A poster for Swords into Plowshares. [Photo/Huace Group]

A Hangzhou-produced historical drama, Swords into Plowshares, has turned a little-known chapter of Chinese history into a global sensation, local media outlets reported.

Since its prime-time debut on China Central Television, the series — centered on the peaceful submission of the Wuyue Kingdom to the Song Dynasty (960–1279) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–979) — has topped the ratings and sparked widespread discussions both at home and abroad.

The show leads national viewership with a CVB rating of 2.696, has generated over 1.5 billion topic views across Chinese social media, and scored 9.4 on Tencent Video. Viewers have even embraced a research-oriented kind of fandom, debating historical details and reviving interest in the classical Chinese language used in the dialogue.

Internationally, the drama is now available in 73 countries and regions. It is streaming on major platforms such as Rakuten Viki, YouTube, and leading services in Southeast Asia. It has also topped overseas drama charts in Vietnam and earned strong ratings on global review sites, making it one of the first hit Chinese historical dramas of 2026.

Set against the backdrop of Hangzhou — the historic capital of the Wuyue Kingdom — the series traces the decision of ruler Qian Hongchu (929–988) to surrender his territory peacefully, highlighting the themes of unity, reform, and the pursuit of peace.

Industry observers say the show's success underscores the growing global appeal of high-quality Chinese historical storytelling and offers a new model for Chinese culture going global.

A special exhibition for Swords into Plowshares is held at the Memorial Temple of King Qian in Hangzhou on Jan 2. [Photo/IC]