Gao Cheng's general Murong Shaozong (慕容紹宗), however, defeated both Xiao Yuanming – nephew of Liang's Emperor Wu, whom Emperor Wu sent to assist Hou – and Hou, capturing Xiao Yuanming and forcing Hou to flee to Liang.
Later in 555, Wang Sengbian declared Emperor Yuan's cousin Xiao Yuanming emperor.
Xiao Yuanming | Xiao Yi | Xiao Yanling | Xiao Xiu | Tao Yuanming | Zhu Xiao Di | Xiao Xian | Xiao Mohe | Xiao Huang-Chi | Xiao He | Xiao-Gang Wen | Xiao'erjing | Xiao | Statuary at Xiao Xiu's tomb. Photo by Victor Segalen | Ma Xiao | Liu Xiao Ling Tong | Empress Xiao Wen | David Xiao |
Hou, eventually coming to believe that Emperor Wu would betray him and turn him over to Eastern Wu to exchange for Xiao Yuanming, rebelled in fall 548, eventually capturing the Liang capital Jiankang and holding Emperor Wu and then his successor Emperor Jianwen of Liang as puppets.