Yi

The High Kingdom of Yi Xŭn Diyŭxisŏ tsi Yi
Flag
Motto: Siuhŭ tsi Yus "Our Blood"
Capital	Ŭtasiĭ
Largest city	Ciiūwahĕ
Official languages	Yi
Ethnic groups	Yi
Demonym(s)	Yi
Government	constitutional and federative monarchy
• High King	Tĕxiú Bŭn-On
• Chief Magistrate	Xiie Pĭxéyŏ
Legislature	Revised Assembly
History
• formation	934 CE
Population
• 2019 estimate	72,314,226
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	$982.6 billion
• Per capita	$13,588
Currency	ciú
Time zone	UTC+1
Date format	(dd/mm/yyyy)
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.yi

The High Kingdom of Yi (Yirō: Xŭn Diyŭxisŏ tsi Yi) is a semi-federal nation in southeastern Coius with a ceremonial head of state (the High King) who is an official elected for life. Although the title suggests that the High King is part of the nobility, commoners can be elected to this office as well since the introduction of the 1951 constitution. Political power lies with the Chief Magistrate and his cabinet. They answer to a unicameral parliament called the ‘Revised Assembly’, which has 81 members who are elected for a 1600 day term. Yi borders Xiaodong in the west, Qwehyong in the south, and other countries in the north.

History (WIP)

The area now known as Yi was originally inhabited by various tribes of which the Rei or Reija in the east and Nggaktsen in the west were allegedly the most prominent, based on the scarse written records that emerge as of approximately 100 CE. Increasing rivalry between the Reija and the Nggaktsen about the available natural sources lead to the first state-like entities, which were centred around wooden fortifications, the first ‘cities’, which are now lost.

Contact with Xiaodong is possible, although the Yi area was initially too far/too unpleasant/etc to conquer.

200-588 CE

The Kingdoms of Rei and Nggaktsen emerge and feudal systems are introduced, likely influenced by Xiaodong. Several smaller tribes flock around them, choosing and regularly switching sides. Some of them are incorporated into the kingdoms and integrated in the feudal hierarchy. Others manage to gain power; the Kingdom of Raaven steadily grows until it convinces neighbouring tribes that are part of Nggaktsen to switch allegiance. The Nggaktsen king is backstabbed (literally as it seems, although historical records give conflicting information) and after several years of internal wars, the Nggaktsen Kingdom falls in 588 CE; Raaven annexes a large part whereas the remaining lands find themselves without king and either merge with some of the other remaining lands to form new kingdoms, join the Kingdom of Rei, or stay on their own.

588 – 934 CE

Despite the balance of power tilting in favour of Raaven, the Kingdom of Rei remains the most powerful kingdom in the area. Its influence reaches to all of the kingdoms, although there is an increasing cultural influence from Xiaodong as well. The 7th and the first half of the 8th centuries are Golden Era of Rei with a strong cultural development. In this era the Öürü (Wiji) script, which was developed three centuries earlier already, was introduced in the entire area.

In 861 the Rei King [name] dies while on a routine visit to one of the outermost provinces of the kingdom. His successor is impopular and incompetent and after three years prominent nobles try to oust him and put his younger brother on the throne instead. The attempt fails and the king’s younger brother is killed in the process. The king tries to have the traitors killed but fails as well. Instead of engaging in any further confrontations the nobility chooses the town of Aatassyr (the present-day capital Ŭtasiĭ) as their new base and start a policy of ignoring the king and forming a shadow-government to counter any damage done by the king. When the king dies a natural death in 877, nobility makes use of the opportunity, kill the designated new king (an adopted son of the previous king) and appoint from their midst the Duke of Siaidzukh as new king.

Power hunger causes conflict however and in 885 the 39 year War of Four starts, a civil war between the four most prominent noble families. In 924, the war is ended by a fifth party, the brother of the King of Raaven, who assembles the most powerful army the area has ever seen and defeats the four warring parties. Instead of annexing Rei for his brother however, this prince of Raaven declares himself King of Rei and within ten years subjugates his brother and the other kingdoms in the area. In 934 he declares himself High King of Rei. The meaning of Rei (which later develops into Yi) therefore shifts to encompass the entire area and not only the Kingdom of Rei itself – which is divided into nine parts that don’t match any of the previous borders; new Dukes are appointed to head these parts.

