Afterwards, he left Luoyang to serve as General Who Pacifies the South and Chief Controller of military affairs in Miannan (沔南; in present-day Honghu, Hubei).
Sima Lüe was eventually transferred to the office of General Who Pacifies the North and Chief Controller of Qing province.
During this period, Sima Lue drove out the Inspector of Qing province, Cheng Mu (程牧), and claimed the title for himself.
Sima Lüe sent his general, Cui Kuang (崔曠) to lead Pi Chu (皮初) and Zhang Luo (張洛) to campaign against them, but they were tricked by Wang You and defeated.
Without reserves, Cao Shu was defeated and killed in battle, but Lüe decided to pardon Cui Kuang for his crime.
Lüe then sent Han Song to lead Cui Kuang in attacking the rebels, and this time, Wang You surrendered.