The Duke Huguo originally intended to use Daqi to eliminate General Shi, but his plan was disrupted by Xie Jingchen.
He captured Xie Jingchuan, intending to threaten Daqi into reclaiming the hundred thousand taels of silver that had been paid, restoring military prestige.
However, Marquis Dongxiang played differently, avoiding the confrontation and targeting General Shi directly.
General Shi was the thorn in the Duke Huguo's side; Marquis Dongxiang wanted General Shi to go to the Daqi Camp to negotiate the ransom for the hostage. The Duke Huguo would surely make General Shi go.
Even if General Shi was unwilling, the Duke Huguo would exert pressure to force General Shi to comply.
Once General Shi was in the Daqi Camp, if the negotiations went poorly, it would reflect General Shi's incompetence. The Duke Huguo could then wash his hands of the matter and blame General Shi entirely.
