On the ninth day of the third month, Chen Caozhi, Xie Daoyun, Xie Xuan, Zhang Xuan Zhi, and Gu Kaizhi arrived in Gushu. That afternoon, Huan Wen hosted a banquet for the officials of the Western Headquarters at the General's Residence. After three rounds of wine, his expression darkened. "Do you gentlemen know that Huaibei is in grave danger?"
The assembled officials looked at one another. The entire hall fell silent.
Huan Wen swept his purple, stone-like eyes majestically over his officials and said gravely, "Yesterday, I received an urgent dispatch from Huaibei, sent at six hundred li a day. Yan's Grand Tutor Murong Ping and General of the Flying Dragon Li Hong have attacked Xuchang and Runan. Our army was defeated at Xuanhu, Li Fu, the governor of Yingchuan, was killed in battle, Zhu Bin, the governor of Runan, fled to Shouchun, and Zhu Fu, the governor of Chen Commandery, withdrew to defend Pengcheng. The Yan army is advancing ferociously, intending to seize all our lands in Huaibei. I have already sent urgent orders to Western General of the Household Yuan Zhen and the others to resist them. Tomorrow, I shall personally lead the fleet to Hefei and oversee the fighting." His gaze settled on Chen Caozhi. "Clerk Chen, lead your delegation and set out with me the day after tomorrow. The situation is critical. If Di Qin takes advantage of this opportunity to invade Hanzhong and Jingxiang from the south, war will follow war, and the country will know no peace. This mission places a heavy responsibility on your shoulders, Clerk Chen. Do not shrink from the toil."
Chen Caozhi bowed. "As you command."
After the banquet ended, Chen Caozhi returned to his lodgings on Phoenix Mountain, where Ran Sheng, Lai De, and Shen Chiqian were already waiting.