Swords into Plowshares resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Swords into Plowshares

The drama paints an epic panorama of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, sweeping from the war-torn Central Plains with its fluttering battle flags to the opulent, jewel-adorned markets of Wuyue. Against the backdrop of a fragmented world and open struggles for supremacy, three determined young men—Qian Hongchu, Zhao Kuangyin, and Guo Rong—witness the turmoil of their nation, the collapse of order, and the suffering of the people. Through these trials, they gradually come to realize that only national unification can end the ravages of war and the nation's sorrow.

As political chaos erupts, Qian Hongchu shoulders the heavy responsibility of ruling the Kingdom of Wuyue, adhering to the principle of "protecting the borders and bringing peace to the people," thus bestowing prosperity upon his domain. Guo Rong strives to restore order amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, yet his grand ambitions remain unfulfilled, a hero cut down in his prime. At a pivotal historical juncture, Zhao Kuangyin establishes the Northern Song dynasty, imposing strict military discipline, reforming corrupt governance, stabilizing livelihoods, and exercising restraint in warfare. He sweeps away the decay and disorder of the Five Dynasties, steadily advancing toward a world of peace.

Ultimately, faced with the inevitable trend of Northern Song unification and the longing of the common people, Qian Hongchu, the King of Wuyue, surrenders his territory, "submitting the land to the Song." This act completes one of the great unifications in Chinese history.

Resumos de Swords into Plowshares

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In 907 AD, the last embers of the Tang Dynasty extinguished. Zhu Wen, the military governor of Xuanwu, led his troops to declare himself emperor, establishing the Later Liang Dynasty. From then on, power in the Central Plains frequently shifted, with regional governors fighting amongst themselves, abruptly ushering in the prelude to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

The so-called Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms refers to the Central Plains losing its sole "spokesperson," becoming a giant arena where five dynasties succeeded one another and over a dozen regional regimes, collectively known as the "Ten Kingdoms," emerged. " Is there a specific lineage for an emperor? Only those with strong armies and robust horses can claim the throne, those with the hardest fists can become emperor." This was the most extreme portrayal of that era.

Not long after, Li Cunxu, the military governor of Hedong, broke through the Later Liang and established the Later Tang Dynasty, which lasted for thirteen years. However, after Li Cunxu's death, his trusted general Shi Jingtang conspired to usurp the throne.

To seize the throne, he offered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun as a bribe, borrowed the Khitan cavalry to destroy the Later Tang, and even acknowledged Yelü Deguang, the Khitan ruler ten years his junior, as his adoptive father, willingly becoming an "imperial son." This act caused the Central Plains' defenses to be wide open, allowing northern nomadic peoples to advance deep into the land, leaving a legacy of disaster for hundreds of years.

In the blink of an eye, time reached 941 AD, an era of moral decay and great drought in Guanzhong, where a thousand li of barren land was strewn with starving corpses, and people resorted to cannibalism. Zhang Yanze, the military governor of Zhangyi, under imperial decree to collect grain, led his cavalry rampant through Jingzhou. As the suffering farmers had nothing to offer, he ordered that if they couldn't produce grain, they should pay with their lives.

For three days, villages were besieged, with thousands killed daily. Heads hung piled high on city walls, and mangled bodies and broken bones lay everywhere. He even drove living people into giant mills, grinding them into a paste to be distributed among soldiers as military provisions. His adopted son Zhang Haisu, naturally benevolent and filial, could not bear to witness the horrific scene. His attempts to dissuade Zhang Yanze were fruitless, and he was subsequently murdered by Zhang Yanze.

Zhang Shi, the chief secretary, was also on the verge of death. Ten days later, Zhao Hongyin and his son Zhao Kuangyin received an imperial edict, holding banners and leading light cavalry to Jingzhou. They saw yellow sand covering the fields, scattered white bones. A wooden plaque was diagonally inserted into the soil, with the blood-written characters "Chongmo Zhai" (Pounding Mill Fort) eerily striking.

This method was common among warlords' brutal tortures, taking the meaning of "pounding and grinding," crushing and grinding living people like grain. The soldiers guarding the camp completely disregarded the Zhao father and son, shutting the gates, refusing the imperial edict, and being arrogant and haughty, claiming that even the emperor himself would have to follow their rules. Zhao Kuangyin, young and impetuous, immediately drew his saber to intimidate them, subduing the guards and rescuing Zhang Shi.

He was immediately whipped severely by his own father, leaving his skin torn and flesh lacerated. Zhao Hongyin scolded his son for being ignorant of the world and recklessly displaying a common man's bravery, stopping only when the whip broke. This beating, seemingly a punishment, was in fact the old general's wisdom for survival: "Those who show too much prowess often die the quickest; only by 'hiding one's edge' can one ensure survival." Just then, pursuers suddenly arrived.

The Zhao father and son led people to protect Zhang Shi, breaking through encirclements and barriers, escaping the perilous situation, and rushed back to the capital overnight to report. Currently, Zhao Kuangyin held no official position and could only kneel outside Jixiang Palace, his mind filled with the bewilderment and indignation of an idealist.

As a scion of a military family, aspiring to become a military governor, he found it hard to imagine that there could be someone as tyrannical and lawless as Zhang Yanze in the world, and even less understood how such a person could wield power over a region. The atmosphere inside the palace was solemn. Zhang Shi tearfully recounted the tragic situation in Jingzhou, every word laden with sorrow. Prince Qi, Shi Chonggui, suggested a thorough investigation.

Shi Jingtang, however, citing the reason of framing a military governor, returned Zhang Shi to Zhang Yanze for disposal. Shi Jingtang originally intended to pursue the trespassing offense of Zhao Hongyin and his son into the military camp. But Feng Dao, the Grand Chancellor, suddenly coughed repeatedly, giving a meaningful look. This political "tumbler" was most adept at "smoothing things over" at critical moments. Shi Jingtang understood the hint and thus ceased further inquiry.

On the way out of the palace, Zhao Kuangyin remained deeply indignant. He didn't understand why justice seemed so pale before brute force, nor why human lives were treated like weeds. He kept talking incessantly along the way. Zhao Hongyin suddenly interrupted him, stating that he had arranged a marriage for him with the third daughter of the He family, and urged him to prepare for the wedding soon. In contrast, An Chongrong intended to rebel against the Khitan.

Shi Jingtang, to show loyalty to his adoptive father, decided to help the Khitan suppress the rebellion. Wars required provisions and money, but where would the funds come from? Shi Jingtang's eyes darted, and his gaze fell upon the "money bag" of Wuyue Kingdom in the southeast corner. Speaking of Wuyue, since Qian Liu founded the state, successive generations had followed a policy of "serving the Central Plains well."

Regardless of who the Central Plains emperor was, they would declare allegiance and pay tribute annually, buying peace with money, and using the Central Plains' prestige to contain their powerful neighbor, Southern Tang. Therefore, although the Wuyue Kingdom was not large, it was the wealthiest "major taxpayer" of its time. Its descendants guarded the prosperous land of Hangzhou, living in relative peace in a corner of the realm. However, beneath this tranquility, undercurrents often lurked.

On the surface, the military was discontent, almost on the verge of mutiny. Zhou Ping gathered a crowd to demand rewards, indignantly questioning why the provisions and fodder earned by soldiers in bloody battles should all be handed over to that old villain Shi Jingtang. Covertly, there was also embezzlement of military funds and deception on a grand scale.

Shen Wenqi, the official in charge of affairs at the Eastern Bureau, held an order to retrieve silk from the imperial treasury, but was instead blocked outside the door by Commander He Chengxun. These two incidents caused quite a stir. Hu Jinsi, as the Grand General of the Right, directly intervened. First, he executed Zhou Ping according to military law. Then, he whipped He Chengxun severely, forcing him to open the treasury.

King Qian Yuanguan of Wuyue, recalling Zhou Ping's past loyalty and bravery, to prevent disheartening the soldiers, ordered his eldest son Qian Hongjun to open the imperial treasury to compensate Zhou Ping's family and issue overdue rewards to the army. He Chengxun and Du Zhaoda, the Internal Administration Supervisor, had long been colluding. Fearing that opening the treasury would expose their malpractices, they hastily sought help from Cheng Zhaoyue, the wealthy proprietor of Shanyue Society.

Cheng Zhaoyue was a powerful merchant in the city with extensive connections. He instructed them to fill the boxes with miscellaneous silk fabrics and load them onto carts first, to comply with the king's order. Before Shen Wenqi could enter the treasury to inspect and select, he found that the carts were already fully loaded with silk. He reported this with a mind full of doubts to Qian Hongjun.

The ninth young master, Qian Hongchu, though still young, was exceptionally astute. He discerned that the wooden boxes used for transporting silk were not of imperial make, but rather resembled those used by the Shanyue Society's commercial firm. Furthermore, regarding He Chengxun, a minor commander who had only been in office for two years, he had managed to buy two large three-compound residences by West Lake and married nine concubines.

This was akin to a security captain buying two siheyuan in Beijing's Second Ring Road. Anyone would have suspicions. Commander Dai Yun, whose mind was clear as a mirror, ordered He Chengxun to present all his income and expenditure accounts from the past two years. He Chengxun panicked. Qian Hongchu's heart stirred. To uncover the truth about the Shanyue Society, he disguised himself as a fisherman's apprentice named "Jiujin" to investigate.

Coincidentally, Cheng Zhaoyue was secretly meeting with Li Yuanqing, the proprietor of Southern Tang's "Qinhuai Society." In their conversation, they mentioned the recent death of the Wuyue crown prince, the king's severe illness, and the vacant position of heir apparent.

Looking around, only three individuals had a slightly greater chance: the eldest son Qian Hongjun, who enjoyed the highest prestige; the third son Qian Hongyou, who held military power; and the sixth son Qian Hongzuo, who was then serving as the Deputy Military Governor of Zhenhai and Zhendong. The first two were adopted sons, while only Qian Hongzuo was the king's biological son. However, the father-son relationship was strained, and his actions were unpredictable.

As they were talking, Qian Hongchu brought in some raw fish. Li Yuanqing's gaze was like a knife; he immediately noticed that the servant's demeanor was unusual. Qian Hongchu also sensed something unusual about Li Yuanqing. That night, he took his personal attendant Xue Wen and climbed aboard the Qinhuai Society's merchant ship. Unexpectedly, they were captured on the spot.

Just as Li Yuanqing was about to interrogate them, the merchant ship was suddenly ambushed by a group of black-clad figures. Qian Hongchu seized the opportunity to leap into the sea amidst the chaos. He was immediately caught by a huge net that descended from above, and a blade was instantly placed against his neck, rendering him immobile.

A moment later, a giant ship broke through the waves. Banners fluttered at its bow, bearing the three large characters "Huanglong Society". The Huanglong Society was no ordinary trading company; it was the "Pirate King" of the East Sea at that time, engaging in both trade and piracy, so much so that even government officials of various countries had to give way to it. When Li Yuanqing saw this display, his heart sank.

Although he was the commander of the Black Cloud Division (equivalent to elite special forces) in Southern Tang, at sea, even a dragon had to coil, and a tiger had to crouch. In the end, he had to bite the bullet and board the ship to pay his respects. Presiding on the ship was Yu Wenxiu, the Grand Steward of the Huanglong Society. The two met, and with little small talk, a "major standoff" immediately began.

Li Yuanqing had intended to argue on solid ground, but his opponent was well-prepared and one step ahead, presenting irrefutable evidence of his trafficking in armor. The result was predictable: Li Yuanqing, enduring the heartache, paid a hefty sum to redeem the impounded goods. As for Qian Hongchu, he had not a single copper coin on him and no money to redeem himself. So, Yu Wenxiu treated him as special cargo and brought him back to Huanglong Island.

The great patron, Mrs. Yu, showed no surprise at Li Yuanqing's actions but found Qian Hongchu's appearance strikingly similar to an old acquaintance. Her daughter, Sun Taizhen, attended by his bedside until Qian Hongchu awoke. Yu Wenxiu and Mrs. Yu then called Qian Hongchu and thoroughly questioned him about the events. In Hangzhou city, Cheng Zhaoyue, Du Zhaoda, and He Chengxun were secretly gathered, anxious to cover up their deficit.

Unexpectedly, Dai Yun had already audited the accounts, confirming that the items awarded to the army were indeed substandard, variegated silk. Suspecting someone had stolen and sold royal private property, he immediately ordered the sealing of all royal palace storerooms to thoroughly investigate the accounts. As soon as this order was issued, He Chengxun and the others were on tenterhooks, fearing that their misdeeds would be exposed and their lives endangered.

After Xue Wen escaped back to Hangzhou, he immediately sought help from his royal relative, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, and Qian Hongyou. Qian Hongyou analyzed the situation and personally went to see his birth mother, Lady Yu, resolving the misunderstanding between the two parties and successfully getting his ninth brother back.

At the same time, to cover up the serious crime of stealing and selling armor, the three men took a desperate gamble and set fire to Lichun Courtyard, where the inner treasury of the royal palace was located. Huang Wei rushed in with the report. Qian Yuanguan, hearing the news, came out of the hall, only to see flames soaring into the sky from the southwest, and palace staff running and shouting in chaos.

As per custom, Hu Jinsi was supposed to be on duty tonight, responsible for internal security patrols of the palace city. However, when he arrived at the treasury with Hu Jing, the Minister of Works, Commissioner Yan Tong had already led a group in rescue efforts, but He Chengxun was nowhere to be seen. Qian Yuanguan was already gravely ill and, startled by the incident, fainted on the spot.

Hu Jinsi immediately carried the old King and rushed to Yaotai Courtyard, then quickly summoned two imperial physicians for rescue. However, Qian Yuanguan's serious illness had spread to his lungs, and there was nothing that could be done to save him. They could only use silver needles to temporarily revive him, but it was merely a temporary extension of life, unsustainable in the long run.

Qian Yuanguan summoned Hu Jinsi alone to his side, entrusting him with important matters after his death. His initial intention was to pass the throne to Qian Hongyou, who possessed both talent and virtue. However, Hu Jinsi's expression instantly changed. He prostrated himself and earnestly advised against it, stating that the succession of the state related to the ancestral temple, and entrusting it to an adopted son might lead to great chaos, potentially jeopardizing the foundation of Wuyue.

The old power minister's words spoke of both rules and consequences, causing Qian Yuanguan's resolve to waver. He then immediately summoned Qian Hongzuo into the hall. Hu Jinsi, under the pretext of protecting the emperor and securing the palace, tightly closed the palace gates and strictly controlled entry and exit. Even the seventh son, Qian Hongzong, was stopped by armed guards at the steps. Dai Yun, hearing the news, rushed to the palace gates.

Zhang Yanze led troops and blocked his path with halberds, earning Hu Jinsi's approval. On his deathbed, Qian Yuanguan summoned Qian Hongzuo to his bedside and exhorted him: after he ascends the throne, he must treat his brothers with kindness and generosity, possess the courage to make decisions when faced with matters, and always remember the ancestral teachings of "serving the Central Plains well, protecting the borders, and pacifying the people."

Subsequently, Qian Yuanguan issued another imperial edict: Qian Hongjun and Qian Hongyou were to be immediately relieved of their military power and assigned to sinecure positions. This action, though seemingly a demotion, was in fact the old father seeking a safe harbor for his two adopted sons. Throughout history, royal family affairs often conceal sharp edges within apparent warmth, and this was the last protective measure he could provide before his death.

For a time, inside and outside the palace, the atmosphere was as grim as iron. He Chengxun and others were bound under the eaves outside the hall. He Chengxun, taking advantage of the guards' inattention, secretly used pebbles to saw through his ropes. Although Hu Jinsi temporarily controlled the situation, he had no peace of mind. He knew well that Dai Yun was the rightful commander of the Six Imperial Guards.

For now, he could still block him outside the palace gate under the pretext of "palace rotation duty and the king's serious illness making disturbance inappropriate." However, once dawn broke and the palace gates routinely opened, if Dai Yun were to use his military tally to forcefully enter the palace and demand accountability, then Hu Jinsi would lose his legitimacy, and armed confrontation would be unavoidable.

After entrusting all his final arrangements, Qian Yuanguan held onto his last breath and summoned Hu Jinsi into the hall, strictly ordering the deprivation of Qian Hongyou's noble rank, emoluments, and military power, the removal of his Qian clan royal surname, his return to his original clan, and his renaming to Sun Chengzuo. This was both a form of protection and a means to maintain the new monarch's absolute legitimacy, denying outsiders any opportunity for instigation or discord.

In the autumn of 941 AD, Qian Yuanguan, the second monarch of the Wuyue Kingdom, passed away suddenly in the sleeping chambers of the Hangzhou Royal Palace. His posthumous title was Wenmu. Thus, a generation's ruler made his exit. He left behind a seemingly stable chessboard, but the pieces had already begun to move.

The King passed away, which for the fourteen-year-old Qian Hongzuo was like the sky had fallen. He grieved over his father's death and feared the future, able to rely only on Hu Jinsi for self-preservation. But Hu Jinsi, who had served as an official for decades, was outwardly a loyal regent. At this moment, what he was calculating was how to use this situation to firmly grasp power in his hands.

Without its backbone, the palace saw shifting loyalties and unpredictable human nature. Yan Tong, who guarded the inner treasury, was suddenly murdered, leaving no witnesses. The lead on the stolen royal private property was cut off, and Hu Jinsi then turned his suspicion to Dai Hun. Dai Hun's identity was special; he was a highly trusted general of the late king, and also the princess's husband, the uncle of Qian Hongyou.

This kinship, a bonus in peaceful times, became the most dangerous variable during the sensitive period of royal succession. If the aunt and nephew conspired together, the consequences would be unimaginable. To nip the problem in the bud, Hu Jinsi decided to play a high-stakes game of "killing with a borrowed knife". This "knife" was He Chengxun, who had just killed Yan Tong.

The next day, as the palace gates opened, Dai Hun had just stepped into the imperial city passageway when soldiers in ambush rose from both sides, bows strung, swords drawn, surrounding him and his retinue. Immediately after, Hu Jinsi publicly announced several charges against Dai Hun, including destroying and burning palace forbidden areas and conspiring to usurp power. The charges were fabricated on the spot, and the logic didn't need scrutiny; political purges always only require pretexts, not irrefutable evidence.

He Chengxun delivered a fatal blow to Dai Hun. Killing Yan Tong might have been to silence him, but killing Dai Hun was a blatant "certificate of allegiance". Hu Jinsi watched the entire process from a high vantage point. With a casual remark about exterminating three generations of his family, and also pinning charges on Qian Hongyou, he cleared obstacles and seized power. On Yu Daniangzi's side, she was preparing travel arrangements for Qian Hongyou.

Because her son was returning to Hangzhou, and fearing he might suffer grievances outside, she ordered servants to pack several large chests of belongings. The spectacle was less like sending her son back to his fief and more like moving half of Huanglong Island for him. In contrast, the Wuyue Royal Palace was solemn and grim. Du Zhaoda stood in the hall, holding an imperial edict.

The edict's content was concise and powerful, with one central message: commanding Qian Hongzuo to inherit the throne and oversee national affairs. Qian Hongzuo's first reaction was not joy, but apprehension and unease. He claimed to be young and lacking in virtue, unfit to bear the heavy responsibility of the state. The hall fell silent. Qian Hongjun and Qian Hongzong successively stepped forward, unanimously recommending Qian Hongzuo. Finally, Qian Hongzuo took the heavy imperial edict.

This acceptance was not just a roll of yellow silk; it was the heavy burden of continuing the Qian regime amidst the chaos of the Five Dynasties, it was the national policy of "protecting the borders and bringing peace to the people," and it was the future of the beautiful land. In the imperial city passageway, He Chengxun was bent over, scrubbing bloodstains.

The former armed attendant, now in rough brown clothes, clutched a hemp cloth, grinding it repeatedly over the blue bricks. Cheng Zhaoyue, carrying a wine pot, came before He Chengxun and asked if he regretted killing Dai Hun. He Chengxun, neither annoyed nor sorrowful, recounted how he had served Dai Hun as a personal retainer for three years.

Dai Hun had saved his life, but when faced with a life-or-death choice, that bit of kindness and loyalty was often the first thing to be discarded. To kill was to live, not to kill was to die. Between life and death, he instinctively chose the latter, even if it meant becoming a mad dog who betrayed his master and murdered his benefactor in the eyes of outsiders. Hearing this, Cheng Zhaoyue smiled and took a gulp of wine.

His tone suddenly shifted, sliding into that profound history. In his eyes, Emperor Li Cunxu of Later Tang was an extraordinary hero. He destroyed Later Liang, drove out the Khitans, and awed the world, yet he was shot full of holes by his most trusted entertainers and bodyguards, dying amidst a pile of ashes. Whether it was Dai Hun or Li Cunxu, they were both tragedies of this era of "collapsed rites and shattered music".

Nothing is eternal and unchanging; loyalty and betrayal often lie in a single thought. Qian Hongchu, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, and Qian Hongyou returned to Hangzhou, unaware of the changes in the palace. Du Zhaoda held a scroll of documents and unrolled the so-called "last testament of the late king". Every word and sentence directly pointed to Qian Hongyou's "crimes". How sudden these "crimes" appeared.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was not a trial in the legal sense, but rather a prelude to political purges. Seeing his third brother framed and convicted, Qian Hongchu fiercely drew his sabre, threatening self-harm, forcing Du Zhaoda to temporarily return to the royal palace to report. Subsequently, Qian Hongyou was imprisoned, and Qian Hongchu was brought back to the royal palace by Qian Hongzong. Qian Hongchu knelt before the ancestral shrine, overcome with grief.

He was angry at his sixth brother's ruthlessness and resented the coldness of the world. The throne, it seemed, was a black hole that devoured human nature, sucking away all previous fraternal affection. Qian Hongchu listened to his ninth brother's cries, unable to defend himself, feeling immensely distressed. Qian Hongchu went alone to find his eldest brother. Because his eldest brother had always commanded prestige and was benevolent, perhaps he could save his third brother's life.

But Qian Hongjun did not agree; he merely remained silent, and his silence conveyed a suffocating heaviness and helplessness. Shen Wenqi revealed a cruel truth to Qian Hongchu: Qian Hongyou's true crime was not what he had done, but that he held the military command of both the Bow-and-Arrow Division and the Yue Cavalry Division.

When a new monarch had just ascended and power was not yet consolidated, any military force not directly controlled by the royal authority was itself the greatest threat and original sin. Moreover, within the Qian imperial clan, the greatest threat was not Qian Hongying, but rather Qian Hongjun. The reason was simple: Qian Hongjun was the Commander-in-Chief of the Inner Tooth Guard forces.

If the forces of the Marquis of Xi'an were fierce tigers, the Inner Tooth Guard forces in his hands were giant dragons coiled within the palace forbidden areas. Qian Hongzuo dispatched Shuiqiu Zhaoquan as an envoy to Bianliang.

This mission had three objectives: first, to present a memorial announcing mourning, meaning to report the death of the King of Wuyue to the central court, essentially issuing an official obituary; second, to observe customs and understand the political climate and people's livelihoods of the other side; third, to pay respects to important officials, especially to specifically call upon Feng Dao. Likewise, Qian Hongchu was not idle. He personally wrote a letter and sent it to Huanglong Island.

Upon hearing that her son was arrested, Yu Daniangzi personally led over a hundred warships, majestically heading straight for Qiantang Naval Base. She adopted a stance of "If you don't release him, I'll start a fight." Seeing this display, all the civil and military officials of Wuyue faltered. Because Huanglong Island was not a regular army; it belonged to sea potentates. If a real fight broke out, the naval base might not be able to withstand it.

Moreover, winning would bring no benefit, and losing would be disgraceful. None of the ministers offered a good plan. Qian Hongzuo's gaze fell on Cheng Zhaoyue, and he ordered him to personally go negotiate and to change into purple court robes. Yu Daniangzi directly presented her conditions: release Qian Hongyou and Dai Hun's family members. These two people, one was her son, the other an old acquaintance.

If they were released, she would withdraw her troops; if not, she would fight. When Cheng Zhaoyue returned to report, everyone was in an uproar. Prime Minister Yuan Dezhao came up with an idea: He suggested demoting Qian Hongyou to a commoner, restoring his original name Sun Ben, and releasing him to Huanglong Island.

Qian Hongyou stood on the boat, looking at the increasingly distant Hangzhou city, a myriad of emotions swirling in his heart. Madam Yu was originally a person of strong character, most intolerant of such procrastination and affectation. In her view, the internal strife within the Qian family royal house was disloyal and unjust; leaving even a day earlier would be to escape a sea of suffering.

She recalled her first half of life: Qian Yuanguan, to consolidate his power, married into and relied heavily on the Tian family's influence. Yet, she never shed a single tear, turning around to remarry, while pregnant, to the father of Sun Taizhen and Ayou. Now that the unfaithful man was dead, past grievances were cleared, and even reckoning felt superfluous.

However, she remembered Qian Hongchu's favor of secretly sending messages, so she simply arranged for her daughter Sun Taizhen to stay in Hangzhou and accompany Qian Hongchu for five years. Five years, not too long, not too short, was enough for many things to happen. If a relationship developed between the two within five years, Qian Hongchu would have to marry Sun Taizhen with the grand rites befitting a principal wife.

This was both an alliance and a hidden move, re-embedding her own bloodline and future into the royal house of Wuyue. In contrast, one of the biggest beneficiaries of this turmoil was Cheng Zhaoyue. This person was merely a merchant, yet he managed to seize the opportunity to climb the ranks and presented a letter of allegiance to Qian Hongzuo, accusing many court officials of illegal dealings with the Shanyue Society.

Because the "Shanyue Society" was a local power that colluded with officials and powerful families, engaging in illicit trades, it was not an isolated case in the southeastern region at the time, but a typical microcosm of complex local forces and weak central control. Qian Hongzuo was precisely troubled by the lack of an excuse to rectify the imperial administration and clip the wings of powerful ministers, and Cheng Zhaoyue's "knife" was offered at just the right time.

He seized this opportunity to stage a "drive tigers to swallow wolves" play, pretending to heavily rely on Cheng Zhaoyue. First, he arrested Qian Hongjun and Shen Wenqi, then dismissed Hu Jinsi from his position as a regent minister, intending to strike at various factions. Discerning individuals could see that Qian Hongzuo's goal was not to capture everyone; that would cause a fierce backlash, which his shallow foundation could not withstand.

His deeper intention was to "strike the mountain to shake the tiger." He wanted to make those treacherous court officials understand who the true master was; furthermore, he wanted to make ambitious scoundrels like Cheng Zhaoyue and entrenched veteran powerful ministers like Hu Jinsi tear at each other and keep each other in check.

Hu Jinsi had initially thought that with the late king's entrustment, and by supporting a seemingly soft-natured "Sixth Son," he could rest easy in the future, but he unexpectedly underestimated the other party. Fortunately, the monarch's intention was only to deter, not to completely break ties, so Hu Jinsi took the opportunity to temporarily avoid the limelight, restrain his subordinates, and send word to his son, Hu Jing, to ensure he acted discreetly recently and kept a low profile.

The winds in the imperial court sometimes had to be ridden, as resisting them would only lead to capsized boats and perished lives. Once Cheng Zhaoyue gained power, He Chengxun, like a mad dog ascending to heaven, also caught a "divine aura," being reorganized from the First Guard Division to the Fourth Imperial Retainer Division, and promoted to commander. That very night, Du Zhaoda's entire household instantly turned into a Shura field.

Of the three "grasshoppers on a rope" from before, one achieved soaring success, one became an accomplice, and the remaining one naturally became the abandoned scapegoat. Qian Hongjun was imprisoned and interrogated. His birth father, Qian Yuanyi, was consumed with worry. Chancellor Yuan Dezhao hinted that they could await the return of Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, who was on an envoy mission to the Central Plains, before seeking his rescue.

In 942 AD, Emperor Gaozu Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin fell gravely ill. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan keenly sensed the anomaly; the atmosphere in Bianliang city was heavy, pervaded by a sense of foreboding as if a storm was brewing. Although his friend Fan Zhi found it inconvenient to speak plainly, the worry in his brows was self-evident. Inside the hall, Shi Jingtang lay on the dragon bed, his breath faint.

Before his death, he entrusted his young son Shi Chongrui to Feng Dao. However, Feng Dao knew clearly that a child emperor ascending the throne was no different from a toddler carrying gold through the marketplace, which would only attract a pack of wolves. As soon as Shi Jingtang breathed his last, Feng Dao took Shi Chongrui and left the palace to return home.

His entire clan, old and young, knelt on the ground, imploring him not to be a mantis trying to stop a chariot, placing their whole family in danger for the sake of a child emperor. However, Feng Dao had already made plans. To preserve the young emperor's life, and more importantly, his own political career, he turned to support Shi Chonggui's ascension to the throne.

Ultimately, Feng Dao, using his seasoned political cunning, completed the transfer of power almost without bloodshed. The Zhao family father and son were promoted for their meritorious service in guarding the palace. After the dust settled, Fan Zhi personally saw Shuiqiu Zhaoquan off. The two bid farewell over wine at the Duting Post House. One was an official of the Central Plains dynasty, and the other an envoy of the Wuyue Kingdom. They were like two floating duckweeds, powerless in the torrent of history, each walking their own precarious path, each abiding by their own destiny.

Shuiqiu Zhaoquan returned from Bianliang, bringing back the imperial edict of enfeoffment from the Central Plains court, which represented the court's official recognition of Qian Hongzuo's succession as the King of Wuyue. Facing all the civil and military officials, Qian Hongzuo announced that this year's autumn taxes would be fully exempted as usual, and the money for rewarding the three armies would be allocated from his private treasury, ensuring not to add even the slightest burden to the common people.

After the court adjourned, Qian Yuanyi eagerly sought out Yuan Dezhao, feeling uneasy because those people had not mentioned the matter of release. Yuan Dezhao advised Qian Yuanyi to relax; if he wanted to save someone, he had to wait patiently. The same words needed to be spoken by different people; taking sides in court carried risks, and speaking depended on one's status.

Some words, when spoken by a member of the imperial clan, would be called "favoritism," and when spoken by an external official, "sowing discord." Only when mentioned by someone with a special status and a detached position could things be accomplished. Just as Yuan Dezhao had predicted, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan advised Qian Hongzuo privately, without beating around the bush. He directly stated that Dai Yun had no rebellious intentions, nor did Qian Hongyou have any ambition to usurp.

Du Zhaoda and others were arrogant and greedy, and executing them according to the law was not excessively harsh. However, Qian Hongjun had rarely been negligent in commanding troops and managing affairs, yet he was wrongly imprisoned, chilling people's hearts. Finally, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan even warned of turmoil in the Central Plains and the Khitan covetously eyeing the land.

As Wuyue was ensconced in the southeast, it should now focus on placating the imperial clan internally and allying with the Central Plains externally. These words struck a chord with Qian Hongzuo; his heart was like a bright mirror. Yet, all the high officials in the court had their own agendas, and no one could be trusted, nor could anyone speak as frankly as Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, despite the risk of punishment.

Therefore, Qian Hongzuo expressed his hope that Shuiqiu Zhaoquan would assist him. With a single phrase, "I would not shrink from death," Shuiqiu Zhaoquan completely forged a political alliance. At Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's suggestion, Qian Hongzuo granted a general amnesty in the southeast, released the civil official Shen Wenqi from internal custody, and allowed Qian Hongjun to return home to reflect on his faults.

This not only strengthened ties with the imperial clan but also demonstrated Wuyue's internal unity to the outside world. Qian Hongjun watched his father waiting at the palace gate, his eyes welled up, and tears streamed down his face. Looking up, he also saw the injured Shen Wenqi. Their gazes met, and from a few steps away, they cupped their hands in a salute. There were no polite greetings, but that single salute was more meaningful than a thousand words.

In 944 AD, not long after the new Emperor Shi Chonggui of Later Jin ascended the throne, he insisted on launching a northern expedition, vowing to retake the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan-Yun occupied by the Khitan. The elder official Sang Weihan strongly advised against it, stating that it was not the right time, not the right situation, and he was not the right person.

In his view, a national war was not a reckless struggle on the battlefield, much less a matter of pure passion and individual bravery. Unfortunately, the new monarch's ambition burned like fire, and Sang Weihan's heartfelt words could not turn the tide. That night, Zhao Kuangyin, on his father's orders, married He Zhen. In their newlywed bliss, they should have been immersed in deep affection, but the border warfare was critical, and he was about to depart with the army.

He Zhen understood the greater good; though her heart was filled with reluctance, she knew the nation and its mountains and rivers were paramount, and could only admonish her husband to return safely. Later Jin fought the Khitan three times. Shi Chonggui personally led his army to Chanzhou. Thousands of Khitan soldiers drowned in the river, and thousands more were captured or killed. The Khitan army was forced to retreat north, and the first battle was victorious.

However, the Khitan were unwilling to accept defeat, so they raised troops and attacked again. Shi Chonggui continued to personally lead the campaign, pursuing them for over twenty li, achieving countless kills and captures, making the second battle a legendary victory. Until the third time, when the Khitan invaded from the south, they used a feigned surrender strategy. Their commander Du Chongwei secretly colluded with the Khitan and, with an army of 200,000, defected during battle.

This change was like a bolt from the blue; Later Jin's main forces were lost in a single day, and the gates north of the Yellow River were wide open. Khitan cavalry seized the opportunity to invade, as if entering an uninhabited land, their vanguard pointed directly at Kaifeng, and Bianliang city was as precarious as a stack of eggs.

For a time, as the news spread, envoys from kingdoms like Southern Tang, Western Shu, Southern Han, and Southern Chu gathered in the capital to inquire about the situation, colluding with high officials, awaiting changes. If the imperial army could not repel the enemy in Hebei, and the Northern Dynasty cavalry roamed freely on both sides of the Yellow River, it was feared that the chaos of the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms would repeat.

