The Royal Acrobat

Compiled from Infamous Chinese Emperors

Some quick facts about this infamous emperor:

• Hailed from the Southern Qi Dynasty (479-502).
• Ascended the throne at the age of 17.
• Reigned from 498-501.
• Was given the posthumous title of Marquis of Donghun, which translates to idiotic eastern marquis.
• Liked to roam the streets and behaved like a street performer.

Who was he?

He was Xiao Baojuan. When Xiao Luan, Emperor Mingdi of the Southern Qi Dymasty died, his son, Xiao Baojuan was visibly absent from the mourning and funeral activities. He ascended the throne at the age of 17. He enjoyed performing acrobatic acts and often did it in the presence of his officials but never had time to tend to state affairs.

          The emperor also liked to create roam the streets and create chaos. He drove all the ordinary people away wherever he went. He was usually accompanied by a number of bodyguards and military officers, each beating a drum. Men and women, young and old, had to get away immediately as anyone spotted by the emperor would be executed. Xiao Baojuan liked to go out in the middle of the night and enjoyed the confusion he created. As the panic-stricken people scattered in all directions, some were even stomped to death. With the young and the aged wailing and parents calling out to their children, the streets became a mind-sundering bedlam. The locals in the capital found it difficult to live with the emperor’s monstrous escapades. Shops were closed and traders avoided the capital. It wasn’t long before business in the capital came to a virtual standstill. Even weddings and funerals ceased to be carried out.

          Xiao Baojuan doted on Concubine Pan the most. So, when she said she wanted to visit the markets, the emperor set up a market in the palace by getting his officials to dress up as vendors. One night, the palace caught fire and burnt to the ground. The emperor appointed Shen Yue to take charge of building another palace. No expense was spared in building the new palace. Even the lotus flowers carved on the ground was made of pure gold.

          In 500, troops from various quarters rose up against Xiao Baojuan. They stomped through the palace gates, and just as they were about to seize the emperor, soldiers led by Xiao Yu saved the emperor. However, instead of rewarding them, the emperor executed Xiao Yu on grounds that he might revolt against him in future. In 501, the 19 year old emperor was killed by Xiao Yu’s subordinate generals, Qian Qiang and Feng Yong.