The watchtower drum sounded the third watch, yet the debate in Chief Censor Gu Minzhi's study continued unabated. Chen Caozhi, Gu Minzhi, and Zhang Ping each offered their views on the Gengxu Tuduan. Gu Minzhi and Zhang Ping could be counted among the moderates of the great clans of the Three Wu. Though both represented their respective clans' interests, neither took so fierce a stance as Lu Shi. These were two men Chen Caozhi had to win over. Of the Four Great Clans of Wu Commandery-Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang-if he could secure the cooperation of the Gu and Zhang Clans, or at least keep them from opposing it, this Tuduan could achieve results. But to persuade Gu Minzhi and Zhang Ping to relinquish some of their clans' vested interests, corresponding compensation had to be offered elsewhere. That was not something Chen Caozhi could decide. He had to consult Xie Xuan and Xi Chao, devise a response, and then leave the final decision to Huan Wen-
Given their seniority and standing, Gu Minzhi and Zhang Ping would ordinarily have disdained discussing such matters with Chen Caozhi. They could speak directly to Xi Chao, present their views to Huan Wen, or simply do as Lu Shi had suggested and unite the great clans of the Three Wu against this Tuduan. The reason they were willing to talk late into the night with Chen Caozhi was that they considered him a man of substance, someone with insight who knew when to advance and when to retreat. He enjoyed good relations with the Gu and Zhang Clans and was also entrusted with important duties by Huan Wen. Neither Gu Minzhi nor Zhang Ping wished to confront Huan Wen, so they voiced their thoughts to Chen Caozhi for him to convey, letting him mediate