The latter agreed, concerned that a Tang victory over Zheng would also mean his own demise, but at the same time was eager to exploit the weakness of the Zheng and claim its domains for himself.
Sidstnævnte indså, at en Tang-sejr over Zheng også ville betyde hans egen død, men var samtidig ivrig efter at udnytte Zhengs svaghed og hævde sine domæner for sig selv.