Li Maozhen's holdings in the Guanzhong region, with Fengxiang under siege, fall one by one to Zhu, while Shannan West and nearby holdings fall to Wang.

Still, Fengxiang's defenses are holding, and by fall 902, Zhu, with his attacks hampered by rains and illnesses to the soldiers, is considering a withdrawal.

A trap advocated by and set by Zhu's officer Gao Jichang, however, induces Li Maozhen to send his troops outside the city walls to attack Zhu's troops, where they are crushed by Zhu's troops.

From this point on, Li Maozhen can no longer fight back against Zhu, and by winter 902, Fengxiang is in such a desperate shape such that the residents are resorting to cannibalism.