However, Sadamori and Hidesato were not lured into Masakado's trap, and instead, they proclaimed their victory in the previous battle to the people, enabling them to further augment their ranks, including the addition of FUJIWARA no Tamenori; on February 13, they embarked on a campaign to carry out a "scorched earth policy" aiming to attack and burn down Masakado's home base in Ishii.
しかし貞盛・秀郷らはこの策には乗らず、勝ち戦の勢いを民衆に呼びかけ更に兵を集め、藤原為憲も加わり、2月13日将門の本拠石井に攻め寄せ焼き払う「焦土作戦」に出た。