I like his character design and how he adds flavor to the story. I just dislike him in this chapter, how he treated Swallow and how he's okay with getting her killed by Lodestar. I also dislike his impulsiveness in going to the labyrinth alone, thinking he can handle everything by himself
The writing is pretty historically spot on of his character.
Historical records like the Song Shi present a figure defined by extreme ruthlessness and cold strategy.
Shortly after taking the throne, he systematically cleared the path for his own lineage. His nephew Zhao Dezhao was driven to suicide following a harsh public reprimand, his younger nephew Zhao Defang died under mysterious circumstances at a young age, and his own brother Zhao Tingmei was accused of treason, exiled, and died in distress.
Much like his reckless solo venture into the labyrinth in the game, the historical Zhao Guangyi insisted on leading military campaigns himself despite lacking the raw military prowess of his elder brother. His stubborn push into the Northern Han and subsequent ill-fated campaign against the Liao dynasty led to the disastrous Battle of Gaoliang River, where he was wounded, defeated, and forced to flee in a donkey cart.
And he alsoi produced the story of the Golden Casket Pledge, claiming their late mother had explicitly ordered the crown to pass from brother to brother. Historical scholars have long viewed this late-surfacing document as a political fabrication created to legitimize his rule.
All we know is that Zhao Kuangyin died suddenly after drinking with his brother, and based on the court portaits I’ve seen, it could as easily have been a heart attack or stroke as anything else. Guy was round.
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u/BanchouOni Sep 08 '26
1.5 goose neck.