Question

How did Wendi rise to power?

Answer 1

Hint: Wendi founded the Sui dynasty in 581 AD. He was born in a powerful family that had held high office under the non Chinese dynasty that controlled much of central and northern China.

Complete answer: He received his first military appointment under Bei Zhou to control all of north China. After his death at the age of 35, Wendi and their confidants decided to seize the throne. The summer of 580 was a very crucial time as many rival contenders and Zhou loyalists rose in many places. With Wendi’s luck and superior military force and discord among his rivals Wendi prevailed and finally rose to power in 581. China finally reunited in 581 AD, under a general who called himself Wendi and declared himself emperor. Wendi won battle after battle and finally reunited China by founding a new dynasty known as Sui dynasty. The Wendi emperor surrounded himself with a group of able men belonging to decent backgrounds like himself. After coming to power he moved on to a new site and built a new capital. He with his dynasty meant to replace the weak regimes of the disunion age with strong centralised governments to unify China. He began the process of centralisation by introducing drastic reforms such as the hereditary rights of entrenched families and institutions were quickly abolished and were replaced by bureaucracy. He also facilitated the canal system.

Note: After the death of Wendi his son Yangdi took the Chinese throne and wanted to expand China's territory. He sent his army to fight the Koreans but the Chinese were badly defeated. However, Yangdi took on many ambitious building projects and built the Grand canal which helped to unite China's economy.