The Resume

(July 21, 541-August 13, 604)
Born in Xi’an (Chang’an), China
Birth name was Yang Jian
Founder and first ruler of the Sui Dynasty (581-604)
Regnal name also written as Wendi and Wen-ti

Why he might be annoying:

He ostensibly came to power as the regent for seven-year-old Emperor Jing, but seized the throne for himself after a year.
He then had Jing executed.
Encyclopedia Britannica described him as a henpecked husband.
It is unclear if he died of natural causes or was bumped off by his son and successor, Emperor Wang.
The dynasty he founded was short-lived: fourteen years after his death, the Tang dynasty took over China.

Why he might not be annoying:

He reunified northern and southern China after three centuries of division.
He ordered the simplification of the legal code, which became the basis for the laws of subsequent dynasties.
He reformed the bureaucracy by implementing civil service examinations.
He ordered construction of the Grand Canal connecting the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.
He reduced taxes on farmers and merchants.
He lived frugally.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Asian Royalty
• Breeders [Have 5 or More Kids] (Ranked: 10)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 80]
• I Died Under Mysterious Circumstances
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 49838-50000 (Ranked: 49980)
• Religion's 100 Most Influential People (Ranked: 85)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying