Xiao Zhengde 蕭正德

Xiao Zhengde 蕭正德 (d. 549), courtesy name Gonghe 公和, was a prince and counter-emperor of the Liang dynasty 梁 (502-557). He was a nephew of Emperor Wu 梁武帝, and because Emperor Wu did not have son in his earlier years, he adopted Xiao Zhengde. But in 501, when his first son Xiao Tong 蕭統 (501-531) was born, Tong was nominated Heir Apparent (Zhaoming Taizi 昭明太子), Xiao Zhengde had to do with the lower rank of Marquis of Xifeng 西豐侯. Thoroughly disappointed, Xiao swear to take revenge. In 532, he was given the title of General of Trustful Martiality (xinwu jiangjun 信武將軍) and was appointed governor (taishou 太守) of the commandery of Wujun 吳郡. Later, he was made palace attendant (shizhong 侍中) and invested as Prince of Linhe 臨賀.

During the rebellion of Hou Jing 侯景 (503-552), in 548, Hou instigated Xiao Zhenge to rebel against his own family, promising him to make him emperor. Xiao was trapped and supported his rebel army to cross the Yangtze river to attack the capital Jiankang 建康 (Nanjing 南京, Jiangsu). Xiao also opened the city gates to Hou. However, the imperial city resisted, and during the long-lasting siege, Emperor Wu starved to death.

Xiao Zhengde used this chance and proclaimed himself emperor, changing the reign motto to Zhengping 正平. But after a few months, Hou Jing, who had the position of Counsellor-in-Chief (chengxiang 丞相) dethroned him, demoted him to the status of palace attendant and gave him the honorific title of Commander-in-Chief (da sima 大司馬). Xiao Zhengde thereupon planned to kill Hou Jing, but the plot failed, and he was killed.