An army sent by Wu Zetian, commanded by Wang Xiaojie and Lou Shide against Tufan in spring 696, is soundly defeated by Tufan generals, the brothers Lun Qinling and Lun Zanpo.

As a result, the empress demotes Wang to commoner rank and Lou to be a low level prefectural official, although she eventually restores both of them to general positions.

In April of the same year, Wu Zetian recasts the Nine Tripod Cauldrons, symbol of ultimate power in ancient China, to reinforce her authority.

A much more serious threat arises in summer 696.

The Khitan chieftains Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong, brothers-in-law, angry over the mistreatment of the Khitan people by the Zhou official Zhao Wenhui, the prefect of Ying Prefecture (roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning), rebels, with Li assuming the title of Wushang Khan.

Armies that Wu Zetian sends to suppress Li and Sun's rebellion are defeated by Khitan forces, which in turn attack Zhou proper.

The Eastern Tujue Khan Ashina Mochuo (Qapaghan Qaghan) meanwhile offers to submit, and yet is also launching attacks against Zhou and Khitan—including an attack against the Khitan base of operations in winter 696 shortly after Li's death at this time that captures Li's and Sun's families and temporarily halts Khitan operations against Zhou.