Later that year, Zhang Zuo nevertheless sent his general Wang Zhuo () to assist the Jin general Sima Xun, who was commanding an auxiliary force in conjunction with the main force commanded by Huan Wen against Former Qin. Wang submitted a report to Zhang Zuo stating that Huan was capable of commanding large armies and had great ambition, which caused Zhang Zuo to panic. Oddly, he decided to assassinate Wang, but failed. He then mobilized his troops, ready to resist Huan or to flee in case Huan destroyed Former Qin and then turned his attention on him. After Huan was forced to withdraw after his food supplies ran out, however, Zhang Zuo attacked Wang, forcing Wang to surrender to Former Qin.