In The history of China, there are ten recognized great unified dynasties of Qin, Western Han, Eastern Han, Western Jin, Sui, Tang, Northern Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, and the rest of the new dynasties established by Wang Mang and the Zhou Dynasty established by Wu Zetian are also great unified dynasties, but they all died in one lifetime and do not belong to the main dynasties. The power of these dynasties is like a parabola, reaching the highest point and then turning from prosperity to decline. So which emperor of each dynasty reached the peak of its national power when it came to power? Let's take stock.
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was founded in 221 BC, fell in 207 BC, and enjoyed 14 years of statehood, with a total of 2 emperors, namely Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng and Qin II Yin Hu Hai.
There is no doubt that the peak period of the Qin Dynasty's national strength was the Qin Shi Huang period, especially after the unification of the Six Kingdoms, the Qin Dynasty was iron-clad, and the military and the people were united. Attacking the Xiongnu in the north, conquering Baiyue in the south, and building the Great Wall to resist foreign enemies, the Qin Dynasty in this period was a war beast forged by a copper wall and an iron wall, which was magnificent and unstoppable. By 211 BC, the Qin Dynasty had reached its largest territory, stretching from Liaodong in the east to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the west, Lingnan in the south, and The Yin Mountains in the north, covering an area of about 3.47 million square kilometers. Unfortunately, the qin dynasty's strong family foundation was destroyed by Qin II in three years.
Western han dynasty
The Western Han Dynasty was established in 202 BC, destroyed in 8 AD, and enjoyed 210 years of the kingdom, with a total of 15 emperors, namely Liu Bang of gao, Liu Ying of Hui, Liu Gong of former Shao emperor, Liu Hong of Later Shao, Liu Heng of Wen, Liu Qi of Jing emperor, Liu Che of Emperor Wu, Liu Fuling of Zhao, Liu He of deposed emperor, Liu Yuan, Liu Yi of Cheng, Liu Xin of Lai, Liu Xin of Ping, and Liu Bao.
There were many emperors in the Western Han Dynasty, especially Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, whose policy towards the Xiongnu changed from defensive to offensive during his reign, and defeated the Xiongnu. However, the peak period of the national strength of the Han Dynasty was not the period of Emperor Wu of Han, the so-called predecessors planted trees and the people were cool, and Emperor Wu of Han laid the foundation for the strength of the country, and by the time of Emperor Xuan of Han, the national strength reached its peak. Emperor Xuan of Han was a great-grandson of Emperor Wu of Han and the grandson of Liu Zhao, the crown prince of Han, whose original name was Liu Yiji, and when he was young, he was plagued by witchcraft and went into exile. After ascending the throne, Liu Qing inherited the ambitions of Emperor Wu of Han, pacified the Xiongnu and Western Qiang, and established the Western Regions Capital Protectorate, at this time the Western Han Dynasty reached its largest territory, east of Korea, south of Vietnam, west of the Onion Ridge, and north of the Gobi, with an area of about 6.09 million square kilometers.
Eastern han dynasty
The Eastern Han Dynasty was founded in 25 AD, fell in 220 AD, and enjoyed the 195th year of the reign, with a total of 14 emperors, namely Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, Ming Emperor Liu Zhuang, Zhang Emperor Liu Zhao, Emperor Liu Zhao, Emperor Liu Long, Emperor An Emperor Liu Hu, Former Shao Emperor Liu Yi, Shun Emperor Liu Bao, Chong Emperor Liu Bing, Emperor Huan Liu Zhi, Ling Emperor Liu Hong, Later Shao Emperor Liu Debate, and Emperor Xiandi Liu Xie.