Faced with reports from the north, Qian Hongzuo was uneasy. The situation in the Central Plains concerned the survival of Wuyue, so he decided to send envoys northward to ascertain the true situation, ostensibly as envoys to congratulate the New Year, but in reality, to investigate. He appointed Shuiqiu Zhaoquan as the chief envoy, and the choice for deputy envoy fell upon his younger brother, Qian Hongchu.

That night, Qian Hongchu knelt with his sixth brother before the ancestral tablets, complaining that his sixth brother, Qian Hongzuo, was now the esteemed new monarch and naturally could not easily leave the capital. As for his seventh brother, Qian Hongzong, who was participating in prime ministerial affairs and was his sixth brother's trusted aide, he also bore heavy responsibilities and was equally unable to get away.

Thus, the perilous mission to the north unexpectedly fell to him, an "idle person." Qian Hongzuo, hearing this, was not annoyed; instead, he earnestly and sincerely reminded Qian Hongchu that as a descendant of the Qian family, he should make progress. If their father, Qian Yuanguan, had not stepped forward to undertake great responsibilities back then, how could their grandfather have entrusted the nation to him?

Their ancestors found it difficult to establish the dynasty, and maintaining it was also not easy. These words struck Qian Hongchu's heart like a heavy hammer. He was startled at first, then suddenly realized his sixth brother's painstaking efforts. The next day, Qian Hongchu traveled with Sun Taizhen. On the way, they coincidentally met a ship from Huanglong Island and reunited with the third brother Qian Hongyou (Sun Ben), who had recovered his original name.

The envoy group traveled northward, and as far as their eyes could see, it was a scene of "white bones lay exposed in the wilderness, for a thousand li no cock crowed." Starving corpses lay piled up along the roads of Qingzhou, piles of white bones remained uncollected, and living people gnawed on dead bodies.

For Qian Hongchu and Sun Taizhen, who had long lived in the prosperity of Qiantang and were accustomed to "autumn osmanthus blossoms and ten li of lotus flowers," this was no less than a thunderbolt from the ninth heaven striking their minds. They had no appetite for the entire day, and especially upon hearing that many people had been abducted to serve as military provisions, their stomachs churned.

The envoy group traveled to the vicinity of Songzhou (present-day Shangqiu, Henan), where they rescued the seriously wounded young Guo Rong from a band of night thieves. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan assessed the situation and believed the man's identity was unknown, but Qian Hongchu disregarded the risks and insisted on taking him along for medical treatment.

Subsequently, everyone learned that Lanyang, an important town on the outskirts of Bianliang, had fallen, and the county magistrate had long since abandoned the city and fled. They immediately sped up their journey. During this time, Guo Rong's injuries gradually healed, and he quietly met with Yang Guangyi.

That night, Zhao Hongyin rushed straight to Feng Dao's residence. Vice Commander Yao Yuanfu led him inside; the atmosphere was as heavy as iron. Zhao Hongyin had originally intended to apologize to Feng Dao, but Feng Dao had long observed Zhao Hongyin's strict military discipline, understanding that the collapse of the situation was beyond one person's control, and did not delve deeply into the matter.

Upon hearing that Zhao's wife, Mrs. Du, was pregnant, he bestowed the name "Mei" upon their upcoming third son. He then entrusted Zhao Hongyin with the Imperial Guards, promising to protect his family's safety. Zhao Hongyin was immensely grateful. In early 947 AD, when the Wuyue delegation entered Bianliang, they saw refugees everywhere and palaces covered in dust. That night, a sudden fire broke out in the Wansui Palace.

Zhao Hongyin led his troops to extinguish the fire and maintain order, but the imperial street was already chaotic like a boiling cauldron. Fleeing dignitaries' carriages crashed into each other, and rogue soldiers ran rampant, taking advantage of the disaster. Even the Imperial Guards, who were supposed to protect the people, degenerated into wolves, plundering and assaulting women, their tragic cries echoing throughout the night. Zhao Kuangyin was ordered to lead cavalry to quell the riot.

He beheaded the leading villainous general with a single spear, rescuing the common people from dire straits. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan saw the team struggling to move forward in the chaos and decisively detoured to the guesthouse in Beixiang, avoiding the bloodiest battlefield. Seeing this, Guo Rong quietly left the team to secretly observe the situation. Zhao Kuangyin received a secret report from Yang Guangyi and quietly led troops to provide support.

When the state collapsed, Shi Chonggui intended to take his own life with a blade to preserve his ambition, but ultimately had a change of heart and was found curled up in a corner of the ruined palace. After the Wuyue delegation settled into the guesthouse in Beixiang, they quickly faced a practical problem: the extreme inconvenience of purchasing supplies. At that time, Bianliang city was desolate due to Khitan pressure and internal turmoil.

Beixiang was a remote area where merchants and travelers were rare. Everyone was at a loss for a solution, so Shuiqiu Zhaoquan proactively sought an audience with Feng Dao. Meanwhile, things were not peaceful within Feng Dao's residence either.

Fan Zhi and Sang Weihan visited together, conveying to Feng Dao the growing consensus in the court and among the populace: that the current emperor's rule was corrupt, and many civil and military officials harbored thoughts of deposing him and establishing a new emperor. Feng Dao's mind was clear like a mirror; the so-called proposals, though seemingly for the country and its people, largely contained private opportunistic motives.

Therefore, he resolutely rejected them, strongly advocating for the maintenance of the status quo, and promoted Zhao Kuangyin to Commander of the Zhongshu Menxia Tanghou, allowing him to stand ready for duty in the core area of the Political Affairs Institute. Afterward, Zhao Kuangyin led Guo Rong to an audience with Feng Dao. Guo Rong's adoptive father, Guo Wei, was a trusted confidant of Liu Zhiyuan from Hedong, and this trip was also to represent Hedong in gathering information.

Although Guo Rong was young, his words were clear and his insights extraordinary. He presented to Feng Dao the perilous situation of the increasing Khitan threat and subtly conveyed Hedong's attitude towards the current state of the court. Feng Dao greatly appreciated Guo Rong, but he did not follow up by discussing specific strategies.

Instead, after Guo Rong finished speaking, he offered a seemingly simple yet profoundly significant reply: "Since Liu Zhiyuan has waited his whole life, he might as well wait a little longer." Inside the guesthouse in Beixiang, Sun Taizhen and Qian Hongchu had a disagreement. Qian Hongchu proactively apologized and incorporated his observations of political anomalies into his persuasion.

He stated that Guo Rong had voluntarily left the team, and both Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and their Third Brother tacitly understood, with no one exposing it. This made him lament that the Central Plains were like looking at flowers through a mist, everywhere revealing an indescribable strangeness. As outsiders, they could only be doubly cautious to avoid being drawn into this unfathomable vortex.

After Guo Rong departed, Fan Zhi could not hide his confusion and privately asked Feng Dao why he strongly protected Shi Chonggui. Feng Dao rarely showed such indignation. He explained that it was not so much about preserving Shi Chonggui's imperial throne as it was about voicing discontent for the corrupt state of the world and human hearts. When Shi Chonggui first ascended the throne, his military might was strong, and he achieved much.

At that time, which civil or military official in the court did not praise his accomplishments as surpassing those of Yao and Shun? Now, with the Khitans approaching again, those who once flattered him actually wished to bind their lord and offer him to the enemy, performing ignoble deeds in the name of "the state." The so-called loyal ministers and good generals were merely petty individuals who wanted to change their spiritual tablet to continue enjoying wealth and honor.

This was so lamentable and pitiable that Zhao Kuangyin, standing guard outside the door, felt a heavy heart. At dawn the next day, the bells of Bianliang city rang loudly, one after another. Shi Chonggui, the last monarch of the Later Jin, in a night of drunkenness and despair, personally wrote the abdication edict. Feng Dao announced it publicly at the grand court assembly. Not a single duke or minister in the hall expressed sorrow; instead, most seemed relieved.

Qian Hongchu took in this sight of opportunism, of officials eagerly seeking to disassociate themselves from the old lord and embrace the new one. He was so enraged that he publicly denounced the assembled officials. Strictly speaking, as an envoy, he had no need to intervene, but his righteous words resonated with two other young men: one an insider caught in the vortex, the other an outsider observing the shifting winds.

Both felt depressed and indignant at the sight of a crumbling dynasty and scattered loyalty. Before the court assembly even ended, Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin accompanied Qian Hongchu to a side hall for an audience with the emperor. Shi Chonggui was dishevelled and his eyes were bleary with drunkenness, completely lacking any imperial dignity. Facing the questioning represented by Qian Hongchu, Shi Chonggui offered no defense.

Instead, he let out bursts of desolate laughter and, in a muddled yet sharp tone, thoroughly ridiculed the foundational ethical principles that upheld dynasties, such as "ruler acts as ruler, subject as subject, father as father, son as son," and "loyalty, filial piety, rites, and righteousness."

His words were full of drunkenness, yet revealed a terrifying lucidity: the throne was easy to sit on but difficult to hold for long; they handed it to you when needed, and took it away when not. Whoever could don armor and wield a sword could potentially become the Son of Heaven. After he finished speaking, the three men completely calmed down.

They might have arrived with a reproach for his lack of struggle, but at this moment, it all transformed into complex pity. While Shi Chonggui certainly had his own faults, it was this thoroughly rotten court that had pushed him to the pinnacle and then cast him into the abyss. Finally, they prostrated themselves deeply once before Shi Chonggui.

This bow was not to an emperor or to power, but more to the tragic conclusion itself, and to the lingering sorrow of a monarch and his subjects in their hearts.

Soon, Zhang Yanze led a large army to besiege the city. Refugees outside the city swarmed like ants, rushing to the city gates to seek survival. Morale collapsed, and it was a matter of time. Sang Weihan, from a realistic perspective, advocated closing the city gates.

His reasons were sufficient: it was difficult to guarantee that no spies were mixed among the refugees, and their large numbers, once inside the city, would not only consume precious food supplies but also potentially trigger internal strife, endangering the city's defenses. Fan Zhi, however, held a different view, genuinely unable to bear the slaughter of tens of thousands of common people. The two argued, each sticking to his own words, but Feng Dao didn't listen at all.

He called Zhao Kuangyin to prepare the cavalry, repair the city defenses, and get ready for a bloody battle. In contrast, the vast Kaifeng Prefecture office, once bustling with clerks, was now empty. The bailiffs had long sensed the danger and each found a way to flee home for refuge, leaving only Judge Xue Juzheng and Judicial Inspector Lü Yin forlornly guarding the empty hall.

Seeing Lü Yin's composure in the face of danger and his extraordinary courage, Xue Juzheng exceptionally promoted him to Registrar-Advisor. Even with only the two of them, the duties of Kaifeng Prefecture could not be abandoned; they would hold out for as long as possible and protect as many as they could. To control the situation, Zhao Kuangyin personally led elite cavalry out of the city and encamped by the walls outside Xuanyang Gate.

Guo Rong then proposed incorporating the refugees into the city's defense, assisting in guarding the city, which would both calm the populace and strengthen their forces. Zhao Hongyin strongly opposed, but Feng Dao approved this move and meticulously inquired about the deployment strategy. Zhang Yanze dispatched persuaders to infiltrate the crowds and enter the city, intending to sow discord and lobby.

Unexpectedly, Feng Dao, without even raising an eyelid, ordered them to be expelled and sent to Kaifeng Prefecture on charges of fraud. Coincidentally, other persuaders sought out the Wuyue envoy delegation, speaking eloquently and exerting all their persuasive powers. Qian Hongchu and his brother Qian Hongyou, however, merely calmly sipped their tea. To alleviate his anxiety over the empty prefectural treasury, Xue Juzheng bravely sought help from the Wuyue envoy delegation.

He did not resort to clever words, but spoke plainly of the people's suffering with earnest words, which moved Qian Hongchu. Qian Hongchu immediately decided to lend one hundred thousand taels of silver and silk for relief. However, after this generous act, Qian Hongchu couldn't help but regret it. After all, the amount was substantial, and he secretly wondered if Xue Juzheng might be a swindler.

Shuiqiu Zhaoquan understood clearly and reminded him that since he had already made a decision, there was no need to repeatedly hesitate. That night, Feng Dao convened civil and military officials of the third rank and above, as well as envoys from foreign states, for a discussion in the Jiangwu Hall. Guo Rong was the first to step forward, speaking passionately and declaring his firm resolve never to surrender to treacherous traitors.

His statement represented the voice of a considerable number of those who still possessed courage. Feng Dao deeply agreed and ordered a ten-day steadfast defense, intending to demonstrate through bloody battle to Yelü Deguang, the Khitan lord, that Zhang Yanze and his ilk were tyrannical and unjust, unfit to rule the Central Plains. Immediately after, Feng Dao conscripted grain, fodder, and troops, and leveraged the power of the Southern Tang and Wuyue envoy delegations.

Xu Xuan, the Southern Tang envoy, was still hesitant and prevaricating, while Shuiqiu Zhaoquan readily offered troops. Feng Dao's attitude towards the two parties was also distinctly opposite: he repeatedly heeded the suggestions of the Wuyue envoy delegation but was almost hostile towards Southern Tang, showing no goodwill, implying, "If you don't give me troops, I will take them by force." It was precisely with Feng Dao presiding over the Central Secretariat and Council of State that everyone coordinated effectively.

Zhao Hongyin was given full authority to command the capital's defenses. Yao Yuanfu reorganized honor guards, elite soldiers, and household retainers from various mansions, selecting three thousand young able-bodied men to form a reserve team. Sang Weihan was reinstated as the Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture. Guo Rong was entrusted with the crucial task of appeasing the refugees. He personally arranged accommodation for them within the Imperial City and promised to personally provide for their parents and wives.

However, early the next morning, chaos erupted during the distribution of limited food within the city. A refugee, disregarding order, rushed forward to snatch food. Guo Rong killed him without hesitation, enforcing discipline with swift and decisive action. This bloody scene was witnessed by Qian Hongchu, who had come to inquire about the joint defense. In his eyes, Guo Rong's act of establishing authority through bloodshed was no different from treating human lives as worthless, which enraged him.

He stepped forward and sternly reprimanded Guo Rong. Guo Rong, based on the severe realities of wartime and the necessity of maintaining overall stability, insisted that his handling was appropriate. With differing stances, the two erupted in their first fierce conflict since they had known each other. Meanwhile, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan strictly enforced military discipline, encouraged his soldiers, clearly defined rewards and punishments, and promised generous rewards for courageous fighters and severe penalties for those who retreated.

He ensured this allied army would exert its maximum combat power, both to assist in defending Bianliang and to earn Wuyue trustworthiness and reputation among all the lords of the realm. Zhao Kuangyin, encamped by the city, sent someone to bring back new information: Zhang Yanze's large army was expected to fully arrive at the city walls and launch an assault by dusk. They had to await a bloody battle that would decide the fate of the Central Plains and various states.

Shi Shouxin returned from his reconnaissance mission, reporting in detail that the rebel army was marching in four columns. He first saw eight large commander's banners fluttering, which usually represent the core authority of the supreme commander. One banner alone could awe the entire army, let alone eight appearing simultaneously, indicating the immense scale of their formation. In addition, there were two black banners adorned with eagle feathers, symbols of the Khitan elite forces.

Between the columns of commander's banners, a large number of conscripted laborers were interspersed, roughly estimated to be ten thousand strong. Zhao Kuangyin confirmed that the enemy's progress was slow, so he ordered his subordinates to seize the opportunity to rest and recuperate. On another front, Feng Dao and others inspected the refugees and saw Lady Chu personally distributing gruel and offering solace, which slightly eased the refugees' emotions.

Fan Zhi stated that if the Lady had not appeased them in her royal capacity, the refugee families gathered outside the palace would have long since caused trouble. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and others highly praised Zhao Kuangyin's meticulous defensive arrangements. Only Qian Hongchu remained heavy-hearted, unable to forget the scene of Guo Rong killing people.

Just as Zhao Kuangyin and Shi Shouxin were resting their troops, news suddenly arrived that Zhang Yanze's main force had turned east and was rapidly approaching, like dark clouds crushing a city, presenting a terrifying formation. Qian Hongchu was, after all, young; though he tried to maintain his composure, he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. Zhang Yanze was indeed a seasoned veteran of the battlefield; he did not attack the city rashly.

Instead, he ordered his entire army to camp ten li from the city, with scouts advancing two hundred paces to patrol, especially covering the main army's left flank, to guard against ambushes secretly set up within the city. This arrangement was rigorous and cunning, impeccable. Zhao Kuangyin observed it, knowing that although there would be no battle today, the true contest had quietly begun amidst the heavily fortified camps.

As night fell, Sang Weihan personally visited the Southern Tang delegation's residence. Facing Xu Xuan's challenge based on "rites and righteousness," Sang Weihan did not conceal his intentions.

He directly brought up the old matter of the Later Jin ceding the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun as a bargaining chip, subtly threatening that if Southern Tang refused to remain neutral in the current Jin internal strife, then continuing to cede the lands of Henan and Hebei to the Khitan would not be impossible. Indeed, this move was utterly ruthless, seizing the Achilles' heel of the Southern Tang regime represented by Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan weighed the pros and cons and finally compromised under Sang Weihan's threats and promises. He pledged that before the Khitan army reached Bianjing, Southern Tang would absolutely not communicate with Du Chongwei or Zhang Yanze; if secret envoys from these two rebels came to establish contact, they would be "politely refused" outright; furthermore, he dispatched General Li Yuanqing to assist in reorganizing the delegation's guards to ensure no trouble arose before the city fell.

When the news returned, Feng Dao and others breathed a slight sigh of relief. Only Qian Hongchu still had doubts, asking if they would truly sell Henan and Hebei prefectures if Southern Tang refused to comply and insisted on showing loyalty and goodwill to Zhang Yanze. Sang Weihan openly admitted it, stating frankly that worldly affairs are like a game of chess, and strategies can change, but only "right and wrong" remain eternally unchanging.

He sold out his country for glory and ceded land for survival, ultimately earning infamy for a thousand generations. If any future person were to try and whitewash him, such villains should be immediately struck down. As night fell, Qian Hongchu sat on the battlements, still blaming himself incessantly for the refugees who had innocently died during the day. Sun Taizhen patiently comforted him, reminding him that he should focus on the present.

Mere compassion without the ability to act was hollow; only by transforming compassion into the heavy burden of responsibility could he truly fulfill his duty. The next morning, Qian Hongchu insisted on donning his armor and personally ascending the city wall to defend against the enemy. Qian Hongyou and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan jointly tried to stop him, reminding him that war was no child's play.

Qian Hongchu still wanted to prove himself, but he couldn't even draw a common soldier's heavy bow, making the scene awkward for a moment. At this moment, the great army attacked the city. With a command from Zhang Yanze, the Khitan iron cavalry charged directly towards the city gate, covering the city walls with a storm of arrows. Though startled, the defenders remained orderly, holding their shields high and standing ready.

However, a strange scene unfolded: these fierce cavalrymen did not swarm the city as expected, but instead galloped around the city, frantically shooting arrows, as if conducting a grand parade of death. Although the arrow rain was dense, it was all sound and fury, signifying little. Everyone looked at each other, not understanding what the enemy intended.

Zhao Kuangyin knew that Zhang Yanze's military tactics were always practical and ruthless; he never employed empty gestures, so this action must have a deeper meaning. Indeed, Zhang Yanze ordered a retreat, and cooking smoke rose from the rebel camp, as if the mighty offensive just now was nothing more than a routine morning drill. After dark, Qian Hongchu saw Guo Rong alone, mourning the refugees who had died during the day, and felt he was somewhat hypocritical.

Guo Rong told Qian Hongchu that those people should not have died, and the world should not be like this. One day, he would understand that the world's wrongs are still wrongs, and one should not claim that everything done by going with the flow is right just because the whole world is corrupt. Qian Hongchu was stunned by these words. They troubled him, and all boundaries of right and wrong became blurred and menacing.

Towards the latter half of the night, when both men and horses were weary, the enemy suddenly launched a night raid, catching them completely off guard. Shi Shouxin requested permission to personally lead the cavalry in a counter-attack from the city, planning to loop around from the flank.

But Zhao Kuangyin emphatically stopped him, anticipating that in the darkness outside the camp, there must be elite cavalry waiting in ambush, specifically hoping they would open the gates to attack, so they could seize the city amidst the chaos. At the same time, Qian Hongchu and Sun Taizhen were swept into the sudden, bloody engagement. To save Sun Taizhen, Qian Hongchu killed an enemy for the first time in his life, personally ending a life. Zhao Kuangyin stared blankly outside the city, then suddenly conceived a plan: to prepare a surprise attack directly targeting the enemy's provisions.

At midnight, Zhao Kuangyin personally led a team of two hundred men, stealthily infiltrating the southern camp of the Khitan army. He set fire to and destroyed their grain and fodder, killed several Liao army generals in the chaos, and captured Yelü Jieli, the Khitan Censor-in-Chief. However, this also resulted in heavy casualties among his troops. So, as soon as Zhao Kuangyin returned with his men, he was caught red-handed by his father.

Zhao Hongyin, without a word, raised his horsewhip and struck his son, scolding him as a "scoundrel" for always taking reckless risks and gambling with his life. He said that killing a few Liao generals was merely an act of venting anger with no strategic value, and would instead thoroughly infuriate the Khitans, inviting even crazier retaliation.

In fact, Zhao Kuangyin's action greatly boosted the morale of the city defenders, and Zhao Hongyin was indeed proud of his son in his heart. That winter, the cold was bone-chilling. Zhao Kuangyin, Qian Hongchu, Guo Rong, and Sun Taizhen sat together on the city wall, drinking. Their cups held inferior turbid wine, yet it tasted like jade liquid and ambrosia.

They reminisced about their youthful ambitions, sighing that if they could share a cup of hot wine together in peaceful times, it would be enough to comfort them for life. Even if the chaotic era was long, they would eventually await the sunrise. Unfortunately, dawn did not bring hope, but only illuminated deeper despair. After ten days of defending the city, provisions and reinforcements were exhausted, wounded soldiers filled the camp, and morale rapidly plummeted.

Qian Hongchu stared at the almost transparent vegetable soup in a soldier's bowl, suddenly snatched it, and tilted his head back to drink it down. The taste was even more bitter than wine. Of the more than two thousand elites originally, only eight hundred wounded soldiers were now still fighting for their lives.

Every brick and stone on the city wall was soaked with blood, while in the grand hall at the rear, civil and military officials were arguing fiercely, with only one point of contention: to fight or to surrender. Feng Dao received an imperial edict from the Khitan and publicly announced the withdrawal of troops. Zhao Kuangyin was indignant and puzzled, but Guo Rong calmly pointed out that without reinforcements, holding out was futile.

He suggested they should withdraw the remaining brothers back into the city as quickly as possible, while Zhang Yanze's army had not yet been mobilized. Qian Hongchu also felt deeply angry and confused. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan bluntly stated that the capital had long been indefensible, and the ten days of bloody battle were merely for a dignified exit.

Sang Weihan, however, explained to Qian Hongchu: this battle was not for victory, but for a "demonstration," to show the world that even when people's hearts were scattered, there were still foolishly loyal individuals willing to bet on the imperial court, and on the tradition of loyalty and righteousness. But the world only ever remembers the monuments of the victors. Who mourns the righteousness of the defeated?

In this ruthless world, if one does not scheme and is not ruthless, one is not fit to stand at the pinnacle of power. Upon returning to the city, Zhao Kuangyin immediately sought out Feng Dao to request merits for the fallen and wounded soldiers. Feng Dao agreed, and the process moved quickly, providing final solace to the sacrifices. Immediately, the situation took a sharp turn. Zhang Yanze's army arrived at the city gates, which opened without a fight.

The banners on the city walls changed hands. Yelü Jieli, who had been captured, was respectfully escorted out again. Shi Chonggui was moved to another palace, and Zhang Yanze transformed into the new Defender of Tokyo. Before Zhang Yanze took over the government office, Sang Weihan arrived at the Kaifeng prefectural office first.

He ordered the dismissal of Xue Juzheng, Lü Yin, and other military advisors and scribes, and provided each of them with an additional three months' worth of money and rice. This act seemed ruthless, but in reality, it was to ensure their safety. These loyal and virtuous officials were unwilling to spare their lives and insisted on staying to face the situation together, but Sang Weihan forcibly drove them out.

He then sat alone in the empty main hall, waiting for Zhang Yanze's arrival. At night, Zhang Yanze led his men to surround the Kaifeng prefectural office. Sang Weihan showed no fear; he had already smashed the official seal, burned the household registers and case files, and refused to obey the Khitan emperor's imperial decree.

He declared that his path had ended, but being able to use his frail body to block the path of promotion for Zhang Yanze and Du Chongwei was not a loss. Zhang Yanze was enraged; a sharp sword pierced his chest. Sang Weihan did not utter a sound throughout, his integrity not faltering even slightly.

This Prime Minister of Later Jin died; his life's merits and demerits were torn apart: "Old History of the Five Dynasties" praised him as "harmonizing and establishing, truly a minister of the state"; but as one of the key figures in handling the cession of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, he was branded a "sinner for ten thousand generations" on the pillar of shame by later Confucian scholars.

Especially during the transition from Ming to Qing dynasties, those scholars who surrendered to the Qing were the fiercest in scolding him, judging him with the most venomous language. Sang Weihan's tragedy lies in his talent, being born at the wrong time, and living in a chaotic era where morality had completely collapsed.

He once cared for the common people, achieving local political successes, arresting thousands of powerful bandits, and ascending Mount Hua to pray for rain for the people; he also extensively accepted bribes, accumulating vast wealth within a year. Yet, ultimately, he misguidedly attempted to maintain a dynasty through political maneuvering and compromise, only to be devoured by the very tigers and wolves he had brought in. He preserved his loyalty to the Shi family and himself, but lost his righteousness to the world and its people, which is both tragic and tearful.

That night, the sky above Bianliang City collapsed. With a single command from Zhang Yanze, the Khitan cavalry broke through the crumbling city defenses, instantly turning the city into an Asura's hell. Firelight stained half the sky red. The screams and wails of men, women, and children, mixed with the sneering laughter of the barbarian cavalry and the thunder of hooves, intertwined into a single cacophony.

Nobles and commoners alike suffered disaster; not a single one of the thousand monks at Xiangguo Temple survived. Tens of thousands of bodies piled up like mountains, and children were discarded on top of these piles, their cries echoing throughout the entire city. Zhao Hongyin desperately protected his family amidst the chaotic soldiers. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and others were also on high alert at the post station.

Zhao Kuangyin, Qian Hongchu, and Guo Rong led their remaining troops, charging left and right through the market districts. When their swords dulled, they seized new ones to continue fighting, wishing they could kill all these barbarians. However, in the face of the already determined overthrow of the dynasty, anyone's valor was merely a small boat before giant waves, tragic and heroic yet powerless to reverse the tide.

Yao Yuanfu defended Mingde Gate to the death, his armor shattered and his body covered in blood, yet he still held his battle saber like an iron tower, single-handedly blocking the rebel and Khitan armies. To save the Emperor's life, Feng Dao personally stepped forward to negotiate with Zhang Yanze and his entourage. He firmly insisted that the city gates could be opened, but only after the Khitan Emperor Yelü Deguang arrived in person.

This move aimed to convey to the Khitan that while the Central Plains could change rulers, it must be accomplished by the Khitan Emperor himself, thereby preventing power from falling into the hands of disloyal and unrighteous individuals, safeguarding the Chinese cultural heritage, and preventing the emergence of another "puppet emperor." Under Feng Dao's mediation, Zhang Yanze had no reason to launch a strong assault and could only wait. Shi Chonggui awoke in a side hall.

He looked at the robes presented by the attendant but neither touched nor wore them, instead donning only plain clothes and heavily pushing open the door to leave. Feng Dao stood under the corridor, bowing deeply to him as a subject. As the city gates slowly opened, Shi Chonggui led his relatives and ministers, performing the "leading a sheep" ritual and kneeling in the biting cold wind.

They were greeting the Khitan army sweeping in with the yellow sand, led by Yelü Deguang. This was the most humiliating moment since the "puppet emperor" Shi Jingtang ceded the Yan-Yun prefectures – an emperor kneeling to greet a foreign ruler, signifying the complete submission of the Central Plains' orthodox rule by force. Among this kneeling crowd, only Qian Hongchu and Feng Dao were absent.

As the ruler of the Wuyue kingdom, which occupied a region, Qian Hongchu could have gone with the flow. However, he could not bear to bow down and declare himself a subject to the Khitans, nor was he willing to witness such a humiliating scene. He decisively chose to remain within the city, making his absence the most fervent protest.

Fortunately, Yelü Deguang intended to pacify the Central Plains and did not pursue the matter further, ordering his temporary encampment at Chigang and establishing the Khitan lord's winter 'nabo' (mobile palace) in Bianliang, to demonstrate his rule over the Central Plains. Qian Hongchu remained deeply resentful and advocated for the Wuyue kingdom to refuse submission to the Khitans, but he was sternly dissuaded by Shuiqiu Zhaoquan.

Sun Taizhen accompanied Qian Hongchu, gazing at the ruined palaces in the distance, sighing with helplessness, "Bullshit state affairs." Inside the Department of State Affairs after Bianjing changed hands, Feng Dao and Fan Zhi sat side by side, discussing how Sang Weihan's death was not merely to uphold a minister's integrity, but truly a sacrifice of his life to extend a breath of life to the surviving national lifeline.

Fan Zhi remained silent; perhaps he understood that this was Sang Weihan's gamble with his life, intended to show the Khitan lord that Zhang Yanze would not become another Shi Jingtang. At that time, Zhao Kuangyin gathered his trusted followers to plot an assassination, intending to take Zhang Yanze's head to avenge the national humiliation. However, before the sword was even drawn, the plan was forcibly thwarted by his father, Zhao Hongyin.

Zhao Hongyin reminded Zhao Kuangyin that while thousands of families in the city had been plundered, only the Zhao family remained safe. The bandit had not missed him; he was waiting for him, and going there would surely be a one-way trip, inviting disaster that would wipe out the entire family. It was under his father's guidance that Zhao Kuangyin proactively confessed his "sins" to Feng Dao, expressing his despair and anger regarding the current situation.

Upon hearing this, Feng Dao did not blame him. Instead, he told him that the dead are gone, and the living have a long road ahead. What needs to be done is not in anger, but in strategy; not in seeking momentary gratification, but in planning for the long term. Living, at times, is harder than dying, and more useful. At this moment, inside the Kaifeng Prefecture Yamen, it had long become a place for Zhang Yanze's murderous games.

Moreover, he extended his wicked hand towards Lady Ding, the Lady of Chu, in an absurd hall. Lady Ding, born into a prestigious family, possessed unyielding integrity. Faced with Zhang Yanze's vile coercion, she neither yielded nor flattered, nor did she panic. Instead, when subjected to humiliation, she fiercely resisted, tightly gripping a dagger aimed at Zhang Yanze.

The Lady of Chu, a fragile woman, even with a weapon in hand, only slightly wounded the soldier. The other party was completely unafraid; instead, he called his comrades to surround her and carried out a brutal violation. Zhang Yanze watched with cold eyes throughout.

The next day, he ordered Mrs. Ding's body to be hung in the streets for public display and loudly announced to the surrounding soldiers and civilians: "This woman deeply understood righteousness, voluntarily offered herself to relieve the fatigue of the soldiers, and should be a model for all noblewomen in Bianjing."

He then issued a military order: "From this day on, until the Khitan Emperor enters the city, one female member of an official's family will be chosen daily to enter the camp to comfort the army." For a time, the news spread everywhere.

Qian Hongchu sought out Feng Dao and pleaded with him to intervene and stop it, arguing that even if they had designs to change the world, they should not use the purity of women as a stepping stone. Feng Dao did not respond, instead questioning whether Qian Hongchu was innocent.

Qian Hongchu stated directly that as a Prince of Wuyue, he also received sustenance from the people, and thus had an undeniable responsibility towards state affairs and the well-being of the populace. Subsequently, Fan Zhi was ordered to go to Chigang Grand Camp; he had neither credentials nor a military tally, only a message Feng Dao instructed him to convey: "Lead all officials to respectfully welcome the Khitan ruler at Mingde Gate."

After dawn, Feng Dao led all officials and envoys from various states to stand solemnly outside Mingde Gate. They performed a bow but did not kneel, displeasing Zhang Yanze. Feng Dao handled the situation with tact and offered a reasonable explanation. Yelü Deguang secretly marveled and greatly admired him, not pursuing the matter further, and held his enthronement ceremony in Chongyuan Hall.

In contrast, the streets of Bianliang presented a desolate and tragic scene: Mrs. Ding's body hung high, while her relatives and elderly mother crawled and wept in sorrow. Zhao Kuangyin stood in the crowd, knowing that Zhang Yanze's perverse actions had already provoked universal indignation. Now the capital was like a giant cauldron, and public resentment was like boiling soup, just waiting for the moment to erupt.

At the grand court assembly, all officials knelt; only the envoys from Southern Tang and Wuyue, as well as Feng Dao accompanied by Zhao Hongyin and Fan Zhi, did not kneel. Qian Hongchu stepped forward from the crowd and vehemently denounced Zhang Yanze's atrocities, resolutely declaring that Wuyue was willing to pay tribute according to old customs, but would never pledge allegiance to wolves. Enraged, Zhang Yanze threw his court tablet at Qian Hongchu.

Fortunately, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan timely swung his sleeve to block it. Prince Yongkang, Yelü Ruan, intended to intervene and punish him, but the ministers rushed forward to mediate. Li Yuanqing and others pretended to break up the fight, but were actually secretly restraining Zhang Yanze. Qian Hongchu seized the opportunity amidst the chaos to draw his dagger and stab Zhang Yanze directly. Unfortunately, the leather armor slightly impeded the dagger's force, and the other party only sustained a minor injury.

