Xu Xianzhi 徐羡之

Xu Xianzhi 徐羡之 (364-426), courtesy name Zongwen 宗文, from Tan 郯 in the commandery of Donghai 東海 (today's Tancheng 郯城, Shandong) was a high minister of the Liu-Song dynasty 劉宋 (420-479), one of the Southern Dynasties 南朝 (420-589).

Under the late Eastern Jin dynasty 東晉 (317-420), he was General Rising like an Eagle (yingyang jiangjun 鷹揚將軍), princely administrator (neishi 內史) of Langya 瑯邪, Minister of Personnel (libu shangshu 吏部尚書) and metropolitan magistrate (yin 尹) of Danyang 丹陽. In 416, when Liu Yu 劉裕 (the eventual Emperor Wu 宋武帝, r. 420-422) launched a northern campaign, Xu was given the title and status of Defender-in-Chief and Left Minster of War (taiwei zuo sima 太尉左司馬) as resident regent (liushou 留守) in the capital Jiankang 建康 (today's Nanjing 南京, Jiangsu). With Liu's foundation of the Song dynasty, Xu was given the designation of General of Defence (zhenjuan jiangjun 鎮軍將軍) and Cavalier attendant-in-ordinary (sanji changshi 散騎常侍), and was invested as District Duke of Nanchang 南昌縣公. Later on, he was made Director of the Imperial Secretariat (shangshu ling 尚書令) and concurrently regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Yangzhou 揚州. He finally rose to the posts of Minister of Works (sikong 司空) and Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat (lu shangshu shi 錄尚書事).

When Emperor Wu died, Xu was nominated one of a group of regents for the Heir Apparent Liu Yifu 劉義符, together with Fu Liang 傅亮 (374-426), Xie Hui 謝晦 (390-426), and Tan Daoji 檀道濟 (394-436). Liu Yifu, known as the Infant Emperor 宋少帝 (r. 422－424), however, proved incompetent and was dethroned and murdered by the regents. They then enthroned Liu Yilong 劉義隆, the Prince of Yidu 宜都 (known as Emperor Wen 文皇帝, r. 424-453). Xu Xianzhi was made Minister of Revenue (situ 司徒), and invested as Commandery Duke of Nanping 南平郡公. In 426, Emperor Wen accused Xu of high treason, and Xu committed suicide.