《后汉书·列传·宗室四王三侯列传》
当时率军攻击鲁阳，听到更始即位，发怒说 ：本来起兵谋大事的，是伯升兄弟，现在更始怎么能即位呢？ 更始君臣听说后心里很忌恨，以刘稷为抗威将军，刘稷不肯拜受。
时将兵击鲁阳，闻更始立，怒曰： 本起兵图大事者，伯升兄弟也，今更始何为者邪？ 更始君臣闻而心忌之，以稷为抗威将军，稷不肯拜。
At that time, when the army besieged Luyang, on hearing that Emperor Gengshi had become Emperor, he said in anger: "Originally, it was the Bo Sheng brothers who raised an army to do great things. How can Emperor Gengshi have become Emperor?" When Emperor Gengshi and his officials heard what Liu Ji said, they hated him deeply, and offered him the position of General who Inspires Awe, but Liu Ji refused to accept it.