Yi

The High Kingdom of Yi Xŭn Diyŭxisŏ tsi Yi
Capital	Ŭtasiĭ
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
Currency	ciú
Driving side	right

The High Kingdom of Yi (Yirō: Xŭn Diyŭxisŏ tsi Yi) is a semi-federal nation 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.

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. Possible 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.

Names after the following era to be modernised to Yi:

1415 – 1600 CE

Restoration of the High Kingdom with the ascension of the Elder Duke of Ziaguin as High King (1415 – 1458). Under his rule, the Elder Duchy of Ziaguin gains prominence and eventually the Elder Dukes are de facto elected as High Kings by default and establish an absolute rule. The early Ziaguin 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 Goorangge, which effectively makes Christianity illegal and establishes a local buddhist doctrine as the Only Truth (the doctrine is called ‘Only Truth’ in Yir̃ō).

1600 – 1890 CE

The High Kingdom, although once considered a federation, is in practice a centrally governed country headed by the Ziaguin dynasty, which interferes in the succession of the subjugated realms by granting kingship of e.g. 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 [name] dies and his underage grandson is elected as his successor, with his corrupt uncle as High Regent.

1890 – 1935 CE

To be confirmed: (for reasons) The king of Florena is elected High King somewhere around 1900.

Around 1928, the Xiaodong Empire takes the opportunity of the Gaullican invasion of Florena by invading Yi and annexing some of the western territories. 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, which happens in 1951. After the funeral of the last High King of the Ziaguin dynasty, the first commoner is elected as the new High King.

1951 – present

Stuff happens.

Government

The High King

Before 1951: elected from the nobilities (see below). After 1951, any politician can be elected High King; tenure 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 or her successor, the chairman of the Revised Assembly assumes the High Kingship in an acting capacity. List of High Kings since 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’) 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 High Royal Council, consisting of the Chief Magistrate and other Magistrates. 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

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.

Culture and sports

The main article for this category is Yi.