The Eastern Han Dynasty had two ruling dynasties, one was the founding emperor Liu Xiu's Guangwu Zhongxing, and the other was the mingzhang rule created by the father and son of the Hanming Emperor Han Zhangdi, but it was still the predecessors who planted trees and the descendants were cool, and the first three emperors of the Eastern Han Dynasty worked hard to govern, leaving the fourth emperor Han and the emperor Liu Zhao a prosperous country, Liu Zhao was not a mediocre generation, during his reign, he never neglected political affairs, repeatedly sent troops to conquer the Xiongnu, Qiang and the Western Regions, Yongyuan 3 years (91 AD) Ban Chao pacified the Western Regions, more than fifty countries all surrendered to Han, and the national strength reached its peak. In the second year of The Han Dynasty (123), the Eastern Han Dynasty set up the Western Regions Changshi Mansion, which roughly restored the territory of the Western Han Dynasty, with a land area of 5.79 million square kilometers.
Western Jin Dynasty
The Western Jin Dynasty was founded in 265 AD, destroyed in 317 AD, and enjoyed 51 years of statehood, with a total of 4 emperors, namely Emperor Wu Sima Yan, Emperor Hui Sima Zheng, Emperor Huai Sima Zhao, and Emperor Huan Sima Yi.
The Western Jin Dynasty was the worst dynasty in Chinese history, and unlike other dynasties, where the previous emperors planted trees and the emperors behind them cooled off, they fell directly into the abyss from the highest point, and the founding of the country was the peak. In the early period of the reign of Sima Yan, the Emperor wu of Jin, he was still able to innovate politics and revitalize the economy, but in the later period, he became arrogant and lavish and lazy in government affairs. After the Jin Dynasty destroyed Eastern Wu in 280 AD and unified the world, its national strength and territory reached its peak, with a territory of 5.43 million square kilometers in the north to Shanxi, Hebei and Liaodong, east to the sea, south to Jiaozhou, and west to Gansu and Yunnan.
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was founded in 581 AD, fell in 618 AD, and enjoyed 37 years of statehood, with a total of 3 emperors, namely Emperor Wen Yang Jian, Emperor Yang Guang, and Emperor Gong Yang You.
The Sui Dynasty was an important dynasty in Chinese history, inheriting the chaotic dynasties of the Southern and Northern Dynasties of the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and the Tang Dynasty, which created the peak of the feudal dynasty. The strongest period of national strength of the Sui Dynasty was under the rule of Yang Jian, the Sui Wen Emperor, and the prosperous scenery at that time was unprecedented in China and even in the world, with national peace and civil security, economic prosperity, cultural prosperity, social stability, sharp hukou, rapid increase in reclamation, abundant savings, strong armor and sharp troops, special power, and a vast territory. Although the Sui Dynasty was short-lived, it was always in the expansion stage, and in 589 AD, southern Chen unified the world, in 609 AD tuguhun set up four counties, and by 612 AD, the territory reached its peak, about 4.69 million square kilometers.
Tang dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was founded in 618 AD, fell in 907 AD, and enjoyed 289 years of the reign, with a total of 21 emperors, namely Gaozu Li Yuan, Taizong Li Shimin, Gaozong Li Zhi, Zhongzong Li Xian, Ruizong Li Dan, Wu Zetian, (Zhongzong Li Xian, Ruizong Li Dan Restoration), Xuanzong Li Longji, Suzong Li Heng, Daizong Li Yu, Dezong Li Shi, Shunzong Li Xuan, Xianzong Li Chun, Muzong Li Heng, Jingzong Li Zhan, Wenzong Li Ang, Wuzong Li Yan, Xuanzong Li Chen, Yizong Li Yi, Emperor Zhaozong Li Ye, and Jingzong Li Zhao.
