ying zheng: first emperor of the qin dynasty accomplishing national unification
liu bang of a humble origin: founding emperor of the western han dynasty
the restoration of emperor guangwu of the eastern han dynasty
cao pi: a monarch of the wei kingdom known for his literary talent
sima yan: emperor of the western jin dynasty unifying the country again
xiao yan: emperor of the southern liang dynasty professing buddhism
yuan hong: emperor of the northern wei dynasty carrying out radical reforms
yang guang: emperor of the sui dynasty craving for grandeur and success
li shimin: emperor of the tang dynasty opening an epoch of peace and prosperity
wu zetian: only empress regnant in chinese history
yelu abaoji: founder of a khitan empire in north china
zhao kuangyin of the song dynasty running the country with civil administration
wanyan aguda: founder of a jurchen empire in north china
temujin: founder of the mongol empire
zhu yuanzhang of the ming dynasty: from a buffalo boy to the emperor