Swords into Plowshares

In the year 941, the Wuyue (吴越) kingdom was thrust into uncertainty. Its aging king was gone, leaving a young successor and a court simmering with ambition. From this turmoil emerged a prince who seemed more interested in personal freedom than affairs of state. His name was Qian Hongchu (钱弘俶), and his journey would become the heart of the new historical drama Swords into Plowshares (太平年). This is not merely a tale of battles and conquests, but a deep exploration of a leader's evolution and the monumental choice between holding onto power and securing peace for his people. It asks a timeless question: what is a ruler's ultimate duty? Transformation Qian Hongchu's life was upended by a diplomatic mission to Bianliang (汴梁). He anticipated a routine visit, but instead walked into a nightmare. He saw the brutal reality of war firsthand: Khitan armies at the gates, a humbled emperor, and ordinary citizens displaced and suffering. These scenes shattered his sheltered worldview. It was here he also forged crucial bonds with fellow visionaries Guo Rong (郭荣) and Zhao Kuangyin (赵匡胤), men who shared his whispered dream of a lasting peace for all the warring states. Returning to Wuyue, the prince was…