934 – 1415 CE

The High King installs a governmental system that sees a High King governing the entire realm; he is elected for life from amidst the monarchs of the various parts of the realms (leaders of the free cities that slowly start to emerge are uneligible). In practice it is often the King of Raaven who serves as High King. In the early 14th century, there are a few High Kings who originated from minor but rich duchies who were able to bribe a majority of the electors. The fact that the Kings of Raaven remained unelected caused some controversy, which weakened the position of the High Kings.

(To be elaborated) During the rule of the very weak Phúc Dynastic Reign under Emperor Vân Phúc, the Ruler of the Yi (Or whatever Yi was known as then). Due to Qwehyongine tradition, the armies were not initially raised until Vân Phúc send a peace offering. When Vân Phúc sent the peace offering, the Yi refused it, and advanced on the nation. Panic settled into the nation and the Dynasties attempted to raise militias of their own. However only those close to the coast and near the Trung City were able to deal with the Yi. The Yi eventually did make their way to Trung City, where Emperor Vân Phúc capitulated and surrendered. However a female rebel named Vinh Linh rallied public support and exiled Vân Phúc, who took a regiment of his archers and defected to the Yi.

(To be elaborated) Possibly de facto Xiaodong rule from 1332 to 1415, which slowly declines until it is ended after the fall of the Tao Dynasty?

During this era, buddhism gradually replaces the polytheist/nature religion.

1415 – 1600 CE

Restoration of the High Kingdom with the ascension of the Elder Duke of Jiacian (Ziaguin) as High King (1415 – 1458). Under his rule, the Elder Duchy of Jiacian gains prominence and eventually the Elder Dukes are de facto elected as High Kings by default and establish an absolute rule. The early Jiacian High Kings have to deal with religious wars that threaten to tear apart the country, as the arrival of Christianity poses a serious competitor for buddhist and other religions in the realm. The wars end in 1600 with the Decree of Ciiūwahĕ, which effectively makes Christianity illegal and establishes a local buddhist doctrine as the Only Truth (the doctrine is called Ciurŭtsĭhyu or ‘Only Truth’ in Yirō).

1600 – 1890 CE

The High Kingdom, although once considered a federation, is in practice a centrally governed country headed by the Jiacian dynasty, which interferes in the succession of the subjugated realms by granting kingship of e.g. Wŭrĕn (Raaven) to less powerful family members and having any serious competitors arrested. The High Kingdom wages war on neighbouring nations, with various success. Euclian powers establish small colonies at the coast? In 1890 High King and Elder Duke of Jiacian Ro Dīsiah dies and his underage grandson is elected as his successor, with his corrupt uncle as High Regent.

1890 – 1935 CE

Despite the fact that Ro Dīsiah's successor as Elder Duke of Jiacian, Ro Hélŭwuo, is only nine years old, the monarchies are convinced by his uncle Duke Ah-Ro Siŭn to elect him anyway. Ah-Ro Siŭn is appointed High Regent until Ro Hélŭwuo will become of age in 1897. Ah-Ro Siŭn appoints a lot of friends to influential positions, including his best friend and suspected lover Köyeyi Bĭn-Jĭtsiuö as Chief Magistrate. In seven years, a large part of the national budget is spent to feasts and other indulgences of the High Regent and the government, although some national feasts were organised as well. The military suffered from this and several monarchies started to protest against the situation. The High King Ro Hélŭwuo was nearing his 16th birthday however, which would mean the end of the High Regent's mandate.

In 1897, Ro Hélŭwuo contracted pneumonia however a few weeks before his birthday and he died of the consequences. He was succeeded as Elder Duke of Jiacian by his younger brother Ro Kūsy, who despite opposition was elected High King, with Ah-Ro Siŭn continuing as regent. Ro Kūsy would have come of age in 1899 but he drowned in a pond only five months after his election. He was succeeded as Elder Duke of Jiacian by his uncle Ah-Ro Siŭn (henceforth known as Ro Siŭn), who was however not elected High King.

