zuo's next target was hezhou (now known as linxia), the main center of the hui people west of lanzhou and a key point on the trade route between gansu and tibet. hezhou was defended by the hui forces of ma zhan'ao. as a pragmatic member of the khafiya (old teaching) sect, he was ready to explore avenues for peaceful coexistence with the qing government. when the revolt broke out, ma zhan'ao escorted han chinese to safety in yixin, and did not attempt to conquer more territory during the revolt.