We learned the last dynasties of China were Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Ching (唐、宋、元、明、清), and there were neat start and end dates for them, EXCEPT for the Song-Yuan transition. We were never quizzed on it, or at least I don't remember being quizzed on it.
Song Dynasty was literally terminated in 1279 when the infant last Song emperor died, but the Yuan was established in 1271 when the Mongol capital was declared in Beijing by Kublai Khan aka Emperor Yuan #3 but was actually #1, and he made it so Genghis Khan was Emperor #1 and established the Yuan in 1206.
Confused? Let's clarify:
Genghis Khan is also known as Yuan Taizu (元太祖), aka First Emperor of (the Chinese but Mongol-ruled) Yuan Dynasty. But this was a title bestowed upon him not by the Chinese, but posthumously by his grandson Kublai Khan aka Yuan Shizu (元世祖), the actual first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, founded 1271. And in 1279, the Yuan finally finished off the remnants of its predecessor, the Song Dynasty, in a naval "battle".
Because of this, Genghis Khan is forever tied to Chinese history and could be considered a "Chinese" ruler and founder of a Chinese dynasty. The Yuan's incorporation was back-dated to the unification of the Mongols under Genghis Khan, in 1206.
Of course, the definition of "Chinese" has changed over time, and Genghis Khan would definitely have *not* been viewed as by the Chinese as Chinese, or an emperor, or much less their emperor, when he was alive and kicking (ass).
So...
On one hand, Genghis Khan as Yuan Taizu founded a Chinese dynasty with one of the largest territorial legacies. #goTeamChina
One the other hand, Genghis Khan as Temüjin led an unprecedented and devastating invasion of China, leaving many dead and the rest enslaved as second class (technically 3rd or 4th class) citizens. #fuckingBarbarians
How is Genghis Khan viewed in China?
#doublethink #confused
But...
History is a narrative of the past that affects and also is affected by modern day perceptions. This is especially true of China, and East Asia overall. If (Outer) Mongolia were still part of China the modern nation state today, I suspect interpreting Genghis Khan's role and identity in Chinese history would be a whole lot simpler.
The final victim: Chinese schoolchildren
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