《新唐书·列传·卷一百五十》
属下为满足他的贪欲，劝他称帝，附近几县均喧闹着呼喊要他称帝。董昌下令说： 时机到了，我一定应天顺人即帝位。 
吾当自取之！ 下厌其虐，乃劝为帝。近县举狂畐讠虖请，昌令曰： 时至，我当应天顺人。 
In order to satisfy his greed, his subordinates urged him to proclaim himself emperor, and the surrounding counties were all clamoring for him to proclaim himself emperor. Dong Chang gave the order: "When the time comes, I will definitely follow the will of heaven and ascend to the throne."