Great Zhi

Great Zhi Empire        大治帝国
Flag
Motto:     '皇上万岁
Anthem: 'Melody of Eternal Grace' Royal anthem: 'Eternal Dynasty'
Status	Great Power
Capital	Zhijing
Official languages	Zheng, Weishun, Mayu, Tuan
Ethnic groups	Zheng 42%, Mayu 23%, Nanzi 20%, Weishun 10%, Tuan 5%.
Religion	Celestialism
Demonym(s)	Michurian
Government	Unitary Parliamentary Monarchy
• Emperor	Xuande Emperor
• Chancellor	Hongli Cuyan
• Prime Minister	Office Vacant
Legislature	Celestial Parliament
• Upper house	House of Celestial Lords, Faith and Princely Dignity
• Lower house	House of Celestial Charity and Common Consideration
Establishment
• Tianqing bestows the eternal Mandate upon the first Great Master	4482BC
• Reorganisation into the Great Zhi	971BC
• Yueyang Restoration	1952
• Xuande Restoration	2021
Population
• Estimate	900,000,000 (1st)
HDI (2020)	0.86 very high
Currency	Zhiqian
Driving side	left
Calling code	+52
Internet TLD	[.qg]

The Great Zhi Empire, known also as Michu, is a constitutional monarchy located in the far east of Saurth. It comprises dozens of provinces, kingdoms and duchies, and islands. The Great Zhi is neighboured by Celesterra in the west, with the Confederation of Duchies in the south. The population is 900,000,000.

History

The history of the Great Zhi Empire, and its immediate predecessor, is vast beyond belief. For the purpose of simplicity, traditional Imperial history is recorded into eras, segregated into sections of a dragon, usually lasting four hundred years. The beginning of Imperial history, known as the Juwarin Period, covers three thousand years of history, during which city states, nation states, and nomadic groups warred near constantly for prestige, territory, and the favour of the illusive Great Master. Through war, sacrifice and glory, an endless war in heaven is waged by Tianqing, god of the golden dragons. The earliest history of the Empire is shrouded in history, as the written record greatly declines with time. The official Imperial history is divided into sections of a dragon's body, as the world revolves under the gaze of the god Tianqing.

Juwarin Period

Dragon Head to Body (4482 - 3600)

The earliest period in Michurian history, the first Dragon Head covers the beginning of civilisation, the earliest city states, and the emergence of the Grand Master. Official Imperial histories convey much of this era through folklore, oral tradition, and song. According to such sources, the world existed in a state of great scarcity, cursed with pain, darkness and drought. Demons and gods wandered the world, reaping the suffering and toil of all. The first Great Master listened to the sounds of the world’s pain, correctly deducing that the Heavens were in turmoil, as Tianqing, god of golden dragons and all heaven was ousted, falling into the sea. This man is known to Michu today as ‘Shouci’, though his true name is lost to time. Tianqing commanded Shouci to raise him from the depths of the sea, so that Tianqing could ascend to heaven and restore balance. Shouci, fully willing to comply with the mighty beast, sacrificed much of his own clan through ritualistic drowning, to reinvigorate the dragon. Pleased with the sacrifice, Tianqing arose from the oceans after being cast from heaven, captivating those who would listen with divine music. His tail was said to encompass the mountains, his wings covered the skies. Yet, being beneath the Dragon’s gaze felt far warmer, and more comfortable than the sun. In return for the sacrifices, Tianqing declared that Shouci’s clan would forever guide the mighty as the Great Masters, teachers of all. He bestowed the Weishun, his heavenly vassals, as warriors under Shouci’s command. Shouci, alongside his son and daughter, spread the revelations of Tianqing, dividing society into various strata. When the Weishun conquered, they established domains, hunting territories, and slaves of their own. There is little archeological evidence for this story, beyond extremely fragmented historical artefacts. The first dragon body is the least documented time in Michurian history. Historical records remember the regnal names of a select few of the Great Masters during this period. Among these, include Di, and She, though their territories The oldest of the modern day Weishun Clans trace their origins to this era, competing against themselves and the subject races for prestige.  