Everyone knelt outside the hall, awaiting the outcome of the judgment. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan hoped Fan Zhi would offer assistance. Fan Zhi believed that since Qian Hongchu had brought a blade into the hall to assassinate today, even immortals would find it hard to save him. Inside the hall, Feng Dao calmly analyzed that Sang Weihan had been loyal to the Jin ruler, and Mrs. Ding had preserved her integrity despite humiliation.

These two incidents had become central to the popular sentiment in Bianliang, and if Yelü Deguang handled them improperly, his foundation would surely be destroyed; if handled appropriately, he could win the hearts of the people across the land.

Finally, Feng Dao lightly pointed out that while the Khitan cavalry was indeed peerless, governing agricultural cities ultimately required people who understood how to measure land and calculate taxes; fierce generals who commanded troops were easy to find, but talent for governing in peaceful times was hard to come by. As expected, Yelü Deguang was swayed.

Yelü Ruan and Yelü Wuzhi by his side seized the opportunity to suggest appointing Feng Dao as Grand Tutor to oversee the military affairs of Tokyo and stabilize the court. Feng Dao declined three times, only accepting the appointment after Yelü Deguang personally promised to pardon Qian Hongchu from the death penalty.

When Qian Hongyou and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan returned to the inn, they expressed their support to Guo Rong for enthroning Liu Zhiyuan as emperor, with the Han army, to restore the land. Zhao Hongyin led his personal guard to quickly take over the city defenses, reorganized the Yexia troops, and secretly took control of the situation. Zhao Kuangyin brought this news to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and the others. The group discussed their next steps.

Now Guo Rong had become a hidden danger that the new Khitan ruler and his vassals were eager to eliminate. Wanted posters were plastered everywhere; however, the person in the portrait had been slightly altered by Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and the others, appearing as a burly man with a thick beard and round eyes, completely unlike Guo Rong's actual appearance.

Zhao Kuangyin urged Guo Rong to leave the capital, but Guo Rong insisted on staying, pleading with everyone to delay Yelü Deguang to buy time for Liu Zhiyuan to declare himself emperor in Hedong. Feng Dao questioned Guo Rong about the sentiments of the people under heaven, and Guo Rong nobly expressed his willingness to take responsibility for the common people. Zhao Kuangyin was ordered to go north to Jinyang.

Before his departure, he met with Feng Dao, who earnestly advised Zhao Kuangyin: "No matter how the situation changes in the future, you must adhere to the principles of a general: cherish loyalty and righteousness, administer justice fairly, do not kill indiscriminately, and do not oppress the people. The chaos of war must eventually cease, and the way to cease war lies in the hands of those who understand warfare."

Zhao Kuangyin arrived in Jinyang and immediately visited Guo Wei, the Inspector-General of the Palace Guard cavalry and infantry, explaining the pros and cons to him. His courage was deeply appreciated by Guo Wei, who lamented that Zhao Hongyin had finally been clever for once, backing the right horse. Meanwhile, Sun Taizhen, worried about Qian Hongchu, went to the Censorate prison to visit him. Guo Rong arrived shortly after.

Seeing Qian Hongchu imprisoned but still composed, he felt a little relieved and encouraged him not to be disheartened, saying that he was no longer an ordinary man, as everyone in the world cared for him. That night, Liu Zhiyuan discussed with everyone, while Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde waited quietly outside the door. If it were peacetime, Zhao Kuangyin would never have been as calm as he was today.

But having experienced the calamity of a fallen state, he deeply understood that powerful officials and regional commanders like Liu Zhiyuan and Guo Wei, who occupied Hedong and eyed the whole world, had to be extremely cautious with every step. With the Khitans eyeing them from the north, various garrisons surrounding them from the south, and Hebei beyond Hedong, under such circumstances, personal bravery and loyalty often had to give way to the balancing of interests.

Behind that door, Commander Shi Hongzhao, Observation Official Su Yu gui, and others sat upright, each with their own opinions. Commander of Soldiers and Horses Liu Chong led Liu Jiye inside.

The latter was proficient in several tribal languages and brought an important piece of intelligence: Yelü Tali was not in the main camp but had disguised himself as a Xinu (a warrior slave or militiaman of Xi ethnic origin) and had been staying in the Huishui River camp for over a month. Yelü Deguang's son-in-law, Xiao Siwen, was frequently entering and exiting the camp.

Liu Zhiyuan, recognizing Liu Jiye's talent, promoted him to Deputy Inspector-General and dispatched Wang Jun to Bianliang, feigning submission and tribute to Yelü Deguang, intending to test him. Just as the Khitan officials in the Bianliang palace were debating fiercely, urging Yelü Deguang to return north and choose another high official to govern the Central Plains, Wang Jun suddenly entered the palace to present a memorial of submission. Feng Dao saw through the pretense at a glance.

Guo Rong, Qian Hongchu, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, and others were also speculating about the true motive behind the "feigned surrender." Similarly, Yelü Deguang was undecided and personally sought out Feng Dao to ask for guidance. Feng Dao took Yelü Deguang up to the city wall, where he stood high above, overlooking the capital region. Of the so-called twelve counties in the capital region, only Chenliu still had its city walls intact; the rest of the prefectures and counties had become ruins.

Ordinary households had long run out of food, and countless people, seeking a glimmer of hope, could only lead their elders and children, leaving their homes to rush to Bianliang, hoping to beg for a bowl of life-saving porridge under the Son of Heaven's gaze. Feng Dao pointed to the desolate scene, strongly arguing for the necessity of relief.

To establish a foothold in the Central Plains, it was not merely about "plundering" like raiding for provisions, but more importantly, about winning "the hearts of the people." At this moment, opening granaries to distribute food was not only a benevolent policy but also a strategy to secure the foundation. Yelü Deguang was persuaded by Feng Dao and ordered the execution of Zhang Yanze to quell public anger.

On this day, Zhang Yanze was paraded through the streets to the market execution ground. The common people along the way were no longer silent but erupted in fury, throwing tiles and stones. The fear he had once inflicted upon others was now repaid a hundredfold. Later historical records state, "His wrists were severed, his shackles broken, and people in the market vied to slice off his flesh," truly a culmination of evil deeds, finally reaping what he had sown.

Qian Hongchu, learning of this, his mood gradually shifted from indignation to despondency. Fortunately, Sun Taizhen accompanied him, offering some solace on a bleak, cold night. He even made a self-deprecating wish that if he were to survive and return south someday, he would simply abandon the royal troubles and go to Huanglong Island in the East Sea to become a carefree "live-in son-in-law." On the other side, Wang Jun's request to see Feng Dao was rejected.

Feng Dao had Fan Zhi relay a message: if Liu Zhiyuan wished to submit, he must offer 300,000 hu each of grain and seed, adding a light remark, "This world, at present, is probably only worth this much." Zhao Hongyin, at Feng Dao's suggestion, warned Guo Rong that if he wished to preserve his life, he should behave himself and not wander around carelessly these days.

The next day at court, Feng Dao, on behalf of all officials, presented the imperial title "Liao" to Yelü Deguang, formally acknowledging that the Khitan regime had received the Mandate of Heaven and thus possessed the cloak of legitimacy to rule the Central Plains. Sun Taizhen was quite indignant, believing Feng Dao's action went against Sang Weihan's last wishes.

However, Qian Hongchu saw more clearly, stating that even if Sang Weihan were to be resurrected, he would probably also bow and pledge allegiance. Counting from the "Migration of the Gentry to the South," the Central Plains had been in turmoil, with Hú and Han cultures intermingling. The so-called scholarly integrity and righteousness had long become blurred and utilitarian. The only hope was now placed on the enlightened lord of Hedong.

At that time, while Bianliang held court felicitations, Taiyuan was staging a dramatically rustic enthronement. Liu Zhiyuan had originally wanted to observe further, but the generals and officials, led by Guo Wei, could no longer sit still. They simply resorted to brute force, forcefully carrying Liu Zhiyuan out of his room, dressing him in a "dragon robe," and then shouting "Long live!" thus simply completing his enthronement.

Zhao Kuangyin was deeply shocked by the sight, never having imagined that the beginning of a new era, the birth of a Central Plains emperor, could be so casual and hasty, without grand ceremonies, with only a military standard representing military power serving as the initial symbol of imperial authority. In February 947 AD, Liu Zhiyuan officially ascended the throne. With the banner raised, supporters gathered like clouds.

The long-suppressed populace of the Central Plains and Han Chinese forces, as if finding an outlet, erupted with a roar. Various regional warlords and former Jin generals rose in response, successively beheading Khitan supervisors or envoys. The common people revolted en masse, spontaneously executing Khitan-appointed local officials. Wang Qiong, leader of the Chan Prefecture rebel army, led his troops to attack the prefectural city and besieged Yelü Langwu, the Khitan defending general.

The Eastern rebel army, furthermore, advanced with irresistible force, successively breaking through Song, Bo, and Mi prefectures. When the news reached Bianliang, Yelü Deguang was greatly alarmed and intended to abandon the city and flee north.

In 947 AD, Emperor Taizong Yelü Deguang of Liao, due to fierce resistance in the Central Plains and unsustainable rule, was forced to abandon Bianliang and return north. Feng Dao, as an important minister accompanying the emperor, specially came to bid farewell to Qian Hongchu before his departure, sighing that although he reluctantly submitted, Yelü Deguang had treated him kindly after all.

Having served six emperors across different dynasties, witnessed the departure of five former rulers, seen the dragon banners change and palaces change hands, he had never truly seen a day of peaceful prosperity, feeling as if he was searching for a boat in a dream, only to find emptiness. The next day, Feng Dao and Shi Chonggui left the city with the retinue, disappearing into the northern dust.

In April of the same year, Yelü Deguang died suddenly in Luancheng at the age of 45. In June, Liu Zhiyuan, Emperor Gaozu of Later Han, led his army south, successfully entering Bianliang. To pacify the people, he commended Qian Hongchu and other envoys from Wuyue, and furthermore issued an edict exempting the capital region from three years of taxes, opened granaries for relief, and urged spring plowing, allowing the people a temporary respite.

Before returning south, Qian Hongchu specifically bid farewell to Zhao Kuangyin and Guo Rong, and asked them to bestow courtesy names upon him, promising to reunite and share a cup of warm wine if they ever met in a time of peace. After leaving the capital, Qian Hongchu and his party sailed their boat along the waterway. The severe winds and torrential rains at sea, much like the unpredictable political situation, filled his heart with profound emotion.

In contrast, in Ninghai County, far away in Taizhou, County Magistrate Gao Xu and Prefect Shen Congyue conspired to frame County Lieutenant Shen Yin. Because Shen Yin had once informed Cheng Zhaoyue, the two fabricated charges, accusing him of "betraying the lives of many for personal gain."

At the same time, Fang Hongjin, a prominent local figure in Ninghai County, secretly collected deeds related to the encroachment of villagers' land, handing them all over to Chen Xing, the Clerk of the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, intending to expose the local powerful families' crimes of seizing land. However, this matter was widely implicated; among the sixteen villages, only over two hundred landless households were willing to offer their deeds, while the rest, fearing disaster, dared not comply.

Just as Chen Xing was about to take the deeds and secretly report them, Du Hao, the Agricultural Commissioner of Taizhou, along with Gao Xu, suddenly led a group to the Fang family's residence, where the entire clan, young and old, was brutally massacred. Chen Xing narrowly escaped, gravely wounded, and stumbled to the gate of the county school, personally handing the deeds to Dr. Cui Renji before finally dying.

En route, the Wuyue envoy delegation suddenly encountered a hurricane; their ships veered off course and were forced to dock in Ninghai County, Taizhou. At this time, inside the county school, Gao Xu was leading men to search for Chen Xing's whereabouts. Cui Renji, as a scholar-official, remained unmoved despite the threats and inducements, repeatedly denying having seen Chen Xing, his words impeccable.

Gao Xu rushed to the dock to pay his respects to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, taking the opportunity to meet Qian Hongchu as well. However, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan refused, stating, "His Highness is weary from the journey and is not receiving guests for now." However, at this moment, Qian Hongchu and Sun Taizhen had disembarked in disguise. Seeing the bustling market, he fully expected Ninghai County, if not prosperous and peaceful, to at least have its people living in contentment.

Before he had finished speaking, a stallholder nearby retorted, saying that he only saw the superficial prosperity of the streets, but did not know that those who lived off the land were now forced to risk their lives at sea.

And those unwilling to go to sea had their land forcibly leased, toiling for a year without enough to eat or wear, and still burdened by the usurious "King of Hell" debts from the Shanyue Society, which their descendants would never be able to repay. Qian Hongchu's heart was stirred by what he heard; he continued forward and witnessed firsthand the dire situation of soaring rice prices.

Notices for Chen Xing's arrest were posted at the city gate, indicating that there must be a hidden secret locally.

After returning to his boat, Qian Hongchu lamented, recalling the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang, when rice was cheap, a dou costing only five wén (one sheng being ten ge), and the people were well-clothed and fed, just as his esteemed elder brother had said: "In a prosperous age, no one shows signs of hunger, and granaries are filled with fragrant surplus."

Yet now, conflicts are frequent in all directions; last year, one could buy five sheng of rice for fifteen wén, but this year, for the same price, only two sheng can be obtained, entirely due to harsh governance and oppressive officials. On the other side, Cui Renji, knowing the gravity of the situation, resolved to expose it with evidence.

He sent his student Zifan to deliver a blank piece of paper to the Wuyue envoy delegation, hinting that there was an important matter requiring face-to-face pleading, yet fearing that walls had ears. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and Qian Hongchu were both intelligent men; with a little thought, they understood the hidden meaning and decided to meet Cui Renji in person. During the meeting, Cui Renji presented all the deeds and revealed the full truth of Chen Xing's murder.

Qian Hongchu meticulously reviewed them, his expression growing increasingly solemn. It turned out that Ninghai was rife with a corrupt practice called "collect first, measure later," where officials forcibly collected taxes before measuring the land, then pocketed the excess when the actual survey was conducted. This method spread like a poisonous vine, with countless common people having their land seized; over time, it would inevitably lead to popular discontent and the downfall of the state.

Gao Xu arrived at the county school by order, ostensibly for official business, but actually to spy; however, he was stopped by the guards outside the door. Inside, Qian Hongchu gazed at the deeds, filled with indignation. If Chen Xing were alive, these deeds would be irrefutable evidence of collusion between state and county officials and local gentry, and their oppression of the common people. But with Chen Xing's death, the deeds became mere circumstantial evidence.

Now, with a whole prefecture, a county magistrate, and an agricultural commissioner implicated, affecting the entire system, it would be impossible to immediately arrest and prosecute anyone based solely on circumstantial evidence. If delayed for a few days, they would be able to wipe away all traces of evidence. Qian Hongchu understood the unspoken meaning in Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's words: that what needed to be done today should be investigated today; procrastination would be indulgence, and hesitation would lead to failure.

Due to the urgency of the matter, Qian Hongchu could no longer afford to hesitate. He immediately summoned his trusted general Liu Yanchen and mobilized his personal guards. Although Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and others tried their best to dissuade him, Qian Hongchu knew the case had deep complexities. If he proceeded step by step, he feared the evidence would have long been destroyed.

Thus, he ignored their advice and insisted on leading his troops directly to Gaoxu County Yamen, with the clear intention of conducting a raid. Qian Hongchu and Sun Taizhen disguised themselves as arrogant noble scions, acting ostentatiously. As soon as they mounted their horses, Qian Hongchu ordered Gaoxun to be bound. Immediately, they led their followers to force their way into the county yamen, surrounding Qin He and a group of clerks inside.

Shen Congyue, relying on his connections, still put on an arrogant expression, attempting to use his official authority to intimidate them. However, Sun Taizhen acted decisively, stepping forward and delivering a flying kick, knocking him and his desk to the ground, then immediately ordered him to be hog-tied. After taking control of the yamen, Qian Hongchu thoroughly investigated the document archives and then proceeded to the prison, where he met Shen Yin, who had been unjustly imprisoned.

Despite being incarcerated, Shen Yin appeared calm. Facing Qian Hongchu's inquiries, he calmly recounted the sinister schemes of collusion between the Taizhou Agricultural Reclamation Bureau and local powerful families. It turned out that these parasites, under the guise of "loans," practiced "first collection, then measurement." Even before the people had planted their crops, the officials would forcibly collect "loaned grain" based on inflated figures.

Then, after the autumn harvest, when actual production was measured, the Agricultural Reclamation Bureau controlled by the powerful families would use large measures for collection and small measures for distribution. They would further manipulate the accounts, layer by layer, stripping the people of their wealth, to the extent that after a year of hard work, what they earned was not even enough to cover their official debts, and their land and homes were all seized.

The mastermind behind all this was Du Hao, the Director of Agricultural Reclamation, who had served three generations and had deep roots. Furthermore, he held a shocking additional identity: he was the brother-in-law of the powerful minister Hu Jinsi. Meanwhile, Qian Hongyou and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan were discussing, believing that exposing the fraud in measuring scales and the hidden illicit activities in the accounts was not inherently difficult.

Manipulating scales and concealing tricks in ledgers were merely petty thieving tricks, easily discovered upon investigation. The real challenge, however, lay after breaking through the initial problem – like pulling up a radish that brings up mud, this mud might contain deeply entrenched vines, and touching one strand could shake the entire system.

Qian Hongchu followed the clues, examining numerous loan agreements, and indeed discovered that many of the people's land deeds and grain tax receipts had been held as collateral by powerful families, plunging countless households into a abyss of debt. All clues pointed towards the powerful nobles and ministers in the Hangzhou court, indicating widespread involvement that could shake the very foundation of the state.

To thoroughly investigate the corruption in Taizhou, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan personally went to the Agricultural Reclamation Bureau and arrested Director Du Hao with swift, decisive action. On the spot, a large number of grain tax receipts bearing official seals were seized, providing irrefutable evidence in black and white, confirming the widespread corruption in Taizhou's five counties.

However, within the Ninghai County Yamen, Shen Yin pointed out an even trickier problem to Qian Hongchu: even if the truth came to light, how to compensate the populace for their losses and restore order remained a formidable challenge. Upon hearing this, Qian Hongchu's heart grew heavy. He sighed, lamenting that the amount of grain missing from Taizhou alone, if in the Central Plains, would be enough to "buy an emperor."

In Hangzhou city, Cheng Zhaoyue caught wind of the situation and, overnight, summoned his confidants. He resolved to raise five hundred thousand "hu" of grain at all costs, intending to fill this enormous deficit before the imperial envoy's thorough investigation, thus staging a scheme to "cross the sea under camouflage." Qian Hongchu and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan jointly signed an urgent report, sending it overnight to the Hangzhou Royal Palace, directly exposing the deep-seated malpractices in the imperial court.

The palace eunuchs dared not delay, presenting it to Qian Hongzuo's desk that very night. Qian Hongzuo immediately issued an edict, summoning his high-ranking ministers into the palace for a late-night discussion. Qian Hongzong and Yang Renquan entered the palace one after another. Only Yuan Dezhao politely declined to enter, merely sending a messenger to report that he would enter the palace as usual in the morning to inquire about the emperor's well-being and perform his duties.

As the Emperor's father-in-law, Yang Renquan's relatives were also implicated in the case files. Without waiting for the monarch's inquiry, he proactively stepped forward, removed his cap, and pleaded guilty. Qian Hongzuo knew full well that severely punishing Yang Renquan at this moment might force a major faction within the court to rebel, which would be detrimental to the overall situation. So, he stepped forward and spoke reassuringly, temporarily stabilizing the situation.

He first removed Yang Renquan from the center of the whirlpool, implementing a long-term plan to avoid "beating the grass and startling the snakes." After Yang Renquan left, only the two brothers, Qian Hongzuo and Qian Hongzong, remained in the hall. They analyzed Du Hao's case.

On the surface, it appeared to be local corruption by parasites, but a closer examination of the flow of money and the network of connections revealed that it had already entangled nearly half of Wuyue's prominent families. In contrast, Hu Mansion remained calm. Hu Jing meticulously reported the situations in the palace, such as the incomplete attendance at the summons and the Emperor's father-in-law's plea of guilt.

Hu Jinsi reacted with extreme calmness, determining that it was not advisable to act rashly at present. Only by observing the changes silently could he discern the "King's true intentions" and then make a decision.

Qian Hongchu's party returned to Hangzhou from Taizhou to report. No sooner had he stepped through the palace gates than he was met with "elder's concern." Wu Cheng, Minister of Rites, specifically entered the palace to plead for his nephew, earnestly reminding Qian Hongchu that times had changed, and his conduct should be befitting of a court minister, admonishing him not to act as recklessly as he did in the past. While pleas were heard, punishment was unavoidable.

Wu Cheng led Qian Hongchu and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan outside the hall. Qian Hongzong emerged from the hall holding an imperial decree, punishing Qian Hongchu by making him kneel in the Fengxian Hall, thereby temporarily bringing this matter to a close. Within the hall, Qian Hongzuo summoned Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and others, announcing a major event: turmoil in Southern Tang.

Since Li Jing's ascension to the throne, he had considered himself a descendant of the Li Tang imperial family and had long harbored intentions to unify the Central Plains and restore the former capital. Therefore, Li Jing explicitly issued an imperial decree, appointing Wang Chongwen as the Chief Commissioner for the Southeastern Expeditionary Army, formally dispatching troops to attack Fuzhou.

Fuzhou, a strategic stronghold in the southeast, was originally the former territory of the Min Kingdom, later occupied by General Li Renda. Li Renda, being resourceful and adaptable, had previously feigned submission to Southern Tang. Now, with the Southern Tang army pressing close, he immediately turned to the Wuyue Kingdom for urgent assistance.

Due to the suddenly tense situation, Qian Hongzuo discussed with everyone and decided to dispatch troops south for reinforcements, making the repelling of foreign invaders the top priority. The handling of the Taizhou case had to be temporarily put aside. That night, Qian Hongzong personally went to Fengxian Hall to fetch Qian Hongchu, who had finished kneeling as punishment. The two sat in the courtyard, drinking wine and gazing at the moon.

Qian Hongchu, hearing that he was to go on an expedition with the army, feared he might not be competent enough. Qian Hongzong comforted him, saying he needn't worry too much. Similarly, Qian Hongzuo, dressed simply and with few attendants, visited Boyi Office at night to meet with Qian Hongyou. The two brothers had a heart-to-heart talk, laying bare all past grievances and disputes, resolving their old grudges.

Qian Hongzuo got straight to the point, mentioning the matter of sending reinforcements to Fuzhou, explaining that if troops were to be deployed to Fujian, the transportation of military provisions would primarily rely on sea transport. He hoped Qian Hongyou would persuade Yu Daniangzi to use her sea vessel fleet to help transport military supplies. Qian Hongyou gladly agreed. At the imperial court meeting, Qian Hongzuo sat formally in the Mingtang Hall, rearranging personnel assignments.

Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, Yang Renquan, Zhang Jun, and Zhao Chengtai all received actual appointments and were entrusted with military authority. Qian Hongchu, however, was appointed as the Commissioner for Inspecting Military Affairs of the Southeastern Expeditionary Army, specifically in charge of provisions and logistics. This position seemed far from the battlefield, but in reality, it controlled the lifeline of the entire army and was also a hot potato.

In that era of war and chaos, the quartermaster was always a thankless job where merit went unnoticed, but blame was always assigned. But Qian Hongchu clearly knew in his heart that this was the first test his elder brother gave him; if he could navigate this difficult situation, he would lay the foundation for sharing in national affairs in the future. Hu Jing scoffed at this appointment, considering it a "nominal and idle post."

Hu Jinsi himself was like an old monk in meditation, one couldn't tell what schemes he was contemplating. When the news spread among the ranks, those battle-hardened soldiers discussed it heatedly, their words full of sarcasm. They believed that the battlefield was originally a business of bloodshed and sacrifice, and now they were sending a "jade-faced gentleman" to guard the vital supply route—was it not to make them fight desperately on empty stomachs?

Yang Renquan had his own judgment and warned everyone to be cautious in their words and actions so as not to give others cause for criticism. Qian Hongchu personally visited Cui Renji, explaining the stakes, and hired him as a military secretary and advisor for the army. Immediately after, the two went to the prison to see Shen Yin and explained their purpose.

Shen Yin told Qian Hongchu that the world had been in turmoil for nearly a hundred years, with wars breaking out every year. Those who could survive unscathed in this battlefield to this day were all shrewd and seasoned survivors forged in the crucible of experience.

But Qian Hongchu did not put on airs as a member of the imperial family; he invited him with sincerity alone, finally persuading Shen Yin to take up the post of manager, to jointly manage logistics with Cui Renji, and assist Qian Hongchu. " "" On the eve of his departure, Sun Taizhen prepared Qian Hongchu's travel gear, full of worry. Qian Hongchu gently comforted her.

The next day, upon entering the camp, Qian Hongchu was in full armor and referred to himself as "your humble general" before the commander. Qian Hongzuo heard the news from the palace attendants, smiled, and sighed that "Ninth Brother" had made progress, feeling greatly pleased. Qian Hongzong inquired about the unresolved old Taizhou case. Qian Hongzuo's expression was solemn.

He stated that this case's long delay was not due to fate, but rather because it involved powerful nobles, and a ruler must weigh matters carefully and administer justice impartially. After much deliberation, Qian Hongzuo ordered the principal culprits of the Taizhou case to be dealt with. As a key suspect in the case involved Du Hao, Hu Jinsi, to avoid getting burned himself, secretly ordered Hu Jing to discreetly eliminate the person.

After Qian Hongchu took up his post in logistics, he realized the difficulty of maintaining the supply lines: river channels were blocked, laborers were scarce, and local powerful families intercepted supplies. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. He decisively requisitioned resources, opened granaries, borrowed routes, and pressured local influential figures. For a time, impeachment memorials flew like snowflakes to Hangzhou. Court officials denounced Qian Hongchu as arrogant and autocratic.

Only Wu Cheng, defying all opposition, stated that when the late king passed away, the ministers scrutinized the princes and deemed Qian Hongchu frivolous and incapable of heavy responsibilities. But now, facing danger and entrusted with a mission, this prince, who was once the most "mischievous," was actually the most courageous and responsible.

Qian Hongchu was in charge of the army, and Shen Yin became a sharp blade in his hand. Shen Yin acted decisively, often giving orders on behalf of Qian Hongchu. As the army was about to set off and material allocation was imminent, Shen Yin ordered Sun Bin, the grain supervisor, to prepare all required supplies, including items and quantities, within seven days. Even a single "shi" or grain missing would not be tolerated by military law.

Meanwhile, Qian Hongchu personally inspected the military camp, and a troop named "Zhongshun Du" caught his attention. The troop's origin was quite peculiar; its predecessor was a group of rebel soldiers from the Huaixi region, later incorporated into the army. The current leader was Deputy Commander Lu Yanzhu. Due to lax discipline, virtually nonexistent, this troop was unpopular and had a peculiar nickname, "Yutou Du" (Fish Head Troop), because they often lacked rations and ate fish heads daily.

The reactions of the soldiers were polarized: some, like Jiang Duoxun, would curse angrily every time he held his bowl; while others, like Ma Youcheng, could savor the taste and find joy in their hardship. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan revealed to Qian Hongchu that out of thirty-eight military divisions in the Wuyue State, the Zhongshun Du was the smallest, with fewer than a hundred registered soldiers.

Because Li Renda had sent three urgent distress calls within just five days, the military situation was critical. The Ministry of War clerks were overwhelmed, scrambling to recruit and assemble soldiers, which was why they hastily filled the roster with the Zhongshun Du's name and brought them in to make up the numbers. Logically, these useless soldiers should have been disbanded.

However, not only could they not be dismissed, but they were also granted hereditary positions, passed down from father to son. As long as their family lineage continued, they were guaranteed a steady income and rations. The root cause was that the "Zhongshun Du" was formerly the "Wuyong Du," whose ancestors had established outstanding merits for the founding monarch. Their achievements were so great that they could provide patronage for their descendants, allowing them to live off their salaries.

Faced with such deep-seated problems in the Zhongshun Du, Cui Renji clearly saw that keeping them was a waste of rations and they would be useless in battle. It would be better to send them back early to avoid burdening the army. However, Qian Hongchu had other plans. He voluntarily requested Yang Renquan, the chief commander, to allow him to concurrently serve as the commander of the Zhongshun Du and personally rectify the situation.

This move was seen by everyone as seeking trouble, and opposition arose from all sides. But Qian Hongchu's attitude was firm, and Yang Renquan had no choice but to agree. Late at night, Qian Hongchu arrived at the Zhongshun Du camp. The seasoned veterans, led by Ma Youcheng and Jiang Duoxun, were naturally filled with disdain. Qian Hongchu said little, directly ordering forty strokes of the rod for several of the ringleaders.

As this "shawei bang" (prestige-establishing beating) was administered, wails echoed throughout the entire camp. That night, the tents were filled with curses as everyone clutched their buttocks, vehemently condemning the old Qian family as entirely bad. The next morning, everyone, full of resentment, was brought to the center of the parade ground, where they discovered Qian Hongchu had already prepared dozens of tables for a full-fish banquet.

Qian Hongchu sat with everyone, sharing the meal with chopsticks, and publicly announced that from that day forward, the Zhongshun Du would no longer have to eat fish heads. Lu Yanzhu was a sensible man; he knew that resistance was futile and was touched by Qian Hongchu's determination to rectify military discipline and care for the soldiers. He thus explicitly ordered his brothers to comply. Qian Hongchu unbuckled his personal treasured saber and personally presented it to Lu Yanzhu.

This gift signified trust and respect, and at this point, the hearts of the men were finally won over. On the day the army was about to set off, a torrential downpour suddenly struck. The roads instantly turned into mud, and carts, horses, grain, and equipment became deeply mired and difficult to move.

In the rear, Wu Cheng and others explained the grain transport plan to Qian Hongzuo, while in the front, Qian Hongchu directed soldiers to lay straw mats, ensuring the army could pass smoothly. This also allowed these former "useless soldiers" to demonstrate their utility for the first time. During this period, Qian Hongchu discovered a stark disparity in the treatment of regular soldiers and auxiliary soldiers.

Almost all the strenuous labor and fatigue were borne by the lower-status auxiliary soldiers, while the regular soldiers were relatively idle, only needing to reprimand and direct. When the troops set up camp at Xixi Ferry, the unfairness became even more apparent: regular soldiers huddled around fires inside their tents, devouring dry rations, while auxiliary soldiers outside huddled in the rain, their stomachs empty. Qian Hongchu was furious.

He publicly summoned Commander Tian Biyou, reprimanded him without mercy, and strictly ordered that from then on, all food, drink, and firewood must be equally distributed between regular and auxiliary soldiers. Soon after, Qian Hongchu fell ill and was confined to bed due to continuous exertion and travel. Precisely at this time, bad news arrived from the front line: torrential rain had caused mountain floods, completely cutting off the grain supply route.

As provisions could only last for ten days, Qian Hongchu, disregarding his serious illness, resolutely made a decision: he appointed Shen Yin to act as the Commissioner for Military Affairs, to rush to the front line and stabilize morale, while he himself would remain in Wenzhou, responsible for raising provisions and investigating potential local grain corruption to resolve the food shortage.

Currently, the Southeast Expeditionary Camp had no news, entirely due to continuous heavy rain and broken waterways. Qian Hongzuo sent two teams to make contact, but there was no response at all, leaving him with a heavy heart.

Hu Jinsi believed that since Qian Hongzuo had already granted Yang Renquan and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan the exclusive authority (the independent decision-making power for a general commanding troops outside), following the principle of "don't use those you suspect, don't suspect those you use," these two men, having been entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, would surely exert themselves to the utmost and fight to the death at the front line without retreating.

Qian Hongzuo, having no other recourse, simply declared the court adjourned. Unexpectedly, Cheng Zhaoyue suddenly knelt down, apologizing to Qian Hongzuo for the matters concerning Taizhou. This person was smooth-tongued, and with a series of words, he completely exonerated himself, as if all faults were due to an irresistible fate. Qian Hongzuo was not an unkind ruler to begin with, and moreover, his mind was entirely on military and state affairs, so he did not delve deeper.

Turning to Wenzhou, at the Six Prefectures' Transport Bureau, Qian Hongchu arrived with Cui Renji, Xue Wen, and their entourage to prepare provisions. Prefect Ouyang Kuan, accompanied by the Monopoly Tax Commissioner Sun Yu, Agricultural Reclamation Commissioner Zhang Wei, and Yongjia County Magistrate Wang Jian, came forward to greet them. Their words were respectful and earnest, pledging to serve the imperial court with all their might.

However, the conversation took a turn as they then claimed that all 78,000 hu of grain (approximately over 5,000 tons) in the prefectural granary had been transported to the front lines, with documents to prove it. On that official document, Cui Renji's signature was conspicuously present. Faced with this sudden accusation, Cui Renji was struck as if by lightning, completely unaware of it.

He hastily explained that he had indeed borrowed 1,800 hu some time ago, but compared to the enormous sum of 78,000 hu, it was merely a drop in the ocean and impossible to confuse. Moreover, 78,000 hu was like a mountain of rice; how could he be so negligent as to allocate it without authorization? Cui Renji's defense was well-reasoned, but the signature on the document was difficult to verify as genuine or fake.

Qian Hongchu keenly perceived the abnormality in the prefectural granary's reserves, and Ouyang Kuan and the others' statements were full of loopholes. To avoid alerting the culprits, he immediately ordered Cui Renji to be arrested and detained on the spot. On the way back, Wang Jian felt subtly uneasy, always feeling that things had gone too smoothly. If Qian Hongchu were to so easily believe hearsay, he would appear too incompetent. Ouyang Kuan was completely unconcerned.

