Liu Zhun 劉準, Emperor Shun of the Song Dynasty 宋順帝

Emperor Shun 宋順帝 (r. 477-479), personal name Liu Zhun 劉準 (469-479), courtesy name Zhongmo 謨, childhood name Zhiguan 知觀, was the last emperor of the Liu-Song dynasty 劉宋 (420-479), one of the Southern Dynasties 南朝 (420-589). He was the third son of Emperor Ming 宋明帝 (465-472) and Lady Chen 陳昭華 (see female offices).

In 471, he was made Prince of Ancheng 安成. With the accession of Liu Yu 劉昱 (463-477) to the throne, Liu Zhun was given the nominal title of regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Yangzhou 揚州. In 474, he was nominally promoted to the status of General of Chariots and Cavalry (cheji jiangjun 車騎將軍) and Commander-in-Chief of the provinces of Yangzhou and Nanyuzhou 南豫州 (dutu zhu junshi 都督諸軍事), and in 476, he was given the title of Cavalry General-in-chief (piaoji da jiangjun 驃騎大將軍).

A year later, the General of the Palace Guard (lingjun jiangjun 領軍將軍), Xiao Daocheng 蕭道成 (427-482), organised the assassination of Liu Yu and enthroned Liu Zhun, changing the reign motto to Shengming 昇明 (also written 升明). Xiao Daocheng was made Minister of Works (sikong 司空) and Overseer of the Imperial Secretariat (lu shangshu shi 錄尚書事) and was thus the factual regent of the empire. In 479, Xiao was given the title of Counsellor-in-chief (xiangguo 相國) and was invested as Duke of Qi 齊公, and shortly later as King of Qi 齊王. In the same year, he forced Liu Zhun to abdicate (shanrang 禪讓) and thus ended the Song dynasty, founding the (Southern) Qi dynasty 南齊 (479-502).

Liu Zhun was given the status of King of Ruyin 汝陰, residing in the imperial palace in Danyang 丹陽, where the imperial tombs were located. Not for long, Xiao had Liu Zhun killed. He was buried in the tomb hill Suining Ling 遂寧陵 and given the posthumous title of Emperor Shun.