Four Corners of the House of Troubles
'Four Corners of the House of Troubles' (Shangean: 烦恼之家的四个角 Fánnǎo zhī jiā de sì gè jiǎo) is a phrase that was used by Shangean historian Guo Fangai in his 1996 book The Coian Century: Crisis and Conquest, specifically regarding four important figures of the seventeenth century: the Gurkhan of the Togoti Empire, Intharatcha of the Khaunban Empire, the Tianshun Emperor of the Toki Dynasty, and Zeyar Ko Zeyar of the Zaihar Empire. While Guo used the Zohist expression in a purely contextual manner from the viewpoint of a Red Orchid rebel in the 17th century, it was quickly taken up by Shangean nationalists, politicians, and Tsandau Zohist clergy. It began a debate over the use, promotion, and demonisation of historical figures, and particularly worsened relations between Shangea and Kuthina, the latter seeing it as an attack on a national hero, founding father, and ancestor of their monarchy. It has exacerbated divisions between Northern and Shangean historians, the former who see it as a dangerous reframing of history to fit political narratives, and the latter who decry Northern attempts to frame their history in an imperialist attempt to present Shangea as a weak country. The phrase also found currency with Zorasan's leadership, and has since become a common political phrase.