Refusing the Marriage Alliance, I Founded a Dynasty - chapter 7

Yongning County is the final barrier protecting the capital.

The County Governor was a capable man; even with no food or men, he managed to hold out for three days.

He was a worthy talent, so I naturally tried to persuade him to surrender: “Sir, the Great Yin is lost, the emperor is without virtue. Why tie your life and family to a sinking ship? Why not surrender and accomplish great things?”

The County Governor replied, “Since I have eaten the ruler’s grain, I must serve the ruler loyally. Now that fate shows no mercy, this is my destiny. I am willing to die in service to the Great Yin.”

I turned to my Retinue and said, “Attack the city!”

Yongning County finally fell.

I ascended the City Tower; the County Governor had already taken his own life for his country.

At that moment, my Retinue came to find me and told me that the County Governor’s Mansion was solemn and quiet. All thirteen members of his family had taken poison and died, their faces calm, departing with composure.

I bent down and straightened the County Governor’s cap. He had a gentle and refined face; had he not been born in troubled times, he would surely have sat calmly by the window, sipping tea and reading, his wife mending his clothes, and his children poking their heads out the window, mischievously trying to escape their studies.

I do not understand-when the emperor is corrupt and defeated, why would he entrust his fate to a doomed and benighted world?

I do not understand such people!

But I respect such people!

I said to my Retinue, “Bury them well!”

Yongning County was taken, but I did not stay to handle trivial matters. Instead, I rode at the front toward Yong’an City.

The capital, Yong’an City-three hundred years ago, the Li Clan founded the Great Yin here.

Three hundred years later, Meng Yu of the Meng Clan knocks on the city gates herself.

I spurred my horse forward; autumn had arrived, and a chilly rain fell on me. My blood was boiling, my hands tightly gripping the Red Flame Spear my father gave me.

The city gates were wide open. I saw terrified commoners fleeing in all directions, Aristocratic Youth peeking out in fear, and blood flowing through the streets, seeping into the earth and stone cracks.

I walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, striving to accomplish great deeds.

Looking far into the distance, thick smoke billowed from the Imperial City. Loyal Ministers were exiled by the foolish emperor, loyal guards died by the enemy’s blade.

I ordered the Palace Gate sealed, counted the population, took over the government offices, and checked the numbers for taxes, waterworks, and farmland.

The eunuchs, watched over by soldiers, trembled as they told me: upon learning that all was lost, the emperor first slaughtered his own consorts and children, then donned the imperial robes, wore the Imperial Sword, and laughed as he walked to Phoenix Terrace.

I looked at the smoke and fire rising from Phoenix Terrace and knew the emperor had burned himself to death.

In ancient times, King Zhou of Shang burned himself on Deer Terrace; today, the Last Emperor of Yin burns himself on Phoenix Terrace.

King Zhou is remembered in history as a tyrant whose name reeks for ages; the Last Emperor will soon be remembered the same way.

Who knows, centuries from now, how future generations will judge them? Between these two, who will be deemed the greater?

I asked the eunuch, “How is the scenery at Phoenix Terrace?”

The eunuch prostrated himself and said, “Stairs of white jade, springs of pure water, rare treasures and exotic beasts, flowers and plants in full bloom-no immortal realm could compare!”

Such sights-a pity to burn them!