Peaceful Years

Synopsis

During the mid-to-late period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms through the early Northern Song Dynasty, Qian Hongchu, the ruler of the Wuyue Kingdom, grew and matured with a deep concern for the people. In the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era, he surrendered his territory to the Song Dynasty, contributing to the realization of peace and stability across the land.

Overview

"Peaceful Era" is a historical costume drama directed by Yang Lei (known for "The Three-Body Problem") and written by Dong Zhe. Starring Bai Yu, Zhou Yutong, Zhu Yawen, Yu Haoming, Dong Yong, Ni Dahong, Zhu Jiaqi, and others, the series premiered in mainland China in 2025, consisting of 40 episodes.

The drama focuses on the historical transition from the middle and late periods of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to the early Northern Song Dynasty, centering on the Wuyue Kingdom's "Surrender of Territory to the Song." It fills a gap in Chinese film and television regarding the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Its Douban rating initially soared to 9.4-9.7 points before stabilizing at 8.3, hailed as a phenomenal masterpiece among recent historical dramas.

Plot

In 941 AD, following the death of King Qian Yuanguan of Wuyue, a young successor ascends the throne, plunging the Wuyue royal family into internal and external crises. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the series follows the fateful choices of three key figures: King Qian Hongchu of Wuyue (Bai Yu), Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin (Zhu Yawen), and Later Zhou ruler Guo Rong (Yu Haoming).

Adhering to the principle of "protecting the borders and bringing peace to the people," Qian Hongchu matures into a responsible monarch amidst the chaos. Witnessing the suffering of displaced commoners, he understands that only by re-establishing order can the misery end. Ultimately, in the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty, Qian Hongchu, prioritizing the welfare of the people, makes the historic decision to "surrender the territory to the Song," achieving unification without bloodshed and realizing the ideal of "peace."

The series employs a dual narrative structure, intertwining the gentle elegance of the southern Wuyue Kingdom with the iron-blooded struggles of the northern Central Plains. It blends grand historical narrative with the emotional struggles and human choices of its characters.

Cast

Awards and Reception

"Peaceful Era" received extremely high praise upon its premiere. Its Douban rating initially reached 9.4-9.7 points, setting a new record for historical drama premieres in recent years, before stabilizing at 8.3 (rated by approximately 100,000 users). The series has been widely acclaimed as "a breath of fresh air in an era of entertainment to death."

Audiences particularly praised the drama for filling the historical gap of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, its high production quality, and the outstanding performances of the cast. Bai Yu's portrayal of Qian Hongchu was noted for its restraint and composure, while Zhu Yawen's interpretation of Zhao Kuangyin was praised for its commanding presence and human depth.

Cultural Impact

The greatest contribution of "Peaceful Era" lies in bringing the little-known history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to the screen. The historical event of "Surrender of Territory to the Song"—where Qian Hongchu voluntarily submitted to avoid widespread bloodshed—showcases the traditional Chinese values of "putting the people first" and "the world for the public."

Director Yang Lei, known for the sci-fi epic "The Three-Body Problem," transitioned to historical costume drama with this project, successfully combining a grand historical vision with nuanced character portrayals, earning unanimous praise from audiences and critics alike. The series is also regarded as one of the most culturally profound domestic dramas of the 2025-2026 period.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/36317421/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/太平年/62783353
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/太平年
4. The Paper: https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_32383389