Historians praised Murong Ke for receiving others with an open mind, seeking sound counsel, and assigning duties according to ability so that no one overstepped his position. Since Chen Caozhi was a Jin envoy and had appeared here under inexplicable circumstances, Murong Ke harbored doubts and sounded him out, watching how he responded. Once he discovered that Chen Caozhi truly lived up to his reputation, with a mind rich as embroidered brocade, Murong Ke immediately changed his manner and treated him with great courtesy. They discussed both the classics and histories and current affairs, finding more common ground the longer they talked. During their conversation, Murong De came in and presented Murong Ke with a letter. Murong Ke opened and read it in front of Chen Caozhi. It contained information about the Jin envoy Chen Caozhi's activities in the Qin State, sent back by Yan spies stationed in Chang'an. Fu Jian and Wang Meng had both wanted to keep Chen Caozhi in Chang'an, but Chen Caozhi had firmly refused-
While Murong Ke read the letter, Murong De spoke with Chen Caozhi, asking how his disciple Shen Chiqian's illness was progressing. Chen Caozhi said, "Epilepsy is a lifelong, incurable illness. Chiqian must take Five-Stone Powder year-round. The Five-Stone Powder improved by my teacher, Master Zhichuan, has no other harmful aftereffects, but after taking it, he cannot eat hot food and must drink cold wine. It favors movement rather than stillness. Perhaps that is one drawback."
Murong De smiled. "Five-Stone Powder is quite expensive. Poor families would certainly find it difficult to afford, but the Shen Clan of Wuxing is wealthy even by Jiangzuo standards. Why would they care about that?"
"That reminds me of an amusing story," Chen Caozhi said. "Many members of the great families who made the Southern Crossing