Resumo do episódio 30 de Swords into Plowshares
> Resumos de Swords into Plowshares
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.
