 From this point on, the administration was controlled by Chen Xu.Dao later tried to start an uprising with the general Han Zigao (), but the plot was discovered, and Chen Xu forced both of them to commit suicide.As both Dao and Han were trusted associates of Emperor Wen, another trusted associate of Emperor Wen, Hua Jiao () the governor of Xiang Province (湘州, roughly modern Changsha, Hunan) became apprehensive, and he prepared for a battle with Chen Xu, requesting aid from both Northern Zhou and Emperor Ming of Western Liang—a Liang Dynasty prince who claimed title to the Liang throne as a Northern Zhou vassal.