The Tang Dynasty was the most powerful dynasty in Chinese history, and it was at the world's leading level in terms of economy, culture, military, and science and technology. The peak of the Tang Dynasty had three periods, namely the peak of military, political and diplomatic affairs during the reign of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of Tang Dynasty, the peak of land area during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, and the peak of culture during the period of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. During Li Shimin's reign, famous generals came out of nowhere, conquered the Eastern Turks and Xue Yantuo, conquered Gaochang, Guizi and Tuguhun, severely damaged Goguryeo, and threatened the four sides, and various ethnic minorities respected Li Shimin as the "Heavenly Khan". After Emperor Gaozong of Tang ascended the throne, he inherited Li Shimin's legacy and successively destroyed the Western Turks, Baekje, and Goguryeo, and the territory of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak, from the Korean Peninsula in the east, to the Aral Sea in the west, to Lake Baikal in the north, and to central Vietnam in the south, totaling about 12.37 million square kilometers. With the preparation of the previous generations of emperors, the Tang Dynasty finally reached its peak - the Kaiyuan Dynasty, during which the Tang Dynasty's national strength was unprecedentedly strong, its social economy was unprecedentedly prosperous, its population grew significantly, and all the countries came to the dynasty.
Northern song dynasty
The Northern Song Dynasty was founded in 960 AD, destroyed in 1127 AD, and enjoyed 167 years of the country, with a total of 9 emperors, namely Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, Taizong Zhao Guangyi, Zhenzong Zhao Heng, Renzong Zhao Zhen, Yingzong Zhao Shu, Shenzong Zhao Huan, Zhezong Zhao Xu, Huizong Zhao Yi, and Qinzong Zhao Huan.
Interestingly, it took only thirty years for the Northern Song Dynasty to go from its peak to its demise. The Northern Song Dynasty was the world that Zhao Kuangyin had gained by bullying the orphans and widows of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and was very heavy on literature and light on martial arts, so in the battles with Western Xia, Liao, and Jin, there were more defeats than victories, and they could only exchange old coins for peace. In the song huizong period, although the economy and culture developed very well, the military strength was too weak. At this time, the Jin Dynasty wanted to unite with the Northern Song Dynasty to jointly destroy the Liao, which was a good opportunity to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and of course Emperor Huizong of Song could not miss it, so he tore up the "Centennial Contract" of song and Liao, and discussed with the Jin State to jointly attack the Liao. The Liao state eventually perished under the northern and southern attacks of the Northern Song and Jin dynasties, and the Northern Song dynasty recovered thirteen of the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun, with the largest land area of about 2.8 million square kilometers. If you want to let its demise must first make it crazy, without the Liao state as a buffer zone, the Jin Dynasty quickly pointed the spearhead directly at the Northern Song Dynasty, the Northern Song Dynasty, which had suppressed military development for a long time, naturally could not resist the Jin army going south, and the father and son of Song Huizong and Song Qinzong also became the kings of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Yuan
The Yuan Dynasty was founded in 1271 AD, fell in 1368 AD, and enjoyed 98 years of the kingdom, with a total of 11 emperors, namely Kublai Khan, Chengzong Timur, Wuzong Haishan, Renzong Aiyu Li Bali Bada, Yingzong Shuode Bada, Taiding Emperor Yesun Timur, Tianshun Emperor Asoji VIII, Wenzong Tu Timu'er, Mingzong he Shixuan, Ningzong Yixuan class, Huizong Tou Thimuer.
The Yuan Dynasty was the first unified dynasty in Chinese history to be established by ethnic minorities. After Kublai Khan destroyed the Southern Song Dynasty, he did not stop the pace of conquest, but continued to expand abroad, attacking Japan, Burma, Vietnam, Java, etc., but unfortunately failed. After Kublai Khan's death, the succession to the Throne of the Yuan Dynasty became very disorderly, and the regime changed frequently, and by the time of Emperor Wuzong of Yuan, the Wokoutai Khanate was divided between the Yuan Dynasty and the Chagatai Khanate, and the territory of the Yuan Dynasty reached its peak, totaling 13.72 million square kilometers. However, to say that the peak of the national strength of the Yuan Dynasty, it must be the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan was one of the few emperors in the Yuan Dynasty who could pay attention to Han culture, and he highly respected Confucianism, and the China recorded by Marco Polo was the China of the Yuan Dynasty, and he called Kublai Khan "the great monarch or emperor of the monarchs". Unfortunately, Kublai Khan's descendants did not argue and did not attach importance to Han culture, and eventually they were driven out of the Central Plains less than a hundred years after the founding of the country.