Dragon Wings to Legs (3600 - 2800)

By the time of the first Dragon Wings, Michurian society had reached a turning point, as early yet powerful agricultural yields provided the various Lords with ample resources for war. While the domain of the Great Masters had receded, the rule of powerful clans begun to form fiefdoms of their own. Spoken and unspoken rules concerning warfare and diplomacy solidified, the destruction of agricultural lands became a capital offence. The regimentation of warfare into grand games, wherein the combatants maintained fixed territories, losing only small portions of land, along with seas of peasants. Figures of Imperial legend become more common during this time, such as Tucin Long and Pulinzi, start to emerge. The first Dragon Wings era is also where the earliest examples of the written word were recorded, in the ancient Qia language. The Qia people are generally considered to have been subsumed into the Zheng culture by the beginning of the Great Zhi Empire. The words are inscribed upon a monument, known as the ‘Well Wishing Monument’ dated roughly to 3200, reading “May (y?)our sons succeed me/us...” The translation is contested, due to corrosion on the monument. With the advent of writing, the Dragon Legs gradually becomes more clear, and the names of more prominent political figures start to emerge. Chyjn Ji, King of Zaife, was declared as the Great Protector for a period of sixty years, after taking over the role from his father, Nyang Ji. The Ji dynasty lasted for roughly two hundred years, before catastrophically failing in roughly 2950, when uncharacteristically long droughts and icey temperatures wrecked the land. This period of global cooling is debated, with several linking it to volcanic eruptions. Regardless, the first Dragon Legs Era ended in chaos, suffering, as well as significant tribal raiding. The capital of Zaife was pillaged and burned to the ground in 2947, though by that time, most prominent political figures had fled. Zaife would disappear from the historical records following this point, so it is suspected to have been destroyed or abandoned. These times were known as a dark age retrospectively, though many modern scholars have postulated that the true conditions outside of Zaife changed little during this period.

Dragon Tail to Legs (2800 - 1200)

Known colloquially, as the ‘High Ancient Period’, the first Dragon Tail Era saw the high period of the Juwarin Dominate, as successive competent Grand Protectors, fruitful harvests, and a series of ‘civilised’ wars blessed the nation. Territorial expansion in this period remained limited, however. The borders of the Juwarin Dominate were generally static, withdrawing during the winters, though rarely advancing past geographic barriers, or political boundaries set by treaties. The state remained oriented around mass sacrifice, abundant harvests, and spirituality, though now, the Zheng began to climb the ranks, and Zheng Kings became accepted, so long as they nominally respect their Weishun kin.Following the destruction of Zaife, horse archers began to be used in large scale warfare between the more oppulent states. This state of affairs would remain for centuries. There were twelve Great Campaigns during this period, according to the partially preserved 'History of Harvests'. Following the High Ancient Period, centralised Kingdoms began to distinguish themselves from the Imperial orthodoxy, with the History of Harvests chronicalling this period as a time of wrath, with many 'sects' following new, evil gods challenging the ancient fiefs. By and large, the traditional fiefs survived, assimilating the survivors of their upstart rivals, and occasionally intergrating their beliefs into their own traditions. According to the History of Harvests, this time was considered a bountiful time, with an abundance of human sacrifices, and 'vindication for the fearful'.

Early Zhi

Grand Purple Campaign and the Tongzhu Proclaimation

The Grand Purple Campaign was the last, and most recorded of the grand campaigns, that ultimately led to the end of the Juwarin Period

Geography

The geography of the Great Zhi Empire reflects the vast territories under its domain, dominated by a mountain range in the far west, and vast tundras in the traditional homeland of the Weishun. The south and central portions of the state are covered in fertile plains and marshes, the envy of several historical rivals. Many of the greatest Michurian landmarks include the Meishan waterfall, among the largest of the eastern world, the Xishan mountain range near the Celesterran borders, and the Yushan Mountain range near Ruoning.

Climate

The climate of the Great Zhi Empire is generally cold, dry, and maritime. Further south, it becomes much warmer, and more humid.

Politics and government

Monarchy

The Great Zhi Empire is ruled nominally by the Zhi dynasty, since antiquity. With several interruptions and collapses, the Zhi Dynasty remains central to the Empire's identity. Ethnically, the Zhi family is Weishun, upholding the racial hierarchy of Michu. Though today, the Emperor is mostly a ceremonial figure, whose notionally vast powers are wielded sparingly, or delegated to officials. The current ruler is Emperor Xuande, who came to the throne in 2009. The Imperial dynasty is said to possess an eternal right to rule based upon their ancestor's loyalty to the central deity in the Imperial pantheon, Tianqing. The monarchy's role in public life is much greater than its powers would suggest, depicting the Imperial family in media is controversial at least, and there are several legal restrictions surrounding them, including the use of their personal names in writing and media. The heir apparent is Prince Gulong, born in 2023. Although the days of absolute rule by the Great Zhi Emperor have passed, the Emperor maintains vast political powers, and influence far beyond what their constitutional position suggests, limited primarily by the Palace bureaucracy. Criticism of the Emperor personally is virtually impossible while they still live, with many instances of journalists losing their jobs over attacks on the Emperors, consequently, many have taken to blaming 'favoured ministers' for poor policies. This is helped by the nebulous power structure at the highest echelons of the Imperial hierarchy, with many suggesting that the Emperor never truly holds power.