The increasing threat of being colonised by Euclean powers convinced some of the monarchies that Yi should take matters in their own hands. Florena, a minor colonial power, was invited to 'colonise' Yi, which in practice meant that Yi would pay the Floren navy to prevent other Euclean powers from invading Yi. The Kings of Florena (Joaquim III, Micolau I, and Gabriel II; known in Yi as Lōyen Xiuekīn, Lōyen Mīkowo, resp. Lōyen Garīye) were invited to be elected as High Kings in exchange for which they would receive an impressive annual allowance.

Not all monarchies agreed to this situation and in December 1897 and January 1898 a short war (known as the Summer War or the War of Compliance) took place to bring these monarchies in line.

In 1927, Floren was invaded by Gaullican forces, an act which dragged Yi along in the Great War. Xiaodong made use of the opportunity and invaded Yi by surprise, occupying several of the western monarchies. As King Gabriel II died during the invasion of Floren, some of the non-occupied monarchies were ready to elect his daughter Isabela as High Queen but with several monarchies occupied by Xiaodong, the legitimacy of such an election is questioned and a period without High King follows, known as the Time of Confusion. The Chief Magistrate Xiie Tiu-Zahaxiĕ used this opportunity to draw power away from the office of High King to the High Royal Council as a prelude to the constitutional changes of 1951.

In 1933 it was decided that an Acting High King would be elected in the person of the 83 year old Overlord of Tiucian, Siiuciú Diödiö. He was succeeded by his son Siiuciú Yōhyí in 1936.

(To be elaborated) After the Great War, the High Kingdom tries to reconquer the lost territories; X year war with the Xiaodongese Republic?

1935 – 1951 CE

Continuing social unequality between the elite and the nobility on one side and common people on the other causes a series of long protests in the country until the ruling elite is forced to accept a new constitution that will enter into force upon the death of the incumbent High King, Pŭn Siōhuo, which happens in 1951. After the funeral of the last 'old style' High King, the first commoner is elected as the new High King.

1951 – present

Stuff happens.

Demography

Cities with over 1 million inhabitants

• Ciiūwahĕ (6,341,112)
• Siutsiotsiūn (5,200,810)
• Jumún (4,207,756)
• Ŭtasiĭ (2,080,341)
• Fiyüjiöyé (1,608,451)
• Jiöyeniĭwīn (1,370,308)
• Yehĭ (1,355,299)
• Utsīkohĕ (1,300,586)
• Sügĭ (1,184,107)
• Yöyitsĭ (1,113,084)
• Nieniĭjiĭ (1,006,237)

Government

Yi is a semi-federal state in which the highest administrative sublevel, the prefectures, have extensive powers. On the federal level such things as the country's defence, international affairs, federal police, the economy (including taxes), and basic laws regarding other subjects are organised; the prefectures are responsible for such subjects as traffic, education, healthcare, housing, social security, etc. Prefectures are subdivided in provinces, which in turn are subdivided in municipalities.

The High King

The High King (Yirō: Xŭn Diyŏwŏs) is the head of state of Yi. Since the current constitution came into effect in 1951, the High King has almost no political power although he appoints and, in certain circumstances nominates, the Chief Magistrate and represents the country internationally. On paper he is the Commander in Chief but in practice it is the Chief Magistrate, the Magistrate for Defence, and the General Staff of the High Royal Armed Forces who fulfill the tasks related to this function. The High King has several social tasks however and acts as a religious symbol for which he partakes in several fixed rituals throughout the year.

From 934 to 1951 CE, the High King was elected by and from the heads of the monarchies that formed Yi (although there have been exceptions to this rule); since 1951, any citizen of Yi can be elected High King. The tenure is for life (although early removal from the post is possible if the High King disgraces the office). Between the death or removal of a previous High King and the election of his successor, the chairperson of the Revised Assembly assumes the High Kingship in an acting capacity.

As the office of High King has been an elective one since it was created in 934, the title is not extendable to family and spouses. The wife of a High King is therefore not a High Queen (but there have been High Queens who ruled in their own right) nor are their children 'High Princes'. The High King or Queen is addressed as 'His/Her/Your Elevated Majesty'.

