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Sui Dynasty Started from 581 and ended in 618, the Sui Dynasty lasted for only 38 years and had only three emperors. With a tyrannical second emperor - Emperor Yang, this dynasty was often compared to the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC). However, the whole nation was reunified and certain economic and political advances were achieved in the period. Establishment At the end of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386 - 589), the whole nation had undergone a long period of division. People who had endured sufferings of war were longing for the unification but neither the Northern Dynasties Buddha statues in Maiji Mountain, carved in the Sui Dynasty nor Southern Dynasties realized this goal. In Northern Zhou (557 - 581), Yang Jian, who was born to the noble class and was the Chengxiang (Prime Minister) of the last emperor, monopolized the political and military power and suppressed the separatist forces as well as some other royal forces. In 581, Yang Jian replaced Northern Zhou with Sui and proclaimed himself Emperor Wen. Thus Sui was founded, with Chang'an (currently Xian) the capital and Luoyang the auxiliary capital. In 589, the Sui Court defeated the last of the Southern Dynasties, Chen, and unified the whole nation. Economical and Political Prosperity Sui Coins inscribed with characters As a result of the reunification, the society became stable and peaceful which encouraged economical and "Wu Zhu", political development. At the beginning, the agricultural acreage increased greatly which promoted the crop yield. The skills industry made some new advances with the shipbuilding technology reaching a new high level. Meanwhile, the commerce in Luoyang was fairly prosperous and in order to develop the national economy, a series of policies, such as Juntian (equal division of fields) System and Zutiao (tax moderation) System, were carried out. This equally distributed the farmland and moderated the tax rates while increasing the fiscal revenue. In order to enhance the communication between southern and northern areas, Emperor Yang ordered his people to dredge a grand canal running from north and south. Centering on Luoyang, the Grand Canal was more than 2.5 miles long and functioned as the main artery in the Nation's transportation. The Grand Canal played an important role in economical and cultural exchange between southern and northern areas. There were also many changes in political life. A new political system - Three Departments and Six Ministries was established - the first in Chinese history. Under this system, the royal power was enhanced and the work division in the court became detailed. Since this period, the method of selecting talent was thoroughly overhauled. The traditional Jiupin Zhongzheng (nine ranks of officials) Hierarchical System was replaced by the Imperial Examination System, which connected studying, the taking of examinations and attaining an official position. It had a profound influence on the selection of talent in Chinese history. Relics of Great Wall of Sui Dynasty, Yanchi County, Ningxia Decline and Ruin The decline of the Sui Dynasty started from the second monarch, Emperor Yang, who was a typical tyrant. His reputation was that of a son who lacked respect for his parents, committed patricide and usurped the throne. Emperor Yang led a luxurious and corrupt life. Upon gaining the throne, he employed two million laborers to build the second capital city of Luoyang and was even reputed to have cruised along the river in a large dragon ship, with thousands of ships following in attendance. Craving greatness and success, Emperor Yang also waged war against Gaoli (currently Korea). Both burdensome military service and heavy corvee labor forced peasants to leave their farmland. Later, famine was common and caused by the resulting desolation leaving all the countryside in extreme misery. In 611, peasants from Mt. Changbaishan in Shandong began a rebellion. Before long, rebels from all over the country formed into several powerful groups. Among them, the main military force was called the Wagang Army which was led by Zhai Rang and Li Mi. The force captured the granary of the Sui Court and Pottery of Chicken, Sui burial objects issued the food to the peasants. As a result, the Sui regime became rather unstable and in 618, when Emperor Yang was strangled by one of his subordinates, it completely collapsed. Emperors Notes Reign Time (years) Order Name 1 Sui Wendi (Yang Jian) 2 Sui Yangdi (Yang The second son of Sui Wendi; known as a tyrant who led the dynasty to decline Guang) 604 - 617 3 Sui Gongdi The last emperor of Sui Dynasty who yielded the throne to Li Yuan (later Emperor Gaozu of (Yang the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) You) 617 - 618 He was father-in-law of the last emperor of Northern Zhou; After the emperor died, he seized 581 - 604 the throne for himself and established the Sui Dynasty Tang Dynasty Viewing the Chinese history record, you will find the Tang Dynasty was the most glistening historic period in China's history. Founded in 618 and ending in 907, the