the throne, including granting Xiao the nine bestowments and the successive titles of Duke of Qi, and then Prince of Qi, in 479. In summer 479, Xiao forced Emperor Shun to abdicate and then, with Chu ceremonially offering him the imperial seal, accepted the throne, ending Liu Song and establishing Southern Qi (as its Emperor Gao). Service during Southern Qi Emperor Gao made Chu Yuan titularly his prime minister. He was created the Duke of Nankang. The popular opinion at the time, however, severely criticized him for not being more protective of Liu Song and acquiescing to Southern Qi's takeover. This low opinion of Chu carried over even among the ranks of other Southern Qi officials. In 480, at a feast hosted by Emperor Gao's crown prince Xiao Ze, Chu got into an argument with another official, Shen Wenji (沈文季), and Shen, in anger, yelled out, "Chu Yuan calls himself a faithful subject, but after he dies, how would he be able to face Emperor Ming of Song?" Crown Prince Ji laughed off the matter, but this was a demonstration of the damage that had been done to Chu's reputation despite his high rank. In April 482, Emperor Gao died and was succeeded by Crown Prince Ji (as Emperor Wu). Chu remained a high-ranking official, and Emperor Gao's will, indeed, specifically designated him and Wang Jian to assist the new emperor. Five months later, Chu himself died. His heir apparent Chu Ben (褚賁), who was ashamed that his father could not remain faithful to Liu Song, yielded the title to another son of Chu Yuan, Chu Qin (褚蓁), and he settled as a hermit in a house next to his father's tomb. References Liu Song politicians Southern Qi politicians 482 deaths 435 births