Waterworks behind 'Swords into Plowshares': How advanced was Wuyue's infrastructure?

The hit TV drama Swords into Plowshares has reignited interest in Wuyue culture, spotlighting how the Wuyue Kingdom (907–978), with Hangzhou as its capital, achieved lasting peace through sophisticated water management.

Far from fictional embellishment, several key scenes draw directly from real hydraulic projects that still shape the city today.

Qianwang Well: A lifeline beneath the city

Featured in Episode 4, the Qianwang Well traces back to King Qian Liu, founder of the Wuyue Kingdom. Historical records say he ordered the digging of dozens of wells to solve chronic freshwater shortages. Of the original 99 wells, only Qianwang Well survives today — remarkably abundant even during severe droughts — symbolizing early urban water planning in Hangzhou.

The Qianwang Well is located in today's Gongshu district. [Photo by Shen Weijian/Hangzhou Daily]

Poliu Well: Savior of a king

Located in today's Lin'an district, the Poliu Well dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and is closely tied to the legend of Qian Liu's birth. According to local chronicles, he was once nearly abandoned at the well but was saved by his grandmother, giving rise to both his childhood name and the well's legacy. It remains one of Zhejiang province's best-preserved Tang-era brick-and-stone structures.

The Poliu Well remains one of Zhejiang province's best-preserved Tang-era brick-and-stone structures. [Photo/WeChat account: linanfabu]

Qian's Sea Dike: Engineering peace on the coast

To protect Hangzhou from the tidal surges of the Qiantang River, Qian Liu ordered the construction of the Qian's Sea Dike in 910. Using an innovative bamboo-cage-and-stone technique, the project set a technical benchmark for later coastal defenses and laid the foundation for agricultural stability in the region.

The remains of Qian's Sea Dike. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Qiantang First Well: The city's life-saving spring

Dug under the guidance of monk Deshao during the Wuyue period, the Qiantang First Well tapped a freshwater aquifer untouched by tidal saltwater. During a major drought in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), it was the only well in Hangzhou that did not dry up, earning its reputation as the city's ultimate emergency water source.

The Qiantang First Well. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Together, these projects reveal the core logic behind Wuyue's long years of peace: systematic water governance as a tool of statecraft.