Liu Yu was the grandfather of Liu Yu (Liu Yu’s namesake but different tone), both emperors of the Liu Song dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. Although their names sound alike, their contributions to the Liu Song dynasty were vastly different. One was a brilliant and visionary leader who founded the Liu Song dynasty and was a famed commander of the formidable Northern Army, commanding respect and fear across the land. The other ruthlessly slaughtered members of the Liu family and loyal officials, causing the dynasty’s power to weaken and decline rapidly. This latter emperor earned notorious nicknames such as “Pig King” and “Butcher Emperor” due to his cruel reign.
Liu Yu rose to prominence through numerous military campaigns, forging the Liu Song dynasty. Originating from the Northern Army, he was a highly skilled general who achieved countless victories in his southern and northern expeditions. To stabilize his rear, he crushed the remnants of Huan Wen’s Huan Chu regime, quelled the maritime rebellion led by the pirate Sun En that threatened coastal cities, and brought the Western Shu region under his control. He also dismantled powerful military factions led by Lu Xun, Sima Xiu, and Liu Yi, who held significant autonomous power. This ensured Liu Yu faced no internal rivals, granting him the strength to launch his northern campaigns. In these, he defeated the Southern Yan and Later Qin states, subdued the small kingdom of Qiuchi, and ultimately, relying on the strategic Yellow River front and commanding only 2,000 troops arranged in the famous “Moon Formation,” triumphed over the formidable Northern Wei ruler Tuoba Gui’s elite 30,000 cavalry. His reconquest reclaimed vast territories in northern Huai River, Shandong, Henan, and Guanzhong, and restored the ancient capitals Luoyang and Chang’an. This campaign marked the greatest northern expedition since the Eastern Jin era.
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Liu Yu’s powerful leadership ushered in a century of rare unity and stability in southern China.
Driven and determined, Liu Yu reformed and strengthened the Liu Song dynasty. Coming from a humble background, he despised the aristocratic clans’ large-scale land grabs that displaced common people and left them destitute. He consistently opposed the Eastern Jin nobility’s oppressive land monopolies and punished unscrupulous wealthy landowners, actively supporting the poor and easing class tensions. His efforts earned him great respect and popularity among the populace.
He frequently removed officials who secured positions through connections rather than merit, championing a system that selected talent through examinations. He particularly favored capable individuals from modest origins, especially those with military skills. Liu Yu centralized authority, promoted education, prioritized economic recovery, and reduced the tax burden on those affected by warfare. These reforms significantly stabilized and strengthened the Liu Song dynasty, lessened class conflicts, improved the political climate, and enhanced the central government’s power.
Liu Yu’s grandson Liu Yu was mockingly called the “Pig King.” Liu Ziye, his nephew, fearing rebellion from his uncles, imprisoned them all in cages. Because Liu Yu was overweight, Liu Ziye nicknamed him “Pig King.” In one cruel episode, Liu Ziye had a pit dug in a room filled with pig feed and scraps, forcing Liu Yu to eat like a pig for his amusement. Liu Ziye’s behavior was depraved and cruel to the extreme; he even contemplated killing the “Pig King” to celebrate the birth of his own child.
Fortunately, Liu Yu’s brother cleverly intervened, saving his life. After Liu Ziye’s child was born, a general amnesty was declared, allowing Liu Yu to survive this dark period.
Liu Yu’s reign became synonymous with luxury, cruelty, and violence, earning him the title “Butcher Emperor.” His personal suffering was immense, enduring humiliation by his nephew, yet he survived. Following a series of wars and coups, he executed Liu Ziye and seized the throne for himself.
However, the harsh experiences did not cultivate compassion in him; instead, they bred a ruthless and merciless ruler. Upon becoming emperor, Liu Yu slaughtered all of Liu Ziye’s siblings and children to avenge his humiliation. Paranoia over the stability of his rule led him to kill even his own brothers who had supported him. Although he won the final victory during the Yijia Disturbance, his tyrannical and suspicious nature caused frequent strife between central and regional powers, weakening military strength and ultimately paving the way for the Liu Song dynasty’s downfall.
The stark contrast between Liu Yu and Liu Yu lies in their approach to governance. Unlike his grandfather, Liu Yu failed to work diligently to strengthen the state. Instead, he sought vengeance for his personal humiliations by intensifying conflicts, neglecting the crucial need to ease tensions to stabilize his reign. Lacking any sense of benevolence, integrity, or honor, Liu Yu indulged in debauchery, forcing others to watch indecent performances, behaviors that undermined social morality and destabilized the political order. Furthermore, he massacred so many Liu family descendants that only outsiders remained, inviting external challenges to his central authority.
Still, Liu Yu and his grandfather shared one similarity: Liu Yu was also a ruthless killer. He murdered the Sima family emperor who abdicated in his favor, setting a precedent for violent usurpation. Fortunately, Liu Yu’s remarkable achievements overshadowed this dark aspect of his rise to power.
