ao Pi。 You； O Prince； will fail both in loyalty and rectitude if you do not assume the succession and destroy the wrong…doers。 The whole empire requests you to rule that you may avenge the death of the late Emperor； and the people will be disappointed if you do not accede to their wishes。〃
The Prince replied； 〃Although I am descended from the grandson of Emperor Jing； I have not been of the least advantage。 If I assumed the title of 'Emperor'； how would that act differ from usurpation？〃
Zhuge Liang pleaded with him again and again； but the Prince remained obdurate。 Then Zhuge Liang bethought that where argument failed a ruse might succeed。 So having arranged the parts his several colleagues were to play； he pleaded illness and remained at home。 Presently it was told the Prince that his adviser's condition was being serious； wherefore Liu Bei went to see him as he lay on his couch。
〃What illness affects you； my mander…in…Chief？〃 asked Liu Bei。
〃My heart is sad like unto burning； and I shall soon die。〃
〃What is it that causes you such grief？〃
But Zhuge Liang did not reply。 And when the question was repeated again and again he said nothing； but just lay with his eyes closed as if he was too ill to speak。
The Prince； however； pressed him to reply； and then with a deep sigh Zhuge Liang said； 〃Great Prince； from the day I left my humble cottage to follow you； you have always listened to my words and accepted my advice； and now this western domain； the whole of the two River Lands is yours just as I said it would be。 But this usurpation of Cao Pi means the annihilation of the Hans and the cessation of their sacrifices； wherefore my colleagues and I desired you to bee Emperor in order to crush this upstart Wei and restore the Han