Harem System

The Imperial harem system has remained a staple of court politics throughout the eternal system. Unlike most harems, both male and female Emperors were permitted to host enormous harems. The Emperor's consorts live within Shaozi Palace, and are organised by rank, with the Empress at the top. These consorts were traditionally encouraged to advise the Emperor in both political and social matters, though in more modern eras, they are relegated to more common harem roles. The present Empress is Hongli Cuyan, who has informally forbade the Emperor from taking additional consorts.

Celestial Parliament

Michu's constitutional government was defacto ruled by the the Celestial Parliament, composed of the House of Celestial Lords, the House of Common Considerations, and the House of Intellectual Petitioners. The three houses all hold the authority to propose legislation. Initially, the House of Intellectual Petitioners was intended to be the most powerful, holding the sole right to suggest legislation, with the others two houses functioning as advisory bodies. Though subsequent constitutional revisions have allowed the primacy of the House of Common Considerations. Now, if the House of Common Considerations does not approve of a law, it is not permitted. This means that a bill must pass through the House of Common Considerations and at least one of the other two. Should a law successfully reach this requirement, it is submitted to the Imperial Chancellor to approve or decline. The Emperor would then approve, if the Chancellor did. The Prime Minister is appointed by the House of Common Consideration from their own party ranks, while the Prime Minister appoints two separate men to coordinate the other two houses, functioning as his two deputies.

Military

Army

The Imperial Armed Forces is divided into several components, representing different elements of the Imperial power structure. The largest force within this band, is the Imperial Army, a fully professional force open to all non Weishun citizens of the Empire. The Imperial Army is composed of 600,000 active duty soldiers, although recruiting efforts have been dramatically up scaled since 2021, in the wake of Hongli Cuyan's takeover. The second most known force, is the Weishun Banners, collectively organised under Banner High Command, who designate, organise and manage the Weishun Banners into an effective, elite fighting force. The Weishun Banners are rarely called upon in modern warfare, and are typically used for defensive operations, though they hold much of the Empire's special forces detachments.

Navy

The Imperial navy is among the largest in the world, as a first rate blue water navy, which aims to project powers and defend Imperial interests.

Foreign relations

Celesterra Celesterra is Michu's primary rival for centuries, though the extent of this has fluctuated with time and governments. Several wars have been fought between the two since first contact, and issues including Ivan III's genocide remain partially unresolved.

Valoria The traditional relationship between Michu and Valoria is one of reluctant mutual support, with aristocratic groups in both nations sharing many similarities. However rarely does the government of Michu endorse its counterparts of Valoria, for fear of ethnic tensions at home. However the two share vital trade, particularly in information, agriculture, industry, and military sectors.

Economy

Infrastructure

Infrastructure within Michu is widely unbalanced, it favors the eastern provinces of the Empire, with the western territories generally suffering from poor roads and infrastructure.

Demographics

Religion

Michu historically has been governed by Celestialism, a philosophy based around interpreting the will of heaven, and emulating heaven on earth. The Emperor, or his predecessors in the Juwarin period, the Great Master, would issue both spiritual and temporal edicts, guidance for the people. Besides Tianqing, the central god in Imperial mythology, several other deities and spirits were venerated.

Culture

Imperial culture is the oldest surviving culture in Saurth, continually evolving as the Empire's reached grew. Much of contemporary Michurian culture is Zheng in origin, including common foods, language, architecture, and dress. The city of Zhijing hosts Shaozi Palace, the ancient home of the Great Zhi Emperors, within which the traditions of history still thrive. Cinema is greatly popular in Michu, boasting a proud film making heritage since the Fengzhong Era. Traditionally, Imperial culture venerated many gods, though all ultimately submitted to Tianqing, the God of the Golden Dragons.

Literature

Michurian literature is ancient, with thousands of recognised and venerated works. In 2014, Michu published 900,432 books.