Ne Win ruled the country for the next 26 years, instituting the "Burmese Way to Socialism", a euphemism for autocratic military rule. A confirmed megalomaniac, Ne Win governed in part by astrology. His "lucky" number was "9", and he once cancelled the country's currency and replaced it with multiples of "9". It is said that when he was worried about assassination, he would dance on raw meat and pretend to shoot himself in the mirror to avert danger. Periodic attempts were made at overthrowing Ne Win, yet all failed. Cutting off Burma from the outside world, he plunged the Burmese people deeper into poverty.