Xiao Ziliang 蕭子良

Xiao Ziliang 蕭子良 (460-494), courtesy name Yunying 雲英, was a writer of the Southern Qi period 南齊 (479-502). He was the second son of Emperor Wu 齊武帝 (r. 482-493) and was originally invested as Prince of Jingling 竟陵. He then was made palace attendant (zhizhong 侍中), regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of Nan-Yanzhou 南兗州, General of Eastern Cavalry (dongji jiangjun 東騎將軍), and Minister of the Masses (situ 司徒). His highest rank was the honorific title of Grand Mentor (taifu 太傅).

When Xiao Zhaoye 蕭昭業 (r. 493-494) acceeded to the throne, Xiao Ziliang was made regent. But increasing envy and hatred in the environment of the court made him sick, and he died with only 35. His posthumous title was Prince Wenxuan 竟陵文宣王.

According to historians, Xiao Ziliang was a young man of noble character who was courteous, and all the talented and educated people gathered at his door. When Emperor Wu personally took over the government, Xiao Ziliang could pursue his father to relax punishment and ease labour services.

He was inspired by Buddhism, invited famous monks to explain the creed, and was personally present at the Vegetarian Rites, which was regarded by many contemporaries as a loss of a high ministers's etiquette. As a Buddhist believer, he admonished people to behave in good manners. His own governance was characterised by benevolence. Whenever a shortage in grain occurred, he had the granaries opened.

The encylcopaedia Huanglan 皇覽, of which only fragments survive, was compiled under his supervision. and set up the descriptive bibliography Sibu yaolüe 四部要略 with a collection of one hundred scholarly works.

His collected writings had a size of several dozen fascicles. Quite famous is his story collection Mingyanji 冥驗記, which emulated Liu Yiqing's 劉義慶 Xuanyanji 宣驗記.