This article reviews Emperor Wen of Sui’s enlightened reign. He built Daxing as the new capital, reformed land and census systems, and established charity granaries for famine relief. He pioneered the imperial examination and the Three Departments and Six Ministries structure. His virtuous governance unified China and laid a solid foundation for prosperity.
Mencius visited Pinglu in the state of Qi and said to its local magistrate, Kong Juxin: “If one of your soldiers who stands guard with a halberd deserts his post three times in a single day, would you dismiss him?”
King Hui of Liang said, “When it comes to governing my state, I have done my utmost. If there is famine in Henei (north of the Yellow River), I move the people there to Hedong (the territory east of the Yellow River) and convey grain from Hedong to Henei. When famine strikes Hedong, I…