The emperor Huaizong, a seven-year-old child, was on a large junk flying the imperial flag, at the very centre of the fleet. Understanding that all was lost, the emperor’s loyal minister Lu Xiufu made a famous speech to the little boy. ‘The affairs of our state have come to this,’ he said, ‘we must not disgrace the nation.’ Then, taking the boy in his arms, he jumped into the sea, to commit suicide.
