Gao Xingzhou
An Congjin, unaware of this development, launched his rebellion shortly after, and he first attacked neighboring Weisheng Circuit (威勝, headquartered in modern Nanyang, Henan). Shi Chonggui quickly sent the imperial guard generals Zhang Cong'en (), Jiao Jixun (), Guo Jinhai (), and Chen Sirang () to command imperial guard troops toward Weisheng's capital Deng Prefecture () to intercept An. Shortly after, he also prepared a larger army with senior general Gao Xingzhou in command, and Song Yanyun () serving as Gao's deputy. Before the imperial guard generals could arrive at Deng, An, unable to capture Deng quickly, was already withdrawing toward Shannan East's capital Xiang Prefecture (). Zhang intercepted him at Mount Hua (花山, in modern Zhumadian, Henan), catching him by surprise. Zhang defeated him in battle and captured his son An Hongyi (). An Congjin fled back to Xiang and prepared to defend the city. He also sent his brother An Conggui () to attack Cai Xingyu () the prefect of Jun Prefecture (均州, in modern Shiyan, Hubei). Jiao, however, intercepted and defeated An Conggui; An Conggui was captured, but Jiao cut off his feet and then released him back to Xiang, apparently to terrorize An's army.