The Wei Army Retreats Emperor Gao Emperor Gao (Xiao Daocheng) was the founder of the Southern Qi dynasty. The "Wei" refers to the Northern Wei, the primary rival to the southern Chinese dynasties during this period of division.

The ruler of Wei invaded the state of Qi, reaching Shouyang A strategic city in modern-day Anhui province.. Moving eastward along the Huai River, the local people remained settled and undisturbed in their homes, while the transport of tax grain filled the roads. The army eventually reached Zhongli.

The Qi court dispatched General Cui Huijing to rescue the region. Meanwhile, the Wei commanders Liu Chang and Wang Su Wang Su was a prominent defector from the south who became a high-ranking official in the Northern Wei. claimed to lead a force of two hundred thousand men. They dug triple moats and erected palisades, concentrating their full strength to attack Yiyang.

The Qi commander Wang Guangzhi did not dare to advance his troops. However, Xiao Yan 11 February 464 – 12 June 549. At this time a junior official, he would later found the Liang dynasty as its Emperor Wu, famous for his patronage of Buddhism., a Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate, set out at night via a secret path. He marched directly up Mount Xianshou. The Wei forces, surprised by his positioning, did not dare to approach or press him.

At dawn, the defenders inside the city spotted the relief army on the mountain. They sent out Wang Boyu, the Chief Administrator, to attack the Wei palisades. Taking advantage of the wind, they set fires to the enemy defenses, while Xiao Yan and his men struck from the outside. The Wei army was forced to lift the siege and retreat; the Qi forces pursued and defeated them.

Later, the Wei ruler desired to build a fortified city and establish a permanent garrison south of the Huai River. He sent a sealed imperial letter to Gao Lü, the Regional Governor of Xiang Province, to solicit his opinion. Gao Lü replied in a formal memorial: "In the past, the Ancestral Founder Referring to Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei (reigned 423–452 CE)., possessing a majesty that could move mountains and overturn the seas, led hundreds of thousands of infantry and cavalry..."