sentences:  The nationalist 81st Army under the command of Ma Hongkui and the nationalist 91st Army and 120th Army totaling 30,000 troops would guard the left flank of Lanzhou by defending Jingtai (), Jingyuang () and Dalachi () regions.The nationalist Cavalry Army totaling 20,000 would be stationed at Lintao and Taishi () regions to guard the right flank of Lanzhou.The main defense of the city would be the Southern Mountain () line outside the city and the overall defense of the city was commanded by Ma Bufang's only son, Ma Jiyuan (), the commander-in-chief of the nationalist Shaanxi-Gansu Corps
  
  The Communist troops were given instructions on behavior in the heavily muslim populated province of Gansu, to prevent accidental insults or other incidents.