"Good!" Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction. "Where is the seal of the King of Chu?"
"Here it is." Wang Ben presented the Imperial Seal of Chu with both hands. "The King of Chu said that since the kingdom is no longer a kingdom, this seal should be handed over to us."
Ying Zheng accepted the seal and stroked its mottled patterns. This was the symbol of the Chu Kingdom for hundreds of years, and now a new dynasty was about to change.
"Pass down the order," he suddenly said. "Since the King of Chu is pragmatic, treat him leniently. Grant him the title of Duke of Chu, with a salary. The other officials and generals who surrendered should also be treated favorably."
"Your Majesty is benevolent!" the generals exclaimed in unison.
"By the way," Ying Zheng asked again, "do you have a letter of surrender from the King of Chu?"
"Yes!" Wang Li presented a letter, "written personally by the King of Chu."
Ying Zheng unfolded it and read: "I, Xiong Qi, never expected that my pursuit of Jing would lead to my downfall and the loss of my kingdom. Today, my fate is sealed; my only hope is for my entire clan to surrender and find a glimmer of hope..."
After reading the letter of surrender, Ying Zheng sighed softly, "He's a pitiful person indeed!"
And so, the State of Chu perished. This great nation, which had existed for hundreds of years, collapsed under the iron cavalry of the Qin army.
......
That night, Xiong Qi stood alone on the city wall of Fanyi, gazing northwards.
There lies the foundation he built through half his life's work, the capital city he longed for day and night, and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country...
"Ancestors above," he murmured to himself, "Xiong Qi is incompetent and has failed the legacy of our forefathers. I only wish that the Qin state would treat its people well and that the world would never again suffer the ravages of war..."
The cool moonlight shone down on this small town.
The city was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the Qin army was celebrating their great victory. Only the deposed king remained, silently repenting and praying.
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