In 589, the Sui Dynasty dispatched more than five hundred thousand troops to cross the Yangtze River at eight points along its upper, middle, and lower reaches. Famous generals such as Han Qinhu, He Ruobi, Wang Shiji, and Yan Rong led the campaign against Southern Chen in the decisive war to unify the realm.
Chen Shubao, the last ruler of Southern Chen, neglected state affairs and indulged in women. He encouraged a decadent, licentious culture, immersed himself in literature and wine, favored petty sycophants, and entrusted them all with the reins of power. He gave himself over to endless nights of drinking and lavished favor upon his beautiful consorts.
His governance was inadequate, military supplies were insufficient, and the army lacked the will to fight. Even Xiao Mohe, who could fight, had been cuckolded by the last ruler and chose to sit on his troops rather than battle, giving the ruler a shove toward ruin. Southern Chen's defenses collapsed. Major generals surrendered and led the invaders onward. Jiankang (Nanjing) fell, and the last ruler, hiding in a dry well, was captured.
Thus Southern Chen perished, leaving only the four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, amid towers veiled by mist and rain...
Xiao Mei was one of the last ruler's consorts. When the state fell, even the emperor sought to cling to life—let alone a consort. Renowned for her beauty, she naturally became one of those to be hunted down after Southern Chen's destruction.
The order had not come from anyone else, but from Yang Guang. He liked beautiful women.
Thus, his soldiers conducted a carpet search through the imperial palace, hoping to find Xiao Mei and present her to Yang Guang in hopes of advancement.
Facing the dozen or so soldiers before her, their gazes lewd yet