Shen Jin was both startled and delighted. In the past, Tian Dan had sown discord against Yue Yi, and Zhang Liang against Fan Zeng, but no one had ever used Children’s Ballads for such a stratagem. Yet on careful reflection, Chen Caozhi's plan seemed feasible. Shen Jin knew of the Hu succession system in which an elder brother was succeeded by a younger, and had heard something of the conflicts between the Yan Kingdom's empress dowager of the Kezuhun Clan and Murong Chui, and between Grand Tutor Murong Ping and Grand Preceptor Murong Ke. Yet he had never thought to exploit them. Chen Caozhi, however, had already begun making arrangements. That surrendered Xianbei soldier he had brought along was actually going to play such a crucial role-
Still wavering between surprise and delight, Shen Jin said, "Can that Duan Zhao shoulder such a grave responsibility? He is a Xianbei Hu himself. If he harbors disloyal intentions, or simply vanishes without a trace, won't your plan come to nothing, worthy brother?"
Chen Caozhi said, "Once you employ a man, do not doubt him. Duan Zhao serves under Duan Si and followed him through nine deaths and one life to escape to Jiangdong. He should be trustworthy. Besides, I am using Duan Zhao because he is the most suitable man. Those who devise strategies within the command tent cannot attend to everything themselves; they must entrust things to others. If we harbor doubts about everything, we will accomplish nothing."
Shen Jin felt secretly ashamed. Chen Caozhi had only just reached manhood, yet possessed both courage and insight. Shen Jin acknowledged himself inferior, but said, "If this plan succeeds, Murong Ke will withdraw his army, and Luoyang can pass from danger into safety. Why must you still go to see Murong Chui?"
Chen