Defeating the Invading Forces of Northern Wei

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In 495, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty led 300,000 troops south to invade the Southern Qi, and besieged the city of Yiyang(present Tongbai County of Henan Province). Xiao Luandispatched relief troops to the area; however, chief commander Wang Guangzhi hesitated to move in fear of the formidable enemy. At the critical juncture Xiao Yan stepped forward bravely, and asked for permission to go into battle. That very night he led the vanguard to rush to Mount Xianshou(also known as Xianyin, located in the southwest of today’s Xinyang City in Henan), which was only several li from the enemy’s campsite.

At daybreak, Xiao Yan ordered his soldiers to plant flags all over the hills. The defending troops in town thought that massive reinforcements had come, and their morale was greatly raised. Undera two-pronged attack, the Northern Wei army was utterly routed. The great victory won Xiao Yan widespread renown.

Founding the Liang Dynasty

After Xiao Luan died in 498, his second son,15-year-old Xiao Baojuan (483-501) succeeded to the throne. The new monarch was a man without morals, kiling innocent court officials wantonly. The country was thus in chaos. Unable to endure that despot any more, two years later Xiao Yan crowned 12-year-old Xiao Baorong(488-502, Xiao Baojuan’s brother) emperor in Jingzhou.

In the ninth lunar month of 501, Xiao Yan led his troops east along the Yangtze River to advance on Jiankang. Some courtiers staged a coup detat and killed Xiao Baojuan in the imperial palace. Once holding power in his own hands, the following year Xiao Yan forced Xiao Baorong to abdicate. Taking the crown over himself, Xiao Yan established the Liang Dynasty, and soon afterwards he had Xiao Baorong murdered in Gushu(present Dangtu County of Anhui Province).