Gao Pian
Lu Xie replaced many generals that Wang Duo (who had been removed after his own defeat in the campaign against Huang Chao in 879) and Zheng Tian had placed in various circuits against Huang. Under his advice, Emperor Xizong also made Gao Pian the overall commander of the operations against Huang. Gao gathered 70,000 soldiers, and at that time, the imperial government was confident that Gao could suppress Huang's rebellion, although some imperial officials had their reservations. Lu, having good relations with Gao and the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi, was thus able to control the imperial governance.