Shi Kefa
After the Hongguang Emperor enthroned in Nanjing, the court designated four defense areas along the southern bank of the Yellow River () to repulse the Qing armies. While the former bandit general, Gao Jie () was designated to take the crucial forward position at Xuzhou by Shi Kefa. But the assassination of Gao seriously reduced the court's capacity to deal with challenges from Qing. Gao's successor was Li Chengdong (). Being aware of forthcoming attack, Li deserted Xuzhou in the early summer of 1645. Then Dodo's army captured the city.