An Qingxu, now emperor of Yan, orders his general Yin Ziqi to besiege Suiyang (in modern day Shangqiu, Henan).

Yin Ziqi joins with Yang Chaozong before the siege, with a total army size over one hundred and thirty thousand men.

The governor of Suiyang, Xu Yuan, had heard of Zhang Xun's fortress defense abilities in the Battle of Yongqiu and asks him for help.

Zhang Xun knows that if Suiyang falls, the rest of Tang's territory south of the Yangtze River will be threatened.

He agrees to help immediately.

The united army of Zhang Xun and Xu Yuan, around seven thousand men, prepares to defend Suiyang with their lives.

Xu Yuan focuses on supplies management and after-battle repairs.

Zhang Xun, on the other hand, focuses on battle tactics.