1February, 890, beiyang fleet went south to avoid freezing. On the 24th, Ding led four ships, including Zhiyuan Ship, to patrol, while Lang Weili, Liu and Lin Taizeng led Dingyuan Ship and Zhenyuan Ship back to Hong Kong for maintenance. On March 6, Liu, the chief pipeline officer of Dingyuan, issued an order to lower the Fuyin flag and raise the company commander flag, indicating that he was the highest officer on board. Lang Weili asked, "Why did you withdraw the prefect's flag when I went out of the government and had an agreement?" Liu dui replied: "according to naval practice, it should be." Lang Weili thought it was an insult to himself, so he called Li Hongzhang and questioned his position. Li Hongzhang replied that "Liu Wei is the answer", so Lang Weili resigned angrily.