While directing the historical drama Swords into Plowshares, Yang Lei found himself increasingly resonating with international news reports about conflicts.

Set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960), the drama revisits that turbulent era and recounts the story of Qian Hongchu, the last ruler of the Wuyue Kingdom, who chose to surrender peacefully to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in order to spare his people from war and help realize reunification.

"I still remember a line from screenwriter Dong Zhe when we first discussed the project," Yang recalled during a seminar held in Beijing earlier this week.

"He said the era was so terrible that people resorted to cannibalism. It was one of the darkest periods in Chinese history. The drama is about a group of people yearning for peace, endeavoring to end that dark era," Yang said, explaining that this vision instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility for the project.

Actor Bai Yu, who plays Qian, said that two lines have stayed with him, inspiring him to pour passion into the role: "You will know the result only by doing it," and "Beginning in turbulence but ending in peace — that is a blessing for our generation."

"During the creative process, I read the script over and over again. Dong's writing gave the character a richly developed arc and plenty of expressive space for performance," Bai said.

He further immersed himself in the role by studying various historical materials and visiting historical sites such as the Temple of the Qian Kings in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province — a memorial honoring the Qian family, who once ruled Wuyue Kingdom.