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Dai Faxing 戴法興 (414-465) from Shanyin 山陰 in the commandery of Guiji 會稽 (today's Shaoxing 紹興, Zhejiang) was a high official of the Liu-Song dynasty 劉宋 (420-479), one of the Southern Dynasties 南朝 (420-589).
He hailed from a poor family, but once made it as record keeper (jishi lingshi 記室令史) into the entourage of Liu Yikang 王義康 (409-451), the Prince of Pengcheng 彭城. When the Prince was killed, he was appointed document clerk (dianqian 典簽) of Liu Yu 劉彧 (439-472), the Prince of Xiangdong 湘東 (and eventual Emperor Ming 宋明帝, r. 465-472). Happily enough, Liu Yu, when mounting the throne, preferred personnel from low social backgrounds, and Dai was appointed attending censor (shi yushi 侍御史), and concurrently receptionist of the Palace Secretariat (zhongshu tongshi sheren 中書通事舍人). In 454, he was made General Establishing Martiality (jianwu jiangjun 建武將軍), governor (taishou 太守) of the commandery of Nanlujun 南魯郡, and attendant of the Heir Apparent (shi huang taizi 侍皇太子).
Dai Faxing had considerable knowledge of antiquity and the present, and was skilled at guessing the emperor's intentions. Therefore, he was consistently favored and trusted. In all major military and state affairs — such as appointments, promotions and transfers, punishments and rewards—he participated in planning and deliberation. As a result of accepting bribes, his family amassed immense wealth.
When Liu Ziye 劉子業 (449-465), the Former Deposed Emperor 宋前廢帝 (r. 464-465), mounted the throne, he did not personally take over the business of ruling, but left the regency to Dai Faxing, who wielded authority at the court and beyond. Liu Ziye was licentious and violent in his conduct, and Dai often tried to restrain him. As a result, his favor gradually declined. In 465, Liu Ziye heard rumors circulating among the people that there were two sons of Heaven in the palace, and that Dai Faxing was the "true Son of Heaven", while the emperor himself was a "false" one. He thereupon dismissed Dai, ordered him to return to his home town, and had him killed shortly later.