〃How can I abandon my empire for the sake of repose………the empire won by my Great Ancestor； its Founder； when； with a three…span sword； he slew the Snake and restored Right； and consolidated when he reduced Qin and overwhelmed Chu………the empire which has been handed down for four centuries？ Though I possess not brilliant talents； yet I have done no wrong。 Go back and debate this again in a just and moderate spirit。〃
Then Hua Xin led forward Xu Zhi and Li Qu nearer the throne； saying； 〃If Your Majesty thinks we may be mistaken； pray ask these two； who will explain。〃
Said Li Qu； 〃Since the Prince of Wei has taken his seat； the Jilin has descended； the Phoenix has appeared； the Yellow Dragon has e forth； the Grain of Felicity has flourished； and Sweet Dew has watered the earth。 All these things augur that Heaven decrees a change； and Wei must replace Han。〃
Xu Zhi continued； 〃The astrologers； watching the aspect of the skies at night； have seen the blazing light of the star of Han gradually fade away and Your Majesty's own star bee dim。 On the other hand； the aspect of the sky and the attitude of the earth have been wholly bright in favor of Wei to a degree hard to state in words。 Moreover； the lots have been cast； and they gave the words 'Devil； at the side； has been sent； there must be an inroad upon Han without word'； another lot； 'Word； in east； light moves west； two suns radiating as the air blows south'。 These oracles gave two words which； joined； pose Xu； 'two suns； one on the other'； which is Chang。 These signs are unmistakeable； for when put together the whole reads； 'Wei at Xuchang is to receive the abdication of Han。' If you consider； Your Majesty must admit this。〃
〃All empty words and madness； this talk of auguries and lots！ Is it reaso