The refugee leaders of nineteen fortified manors gathered at the Tian Clan Fortified Manor for three days. Although they came from commoner clans, they were by no means uncultured men. All had been steeped in Confucian learning since childhood, and several had also delved considerably into Lao-Zhuang Xuanxue. The Wei-Jin era revered learning and thought; few dared look down on scholars well versed in poetry and the classics, and even military commanders prized never putting down their books. This was precisely why the generals of Yu Province had resented Xie Wan for likening them to mere elite soldiers. As the Assistant Governor of Si Province in charge of military affairs, Chen Caozhi was learned in both Confucianism and Daoism and thoroughly versed in military strategy, geography, and affairs of state, which greatly impressed the refugee leaders. His analysis of the situation among the three kingdoms was also penetrating and meticulous. Although Xianbei Yan was powerful at present, its imperial clan was riven by strife. Once Murong Ke died, internal turmoil was certain to follow. Would that not be an excellent opportunity for a northern expedition? As for Former Qin, the Rebellion of the Four Fus had drained its strength, and it had fought the Yan Army for several months. It would not dare commit its entire national strength to attacking Yan in the near future. Moreover, Huan Huo's forces from Jingxiang would pin down the Di Qin armies around Hanzhong. Next year, the North Mansion Army would surely achieve deeds that shone in the annals of history-
On the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month, Chen Caozhi left Xiapi for Runan. Among the Five Great Fortified Manors, the Cai Clan of Xincai and the Wei Clan of Wuyang still needed to be visited. The nineteen refugee leaders who had assembled