Li Maozhen
However, by summer 896, the relationship between the imperial government and Li Maozhen had broken down again, and Li Maozhen launched his army to threaten Chang'an. Emperor Zhaozong and the imperial officials decided to flee Chang'an, initially resolving to head to Hedong. However, due to the distance involved and due to Han's avowal of his loyalty, Emperor Zhaozong headed for Han's capital Hua Prefecture () instead. While there, he declared a general campaign against Li Maozhen, putting Sun in charge of the campaign and making the general Li Sijian () Sun's deputy. However, with Han having a long-time alliance with Li Maozhen, Han interfered with the operation, which, as a result, was never actually launched. By 897, with Han having seized control of the imperial guards that Emperor Zhaozong had previously put several imperial princes in command of, the campaign was cancelled entirely.