Attached below is an introduction to the historical TV drama "A Peaceful Year" at a textbook level. 

https://user.guancha.cn/main/content?id=1602066 

Well, from the drama, you could see the rule of traditional China: if she is unified for a long time, she will be divided, and vice versa. I dare not say the rule is still standing, but there is one thing for certain: let China be stable and unified for a generation or two, and she will surely be at the top of the world.