Sea and Mountains Company (Zhi)
| Sea and Mountains Company | |
Native name | Haishanhui |
| Charter Company | |
| Traded as | Sea and Mountains Company |
| Industry | Trade, weaponry, carpentry, manufacturing, agriculture, government, administration |
| Fate | Dissolved, 1924 |
| Founded | 1599/04/23 in Nanyan, Liao Kingdom, Great Zhi |
| Founders | King Lu, Bai Erjin, Cai Wangyi |
| Defunct | May 29, 1924 |
| Headquarters | Nanyan (1599 - 1634) Zhijing, (1634 - 1924) |
The Sea and Mountains Company was initially a secret society created by the King Lu of Liao, along with the prominent merchants of Nanyan. They sought to expand the domains of Michu across the sea, primarily through trade and the Imperial tributary system. While initially persecuted by the authorities, the Company eventually gained Imperial endorsement by the Jingfeng Emperor in 1632. The Company moved most of its infrastructure to Zhijing to capitalise on their political favour, and to show deference to the Imperial capital. The Sea and Mountains Company initially had few markings of a charter company, only asking for a share in the profits made by their sponsors, in exchange for seed funding and provisions. Eventually, the company grew wealthy enough to launch its own expeditions in 1610, landing in modern Hungyun, and establishing a presence there. While initially content with tributary relations, the unreliability of trading with local rulers, as well as the vast quantities of commodities required, prompted military escalation. The Sea and Mountains Company established a collection of holdings to the South, ranging from Hungyun to Awtayu. These territories were ruled by Michurians in collaboration with local elites, providing massive shipments of luxury goods to Michu.