Liang Wudi (502-549) has been described by many to be one of the more interesting emperors of the Liang Dynasty. His reign was among the more long and stable of many of the Southern Dynasty's.

He began by creating universities and extending the Confucian civil service exams, demanding that sons of nobles study the classics. He was well read himself and wrote poetry and patronized the arts. Although for governmental affairs he was Confucian in values, he embraced Buddhism as well. He himself was attracted to many Indian traditions. He banned the sacrifice of animals and was against execution. He actually at some points entered a Buddhist monastery.

His love of literature and the arts however came at a price. The Toba Wei continued to attack the kingdom and rebellions frequented the kingdom eventually laying the seeds for the end of the short lived Liang dynasty.