Swords into Plowshares Episode 19 Recap
> Swords into Plowshares Recaps
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.
