The Northern and Southern Dynasties were a chaotic time, when there was basically only one regime in the south, while there were often multiple regimes in the north. In the late period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the world formed a three-legged situation of Northern Zhou, Northern Qi and Southern Chen. Because Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Yong, was talented and ambitious, not only eliminating the Northern Qi Dynasty, but also almost realizing the great cause of unifying the world.
However, what needs to be known is that at the beginning of the founding of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and the Northern Qi Dynasty, the strength of the Northern Qi Dynasty was much stronger than that of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, but after just 30 years, the Northern Qi Dynasty was destroyed by the Northern Zhou Dynasty, why is this?
Originally, the north was unified by the Northern Wei Dynasty, which was a situation of confrontation between the north and the south. Although Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty tried his best to promote the reform of sinicization and alleviate ethnic contradictions, he could not eliminate the differences between the two ethnic groups. Therefore, in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, the contradictions between the Xianbei people and the Han people deepened, and rebellions broke out everywhere.
At the same time, the court of the Northern Wei Dynasty was being controlled by a powerful minister, and this person was Gao Huan. The emperor at that time, Emperor Xiaowu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, could not tolerate that he was a puppet emperor, so he rebelled against Gao Huan, and as a result, he failed and fled to Guanzhong, seeking help from Yuwentai.
The emperor ran away, and in order to maintain his rule, Gao Huan supported a new emperor, that is, Emperor Xiaojing. At this point, the Northern Wei Dynasty was divided into the Eastern Wei and Western Wei. Because of the geographical location, the Eastern Wei Dynasty was richer than the Western Wei Dynasty, and its national strength was naturally stronger than that of the other party.
It didn't take long for the Eastern Wei and Western Wei to be replaced by the ministers of power and became two new regimes, namely the Northern Qi and the Northern Zhou. Therefore, in the initial period, the national strength of the Northern Qi was stronger than that of the Northern Zhou. Originally, as long as it developed normally, the national strength of the Northern Zhou Dynasty did not surpass the Northern Qi Dynasty, and it was not easy to catch up with the Northern Qi Dynasty.
However, the emperors of the Northern Qi Dynasty were all mediocre lords. In less than 30 years of Guozuo in the Northern Qi Dynasty, a total of 6 emperors have experienced, after they ascended the throne, they did not think about the way to govern the country and develop the national strength, but ignored the government, arrogant and lascivious, and indulged in wine. It is for this reason that these emperors did not live long.
The emperor is like this, and the court and the middle are naturally some traitors, and the decline of national strength is completely expected.
Originally, there were some loyal people in the court, such as Hu Luguang and King Lanling, to resist the invasion of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. But later, the Northern Qi Emperor destroyed the Great Wall and put all these people to death.
On the other hand, in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, although the national strength was not strong at first, it was because of the existence of Yuwen Hu, a powerful minister in the court, that the country could not really grow. After Yuwentai ascended the throne, he first accumulated strength, eradicated Yuwenhu in one fell swoop, and allowed himself to be pro-government, and then worked hard to vigorously develop national strength.
Under the leadership of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the national power of the Northern Zhou Dynasty increased rapidly, and at the same time, because of his emphasis on Confucian culture, he was supported by countless Han people in the north.
The Northern Qi and Northern Zhou regimes, both located in the north, one is like an endless night, making people lose hope and are lifeless, and the other is like the rising sun, full of vitality. With such a stark contrast, the results of the war between the Northern Qi and the Northern Zhou are clear at a glance.
Therefore, in 576 AD, the Northern Zhou sent a large army to eliminate the Northern Qi and complete the unification of the north.
In less than 30 years, the situation in Northern Qi and Northern Zhou has undergone a shocking reversal, mainly due to three reasons:
First, the disparity of rulers. Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was wise and martial, eloquent and strategic; The emperor of the Northern Qi Dynasty was incompetent and indulged in wine.
Second, the gap in officialdom. The Northern Zhou court was politically clear and the country was strong; The officialdom of the Northern Qi Dynasty was dark and everyone was corrupt.
Third, there is a military gap. The Northern Zhou military reform made the army strong; The Northern Qi Dynasty self-destructed the Great Wall and had no good generals.
Therefore, the Northern Qi was finally destroyed by the Northern Zhou, which was completely expected.