Huan Wen firmly believed what Chen Caozhi had said about Murong Ke's short lifespan. Du Zigong of Qiantang had once predicted Wang Xizhi's lifespan, and it had indeed come true. The wonders of the Way of the Celestial Masters were too numerous to recount; otherwise, it could hardly have attracted so many followers. Of course, few could distinguish the true from the false among them.
Huan Wen said, "Clerk Chen, your mission not only resolved the crisis at Luoyang but also stabilized the situation in Jingxiang. Before you reached Chang'an, Qin's General Who Assists the State Wang Meng, General of the Vanguard Yang An, and General Who Displays Martial Prowess Yao Chang were already mustering troops to invade Nanxiang Commandery in Jingzhou. Wang Meng presumably learned that Sima Xun, the Governor of Liangzhou, was about to rebel and intended to exploit the turmoil to plunder our lands in Jingxiang. Clerk Chen, did you know that Sima Xun has already risen in rebellion?"
Chen Caozhi asked, "When?"
Huan Wen said, "On the twenty-ninth of the sixth month. When he first plotted rebellion, his Vice Administrator Yong Duan and Sima of the Western Rong Wei Cui remonstrated earnestly, and Sima Xun killed them both. He proclaimed himself Shepherd of Liangzhou and Yizhou and Prince of Chengdu. On the sixteenth of the seventh month, he led his troops into Jiange and attacked Fuling. On the third of the eighth month, the yimao day, he besieged Zhou Chu, Governor of Yizhou, in Chengdu. I petitioned the court to appoint Zhu Xu, General Who Soars Like an Eagle and Chancellor of Jiangxia, as Protector-General for the Campaign to relieve Zhou Chu. I also ordered Xie Xuan, Chancellor of Nan Commandery, to lead troops into Shu and attack Sima Xun from the other side. No fresh