In his opinion, the signed document was irrefutable evidence, and even if Qian Hongchu had doubts, he wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble. However, no sooner had they left than Qian Hongchu, avoiding all watchful eyes, went alone to the place where Cui Renji was detained. He believed Cui Renji was innocent, and a mountain of rice could not simply disappear into thin air; it must be hidden nearby.

Under their analysis, suspicion focused on the warehouse of the Boyi Bureau. To obtain irrefutable evidence, Qian Hongchu secretly dispatched Cui Renji to Yuhuan Mountain Water Village to borrow the naval infantry division from General Luo Sheng, who was stationed there. When the time was ripe, Qian Hongchu personally led the team and rendezvoused with Cui Renji, who had returned with borrowed troops, heading straight to the Boyi Bureau warehouse for a surprise search.

Ouyang Kuan rushed over in a panic upon hearing the news. Initially, he remained arrogant and argued relentlessly, until Qian Hongchu meticulously unveiled the findings of the investigation, uncovering the hidden grain. At that point, Ouyang Kuan's face turned completely ashen, and any further sophistry appeared pale and futile. Subsequently, Qian Hongchu, with swift and decisive action, executed Ouyang Kuan on the spot, severing the corrupt official's head with a single stroke, thus deterring local officials.

With the matter in Wenzhou settled, Qian Hongchu appointed Cui Renji to succeed as the Prefect of Wenzhou, to continue rectifying the local administration and consolidate the achievements. This action stirred up a thousand waves in the Wuyue imperial court. Ministers debated heatedly; Wu Cheng continued to strongly support Qian Hongchu, while Yuan Dezhao had other considerations. Hu Jing was utterly perplexed.

Qian Hongchu, a royal scion previously known for his naughtiness, was merely given the title of "Inspector of Military Affairs" during this campaign. Qian Hongzuo's original intention was simply to use his status to accumulate some experience for future distant governorships. Yet, unexpectedly, he had set up his own authority outside, actively taking charge and making bold moves.

Hu Jinsi, listening to Hu Jing's doubts, coldly pointed out that on the battlefield, it was not a matter of one person or one family's life or death, but a business of tens of thousands dying, hundreds of clans perishing, and one nation falling. Without a firm hand to stabilize the rear, the front line would collapse in an instant. Similarly, Qian Hongzuo deeply understood his younger brother's difficult situation.

To provide strong support, he not only promoted Cui Renji to a sixth-rank official but also personally dispatched Qian Hongzong to find the capable minister Shen Wenqi, who had been implicated and banished in the earlier Qian Hongyou incident. He ordered Shen Wenqi to be ready for deployment at any time, to assist Qian Hongchu. In contrast, at the front line beachhead, the small team led by Shen Yin was ambushed and surrounded, a perilous situation urgently requiring reinforcements.

Seeing this, Lu Yanzhu and others sat by the provisions cart, leisurely eating biscuits and watching the 'show'. This infuriated Shen Yin, who drew his saber and held it to his own neck, roaring that if they did not obey orders today, he would commit suicide right there, and see how they would explain themselves. As expected, this desperate move worked. Lu Yanzhu, with dozens of men, suddenly stood up and, blades in hand, charged into the enemy formation.

These "veteran soldiers," who usually seemed slippery, once they saw blood, became like tigers entering a flock of sheep. Where blades flashed, enemy leaders fell one after another, and in an instant, over seventy heads were taken. Qian Hongchu was overjoyed upon hearing the news, galloping back to Hangzhou to report the victory and request commendations for everyone.

Qian Hongzong, following the royal decree, personally went to the Liaoqian Army camp by Taihu Lake. The Liaoqian Army, whose name sounded very elegant, was actually responsible for dredging river channels and clearing silt, equivalent to a silt removal engineering team. However, in those days, it was a genuine labor camp.

Soldiers had to tread barefoot into the ice-cold lake water, personally carrying loads of lake mud ashore, day after day, accompanied by mud, to ensure the smooth waterway transport in the Taihu Lake basin and the fertility of the farmland. Watching the former Confucian minister, known for his literary talent and moral integrity, now clad in coarse hemp short coat, toiling alongside the soldiers, Qian Hongzong felt both pity and a degree of respect.

He immediately ordered Shen Wenqi to be "fished out" of the mud and brought him back to Hangzhou to meet the emperor. When Qian Hongzuo asked about the Wenzhou matter, Shen Wenqi commented that Ouyang Kuan was greedy and unable to part with things, narrow-minded and unable to tolerate others, while Qian Hongchu acted decisively, showing much of Qian Hongjun's style in rectifying official administration.

This statement was insightful, as it not only affirmed Qian Hongchu's achievements but also clarified the past misunderstanding regarding Qian Hongjun. Qian Hongzuo was moved by these words, frankly stating that Shen Wenqi, who governed the people, and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, who managed the army, could be called the two gentlemen of the state. When leaving the palace, Shen Wenqi met Cheng Zhaoyue face to face.

He disdained such a petty villain, not even bothering to give him a direct look, and simply flicked his sleeves and left. He Chengxun, after Cheng Zhaoyue entered the palace, secretly passed a note, revealing that Qian Hongzong was investigating the Imperial Guard Department. The Imperial Guard Department was Cheng Zhaoyue's domain, and only he himself knew how many shady dealings were hidden within it.

After listening to Cheng Zhaoyue's report on the concluding progress of the Wenzhou case, Qian Hongzuo turned to ask Qian Hongzong how he viewed this person. Qian Hongzong believed that everyone could speak good words, but on the night of the Lìchūn Courtyard fire, Cheng Zhaoyue was indeed in the palace. Shen Wenqi took up the post of Wenzhou Prefect, and by the way, brought a box of Ding Sheng Gao for Qian Hongchu, which made Qian Hongchu very happy.

He also felt at ease because of Shen Wenqi's arrival, and couldn't help but complain that he had been exhausted from rushing about, mobilizing troops, preparing provisions, and pacifying the six prefectures during this period. Shen Wenqi reminded Qian Hongchu that he was no longer the carefree imperial clan youth of yesteryear; bearing such immense responsibility meant no rest could be thought of.

Even if the current war ended and the temporary camp was dismantled, the imperial court would surely send new assignments. When he returned to his residence at night, Qian Hongchu's teeth itched with anger at the thought of Cheng Zhaoyue, and he planned to find an opportunity to eliminate the other party. But the problem was that Qian Hongchu was in charge of grain, fodder, and military equipment.

Matters related to the Shanyue community belonged to the Ministry of Revenue and were under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Trade. Cheng Zhaoyue, as the Commander of the Inner Imperial Guards, was theoretically under the control of Hu Jinsi, the Commander of the Upper Army. With such intertwined powers and responsibilities, Shen Wenqi admonished Qian Hongchu never to overstep his authority.

With state affairs at hand, he must set aside personal likes and dislikes and prioritize the country and its people. In the Battle of Baipuxia, the Wuyue army decisively defeated the Southern Tang forces. Capitalizing on their victory, they pursued the retreating enemy and attacked from inside and outside with the Fuzhou defending army. The Southern Tang army was routed, and the defending general Li Renda then surrendered the city.

Fuzhou, an important town in the southeast, was officially incorporated into the territory of Wuyue, and the Qian clan regime's influence in the Min region was unprecedentedly consolidated. The victory report reached Hangzhou, and the court and people rejoiced. Qian Hongzuo held a grand feast for the generals and soldiers, and rewards poured down like rain. All generals received his favor, except for Qian Hongchu, which stirred public discussion.

Wu Cheng, with his straightforward character, spoke up for Qian Hongchu, directly pointing out unfair rewards and punishments. However, not everyone was as daring as Wu Cheng. Hu Jing had doubts in his heart and could only seek explanation from his father. Hu Jinsi saw through the emperor's manipulative tactics at a glance: Qian Hongzuo's action was not out of forgetfulness, but actually for balance. Sometimes, not rewarding is more thought-provoking than heavily rewarding.

On the other hand, Qian Hongchu had been slow to propose to Sun Taizhen, which caused Madame Yu to have quite a few complaints, feeling that Qian Hongchu had neglected her daughter. To outsiders, this seemed like the Seventh Young Master being unromantic or due to busy state affairs, but Qian Hongchu had another plan in mind. Sun Taizhen was Madame Yu's only daughter, and behind her represented the Huanglong Island, which dominated the sea.

He had not proposed not because he was unwilling, but because he was waiting for the best timing to maximize support from Huanglong Island for his future great cause. In contrast, Cheng Zhaoyue relied on wealth to extensively befriend court officials and nobles, weaving a vast network of connections. His evident ambition had already aroused the alertness of Qian Hongzuo and Qian Hongzong.

He Chengxun was on pins and needles, thinking that rather than being buried with Cheng Zhaoyue, it would be better to act first. He found Qian Hongchu and Qian Hongzong overnight and revealed everything about Cheng Zhaoyue's three major crimes. The two dared not delay and immediately entered the palace to report to Qian Hongzuo.

But Qian Hongzuo still had doubts: what immense benefits did Jinling promise him that could make him willingly take such extraordinary risks to commit such an act of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country? That night, Cheng Zhaoyue secretly met with Southern Tang envoy Li Yuanqing. The two drank and talked happily, secretly conspiring important matters. Half drunk, Cheng Zhaoyue finally revealed his true thoughts and demanded chips from Li Yuanqing.

Today's plan was to later take control of Zhenhai and Zhendong two military governorships, overthrow Wuyue, carve out a territory and rule independently, and become a powerful warlord dominating a region.

For some time now, the various officials have taken turns in fierce debates, with only one core issue: the mess left by the Taizhou case. Qian Hongchu felt genuinely relieved investigating this case, but a gaping deficit of 500,000 hu of grain could only be filled by Cheng Zhaoyue.

Qian Hongzuo told his two younger brothers that the Dai Yun case from back then had always weighed on his mind, and the fire in the imperial treasury also pointed to something, but he could not and dared not investigate deeply. He even secretly resolved that if Cheng Zhaoyue could fill the 500,000 hu deficit and relieve the suffering of the people, he could temporarily put aside even the vengeance for his father's death, bearing the infamy of 'unfilial' alone.

But now, Cheng Zhaoyue's involvement was no longer just embezzlement and abuse of power, but the heinous crime of treason, colluding with foreign nations. Under no circumstances could he let down the people of the world. From Southern Tang, Prince of Yan Li Hongji sent an urgent report from Runzhou. Li Jing immediately summoned his younger brother Li Jingsui to discuss.

Li Jingsui believed that Cheng Zhaoyue was merely a merchant, of low status, and his words could not be fully trusted. Moreover, Cheng Zhaoyue had neither military power nor actual authority in Hangzhou; even if he intended to cause trouble, it would be like an ant trying to shake a tree, incapable of achieving great things. Li Jing, however, felt that this was an excellent opportunity.

The various southeastern prefectures had long been full of complaints against Qian Hongchu, and the hearts of the high-ranking generals in the court were also unsettled. Cheng Zhaoyue would not need a vast army; he only needed to win over Hu Jinsi, and with Li Hongji's preparations for war in Runzhou, once Hangzhou fell into chaos, the Southern Tang army could point its sword directly at Qiantang.

Inside Hangzhou city, Cheng Zhaoyue and Li Yuanqing plotted through the night, seeking to leverage Hu Jinsi's prestige and military strength. Hu Jinsi also had his own calculations. As a veteran of three dynasties, his primary concern was not 'merit from aiding a new emperor' but how to secure a life-preserving foundation for his descendants. He might use Cheng Zhaoyue's rebellion to seize greater power for himself, but he would never easily bet the future of his entire family.

Qian Hongzuo candidly told his brothers that Cheng Zhaoyue was not to be feared; the real threat was Hu Jinsi. Qian Hongzong worried that Hu Jinsi and Cheng Zhaoyue might be working in concert, which would surely lead to a colossal disaster. Qian Hongchu, however, felt that Hu Jinsi would not possibly collude with petty individuals. Li Yuanqing also had the same doubts.

Cheng Zhaoyue was confident in his understanding of human nature, believing that sufficient self-interest could corrupt one's bottom line, and moreover, the Hu family did not hold true loyalty towards the Qian family. Facing the imminent crisis, Qian Hongchu boldly proposed a plan: first, to transfer the 'Qincong Division' and 'Qinwei Division' guarding the capital away from Hangzhou, creating a false impression of weak defenses.

Then, secretly contact Wu Cheng, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, Yang Renquan, Yuan Dezhao, and Qian Yuanyi, among others, to set up a hidden network, ensuring that even if Hu Jinsi truly rebelled, they would still have the means to respond.

To test the loyalty of the imperial relatives and high-ranking ministers, Qian Hongzong and Qian Hongchu acted separately, using the pretext of discussing candidates for the 'Zhedong Yingtianshi' (Director of Eastern Zhejiang Agricultural Affairs) to ask the imperial relatives and high-ranking ministers: 'Between Shen Wenqi and Cheng Zhaoyue, who is more suitable for the position?' The results of the test were clear-cut. Qian Yuanyi unhesitatingly chose Shen Wenqi, the upright gentleman.

Wu Cheng, however, believed that Cheng Zhaoyue was a businessman; a gentleman couldn't conjure money. The current mess in Taizhou and Wenzhou urgently needed someone who understood economics and could generate funds to sort it out. When it came to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, he sensed that something significant was happening and immediately entered the palace to meet the emperor. He sternly rebuked the Qian brothers, stating that their action was tantamount to destroying their own Great Wall.

He explained the implications, pointing out that the true mortal enemy was Southern Tang. Recklessly testing the imperial relatives and high-ranking ministers would only dishearten them, leading to a desperate situation where 'there would be no trustworthy person in the entire nation.' Wuyue was not the Central Plains; the rites, laws, and national principles still existed. A monarch should treat his subjects with integrity, and only then would subjects repay the nation with loyalty.

These frank words were like a sudden enlightenment, making the three Qian family brothers suddenly realize their mistakes and admit their faults. To prevent any changes in the capital, Qian Hongchu was ordered to rush to the Xiaoshan barracks overnight, preparing to take over military command there. The Xiaoshan barracks, serving as the eastern gate guarding Qiantang, held a crucial geographical position. If its military authority fell into the hands of others, Hangzhou would be left wide open.

When Qian Hongchu arrived with his men, the defending general Shen Chengli refused to open the gate, citing 'it is late at night, and there is no military order from the commander Hu Jinsi'. In a desperate situation, Qian Hongchu sat inside a basket, like transported goods, and had soldiers use ropes to hoist him several zhang high onto the city wall. After ascending the city wall, Qian Hongchu presented his fish tally and the imperial edict. Shen Chengli verified his identity, confirmed it was correct, and ordered the drums to be beaten to assemble the generals.

Hu Jinsi's residence was lit up all night. Hu Jinsi ordered his household guards to be on high alert. On the stove, sizzling, oily chicken legs were roasting, as if he had anticipated Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's late-night visit. The two sat opposite each other, eating chicken leg meat while cautiously probing with words. Although Hu Jinsi was dissatisfied with Qian Hongzuo, he changed the subject, mentioning his old friendship with the late king.

His words, both overt and implied, suggested he had no intention of rebellion. His aim was to secure fame, favor, and a path to survival for his descendants. During their conversation, Hu Jinsi seemingly casually inquired about the royal family's movements. He heard that Qian Hongchu had gone to the Xiaoshan barracks and was relieved it wasn't Qian Hongzong.

If Qian Hongzong, who had never left the royal domain, were to take command of the army, let alone deploy troops, he probably wouldn't even be able to enter the camp gate. Because in Hu Jinsi's view, military law was strict, and Shen Chengli was a rule-abiding person. But Qian Hongchu was different; this young man was outwardly gentle but inwardly firm, and particularly adept at adapting to circumstances.

As soon as the two met, it was likely Shen Chengli would be at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Hu Jinsi revealed a method for seizing military control to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan. He said that sometimes being forceful wasn't effective. Controlling an army was like catching a tiger: capture the head, and the rest will submit. A clever person should send the tiger back to the mountains.

Give him authority if he wants it, dispel his doubts if he fears, entrust all rewards and punishments to the other party, and let the other party take credit for showing favor and goodwill. This way, one could win people's genuine submission. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan understood the hidden meaning. Clearly, Hu Jinsi's words, while outwardly instructing on how to deal with Shen Chengli, were actually a demand to Qian Hongzuo, implying that any military action would have to go through him.

As expected, Qian Hongchu, facing the provocation of arrogant soldiers and fierce generals, directly enforced military law as the commander-in-chief, flogging those who disobeyed with twenty to thirty strokes. Even Shen Chengli voluntarily accepted twenty military floggings. Immediately, those under his command trembled in fear, and his authority was established, his orders carried out.

After the flogging, Qian Hongchu delegated authority to Shen Chengli to deploy troops and set up defenses, strengthening Hangzhou's city defenses to deal with a possible rebellion. This combination of asserting power and winning over hearts made Shen Chengli respectfully submit. After Shuiqiu Zhaoquan bid farewell and left the residence, Hu Jinsi summoned his son, Hu Jing. He said that this person had courage, was adaptable, loyal to the royal family without being rigid.

If he were no longer alive, the Hu family descendants would definitely not be a match for Shuiqiu Zhaoquan. Hu Jing grumbled upon hearing this, saying that he had never fought in the first place. Enraged, Hu Jinsi turned to look at Hu Jing and cursed him as a "blockhead." Shuiqiu Zhaoquan returned to the palace to report, asserting that Hu Jinsi's actions were all for self-preservation. Qian Hongzuo clearly distinguished the fundamental difference between Hu Jinsi and Cheng Zhaoyue.

He then adopted Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's suggestion and appointed Hu Jinsi as Grand Marshal, taking overall charge of internal and external military affairs. One night banquet, half a chicken leg, and a few sharp remarks, and the Hu family gained power, while the Qian family resolved its crisis. That night, Hangzhou was under a city-wide curfew, heavily guarded, with defenses layered like an iron barrel.

Cheng Zhaoyue learned that Hu Jinsi had been appointed Grand Marshal, and knowing that winning him over was hopeless, her heart sank. Her only hope for survival rested on the five hundred veteran soldiers of the "Black Cloud Long Sword Brigade" under Li Yuanqing. However, Li Yuanqing, who was at the Qinhuai Inn, was in a situation no better. Arrowheads were hidden outside the window, and knife shadows flickered in the corridor.

His identity as an envoy from Southern Tang, if used well, was a talisman; if not, it was a death warrant. Even if the Black Cloud Long Sword Brigade was brave, in the heart of this foreign capital, they would likely have already become pincushions of arrows, unable to escape being pierced by countless arrows. Qian Hongchu used "peace talks" as a pretext to meet Li Yuanqing.

Ostensibly to discuss state affairs, it was actually a tactic to stall and keep him under control. He was responding with an open strategy, all to buy time for suppressing the rebellion. The news finally reached Cheng Zhaoyue's ears. Li Yuanqing couldn't even protect himself, and her last bit of hope was completely extinguished. All her intricate plans of yesteryear had, in the present, trapped her in her own web. Inside the royal palace, another dramatic scene unfolded.

Hu Jinsi came to meet the monarch, having a frank discussion with Qian Hongzuo. Qian Hongzuo tightly clasped Hu Jinsi's hand, tearfully admitting his mistakes. After a heartfelt exchange between ruler and minister, their estrangement melted away. Qian Hongzong, watching resentfully from the side, still harbored ill feelings towards Hu Jinsi. He left the grand hall alone and saw He Chengxun still kneeling at the foot of the steps.

He then instructed him to dispatch one hundred men from the Imperial Guards to the Shanyue Association to arrest Cheng Zhaoyue and bring her to justice, allowing him a chance to atone for his crimes by rendering meritorious service.

When Qian Hongchu and others rushed to Shanyue Society, Cheng Zhaoyue had already set herself on fire, leaving behind only a suicide poem. The poem implicitly mocked Qian Hongzuo, comparing him to Chen Shubao and Emperor Yang of Sui, which enraged Qian Hongzuo. At that time, inside Guo Wei's mansion, young children clapped their hands and sang Huang Chao's "Ode to Chrysanthemums After Failing the Imperial Examination."

Wang Pu, as the secretary, was responsible for their education; he immediately called Guo Dong, Guo Wei's second son, and reprimanded him for failing to supervise his younger siblings as an elder brother, intending to punish him. His third brother, Guo Xin, stepped forward to take the blame. Coincidentally, Guo Wei came to look for Wang Pu.

As he approached the study, he heard Wang Pu recounting old stories from the late Tang dynasty, analyzing the true meaning of "rebel" and "revolution." In times of turmoil across the land and national chaos, raising arms might not necessarily mean being a rebel. Only those who oppress the people, poison the populace, impose harsh governance, and plunder others' wealth are true rebels.

Conversely, if one can quell chaos and bring peace to the people, rescuing the common folk from dire straits, that is a revolution in accordance with heaven's will and human aspirations. Subsequently, Guo Rong summoned Wang Pu and Zhao Kuangyin to discuss the letter from Wuyue requesting a reduction in their annual tribute. The reason was that the previous battle in Fuzhou had ended in defeat, costing soldiers and provisions.

And this year, five or six prefectures in Liangzhe suffered from severe rainstorms and disasters. Relief expenditures were like a giant whale absorbing water, capable of emptying Wuyue's treasury, accumulated over half a century, in an instant. Zhao Kuangyin naturally believed that Qian Hongchu was not lying. However, the central court was already financially strained, and a deficit of 200,000 taels of tribute silver caused Guo Rong concern.

Turning to Hangzhou's side, Hu Jinsi, citing the many incidents in recent years and the hardships of the soldiers, openly demanded generous rewards for the army. Qian Hongzong, being young and hot-headed, retorted on the spot, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Hu Jinsi suddenly singled out Qian Hongchu, insisting that he should plead for merits for the soldiers. Unexpectedly, Qian Hongchu also spoke out against Hu Jinsi.

Qian Hongzuo, seizing the opportunity, ordered Qian Hongchu to be demoted to Taizhou. This appeared to be a family quarrel, but in reality, Qian Hongchu had voluntarily offered to go, both to protect his seventh brother, preventing him from a direct conflict with the powerful minister, and also to use the name of "demotion" to effectively "enter the tiger's den" and rectify the accumulated malpractices of local powerful families.

Currently, Qian Hongzuo was frail and ill, eating little and burdened with many affairs. He still forced himself to summon his younger brother, Qian Hongzong, stating that the demotion of Wu Cheng today and the posting of Qian Hongchu to an external position was to use their prestige to appease the military's sentiments. He said that the root cause of the Wuyongdu mutiny years ago was nothing more than "money and provisions."

Not to mention Wuyue, even Liu Zhiyuan in Chongyuan Hall in Bianliang dared not break this rule of "military supplies being paramount." In troubled times, weapons are easy to acquire, but grain is hard to accumulate. Whoever cuts off military pay and provisions is digging his own grave. As expected, this strategy yielded immediate results. Hu Jinsi sent word to Shen Chengli that demands for rewards would be halved from now on.

However, Cheng Zhaoyue's fire burned down not just the buildings of Shanyue Society, but also a secret financial source. The huge deficit left by the major corruption case in Taizhou would ultimately still fall upon the common people. Qian Hongzong sought answers and clarification from Wu Cheng, who revealed the truth behind the court turmoil, making him suddenly understand his royal brother's painstaking efforts.

Turning to Qian Hongchu again, he prepared to leave for his post in Taizhou with a simple entourage. He specifically entered the palace to bid farewell to Qian Hongzuo. Before his departure, Qian Hongchu made a final plea, saying that Taizhou was currently like a boiling cauldron; if further delays occurred and this year's spring plowing was missed, there would be no harvest in autumn. At that time, starving people would be everywhere, inevitably leading to a popular uprising.

Upon hearing this, Qian Hongzuo's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He deeply understood how heavy this burden was: he had to stabilize internal unrest before it erupted, respond to the central court's expectations, and now was further constrained by natural disasters. Hongchu took the opportunity to recommend Shen Yin to go to Taizhou to rectify administrative affairs. Qian Hongzuo gladly agreed. The two brothers had a heart-to-heart talk, understanding each other implicitly.

One was relieved to see his younger brother becoming increasingly capable, while the other harbored secret worries about his elder brother's ailing health and the affairs of the state. After Qian Hongchu left with Sun Taizhen, Qian Hongzuo's decree was issued: Wu Cheng was dismissed from his position as Chancellor and reassigned as Jiedushi of Weiwu Army, overseeing Fuzhou affairs, with the person in charge to implement it. After the grand court assembly concluded, Yuan Dezhao returned to the Department of State Affairs and directly punished two officials who only knew how to flatter and did nothing practical.

In the prefectural government office of Linhai County, a group of officials sat on both sides, discussing endlessly. First came Qian Hongchu, who caused a lot of trouble, and now Shen Yin had been added. They worried that the two would join forces and turn Taizhou upside down. Wei Lun, the Sima of Taizhou, inquired about Qian Hongchu's background from Cui Renji. A plan came to Cui Renji's mind; he knew that his colleagues feared power more than virtue.

So he exaggerated Qian Hongchu's character, describing him as ruthless and decisive, mentioning things like "beheading in the street" and "showing no mercy," adding fuel to the fire until everyone felt a chill down their spines. At this moment, Qian Hongchu was sailing through the waves straight for Taizhou. On the way, he made a detour to Huanglong Island, intending to borrow some grain from his mother-in-law, both to relieve the people's hunger and to ease the nation's worries.

Unexpectedly, when Qian Hongyou heard that his younger brother was not there to propose marriage, he immediately lost interest and treated him only with guest etiquette, making it impossible for Qian Hongchu to see Madam Yu. While Qian Hongchu was discussing his difficulties with his third elder brother, Sun Taizhen interceded on his behalf. However, Madam Yu's attitude was firm: Huanglong Island could help, but only those who intended to contend for the throne of Wuyue.

Shen Yin arrived in Linhai County and met with Cui Renji. As the two were preparing to welcome Qian Hongchu, they suddenly heard that Xie Tong, the local commissioner of customs duties, had come to visit. Shen Yin, experienced in officialdom, gestured for Cui Renji to handle the situation, instructing him that if "local gifts" were offered, he could accept them without hesitation.

Sure enough, Xie Tong's first gift was a tribute Mise kiln ware worth six hundred mu of paddy fields, asking for nothing more than Cui Renji's good words and recommendation in front of Qian Hongchu. After Xie Tong left, Cui and Shen lamented the collapse of Wuyue's etiquette and music, fearing it would replicate the chaos of the Central Plains.

Hu Jinsi, having heard about the developments in the imperial court, detected something unusual in the imperial edict demoting Qian Hongchu to Taizhou, and thus dispatched his confidant, Chang Jiu, to personally monitor him. Shen Wenqi hurried to Bianliang and entered the palace to meet the emperor. He reported to Emperor Liu Zhiyuan of Later Han on the domestic warfare, natural disasters, and tax reductions, apologizing for the decrease in the annual tribute.

Liu Zhiyuan was adept at recognizing true talent; seeing Shen Wenqi's sincere words and clear analysis, and knowing that Wuyue had indeed suffered from natural disasters and not intentionally been negligent, he did not investigate further. After the court dispersed, Guo Rong hosted a casual banquet at the Fanlou Main Restaurant. Shen Wenqi arrived as invited, and among those accompanying him at the table were Zhao Kuangyin and others.

After three rounds of wine, Guo Rong subtly mentioned the court's intention to expand trade with Wuyue. Shen Wenqi frankly stated that the heavy taxes along the routes severely hindered circulation, making the matter difficult to achieve. On this day, Wei Lun gathered his subordinate officials for a meeting. He suddenly shifted the topic to Qian Hongchu, deliberately revealing the words "demotion" to them, making the officials no longer fear Qian Hongchu and develop a sense of disdain.

In fact, Wei Lun had his own calculations. He had long worried about Shen Yin's increasing prominence, lording it over him, and thus conceived a strategy: "When others slight him, I will honor him." Privately, he prepared generous gifts for Qian Hongchu and planned to greet him respectfully, specifically waiting to use his colleagues' arrogance to highlight his own thoughtfulness. Upon hearing this, his confidant Ge Yanping praised the plan as brilliant.

Meanwhile, Ge Qiang, the Linhai County Lieutenant, personally visited Zhongshun Commandery, enthusiastically offering a box of real gold and silver, hoping to secure the position of County Administrator. After Lu Yanzhu heard his subordinate's report, the next day he went straight to Shen Yin with the person and the box, explaining the whole story. Shen Yin arranged for them to stay in a side room, then immediately investigated Ge Qiang's background with Cui Renji.

They discovered that Ge Qiang came from a humble background and had a poor reputation as an official, so they decided to conduct a thorough secret investigation. Qian Hongchu again spoke of his difficulties to Yu Wenxiu, hoping to meet Madam Yu.

Yu Wenxiu brought up the Shan Yue Society again and reminded him that if his marriage with Sun Taizhen could be accomplished, and the two families became one, the situation he spoke of might not be impossible, but it would require him to become King Qian to ensure the Huanglong Society could operate peacefully.

However, Qian Hongchu currently had no ambition to seize the throne and was more concerned about being unable to raise five hundred thousand hu of grain to fill the deficit in Taizhou. He truly did not understand why Madam Yu was so insistent. Sun Taizhen explained that Qian Yuanguan had owed Madam Yu a proper status back then, so Madam Yu wanted to reclaim it through her daughter.

Everyone knew that being a queen was uninteresting, but if one saw someone else become queen, then it became interesting. Sun Taizhen expressed her attitude to Qian Hongchu, stating that the person she had always wanted to marry was merely the Ninth Young Master of the Qian family, not the King of Wuyue.

Upon hearing of Qian Hongchu's intention to rectify the powerful local families in Taizhou, Madam Yu immediately scoffed at his naivety. She pointed out that in the Jiangnan region, prominent families were deeply entrenched, like old banyan trees entwined with rocks. Not to mention an ordinary prefect, even an emperor personally visiting would have to weigh his own capabilities when facing these local tyrants who had been operating for over a dozen generations.

Since the warlordism at the end of the Tang Dynasty, local powers had become unshakeable strongholds. Prefects and county lieutenants changed frequently, but the aristocratic families who truly held land, tenant farmers, and private militias were the permanent dealers in this game. Shaking a mountain was easy; shaking a thousand-year-old family was naturally a joke. Qian Hongyou defended his younger brother for a few sentences, his argument revolving around the "innocence of Taizhou's common people."

Madam Yu immediately retorted that caring for the common people in troubled times should not lead one to expect any returns. When hungry, they beg for a bowl of congee; when full, they forget the kindness of the pot. In the past, her Yu family ancestors had dug canals and suppressed rebellions, saving so many lives that their bones could pile up into mountains, yet how many people remembered that achievement today?

Therefore, in Madam Yu's view, kindness and loyalty were the locks most prone to rust, the silk most prone to fading. Instead of gambling the nation's fate on the gratitude of commoners, it was more reassuring to keep grain and money in one's own pocket. To raise provisions for Qian Hongchu, Sun Taizhen set her sights on Langya Pavilion. As Langya Pavilion was as strict as iron, no one could enter without a special order.

Sun Taizhen dragged her younger brother, Sun Chengyou, and staged a melodramatic scene before Madam Yu. She first tearfully complained that a married daughter was like spilled water, then feigned an intention to sever all family ties.

Seeing this, Yu Wenxiu quickly explained that Madam Yu genuinely cared for Sun Taizhen and had already prepared a dowry list of sixty-four loads, along with six hundred mu of silted fields in Hangzhou, complete with estates and shops, clearly following the old precedent for princesses. At these words, Sun Taizhen lost her temper. Seeing that she still didn't believe, Madam Yu had Sun Chengyou take the token to open Langya Pavilion.

Sun Taizhen, holding the token like a sword, went straight for the Yellow Dragon Token and Twin Dragon Banner, these two items being the symbols of authority over the thirty-six islands. Immediately after, she pried open an adjacent vault and moved entire chests of gold and silver onto a boat. Before leaving, Sun Taizhen attempted to steal a warship but was stopped by Qian Hongyou.

Qian Hongyou stated that the warships were the blood and bone of Yellow Dragon Island; if their lifeblood was drained, their homeland would forever become a foreign land. Sun Taizhen no longer tried to take the ship. Instead, she pleaded with her elder brother not to ruin Qian Hongchu's plans. Qian Hongyou, too, sympathized with his younger brother's heavy burden, so he pretended not to have seen anything that night, allowing them to set sail and leave the island.

When Madam Yu woke up in the morning and saw the letter her daughter had left, she was so angry that she nearly smashed a celadon teacup. She repeatedly cursed about how hard it was to guard against a thief from within the family, yet she was powerless to do anything. Meanwhile, Sun Taizhen used the flag to exchange for large quantities of grain from the various islands, temporarily resolving the food crisis. Meanwhile, changes also occurred within Bianliang City.

Late at night, Guo Rong returned home to visit his wife and children. He mentioned to his wife, Liu Luojia, that he would be leaving the capital tomorrow to inspect river engineering works and probably wouldn't be back by the New Year. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, 'saoti' dikes were ancient engineering projects involving sinking stone-filled bamboo cages. Encountering an ice flood on the Yellow River meant facing extreme danger.

Liu Luojia was deeply worried, but she still comforted Guo Rong, telling him not to worry about the family and to be sure to return safely. The next day, Liu Zhiyuan convened a meeting to discuss matters. The Yellow River had burst its banks three times in the Shanghu section, and the national treasury was empty. He had adopted Guo Wei's "work relief" strategy and wanted to hear everyone's opinions.

The First Prince, Liu Chengxun, deeply concerned for the people, suggested that land must genuinely be distributed to refugees and surrendered soldiers. He reasoned that "those with constant property have constant hearts," which was essential for ensuring the stability of the capital region. Feng Dao, upon hearing this, greatly praised Liu Chengxun. However, Imperial Uncle Li Ye, who favored the Second Prince, Liu Chengyou, privately advised him to contend for the position of crown prince.

