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The League of Free Cities (自市同盟, zì shì tóngméng, Franvils lig), also known as the Huranian Hansa, was an association of Principean colonies and trade posts in Northern Huran to defend their interests in the Hou River and trans-oceanic trading. It began as an alliance of Blaco colonists against the Former Tan state and especially against its monarch: Tan Mingdi who had overturned most of his father' pro-Blaykish policies and began a purge of foreign elements in his country. After the civil war, the League maintained itself and became a founding member of the Grand Covenant alongside the Kingdom of Bian and the Later Tan Dynasty. Despite being officially recognized in treaties as an equal partner, it was never a state nor was it sovereign. The colonists were still Blaykish subjects and under its colonial administration, led by the Resident minister in Condor-Royal. The cities and ports in which they were established were still administered by Tan or Bian Mandarins and part of their respective states. Their establishments existed as free-ports or factories only by Tan or Bian decrees and special status were freely-revocable privileges. But in practice, real power in a colony was held by its Odoquole, an informal council of the factory' wealthiest and most influential colonists. While not recognized by either the Tan, the Bian, nor Blayk, local Mandarins and administrators consulted them before every major decision and followed the policies set by the Odoquole as, because of their influence, its members had the power to make or break careers in their cities.

Since its beginning as a military alliance and despite its informal nature, the League was led by a central authority formed by representatives from every colony: the Megodoquole. While it had no power over the colonies' internal affairs, it kept international relations and military affairs as its prerogative. It was also the final arbiter in case of conflicts between colonies and would develop its own Tribunal de commerce. To finance its growth in Neidi, the League also created its own banque, the Caisse de l'Ouranie, as a private venture with many features of a central bank including issuance privilege. It would also form its own military corps including the famous Tirailleurs Ouraniens and Voltigeurs Tartares as well as a permanent navy. The growth of the League would be such that by the second half of the 19th century, it would be able to dictate terms and matter of internal affairs to both Tan and Bian, and would often ignore colonial decisions from Blyak.

The League was not the only form of Blaykish colonisation in Huran. Even though closely co-dependent, Perendist missions remain independent. As the Tan Civil War which gave birth to the League was concurrent to the Blaykish Civil War (1800-1822) and the Colonial Wars of Independence (the Amand War of Indpependence (1801-1807), Marceaunian Wars of Independence (1802-1806)...) both the League and the Missions formed and expanded outside of colonial authority.

The League main trading partners were the other ex-colonies of Blayk. Mainly Amandine and Sainte-Mélitine. They traded in Silk, Taffeta, Satin, Velvet, Felt, Porcelain, Lacquer, but also indentured workers in the form of Coolies. Non-Perendist Hua workers were more often sent across the ocean than those who had converted, who were preferred to work on Manors in Huran. The "human capital" of Huran compared to that of the other Blaykish colonies proved a valuable commodity during the League's day and although slavery was made illegal in the Grand Covenant, Indentured servitude was common.

Administration

Colonies adopted a system known as the Course-aux-honneurs (晉升體系; Promotion System) in parallel to the administrative rankings of the Tan and Bian states. The positions adopted and recognized by the League were:

1) The Financial Affairs Officer (财务官; cái wù guān; Dane-au-trésor)

2) The Urban Officer (市政官; shì zhèng guān; Dane-urbain)

3) The Proeminent Officer (裁官; cái guān; Prodane)