Zhang Xun
By now, Zhang Xun had become famous for successfully defending against sieges despite seemingly overwhelming odds. Yan's army shifted their tactics. In December, Linghu Chao built a fortress north of Yongqiu to cut off Yongqiu's last supply route. At the same time, another betrayer of Tang named Yang Chaozong (楊朝宗) led 20,000 rebels to the east of Yongqiu, to cut off Zhang Xun's retreat route. Zhang Xun decided that he could no longer stay in Yongqiu. He led his remaining 3,000 soldiers to the east, and broke through Yang Chaozong's blockade, killing about 10,000 rebels in the process. Zhang Xun then rested his troops in Ningling (寧陵) (in modern-day Henan) for the next few weeks, after 1 year of battle.