The next day, Emperor Taizong summoned Wei Zheng and asked him to play a game of strategy with him in the palace.
The two of them went back and forth, fiercely battling each other. Wei Zheng was a man of extreme loyalty and straightforwardness; he played without holding back, which made Emperor Taizong sweat profusely with every perilous move. Soon, Wei Zheng, while holding a chess piece, fell asleep on the table.
Emperor Taizong had originally intended to keep Wei Zheng there to prevent him from executing the Jing River Dragon King, and seeing Wei Zheng asleep, he was overjoyed, knowing that his plan had succeeded and that the Dragon King might be spared. This was effortless for Emperor Taizong and also gave him a chance to win the favor of the Jing River Dragon King, killing two birds with one stone. Why would Emperor Taizong not be pleased?