List of High Kings since 1842:

• 1842 - 1890 Ro Dīsiah (*1819 - †1890, Elder Duke of Jiacian from 1840 to 1890)
• 1890 - 1897 Ro Hélŭwuo (*1881 - †1897, Elder Duke of Jiacian)
• 1897 - 1897 Ro Kūsy (*1883 - †1897, Elder Duke of Jiacian)
• 1897 - 1906 Lōyen Xiuekīn (*1823 - †1906, King of Florena as Joaquim III from 1866 to 1906)
• 1906 - 1921 Lōyen Mīkowo (*1844 - †1921, King of Florena as Micolau I)
• 1921 - 1927 Lōyen Garīye (*1861 - †1927, King of Florena as Gabriel II)
• 1927 - 1933 Time of Confusion
• 1933 - 1936 Siiuciú Diödiö (*1850 - †1936, Overlord of Tiucian from 1899 to 1936)
• 1936 - 1948 Siiuciú Yōhyí (*1877 - †1948, Overlord of Tiucian)
• 1948 - 1951 Pŭn Siōhuo (*1872 - †1951, King of Lüwī from 1912 to 1951)

• 1951 - 1959 Xiüde Misiös (*1887 – †1959)
• 1959 - 1980 Köyeyi Niōhŏmŭsy (*1897 – †1980)
• 1980 - 1997 Rĭ Sia (*1920 – †1997)
• 1997 - now Tĕxiú Bŭn-On (*14 March 1926)

Legislative

There is one unicameral parliament (the 'Revised Assembly' or Müdehŏdiön Wŭguĕkuötsiu) of 81 seats, elected every 1600 days or sooner. 31 seats are allocated by a first past the post system, where each prefecture is an electoral district; the remaining 50 seats are filled by proportional representation. There are several political parties but in practice the Party of the Rose (Patĭ xiöxŏ Nŭrĭ (PN)) has held more than 50% of the seats since 1951 and the government has therefore been of that signature since that moment as well.

Executive

The executive is formed by the High Royal Council (Xŭn Diyŏwŏseniō Hyĭrawūn), which consists of the Chief Magistrate and other Magistrates.

The High Royal Council

Currently the High Royal Council typically consists of the following members:

• the Chief Magistrate
• the Magistrate for Defence
• the Magistrate for Financial Affairs (the Yi term literally means 'Protector of the Vault')
• the Magistrate for Foreign Affairs
• the Magistrate for External Trade
• the Magistrate for Internal Trade
• the Magistrate for Internal Policies and Coordination
• the Magistrate of Law
• the Magistrate for Science and Development

The Chief Magistrate

The Chief Magistrate is appointed by the High King on nomination by the Revised Assembly (before 1951 by the Assembly) – although the High King is allowed to nominate a Chief Magistrate himself as well. Although Chief Magistrates were occasionally appointed by High Kings before 1877, the office has been continuously in function since that year. A list of Chief Magistrates since 1951:

• 1944 - 1953 Kīwun Wiūsato
• 1953 - 1977 Hyuema Niōmō
• 1977 - 1980 Yedie Rū (first time)
• 1980 - 1990 Ōhí Pŭn-Uo (first time)
• 1990 - 1996 Luīs Jiíné
• 1996 - 1996 Yedie Rū (second time)
• 1996 - 1997 Ōhí Pŭn-Uo (second time)
• 1997 - 1999 Yedie Rū (third time)
• 1999 - 2001 Úzawa Jiĕtsiĭh
• 2001 - 2003 Yéfŭ Yönin
• 2003 - 2007 Diesé Matiucie
• 2007 - 2011 Tsato Yun
• 2011 - 2016 Tsato Mōsiuosuī
• 2016 - now Xiie Pĭxéyŏ

Administrative division

Main article: Prefectures of Yi

There are 31 prefectures. Before 1951 there were several monarchies including three kingdoms, and a couple of free cities; the monarchies were abolished after the constitution change of that year although the titles and families continue to exist in a ceremonial/cultural capacity.