Liu Chengyou outwardly refused, but his heart was already stirred. Shifting focus south to Taizhou, Shen Yin gathered everyone to relay Qian Hongchu's strategy: he planned to use the occasion of the Yuan Festival to set up a grand feast at Zhang'an Port, widely inviting the gentry in the prefecture who held deeds from the Land Administration Bureau. This banquet was not for celebration, but rather a carefully orchestrated "Hongmen Banquet" (a trap).

Its purpose was to compel these influential families, who had habitually colluded with officials and embezzled grain taxes from garrison lands, to hand over the grain they had misappropriated over the years, to replenish military supplies and relieve disaster victims. However, although this plan was clever, it was seen through by Wei Lun. Wei Lun immediately secretly contacted various prominent families, resolving to unite and resist the order. Soon after, Qian Hongchu arrived in Taizhou.

The local influential families, as was customary, presented lavish "respectful" gifts, but he raised doubts. The Taizhou gentry, led by Ge Yanping, quickly held a secret meeting to discuss countermeasures. They ultimately decided on a strategy of "soft resistance": they would neither openly defy the order nor fully attend the banquet. Instead, they would send one or two representatives with meager gifts to negotiate, thereby saving face for the other party while also probing his true intentions.

Shen Yin had already anticipated this and secretly dispatched Lu Yanzhu with his personal guards to discreetly monitor the movements of families closely associated with Wei Lun, to guard against unforeseen events.

Ge Qiang already had a grudge against the Ge family of Linhai. To seize the opportunity to avenge himself, he simply pledged allegiance to Shen Yin and offered strategies. Shen Yin weighed his options briefly and decided the other party was trustworthy, as he was capable of endurance, understood how to advance and retreat, and had a thorough understanding of local forces. So he asked Ge Qiang what he desired.

Ge Qiang claimed he desired nothing, only to restore his original name "Tan Qiang" after the downfall of the entire Ge clan. Meanwhile, Sun Taizhen and others were checking land registers and household records. Sun Chengyou and Xue Wen copied until their wrists felt like breaking, yet they still couldn't finish in time for the next day's requirements.

Sun Taizhen wanted to find guards to help, but Xue Wen remarked that those soldiers could kill with a knife without blinking, but holding a pen was like lifting a heavy tripod; they probably couldn't even write their own names without them being crooked and falling apart. Just then, a clear sound of reading came from outside the door. Sun Taizhen had an idea, and invited scholars and students to help with the transcription.

Qian Hongchu personally supervised the recording, and the network of landholdings belonging to Taizhou's powerful families gradually became clear. In the evening, Lu Yanzhu reported to Shen Yin that three to four hundred people, mostly local prominent families, had gathered outside Wei Lun's residence. Shen Yin hurriedly organized the Class D ledgers and sent someone to deliver these items to Qian Hongchu.

Afterward, Shen Yin briefly inquired about the situation and instructed Lu Yanzhu to ensure the brothers ate and drank their fill. Qian Hongchu was going to rectify the situation in Taizhou, and tonight was the crucial moment. In contrast, Qian Hongchu tossed and turned sleeplessly in the post station. He was not worried about the overall situation, as Shen Yin was in charge and fully capable of strategy and decision-making.

His only concern was Madam Yu; if she became angry due to the urgent matter and temporarily withdrew her support, all efforts would be in vain. Sun Taizhen believed Qian Hongchu was overthinking things. Even if Madam Yu were very angry, she would never trifle with Huanglong Island's reputation. As expected, no one knows a mother better than her daughter.

Madam Yu valued grievances and favors the most in her life and clearly understood priorities, so she did not delve deeply into the matter of the stolen flag. Instead, she simply let the Qian family see the Yu family's generosity, considering it an addition to her daughter's future dowry. That night, Shen Yin and Cui Renji, utilizing Ge Qiang's men, directly launched an assault on the Taizhou county yamen.

In a flash, the official seal of the prefectural yamen changed hands, and all implicated officials were stripped of their attire and insignia. Ge Qiang was temporarily appointed as the Taizhou Record Keeper and Adjutant, performing public duties. Meanwhile, on the other side, Lu Yanzhu led his troops directly into the prefectural army camp.

Seeing that Cao Shouzuo was accustomed to acting high and mighty and completely disregarded him, Lu Yanzhu used the dagger Qian Hongchu had given him to publicly take Cao Shouzuo's life, intimidating everyone present and smoothly taking over the entire military camp. Subsequently, Lu Yanzhu reported back to Shen Yin. All the army's officers and soldiers were strictly guarding outside the prefectural yamen, awaiting orders.

Shen Yin struck while the iron was hot, instructing Lu Yanzhu to take the official documents from the prefecture and search Wei Lun's residence, and also assigned Ge Qiang to personally lead men to search his own family's compound to gather evidence of their crimes. Ge Qiang already harbored deep resentment towards the Ge family; as soon as he appeared, the steward Yu Bo turned pale with fright. Within ten days, Qian Hongchu and his party arrived in Taizhou.

Qian Hongchu ascended to a high vantage point and gazed into the distance, his heart secretly stirred. On the other side, Ge Yanping felt uneasy on his way to the meeting, while Wei Lun still maintained the demeanor of an aristocratic family, uttering harsh words: no matter what play Qian Hongchu staged, they would meet it head-on. Today, they would make Qian Hongchu realize that acting without the support of the aristocratic families in Taizhou was impossible.

Soon, Qian Hongchu established the Bureau of Trade (a trading agency) at Ninghai County Port, specializing in maritime trade, and further promulgated preferential tax policies to support the people's livelihoods. As soon as the news spread, the common people rejoiced, but the imperial court had strong opinions about it, especially the officials from the Ministry of Revenue, who vehemently opposed it.

Qian Hongzuo, enduring his illness, hosted a grand banquet for all officials during the Lantern Festival, overcoming all objections and declaring that this measure was aimed at compensating the people whose rights had been encroached upon by the powerful gentry. At that time, Zhang'an Port also held a grand assembly. Qian Hongchu widely distributed invitations, inviting all Taizhou gentry holding grain loan contracts to the banquet.

Wei Lun and Ge Yanping, as representatives of the powerful gentry, proudly attended the meeting, intending to jointly launch an attack and force a counter-move. They predicted that Qian Hongchu would not dare to incur public wrath. However, Qian Hongchu was the first to act, without trial or interrogation, directly ordering Wei Lun and Ge Yanping to be beaten to death on the spot for the crime of "encroaching on people's property and disrupting the prefecture."

The powerful gentry present were deeply shaken and dared not utter any more presumptuous words. Just then, Sun Taizhen returned with the good news of having raised a large quantity of grain.

Qian Hongchu knew very well in his heart that Wei and Ge were merely a deterrent; to deal with the local powerful families, relying solely on execution was a poor strategy. Killing Ge Yanping and Wei Lun would only lead to others filling their void. The true solution was to fundamentally tie their interests to the imperial court.

For this reason, Qian Hongchu publicly announced that all families who had lent money through the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, as long as they could submit the signed contracts, would not only recover the principal and interest in grain but also obtain an imperial court-certified "Boyiwu" maritime trade concession certificate, enjoying extremely low tax rates. This cleverly transformed the powerful families' illicit gains into legitimate trade privileges, turning enemies into friends.

As soon as this measure was introduced, the people of Taizhou felt as if they had met a long-awaited rain after a drought. The common people regained their land and were moved to tears with gratitude. As for the powerful families who had not yet attended the banquet, they could no longer sit still. A group of gentry led by Gu Yancheng brought gifts and sought an audience.

They straightforwardly explained their intention, stating that as long as they could participate in the Boyiwu affairs, they would hand over all the loan contracts as promised. Shen Yin calmly responded, saying that the Ministry of Revenue had only allocated a hundred certificates, which had all been distributed on the day of Shangyuan, and there were no remaining ones.

In fact, Qian Hongchu and his people had only issued eighty-nine certificates; claiming they were all distributed was a pretense to curry favor with those ten prominent families. Shen Yin brought two large boxes full of loan contracts. Qian Hongchu promised to issue ten certificates to the ten prominent families, but on the condition that the certificate holders must undertake the collection of autumn taxes for ten years.

Cui Renji's expression changed upon hearing this, and he immediately spoke up to object, arguing that the tax farming system had always been a major administrative flaw. Those capable of undertaking tax collection were invariably powerful local families. Granting them the imperial court's taxation authority would be tantamount to giving them the power to govern the people within their territories.

Once powerful families held the right to collect taxes, it would be like holding a knife to carve up the spoils: at best, they would levy excessive taxes and extort money; at worst, they would raise private armies and partition land. Seeing the disagreement between Shen Yin and Cui Renji, Qian Hongchu proposed to make the conditions explicit and set a fixed amount.

The autumn taxes would be demanded from the ten families annually, without increase in good harvest years or decrease in lean years. Even if all ten families were corrupt, they would only exploit more than two hundred powerful households, and any resentment would be borne by themselves. "

"" By the Golden Embankment of the Great River in Tanzhou, Guo Wei handed a sealed letter to Zhao Kuangyin, instructing him to return to the capital quickly and deliver it to Feng Dao. Guo Rong personally saw him off, signaling him to meet Liu Chengxun. Since Liu Chengxun was already the heir apparent, and the Guo family father and son held significant military power, an overt association would inevitably invite the emperor's suspicion and court officials' criticism.

Zhao Kuangyin understood implicitly. However, just as Qian Hongchu was personally sewing a wedding dress for Sun Taizhen, far away in Hangzhou, Qian Hongzuo was already emaciated by illness. The imperial physicians diagnosed him with lung carbuncle, claiming he would recover with rest. Qian Hongzong sensed something was amiss and privately inquired. The imperial physicians finally revealed the truth: Qian Hongzuo was now eating little and overwhelmed with duties, his vitality exhausted, and his end was likely near.

Qian Hongzong summoned Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and Yuan Dezhao into the palace to entrust them with his posthumous affairs. He did not, however, inform Hu Jinsi. The two men's hearts sank, knowing well that Hu Jinsi, as a veteran general of two dynasties and head of the military, was deeply entrenched in both the court and the army. Excluding him at such a critical juncture was tantamount to undermining their own defenses and planting seeds of disaster.

After Yuan Dezhao rushed into the palace, he emphasized to Qian Hongzong the importance of mending the fold after the sheep had been lost, urging him to quickly invite Hu Jinsi and Qian Yuanyi into the palace to stabilize public morale. Unfortunately, Qian Hongzong was inherently indecisive, and coupled with the slanders and obstructions from petty individuals like He Chengxun, he actually disregarded this crucial advice. Qian Hongzuo, enduring his illness, made arrangements for his posthumous affairs.

He formally entrusted Qian Hongzong to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan and Yuan Dezhao, and looked at his young child and consort, his eyes filled with guilt, feeling that he had fallen short as both a husband and a father. After Qian Hongzuo dismissed everyone, he left Qian Hongzong alone by his bed.

He incisively pointed out that if he wished to be a monarch, he must understand that while there should be checks and balances between ruler and ministers, favor must also be bestowed. Since he would need to rely heavily on Hu Jinsi in the future, he should not have excluded him today. Without the favor of entrusting him in times of crisis, it would instead create a rift of estrangement.

This action would undoubtedly draw a line of intimacy and distance in the hearts of his officials. How could he sit securely on the throne if, before his foundation was solid, he first alienated a crucial minister? On his deathbed, Qian Hongzuo clearly instructed three things: first, entrust the state affairs to Yuan Dezhao; second, disperse and balance military power; and third, prepare ample betrothal gifts for Qian Hongchu and ensure the wedding is grand and complete.

Qian Hongzuo had arranged all his posthumous affairs, yet he could not soothe the regrets in his heart. He could only let out a sigh: "This life is too short. So short that only debts of father-son affection, shortcomings in husband-wife righteousness, deficits in brotherly love, and violations of ruler-minister virtues remained, none of which were fulfilled. He only hoped that Qian Hongzong would not repeat his mistakes, and that his path would be longer and more stable."

Having spoken, Qian Hongzuo passed away suddenly. This enlightened ruler, rarely known for his civil governance and benevolence during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, in the seven years from when he was thirteen to twenty years old, internally reduced levies and taxes, abolished oppressive taxes, and heavily relied on capable ministers, leading to sustained prosperity in Wuyue's economy. Externally, he maintained neutrality, strengthened border defenses, resisted invasions from surrounding separatist forces, ensuring peace and security within his territory.

Historical records describe him as "skilled in nurturing soldiers, fond of Confucianism, gentle and generous by nature, and capable of poetry." Alas, he died young, leaving his profound foresight and unfulfilled regrets to his successor brother.

After Qian Hongzuo passed away, Qian Hongzong was ordered to succeed to the throne, and the atmosphere in the imperial court became subtle. The veteran general Hu Jinsi, though outwardly submissive, took the lead in performing the ritual of urging accession, giving the new monarch a show of force in his capacity as an elder statesman, putting him in a passive position.

As a result, a rift formed between the monarch and his subjects; though not broken, it was deeply ingrained, and this animosity was thoroughly established. In Bianliang, the Central Plains, Zhao Kuangyin visited Liu Chengxun's residence on behalf of the Guo family, where he happened to be encountered by the second prince, Liu Chengyou. Liu Chengxun had campaigned with his father since childhood and was quite popular in the army.

He admired Zhao Kuangyin's combined wisdom and bravery, and immediately offered him the important post of Provincial Commander-in-chief. Zhao Hongyin was very pleased upon hearing this, but Zhao Kuangyin remained cautious. That night, Liu Chengxun suddenly passed away, which greatly surprised Zhao Kuangyin. At the funeral of the Prince of Wei, Liu Zhiyuan and Empress Li Sanniang attended personally, utterly heartbroken.

Liu Chengyou, following Li Ye's method, deliberately staged a dramatic display of grief to the point of fainting in front of the mourning hall. However, the Emperor and Empress both knew that this son was deeply cunning; his talent and character were far inferior to Liu Chengxun, and only his political maneuvering skills were proficient.

Feng Dao closed his door and beat his chest in anguish, not only lamenting the early demise of the wise prince but also foreseeing the impending collapse of the imperial court. With the crown prince now deceased, Liu Chengyou became the sole heir and began secretly building his own power. Liu Zhiyuan, heartbroken by the loss of his beloved son, fell ill and realized his time was short.

He summoned his ministers to his sickbed, intending to recall his brother Liu Chong to the capital to govern. However, the ministers, led by Li Ye and others, strenuously advised against it, advocating instead for the enthronement of Liu Chengyou. Liu Zhiyuan, unable to resist, had no choice but to promote Liu Chengyou to crown prince. After everyone left, Li Sanniang stayed by her husband's sickbed, lamenting that the throne was like a murderous blade, a burning fire.

She couldn't help but long for the humble life they lived in Taiyuan in earlier days; though not as prominent as today, their family lived a stable and comfortable life. Meanwhile, Qian Hongchu decided to marry Sun Taizhen. The wedding was not held in the bustling capital city but in a fishing village in Zhang'an Port, Taizhou, keeping everything low-key and simple.

Cui Renji, Ge Qiang, and others accompanied the groom's party, but Shen Yin remained engrossed in official duties and was not present. Sun Chengyou felt his elder sister was being wronged, disliking the wedding's overly hasty nature. However, Sun Taizhen was remarkably clear-headed; compared to having once seen people resorting to cannibalism and corpses strewn across the land, being able to enter into a marriage contract with her beloved was already a blessing.

She knew her mother did not want her to repeat the mistake of marrying a scoundrel, but if Qian Hongchu were to fail her in the future, she wouldn't need others to seek justice for her; she would deal with her own husband herself. Just as the simple ceremony was underway, three warships suddenly sailed in from the sea, their banners flying, unmistakably bearing the flag of Huanglong Island.

Everyone was initially alarmed, thinking the Yu family was displeased with the marriage and had come to seize people. Only when the ships docked did Madam Yu emerge in full attire; she had not come to lay blame, but rather, accompanied by Yu Wenxiu, to personally send off their daughter. Qian Hongchu breathed a sigh of relief, then, with Sun Taizhen, knelt at the port to bow to heaven and earth and toast the elders.

The two parties looked at each other across the sea. Yu Wenxiu loudly exhorted the newlyweds to love each other deeply and remain united until old age. Madam Yu, on the other hand, took out a sheet of paper already filled with writing and, with the sea breeze, clearly read out, word by word, various instructions and teachings for her daughter.

These were experiences and wisdom about managing a household, interacting with the world, and conducting oneself – the firmest armor a mother could give her daughter. Sun Taizhen, shedding tears, bowed in gratitude, wishing her mother a long life. Qian Hongchu, beside her, also solemnly promised to treat his wife kindly throughout his life. The warships lined up in the bay, like an escort and a ceremonial guard.

This wedding, blending the simplicity of a fishing village with the grandeur of the sea, not only avoided the political maelstrom of the capital but also announced the birth of a new family in a powerful way.

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.

He Chengxun knelt and presented the line "When the ruler is troubled, his subjects are disgraced; when the ruler is disgraced, his subjects die." This completely eroded the king's psychological defense. Qian Hongzong was already blinded by the power struggle, and actually regarded He Chengxun's words as loyal advice. He decided to use the Lantern Festival palace banquet to make a move against Hu Jinsi.

He secretly ordered He Chengxun to hide ax-men in the side hall, waiting only for him to throw his cup as a signal, to spill blood in the splendid hall. When the palace banquet began, attendants served roasted beef, and silence immediately fell upon the hall. It was known that since the Rites of Zhou, oxen were fundamental to agriculture, and successive laws explicitly prohibited their consumption. Tang law even deemed the private slaughter of oxen a serious crime.

The expressions of veteran officials like Yuan Dezhao suddenly changed: the king's action not only violated a thousand-year-old precedent but also seemed to disregard the very foundation of agriculture. Qian Hongzong explained that the ox had broken its leg the day before, and it would be a waste to discard it, so he simply slaughtered it to entertain the guests.

He then looked at Hu Jinsi, specifically mentioning the latter's old business of butchering and selling meat, directly revealing his humble origins, intending to provoke him. However, Hu Jinsi remained calm and composed. He openly admitted that he had indeed taken the imperial examination in his early years, and only after failing in poetry and prose did he open a butcher shop to make a living.

But then he changed the subject, stating that if the Tang dynasty had not declined and the world had not been in turmoil, the ancestors of the Qian family would still have been mere salt peddlers. How then could they have seized the opportunity during chaotic times to carve out a foundation of thirteen prefectures in the southeast?

This understated remark not only belittled his own origins but also subtly mocked the royal family's foundation, and moreover, highlighted the mutual reliance between ruler and subject. The entire hall fell silent. Qian Hongzong was provoked by the other party's veiled yet sharp counterattack, his veins bulging. Just as he was about to give an order, Qian Hongchu suddenly feigned drunkenness, stumbled forward, and loudly urged them to drink.

It turned out that earlier, when he had left his seat, Qian Hongchu unexpectedly discovered He Chengxun leading his personal guards ambushed in the shadows. He immediately returned and informed Shuiqiu Zhaoquan. Shuiqiu Zhaoquan understood immediately. At the crucial moment, he went to the side hall, falsely conveyed the king's order, and commanded He Chengxun to quickly lead his armored soldiers back to camp, nipping a coup in the bud.

He Chengxun, considering Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's identity, had no choice but to depart grudgingly, hatred already brewing in his heart towards him. After the palace banquet, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan earnestly offered advice. He stated that the original phrase "When the ruler is troubled, his subjects toil" was in fact an ancient idiom from the Spring and Autumn period.

In the past, when King Goujian of Yue was defeated by Fuchai, Fan Li and Wen Zhong used these words to express their aspirations, ultimately helping Goujian restore his state and avenge his shame. However, once the birds were gone, the bow was put away; Wen Zhong was granted death by Goujian, and Fan Li roamed the Five Lakes.

To such an unrighteous and unjust ruler, the person who could utter those words to Qian Hongzong must also be indirectly humiliating him. Therefore, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan quoted Mencius, admonishing Qian Hongzong not to trust the slanders of petty men and thus destroy his own "Great Wall." He Chengxun did not give up. He secretly met Qian Hongzong again, alarming him with dire warnings, emphasizing that the powerful minister Hu Jinsi's influence was growing, making him a serious threat.

If he was not eliminated soon, it would inevitably affect royal authority. Qian Hongzong, being young after all, under the burning influence of fear and lust for power, finally hardened his heart and decided to take this dangerous step. He ordered He Chengxun to go directly to Hu's mansion and personally convey the king's intention to execute him, specifically as an extremely risky test.

Subsequently, He Chengxun entered the mansion as ordered, truthfully recounted the assassination plot at the Lantern Festival banquet, and falsely claimed that this plan was presented by Shuiqiu Zhaoquan. Knowing he was in a desperate situation, Hu Jinsi decided to strike first. He quickly gathered his personal guards and household retainers, donned armor and wielded weapons, and rushed straight to the royal palace under the cover of night.

At the same time, Ge Qiang and Lu Yanzhu analyzed the military coup that night. The two then escorted Qian Hongchu to a side hall, quietly observing the developments, with the sole task of protecting their own master. In contrast, He Chengxun betrayed Hu Jinsi and personally opened the palace gates for him. Hu Jinsi led his personal guards to militarily control the royal palace.

Only at this moment did Qian Hongzong realize that he had trusted the treacherous official wrongly. Hu Jinsi stood before Qian Hongzong, holding a blade, and stated that his body was inherently unstable. If he were to truly suffer an illness, he would have no words to face the three generations of former kings after his death. Therefore, he found an excuse and publicly announced the dethronement of Qian Hongzong, replacing him with Qian Hongchu as "Luohou."

Qian Hongchu was deep in thought in his residence when Xue Wen burst in frantically, bringing news that Hu Jinsi had imprisoned Qian Hongzong in the palace. Now, Hu Jinsi had led his men outside the residence, using military power to override monarchical authority and effectively control state affairs. Qian Hongchu was shocked to his core, knowing that direct resistance would be futile.

He therefore ordered someone to first invite Hu Jinsi to his residence for a talk, attempting to ascertain the true situation. Sun Taizhen knew that a major change was likely to occur tonight. She had large pots of mutton stewed to reward Ge Qiang and all the loyal troops.

She stated that liquor could be forgone, but there must be enough meat, for they were brothers who had desperately fought their way out of the southern 'shura field' with Qian Hongchu, and they absolutely could not go into battle on an empty stomach. These words both stabilized morale and secretly gathered strength; the soldiers, armored, quietly awaited orders. Meanwhile, on the other side, Hu Jinsi and Qian Hongchu sat facing each other.

Hu Jinsi directly stated that Qian Hongzong's actions had lost public support, and only if Qian Hongchu succeeded as regent could the state be stabilized. Because his words implicitly insulted the deceased Qian Hongzuo, Qian Hongchu's expression suddenly changed. He gestured with his sword to Hu Jinsi, indicating that if he further insulted the former monarch, he would fight to the death. Indeed, Hu Jinsi humbled himself and apologized, then immediately changed the topic, analyzing the pros and cons.

He said that with the nation on the brink of collapse, if Qian Hongchu clung to minor principles and stood by idly, the foundation laid by the former kings might be destroyed. Ultimately, to confirm his brother's safety, Qian Hongchu outwardly submitted for the time being and prepared to enter the palace accompanied by Sun Taizhen. At the same time, he secretly sent someone to report to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, hoping for a countermeasure.

In contrast, Qian Hongzong, under house arrest, felt that the tide had turned against him and lamented that there were no longer any troops loyal to the Qian family. The imperial attendant Huang Wei tearfully advised him, saying that the palace guards still obeyed the king's orders, and although Hu Jinsi wielded significant power, he had never intended to rebel or usurp the throne; seizing the Qian family's realm was absolutely impossible.

However, Qian Hongzong refused to listen to his advice. Despite knowing that the royal palace was heavily guarded both inside and out, he still made Huang Wei risk taking a handwritten note out of the palace to seek help from Shuiqiu Zhaoquan. Huang Wei had served the former king for many years and had always been grateful for his kindness, having long tied his own life to the Qian family.

Therefore, he took a desperate risk, seizing Hu Jing as a hostage, attempting to force his way through the palace gates. Ultimately, he was no match for the guards and was subdued. Hu Jing furiously brought him before Qian Hongzong for questioning. Qian Hongzong, startled and pale with fear, shockingly shifted all blame onto Huang Wei and Shuiqiu Zhaoquan. That night, Hu Jinsi accompanied Qian Hongchu into the palace.

Just as they were about to enter the palace gate, he received a note from Hu Jing. Seeing the two characters "Shuiqiu," he immediately ordered He Chengxun to lead armored soldiers directly to Shuiqiu's residence. By the time Shuiqiu Zhaoquan read the note and realized the change in circumstances, and was about to gather his family retainers and troops for a discussion, He Chengxun had already led his cavalry to surround the mansion.

Dozens of lives from Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's household, including women, children, and the elderly, all became innocent souls under the blade. In another corner of the palace, Qian Hongchu met with his elder brother Qian Hongzong. He pointed out that Hu Jinsi was not like Zhang Yanze; what he truly sought was a definitive "right and wrong."

He even quoted Sang Weihan's clear words from years past to warn his brother: "There must be right and wrong in the world; the historical records are above, and the common people are below. This is an eternal and unchanging principle." Unfortunately, the matter was already decided, and further words were useless. Qian Hongzong told Qian Hongchu that if he did not succeed as regent, the Qian clan and the longevity of the Wuyue Kingdom would surely collapse overnight.

From a young age, Qian Hongchu had witnessed the weight of royal power and deeply understood that once he sat on that chair, it would mean binding his own life, the fate of the land, and the lives of the myriad people together. From then on, there would be no possibility of retreating to a life of ease.

However, looking around, powerful factions surrounded them from outside, the people of Wuyue were uneasy within, and his brother's life hung by a thread. He had no other choice. To preserve the nation's foundation from collapse and prevent widespread suffering, Qian Hongchu could only shoulder the heavy responsibility. Finally, Qian Hongzong pushed the door open and hurried to the high steps in front of the hall.

Facing the clamoring civil and military officials and soldiers, he prostrated himself, knelt, and loudly pleaded for Qian Hongchu to succeed as regent. In an instant, Hu Jinsi and his followers crashed to their knees, their cheers rising in waves. From this day forward, the youth who once pursued personal grievances with delight had quietly died.

What remained was only the fifth ruler of the Wuyue Kingdom, a guardian of the frontiers who, in the tumultuous cracks of a chaotic world, had to bear the burden of his family, his land, and his people.

Qian Hongchu sat alone in the grand hall, pondering for a long time. Finally, comforted by Sun Taizhen, he stepped out of the hall door, which symbolized both power and a cage. Facing the crowd below the steps, Qian Hongchu ordered Ge Qiang to first take Qian Hongzong to a side hall to rest, and commanded all civil and military officials of fifth rank and above to enter the palace.

At the same time, the Shuiqiu Mansion in Hangzhou City had become a living hell. Everyone in the mansion, regardless of master or servant, kin or household general, was slaughtered, their bodies strewn across the ground. Watching his young daughter tragically murdered, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan was utterly distraught, suffering multiple wounds and pierced through the body by three long spears, dying with his eyes wide open.

He Chengxun, meanwhile, had people search for paintings, calligraphy, and treasures in the mansion, loading them all into his private carriage. At the court assembly the next day, Yuan Dezhao was the first to step forward, requesting to resign and return home, but Qian Hongchu persuaded him to stay. Hu Jinsi and his son successively submitted memorials, firmly requesting the execution of Qian Hongzong to eliminate future troubles, citing "the deposed king residing in the capital might cause unforeseen incidents."

Qian Hongchu decisively interrupted, stating that he had dispatched Xue Wen to escort Qian Hongzong out of the capital an hour earlier, and from now on, Qian Hongzong would serve as the Deputy Training Commissioner of the Anguo Yijin Army.

To appease the Hu family and stabilize the political situation, Qian Hongchu then announced the dismissal of Hu Jinsi's military post as Grand Marshal, replacing it with the title of Prime Minister, a promotion in name but a demotion in reality. Just as Qian Hongchu intended to appoint Shuiqiu Zhaoquan as Prime Minister, the palace gate burst open.

He Chengxun strode into the hall, holding a wooden box, and slandered Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, accusing him of privately hoarding weapons and plotting rebellion, stating that he had already, by Hu Jinsi's order, exterminated his entire family. When the box was opened, Shuiqiu Zhaoquan's head was horrifyingly revealed. Overwhelmed by grief and indignation, Qian Hongchu first ordered Hu Jinsi to personally seize He Chengxun's shoulders, then commanded Hu Jing to carry Shuiqiu's head.

He himself drew his sword and stepped forward, slitting He Chengxun's throat with one strike. Afterwards, Qian Hongchu suppressed his tears and questioned the entire court, word by word: "Such a treacherous villain, deceiving the emperor and murdering the virtuous, I cannot tolerate his rampant actions. Do you all still wish to recommend him as heir apparent?" The officials prostrated themselves in fear.

Qian Hongchu secured his throne, but felt an endless chill and loneliness, and was momentarily overcome by internal anxiety, vomiting blood and collapsing in a faint. Afterwards, Qian Hongchu suffered from a persistent high fever and frequent nightmares, witnessing the tragic death of Shuiqiu Zhaoquan.

He also conversed with his father and brothers in his mind, finally realizing that Hu Jinsi was not the true enemy, but rather the cutthroat nature of the world itself was the root of all evil. However, Qian Hongchu remained unconscious for a long time. Empress Dowager Wu Hanyue demanded that the palace physicians be summoned.

Sun Taizhen, acting decisively, strongly prevented the imperial doctors and the Empress Dowager from entering the palace to visit him, to avoid causing internal and external suspicion and shaking the foundation of the state. After the political turmoil in the court that day, Hu Jing harbored some suspicions, wondering whether the Hu family's initial support for Qian Hongchu's succession was right or wrong. Hu Jinsi heard this but did not respond, merely turning to return to his room to rest.

Soon, Qian Hongchu regained consciousness. He did not see Hu Jinsi at the morning court. Hearing that the latter had caught a cold, he personally went to visit him. Qian Hongchu offered warm words of condolence, but his tone was like a needle hidden in cotton.

He compared the state of Wuyue to a vast partnership business, pointing out that if judged by "shares," Hu Jinsi and others had rendered great services, and the Shuiqiu clan was also a master of Wuyue. These words, seemingly a sincere "concession of benefits," were in fact the sharpest warning, implicitly conveying, "I can grant it, and I can take it away; I can tolerate it, and I can protect it."

Hu Jinsi naturally understood the hidden meaning in the words and immediately knelt to pledge his loyalty, furthermore leading a group of officials to shout their willingness to die for the King. After the turmoil had temporarily subsided, Qian Hongchu and Sun Taizhen sat drinking under the corridor. Sun Taizhen asked Qian Hongchu why he had not killed Hu Jinsi. Qian Hongchu replied that Hu Jinsi was guilty and not innocent if killed, but he was not alone.

Their generation had fought desperately, and the peace and stability of half of Jiangnan had been bought with their lives. If Hu Jinsi were to die, what would become of the entire Hu family and even the old officials in the army? Therefore, Qian Hongchu understood very clearly that if he were merely Qian Jiulang, he could certainly personally slay his enemies. But as the King of Wuyue, he could only suppress personal grudges and show deference to powerful officials.

Originally, Hu Jing thought Qian Hongchu would be a more difficult ruler to deal with than Qian Hongzuo, but through this incident, he discovered that Qian Hongchu's nature was benevolent and gentle, much like the late King Qian Yuanguan. This made him secretly wonder how such a mild-mannered person could sit firmly on the throne. Hu Jinsi heard this and corrected him, saying that Qian Yuanguan seemed benevolent towards external officials but was decisive and merciless towards his own brothers.

Therefore, Qian Hongchu was more like the founding patriarch Qian Liu, capable of both killing and loving. Soon after, Qian Hongchu transferred Shen Yin from Taizhou back to Hangzhou. Just as Shen Yin was entering the palace for an audience, Yuan Dezhao hurriedly delivered an urgent report: the Later Han Emperor Liu Zhiyuan's health was failing. In the first month of 948 AD, the atmosphere in the Bianliang imperial palace was solemn.

Liu Zhiyuan was critically ill, and his officials knelt before his couch, imploring him to issue an imperial edict, establish a crown prince, and stabilize the foundation of the state. Liu Zhiyuan did not heed them. Instead, he gazed long at his wife, Li Sanniang, filled with reluctance, and finally passed away with lingering concerns. Upon Liu Zhiyuan's death, the Central Plains, which had just settled from conflict, suddenly lost its backbone. The eighteen-year-old Liu Chengyou hastily ascended the throne.

To ensure political stability, he continued to use the late emperor's reign title "Qianyou" to signify succession. However, with a young ruler and a suspicious state, crises followed one after another: Li Shouzhen, a famous general of the Later Jin, rebelled in Hezhong, and the Khitans cast a covetous eye from the north. Guo Wei, Yang Bin, Su Yu'gui, and others gathered to discuss. Feng Dao frankly stated that the Hedong army must not be moved.

Although the Khitans were in internal turmoil, their strength still remained. As long as Liu Chong guarded Taiyuan, the northern defense line would be relatively stable. Once Liu Chong was transferred away, Yelü Talie from Yunzhong would surely march south to assault the passes and probe the Central Plains' strength. In the same year, Guo Wei personally led a large army to suppress Li Shouzhen. Qian Hongchu, facing the chaos in the Central Plains, discussed countermeasures with his officials.

Hu Jinsi asserted that Li Shouzhen could not amount to much, and the real hidden danger was that Southern Tang might take advantage of the weakness and invade. Yuan Dezhao recommended Yang Renquan to patrol the northern border, but Hu Jinsi had another candidate, proposing his old subordinate Shen Chengli instead, claiming that he was familiar with Southern Tang's internal affairs. Qian Hongchu approved of Hu Jinsi's thorough consideration.

