However, as at that time, imperial forces were close to defeating the rebel general Li Tongjie, who controlled neighboring Henghai Circuit (橫海, headquartered in modern Cangzhou, Hebei), and Shi became apprehensive.
As of 827, Emperor Wenzong was waging a general campaign against the rebel general Li Tongjie, who had seized Henghai Circuit (橫海, headquartered in modern Cangzhou, Hebei) after the death of his father Li Quanlüe (李全略), who served as military governor.
He quickly captured De Prefecture, and with Henghai's capital Cang Prefecture (滄州) under attack by a general under imperial orders, Li Zaiyi the military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing), the De Prefecture soldiers fled to Zhen Prefecture (鎮州, in modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei), the headquarters of Li Tongjie's ally Wang Tingcou the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德).