 With the empire thrown into confusion, Han trained his soldiers in preparation of war, and he also sent soldiers to aid the campaign against another rebel, Li Xilie, who had declared himself the emperor of Chu.His soldiers were instrumental in aiding the general Liu Qia () in recapturing Bian Prefecture (汴州, in modern Kaifeng, Henan) from Li Xilie.He also prohibited people from entering and exiting Zhenhai Circuit and built fortresses (including rebuilding Shitou) and fleets, under the rationale that if Emperor Dezong decided to evacuate the Chang'an region and flee to the Yangtze River region like what occurred with Jin Dynasty (265-420), Zhenhai could become the emperor's base for recovery, and also to defend against potential attacks by Li Xilie's one-time ally Chen Shaoyou (), the military governor of neighboring Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu).