In 696, the Khitan rose against Chinese hegemony under the leadership of Li Jinzhong and his brother-in-law Sun Wanrong.
Li Kaigu and fellow Khitan general Luo Wuzheng (駱務整) surrendered to Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty.
Initially, Zhou generals wanted to put Li Kaigu and Luo Wuzheng to death in retaliation for their victories over Zhou forces, but the chancellor Di Renjie intervened and persuaded Wu Zetian to make them her generals.
Li Kaigu was unable to defeat Dae Jo-yeong, who eventually established the kingdom of Balhae.
Then, in spite of the emancipation policy of Huan Teng Wu, Goguryeo created a force in the east.