Part 7/12:
Following the Han, China entered a period of fragmentation, where local states vied for control until reunification under the Sui Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty succeeded the Sui, ushering in a second Golden Age characterized by territorial expansion and cultural flourishing. However, the prosperity was short-lived, resulting in the rise of regional warlords once again.
The Mongols and Yuan Dynasty
The Mongol Empire dramatically shifted the power dynamics of China. Under Genghis Khan and his descendants, the Mongols established the Yuan Dynasty, introducing steppe customs and legal frameworks. Although the Mongol rule initially brought prosperity, it ultimately crumbled due to economic crises and widespread discontent, paving the way for the Ming Dynasty.