state, under the ruling of the Tang Emperors, became the most powerful and prosperous country in the world. Particularly, in this glorious period, the economy, politics, culture and military strength reached an unparalleled advanced level. Establishment At the end of Sui Dynasty (581 - 618), the whole country fell into chaos due to the tyranny of Emperor Yang; rebellions roused by peasants were everywhere. Resenting Emperor Yang's ruling, the chief officer of Taiyuan - Li Yuan, who was also known as Tangguo Gong (a vassal in Sui Court) raised an army in Taiyuan from May 617. In November of the same year, Li Yuan's army captured the capital city Chang'an (currently Xian) Tang Tri-colored Glazed and put a new monarch, Yang You, on the throne as Pottery Emperor Gong. Meanwhile, Li Yuan proclaimed himself Da Chengxiang (prime minister) and Tang Wang (King of Tang). In 618 after Emperor Yang was killed by his chancellor, Yuwen Huaji, Li Yuan seized the chance to proclaim himself emperor and changed the state title into Tang, still with Chang'an as the capital city. Glorious Period The first glorious period was from 627 to 649 when the Tang Dynasty was just set up and its national strength was recovering from the previous weak condition. Under Emperor Taizong Li Shimin's wise governing, the national strength and social development reached an unparalleled prosperity - economy and commerce flourished, the social order was stable, corruption never existed in the court and the national boundaries were even open to foreign countries. Mural of a Banquet, Tang Dynasty Agate Cup with Animal Head, Tang Dynasty After Li Shimin died, the throne passed to his ninth son Li Zhi who was later crowned as Emperor Gaozong and married Li Shimin's imperial concubine Wu Meiniang. Wu Meiniang was officially named Wu Zetian and afterwards became the empress. Actually it was Wu Zetian who had the real power during Emperor Gaozong's reign since the emperor suffered from bad health. After Li Zhi died, Wu successively enthroned and dethroned her two sons - Li Xian and Li Dan. In 690, disregarding the objections and criticisms of all chancellors, Wu Zetian proclaimed herself Emperor Shengshen and established a new dynasty - Zhou, which lasted for 15 years. During her reign, the state economy continued to develop rapidly. In 705, a coup broke out which brought one of the former emperors, Li Xian, to the throne as Emperor Zhongzong. However, Emperor Zhongzong's ruling was manipulated by his wife, Empress Wei. In 710, plotting to be the second woman emperor, Empress Wei along with Princess Anle poisoned Zhongzong. At that time, Li Longji (son of Li Dan) launched a coup with the assistance of his parental aunt Princess Taiping, killing Empress Wei and Princess Anle. After that, Li Dan was crowned as Emperor Ruizong. The second glorious period was during Emperor Xuanzong's reign. In 712, Emperor Ruizong abdicated and Li Longji was enthroned as Emperor Xuanzong. Under his ruling, the national economy, politics and culture all developed rapidly and the social development entered a new heyday. In that period, Chang'an City was the largest and the most prosperous metropolis in the world. Since the title of Xuanzong's reign was Kaiyuan, that period was called the Heyday of Kaiyuan, in which the dynasty reached its summit of prosperity. Bronze Mirror, Tang Dynasty Decline White Porcelain, Tang Dynasty and Ruin In his old age, Emperor Xuanzong was complacent and indifferent to state affairs. Hopelessly, he indulged himself in the beauty of his concubine Yang Yuhuan. Besides, he also appointed some wicked chancellors who corrupted the political order. Meanwhile, troops on the frontiers gradually gathered together and formed a powerful military force. In 755, An Lushan aligned with Shi Siming and launched a rebellion, called the An Shi Rebellion which lasted for eight years and heavily knocked the Tang regime. From then on, the national strength was weakened daily by separatist forces in local areas. Because of the incompetence of the emperors the dominance of the eunuchs and power struggles between chancellors became increasingly intense. Hence the Tang Dynasty declined from generation to generation. In 859, a large-scale peasant uprising launched by Huang Chao again severely attacked the Tang regime. In 907, the last Tang emperor, Emperor Ai was forced to abdicate by Chancellor Zhu Quanzhong, who afterwards changed the state title into Liang, finally putting the ever powerful and mighty dynasty to an end. Song Dynasty Starting in 960 and ending in 1279, the Song Dynasty consisted of the Northern Song (960-1127) and the Southern Song (1127-1279). With a prosperous economy and radiant culture, this period was considered as another period of 'golden age' after the glorious Tang Dynasty (618 907). The Northern Song was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou (951 - 960). In 960, Zhao Kuangyin launched a mutiny in Chenqiao county (in current Henan Province).It was not long before the last king of the Latter Zhou was forced to abdicate. Thus a new dynasty - Song was established in Kaifeng. In that period, most part of China's territory was