Looking at Zhou Chang's corpse, the emperor felt deeply troubled in his heart and somberly instructed, "Find a way to get him a coffin and bury him properly."
All these captives were under guards and could move within a designated area, but beyond that, they were restricted.
If someone died and had money, perhaps their family could bribe the Xiongnu to help gather a coffin; otherwise, they would be rolled in a mat and discarded at the burial ground.
Here, there were no nobles or influential families; all were captives, bereft of any dignity.
Zhou Chang had no family; his servants were caught and taken to the military as slaves when they were captured, and their fate was uncertain.
When they were captured, their wealth was thoroughly seized, and most had no spare money left, so the cost of a coffin, even for those once incredibly wealthy, had to be gathered with difficulty.
