At that time, even if Li Ce could protect Chu Qiao, it would have been impossible for him to protect the Xiuli Army unless he desired to completely fall out with the Xia empire. At that time, the Qinghai King suddenly raised the flag of the Xia Empire. Sending out missionaries, he had traveled over 4000 kilometers to defect to the Empire. It was only then that the world finally knew that the famous King of Qinghai was actually the fourth Master who was supposed to have died in Yan Bei two years ago.
The things that resulted were very natural. After returning to the royal capital, with his immense military power and the support from the Zhuge Family, he was able to replace Wei Guang as the head of the Grand Elder's Council, and became the Grand Marshal of the Xia Empire. With that, it was only natural that he was able to veto the military plans that were made against the Tang Empire.