Emperor Yang of Sui's massive construction and harsh corvée

Timeline

1. 605–606Luoyang · HenanEmperor Yang ordered the construction of the eastern capital Luoyang, relocating large numbers of households into the city, building palaces and parks on a grand scale, and conscripting craftsmen and laborers from across the realm; the works were enormous and the schedule tight.
2. 605–610Along the Grand Canal · ChinaSections including the Yongji Canal, Tongji Canal, and Han Canal were dug in succession, linking north-south water transport, and post roads connected the capital with Jiangdu; conscription reached every prefecture, and many died.
3. 608–611Guanzhong and the prefectures of Shandong · ChinaYears of heavy corvée left farming households displaced under heavy taxes and labor, with local officials pressing cruelly; the people could not endure, and flight and small-scale resistance had already appeared in many places, foreshadowing the late-Sui popular revolts.