Then, with a turn of phrase, he subtly changed the candidate back to Wu Cheng, both preserving the old official's reputation and ensuring military power was in the hands of a trustworthy person. After the court assembly concluded, Qian Hongchu privately kept Shen Yin and asked him for his views on the day's matters. Shen Yin believed that Yang Renquan excelled in civil administration, and military affairs were indeed not his strongest suit.

Hu Jinsi's promotion of Shen Chengli was not without selfish motives. Therefore, it was most appropriate to heavily rely on Wu Cheng, because Wu Cheng was both a royal in-law and a chancellor for many years, enjoying high prestige in the army. With him guarding the northern border, even if Southern Tang had ambitions, they would certainly find it difficult to act rashly. After hearing all this, Qian Hongchu was very satisfied.

He praised Shen Yin, saying he would surely enter the chancellery in the future, but there was no rush for now. He first appointed him as a "Scholar of the Tongru Academy," to serve at the king's side, responsible for drafting documents and participating in consultations. After arranging the defense, Qian Hongchu told Shen Yin about the truly important matter weighing on his mind: the "tax farming system" previously implemented.

This decree had led to a sharp increase in household registration in Taizhou and significant tax revenue. Qian Hongchu resolved to leverage this momentum to completely abolish oppressive policies like "collecting first then measuring" and implement the tax farming system nationwide. On the other side, Li Ye, under the guise of an army supervisor, rushed to the Han army camp with a secret imperial edict, ordering Guo Wei to achieve a quick victory.

Guo Wei, upon receiving the order, did not rush to deploy troops. Instead, he beat the drums to assemble his generals, openly defied the order in front of all his officers, stating that a commander on the battlefield should have the power of independent decision, and emphasized that any further false orders disregarding the battlefield situation would result in the execution of the messenger.

Li Ye hit a wall, held a grudge against Guo Wei, and hastily returned to the capital. Liu Chengyou was furious and wanted to execute Guo Wei. Fortunately, Yang Bin and Shi Hongzao timely broke into the palace, brazenly remonstrating him, earnestly stating that the Emperor, secluded deep within the palace, should not remotely control battles outside the capital, nor should he believe slanderous talk and suspect a pillar of the state like Guo Wei.

Although Liu Chengyou was the Son of Heaven, his foundation was unstable, and military and state power were entirely in the hands of veteran officials like Yang and Shi, who were entrusted with his care. Facing their pressure, he could only temporarily suppress his murderous intent and acknowledge his mistake.

On the front lines, Guo Wei, facing repeated challenges from Li Shouzhen, adopted a defensive strategy, conspicuously displaying a "no battle" banner, deliberately showing weakness, and allowing the enemy to dismantle the outer fortifications of his camp. This move seemed like cowardice in battle but was actually a "strategy to wear out the enemy." Once the rebel army's morale was exhausted, Guo Wei secretly deployed elite forces and launched a surprise attack, ultimately achieving a great victory.

Li Shouzhen set himself on fire and perished. When the victory report reached the palace, Liu Chengyou originally intended to reward Guo Wei for his merits and promote him. However, Li Ye again offered slanderous advice, suggesting that Guo Wei be transferred away from the central government to guard Ye Capital in Hebei, far from the capital.

This way, firstly, Guo Wei's prestige could deter the Khitans; secondly, it would allow Guo Wei to check and balance powerful central court officials like Yang Bin and Shi Hongzao, making Yang and Shi somewhat more apprehensive when they became arrogant and wielded unchecked power in court. At the court assembly the next day, Yang Bin, upon hearing of the decision regarding Guo Wei, immediately questioned it sternly.

Liu Chengyou brought out his pre-prepared excuse, parrying with the reason that "frequent border alarms in Hebei required a high official to be stationed there." Li Ye even stepped forward to agree, claiming that the Wude Directorate (equivalent to a royal intelligence agency) had indeed detected signs of instability on the borders. However, Yang Bin, having long experience in military and political affairs, simply scorned these far-fetched reasons.

He fired off several critical points like a volley of cannonballs, each directly hitting the crucial spot, leaving Li Ye speechless. In a fit of rage, Yang Bin demanded Li Ye's execution to rectify the court discipline. The court assembly broke up unhappily. Li Ye privately tearfully complained to Liu Chengyou, instigating him to entertain the idea of eliminating powerful regency officials like Yang Bin. Guo Rong secretly paid a visit to Yang Bin and presented Guo Wei's letter.

Yang Bin knew well that Guo Wei's true profound meaning was not conveyed in writing, so he had Guo Rong verbally relay it. Guo Rong stated that it was currently a case of "a new emperor, new officials," and that veteran officials of the previous emperor, whose merits overshadowed the ruler, would inevitably be resented.

He advised Yang Bin to simply take the initiative to request to be stationed as an external vassal while their past achievements and goodwill still held. Upon hearing this, Yang Bin sighed, lamenting that scoundrels like Li Ye clinging to the ruler's side would sooner or later bring disaster to the nation and its people. He asked Guo Rong to relay a famous quote from "Chu Shi Biao" (Memorial on Going to War) to Guo Wei.

Guo Wei sensed the dangerous message from this and immediately instructed Guo Rong to travel light and return to the capital quickly to bring his family back to Ye City for settlement.

In the eleventh month of Qianyuan 3rd year (950 AD), Liu Chengyou, Li Ye, Guo Yunming, and others conspired. Outside Chongyuan Hall, they ambushed and shot to death three important ministers: Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, and Shi Hongzao, as a warning to others. Witnessing this scene, the assembled officials knelt in terror. Li Ye, holding an imperial edict, vehemently accused them of six major crimes.

Liu Chengyou, meanwhile, sat high in the court, feigning grief and indignation, proclaiming that "the treacherous have been executed to secure the state." Feng Dao, sitting quietly beside him, lowered his eyes and remained silent, as if in meditation. He had already seen through the new emperor's self-deception, recognizing that the foundation of the Han dynasty was hollowed out. Liu Chengyou intended to appoint Su Yugui as the Grand Councilor, but Su Yugui politely declined, instead recommending Guo Wei.

At this moment, Guo Rong risked secretly returning to his residence to prepare to leave with his family. Guo Wei's concubine, Zhang Qingyun, took charge in this crisis. Faced with the lives and departures of one hundred and sixty-eight people in the entire household, she knew that a simultaneous evacuation would be too conspicuous.

Therefore, she decided to first prepare two light carriages, allowing Guo Rong to leave the capital with his wife and children first, while the remaining family members and servants would plan their next move later. Inside the Empress Dowager's palace, Li Sanniang angrily denounced Liu Chengyou as foolish and tyrannical, for unjustly killing important ministers and destroying the foundation of the court.

She stated that the empire was in precarious danger, and the only person who could truly stabilize the situation was Guo Wei, who held significant military power and enjoyed great prestige. Therefore, she strongly advocated for an immediate imperial edict to summon Guo Wei back to court to govern, thereby calming the hearts of the people.

However, Liu Chengyou, appearing filial but actually rebellious, not only failed to adopt Li Sanniang's suggestion but, incited by Li Ye, attempted to hold Guo's family members hostage to force Guo Wei into submission. If Guo Wei complied and returned, all would be well; if he did not, they would all be executed to eliminate future troubles.

Just as the Guo family was frantically arranging their evacuation, Zhao Kuangyin rushed to deliver a message, stating that the Wude Directorate had been ordered to seal off the Guo mansion and that troops would soon arrive. Zhang Qingyun knew that if the Wude Directorate found no one in the Guo residence, it would confirm the Guo family's rebellious intentions. She decisively announced that all relatives, including herself, would stay behind.

Their purpose was to use the entire family as a gamble and a shield to buy Guo Rong the opportunity to leave the city and deliver the news. Guo Rong bid farewell to his family with tears in his eyes, and under Zhao Kuangyin's cover, he successfully escaped. He rode day and night without stopping, swiftly reporting the major changes in court to Guo Wei, who vowed to raise an army and return to the capital.

All at once, news reached Bianjing, and Liu Chengyou was seized with panic, quickly seeking advice from Feng Dao and Su Yugui. Although deeply disappointed with the new emperor, for the sake of the state, they still offered the most prudent suggestion at the moment: accept Guo Wei's terms and hand over the instigator, Li Ye, to quell the military disaster.

Yet, Liu Chengyou was once again swayed by Li Ye's deception, and actually issued an edict to slaughter the entire Guo clan. On the day of the execution, the people of Bianjing closed their doors, hearing only the clang of armor.

On the execution platform, the Guo family matriarch, Guo Rong's wife and children, household managers, and a host of servants, from young children with unbound hair to elderly retainers, a total of over a hundred people, perished without a single survivor. The tragic news reached the army, and Guo Wei and his son were heartbroken, leading their forces directly to Bianliang. Liu Chengyou fled but was killed by rogue soldiers, and Li Ye was personally beheaded by Guo Wei.

Afterwards, Guo Wei went straight to the royal palace. Feng Dao, along with a hundred officials, welcomed him and urged him to ascend the throne. However, he entered the hall alone to meet Li Sanniang, asking her to issue an edict to enthrone Prince Chen as the successor. Li Sanniang, who had risen from a farm girl to empress, had successively experienced dynastic changes, the death of her husband, and the downfall of her son.

She knew that her wicked son's execution was his own doing, but the brutal power struggles in the court meant she absolutely could not allow her young son to be drawn into the whirlpool of power again. Therefore, she earnestly pleaded with Guo Wei, for the sake of their shared struggles in establishing the empire years ago, to leave the Liu family one last bloodline. Guo Wei was moved with compassion.

He then left the main hall and publicly announced Li Sanniang's imperial edict, establishing Liu Yun as the successor and immediately inviting him into the capital. Upon the issuance of this edict, the entire court was stunned. Liu Yun was Liu Chong's son, later adopted by his elder brother Liu Zhiyuan. Legally, he indeed had the qualification to inherit.

However, in front of Guo Wei, who wielded absolute military power and had won the hearts of the people, this arrangement appeared overly "humble" and even inappropriate. Indeed, Guo Wei's core generals, especially his trusted commanders Wang Jun and Wang Yin, were deeply dissatisfied with this decision.

They had followed Guo Wei in bloody battles, risking their lives for this "purging the emperor's corrupt advisors" endeavor, all for the rewards of assisting a new emperor and gaining wealth in a new dynasty. Now, their commander intended to continue supporting a member of the Liu family. If Liu Yun were to settle old scores later, or seize an opportunity to cause trouble, how would these "followers of rebellion" protect themselves?

It was precisely because of this concern that a group of military generals secretly plotted to eliminate Liu Yun. Guo Wei, noticing the unrest in the army, proactively visited Feng Dao, declaring that he had no intention of claiming the imperial throne. Feng Dao merely sighed, lamenting that the world was turned upside down, and ultimately, human power could not fully control events.

Guo Wei pretended to transmit an imperial edict and led his army on an eastern inspection tour to Chanzhou to manage the river, aiming to avoid power struggles and suppress Wang Jun and others' attempts to enthrone him. However, Wang Jun and his associates did not restrain themselves; instead, they set up a "persuasion to advance" scheme.

On the day of preparing the camp, Wang Jun entered Guo Wei's tent at night with a wine pot, reminiscing about old times with him; meanwhile, Wang Yin arranged for the generals to sign a joint blood compact, forcing Guo Rong to sign. Guo Rong refused to sign, so Wang Yin placed him under house arrest in the tent, only instructing the soldiers to guard him carefully and not harm his life.

Because Zhao Kuangyin stood guard at the tent with a halberd, the soldiers could not enter. They simply held up the ceremonial banners and knelt, requesting Guo Wei to emerge from the tent and declare himself emperor.

Guo Wei suddenly drew his sword and held it to his throat, sternly asking if Guo Rong was safe, and stating that if Guo Rong was unharmed, the mutiny could still be controlled; but if he was harmed, he would rather commit suicide to apologize to the world. This move turned the tables, and Wang Jun and the others were at a loss. They had no choice but to bring Guo Rong out, completely reassuring Guo Wei.

In the end, Zhao Kuangyin witnessed a repeat of a scene from yesteryear: Guo Wei, simply clad in ceremonial banners, ascended the throne. However, he made a three-chapter oath before all the soldiers: no indiscriminate killing, no looting, and kind treatment of the former imperial clan. Once the general situation was initially settled, Wang Jun rushed back to Bianjing overnight to meet Empress Dowager Li Sanniang and demand the imperial edict appointing a regent.

Little did he know, Li Sanniang had already drafted the edict on the day Guo Wei entered the palace, but Guo Wei steadfastly refused to accept it, causing her sleepless nights. Now that the edict was issued, Guo Wei transformed from a "rebel leader" to a "regent by order of the Empress Dowager," making his legitimacy flawless.

And Li Sanniang, relying on her wisdom, preserved herself and her young son, Li Chengxun, which was considered the best outcome for the imperial family after the fall of the dynasty. Meanwhile, as Liu Yun's carriage had just arrived in Songzhou, news of the "Chanzhou mutiny" came from the capital. A chess piece was pushed to the forefront, only to instantly become a discarded pawn. Liu Yun naturally did not want to become a dead piece.

He frantically knelt before Feng Dao, weeping and begging for a good strategy to protect himself, repeatedly professing his adherence to rules and his lack of ambition for the throne. Feng Dao, who had served four dynasties and witnessed their rise and fall, stepped forward to help Liu Yun up.

He quietly reminded him that he could neither return to Xuzhou, lest he be suspected of separatism; nor could he seek refuge with his birth father, Liu Chong, which would provoke war between north and south; going back to Bianjing would be walking into a trap.

The only path to survival lay in the words "non-action" (wuwei): settling in Songzhou, closing his doors to read, refusing visitors, and ceasing to inquire about affairs, thereby demonstrating his lack of ambition and contention. In the first month of 951 AD, Guo Wei ascended the throne as emperor in Daling Palace in Bianliang, and at Feng Dao's suggestion, established the dynastic title as "Zhou." The first court discussion was about establishing an heir.

Wang Jun, using Guo Rong's status as an adopted son, raised an objection, which enraged Guo Wei. He sternly declared that Guo Rong was his biological son, and if anyone dared to dispute it again, they would not be spared. After the imperial assembly, Guo Wei and Guo Rong, father and son, rarely sat together for a meal.

Guo Rong, having suffered the tragedy of his family's massacre, dared not live in the mansion for fear of being reminded of the past. He specifically requested Guo Wei to let him go to Chanzhou to manage the Yellow River, which Guo Wei gladly granted. Simultaneously in the southeast, Qian Hongchu accompanied Sun Taizhen on her return visit to her family, completing the betrothal gifts. Yu Danianzi was thoroughly satisfied and fully recognized him as her son-in-law.

At this time, news from the Central Plains reached Qian Hongchu. He was startled to hear that the Guo family had suffered a clan-wide calamity. Only after confirming that Guo Rong was safe and sound did he breathe a sigh of relief. In the autumn of 951 AD, a rebellion suddenly erupted in Xuzhou, instigated by Liu Yun's former subordinates. Guo Wei dispatched Wang Yin to suppress the rebellion, and Xuzhou was captured.

In the first month of the following year, Guo Wei personally led his main forces eastward to Yanzhou, where Murong Yanchao, the Jiedushi of Taining, committed suicide by jumping into a well. In 952 AD, Guo Wei visited the Confucius Temple in Qufu. Kong Renyu, the 43rd generation descendant of Confucius, led Confucian scholars in red robes to welcome him. As the Confucius Temple was a Confucian holy site, Guo Wei's visit was intended to promote Confucian governance.

Soon, Guo Wei issued an imperial edict to renovate the Confucius Temple, granted one hundred qing of land, and ordered all prefectures to establish schools. Feng Dao was overjoyed by the news, lamenting that after serving four dynasties, he had finally welcomed a true enlightened ruler. From then on, the "military prosperity and cultural decline" situation, which had characterized the chaotic Five Dynasties period for half a century, finally saw its first glimmer of light.

In the imperial court, Feng Dao stepped forward and mentioned that Guo Rong had merit in managing the great river in Chanzhou, and should therefore be praised and granted a title. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Jun suddenly raised an objection, disliking Guo Rong's growing influence; while civilian officials like Fan Zhi and Li Gu strongly advocated for rewarding merits to appease the people.

Both sides held their ground, with documentary allusions and political maneuvering intertwined, even turning an imperial assembly on state affairs into a deadlock. Guo Wei had a solemn expression, taking in all these disputes without saying a word. After the court session ended, Guo Wei only kept Wang Jun to drink together in the inner palace.

After a few cups of imperial wine, Guo Wei pretended to be drunk, muttering and recounting the tragic past of his entire family suffering calamities that year and his lineage being cut off, claiming that he was like a lone widower, and now only had Guo Rong as his son. At the emotional part, Guo Rong shed tears. Seeing this, Wang Jun felt uneasy in his heart.

Even with a thousand calculations and ten thousand schemes, he eventually swallowed his advice, stood up, and pushed the door open to leave. On the other hand, after seeing Wang Jun leave, Guo Wei instantly lost all traces of drunkenness. He immediately called for Zhao Kuangyin, ordering him to go by imperial decree to summon Guo Rong from Chanzhou back to the imperial court.

Zhao Kuangyin received the order, dared not delay for a moment, and traveled day and night to the Chanzhou river dike. The scene before him made him, a military general accustomed to seeing noble military families and arrogant sons of warlords, couldn't help but be astonished. This sole heir of the Later Zhou emperor was surprisingly dressed in coarse cloth and dark robes, covered in mud, toiling vigorously alongside laborers and conscripts.

What he was managing was not just a river, but more like trying to mend the "dike of public sentiment" that had long been riddled with holes in this era. A vague thought crossed Zhao Kuangyin's mind: if such a person were to rule the world, perhaps things would be different. " "" After Guo Rong returned to Bianjing from Chanzhou, Feng Dao voluntarily submitted a memorial requesting retirement and return to his hometown.

Guo Wei knew deeply that the world had been in chaos for decades, and that governing the country and stabilizing the people could not do without him, so he spoke to persuade him to stay, and even sent Guo Rong to the Secretariat-Chancellery, arranging for him to learn state affairs and secrets from Feng Dao.

However, this arrangement made Wang Jun feel like sitting on pins and needles, because under the current special military and political system, the Bureau of Military Affairs held military power and the Secretariat-Chancellery managed civilian affairs, the two were originally a system of mutual checks and balances. Once Guo Wei appointed a crown prince, he feared his own great power would be lost.

In order to prevent the establishment of a crown prince, Wang Jun secretly plotted, intending to harm civilian officials like Fan Zhi and Li Gu who supported Guo Rong. Guo Wei sensed something amiss and privately revealed his painful thoughts to Feng Dao, lamenting that in the past in the army, all his brothers shared clothes and food, but now that he resided in the imperial palace, his brothers had fallen apart.

Feng Dao pointed out to him that an emperor must be selfless; as a subject, he could speak of brotherhood, but as a ruler, he must have all the people in the world in his eyes, and could no longer favor some over others as before. Old brothers would naturally develop resentment and slander, and this was the price of becoming an emperor.

Hearing this, Guo Wei already had his answer and personally issued an imperial decree to send Wang Jun out of the capital to a provincial post. After nightfall, Guo Wei and Guo Rong, father and son, talked late into the night about their vision for a prosperous era. Guo Rong proposed a grand plan of "ending factional disputes, curbing arrogant troops, promoting cultural education, reducing warlord power, and seeking unification."

The so-called "ending factional disputes" directly referred to the calamity of sectarianism since the Niu-Li Factional Strife; "curbing arrogant troops" targeted the lingering evils of warlords; and "reducing warlord power" was even more about eradicating the internal cancerous growths. What was most alarming was the "seeking unification." This was the first central plains regime since Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang to explicitly make unification a national policy.

Though Guo Wei felt this ambition was like Kuafu chasing the sun, he was still moved by his adopted son's spirit. The next day at the grand court assembly, Guo Rong was formally enfeoffed as Crown Prince. Li Gu, Wang Pu, and Zhao Kuangyin were all promoted. The new Crown Prince immediately made arrangements, sending the three to respectively serve as envoys to Southern Tang and Wuyue.

Ostensibly for trade and forming good relations, it was actually to investigate their true situation and establish intelligence networks. His new wife, Lady Fu, seeing Guo Rong review memorials all night, brought him soup and advised him to take care of his body. This ordinary concern touched Guo Rong's longing for his deceased wife, Liu Luojia, and he sighed that if she were here, she would surely understand his myriad difficulties.

Currently, Guo Rong and Lady Fu did not have much affection; it was more of a political marriage. Because she was the daughter of Fu Yanqing, Jiedushi of Tianxiong Army, a widow living with her family, Guo Wei had arbitrarily arranged this marriage for Guo Rong, also considered for consolidating the Hebei military alliance. Zhao Kuangyin suddenly came to seek an audience to inquire about the intention to conquer the south.

Guo Rong's discourse on "reducing warlord power" showed insight: The Qian clan of Wuyue, since Qian Liu's secession, had been submissive to the central plains for over fifty years, protecting their territory and stabilizing their people. Their people and merchants had close ties with the central plains; such warlord states should be dealt with gently and gradually. When the people of both regions intermarry and merchants travel continuously, political unification will happen naturally, like water finding its course.

On the other hand, Southern Tang, though occupying the rich lands of Jianghuai, often considered itself the legitimate successor of the Great Tang; this cultural barrier was harder to resolve than military threats. Meanwhile, on the other side, Feng Dao and Guo Wei talked late into the night by candlelight.

Feng Dao, with decades of experience in officialdom, analyzed the roots of chaos: since the An Lushan Rebellion, warlord states grew powerful, all because the central government was weak and local areas amassed troops. Now, if one wished to reduce warlord power, it should not be through relying on strength and military conquest, but by clever strategy: divide their power, weaken their armies, and guide their interests.

Far away in Hangzhou city, Qian Hongchu, to relieve the people's burden and save state expenditures, resolved to disband redundant troops and reorganize the military system. Reducing the size of the army was both for rest and recuperation and even more so to show submission to the central plains dynasty, but this move was fiercely opposed by Hu Jinsi. Qian Hongchu had a firm attitude, vowing to implement this policy to solidify the foundation of the state.

After the court session, Hu Jing hurried after Hu Jinsi, believing that Qian Hongchu's rectification of the Old Eight Prefectures Army today was merely to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. Everyone knew that the military affairs of the Old Eight Prefectures Army were slack and there were numerous phantom positions. The previous two monarchs, including Qian Hongzong, had all tolerated it, fearing to implicate old subordinates and trigger internal strife.

Yet Qian Hongchu actually let Shen Yin expose it in public, which was clearly a slap in Hu Jinsi's face in front of everyone. Before he could finish speaking, Hu Jinsi slapped his son with a backhand. Qian Hongchu returned to his bedchamber to accompany Sun Taizhen in coaxing their child, having new considerations regarding the court affairs. Hu Jinsi had commanded troops for many years; how could he not know the accumulated malpractices in the army?

However, the generals and officers of the Old Eight Prefectures Army were intermarried for generations, and the descendants of old subordinates and children of old friends were deeply intertwined. Bound by personal connections, he found it inconvenient to play the villain, so Qian Hongchu decided to play the villain for him. "

"" On the other hand, in the Central Plains, to quell the war between Southern Tang and Wuyue and to open up trade routes, Li Gu, Wang Po, and Zhao Kuangyin formed an envoy mission to Southern Tang. Ostensibly to mediate and form an alliance, in reality, they were secretly tasked with assessing the true situation of Jianghuai, paving the way for future unification.

The group first arrived in Jinling, where they witnessed night banquets with music and singing continuing non-stop until dawn among the various court officials. The Minister of the Secretariat raised his cup and recited new poetry, and Xu Xuan responded with a poem in harmony. Just as everyone else applauded and cheered, Prince Zheng Li Congjia (Li Yu) appeared, composing a poem on the spot.

His words subtly carried contempt for the Central Plains, and he compared the northern envoys to uncouth barbarians, causing the three men to angrily leave their seats, pack their bags, and intend to go to Qiantang. The next day, the envoy's carriages and horses arrived in Runzhou, Southern Tang, where they personally witnessed widespread poverty among the common people, famine victims everywhere, and ragged clothes.

Zhao Kuangyin ordered his men to take out the delicacies packed from the banquet and distribute them, but this only attracted minor officials wielding whips to disperse the hungry people. Wang Po and Li Gu looked at both sides of the official road and could not help but lament, "The rich revel in wine and meat, while the poor freeze to death on the roads."

The prosperity of Jiangnan was renowned throughout the world, yet who knew that outside the wealthy mansions, it was already a terminal illness. Now, the Inner Imperial Army needed rectification to strengthen its foundation. Qian Hongchu deeply knew that without a strong army, benevolent governance would have nothing to rely on.

So, he personally sought out his eldest elder brother, Qian Hongjun, and apologized on behalf of his sixth elder brother, Qian Hongzuo, further entrusting him with state affairs and explaining the current predicament. Qian Hongchu hoped his eldest elder brother would reorganize the Inner Imperial Army, and Qian Hongjun readily agreed, proposing to borrow Shen Wenqi to assist.

Soon, the Central Plains envoy mission arrived in Hangzhou, finding that the people's livelihood in Wuyue was relatively stable and governance was orderly. Wang Po and Li Gu stayed at a posthouse. Although the posthouse was simple and unadorned, not as luxurious as Jinling, the markets and streets were bustling with noise and activity, far surpassing Southern Tang. On the other side, Zhao Kuangyin proactively sought out Qian Hongchu for a drink.

Seeing that he was no longer the impulsive young man from Bianjing city back then, he felt a deep sense of emotion. After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Kuangyin probed Qian Hongchu's attitude towards "ceding territory and submitting." Qian Hongchu stated magnanimously that the land of Wuyue was not the private property of the Qian clan, and its true masters were the myriad common people who toiled and traded there.

When it came to formally discussing the important economic matter of "southern grain transportation to the north," Wang Dezhao and Shen Wenqi came together to negotiate. The envoy mission unexpectedly learned that Wuyue had not only not expanded its military preparations but was cautiously culling redundant soldiers to conserve national strength.

Furthermore, Qian Hongchu proposed expanding overseas trade, using commercial profits to supplement grain taxes, and using boats and ships instead of weapons of war, transporting the abundance of the Southeast to the Central Plains via sea routes, and also introducing exotic treasures to the Central Land. As soon as this strategy was proposed, Wang Po, Li Gu, and others all nodded in approval.

This was definitely not a strategy of merely seeking temporary peace in a corner, but rather to bind the Central Plains with economic ties, transforming potential military conflict into mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Cutting military spending to show no threat; opening up maritime trade to demonstrate sincerity in cooperation. Every step was carefully considered, not only preserving their current foundation but also paving a path for future potential changes that would be more easily accepted by the Central Plains.

After this series of inspections and discussions, the Central Plains envoy mission gained a deep understanding of the Wuyue Kingdom. Qian Hongchu adhered strictly to the etiquette of a vassal and eventually, as a matter of course, received the imperial edict from the Central Plains and was officially enfeoffed as the King of Wuyue. As the envoy mission's return journey was imminent, Zhao Kuangyin bid farewell to Qian Hongchu. Unexpectedly, news of Guo Wei's critical illness came from Bianliang.

At this moment, Guo Wei, from his sickbed, instructed Guo Rong on posthumous affairs, emphasizing that "The foundation of the state lies in the people, not in the army," and that he should govern the world with benevolent rule. In the first month of 954 AD, Guo Wei passed away due to illness, and Guo Rong succeeded to the throne, becoming Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou.

With the old order transitioning to the new, and the national mourning not yet concluded, Liu Chong, the ruler of Northern Han, allied with the Khitan, forming a formidable joint army, menacingly advanced south, intending to overthrow Later Zhou in one swift move. Guo Rong's decision to personally lead the expedition caused a huge uproar in the court.

A group of veteran high officials led by Feng Dao fiercely advised against it, reasoning that Guo Rong had just ascended to the throne, his foundation was unstable, so he should remain in the capital; moreover, during national mourning, it was inappropriate to wage war on a large scale; furthermore, the combined forces of Northern Han and Khitan were mighty, and the risks were extremely high.

However, Guo Rong's will was firm; he deeply knew that only by personally leading the battle could he stabilize the hearts of the court and the people. At the same time, Qian Hongchu, to support Later Zhou and tie up Southern Tang's military forces, also decided to personally lead a large army northward, deploying troops to Jiangbei.

In the imperial court, Qian Hongchu made the final deployment, leading everyone to pray for victory in the Central Plains. In Bianliang City, Feng Dao's health was deteriorating, but he still insisted on handling affairs from his couch, burying himself in work even in the dead of night. As for Guo Rong's personal expedition, he had his own considerations. He knew that the Guo family father and son were completely different from previous monarchs.

The Guo family wanted to bring an era of peace to the world, truly putting the words "peace and prosperity" in their hearts. Therefore, even if he had only one breath left, he would defend Bianliang for Guo Rong, staking his old bones one more time. If he won, he would die with a smile; if he lost, he would face death with open eyes, it would simply mean another family ruling the Central Plains.

Fan Zhi's eyes reddened upon hearing Feng Dao's words. Early the next morning, Zhao Kuangyin accompanied Guo Rong on the imperial expedition, facing the combined forces of Northern Han and Khitan at Bagongyuan in Gaoping County, Luzhou. Soon, an urgent report arrived: Liu Renshan, the Jiedushi of Qinghuai Army of Southern Tang, had sent troops to Huaibei, pointing his sword at Songzhou (near Bianliang).

The generals were in an uproar; if the rear was lost, the front lines would collapse without a fight. Zhao Kuangyin publicly made a military pledge: his father Zhao Hongyin and his father-in-law He Jingsi would lead the garrison forces to defend Songzhou to the death. Guo Rong's burden lifted, and he placed great trust in the Zhao father and son.

Renshan analyzed Zhao Hongyin's deployment and ordered the entire army to encamp five li back, to rest for three days before attacking. He Jingsi had some concerns, as their current supplies could at most last twenty days, but Zhao Hongyin was confident that twenty days would not be needed at all. Indeed, that night, the Southern Tang army suddenly saw flames soaring into the sky in the distance.

Dozens of Wu-Yue warships approached the riverbank like specters, and soldiers at the bow collectively hurled fire oil bombs, raining flames down on Runzhou water fort. It turned out that Qian Hongchu, to assist Later Zhou, personally led his navy to directly attack Runzhou, implementing the strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao". Liu Renshan had no choice but to recall his troops for reinforcement.

In contrast, Yelü Dilu gathered 30,000 troops and arrived at Gaoping, joining forces with the Northern Han ruler. Compared to the 20,000-strong army led by Guo Rong, the enemy was clearly superior in number, with a huge disparity. Not only that, but the defending generals He Hui and Fan Aineng falsely transmitted an imperial decree, causing 10,000 soldiers from the left and rear armies to flee south from the battlefield.

Even before the battle began, 10,000 men were lost, and the troop ratio plummeted from one to three to one to six. Starting a battle at this point would undoubtedly be suicide. All the generals urged Guo Rong to temporarily retreat to Bianliang, offering to die to cover the retreat. Guo Rong refused, insisting on fighting the enemy to the death, declaring that if they retreated even one step today, the Khitan cavalry would advance another step.

The empire could not be lost, and their backbone could not be broken. Ultimately, Guo Rong, with a ratio of one to six, decisively defeated the enemy camp. The Northern Han army scattered like a tide, and the Khitan cavalry, seeing the unfavorable situation, fled north on horseback. After the battle concluded, He Hui and Fan Aineng were bound and brought before the emperor. Guo Rong ordered their execution to appease the souls of the fallen generals.

In 954 AD, the great victory at Gaoping was achieved. When the good news reached Bianjing, Feng Dao was already terminally ill. After hearing of the victory, he passed away peacefully at the age of seventy-three. A close look at Feng Dao's life shows that he served four dynasties and ten emperors, holding the prime minister's position for twenty-seven years. During the years of political upheaval, he maintained the continuous operation of the court with his skillful statecraft.

However, he was also repeatedly questioned by later historians for serving multiple rulers: "Old History of the Five Dynasties" questioned whether he "could be considered loyal," Ouyang Xiu angrily denounced him as "shameless," but Li Zhi and others praised him, saying "the nation's welfare was paramount, saving the common people from distress." Feng Dao consistently upheld the principle of "human affairs aligning with heavenly principles, rather than imperial power of the Son of Heaven."

His honor during his lifetime and his posthumous reputation accurately reflect the chaotic era of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. " "" Guo Rong returned to Bianliang and personally went to Feng's residence to offer condolences. Zhao Kuangyin, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, was overcome with grief. For him, Feng Dao was not only a court leader but also a benevolent teacher who imparted knowledge and resolved doubts.

After the funeral arrangements were completed, Zhao Hongyin secretly warned his son that Guo Rong was now the emperor, and their past brotherhood must yield to the principles of sovereign-subject relations. However, after the Battle of Gaoping concluded, the national treasury was nearly empty. Guo Rong immediately issued a decree to reduce expenditures and, by setting an example, cut down on palace expenses.

But he deeply knew that frugality could only solve temporary difficulties; to end the chaotic era, a brand new army had to be forged. To this end, Guo Rong decided to implement military reforms: within three years, redundant troops would be demobilized, a new army would be trained, and the Palace Front Command (Dianqian Si) would be specially established. That night, Guo Rong summoned Zhao Kuangyin alone to the palace.

He spoke to him about the current predicament, lamenting that only after taking on this burden did he truly understand the difficulties faced by the late emperor and Chancellor Feng in those years. Zhao Kuangyin understood well that Guo Rong needed both to implement reforms and to balance the undercurrents within the court.

