Zhu Xiuzhi 朱修之

Zhu Xiuzhi 朱脩之 (d.464), also written 朱修之, courtesy name Gongzu 恭祖, from Pingshi 平氏 in the commandery of Yiyang 義陽 (today's Tongbai 桐柏, Henan), was a high minister of the Liu-Song dynasty 劉宋 (420-479), one of the Southern Dynasties 南朝 (420-589).

He began as a minor official in Renzhou 任州. During Dao Yanzhi's 到彥之 (d. 433) northern campaign, Zhu was captured by the army of the Northern Wei 北魏 (386-534). Emperor Taiwu 北魏太武帝 (r. 423-451) acknowledged his integrity and made him a palace attendant (shizhong 侍中) and married him to a Northern Wei princess. However, Zhu could flee to the south by sea.

The Liu-Song dynasty made him Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate (huangmen shilang 黃門侍郎), and later Princely Administrator (neishi 內史) of Xiangxia 江夏. Emperor Xiaowu 宋孝武皇帝 (r. 453-464) made him Commandant Pacifying the Southern Barbarians (ningman xiaowei 寧蠻校尉), and then regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Yongzhou 雍州.

The regional inspector of Jinzhou 荊州, the Prince of Nanjun 南郡, Liu Yixuan 劉義宣 (415-454), tried to pursue Zhu Xiuzhi to stage a rebellion. Zhu feigned to conspire with the Prince, but secretly informed the court. Zhu was rewarded with the post of the Prince, and was invested as District Marquis of Nanchang 南昌縣侯. He was famous for his personal modesty and the refusal to accept presents or bribes. Zhu's foremost duty was the protection of the borderlands. For his efforts, he was promoted to the post of Left Minister of Revenue (zuo min shangshu 左民尚書), and was then made General of the Palace Guards (lingjun jiangjun 領軍將軍) and was given the honorific title of Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon (jinzi guanglu dafu 金紫光祿大夫) and Chamberlain of the Imperial Stud (taipu 太僕).

Zhu Xiuzhi's posthumous title is Marquis Zhen 南昌貞侯.