chimei, at this time, decided that they also needed their own emperor. they found three descendants of liu zhang, prince of chengyang, who was very popular with the people of his principality (from which many chimei soldiers came) and who was worshiped as a god after his death. after drawing lots, the youngest, the 15-year-old liu penzi was chosen and declared emperor. however, the young "emperor" was not given any power, but was effectively a puppet who still served as a cattle keeper within the army.