The Emperor's Days Are Numbered

Everyone knows that Southern Chu fell at the hands of Li Xu, but few know that Li Xu was once the only student of Emperor Zhao Xijing of Chu.

·

On the day the capital fell and the kingdom perished, Emperor Hui burned himself to death in his bedchamber. Unable to find him, Li Xu flew into a rage and massacred the Chu palace.

No one spoke of the enmity between them again.

·

Ten years later, someone who looked much like Zhao Xijing boarded a ship bound for the former capital of Chu.

His body was withered and his life was nearly spent. His clouded eyes gazed at the city walls.

After a long while, he lowered his head and coughed a few times before saying weakly, "Take me to Linjiang... or bury me there."

·

At that moment, in the Great Zhou imperial palace two thousand li away, Li Xu, the ruler who had unified the realm, received the news. He cast everything aside and rode day and night toward the former capital of Chu.

·

★ Short story.

Theme: Those who live between heaven and earth must shoulder their responsibilities.