Resumen del episodio 27 de Swords into Plowshares
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Qian Hongzong had just taken over his elder brother's power. The old generals in the imperial court each harbored their own thoughts, making his kingship like sitting on pins and needles. He urgently needed to summon Qian Hongchu back to the capital to participate in major political affairs. Shen Yin originally intended to suppress the news of the death temporarily, reporting it only after the wedding. Unexpectedly, Qian Hongchu learned of the bad news in advance.
That night, Qian Hongchu wore plain white mourning clothes, and Sun Taizhen took a piece of hemp thread and tied it into his braid to perform the "Qi Cui" ritual, signifying extreme grief. Qian Hongchu recalled his elder brother's many years of arduous work for the country, which ultimately led to his illness and death from overwork.
Only then did he deeply understand his brother's difficulties, and he couldn't help but shed tears, feeling even more remorse for his own naivety. On the day of departure, Ge Qiang voluntarily came to find Shen Yin. He was grateful for Qian Hongchu's appreciative patronage, so he specifically resigned from his position as Record Keeper and Adjutant, determined to follow him to Hangzhou.
Within Bianliang City, Crown Prince Liu Chengyou was full of suspicion towards the generals in the court, especially the Guo family and the Zhao family father and son. He found an excuse, claiming that Zhao Hongyin and his son jointly guarding the imperial palace was not in accordance with the law, and intended to transfer Zhao Hongyin away.
As soon as Zhao Kuangyin heard the news, he resolutely submitted a memorial to resign from his official post, intending to go to Fuzhou to seek another path. As New Year's Day approached, Qian Hongzong followed old precedents to reward the various armies, in order to win over their loyalty and solidify his power.
However, the problem was that Qian Hongzong had not yet received formal enfeoffment from the Central Plains court; he was currently only holding the status of "acting military commissioner". Hu Jinsi cited propriety and ritual to remonstrate against this, but Qian Hongzong insisted on proceeding, causing him to angrily leave his seat. Seeing this, Qian Hongzong furiously threw the memorial on the table; his jade thumb ring rolled onto the ground.
Yuan Dezhao stepped forward to agree that there was nothing inappropriate in what Hu Jinsi had said. When Qian Hongchu returned to Hangzhou, Qian Hongzong was overjoyed, initially thinking that he would surely support him. Unexpectedly, Qian Hongchu also advised that the timing was inappropriate. Qian Hongchu calmly elaborated on the reasons, stating that Yuan Dezhao and Hu Jinsi were indeed saving money for the state. If rewards were given now, more rewards would be needed after the formal enfeoffment.
Two sets of rewards would mean double the national treasury expenditure. Silver and silk came from taxes; heavy taxes would lead to public resentment, and public resentment would inevitably endanger the state. Hearing this, Qian Hongzong's face darkened, but then he quickly revealed a smile, personally stepped forward to help Qian Hongchu up, and ordered people to prepare food and wine, declaring that today he would enjoy a good drink with his ninth younger brother.
In contrast, when Hu Jinsi returned to his mansion, Hu Jing earnestly advised his father. He said that Qian Hongzong, not yet truly in charge, did not understand the value of provisions. Since he wanted to give rewards, he should just give them; why be the villain in the middle? If they offended the military generals because of this, all resentment would fall upon the Hu family, and they feared that Qian Hongchu would return to control military power.
Hearing Hu Jing's words, Hu Jinsi actually had a somewhat changed view of Qian Hongchu, sighing that if Qian Hongzuo had lived a few more years, and Qian Hongchu had had more time to gain experience and accumulate enough prestige and experience, he could have become a more suitable king. After three rounds of drinks, Qian Hongzong, under the influence of alcohol, finally laid out the plans he had been contemplating for a long time.
He wanted to bestow upon Qian Hongchu the title of Commander of the Inner Teeth Guard, and in doing so, seize the Hu family's military power. Qian Hongchu did not respond immediately but instead suggested offering sacrifices to his sixth elder brother.
Before the ancestral tablet, Qian Hongchu politely refused his elder brother, pointing out that if a monarch were to forcibly promote someone merely to win over military support for a short time, it would likely shake the foundation of the state. Moreover, with his own qualifications and prestige, he simply could not control those arrogant and fierce generals; only by inviting his eldest brother Qian Hongjun could the situation be stabilized.
However, Qian Hongzong failed to grasp the significance of the national and familial implications in his words. Instead, he felt that his younger brother was favoring their sixth elder brother and neglecting him, and resentment secretly grew in his heart. Once suspicion arose between brothers, slander would creep in like a vine through a crevice.
He Chengxun, with a few words, misled Qian Hongzong, causing him to act obstinately, falsely claiming the late king's dying wish, and forcibly granting Qian Hongchu a military post, which was tantamount to putting him on a spit. Qian Hongchu returned to his residence filled with worry and indignation. He recalled how his father, Qian Yuanguan, when alive, was like a towering giant tree, shielding all his sons from wind and rain.
Later, his sixth elder brother Qian Hongzuo succeeded to the throne, silently taking on the mission of that "tree." Although there were power struggles within the royal family, things were generally stable. Qian Hongzuo never let his younger brothers be tainted by the court's secret schemes or the arrogance and belligerence of fierce generals. He alone bore the weight of the entire precarious palace, protecting the family completely.
In stark contrast, Qian Hongzong's current actions indeed made Qian Hongchu feel disheartened. The next day, after the imperial court session concluded, Qian Hongzong hosted a banquet for Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, intending to forge a marriage alliance with the Shuiqiu family to gain support and check Hu Jinsi. However, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, being extremely experienced, saw through the danger at a glance.
He not only politely declined the marriage proposal but also frankly advised Qian Hongzong not to harbor groundless suspicions towards Hu Jinsi, lest it provoke a major upheaval. Unfortunately, these words failed to awaken Qian Hongzong. He Chengxun then proactively offered a scheme, inciting Qian Hongzong to devise a plan to force Hu Jinsi into rebellion.