Soon after, an imperial edict shook Bianjing: Guo Rong, overcoming all opposition, appointed Zhao Kuangyin as Duduyou (commander of the imperial guards) of the Palace Front Command (Dianqian Si), entrusting him with the training and reorganization of the new army. Before Zhao Kuangyin took office, his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi revealed to him that there were many visitors. Zhao Hongyin specially hosted a family banquet, and during the meal, he admonished him to "not be complacent when successful."

Zhao Kuangyin kept this firmly in mind. After taking office, he rejected requests from all sides, ate and worked with the soldiers daily, and personally led everyone in repairing the encampments. Guo Rong was deeply moved during his inspection, and he explicitly ordered that those who participated in the construction be given priority in recruitment. Because the reforms touched upon old interests, and the reduction in military expenses caused dissatisfaction among some generals and soldiers, undercurrents emerged, and rumors gradually spread among the populace.

The imperial court, in preparation for a military campaign, cut some military expenses, provoking resentment among the imperial guards. Led by military commanders Zhang Da and Liu San, hundreds of soldiers rose up in the night, rushing directly to the Zhao mansion, intending to coerce their superior officers and demand an explanation from Guo Rong.

Zhao Hongyin was well prepared; dressed in armor, holding a long saber, he sat alone in front of the mansion gate, sternly rebuking them to quickly return to the barracks, promising to accept eighty military strokes himself and treat tonight's events as if they never happened. However, blinded by greed, the mutinous soldiers were already past the point of no return.

Zhang Da and Liu San, presuming their numerical superiority, completely disregarded the old general's earnest admonitions and rallied their men to forcefully breach the mansion. Immediately, blades clashed. Zhao Kuangyin led the Palace Guard Command to swiftly suppress the uprising; the ringleaders were killed, and the mutineers were captured. The following day at the imperial court, Zhao Kuangyin reported the suppression of the rebellion to Guo Rong.

Guo Rong ordered the execution of all the leaders and accomplices, and he proclaimed to the entire army that anyone who indiscriminately killed, harmed civilians, or rebelled would be put to death without mercy. As soon as this order was issued, all military officials in Bianliang trembled.

With the frequent military disasters during the Five Dynasties, Guo Rong's action was truly a case of "using killing to stop killing," reshaping strict military discipline and unprecedentedly strengthening central authority, laying the foundation for subsequent military campaigns. In 955 AD, Guo Rong, using the elite of the Palace Guard Command as the core of his new army, launched a major campaign against Southern Tang.

Qian Hongchu was ordered to provide support, advancing north to attack Huzhou, Suzhou, and other areas to tie up Southern Tang forces. Guo Rong personally led the campaign; the Zhou army was unstoppable, successively capturing Chuzhou, Yangzhou, Taizhou, and other prefectures. However, they encountered fierce resistance from Liu Renshan in Shouzhou and had to temporarily retreat when the rainy season arrived.

In February of the following year, Guo Rong again campaigned against Southern Tang, ambushing and decisively defeating the Southern Tang reinforcements in the Battle of Zijinshan. Zhao Kuangyin performed heroically, leading his troops to repel the Southern Tang Prince Li Jingda's division, thus making Shouzhou an isolated city. Liu Renshan fell ill from worry and exhaustion and was on his deathbed.

His subordinates, seeing that the general situation was lost, had no choice but to open the city gates and surrender. On the day of entry, Shouzhou Inspector Zhou Tinggou and Deputy Field Commissioner Sun Yu carried the dying Liu Renshan on a stretcher to meet Guo Rong.

Guo Rong deeply respected Liu Renshan's loyalty, courage, and integrity, still bestowing upon him the title of Military Governor of Tianping Army, and strictly ordered the entering Zhou army not to harm or plunder the populace. The Southern Tang court and public were shaken. Chief Minister Song Qiqiu and other peace advocates strongly urged Li Jing to send envoys to seek peace.

However, Li Jing still fantasized about persuading the Qian family with the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold," so he sent Xu Xuan to meet Wu Cheng, implying that if Southern Tang were to fall, Wuyue would directly face the Central Plains' military might.

However, Wu Cheng did not fall for the trick, stating that Wuyue had always adhered to "serving the Central Plains well and honoring the legitimate imperial authority," these mere eight characters completely shattered Southern Tang's illusion. At the same time, Guo Rong personally went to the sea area near Taizhou to summon Qian Hongchu, to discuss the post-war situation.

Qian Hongchu, based on realistic considerations, proposed a strategy of "preserving their state, removing their imperial title, and making them declare vassalage and pay tribute," intending to keep Southern Tang as a buffer to prevent Wuyue from directly bordering the powerful Central Plains.

Although Guo Rong was determined to unify, he also knew that the time for completely destroying Southern Tang was not yet ripe, so he went with the flow and agreed, but put forward a tough condition: Southern Tang must repay all outstanding tributes from previous years in one lump sum. To raise the reparations, Southern Tang had to impose heavy taxes domestically, further worsening the people's livelihoods.

Kuangyin was disappointed with Qian Hongchu's strategy of preserving Southern Tang, believing that they should have pursued victory further, while Guo Rong had his own considerations. Upon parting, Guo Rong and Qian Hongchu agreed to meet again in Bianliang thirty years later to plan for lasting peace. In 958 AD, Qian Hongchu shifted his focus to domestic affairs, issuing an edict to open seaports widely and encourage maritime trade.

The Wuyue Kingdom was rich in resources, abundantly producing silk, porcelain, and tea, and possessed advanced shipbuilding technology. Leveraging these advantages, the Qian regime, in an officially organized manner, extensively exported local products such as grain and silk to overseas markets, while also importing spices, treasures, and other goods.

For a time, ports like Mingzhou and Hangzhou were bustling with ships, merchants gathered, coastal residents profited from participating in trade, government tax revenues significantly increased, and the national treasury was unprecedentedly abundant. In the autumn of the same year, Hu Jinsi was gravely ill and bedridden.

Before his death, he advised Qian Hongchu, mentioning that Guo Rong of the Central Plains was a ruler of great talent and strategy, incomparable to ordinary conservative monarchs, and urged Qian Hongchu to carefully safeguard the Wuyue territory in anticipation of future great changes in the realm. From then on, a powerful minister of a generation suddenly passed away; his complex life can be called legendary.

In his youth, he abandoned literary pursuits for military ones, assisting Qian Liu in rising from obscurity, experiencing dozens of battles, big and small, and together with the Qian clan, laying the foundation of Wuyue.

In his long political career thereafter, he had suppressed internal rebellions, escorted Qian Yuanguan back to Hangzhou, and skillfully persuaded Laizhou to pledge allegiance to Later Tang; he had also gradually monopolized power, manipulating successions multiple times, earning both respect for his achievements and fear for his authority from within and outside the court. Now that his life had ended, his loyalty and stratagems, his guardianship and ambition, ultimately etched a mottled passage in historical records.

Turning back to Guo Rong, after his great victory in the third campaign against Southern Tang, he put the northern expedition against the Khitans and the recovery of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun on the agenda. Fan Zhi, holding his tablet, strongly advised against it, arguing that Southern Tang was not yet stable and Western Shu was cautiously observing from its perilous strongholds; a rash northern expedition might lead to being attacked from both front and back.

Many ministers seconded Fan Zhi, further suggesting that if the northern expedition were to proceed without worries, the southeast must first be stabilized, and the foremost task was for Wuyue to surrender its territory to the imperial court. After hearing this, Guo Rong turned to ask for Zhao Kuangyin's opinion.

Zhao Kuangyin held an opposing view, emphasizing that the northern expedition was imperative, and if Southern Tang and Western Shu indeed made any moves, the Qian family would certainly weigh the principles and interests and fully assist the Central Plains.

Zhao Kuangyin knew clearly in his heart that Fan Zhi's words were correct. Now that Lixia (Start of Summer) had just passed, provisions were not abundant, and Southern Tang and Later Shu had not been pacified, a northern expedition was indeed not a good strategy. However, Guo Rong's determination to unify remained undiminished. Knowing his time was short, he secretly ordered Zhao Kuangyin to train the imperial army, quietly preparing for a "northern inspection tour."

Returning to his mansion, Zhao Kuangyin's mood was heavy. He sighed that after decades of chaos in the world, it was rare to encounter such a wise and decisive monarch. Zhao Pu stated that the chaos in the world could not be caused by one person alone, nor could the peace in the world be achieved by one person alone. At Zhao Kuangyin's request, Zhao Pu recited Bai Juyi's "Dance of Seven Virtues."

The line "Emperor Taizong raised an army at eighteen, with white yak-tail banners and yellow axes, pacifying the two capitals" fully expressed the surging ambition of a heroic ruler in times of turmoil, establishing a foundation and ending conflict with military might. In accordance with Guo Rong's usual swift and decisive style, the army was already assembled and marching out of the city the next day.

This expedition was named a border inspection, but was in fact a prelude to the northern expedition. Inside Bianjing city, Fan Zhi urgently summoned Hanlin Imperial Physician Tao Chong, meticulously inquiring about the emperor's pulse. He learned that Guo Rong's illness was not an ordinary one, but rather a carbuncle that had developed on his back during a previous northern campaign, a severe infection combining a carbuncle and an abscess on his back.

Fan Zhi was greatly alarmed upon hearing this news and rushed straight to Li Gu's residence, angrily reprimanding him for concealing the emperor's illness. Li Gu calmly deduced that the emperor had secretly assembled a northern expeditionary force, which likely numbered tens of thousands. Once the news of his severe illness leaked, it would instantly lead to the collapse of army morale and the coveting of powerful regional governors.

Upon receiving the news, Zhao Pu immediately took Zhao Kuangyi to personally visit Zhao Kuangyin's mother, Lady Du, and revealed to her that Guo Rong was gravely ill, with only half a year left to live. Looking at the current situation, Zhang Yongde had been in charge of the Palace Command for six years, deeply entrenched, and was also Guo Wei's son-in-law.

If Guo Rong were to suddenly die, with the young emperor only six years old, Zhang Yongde would inevitably imitate Shi Jingtang and usurp the throne. Therefore, Zhao Pu subtly indicated to Lady Du that she should plan early for the future. He ordered gifts to be prepared and had Zhao Kuangyi visit to express condolences and inquire about well-being, simply to maintain goodwill.

At the same time, Guo Rong summoned Pan Mei in Daming Prefecture, ordering him to select three thousand elite soldiers within a day, and to escort the emperor north the following day. When the news reached Bianjing, Zhang Yongde immediately felt uneasy. He urgently sought Fan Zhi and Li Gu for a discussion, expressing that if the northern expeditionary army were entirely dispatched, the northern border would be empty.

If the Khitan took the opportunity to advance south, the state would be in peril. Li Gu told Zhang Yongde that His Majesty's northern expedition had become a fact, leaving no room for negotiation. In the spring of 959 AD, Guo Rong quietly marched north under the guise of inspecting the border, but in reality, it was to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan-Yun. On the sixteenth day of the fourth month, the imperial carriage arrived in Cangzhou.

On that very day, an edict for the northern expedition was issued, with banners pointing directly towards Youyan. The Zhou army advanced rapidly in three columns. In a mere forty-two days, Yijin Pass, Waqiao Pass, and Yukou Pass, three formidable strategic passes, successively changed hands, and strategic locations like Yingzhou and Mozhou all fell into their control. Historical records state that the Zhou army "captured prefectures and counties without shedding blood," and the Liao's border defenses collapsed like an avalanche.

In early May, the vanguard of the Zhou army pressed directly towards Xijin Prefecture, the southern capital of the Liao, with a thunderous momentum, shaking the Liao court. However, as the war progressed, Guo Rong's illness worsened daily. Zhao Kuangyin was deeply concerned, seeing the army isolated deep within enemy territory and facing difficult supply lines. Qian Hongchu convened his officials for a discussion. After hearing the full account, he keenly perceived that Guo Rong was unwell.

In late May, the large army arrived at Binglongtai in Zhuozhou. Here, Guo Rong coincidentally met an old shepherd. In their conversation, he suddenly realized that the people of Youyan had been ruled by the Liao for decades. Although they occasionally missed their former country, they had gradually adapted to their new lives.

If he were to suddenly fall, the Zhou army would inevitably retreat, and when the Liao army counterattacked, the newly recovered prefectures and counties would suffer brutal purges. It was precisely because of this that this emperor, who aspired to "expand the empire in ten years, nurture the people in ten years, and achieve peace in ten years," for the first time faced a choice between the common people and his grand achievements.

To prevent the people from suffering further devastation, Guo Rong painfully issued an edict to withdraw the army. Standing alone in front of his military tent, he gazed into the distance, tearfully sighing about the bitterness of being unable to drink a cup of wine in an era of peace. After returning to Bianliang, Guo Rong knew his end was near.

He urgently summoned Zhang Yongde and Zhao Kuangyin, conducting a political assessment under the guise of "inquiring about posthumous affairs." Guo Rong not only tacitly approved Zhao Kuangyin's unification strategy of "first pacifying the south, then planning the northern expedition," but also secretly bestowed upon Zhao Kuangyin the great imperial banner that Liu Zhiyuan had used when he donned the yellow robe (i. e. , ascended the throne).

In June of the same year, Guo Rong dismissed Zhang Yongde and promoted Zhao Kuangyin to the position of Grand General of the Palace Guard (Dianqian Dudianjian). Zhao Kuangyin, along with Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Han Tong, were to assist the seven-year-old Prince of Liang, Guo Zongxun. Before his death, Guo Rong gazed at the map of Youyan for a long time, his face streaming with tears. Finally, he entrusted Empress Fu with the words, "Raise my son well."

In 959 AD, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, Guo Rong, passed away at the age of thirty-nine. The two prefectures of Ying and Mo that he recovered later became important defensive lines on the Song-Liao border. However, the Juma River, which he failed to cross, ultimately became the regret of the Northern Song's northern frontier for a hundred years.

What he left behind was the nascent form of a new dynasty poised to end an era of chaos, a segment of the Youyan homeland that the Song dynasty would never fully recover, and a trajectory of destiny quietly rewritten by a yellow robe.

In front of the mourning hall, Lady Fu read the imperial edict, ordering Zongxun to inherit the throne. However, before Guo Rong's funeral was over, an urgent report arrived from the front line: the Liao state and Northern Han allied forces were marching south, and the three passes of Waqiao, Yijin, and Yukou were in critical danger. Zhao Kuangyin ordered the three armies to rush to the front.

Before the dust could be brushed off their armor, an even more breathtaking "persuasion to ascend the throne" was brewing at Chenqiao Post. The so-called Liao state's troop deployment was a ruse; the truth was that Zhao Pu and the righteous brotherhood were secretly plotting a military coup. They cited the suffering of the common people and the lack of a ruler for the nation as reasons, earnestly requesting Zhao Kuangyin to ascend the throne as emperor.

Past events flooded into Zhao Kuangyin's dreams: Feng Dao's question, Shi Chonggui's words, and Guo Rong's wish, all led him to decide to take responsibility for the realm. He made a three-point agreement with everyone: upon entering the city, do not disturb the palaces, do not plunder the common people, and do not kill indiscriminately.

His ascension was not for the prosperity of the Zhao family, but to ensure that the people of the world would no longer suffer from war and chaos. In the first month of 960 AD, Zhao Kuangyin led his army back to Bianliang, ascended the throne as emperor, and named his dynasty Song. Historical records often state that the "Chenqiao Mutiny and the donning of the yellow robe" seemed to be the will of Heaven.

However, a closer look reveals that his generals knocked on his tent in the early morning and draped the ochre-yellow robe, symbolizing imperial power, over their commander. This "forced" ascension to the throne was, in fact, a standard pattern for unifying monarchs during the Five Dynasties period. Soon, the news quickly reached the Wuyue royal palace. Qian Hongchu knew that Zhao Kuangyin had always been highly regarded by Guo Rong for his loyalty, integrity, and bravery.

He had not expected that Guo Rong, in his dying moments, would entrust the regency to a usurper, making it difficult for him to accept in his heart. Because avoiding taboos was a major aspect of the central court's rites and laws, and there was a character "Hong" (弘) in the name of the Son of Heaven's father, Zhao Hongyin, although it did not directly clash, with the new dynasty established, the character "Hong" also needed to be carefully avoided.

Therefore, Qian Hongchu publicly announced that he would voluntarily drop "Hong" and be called "Chu," changing his name to "Qian Chu." Cui Renji reported to Qian Chu that Gao Jichong of Jingnan and Zhou Baoquan of Hunan had both submitted their territories to the Song, and Li Yu of Southern Tang was also frequently showing goodwill.

To preserve the foundation of Wuyue, his officials advised him to submit as a vassal as soon as possible, but Qian Chu made no statement. Shen Yin then asked Empress Sun Taizhen for assistance. That night, Sun Taizhen sat with Qian Chu on the palace ridge, chatting and reminiscing about the past while pointing towards Bianjing. Under Sun Taizhen's patient guidance, Qian Chu finally drafted a memorial to declare himself a vassal and dispatched envoys to Bianjing for tribute.

In the same year, Song general Li Chongjin raised an army in Yangzhou in rebellion, refusing to acknowledge Zhao Kuangyin's claim as the Son of Heaven. Zhao Kuangyin personally led an expedition and ordered Qian Chu to dispatch troops to Runzhou to provide support, inviting him to a boat trip on the lake to show intimacy. Although Qian Chu deployed troops in response, he did not personally go to the front, only sending generals to assist in the battle.

This action drew some criticism in the Song court, but Zhao Kuangyin showed trust in Qian Chu. Not long after, the deposed King Qian Zong was critically ill. Qian Chu came to visit him, adopted his eldest son Qian Weizhi as his heir, and Qian Zong passed away with a smile.

Thereafter, Qian Chu appointed Qian Weizhi as the commander of the Imperial Guard (Neiya Zhujun Duduhuishi) and introduced him to his eldest daughter Qian Ying and his legitimate son Qian Weijun. Qian Weizhi was intelligent from a young age and had already prepared gifts. Sun Taizhen felt pity for him, and Qian Chu assured her that he would treat him kindly.

In the winter of 964 AD, Zhao Kuangyin, citing the Later Shu's collusion with Northern Han and their conspiracy to invade, dispatched an army of 60,000, divided into two routes, to attack Shu. The Later Shu army's defenses instantly collapsed, and by the first month of the following year, Meng Chang, the ruler of Later Shu, surrendered. However, after Wang Quanbin captured Shu city, he astonishingly ordered the massacre of nearly 30,000 surrendered soldiers.

Such appalling atrocities instantly turned the hearts of the Shu people against them, triggering widespread uprisings and mutinies, and casting a complete shadow over the Song Dynasty's great endeavor of unification. As soon as the news spread, the states south of the Yangtze River were shocked, having originally believed the Song army to be a "righteous army," but unexpectedly, their wolf-like nature remained unchanged.

Zhao Kuangyin was furious upon hearing the report and immediately stripped Wang Quanbin of his military command, reassigning Cao Bin and others to take charge of military affairs. Following this incident, Zhao Kuangyin realized that the usurpation of power by military commanders and the arrogance of soldiers and generals were the root causes of the chaos during the Five Dynasties.

He then consulted with Zhao Pu, Zhao Kuangyi, and others, deciding to implement two major national policies: first, "curtailing regional powers," gradually centralizing the authority of the jiedushi (military governors); second, "promoting civilian governance," opening imperial examinations to recruit scholars and widely admitting talented individuals from humble backgrounds, using the imperial examination system to balance the power of military generals. One day, Zhao Kuangyin, in disguise, went to Fanlou in Bianjing to secretly observe the demeanor of the examination candidates.

During this time, a failed imperial examination candidate named Sima Pu was ridiculed by others. However, his desire to emulate Feng Dao in seeking welfare for the people caught Zhao Kuangyin's attention.

Leaving the Fanlou, Zhao Kuangyin strolled into a bamboo-sheltered tea stall by the street, inviting Sima Pu to sit opposite him and talk. Sima Pu, a commoner in plain clothes and straw sandals, possessed a keen eye that saw through worldly affairs.

He had once served as a secretary under Huangfu Hui, the military commissioner of Northern Han, and with just a brief glance at Zhao Kuangyin's demeanor and gait, he concluded that he was a high-ranking general in the army. Military men bore indelible marks in both body and spirit: calluses on their palms, their posture, and even the decisive ruthlessness in their eyes were hard to conceal. Speaking of his origins, Sima Pu came from Sima Guang's clan.

For much of his early life, he wandered, unfulfilled. Now participating in the regular examinations, what he sought was not to curry favor with the powerful or to get embroiled in the conflicts between regional governors, but rather to govern a prefecture or a county, personally visit the fields, adjudicate legal cases, and practice the art of governance and benefiting the people through tangible political affairs. After Sima Pu finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin greatly appreciated him.

He took Sima Pu's hand and went straight into the palace, where he was exceptionally bestowed the title of "Jinshi" (palace graduate) and appointed as a Privy Council Attendant. This act initiated the "special recommendation" system, broadening the path for talent. In the Southern Tang palace, Xu Xuan suggested to Li Yu to reduce the tribute. Li Yu dispatched Xu Xuan to the Central Plains to test the waters, using the excuse of "unworthy to be named."

Zhao Kuangyin, hearing of the floods in Jiangnan, stated that the Jiangnan floods could exempt them from the annual tribute to aid the people, demonstrating benevolent governance and also serving as a warning to Southern Tang.

Qian Hongchu learned of this, interpreted the deeper meaning of Zhao Kuangyin's words and actions, and warned his officials that they must remember that among the hundreds of millions of people in the world, Zhao, Qian, Li, and Liu were merely four surnames among them. In contrast, Li Yu, though far away in Jinling, indulged in poetry and romantic affairs, yet he always maintained a sensitive vigilance towards the new monarch in the North.

To contend with the formidable northern forces, he defied all dissenting opinions to establish a Longxiang Naval Force. He ordered Poyang Lake to be used as a naval base, built warships, recruited sailors, with Zhu Lingyun holding the commander's seal, Li Yuanqing as the deputy commander, and Wang Hui, Sun Zhen, and others sharing various positions of authority, donning armor and wielding weapons to resist the Song state.

That night, Li Yuanqing sought out Xu Xuan to inquire about Li Yu's true intentions. Xu Xuan sighed, lamenting the increasing pressure from the Song emperor. No wonder His Majesty was overly suspicious (lit. mistaking the reflection of a bow for a snake), and he (Xu Xuan) was summoned to go on an envoy mission to Wuyue to purchase warships.

Similarly, Zhao Kuangyin implemented "work relief" domestically, utilizing the power of disaster victims to build warships along the Bian River, thereby stabilizing the people's livelihood and secretly accumulating a naval force. Li Yuanqing was secretly dispatched to Hangzhou, tasked with requesting to purchase warships from Qian Hongchu. Privately, the officials all advised against selling the ships, fearing that strengthening Southern Tang would lead to future trouble. Qian Hongchu specifically asked Qian Weijun for his opinion; Weijun held a cautious view.

Instead, Qian Weizhi offered a plan: selling the ships was not impossible, but a high price must be demanded from Southern Tang. Qian Hongchu was pleased to hear this, praising Qian Weizhi for being "good at managing the household and the state," and appointed Weizhi to oversee the matter. Weizhi sought private advice, and Qian Hongchu demanded that Southern Tang pay with grain, preferably purchasing the grain in Wuyue for disaster relief.

Li Yu was furious upon hearing the news, exclaiming that Wuyue was going too far in its deception. However, Xu Xuan calmly analyzed the situation, advocating for temporary forbearance and acceptance to acquire the warships as soon as possible. He also planned to subsequently open the borders, guiding some of the disaster victims into Wuyue, thereby shifting the relief burden to the other side.

Li Yuanqing immediately stepped forward to object, arguing that population was the foundation of national strength, and abandoning the people was tantamount to self-destruction. Unfortunately, Li Yu did not adopt the loyal advice and ultimately chose Xu Xuan's expedient plan. Qian Hongchu saw through Southern Tang's intentions and decided to turn their scheme against them. He widely set up congee stations at the border, taking in refugees, promising to allocate land, exempt them from taxes, and register them as households.

This move both resolved the crisis and increased his own state's labor force. In the Bianliang imperial court, Zhao Pu strongly advocated for moving the capital to Luoyang, to consolidate national defense by leveraging the strategic advantages of its mountains and rivers. Zhao Kuangyi vehemently opposed, pointing out that the national treasury was currently depleted, and the capital relocation project would be massive, exhausting both manpower and resources, and was by no means an urgent priority.

Zhao Kuangyin also knew the root cause of the state's financial difficulties. Since the Mid-Tang Dynasty, the regional military governors (fanzhen jiedushi) withholding local taxes and revenues had become an intractable problem, and central authority had long been severely hollowed out.

It was against this backdrop that Sima Pu stepped forward, directly addressing the accumulated malpractices and sharply pointing out that the court's ailment was "strong outside, weak inside," meaning wealth and power were excessively concentrated in the regional military garrisons. To this end, Sima Pu proposed a reform strategy of "weakening the periphery to strengthen the center," with its core being to centralize local fiscal authority and fundamentally reverse the situation through institutional construction.

The officials, fearful of drastic change, rushed to dissuade him. Sima Pu angrily denounced them in court for their complacency and adherence to old ways, asserting that they would only perpetuate the cycle of chaos. Ultimately, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi discussed curbing the power of the regional military governors, intending to remove old generals and planning to promote Sima Pu to carry out the task.

Unexpectedly, Sima Pu refused the position of "Signatory Official of the Bureau of Military Affairs," directly advising that if the curbing of regional power was achieved solely through political maneuvering and personnel changes, even if successful, it would only create new power factions and fail to end the root causes of the chaotic era.

He emphasized that "to curb the regional military governors, one must first rectify the court's conduct," advocating that it was imperative to prioritize public and fair rule of law and institutional reconstruction, thereby uniting the hearts of the people, to truly end the vicious cycle of military strongmen wielding exclusive power and regional warlordism.

Sima Pu entered the palace by imperial decree and questioned Zhao Kuangyin's argument for reducing regional military power. Since he was determined to dismantle the regional military governors and unify all military power under one rule, why, in his specific measures, did he distinguish between former court officials and his comrades from the Chenqiao mutiny (Conglong Yuancong) in terms of closeness and favor?

Such actions, while seemingly out of consideration for old camaraderie, were actually detrimental to the law and public integrity. How could this make everyone genuinely convinced and submit wholeheartedly? During his vigorous remonstrance, Sima Pu tightly clutched Zhao Kuangyin's sleeve. His words were like a needle, pressing harder step by step. Zhao Kuangyin had never imagined Sima Pu would be so bold. For a moment, he was so angry that his eyes widened, unable to utter a single rebuttal.

Watching Sima Pu pick up the cloth bag, always with him and filled with soybeans, and leave, made Zhao Kuangyin laugh in exasperation, saying that this stubborn old man only had soybeans in his eyes. Wang Quanbin, the commander-in-chief of the expedition against Shu, was jointly impeached by court officials for crimes such as corruption and killing surrendering soldiers.

According to the law, he should be subjected to dismemberment (lingchi) and extermination of his three kindreds, with his wife and daughters sent to the imperial music bureau (jiaofang). Wang Quanbin kowtowed and wept blood, only begging Zhao Kuangyin to spare the lives of his family. Sima Pu suddenly stepped forward and shouted, "Everyone in this hall is guilty!"

He pointed out directly that the usurpation of power by military men and the collapse of laws over the past two hundred years were not the fault of one person, but the vicious cycle of a chaotic era. Now that there was a desire to usher in an era of peace, a "Law of Peace" (Taiping Fa) should be established. If power was still asserted through wanton killing, it would be no different from the brutal old dynasties.

As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd was in an uproar. The officials sternly rebuked Sima Pu for criticizing state policy and defying imperial authority, requesting that he be publicly executed for the crime of "great disrespect." However, Sima Pu showed no fear and calmly stated that in times of chaos, killing was as easy as lifting a hand; what was difficult was sparing lives.

If Zhao Kuangyin continued to practice beheading to assert authority when pacifying the fanzhen, then an era of great peace would never arrive. Having said that, Sima Pu removed his official cap and resigned, departing. As he walked out of the tent and saw the soldiers awaiting execution, he couldn't help but sigh towards the sky, then suddenly slammed his head against a palace pillar and died. Zhao Kuangyin rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, deeply shaken.

He ultimately issued an edict pardoning Wang Quanbin's death sentence, commuting it to exile and detention, and sparing all his family members from execution. He declared his willingness to bear the sin of ten thousand deaths for the sake of bringing life to the Nine Provinces. Not long after, Zhao Kuangyin hosted a banquet in the palace. He specifically invited Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi, and other core generals who held significant military power, as well as his sworn brothers.

When the drinking was halfway through, Zhao Kuangyin raised his cup and remarked with emotion that his ability to gain the empire was entirely due to the strong support of his brothers. He said this kindness was beyond repayment, then abruptly changed the topic and proposed a shocking method of "repaying gratitude": letting the generals take turns wearing the imperial yellow robe.

Upon hearing this, the generals were utterly shocked and scrambled from their seats in disarray, creating a chaotic scene. None of them were dull-witted; they instantly grasped the Emperor's profound meaning. In the past, during the Chenqiao Mutiny, it was they themselves who had placed the yellow robe upon Zhao Kuangyin.

Today, bringing up this old matter was actually the Emperor using a jest as a weapon, warning them that their control of military power had made the Son of Heaven unable to sleep or eat in peace. If they could enthrone him today, they might enthrone someone else tomorrow, and at that time, no one would be able to control their own destiny, with fortunes unpredictable.

Precisely for this reason, they tacitly relinquished their military power and requested to resign and enjoy their remaining years. Zhao Kuangyin then bestowed upon them immense wealth, splendid mansions, and honorary titles, richly rewarding their merits, but he completely withdrew the actual military power from their hands back to the central government.

After this significant matter was settled, Zhao Kuangyin went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, paused before Sima Pu's memorial tablet, and tearfully picked up a soybean, putting it in his mouth to chew. The news quickly reached the Wuyue Kingdom. Qian Hongchu discussed this matter with his ministers. Qian Weizhi analyzed that Zhao Kuangyin emphasized civilian rule over military power, gathered all elite troops in Bianliang, and used civil officials to check local power, thus ensuring long-term peace and stability.

Similarly, Sun Taizhen heard and praised Zhao Kuangyin's courage and wisdom, regarding him as an exceptional enlightened ruler. However, not all neighboring states could understand or submit to Zhao Kuangyin. Li Yu continued to profess vassalage, but did not use the portion of tribute remitted by the Central Plains to aid disaster victims. Instead, he secretly purchased warships to strengthen his navy.

This act completely enraged Zhao Kuangyin, who immediately issued an edict ordering Li Yu to personally come to Bianjing for an imperial audience. When the edict arrived in Jinling, Li Yu was terrified and did not go, instead sending Xu Xuan to plead on his behalf.

In 974 AD, Li Yu sent the renowned minister Xu Xuan as an envoy to Bianliang for a final mediation. Xu Xuan prostrated himself before the steps, weeping and pleading, offering to renounce his imperial title and cede fourteen prefectures north of the Yangtze River, only asking to preserve the ancestral temple's lineage. However, Zhao Kuangyin was determined to unify the realm, and indifferently cast down the remark, "How can one allow others to snore beside their bed?"

These words not only completely rejected the piteous pleas but also thoroughly crushed the Southern Tang's illusion of temporary peace. When the news reached Jinling, the Southern Tang court immediately fell into chaos. Some advocated emptying the treasury for bribes, while others knelt, baring their shoulders, to beg for forgiveness. Amidst the clamor, Li Yuanqing remained silent, seemingly feigning sleep.

After the court session, Li Yuanqing presented three strategies: The best strategy was to cede all territory in exchange for the safety of the imperial clan; the middle strategy was to use the navy to launch a surprise attack on the Song army's supply lines, fighting for a slim chance of survival; the worst strategy was to cede six prefectures east of the Yangtze River to form an alliance with Wu-Yue, creating a pincer movement to temporarily resist the Central Plains.

Li Yu ultimately chose the worst strategy, allying with Wu to resist Song, which was indeed a risky move, attempting to use the Wu-Yue alliance to delay the Song army's advance. At this moment, within Bianliang City, preparations for the southern expedition were in full swing. Zhao Kuangyin and the key ministers of the Bureau of Military Affairs planned day and night, mobilizing troops and gathering provisions, appointing veteran general Cao Bin as commander-in-chief and Pan Mei as his deputy.

He also issued an edict for Qian Hongchu to assist in the war, requiring the preparation of three million hu of military provisions. Qian Hongchu gathered his key ministers to discuss strategy.

Shen Yin recommended Qian Weizhi to serve as the deputy envoy accompanying the army, but Cui Renji believed that Qian Weizhi was inherently capable and should remain in charge of supervising the state in the western prefecture (Xifu), while the position of deputy envoy could be given to the crown prince Weijun. Qian Hongchu did not adopt this suggestion but instead promoted Qian Weizhi to Deputy Commissioner of Transportation, overseeing all logistics.

Li Yuanqing personally went to Hangzhou to seek an alliance. Qian Hongchu ordered Qian Weizhi to handle the negotiation on his behalf. During the conversation, Li Yuanqing stated that he would offer the Southern Tang imperial clan as hostages and cede six prefectures east of the Yangtze River in exchange for Wu-Yue's assistance.

Qian Weizhi decisively refused, proposing instead three million hu of grain and rice from Southern Tang and Chongming Town as conditions for exchange, suggesting that the alliance might still be negotiable. Afterward, Qian Weizhi reported back to Qian Hongchu, calmly explaining that his demand for Chongming was to control the gateway to Jiangyin Prefecture, which Southern Tang would surely not easily relinquish.

