However, during Yang Guang's reign, he also implemented some controversial policies, such as building the Grand Canal, making Luoyang the capital and starting the imperial examination system. These policies caused a huge burden to the national finance and people, which eventually led to the demise of the Sui Dynasty.
Generally speaking, Yang Guang is a brilliant emperor, and his poetry works also have a certain position in the history of literature. However, his political decision-making and governance ability is also controversial.