History Tunnel

  Reunification---Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618)

"China has suffered from the bloody division too long", a resounding voice echoed from the vast background of ancient China.

A young man appears in our History Tunnel.  He is eager to tell us his stories of his time.

" Hello! My name is Yang Jian. I am a high official and royal relative of Northern Zhou Dynasty (one of the Northern Dynasties).   I witnessed my country's chaos and can't stand the misery.  In AD 581, I crushed the Northern Zhou Dynasty and set up a centralized administrative government---Sui Dynasty.  In order to strengthen my reign and improve people's life, I carried out a series of political and economical reforms, such as instituting a " land equalization system" and reducing taxes.  My new government gained widespread support from my people. In AD 589, I defeated the last of the Southern Dynasties.  After over three centuries of division, China is finally reunited!  The chaos is over!  My people are now able to enjoy their peaceful life".

Yang Jian was a hero and an austere emperor. The government was remarkably stable during his lifetime.

After he died, his second son, Yang Guang succeeded to the throne.  Unlike his father, Yang Guang was known as a cruel tyrant and he enjoyed extravagances. Two million bonded laborers were employed and huge amount of state funds were used to build his palaces, artificial lakes and pleasure parks.  In order to expand his empire, he launched wars on his neighbor-Korea, but all the campaigns failed.  Meanwhile, rebellions grew throughout the country, and the downfall of his reign seemed inevitable.  In AD 617, a general, named Li Yuan, conquered Chang'an (the capital of Sui Dynasty, present Xi'an). In AD 618, Yang Guang fled south where he was strangled by one of his generals. Sui now came to the end!

Now what? Can China remain unified or will it fall back into chaos? Please continue your journey through our History Tunnel, you will find the answer.