The Chinese Yuan Dynasty begins.  Kubilai Khan and the Mongols reunite China for the first time in nearly four centuries.  China became the biggest prize for the Mongolian Empire.  Kubilai Khan brilliantly wove together Mongolian traditions and institutions with those of the Chinese.  Despite the severe fiscal problems he caused, and his failures trying to subjugate Japan, he was a decent Emperor.  Unfortunately, he died without leaving an heir or a designated successor.