In the long course of history, the name of Yang Guang, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, has always been accompanied by many controversies. He is portrayed as a brutal, immorality tyrant who sings and indulges in beauty. However, when we dig deeper into this historical figure, we will find that he is actually a complex and multifaceted figure. In addition to his well-known brutality, Yang Guang did something that had a profound impact on Chinese history, and that was the conquest of Liuqiu (present-day Taiwan).
Yang Guang, as the son of Emperor Wen of Sui Emperor Yang Jian, he showed outstanding talent in military affairs. He destroyed the Chen Dynasty, quelled the rebellion in the south of the Yangtze River, and went north to defeat the invading Turks. These achievements not only demonstrated his military prowess, but also established his place in history. However, Yang Guang was not just a ruthless warrior, he was also a politically skilled ruler.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Sun Quan sent generals Wei Wen and Zhuge Zhilu to Taiwan, but contact at that time was limited to brief observations and bringing back some indigenous populations. Until the Sui Dynasty, Taiwan was known as "Liuqiu", and this isolated land hanging overseas was left unattended for a long time. However, Yang Guang developed a strong interest in this land.
Yang Guang has a strong sense of land, and he firmly believes that the whole world is not the king's land. In order to expand the territory of the Sui Dynasty, he actively developed the Western Regions, fought against the Turks, and even conquered Goryeo three times. When he learned that there was a place for overseas tourists, he decided to incorporate it into the territory of the Sui Dynasty. He sent people to Liuqiu twice to appease him, but due to the language barrier and the resistance of the local natives, the appeasement operation was not successful.
However, Yang Guang did not give up because of this. Convinced that his authority could not be challenged, he decided to use force to seek the Confession. He sent Chen Ling as a general of Wu Benlang and led the army to Liuqiu. After fierce battles, Chen Ling's army finally defeated the Turen tribe of Liuqiu, captured thousands of people, and killed the king of Liuqiu, Thirsty Thorn. This conquest made Liuqiu officially part of the Sui Dynasty and established sovereignty over Taiwan for later monarchs.
Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty not only incorporated this land into the Chinese territory, but also left a far-reaching impact in the long river of history. Since the Sui Dynasty, successive monarchs have recognized Liuqiu (Taiwan) as Chinese territory, although not all dynasties have stationed troops or established government offices there. However, this historical fact provides a solid basis for Taiwan's status as China's territory.
Although Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty left many negative comments in history, his contribution to the conquest of Liuqiu is indelible. This feat not only expanded the territory of the Sui Dynasty, but also established a solid foundation for China's sovereignty over Taiwan in later generations. Therefore, when we look back on Yang Guang's life, we should not only see his brutal and unscrupulous side, but also see his positive contributions to the development of Chinese history.