 He was succeeded by Crown Prince Xu (as Emperor Xiaoming), who was then only five.In the aftermaths of Emperor Xuanwu's death, Empress Gao wanted to put Consort Hu to death, but Consort Hu was protected by the eunuchs Liu Teng (劉騰) and Hou Gang (侯剛) and the officials Yu Zhong and Cui Guang (崔光) and avoided being killed.The officials were largely opposed to having Gao Zhao, who was then prime minister but was commanding an army in attacking rival Liang dynasty's Yi Province (modern Sichuan and Chongqing), be regent, and forced Empress Gao to instead authorize Emperor Xuanwu's uncles Yuan Yong the Prince of Gaoyang and Yuan Cheng (元澄) the Prince of Rencheng serve as regents.