Emperor Yang of Sui
Second Sui emperor whose projects and wars bankrupted the empire.
He is known for completing the Grand Canal, reconstructing the Great Wall, and expanding the empire's territory through military campaigns, but his disastrous wars against Goguryeo and heavy taxation led to widespread revolt and the dynasty's downfall.
- field
- Emperor
- nationality
- Chinese (Sui dynasty)
- known_for
- Completion of the Grand Canal, reconstruction of the Great Wall, campaigns against Goguryeo, and being considered one of the worst tyrants in Chinese history
Lore & Background
Emperor Yang, originally named Yang Ying, was renamed Yang Guang by his father Emperor Wen after consulting oracles.
Reader's Guide
He ordered military expeditions that brought the Sui to its greatest territorial extent, but the conquest of Champa resulted in thousands of Sui soldiers dying from malaria. His disastrous campaigns against Goguryeo, along with conscriptions and increased taxation, left the empire bankrupt and sparked revolts. He was eventually strangled in a coup led by his general Yuwen Huaji in Jiangdu. Despite his accomplishments, traditional historians consider him one of the worst tyrants in Chinese history and the reason for the Sui dynasty's short rule.
Did You Know?
- Emperor Yang's Xianbei name was Puliuru Guang.
- He was strangled in a coup led by his general Yuwen Huaji.
- His conquest of Champa resulted in thousands of Sui soldiers dying from malaria.
- He was renamed Yang Guang by his father after consulting oracles.
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