Hou Jing Rebellion · Siege of Taicheng
549 CE · Taicheng, Jiankang (modern Nanjing, Jiangsu) · China · Ancient
Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze and besieged Taicheng for more than 130 days; the city fell, Emperor Wu of Liang was trapped and starved to death, and Jiangnan suffered an unprecedented catastrophe
Belligerents
Hou Jing
- Commanders
- Hou Jing
- Strength
- 8,000 men at the start of the revolt
Liang dynasty
- Commanders
- Emperor Wu of Liang, Yang Kan, Xiao Lun
- Strength
- Taicheng garrison and relief armies from the provinces
Background
Hou Jing, a surrendered general from the Eastern Wei, grew dissatisfied with the Liang dynasty and rose in rebellion in 548 CE.
Course of the battle
- Surprise crossing of the YangtzeWith Xiao Zhengde of the Liang imperial house as his insider, Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze at Caishi and advanced straight to Jiankang
- Siege of TaichengEmperor Wu of Liang fell back to defend Taicheng, with Yang Kan in charge of its defense; Hou Jing built a long encircling wall and diverted water to flood the city
- Relief armies stand byHundreds of thousands of reinforcements from all regions gathered outside the city, but they watched one another and would not fight hard
- City falls; defenders starveIn the third month of 549 CE Taicheng fell; the 86-year-old Emperor Wu of Liang was placed under house arrest and soon starved to death
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 549 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Taicheng, Jiankang (modern Nanjing, Jiangsu) |
| Result | Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze and besieged Taicheng for more than 130 days; the city fell, Emperor Wu of Liang was trapped and starved to death, and Jiangnan suffered an unprecedented catastrophe |
| Winner | Hou Jing |
| Casualties | Eight or nine of every ten soldiers and civilians in Taicheng died, and the population of Jiangnan fell sharply |
| Territorial change | Liang dynasty survives in name only |
Impact
The Hou Jing Rebellion left prosperous Jiangnan in ruins; the Southern Dynasties never recovered, and the balance of power between north and south shifted decisively to the north.
See the world in 549 on the map →