ABSTRACT
The Sui was a pivotal period in Chinese history that marked the transition from division to reunification. It lasted only two reigns for a total of 37 years, during 29 of which China was united. Still, it laid the groundwork for the success of the brilliant Tang dynasty that followed. The rise of the Sui had as much to do with a confluence of historical forces—political, military, geographic, demographic, and others—as with a select few key decision-makers who changed the course of history through their action (Map 7.1).
