Chen Baxian
Suppressed the Hou Jing Rebellion and replaced Liang with Chen, becoming the founder of the last dynasty of the Southern Dynasties.
Life
Rise in Lingnan
Chen Baxian came from humble origins. Early in his career he served in Lingnan, where he suppressed the rebellion in Jiaozhou and repelled foreign enemies, building up prestige and troops.
Crushing Hou Jing
After the Hou Jing Rebellion broke out, he rose in revolt in Lingnan and pushed north. In 552 he joined forces with Wang Sengbian, captured Jiankang and crushed Hou Jing. In 555 he opposed Wang Sengbian's plan to install a Northern Qi puppet, killed Wang Sengbian in a surprise attack, and twice repelled large Northern Qi armies.
Replacing Liang with Chen
In 557 he accepted the abdication of Emperor Jing of Liang and founded the Chen dynasty. He reigned for only two years and died in 559. The Chen dynasty had the smallest territory of the four Southern Dynasties.
Legacy
Chen Baxian restored order when Jiangnan lay in ruins, prolonging the Southern Dynasties by more than thirty years.
Major works & achievements
- Suppressed the Hou Jing Rebellion
- Founded the Chen dynasty
Did you know? The Chen dynasty took its name from his surname, which is rare among Chinese dynasties.
Key dates
- 545Suppressed the rebellion in Jiaozhou
- 552Suppressed the Hou Jing Rebellion
- 555Killed Wang Sengbian in a surprise attack
- 557Replacing Liang with Chen
- 559Died