Resumo do episódio 2 de Swords into Plowshares
> Resumos de Swords into Plowshares
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.
