He took this opportunity as a good excuse for stepping up border defense and consolidating his power in Sinkiang. Not only did he make careful military arrangements along the northeastern border adjacent to Outer Mongolia, such as the strategic centers like Ha-mi, Chen-si, Ch'i-t'ai, Sui-lai, Altai, Wu-su (or Kulklawusu), T'a-ch'eng, he also strengthened his military control of the other strategic areas including Ili and Ching-ho in the west, Yen-ch'i and Wen-su in the southwest, Wu-shih and Pu-li in the south. Consequently, the whole of Sinkiang was placed under his direct control.