This book describes 1 2 of the most famous emperors in Chinese history．From the perspective of how they ruled，readers can see that，in a great and unified patriarchal society the feudalmonarchs operated in a way approximating a family type political system；the throne was inherited according to the priority of family members；and an emperor and his courtiers jointly formed a governmental system to control the country．

Chapter One：Qin Shi Huang

Part One：The Historical Background of Qin Shi Huang

Part Two：Qin Shi Huang’S Life Experience and Palace Turmoil

Part Three：Completing the Great Goal of Unification

Part Four：Establishing a System Which Was Passed on for All Time

Part Five：Brutal Control over China，Downfall After Two Generations

Chapter Two：Emperor Gaozu of Han

Part One：The Uprising That Overthrew the Qin Dynasty

Part Two：Coming Back to Pacify Sanqin

Part Three：The Conflict Between Chu and Han

Part Four：Lightening Corv6e and Reducing Taxes 

Chapter Three：Emperor Wu of Han

Part One：His Early Years

Part Two：Sole Adherence to Confucianism 

Part Three：Governing the Country

PartFour：WfdrwiththeHuns 

Part Five：Misfortune Caused by Witchcraft 

Chapter Four：Emperor Guangwu of Han

Part One：BOrn in Troubled Times

Part Two：The Battle of Kunyang

Part Three：Quelling a Rebellion in Hebei

Part Four：Resurgence During the Reign of Guangwu

Chapter Five：Emperor Wen of Sui

Part One：Usurping the Power ofNorthern Zhou and Founding the Sui

Part Two：Putting Down Chaos Within the Country

Part Three：Building Systems and Revitalizing the Country

Part Four：Arbitrary Killing and Blind Faith in Buddhism

Part Five：A Mistake in Changing the Crown Prince

Chapter Six：Emperor Taizong of Tang

Part One：Sweeping Across the Country

Part Two：The Mutiny at Xuanwu Gate 

Part Three：The Reign ofZhenguan  

Part Four：Pacilying China 

Chapter Seven：Emperor Wu Zetian

Part One：Emperor Taizong’S Imperial Concubine 

Part Two：Empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang  

Part Three：The Mother Dowager of Emperor Ruizong 

Part Four：Emperor of Zhou 

Chapter Eight：Emperor Taizu of Song

Part One：Being Acclaimed the Emperor 

Part Two：Dismissing Generals with a Cup of Wine  

Part Three：Putting Down Chaos Within the Country 

Part Four：Strategy for State Administration 

Chapter Nine：Emperor Shizu of Yuan，

Part One：Administering the Areas South of the Gobi Desert 

PartTwo：Going on anExpeditiontoDali   

Part Three：Being Enthroned as the Great Khan 

Part Four：Unilying the Country  

Chapter Ten：Emperor Chengzu of Ming

Part One：The Jingnan Rebellion 

Part Two：Administering the Coun时  

Part Three：A Long Voyage  

PartFour：TerritorialExpansion  

Chapter Eleven：Emperor Shengzu of Qing

Part One：Displaying His Ability for the First Time 

Part Two：Being Diligent in Work and Eager to Learn

Part Three：Putting Down Civil Strife  

Part Four：Resisting Foreign Assaults

Chapter Twelve：Emperor Gaozong of Qing

Part One：The August Monarch in a Flourishing Age

Part Two：Efiective Civil Administration 

Part Three：Ten Military Achievements

Part Four：HeshenPlayingwithPower