Li Maozhen
In anger, Emperor Zhaozong wanted to declare a general campaign against Li Maozhen. Du, pointing out that the imperial armies were no longer, at this point, of battling warlords, advocated restraint. Emperor Zhaozong did not listen, and ordered Du to be in charge of the operations. Du, despite his reluctance, accepted the order. However, Du's chancellor colleague Cui Zhaowei was conspiring with Li Maozhen and Wang Xingyu, and therefore, everything that Du planned was leaked to Li Maozhen and Wang Xingyu. They reacted by inciting the people at Chang'an to protest against the planned campaign, including violent protests in the presence of Ximen, Cui, and another chancellor, Zheng Yanchang. Emperor Zhaozong's resolve against Li Maozhen was initially not changed, and he put Li Sizhou (李嗣周) the Prince of Qin in command of 30,000 men to attack Li Maozhen, assisted by the imperial guard general Li Hui (李鐬), to escort Xu to Fengxiang.