ANSWER: The two short-lived dynasties in Chinese history that accomplished a lot are the Sui and the Qin dynasties. The Sui dynasty only ruled for a period of about 37 years from 581 to 618, but during this time, they were able to reunite China after centuries of division and played a significant role in strengthening the country's infrastructure, particularly through the construction of the Grand Canal.
The Qin dynasty, which existed from 221-206 BCE, accomplished significant feats such as the unification of various warring kingdoms into one centralized state and laying the foundation of the imperial system that would be used for centuries to come. However, it was also marked by a rigid legalistic philosophy that often led to harsh punishment and authoritarian rule, ultimately leading to its downfall.