Dynasties of ChinaNorthern and Southern DynastiesNorthern Zhou Dynasty
Dacheng · Reign 578—579
Emperor Wu's eldest son, after he came to the throne, was licentious and violent, killing clan heroes indiscriminately. The younger son passed on to the throne and called himself Emperor Tianyuan, paving the way for Yang Jian to usurp the Zhou Dynasty.
Yuwen Yun was the eldest son of Zhou Emperor Wu and was established as Crown Prince in 572. Emperor Wu was very strict in his discipline and would punish him with a stick if he made the slightest mistake. He was respectful on the outside but resentful on the inside. After ascending the throne in 578, he showed no sign of mourning for his father's death. He immediately killed his uncle King QiYuwen Xian and Wang Gui and other former officials of Emperor Wu. He also carried out large-scale construction and built Luoyang Palace, and the punishments were harsh.
In February 579, he passed the throne to the seven-year-old Crown Prince Yuwen Chan, claiming to be Emperor Tianyuan, and his residence was called Tiantai. At the same time, he appointed five queens and indulged in wine and sex. He ordered the restoration of Buddhism and Taoism, and beat the ministers and concubines with the "Heavenly Staff". He died of illness in May 580 at the age of twenty-two. His close ministers Liu Fang and Zheng Yi issued an edict to let Yang Jian, the father of Queen Yang Lihua, enter the palace to assist in the administration.
PoliticsAscension to the throne
Emperor Wu died of illness in June, and Yuwen Yun came to the throne. He touched the scars on his body from being scolded by his father's rod and cursed, "It's too late to die." There was no sign of sadness.
PoliticsKill Yuwen Xian
Because he was afraid of the prestige of his uncle King QiYuwen Xian, he lured him into the palace and hanged him. He also successively killed Wang Gui and other ministers who had persuaded Emperor Wu to change the throne to Crown Prince.
PoliticsClaims to be Emperor Tianyuan
In February, it was passed down that the seven-year-old Crown Prince Yuwen Chan claimed to be Emperor Tianyuan, and his residence was called "Tiantai". He compared himself to heaven, and his subjects were required to fast for several days before going to court.
SocietyBuild Luoyang Palace
Soldiers from various states in Shandong were recruited to build the Luoyang Palace, with a permanent staff of 40,000 people. He also ordered the six prefectures of Xiangzhou to be moved to Luoyang, hoping to use Luoyang as the capital.
CultureRestoring Buddhism
Emperor Wu issued an edict to restore Buddhism and Taoism, re-create statues and allow some monks to become monks. Emperor Wu's policy of banning Buddhism began to loosen.
MilitaryCapture Huainan
He sent Wei Xiaokuan and others to attack the Chen Dynasty in the south and captured Shouyang, Guangling and other places. The Chen Dynasty lost all its land north of the Yangtze River.
PoliticsDied of illness
In May, he suddenly fell ill while traveling to Tianxing Palace. He died after returning to the palace at the age of twenty-two. Liu Fang and Zheng Yi issued an edict to introduce Yang Jian to the palace to take charge of the government.
The eldest daughter of Yang Jian, the first of the five empresses of Emperor Xuan, had a gentle temperament. She was once punished and sentenced to death by Emperor Xuan for no reason, but her mother, Dugu, knelt down and begged for mercy. After entering the Sui Dynasty, she was granted the title of Princess Leping.
Emperor Xuan's favorite, after the death of Emperor Xuan, he helped Liu Fang correct the imperial edicts and introduced Yang Jian to assist the government. After entering the Sui Dynasty, he participated in the revision of music rhythm.
Emperor Xuan's father-in-law was once jealous of Emperor Xuan. Emperor Xuan was appointed as the general manager of Yangzhou on the eve of his death. Before taking up the post, Emperor Xuan was called into the palace to assist the government, thus taking control of the power of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.