Li Yu 李煜
last ruler of a fallen kingdom · Southern Tang China · 937–978
The last ruler of the Southern Tang. He lost his kingdom, was taken to the Song and died in captivity. Poor at politics, he was a genius at song lyrics.
Posts
late 970s · While held captive after losing his kingdom
Cut it, and it does not sever. Sort it, and it tangles again. This is the sorrow of parting. It is a taste all of its own, here in the heart.
剪不斷，理還亂，是離愁。
別是一般滋味，在心頭。To the tune "Joy at Meeting"
978 · This song is said to have angered Emperor Taizong of Song, who had him poisoned
I ask you: how much sorrow can one man have? As much as a river of spring water flowing east.
問君能有幾多愁？恰似一江春水向東流。To the tune "The Beautiful Lady Yu"
1 in 100 Billion · The social network of those who came before us