HONG KONG/CHINESE SERIE

The Legend of the Treasure basin (2004)

The Legend of the Treasure Basin (2004) (Ep. 1 to 37) In 2004, The Legend of the Treasure Basin (聚宝盆) aired on Myawaddy TV and became quite popular. In this series, actor Kan Wai Kyan portrayed the character of Shen Wansan, and actress Phan Pin Pin also starred. The drama, which mixes historical events with humor and business insights, follows the life of the real historical figure Shen Wansan, a wealthy merchant during the Ming Dynasty. It became widely loved by audiences for its entertaining portrayal of his life. Shen Wansan (沈万三) was born in 1330 in Suqiao, a town near Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, and passed away at the age of 49 in 1379. He was known as one of the wealthiest men during the transition from the Yuan to the Ming dynasty. His town, Suqiao, was strategically located near the Grand Canal, which allowed him to dominate the regional trade routes. His prosperity was also due to his involvement in many business ventures, including the production of silk, tea, and other goods. Shen Wansan’s wealth initially came from agriculture. His family believed in the possibility of acquiring riches through land, and they purchased as much property as they could afford. His big break came when a wealthy merchant named Lu Deyuan recognized his talent and invested heavily in his ventures. This investment allowed Shen Wansan to expand his business interests, including agriculture, silk production, and tea trade. His strategic location and control over trade routes allowed him to expand further, trading goods across various regions in China and beyond. Shen Wansan’s wealth continued to grow, and he became known as a symbol of prosperity and economic prowess. His wealth included vast estates, private gardens, and large warehouses spread across various regions. One of his most notable estates still exists today in Suqiao. Even though he was wealthy, his fortunes attracted the jealousy of the ruling Ming Emperor Hongwu, who ordered Shen Wansan’s exile to Yunnan Province. Despite this, Shen Wansan’s influence remained strong, and he continued to make his fortune through trade routes such as the famous "Tea Horse Road" which connected Yunnan to Tibet and Myanmar. Throughout his life, Shen Wansan’s business ventures thrived, and he became a beloved figure in the regions where he lived and worked. The people saw him as a god of commerce, and many believed that he could never truly die, such was his prosperity. The Legend of Shen Wansan’s Wealth: Shen Wansan’s rise to wealth has its own legend. He started life as a fisherman and farmer in a small town. One day, while he was fishing, he saw someone preparing a frog stew. Feeling pity for the frogs, he bought them all and released them back into the water. That night, the sound of frogs croaking woke him from his sleep. When he checked the area around his house, he found the frogs had returned and gathered on a small basin, which he took into his home. He placed coins into the basin, and miraculously, the coins multiplied, filling the basin. From that moment, Shen Wansan became extraordinarily wealthy. This story is often told as a testament to his success, with people in northern China regarding him as a god of commerce, much like the god of wealth in Chinese folklore. (Shen Wansan’s story is often seen as a competition between wealth and power. Ultimately, power triumphed over wealth.) Written by: Page - Than Shwe Ti Ya