Xiao Dalian

Xiao Dalian (蕭大連, 527–551) was a member of the imperial family of the Chinese Northern and Southern dynasties Liang dynasty. His courtesy name was Renjing (仁靖), and he was the fourth son of Emperor Jianwen. His mother was Empress Wang Lingbin (王靈賓).

Life

From a young age, Xiao Dalian was talented, wise, and quick-witted. He excelled at composition, his demeanor was refined and graceful, and he had ingenious ideas. He also mastered music in a masterful way, and his versatility in being skilled at many things was like that of a painter.

In 536, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Lincheng County (臨城縣公) and received a fief of 1,500 households.

In 541, together with his elder brother Xiao Dalin, he studied at the National Academy, taking the shice (射策) and jiake (甲科) examinations and reading books, and became a Gentleman of the Central Secretariat (中書侍郞).

In 544, together with Xiao Dalin, he followed his grandfather, Emperor Wu, to Zhufang (朱方). Emperor Wu ordered them to learn horse riding, and the two of them went and returned wearing saddles, each displaying their accomplishments, and Emperor Wu was pleased and bestowed new horses for them to ride. Afterwards, Xiao Dalian became Gentleman of the Yellow Gate (黃門侍郞), then was changed to Attendant-in-Ordinary (侍中), and not long after, he concurrently held the military affairs of Shitou Garrison (石頭戍軍事).

In 547, he became Military Commissioner with Staff Authority (使持節), General of Light Chariots (輕車將軍), and Governor of Dongyangzhou (東揚州刺史).

In 548, when the Hou Jing Rebellion broke out, Xiao Dalian led 40,000 men to come to the aid of the capital, Jiankang.

In 549, Jiankang fell and the relief forces scattered, so Xiao Dalian returned to Yangzhou. Tian Ling (田領) and others from Kuaiji (會稽) gathered tens of thousands of men and attacked, so Xiao Dalian ordered the Central Army Military Adviser (中兵參軍) Zhang Biao (張彪) to attack and behead him. That same year, on the 18th day of the 7th month, Emperor Jianwen enfeoffed him as Prince of Nanjun (南郡王) and granted him a fief of 2,000 households. Hou Jing dispatched Zhao Baichao (趙伯超) and Liu Shenmao (劉神茂) to subjugate Xiao Dalian, and spies within the city responded to them. Xiao Dalian abandoned the city and fled, but was captured at Xin'an (信安).

In the sixth month of 550, he became Acting Governor of Yangzhou (行揚州事). In the seventh month, he became Governor of Jiangzhou (江州刺史).

In the eighth month of 551, after Hou Jing deposed Emperor Jianwen, he sent men to Gushu (姑孰), where Xiao Dalian was, and had him killed. He was 25 years old.