Wei Prince and Martyr
He inherited a doomed kingdom — chose to die by fire rather than surrender to an enemy who had promised him peace.
Wei Bai was a prince of the state of Wei during the Warring States period. When Qin pressed its campaign against Wei, Wei was doomed. The Qin army laid siege to the capital Daliang and flooded the city with water. Wei Bai went to negotiate surrender. The Qin general promised peace. Wei Bai returned — and the Qin general had him burned alive. Wei Bai climbed the pyre and died in the flames rather than submit to false promises. His younger brother Wei Jia continued the resistance. The story of Wei Bai became a story about the price of trusting an oath-breaker.