Liu Zixun, courtesy name Xiaode, was an imperial prince and pretender to the throne of the Chinese Liu Song dynasty, who received claims of allegiance from most provinces of the state during the year 466 after his staff made a claim to the throne on his behalf, rivalling that of his uncle Emperor Ming, following the assassination of his brother Emperor Qianfei in 465.
10 Facts About Liu Zixun
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Liu Zixun was born in 456, as Emperor Xiaowu's third son.
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Liu Zixun was said to be unfavored by Emperor Xiaowu because he had an eye illness.
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However, as Zhu approached the capital of Jiang Province, Xunyang, he intentionally slowed down, and upon hearing this, Liu Zixun's staff, led by his chief of staff Deng Wan, declared a rebellion in Liu Zixun's name and sought support from other provinces.
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However, the ambitious Deng Wan, believing in the same coincidence that Emperor Qianfei did regarding Liu Zixun's third-born status, rejected Emperor Ming's promotion order and prepared to resist Emperor Ming, in association with Yuan Yi the governor of Yong Province and Liu Zisui's chief of staff Xun Bianzhi.
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However, Liu Zixun's generals proceeded slowly, believing that Jiankang would collapse on its own due to the lack of food supply.
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Emperor Ming's general Wu Xi was quickly able to advance east and capture Liu Zifang, taking the commanderies around Kuaiji that had declared for Liu Zixun and securing a food supply.
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Liu Zixun Hu fled back to Xunyang, but then left under guise that he was going to set up perimeter defenses while instead fleeing.
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Xunyang was left without a defense, and Deng Wan contemplated killing Liu Zixun to save himself, but instead was killed by another staff member Zhang Yue.
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Shen then arrived and executed Liu Zixun, ending his rival claim.