Therefore, if Sun Chengyou, the maternal uncle of the state, were to step forward and demand it, the matter might succeed. On the other side, Qian Weijun wanted to see Qian Hongchu, but was stopped outside the door by Ma Youcheng and Jiang Duoxun. Because he had not gained his father's significant trust, he had to turn to his mother, Sun Taizhen. But Sun Taizhen advised him to communicate directly with his father.

Later that evening, Sun Taizhen spoke to Qian Hongchu about Qian Weijun. Qian Hongchu pointed out Qian Weijun's many past follies and said he still needed more experience. He ultimately agreed to let Qian Weijun participate in court affairs, and before the personal expedition, he appointed Shen Yin as his Grand Tutor to keep him in check. Shen Yin initially wanted to refuse, but under Qian Hongchu's persuasion, he reluctantly bowed and accepted the order.

During the second negotiation, Qian Weizhi reminded Li Yuanqing not to miss this good opportunity. Three million in money, grain, rice, and silk could transform an age-old enmity into an alliance, which for Southern Tang would be a truly profitable deal with no loss. Li Yuanqing did not respond, thinking Qian Weizhi was toying with him. He then turned to Sun Chengyou to inquire about the true situation.

Sun Chengyou revealed the key point to him: even if Wu-Yue were tempted, they would never openly accept these six prefectures, because accepting ceded Southern Tang territory would be tantamount to openly rebelling against Bianliang. However, the desire to "stand together against a common enemy" was not necessarily absent. Li Yuanqing understood after hearing this, and decided to bypass Qiantang and negotiate with the Yellow Dragon Society to borrow troops and supplies.

After Li Yuanqing returned to Southern Tang, he passionately and earnestly remonstrated before the emperor, stating that although Chongming Town was a small strip of land, it was the throat controlling the river mouth. If Southern Tang abandoned this natural stronghold, it would be like opening the door to invite thieves, and the foundation of the state would surely be shaken.

In the past, Yang Wu established its state by relying on the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, entirely depending on the layered defenses of the Yangtze River; if they now destroyed their own defenses, they might follow in the footsteps of the Gao family of Jingnan.

However, Zhang Ji once again strongly advocated for another plan, firmly believing that if ceding territory could gain Wu-Yue's support to jointly resist the Northern Song, it would be a pragmatic strategy of "losing something in the east but gaining it in the west" (a temporary loss for a greater gain). Two individuals, two different proposals, concerning the fate of the nation. Li Yu pondered for a moment, and ultimately disregarded Li Yuanqing's earnest pleas, yielding Chongming.

Sun Chengyou and Zhang Ji signed the handover documents in Chongming Town, and Sun Chengyou promised him that everything from food, clothing, and caps to armor and bows could be secretly supplied. Zhang Ji believed him without a doubt. Afterward, Sun Chengyou sought out Du Zhen, the Tiande Duduyu of Southern Tang, for a drink.

Observing his words, Sun Chengyou noticed Du Zhen harbored much resentment towards Li Yuanqing, and he seized the opportunity to reveal that Li Yuanqing possessed immense wealth, which indeed provoked internal strife in Southern Tang. In contrast, veteran generals Zheng Yanhua and Li Yuanqing regarded this as a national humiliation, lamenting that the Later Lord was still engrossed in poetry and prose, unaware that the perilous wall had already collapsed and the Southern Tang's fortunes were about to end.

Inside Hangzhou City of Wuyue, King Qian Hongchu of Wuyue and his officials decided on a strategy to assist the Song in their southern campaign. They designated Chongming Town as the northern expedition's grain and fodder hub and dispatched Shen Wenqi and Qian Weizhi to Bianliang to report the details to Zhao Kuangyin. Shen Wenqi accompanied Qian Weizhi north to Bianliang and entered the palace for an audience with the Emperor.

Zhao Kuangyin, seeing Qian Weizhi's magnificent bearing, praised him, saying he had the demeanor of Qian Hongchu in his younger days. " "" In contrast, Li Yuanqing, unwilling to accept the fall of Later Tang, secretly initiated a plan. He personally went to Boyi Office to secretly meet with Sun Chengyou and feigned secret allegiance to Qian Weijun, expressing his willingness to serve him wholeheartedly. Sun Chengyou advised Qian Weijun to accept this man to increase their strength.

This would not only enrich their military funds but also widely spread their informants. By then, Li Yuanqing's assets would become his own. Shen Wenqi presented a map to Zhao Kuangyin, on which all river defense strongholds and grain route passes were marked. Cao Bin and others also had deployments. In September 974 AD, Zhao Kuangyin appointed Cao Bin as the overall commander, with Pan Mei as his deputy, and dispatched an army of 100,000 soldiers directly towards Southern Tang.

Before their departure, Zhao Kuangyin specially bestowed a precious sword, strictly ordering that any subordinate general who failed to carry out orders should be executed. On the eve of Qian Hongchu's personal expedition, he ordered his heir apparent, Qian Weijun, to oversee the state, and veteran official Shen Yin to assist in governance.

Li Yuanqing took advantage of the night to visit Qian Weijun, calmly analyzing the current situation: Qian Hongchu needed an heir who could dominate the southeast like Sun Zhongmou, not a Liu Shan who was confined to the palace. However, as it stood, Qian Jun commanded the various armies, Qian Weizhi managed provisions, and Shen Yin controlled civil administration, while he, as the heir apparent, though having a title, was in reality a puppet.

Indeed, as soon as these words were uttered, Qian Weijun developed a grudge against the three, believing that they had seized rights that originally belonged to him. The next day, with Shen Yin's assistance, Qian Weijun handled state affairs seemingly in an orderly manner. Qian Hongchu, who was far away with the army, was somewhat relieved to hear the news. The Song army achieved initial victory, breaking through Jiangzhou's water fortress.

However, fearing the Southern Tang Longxiang Army, they did not take Jiangzhou, instead capturing Caishiji and building pontoon bridges to transport grain. Ding Deyu, the Song army supervisor, seeing the Wuyue army remain inactive, came to question them but was rebuked and sent away by Qian Hongchu. Qian Jun worried that Ding Deyu would return to court and slander them, but Qian Hongchu was unconcerned. He was waiting for the main forces of Cao Bin and Pan Mei to rendezvous.

In the winter of 974 AD, the grand Song navy, with thousands of sails competing, sailed eastward down the river. Cao Bin avoided strong points and targeted weaknesses, bypassing Jiangzhou and ordering Pan Mei to launch a surprise attack on Caishiji. That night, the main Song forces launched a general assault on the Southern Tang water fortress. Southern Tang's last line of defense collapsed in flames.

In this battle, over two hundred ships were burned, and more than ten thousand enemies were annihilated. The gateway to Jinling was thus opened. News reached the inner palace of Jinling, but Li Yu still made a deathbed struggle, intending to deploy the Zhenhai Army for western reinforcement to block the Song army. Xu Xuan advised guarding against Wuyue and attempted to seek an audience with Qian Hongchu to ascertain the situation.

However, he was refused entry by Qian Hongchu, who angrily denounced Wuyue for betraying Southern Tang and for its perfidy. As a result, Li Yu urgently enfeoffed Zheng Yanhua, ordering him to lead the Zhenhai Army and Jiangyin Army to reinforce Caishiji, but the opportune moment for battle had already been lost. Qian Weizhi led Wuyue's elite troops quietly eastward, capturing Jiangdu Prefecture's water fortress in one fell swoop, controlling the canal's throat.

This severed all of Southern Tang's waterway lifelines, turning Jinling into an isolated city. Li Yuanqing seized the opportunity to suggest to Qian Weijun to preemptively act. As long as he drafted a royal edict on behalf of Qian Hongchu, the six prefectures could change their allegiance in an instant, and their lands would belong to Wuyue.

Qian Weijun still hesitated, believing that the Song army's vanguard had already reached Caishiji, and the six prefectures east of the river were already within the Song Emperor's grasp. If Wuyue were to reach out and seize the six prefectures, it would be like snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

Although Qian Weijun was the heir apparent, his elder brother Qian Weizhi was known for his wisdom, which made him jealous. Therefore, Li Yuanqing incited him, advising him to consolidate his power through military achievements, and then proposed a plan to seize the six prefectures of Jiangyou. He also claimed that he had 30,000 former naval troops in Poyang Lake, and only needed the Qian King's seal to recruit them.

Ultimately, Qian Weijun could not resist the temptation of "exchanging an empty seal for real troops." He personally took the seal and stamped the official document with cinnabar ink. This one stamp dragged the Wuyue Kingdom into the center of the North-South struggle. Meanwhile, Qian Hongchu was boosting morale at the oath-taking ceremony, announcing his determination to "protect the borders and secure the people" and "preserve the nation amidst war" to the public.

The soldiers below the stage cheered loudly, but no one knew that Li Yuanqing had already met with former Southern Tang subordinates with a forged document. Inside the Longxiang Navy camp, Li Yuanqing first demoralized the troops by saying "Southern Tang is about to fall," and then ignited their fighting spirit with the dying wish of Emperor Liezu Li Bian, "to see a peaceful and prosperous era."

His words deeply moved the generals present, who expressed their willingness to make a final stand. The entire camp was filled with declarations of fighting to the death. On the other hand, Xue Wen reported to Shen Yin about Li Yuanqing's infiltration into Wuyue. Shen Yin was deeply shocked, and angrily rebuked him for not reporting earlier, causing a major setback. Shen Yin immediately summoned Qian Weijun for questioning.

Faced with irrefutable evidence, Qian Weijun admitted that he had stamped the seal for Li Yuanqing. Because of this, Shen Yin had to devise alternative remedies. On one hand, he confiscated the seal, and on the other hand, he compelled Qian Weijun to write a letter of apology on behalf of Qian Hongchu.

On the other side, Li Yuanqing brought the document to Cao Bin and Pan Mei, falsely claiming to be an envoy of Wuyue and that he had already recruited the Longxiang army. Cao Bin and Pan Mei were both renowned generals of many battles. They carefully examined the document and the seal, finding them to be correct. However, they intuitively felt that something was amiss.

But because the two places were hundreds of miles apart, sending someone to Hangzhou to verify would take at least five or six days round trip, making it impossible to establish contact in a short period of time. They could not distinguish the truth from falsehood for a while. Inside the king's tent at the front line, Qian Hongchu, after reading the letter of apology, became furious. He ordered Sun Chengyou to clean up the mess.

Since this disaster was caused by him, he should be responsible for resolving it. If the mutiny had already taken shape, they should act decisively. If the Song army became suspicious, they should clarify their intentions. In short, this disaster must be nipped in the bud. Similarly, Sun Taizhen was disappointed with her son. Li Yuanqing's plan was crude, and Qian Weizhi saw through it immediately. Yet, he actually believed this nonsense about borrowing troops and land.

He had not learned any of Qian Weizhi's composure and wisdom, and foolishly put Wuyue in peril. Qian Weijun, realizing his mistake, knelt and offered to resign his position as heir apparent, pleading with his parents to heed public sentiment, both internal and external, and establish his elder brother Qian Weizhi as the successor. Hearing this, Sun Taizhen turned and wrote a letter, instructing him to deliver it to the monarch and apologize.

To ascertain the truth, Pan Mei sailed his ships close to the Longxiang Navy's water camp. Unexpectedly, smoke signals suddenly rose from the river, and the Longxiang army engaged in fierce battle with the Song army. Although the Longxiang army fought bravely, their forces were ultimately vastly outnumbered, and they gradually collapsed amidst the flames and arrows. Li Yuanqing, looking at this tragic scene from afar, was overcome with grief, and knew that all was lost.

Subsequently, Cao Bin and Pan Mei intended to accuse Qian Hongchu of "unauthorized initiation of war." However, they first received a letter of apology proactively sent by Qian Hongchu. Sun Chengyou explained the whole story on his behalf, dispelling the misunderstandings between both parties. Qian Weijun carried the letter to see his father, knelt on the ground, and apologized to Qian Hongchu. Qian Hongchu recounted his own past.

Looking at Sun Taizhen's letter, he ultimately could not bring himself to inflict a heavy punishment. He merely ordered forty strokes of the rod, which both preserved the life of a royal family member and demonstrated his stance to the Song court. Not long after, the two armies rendezvoused outside Jiangning City. Qian Hongchu voluntarily handed over command of his 30,000 naval and land troops to Cao Bin, to show his sincerity and willingness to cooperate.

In the past, vassal kings maintained their personal armies. However, Qian Hongchu broke this convention, precisely interpreting the attitude of "ceding territory to Song" with his actions. In this way, the Wuyue-Song allied army became a unified force, laying the foundation for conquering Jinling half a month later.

When Xu Xuan stumbled back to Jinling of Southern Tang, the atmosphere in the main hall was exceptionally heavy. As soon as he entered the hall, he stumbled and fell to the ground, touching his forehead to the bricks, bitterly recounting how his gullibility in trusting Wuyue's promises had led to the ruination of the country. He felt ashamed before his ancestors who had founded the dynasty and had failed the vast land of Jiangnan.

Every sound he made was choked with sobs, and every word pierced Li Yu's heart. However, Li Yu clearly knew that, compared to Xu Xuan, his own fault was greater. He had erred by not heeding Li Yuanqing's advice, failing the armored forces, and even more, failing millions of common people. Born in a turbulent era, even as an emperor, he was like a helpless duckweed, unable to control his own destiny.

That night, Qian Jun accompanied Qian Hongchu in a casual chat, comforting him not to worry. Although the heir was not well-versed in military affairs, he was already diligent compared to those imperial relatives who indulged in pleasure and cavorted with female attendants all day long.

Qian Jun also cited Li Yu of Southern Tang as an example, stating that he could at least devote himself to literature and be considered refined and promising, but unfortunately, his ability to govern the country was insufficient. Qian Hongchu clearly understood that Zhao Kuangyin's 'relinquishing military power over a cup of wine' was merely a prelude, and the matter of Southern Tang was destined to solidify Zhao Kuangyin's determination for unification.

Therefore, he absolutely could not allow his generals to offer foolish loyalty and stubborn resistance. In the winter of 975 AD, the Song army and the Wuyue allied forces besieged Jinling. On the eve of the city's fall, civil officials such as Chen Qiao, Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and Scholar Zhong Qian, deeply felt the hopelessness of the nation and were too ashamed to face their compatriots again, subsequently committing suicide.

Li Yu originally intended to take poison wine to the imperial ancestral temple to end his life, but he lacked both the fierce bravery of Xiang Yu's suicide at Wujiang and the ruthlessness of Emperor Chongzhen's declaration "the monarch dies for the state."

Instead, he curled up amidst the bedchamber curtains, accompanied by a dance from Empress Dowager Xiao Zhou, grinding ink with tears of blood, and wielding his brush to write the poem "Po Zhen Zi," pouring all the prosperity and collapse of forty years of nationhood and three thousand li of land into the verses. At dawn, Li Yu, along with his ministers, surrendered. From then on, Southern Tang collapsed, and its twenty-two prefectures returned to the map.

Qian Hongchu witnessed this scene and felt boundless compassion in his heart. Because the Wuyue army entered Jiangning first, some Song soldiers were indignant. Commander Cao Bin strictly ordered suppression, warning all officers and soldiers not to harbor rebellious intentions, using this to test Qian Hongchu. Similarly, Qian Hongchu also had his own considerations; to avoid suspicion, he did not enter Jiangning city and appointed Supervisor Ding Deyu as the envoy for entry.

To this day, Li Yuanqing continued to offer stubborn resistance, leading several hundred surviving soldiers of the Hei Yun Du, hoarsely shouting: "Five thousand brave men march, bearing the banner of Hei Yun Du. Where there is life, there is death; their blood shall sacrifice for Tang Wu. Traversing three thousand li, overlooking fifty prefectures, Jiangnan has righteous men whom not even the Nine Tripods can subdue." He vowed to defend the last inch of Jiangnan's soil to the death.

After the Zhong Shun Du entered the city to quell the rebellion, Qian Weixun was enraged that Li Yuanqing was still alive and immediately ordered his pursuit and killing. Ding Deyu seized the opportunity to order a thorough search of the entire city. For a time, soldiers from various units broke down doors and trespassed into homes, plundering goods and wealth.

The once prosperous ancient capital of the Six Dynasties instantly became a scene of wailing across the fields, with fires and smoke rising everywhere. The common people felt as if they had fallen into an Asura's hell; women and children fled in panic through the streets, while the elderly prostrated themselves on the ground, weeping. The so-called "royal army's recovery" had turned into a catastrophe.

Qian Hongchu and Cao Bin, hearing the news, immediately led their personal guards into the city. Seeing the city reduced to scorched earth, Qian Hongchu was deeply distressed. He severely punished the violating soldiers on the spot and, in his rage, wanted to execute Ding Deyu. After repeated pleas from the generals, Qian Hongchu finally cut off Ding Deyu's right ear as a warning.

With the situation in Jiangning settled, Qian Hongchu returned to his capital, bidding farewell with a distant bow outside Jiangning city. Li Yu was escorted to Bianjing to confess his crimes and declare himself a subject. Ding Deyu harbored resentment towards Qian Hongchu and impeached him before Zhao Kuangyin in court, but was instead demoted to Fangzhou by Zhao Kuangyin.

After the court dispersed, Zhao Pu advised Zhao Kuangyin that the urgent task was to take Wuyue in one fell swoop. Zhao Kuangyi, however, believed it was not advisable to immediately deploy troops against Wuyue, and Cao Bin and Pan Mei also stated that a forced attack would inevitably lead to heavy casualties. Zhao Kuangyin deliberated repeatedly and decided to issue an edict, summoning Qian Hongchu to the capital for an audience.

At the same time, Guo Yue, the Chief Scribe of Fangzhou yamen, had been waiting by the roadside since early morning. Until a simple carriage arrived, kicking up dust, he immediately rose with other officials to greet it. A hundred paces away, under a tea stall, Li Yuanqing slowly put down his pottery bowl, revealing half of his weathered face.

Guo Yue accompanied Ding Deyu, drinking in the room. After a few cups of strong wine, Ding Deyu, emboldened by drunkenness, gradually became wild, proclaiming that Zhao Kuangyin's subjugation of the southern states was an inevitable trend, and Wuyue would ultimately not be spared. He boasted about his past achievements, stating that his current banishment was merely a temporary expedient, and that Zhao Kuangyin would eventually recall him to the capital when he remembered old times.

Soon, Guo Yue, unable to hold his liquor, collapsed onto the table, drunk. Li Yuanqing, like a phantom, pushed the door open, and with a flash of a sword, Ding Deyu perished instantly. Not long after, Qian Hongchu received an imperial edict to enter the capital for an audience.

His ministers, led by Shen Yin, debated endlessly, with two core concerns: firstly, they worried that Qian Hongchu's journey would be like that of Li Yu, the Last Emperor of Southern Tang, who went to Bian and never returned; secondly, they feared that refusing the edict would provide a pretext for Zhao Song to raise an army and punish them, causing widespread suffering in the Two Zhe regions and following in the footsteps of Southern Tang's demise.

After careful consideration, Qian Hongchu decided to personally travel to Bianliang, taking his wife Sun Taizhen, along with Qian Weizhi and Qian Ying. He left his heir apparent, Qian Weijun, to supervise the state, entrusting Shen Yin and other important ministers to assist him and secretly prepare countermeasures. Shen Yin watched the entourage depart, reminding Qian Weijun to be prepared to "temporarily act as the acting Jiedushi of the two armies."

The multi-deck boat sailed away from Qiantang, slowly heading north. Sun Taizhen accompanied Qian Hongchu, gazing into the distance from the railing. She mentioned old family matters, recalling Huanglong Island, once a hub for maritime merchants and home to relatives, which had gradually become desolate since her uncle and third elder brother retired there. Now, merchant ships either sailed directly to Qiantang or transferred to Bo Yiwu in Taizhou.

Instead, it was ordinary fishermen and merchants who occasionally landed on the island to shelter from the wind and rest their feet. The unattended peach orchard bloomed freely year after year, so everyone gave it the name "Peach Blossom Island." When the fleet arrived in Bianjing, Lu Duan, the Lesser Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, represented the imperial court in welcoming them outside the city with full ceremonies.

Qian Hongchu and his entourage transferred to state carriages and entered the city. He saw bustling streets, dense crowds, and people lining the roads to watch. This was a stark contrast to the famine-stricken landscape he had witnessed twenty-nine years prior, making him deeply appreciate Zhao Kuangyin's governance achievements. After entering the city, the reception standards were raised again. Zhao Kuangyi accompanied Qian Hongchu, riding horses to parade along the imperial street.

During their conversation, Zhao Kuangyi highly praised Qian Hongchu's "achievements" in protecting his territory, bringing peace to its people, and helping pacify Jiangnan. However, his words were subtly sharp, constantly implying that the unification of the empire was an irresistible trend, and that Wuyue's submission was a wise move that conformed to the will of Heaven and secured its reputation for "preservation." Sun Taizhen looked out from the carriage.

The sight of children playing on the streets and people living in peace filled her with emotion, thinking that perhaps this was truly a time of great peace. When the entourage reached the palace gate, Zhao Kuangyin specially bestowed four great honors upon Qian Hongchu, the King of Wuyue: "no need to hurry in court, no need to call out his name when bowing, riding a horse within the forbidden city, and wearing swords and shoes while ascending the hall."

This was equivalent to granting a princely king a symbolic status almost equal to that of the emperor. Zhao Kuangyi personally led Qian Hongchu's horse into the hall. Zhao Kuangyin hosted a banquet in the Hall of Ten Thousand Years, preparing roasted meat to entertain Qian Hongchu. Lu Duan arranged for Sun Taizhen and her daughter to rest at the guesthouse.

Sun Taizhen looked at the surrounding layout, which was no different from how it was years ago, and couldn't help but think of Shuiqiu Zhaoquan, Qian You, and others. Lu Duan told Sun Taizhen that over the past twenty-nine years, the states of Nanping, Later Shu, Southern Han, and Southern Tang had successively surrendered. Therefore, the guesthouse specifically used to receive vassal kings had long been idle.

This time, with Qian Hongchu's arrival in the capital, Zhao Kuangyin had specially allocated eight thousand strings of cash to renovate the East Courtyard. Although the former residence of Feng Dao in the West Courtyard had been vacant for many years, imperial relatives and high-ranking officials never dared to occupy it without an imperial decree. By rights, Qian Hongchu should have stayed at Feng Dao's residence. Hearing this, Sun Taizhen indicated that Qian Hongchu would not agree to stay there.

In Hangzhou city, Shen Yin analyzed the general situation of the empire for Qian Weijun.

He stated that the fundamental causes of order and disorder were, firstly, land annexation, where the wealthy families in the southeast occupied seventy percent of the land but evaded taxes; secondly, currency fragmentation, where Wuyue used Kaiyuan Tongbao, the Song court minted Songyuan Tongbao, and even iron coins circulated in the Chu region; and finally, the growing power of aristocratic families, with eighteen clans in Jiangzhe controlling grain transport and salt profits. Similarly, Qian Hongchu had also considered this.

He sat around a stove with Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi, and their conversation gradually delved into the core difficulties of ceding his territory to the Song dynasty. Qian Hongchu explained the reasons for Wuyue's implementation of the "contract tax system" and his concerns about currency. Although both currencies were made of copper, their fineness, weight, and craftsmanship differed.

If an exchange rate were forcibly imposed, it would effectively be new money exchanging for old, creating a huge difference that could easily be exploited by corrupt officials. In a worse scenario, officials might compel people to exchange five hundred cash for one string, which would become an evil policy of plundering the people's wealth. Late at night, Qian Hongchu and Zhao Kuangyi were already drunk and sound asleep on the couch.

Zhao Kuangyin, however, walked out alone, holding his wine cup. He knew deeply that every word Qian Hongchu spoke tonight was true and sincere. The issues of aristocratic families, taxes, and currency were crucial to the national economy and people's livelihoods in the southeast, indicating that he had long weighed the pros and cons of ceding his state and territory. What he wanted to do was to hand over the southeast completely and peacefully to the imperial court, sparing the common people from unnecessary suffering.

When Qian Hongchu woke up in the Wansui Palace, he was astonished to find Zhao Kuangyin's outer robe draped over him. Zhao Kuangyin waited for him to finish washing, then personally led him to the Daqing Hall for the imperial court meeting. As soon as they entered the hall, he publicly ordered the palace attendants to set up a place of honor, intending for Qian Hongchu to sit beside him.

Qian Hongchu felt it was inappropriate and insisted on standing in front of the assembled officials. Zhao Kuangyin did not force him, but instead sternly scanned the officials, warning them that anyone with something to say must present it in person, and if anyone were to frame Wuyue behind their backs again, they would be severely punished without mercy. Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu was the first to step forward, requesting to extend Qian Hongchu's stay in the capital.

This seemed like a warm invitation but was in fact a house arrest. Zhao Kuangyin saw through Zhao Pu's scheme. Seemingly inadvertently, he brought up the wicked deeds of Zhao Pu's son, Zhao Lu, who had forcibly occupied civilian land and allowed his slaves to injure people, thus pointedly redirecting the accusation towards Zhao Lu.

He then issued an imperial edict to strip him of his position as Grand Academician of Zhaowenguan and reassign him as the Military Commissioner of Heyang's Three Cities, a promotion in name but a demotion in reality. Immediately after, Zhao Kuangyin issued a second imperial edict, not only generously rewarding Qian Hongchu's family with grain, silk, and a fiefdom, but also, exceptionally, enfeoffing Sun Taizhen as the Queen Consort of Wuyue.

Facing the suspicions and jealousy of some court officials, Zhao Kuangyin sternly rebuked them, strongly defending Qian Hongchu's reputation for loyalty. Qian Hongchu prostrated himself in gratitude for the appointment. That night, Sun Taizhen combed Qian Hongchu's hair, and the two discussed their daughter's marriage. Previously, Qian Hongchu had rejected many marriage proposals, simply wanting to keep his daughter by his side for a couple more years. Now, times had changed; long spears and halberds might not guarantee her safety.

For lasting peace, she would ultimately need to be entrusted to someone steeped in morality and scholarly wisdom. Sun Taizhen was filled with mixed emotions, lamenting that decades had passed as if in a dream. More than a month later, as the return date approached, Qian Hongchu entered the palace to have an audience with the emperor before his departure. Zhao Kuangyin summoned him alone to meet in the Jiying Hall.

Inside the hall were portraits of Guo Rong and various elder statesmen. Zhao Kuangyin ordered a palace attendant to display an old banner, which was precisely the yellow robe he had worn during the Chenqiao Mutiny. He revealed his true feelings, and together they gazed upon the stele erected for Guo Rong. The knot in their hearts, which had persisted for many years, was finally untied. Li Yuanqing lived in seclusion in Ninghai, Taizhou.

His student Fan Yong (father of Fan Zhongyan) attended to him, mentioning that a letter from home urged him to go to Xifu to take the "Zheneng Academy" examination. However, his aspirations lay in nature, and he felt quite hesitant. Li Yuanqing observed the myriad of surnames in the world and decided to revise the "Baijiaxing" (Hundred Family Surnames) to correct their origins, prominently placing the character "Li" at the very beginning.

At the same time, Zhao Kuangyin wrote to Qian Hongchu, expressing his ambition for unification, and bestowed a return gift, which held profound meaning. Qian Hongchu, moved by his sincerity, gathered his officials to discuss the matter. Shen Yin asserted that this was merely a delaying tactic, and that the demise of Wuyue was likely imminent. Listening to Shen Yin's words, Qian Hongchu was angered that he should question Zhao Kuangyin.

Seeing that Qian Hongchu would not heed his advice, Shen Yin resigned from office and retired to a reclusive life. Although Qian Hongchu regretted it, he still generously rewarded him and allowed him to leave. Before leaving, Shen Yin learned that Li Yuanqing had gone blind and instructed Ge Qiang to personally deal with him.

Ge Qiang, seeing Li Yuanqing's humble and steadfast adherence to his principles, and his preference for death over serving in office, suddenly felt compassion and secretly allowed him to escape into the deep mountains. Inside the Wansui Palace in Bianliang city, a once-in-a-century blizzard suddenly descended. Zhao Kuangyi brought hot wine to Zhao Kuangyin, who was intensely staring at Dali and Taiyuan on a map.

With Northern Han still occupying Taiyuan and the southern territories unsettled, Zhao Kuangyin lamented his old age and the incomplete empire. He then entrusted the crucial task of recovering Taiyuan to Zhao Kuangyi, handing him the apricot-yellow banner that had been taken from Taiyuan years ago, indignantly declaring that this banner was "stained with the blood of all people under heaven." Suddenly, Zhao Kuangyin's expression became frenzied.

He handed an axe to Zhao Kuangyi and commanded him to chop Taiyuan on the map. Zhao Kuangyi was drenched in sweat, terrified and unable to comply. By dawn the next day, Zhao Kuangyin walked out of the hall alone, treading through the snow. He suddenly felt dizzy, murmured the words "King of Jin," and collapsed. Amidst the startled cries of the palace attendants, a generation's heroic ruler met his end. The historical enigma of "the shadow of the candle and the sound of the axe" has since shrouded the early Song court.

In the Imperial City of Bianjing, the Hall of Eternal Longevity was filled with an air of solemnity. Zhao Kuangyi rushed in, pushing open the door, and prostrated himself deeply before his elder brother, who had long since passed away on the bed. Civil and military officials, led by Xue Juzheng, hastened into the hall.

Without the drama of a thrilling coup, in an almost suffocating atmosphere of solemnity and tacit understanding, they successively pleaded with the Prince of Jin to ascend the throne to stabilize the realm. On November 14, 976 AD, Zhao Kuangyin passed away in the Hall of Eternal Longevity. He was posthumously honored as Emperor Yingwu Shengwen Shende, with the temple name Taizu, and lived for fifty years.

Prince of Jin, Zhao Kuangyi, ascended the throne before the coffin in accordance with the posthumous edict of the "Alliance of the Golden Coffer," becoming Emperor Taizong of Song. On January 18 of the following year, the reign title was changed to "Taiping Xingguo." The sad news of Taizu's passing quickly reached Hangzhou. Qian Hongchu immediately ordered the court to be suspended for eleven days, and the entire nation mourned.

He even personally fasted and purified himself for Emperor Taizu, performing the courtesies of a subject with the utmost piety. In a corner of the common folk, Fan Yong visited Li Yuanqing and mentioned mediating land disputes for the villagers. An unintentional remark instantly prompted Li Yuanqing to reconsider the "Hundred Family Surnames." The order of Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li became a reflection of imperial power and aristocratic families in folk symbolism.

However, before the national mourning ended, a lament arose again in the inner palace. Sun Taizhen was gravely ill and bedridden. On her deathbed, she told Qian Hongchu that she wished to distribute all the grain, rice, and fields she received as dowry to the common people, issuing a strict order: "No reclaiming, selling, or leasing." She also requested a sea burial after her death, wishing her soul to return to the waves rather than occupy an inch of land.

Qian Hongchu, with tears in his eyes, agreed and tightly embraced his weakening beloved. The emperor's grief was no different from that of an ordinary husband. On the day of the farewell, Qian Hongchu took his children and sailed out to sea, watching the small boat carrying Sun Taizhen's remains disappear into the misty depths. Afterwards, he ascended to the mountaintop alone, gazing at the Leifeng Pagoda by West Lake, remaining silent for a long time.

In a village school in Ninghai County, Li Yuanqing and his disciples freely discussed the current affairs. Fan Yong resolved to embark on an official career, serving the nation with his practical knowledge of governance. After joining the Agricultural Administration Department, he showed his talent, achieving remarkable political successes such as surveying land and compiling household registers. Shen Yin, who had retired and returned to his hometown, greatly appreciated him and actively recommended him.

Meanwhile, in Hangzhou, Qian Jun, on his deathbed, tightly grasped Qian Hongchu's hand and instructed him not to care about worldly praise or slander, nor to concern himself with the old and young remnants of the clan.

He said that in this world, there has never been a thousand-year-unbroken imperial temple and state; what can truly be passed down for a thousand years are those generations who are unwilling to rest on their laurels, willing to struggle, and willing to exert all their strength to live good lives. Soon, the Wuyue Kingdom faced a choice of survival.

Before the trend of unification, expressed as "there cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two lords for the people," Qian Hongchu decided to cede his territory and submit to avoid the calamities of war and to protect his clan and the people of Liangzhe.

He gathered the imperial family members and officials in Fengxian Hall, and as the King of Wuyue, led everyone in reciting the Qian family ancestral precepts, jointly bowing before the ancestral tablets, and holding a solemn farewell ceremony. In 978 AD, Qian Hongchu led his relatives and officials northward across the Huai River, finally reaching Dongjing (Tokyo), where he presented the imperial seal and maps of thirteen prefectures and eighty-six counties to Zhao Kuangyi.

Jiangnan, which had been fractured for nearly a century since the Huang Chao Rebellion in the late Tang Dynasty, was thus finally unified under the Zhao (Song Dynasty). Zhao Kuangyi commended Qian Hongchu's loyalty and courage in assessing the situation and considering the overall interest, issuing an edict of generous treatment and commendation.

The Song Dynasty gained the wealthy and strategically important southeast without shedding a drop of blood, and the Qian family also met with a good end, receiving respectful treatment. Their descendants flourished for a thousand years, producing numerous distinguished figures. As the commendation edict spread throughout the land by post horse, at dusk, Qian Hongchu once again ascended to the summit, as if returning to the past.

At that time, as the Ninth Young Master, he had gazed into the distance alongside Zhao Kuangyin and Guo Rong. The mountains and rivers remained, and a slowly unfolding historical scene was gently narrated. From then on, the Qiantang River tide temporarily subsided, and the misty waters of Taihu Lake returned to tranquility. There was no longer a need to rely on natural barriers for self-preservation, nor to calculate military provisions and supplies.

Peddlers and laborers could peacefully enjoy the lamps burning deep into the night, and literati could freely travel the official roads. The so-called unification of the realm was ultimately to allow the vast mountains and rivers to return to ordinary life and create an era of peace.