During more than 5,000 years of history, from its founding in 2070 BC until the last Emperor Pu Yi abdicated on February 12, 1912, China has experienced more than 83 dynastic changes with more than 600 authorities.
But what is less known is that in Chinese history there were two very similar dynasties. These are the Qin Dynasty (221 – 206 BC) and the Sui Dynasty (581 – 619). The two dynasties are very far apart but have many incredibly similar events.
From division to unity
The big similarity between the Qin Dynasty and the Sui Dynasty is that they both ended division, unified the world, and established a dynasty.
Before Qin Shi Huang unified the six countries, there was the chaotic Spring and Autumn Warring States period. In the last years of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, many limitations of the feudal system gradually became apparent. The vassals all built their own military power and refused to submit to the King of Zhou. The control of the Zhou royal family was weakened. Although it was called the royal family, in terms of status and power, it was extremely small.
What is less known is that in Chinese history there were two very similar dynasties.
Vassal countries have a desire to unify the world. Because they devoted all their efforts to fostering military strength, these countries sacrificed the development of their productive forces, leading to famine and deprivation of the people, and many years of war that made the people miserable and miserable. hatred… These things created the psychological foundation for Qin Shi Huang to unify the world.
Before the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, China also experienced the division of the Southern and Northern dynasties. The Western Jin dynasty moved south to establish the Eastern Jin dynasty, then Liu Yu (Song Wu De) took power, the Eastern Jin dynasty. perished and was replaced by the Liu Song Dynasty. After that was the extremely dark period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, with many small countries vying to become Emperor.
There will certainly be collisions and frictions between Emperors, which will lead to one war after another, and the impact of war on the people will be extremely devastating. Then Duong Kien (Sui Van De) founded the Sui Dynasty and ended hundreds of years of chaos.
Build great projects
After ending the war and establishing a unified dynasty, the Qin and Sui dynasties both built a number of great works, which are still in use today.
Qin Shi Huang built the Great Wall after unifying the six countries. This structure was used by later dynasties and was constantly upgraded.
Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty built the Kinh Hang Dai Canal, an artificial canal or river connecting cities and provinces in present-day China such as Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Duong Quang’s decision to build the Grand Canal was actually correct for the country’s development, but the implementation was too hasty, which created a great burden for the people at that time and directly led to the collapse of the canal. collapse of the Sui Dynasty.
Create an unprecedented mode
After Emperor Qin Shi Huang established the Qin Dynasty, he passed a series of major economic and political reforms, including establishing a system of local officials appointed by the court instead of dividing up the ranks. for nobles like before, allowing farmers to own land, unifying the measurement, currency, and travel systems, and building a strict legal system. These regimes have been followed by subsequent generations.
The Sui Dynasty established a system of three provinces and six ministries, and used the imperial examination system to select talents. The examination system opened up avenues for advancement for scholars from poor families, promoted talent selection and class transformation, while subtly restraining wealthy families. The imperial examination system had a huge impact and has completely become a part of the culture of the Chinese people.
The battle for the throne and its fall
The Qin and Sui dynasties appeared strong but “faded quickly”. The Qin Dynasty collapsed in the second generation of Emperor Ho Hoi. The Sui Dynasty is the same. After the death of founding Emperor Duong Kien, the Sui Dynasty gradually declined.
As we know, the person Qin Shi Huang initially chose to be Emperor was his eldest son Fu Su. However, after Qin Shi Huang fell ill and died while traveling around the world, Prime Ministers Ly Tu and Trieu Cao secretly put Ho Hoi on the throne. After that, Ho Hoi forged an edict to kill Phu To’s brother.
During the Sui Dynasty, Duong Kien initially appointed his eldest son Duong Dung crown prince, but Duong Quang and his accomplices set a trap and deposed his brother. Duong Quang is also the second son.
Yang Guang and Ho Hoi were both cruel, eventually leading to the destruction of the country.
The Founding Emperor, Qin Shi Huang and Duong Kien were all wise and talented people. However, the rapid decline of the Qin and Sui dynasties was due to unreliable successors.
Create the foundation for the next powerful dynasty
After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the Chu Dynasty and the Han Dynasty fought for hegemony, in the end Liu Bang won and established the Han Dynasty, creating the famous “Wenjing Rule” period that brought the country to peak development. high, people’s lives are guaranteed.
The Tang Dynasty, after the Sui Dynasty, also had the famous “Trinh Quan rule” and “Khai Nguyen’s prosperity”, helping China develop extremely brilliantly at that time.
