 Displeased with Wang's decision, Chen made a surprise attack on Jiankang in fall 555, killing Wang and deposing Xiao Yuanming.Chen declared Xiao Fangzhi emperor (as Emperor Jing).Subsequently, when generals loyal to Wang resisted Chen, aided by Northern Qi, Wu served under Zhou Wenyu () in the campaign against Wang's son-in-law Du Kan () and Zhang Biao (), and later participated in a key battle defending Jiankang in 556.