With Wang Meng away from Chang'an, neither the peace talks between Qin and Jin nor the exchange of horses for weapons could proceed. Yet on the morning of the fifteenth, accompanied by Dou Lang, Chen Caozhi delivered the two cartloads of newly forged weapons transported over thousands of li to Di Qin's armaments office. These weapons had been intended as samples, and he would let the Di Qin officers and soldiers try them first. This would display Eastern Jin's magnanimity while also following the strategy of giving first in order to take later-
Compared with Di Qin's weapons, the long spears and short halberds Chen Caozhi had brought were clearly superior in both iron quality and forging craftsmanship. The difference would become still more apparent during drills and close combat. Once the Di Qin officers and soldiers had used them, they would naturally report the weapons' merits to Wang Meng and Fu Jian-
At the Wei Hour that afternoon, the eunuch Zhao Zheng and Meng Feng, a eunuch of Sweet Dew Palace, came to the lodgings to invite Chen Caozhi into the palace to expound the scriptures for Empress Dowager Gou. Ran Sheng and Su Qi accompanied him, but the two could go no farther than the gates of Jianzhang Palace.
Zhao Zheng and Meng Feng led Chen Caozhi outside Sweet Dew Palace, where a boy with his hair still hanging loose came forward to greet them. The two eunuchs hastily saluted him, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince." Chen Caozhi also bowed deeply with clasped hands.
The boy was Fu Hong, Fu Jian's eldest son. He had been less than a year old when Fu Jian ascended the throne and had immediately been appointed crown prince. Now seven, Fu Hong strongly resembled his father in appearance and manner, with