unified. However, in late Northern Song, the political corruption was serious and the regime began to decline. In 1127, it was destroyed by the Jin (1115 - 1234). The Southern Song was set up by Zhao Gou, son of Wax statue of Lord Bao, the last emperor of Northern Song. After Jin an upright official in the defeated the Northern Song, many imperial Northern Song Dynasty clansmen were captured by Jin's army. Fortunately, Zhao Gou had a luck escape. In 1127, he fled to Nanjing Yingtianfu (in current Shangqiu of Henan Province) and established the Southern Song Dynasty there. Later, the capital city was moved to Lin'an (currently Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province).The Southern Song's regime was subject to the Jin. Many patriotic generals were killed in the late period. In 1279, the army of the Yuan Dynasty captured Lin'an, putting the Southern Song to an end. Generally, the Song Dynasty was prosperous in many respects of the society. In agriculture, the productive technology was improved which promoted the output of food; in handicraft industry, the division of labor became more detailed which made the handicrafts technology reach an advanced level; additionally, the development of the commodity economy exceeded the previous level. Particularly, the earliest paper currency appeared at that period. As for the development of science and culture, tremendous achievements were made during this period. Two of China's four great inventions - typography and compass were both invented and the application of gunpowder also developed rapidly. With regard to literature, a large number of outstanding scholars and poets, such as Zhuxi, Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, Sima Guang and Shen Kuo, emerged and built up the splendid cultural atmosphere of the Song Dynasty. Ruins of Song Great Wall in Kelan County, Shanxi Xiangguo Temple, a Buddhist Temple in Kaifeng Emperors Order Name Notes Reign Time (years) Northern Song (960 - 1127) 1 Song Taizu Formerly the leading general of the Latter Zhou (951 - 960); He (Zhao usurped the throne and founded the Song Dynasty by launching a Kuangyin) coup. 960 976 2 Song Taizong (Zhao Guangyi) The younger brother of Zhao Kuangyin; during his reign, the whole China was unified by his defeating the Northern Han (951 - 979). 976 997 3 Song Zhenzong (Zhao Heng) Son of Emperor Taizong; In his reign, the military power of Song was strengthened but he signed the first humiliating treaty with the 997 Liao (916 - 1125). Especially, he founded the famous ceramic kiln in 1022 Jingdezhen. 4 Song Renzong (Zhao Zhen) Son of Emperor Zhenzong; His reign was the turning point of the Song Dynasty from the prosperity to the disintegration. 5 Song Son of one of the imperial clansmen and was adopted by Emperor Yingzong Renzong; Actually, Emperor Yingzong's father was the first cousin (Zhao Shu) of Emperor Renzong. 1063 1067 6 Song Shenzong (Zhao Xu1) 1067 1085 During his reign, he appointed Wang Anshi as Chancellor who presented a series of reform policy. He tried to expel Xixia (a contemporary kingdom of the Northern Song) troops out of the Song's territory but it was in vain. 1022 1063 7 Song Zhezong (Zhao Xu3) Son of Emperor Zhenzong; In his reign, a conventional chancellor named Sima Guang was appointed, who once halted the reform policy put forth by Wang Anshi. 1085 1100 8 Song Huizong (Zhao Ji) The 11th son of Emperor Shenzong; one of the few monarchs who favored Taoism and against Buddhism; As an emperor, he was more well-known as a painter, poet, calligrapher and musician. 1100 1125 9 Song Qinzong (Zhao Huan) The eldest son of Emperor Huizong; He ascended to the throne after 1126 his father abdicated. However, the Song court was defeated by the Jin army in 1127 after which both Qinzong and Huizong were demoted 1127 to commoner. Southern Song (1127 - 1279) 10 Song Gaozong (Zhao Gou) The ninth son of Emperor Huizong who escaped the capture of the Jin court; He founded the weak Northern Song in Lin'an (currently Hangzhou). 1127 1162 11 Song Xiaozong (Zhao Shen) He belonged to the seventh generation descendants of Emperor Taizu. 1162 1189 12 Song Guangzong The present Chongqing City was originally named by Guangzong, (Zhao meaning ‘double celebration'. Dun) 1189 1194 13 Song Ningzong (Zhao Kuo) In his reign, the cultural and intellectual achievements were abundant. 1194 1224 14 Song Lizong (Zhao Yun) He was not interested in state affairs. In his reign, the Jin (1115 1234) was destroyed in 1234. 1224 1264 15 Song Duzong (Zhao Qi) 1264 Nephew of Emperor Lizong; His reign was full of rebellions and war affairs. 1274 16 Song Gongdi (Zhao Xian) Son of Emperor Duzong; His reign lasted for only two years then he abdicated to his elder brother. 17 Song Son of Emperor Duzong; His reign also lasted for two years till his Duanzong death. (Zhao Shi) 1275 1276 1276 1278 18 Song Weiwang (Zhao Bing) Younger brother of Duanzong and died at eight; Chancellor Lu Xiu carried him jumping into the sea after the Yuan army's invasion. 