Wang Meng was commanding troops at Huayin when he learned that Gou Chi and Deng Qiang had been defeated by Chen Caozhi and their forces all but annihilated. He was deeply shocked. Of all men, Wang Meng feared Chen Caozhi most. From the diplomatic mission two years earlier to this year's Northern Expedition, Chen Caozhi's profound influence was everywhere. Wang Meng could anticipate Huan Wen's intentions, but Chen Caozhi's plans were harder to fathom. He had thought Huan Wen would not readily let Chen Caozhi command an independent army, but he had miscalculated-
Wang Meng sent an envoy racing to inform Fu Jian and request reinforcements for Huayin in case the Jin army attacked the pass. At the same time, he intensified reconnaissance, closely monitoring Chen Caozhi's movements. When he learned that the Jin fleet was sailing upstream, he immediately guessed Chen Caozhi's intention:
Chen Caozhi was going to cross the river!
Wang Meng was both alarmed and delighted. What alarmed him was that Chen Caozhi clearly had Huan Wen's permission to cross the river and attack the Yan Army. This meant Chen Caozhi had persuaded Huan Wen, and the Jin army's strategy had moved beyond Wang Meng's expectations. What delighted him was that he had seen through Chen Caozhi's intentions. He could make preparations on the northern bank and deal Chen Caozhi a devastating blow. As long as Chen Caozhi failed to cross, Huan Wen would return to his cautious strategy of seeking stability.
Wang Meng urgently dispatched a messenger to travel day and night to Yuanwu, reporting that Chen Caozhi intended to cross near Wen County. He requested that Murong Zang, Grand Marshal of the Yan Kingdom, station his main army in Wen County, concentrate superior forces there, and annihilate the Jin troops crossing the river.
Upon receiving