 With the newly arrived reinforcement, the nationalists launched a counteroffensive headed by the 21st Division from Haizhou (海州), the 43rd Division from Heishan (黑山), and the 195th Division and 22nd Division from Xinmin, which resulted in retaking Fuxin, Zhangwu, and Xinlitun by October 22.Unbeknown to the nationalists, the communists set a trap by giving up more land to spread the nationalist thin.The primary objective of the communists was to annihilate the nationalist 21st Division and the 43rd Division.