Swords into Plowshares Episode 41 Recap
> Swords into Plowshares Recaps
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.
