By winter 617, there began to be friction between Zhai and several other generals under Li. Zhai's associate Wang Ruxin () and brother Zhai Hong () the Duke of Yingyang had both suggested Zhai seize power as regent and strip Li of his powers—suggestions that Zhai did not accept but Li eventually heard about. Zhai was also becoming greedy with spoils of war—torturing the general Cui Shishu () for money, battering Xing Yiqi () for refusing to gamble with him, and demanding large amounts of treasure from Fang Yanzao (), going as far as telling Fang: