Chen Caozhi left Jiankang for Gushu with Xie Yan, Fan Ning, Gu Kaizhi, Ran Sheng, Liu Laozhi, Sun Wuzhong, Lai De, Huang Xiaotong, and the others, a party of over fifty. At New Pavilion, Xie An, Lu Na, Xi Chao, Zhang Ping, Gu Minzhi, and Xie Xuan all came to see them off, as did Xie Daoyun and Lu Weiwei. Xie Yan's wife, Lady Yuan, and Gu Kaizhi's wife, Zhang Tongyun, were there too. After many reminders to take care, the carriages and horses set out. The travelers receded into the distance, hearts brimming with the sorrow of parting-
Before noon on the fifteenth day of the second month, Chen Caozhi's party arrived at Gushu. Huan Xi and Huan Shixiu met them at the foot of Baizhu Mountain and accompanied them into the city and the General's Residence. Huan Wen had recently suffered a flare-up of his wind-cold impediment ailment and found moving about quite difficult, so he came in a carrying chair to meet Chen Caozhi and the others. He first congratulated Chen Caozhi on his engagement, then asked about the wedding date. On learning that it was the eighth day of the eighth month, Huan Wen nodded. "Neither family affairs nor affairs of state will be neglected. An auspicious time indeed."
Chen Caozhi introduced Fan Ning, Liu Laozhi, and Sun Wuzhong to Huan Wen. Seeing how powerfully built Liu Laozhi and Sun Wuzhong were, Huan Wen said with delight, "Here are fine generals for my Northern Headquarters." In his capacity as Grand Marshal, with overall command of the armed forces, he immediately appointed both men Military Advisers of the Northern Headquarters. He also solemnly instructed Huan Xi to make full use of the two generals. Naturally, Huan Xi assented repeatedly.
After the midday banquet, Huan Wen kept Chen