing several advisers.

Xiao Ni died in 492 and was buried with great honors. In his will he noted that his eldest line would be remembered in history, and his fifth son Xiao Zixian later became the official who wrote the Book of Qi, the history of Southern Qi, in the Liang Dynasty.