On the eve of his departure from Jiankang for Gushu, Huan Wen summoned Xi Chao and Chen Caozhi to the Grand Marshal's Residence for a long talk. Apart from his heir Huan Xi, no one else was present. Pointing to Xi Chao and Chen Caozhi, Huan Wen told Huan Xi, "Eldest, Master Xi and Master Chen are both men your father holds in high esteem. You must treat them with courtesy and respect. Only with their help can you carry on your father's mantle and bring glory and prosperity to this great undertaking."
Huan Xi rose from his seat and performed a deep bow to Xi Chao and Chen Caozhi, touching his forehead to the ground. They hastily returned the courtesy and declared that they would exhaust their minds and strength in assisting the heir.
Having established his authority by deposing the emperor, Huan Wen was rather pleased with himself. He asked, "Zizhong, what plans have you made for rebuilding the Beifu Army? This matter calls for haste, not delay. We cannot let a fine opportunity for a Northern Expedition slip away."
Chen Caozhi said, "Jingkou is the administrative seat of Qiaoxu Province. Yu Xi, General of the Household of the North, is currently Provincial Governor of Xu and Yan Provinces and commander of military affairs in Qingzhou and Jinling. If you wish to rebuild the Beifu Army, my lord, the Yu clan is a barrier you cannot go around."
Yu Xi was a relative of the emperor and empress. Although Empress Yu had died and Sima Yi had been deposed and made Prince of the Eastern Sea, the Yu clan had already grown powerful. Besides Yu Xi, Yu Yun was Inspector of Guangzhou, Yu You was Administrator of Dongyang, Yu Qian was Chief Clerk to the Grand Preceptor, Yu