1278 1279 Yuan Dynasty Since the late period of the 12th century, an ethnic minority group called Mongolian had grown up in the northern areas of China. In 1204, one of the leaders of the Mongolian tribes, Tiemuzhen, unified all the internal tribes. Two years later, Tiemuzhen was honored as Genghis Khan (meaning the ruler of the world) and soon established the Mongolian Empire. Successively, it captured Xixia and the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234), after which the combative Mongolian army sent its military forces into Central Asia and Europe. Statue of Genghis Khan In 1260, the grandson of Tiemuzhen, Kublai Khan, ascended the throne. In 1271, he formally established the Yuan Dynasty with Yuandadu (currently Beijing) as the capital. (The new dynasty was not territorially the former Mongolian Empire as three parts had broken away before the new dynasty was founded.) In 1276, not long after the founding of the dynasty, Kublai Khan led his army, capturing the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279) and thus he unified the entire China. At that time, Yuan's territory stretched to Mongolia and Siberia in the north, the South Sea in the south, Yunnan Province and Tibet in the southwest, eastern part of Xinjiang Province in the northwest and the Stanovoi Range in the northeast. The total area of the country was over 4.6 million square miles. As a mighty state, the Yuan Dynasty enjoyed economic development and prospered in the fields of science and literature. The economy was mainly based on agriculture. The agricultural Genghis Khan's Mausoleum, techniques used were superior to those Baotou, Inner Mongolia of previous dynasties and food output increased. Additionally, the use of paper currency stimulated the development of commerce. Meanwhile, trade with foreign countries was greatly encouraged following an open policy adopted by the rulers. In the area of science, astronomy, mathematics and medicine reached a very high level. In literature, the Yuan drama, along with the Tang poem and 'ci' poem of the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), was considered another heritage of Chinese literature. During the glorious period, diplomatic activities with foreign countries were quite frequent with many foreign envoys, merchants and travelers traversing the sea to come to China. Among them, the famous Italian merchant Marco Polo was a successful cultural transmitter who wrote the historic travel notes, The Travels of Marco Polo, informing the West about China. In the late period, the internal contradictions of the ruling class, serious natural disasters, and Nadam Fair on Gegentala unreasonable grading system together Grassland, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia aroused the indignation of the people. In 1367, the rebel army led by Zhu Yuanzhang captured the Yuan capital, ending the ever mighty Yuan regime. Emperors Order Name Notes Period of Reign 1 Taizu (Borjigin Temujin) Also known as Genghis Khan the great military leader; Temujin founded the great Mongolian Empire, with his territory stretching across the entire Eurasian Continent. 1206 1227 2 Ruizong (Borjigin Tolui) The fourth son of Temujin, he governed the empire for two years after Temujin died 1227 1229 3 The third son of Temujin; during his reign, he formed an Taizong alliance with the Southern Song to fight against Jin (1115 (Borjigin Ögedei) 1234). 1229 1241 4 Empress Zhaoci (Töregene Khâtûn) 5 Dingzong The eldest son of Taizong (Borjigin Güyük) 6 Empress Qinshu (Oghul Ghaymish) 1248 Empress of Dingzong; she ruled for three years after the death of Dingzong . 1251 7 Xianzong (Borjigin Möngke) During his reign, the Yuan army began to fight against the Southern Song (1127 - 1279). In 1259, he died while on march. After the death of Taizong, a grandson of Temujin was due to 1241 succeed the throne, but the empress Zhaoci usurped the throne. 1246 1246 1248 1251 1259 Yuan Emperors 8 Grandson of Genghis Khan, and founder of the Yuan 1260 Yuan Shizu Dynasty. He moved the capital to Beijing and settled there. In (Borjigin Kublai) 1279, he defeated the Southern Song (960 - 1279). 1294 9 Yuan Chengzong Grandson of Kublai Khan; a conventional emperor (Borjigin Temür) 1295 1307 10 Yuan Wuzong (Borjigin Qayshan) Nephew of Chengzong 1308 1311 11 Yuan Renzong (Borjigin Ayurparibhadra) Younger brother of Wuzong; he ascended the throne after Wuzong died 1312 1320 12 Yuan Yingzong (Borjigin Suddhipala) 1321 Son of Renzong; he was killed by political enemies in a coup. 1323 13 Taiding Di (Borjigin YesünTemür) Grandson of Kublai Khan; an unremarkable emperor 1324 1328 14 Tianshun Di (Borjigin Arigaba) The youngest son of Taiding Di; he was placed on the throne following a coup, but ruled for only a month. 1328 15 Yuan Wenzong (Borjigin ToqTemür) The second son of Wuzong; he died of illness in 1332. 1328 1332 16 Yuan Mingzong (Borjigin Qoshila) The eldest son of Wuzhong; He was poisoned by Wenzong and reigned for only eight months. 1329 17 Yuan Ningzong (Borjigin Irinchibal) The second son of Mingzong; after ruling for less than two months, he died of illness. 1332 18 Yuan Huizong (Borjigin Toghan-Temür) The eldest son of Mingzong; during his reign, the Hongjinjun Uprising broke out and subsequently the capital was captured by Zhu Yuanzhang. 1333 1368