umors that the late Emperor had been put to death*。 He issued an order for mourning to be worn and instituted sacrifices； and he conferred the posthumous title of Emperor Xian the Filial on the late Emperor。 This worry brought on an illness； so that he could not transact the business of the court； which was left in the hands of Zhuge Liang。
Then Zhuge Liang and some of his colleagues took counsel one with another； saying； 〃The empire cannot be one single day without its ruler； wherefore we desire that our Prince should be honored with the title of 'Emperor'。〃
Qiao Zhou said； 〃There have been auspicious indications。 A yellow vapor has been seen in the northwest of Chengdu rising to the clouds； and the star of emperor has greatly increased in splendor and shined like the moon。 These signs mean that our Prince is to bee Emperor in succession to the House of Han。 There can be no doubt。〃
Whereupon Zhuge Liang and Xu Jing； at the head of a large number of officers； presented a memorial requesting the Prince to assume the title of Emperor。 But Liu Bei objected。
〃O Nobles； do you desire to set my feet in the way of disloyalty and wrong…doing？〃
〃Not so；〃 said Zhuge Liang。 〃But Cao Pi has usurped the Throne； while you are a scion of the House。 It is right and proper that you succeed and prolong the line。〃
But the Prince suddenly showed anger； saying； 〃Can I imitate the deeds of such a rebel？〃
He rose and left the chamber； going to his own apartments。 So the officials dispersed。
But three days later Zhuge Liang again led a deputation to the court； and they requested that the Prince should e forth and hear them。 He came； and they all prostrated themselves。
Xu Jing spoke； 〃The late Emperor of the Hans has been slain by C