Hearing the old monk Ji Pi insist that the gold must never be handed over to Eastern Jin, Chen Caozhi scoffed. "The gold lies beneath Ye Palace. What ability does the Jin court have to come and take it?"
The old monk Ji Pi fell silent.
"Let us set that aside for now. Allow me to take your pulse, Master Ji-" As he spoke, Chen Caozhi lifted the old monk's left hand and carefully examined his pulse. It was weak, like a lamp whose oil was nearly exhausted. He had at most another year to live; no medicine could restore his vitality.
Standing beside them, Ran Sheng asked, "Elder Brother, how is Commandant Ji's health?"
Chen Caozhi was considering how to phrase his answer when the old monk Ji Pi smiled. "My allotted time is nearly over. I know that very well." He looked at Ran Sheng. "Heaven was kind enough to bring Your Highness here and fulfill one of my wishes. Even if I die, what regret could I have?"
Ran Sheng looked at Chen Caozhi, who shook his head gently. Knowing that even his elder brother could do nothing, Ran Sheng could not help feeling saddened. Holding the old monk Ji Pi's gaunt, bony hand, he said, "Commandant Ji, heaven and the sun can bear witness to your loyalty and righteousness. Though I, Ran Yu, cannot rebuild the land of my parents, I will see that Yan Kingdom destroyed."
Hearing Ran Sheng's impassioned words, the old monk Ji Pi felt greatly comforted, yet he said, "Your Highness is the King of Wei's sole surviving descendant. Naturally, it would be best if you could take revenge on the Xianbei, but if the disparity in strength is too great, you must not stubbornly pursue your own course. Otherwise, not only