Emperor Yang of Liang

Emperor Yang of Liang, also known as Yang Jian, was the founder of the Sui Dynasty in China, ruling from 605 to 618 AD. He is noted for his ambitious projects, including the construction of the Grand Canal, which facilitated trade and communication across the empire. However, his reign was marked by heavy taxation and forced labor, leading to widespread unrest. Despite initial successes, his aggressive military campaigns and authoritarian rule resulted in rebellion and eventually his downfall. Yang's legacy is a mix of significant infrastructure development and the challenges of centralizing power in a vast, diverse empire.