Yang Jian (541–604), a Han Chinese from Huayin, Hongnong Commandery (present-day Huayin County, Shaanxi Province), was the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty and the fourteenth-generation descendant of Yang Zhen, Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty. During his reign, he successfully reunified a China that had been severely divided for centuries, established an advanced official selection system, and developed cultural and economic prosperity, transforming China into a flourishing empire. During Emperor Wen's reign, particularly in the early Kaihuang era, the Sui Empire boasted vast territories and a population exceeding 7 million households, marking the peak of Chinese agrarian civilization. Yang Jian is regarded by Westerners as one of the greatest Chinese emperors and was honored with the title "Holy Khan."
As the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian declared himself emperor after deposing and killing Yuwen Chan, the last emperor of Northern Zhou. He conquered the southern Chen Dynasty and destroyed the northern Qi Dynasty, ending nearly 300 years of division in China since the end of the Western Jin Dynasty. The Cambridge History of China comments: "The Sui eliminated the outdated and inefficient institutions of its predecessors, created the structure of a centralized empire, and fostered a shared cultural consciousness across regions long divided by political fragmentation—this achievement was truly remarkable." Yang Jian, in particular, employed many unconventional methods in his anti-corruption efforts, achieving notable success, primarily demonstrated in the following aspects:
**Implementing the Imperial Examination System to Cut Off the Source of Corruption in Appointments.**
Calm and reserved by nature, Yang Jian governed the state with wisdom. The Sui Shu (Book of Sui) praises him as one who "deeply pondered the art of governance," which can be glimpsed from the imperial examination system he pioneered—a system still in use today. This system discarded distinctions based on social status or noble lineage, opened appointments to all regardless of family background, and selected talent solely based on merit. It abolished the Nine-rank System, which relied on recommendations (where people recommended other people, inevitably creating flaws). Instead, it adopted examinations to determine rank, demonstrating a high degree of fairness and cutting off the source of corruption in personnel appointments.
**Standardizing Daily Administration and Severely Punishing Official Corruption.**
Yang Jian not only tackled corruption at its source but also had effective methods for managing officials' daily conduct. He strengthened supervision over officials. According to the Sui Shu, Yang Jian ordered his trusted aides to "secretly investigate all officials," and those found guilty of corruption were punished without mercy. On one occasion, he dismissed 200 corrupt officials across 52 provinces in Hebei. He even used a "fishing" tactic for strict anti-corruption enforcement. The specific method involved sending agents to secretly bribe certain suspicious officials ("privately bribing them"). Once an official accepted a bribe, they were immediately executed. As a result, "Jia Xida, Governor of Jinzhou and Duke of Nanyang, Han Yan, Governor-General of Xianzhou and Duke of Funing, and others were executed for accepting bribes." With such high risks for taking bribes, naturally, anyone considering illicit gains would hesitate—after all, who wouldn't value their own life? Thus, the rampant corruption prevalent at the beginning of the Sui Dynasty was effectively eradicated.
**Valuing Understanding of Public Sentiment and Sharing Hardships with the People.**
Yang Jian was also an exemplary emperor who understood public sentiment and practiced what he preached. He deeply cared about the people's hardships and led by example in sharing their joys and sorrows. At the time, whenever the Guanzhong region suffered famines, large numbers of refugees would travel long distances to Luoyang, where food supplies were better, to escape starvation. In these situations, a grand spectacle unfolded where officials and civilians alike became refugees, and sometimes the leader of these westward-bound refugees was none other than Emperor Yang Jian himself.
In the fourth and fourteenth years of the Kaihuang era, Yang Jian twice personally led this "begging army" on massive marches to Luoyang. The chapter "The Emperor Seeking Food" in the Sui Shu records the specific details of how Yang Jian led these refugees in search of sustenance. As a result, during a short period, all sectors of society in the Sui Dynasty flourished, giving rise to a scene of economic prosperity.
**Leading by Example as a Model for Officials and the People.**
Remarkably, Yang Jian's private life contrasted sharply with that of most emperors. While ancient monarchs typically had three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two concubines, Yang Jian had only one woman—Empress Dugu Qieluo—and strictly adhered to monogamy. This played a significant role in fostering a positive social atmosphere at the time.
From this, it is evident that Yang Jian was an excellent emperor of the Sui Dynasty, a clean, honest, frugal, and people-loving official who made positive contributions to consolidating national unity and earned deep respect from the populace. The Tianming Lun (Treatise on Heavenly Mandate) states: "The Emperor's appearance is extraordinary; his face bears the features of sun, moon, rivers, and seas; a red dragon flows within; his forehead is broad and prominent; double upper cheekbones curve around his eyes; his mouth resembles the character 'si'; his voice is like bells and drums; the character 'Wang' (king) appears on his palm; thus he receives the Nine Bestowals. Heaven's mandate is fulfilled here. His gaze is calm and elegant; he looks like a god; his spirit is refined and encompasses the universe; his majesty commands respect, his kindness inspires affection; appointed to high office early, his prestige stands on its own." He was indeed an extraordinary figure.
Today's officials should seriously reflect upon themselves and learn from Yang Jian: learn his integrity, thriftiness, and love for the people; learn his dedication to work and his strict punishment of corrupt behavior; learn his rigorous work style and pragmatic, results-oriented spirit... On their ordinary job posts, they should contribute their due share to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.