When Xiao Yuanming was delivered to Gao Cheng, Gao Cheng treated him with respect, intending to try to use Xiao Yuanming as a pawn against Hou. By spring 548, Murong Shaozong had crushed Hou's army as well, and Hou fled to Liang, seizing the Liang border city of Shouyang (壽陽, in modern Lu'an, Anhui) as his base of operations.
When Xiao Yuanming was handed over to Gao Cheng, Gao Cheng treated him with respect, intending to utilize Xiao Yuanming as a pawn against Hou. By spring 548, Murong Shaozong had defeated Hou's army, and Hou fled to Liang, taking the Liang border city of Shouyang (壽陽) as his base.