Ruin Nation's Sorrow - Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang

Author: Wang Qing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Emperor Yang of Sui was one of the most debauched and tyrannical rulers in Chinese history. From a young age, Yang was cunning and treacherous, using various deceptions to his father, Emperor Wen of Sui (Yang Jian), and Empress Dowager Yuwen, gaining their favor. He then used his beloved woman, Xiangniang, as a lure to implement the "beauty trap" against the Crown Prince, causing the Crown Prince to lose favor and ultimately seizing his position. After obtaining the throne, Yang impatiently and brutally murdered his father, ascending the imperial throne. As emperor, Yang indulged in hedonism, prioritizing beauty over the state and leisure over governance. To satisfy his whims, he dug the Grand Canal, causing tens of thousands of commoners to die in forced labor. Yang also launched three campaigns against Goguryeo to demonstrate national might, mobilizing over two million troops nationwide, but ended in a humiliating defeat. Later, under the pressure of rebel forces and mutiny, his guards forced him to commit suicide. This book provides detailed portrayals of Emperor Yang Jian, Empress Dowager Yuwen, Crown Prince Yang Yong, Crown Princess Yuanfei, Empress Xiao, Xiangniang, as well as the servile Wang Chengyin and Chancellor Yang Su. Although Emperor Jian was a diligent, frugal, and ambitious ruler, his lack of vigilance in his later years, coupled with his frequent of the crown prince, allowed Yang's schemes to succeed, leading to great regret. Yang's debauchery and misrule squandered the prosperous empire, leaving behind a legacy of eternal shame for the world.