1.永历帝的经历，可谓“斩草不除根，春风吹又生”，历来之君能得善终罕见，像刘禅国破家亡后被进爵，“乐不思蜀”安享晚年更是稀有。

2.明朝最后一位皇帝，不是崇祯自缢煤山的朱由检，而是他的堂弟朱由榔，他们都是万历皇帝朱翊钧的亲孙子。然而与堂哥相比，朱由榔显然逊色许多。自幼失学，全未读书，从小未尝受过正规的皇室教育，其性格怯懦，胆识才能都难当中兴之主，即使其亲生母亲也评价其“吾儿仁柔，不为拨乱之才”。

3.仅因父亲兄弟们皆死，南明政权要维系下去，便选定了朱由榔作为继承人。于是公元1646年十一月十八日，他宣布即皇帝位，将第二年的起算为永历元年。

4.从1646到1662年的16年里，永历帝几乎没有享受到几天安宁生活。一旦清军进驻紫禁城，一切便统一无遗，对明朝“余孽”如同无情剿灭。在清军追剿下，永历帝辗转流离于粤、桂、湘、黔、滇、缅之间，一有风吹草动，当即闻风而逃。

5.永历十二年（公元1658年），吴三桂攻入云南昆明，那时的永历帝犹如丧家犬一般逃入缅甸寄人篱下。随后，在莽白弑兄自立称缅甸王期间，无力抵抗吴三桂，只得答应他的要求，以诱骗方式将永歷帝送给吴三桂，使他在咒水遭遇史称“咒水之难”。

6.至此，大明帝国正式灭亡。此事引发了众多猜测：吴三桂为什么非要杀死这名已俘虏的大明末代皇帝？背后的原因和秘密究竟是什么？

7.Wu Three's Motives for Killing the Last Ming Emperor

Wu Three, a significant historical figure at the transition from Ming to Qing dynasties, initially held a position as a scholar in the Ming court before defecting to the Qing and being granted the title of Prince of West China (平西王). The question remains: why did he ultimately decide to kill Emperor Chongzhen, despite being spared by Kangxi? What factors led him down this path?

Behind Wu Three's actions lies an intricate web of motivations and circumstances.

The Everlasting Legacy of Emperor Yongzheng

Emperor Yongzheng was not only one last emperor but also embodied hope for his people during those tumultuous times when war seemed inevitable and death lurked around every corner.

In contrast with his predecessor Chongzhen who had been criticized for his ineptitude and lack of military prowess, Yongzheng displayed remarkable resilience amidst adversity.

Despite these differences between them, it is clear that their shared fate would forever link their stories together in history.

A Decision Made Amidst Turmoil

The decision to execute Yongzheng can be seen as both strategic and personal - strategically ensuring no potential threat from within while personally eliminating any lingering ties with an enemy dynasty.

It must have taken immense courage for Wu Three to make such a bold move given that even if there were loyalists remaining they could potentially use this act against him further down the line.

In Defense Of His Own Reputation

Wu Three knew that killing Yongzheng would not only solidify his power base but also protect himself from any future accusations or plots made by remnants of Ming loyalists seeking vengeance or recognition through association with an emperor still alive at some point after 1644 AD.

An Unlikely Alliance Forged Through War & Victory

The collaboration between WuThreeand Kangxi marks one unique aspect in Chinese history where two powerful figures collaborated on multiple occasions without necessarily aiming towards mutual destruction - evidence that under different circumstances they may have formed alliances instead.

This final act cemented WuThreeas an influential leader who played crucial roles throughout various periods within China’s complex political landscape; however it has left many questioning whether taking such drastic measures was truly necessary or if other options existed which might have maintained peace while preserving dignity rather than resorting to violence.

As we delve into more historical accounts about what happened during these critical years leading up till 1660s' events unfolding so vividly across our nation – let us remember how each individual choice shaped our collective destiny.

For now though let us ponder upon another intriguing query:

What forces compelled these men – individuals bound by honor loyalty duty yet operating within vastly different contexts – choose paths divergent from peaceful coexistence?