yang。 So Liu Bei hastily dismounted and asked why。
Yi Ji replied； 〃Yesterday I heard that Kuai Yue told the Imperial Protector that that horse was a Dilu horse and brought disaster to its owner。 That is why it was returned to you。 How can you mount it again？〃
〃I am deeply touched by your affection；〃 replied Liu Bei； 〃but a person's life is governed by fate； and what a horse can interfere with that？〃
Yi Ji admitted his superior view； and thereafter he kept in touch with Liu Bei wherever he went。
The arrival of Liu Bei in Xinye was a matter of rejoicing to all the inhabitants； and the whole administration was reformed。
In the spring of the twelfth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity （AD 207）； Liu Bei's wife； Lady Gan； game birth to a son who was named Liu Shan。 The night of his birth a crane settled on the roof of the house； screeched some forty times and then flew away westward。
Just at the time of birth a miraculous incense filled the chamber。 Lady Gan one night had dreamed that she was looking up at the sky； and the constellation of the Great Bear had fallen down her throat。 And she conceived soon after。
While Cao Cao was absent from the capital on his northern expedition； Liu Bei went to Liu Biao and said to him； 〃Why do you not take this opportunity to march against the capital？ An empire might follow from that。〃
〃I am well placed here；〃 was the reply。 〃Why should I attempt other things？〃
Liu Bei said no more。 Then the Imperial Protector invited him into the private apartments to drink。 While they were so engaged； Liu Biao suddenly began to sigh despondently。
〃O brother； why do you sigh thus？〃 asked Liu Bei。
〃I have a secret sorrow that is difficult to speak about；〃 said Liu Biao。
Liu Bei wa