Top 10 greatest emperors in China
- By Elaine Duan
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China.org.cn, December 1, 2010
Emperor Wen of Sui
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Emperor Wen of Sui |
Emperor Wen of Sui (541–604), born in Yan Jian, was the founder and first Emperor of China's Sui Dynasty. He unified China when it was undergoing serious splits over hundreds of years, which spared his people from torments and sufferings of wars. With the political integration, he established a well maintained China over the next centuries following his death.
During his reign, Emperor Wen started the construction of the Grand Canal, which connecting Yangtze River in the middle of China with the Yellow River in the North, was completed during the rule of his son, Yang Guang.
Beside, Emperor Wen introduced a new system to choose government officials. It was through imperial examinations.
He is also famous for having the fewest number of concubines for a Chinese Emperor. Emperor Wen was known for having only two concubines. Emperor Taizong of Tang, by comparison, is said to have had over 3000 concubines in his palaces.
His rule opened a great period of prosperity not seen since the Han Dynasty. It was said that there was enough food stored for 50 years. A great deal of systems formulated in Sui was inherited by Tang.