Ming dynasty
The Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 AD, fell in 1644 AD, and enjoyed 267 years of the country, with a total of 16 emperors, namely Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, Huizong Zhu Yunjiao, Chengzu Zhu Di, Renzong Zhu Gaozi, Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji, Yingzong Zhu Qizhen, Daizong Zhu Qiyu, Xianzong Zhu Jianshen, Xiaozong Zhu Youfan, Wuzong Zhu Houzhao, Sejong Zhu Houxi, Muzong Zhu Zaiquan, Shenzong Zhu Yijun, Guangzong Zhu Changluo, Xizong Zhu Youxiao, and Sizong Zhu Youjian.
The peak of the Ming Dynasty's national strength was during the ming Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji period, and the peak period of the territory was during the Ming Chengzu Zhu Di period. During the reign of Ming Chengzu, he marched on the north of the desert and the south of Annan. In 1406, the Ming Dynasty incorporated Annam into its territory, and in 1409, it set up nuer gandusi in the northeast, and the territory reached its peak, reaching the sea of Japan and the Waixing'an Mountains in the northeast, Siberia in the north, covering the eastern part of Xinjiang in the northwest, and the Bay of Bengal in the southwest, with a total of 9.97 million square kilometers. After Zhu Di's death, the Ming Dynasty experienced the benevolent rule of the two dynasties of Renzong and Xuanzong, and the national strength reached its peak, and all the countries came to the dynasty.
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was founded in 1636 AD, fell in 1912 AD, and enjoyed 276 years of the country, with a total of 11 emperors, namely Emperor Taizong Taiji, Shizu Fulin, Shengzu Xuanye, Sejong Yinchen, Gaozong Hongli, Renzong Yuanyan, Xuanzong Minning, Wenzong Yixuan, Muzong Zaichun, Dezong Zaixiang, and Sundi Puyi.
The Qing Dynasty was the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, also founded by ethnic minorities, and unlike the Yuan Dynasty, the Qing emperors highly respected Han culture, and they knew that only in this way could the people accept Manchu rule. The peak period of the Qing Dynasty's national strength and territory was during the Qianlong Emperor. The Qianlong Emperor called himself the "Ten Perfect Old Men" and achieved the "Ten Perfections of Martial Arts", namely the pacification of the Great and Small Jinchuan, the Pacification of the Dzungar Dawaqi Department, the Pacification of Amr Sana, the Pacification of the Southern Xinjiang Great and Small and Zhuo Rebellion, the Qing-Burma War, the Battle of Zaiping the Great and Small Jinchuan, the Pacification of the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion in Taiwan, the Battle of Annam, and the two Pacification of Gorkha. This "Ten Complete Martial Arts" brought the Qing Dynasty's territory to the peak, and the Manchu, Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Hui ethnic groups were completely unified, covering an area of about 13.16 million square kilometers, laying the foundation for the territory of modern China.
Summary: The national strength of the Qin Dynasty reached its peak during the Qin Shi Huang period, the national strength of the Western Han Dynasty reached its peak during the Han Xuan Emperor period, the Eastern Han Dynasty national strength reached its peak during the Han and Emperor Period, the Western Jin Dynasty national strength reached its peak during the JinWu Emperor period, the Sui Dynasty national strength reached its peak during the Sui Wen Emperor period, the Tang Dynasty's national strength reached its peak during the Tang Xuanzong period, the Northern Song Dynasty national strength reached its peak during the Song Huizong period, the Yuan Dynasty's national strength reached its peak in the Yuan Shizu period, the Ming Dynasty's national strength reached its peak during the Ming Xuanzong period, and the Qing Dynasty's national strength reached its peak during the Qianlong Emperor period. Of course, in the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences, you are also welcome to put forward different views.