Finally——
He recalled those kings of defeated countries also recorded by history.
He thought of King Zhou of Shang, who amassed grains and treasures at the Lu Platform, yet ultimately could only don a jewel-encrusted robe and throw himself into the flames, turning to ashes along with his dynasty.
In his view.
Self-immolation, seemingly magnificent.
In reality, it was an act of utter despair and escape.
He also thought of Chen Shubao, Emperor of the Later Chen, who, when the nation fell, hid in a well with his consort, and was eventually pulled out by a rope, becoming the laughingstock of the world, what disgrace and wretchedness that was.
These figures flashed through his mind one by one, some heroic, some humiliating, some laughable.
They were all kings of defeated countries, each putting an end to their own dynasty in their own way.
But——
Those were not the endings he desired.
