 The Jingyuan soldiers feared Li's reputed harshness, particularly given his execution of the five Binning officers in 779.Duan's assistant Liu Wenxi () took this opportunity to seize the circuit and resist Li's commission, requesting that either Duan be returned to command or that another general, Zhu Ci, be put in command of the circuit.Emperor Dezong agreed with the latter request and gave the command of Jingyuan to Zhu instead.