Li Dynasty
李朝
The Li Dynasty is the ruling house of the Shangese Empire, a vast and ancient civilization renowned for its cultural sophistication, philosophical traditions, and mastery of unique magical disciplines. Guided by the principles of the Way, Shang’s predominant philosophy and religion, the dynasty maintains order and balance across its rich landscapes of fertile plains, bustling river valleys, and ancient cities. The Vermillion Emperor, who rules by divine right under the Mandate of Heaven, is seen as the living embodiment of the Eternal Sovereign Zhūlong's will, tasked with ensuring the empire’s harmony and prosperity.
Shang’s central government is structured around two major institutions: the Vermillion Court and the Bureau of Harmony. The Vermillion Court, led by the Grand Chamberlain, is composed of the emperor’s closest advisors and eunuchs, who oversee internal administration and execute the emperor’s commands. The Bureau of Harmony serves as Shang’s civil bureaucracy, staffed by scholars selected through rigorous examinations. This body manages taxation, legal enforcement, and the implementation of imperial policy across the provinces, ensuring the empire runs efficiently under the emperor’s direction.
Local governance is entrusted to twelve hereditary rulers who act as magistrates for their respective regions. Each ruler's clan is responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, and providing troops to the emperor when needed. To bind these clans to the imperial family, the emperor takes concubines from the daughters (or, if no daughters exist, the wives) of clan leaders and has each bear him an heir. This practice ensures that every clan is tied to the empire by blood while fostering competition and infighting among the clans over the emperor's successor. This discord serves the emperor’s interests by diverting provincial anger away from the central government and helping prevent any single clan from growing powerful enough to challenge the throne.
The current emperor, Wenyuan Li, has reigned for nearly three centuries, his longevity sustained by alchemical potions enhanced with chòuchūn root, a rare and sacred ingredient harvested from Shang’s holy mountains. However, with the root now exhausted, these potions have begun to fail, accelerating the emperor’s aging. While Grand Chamberlain Zhen Wei has hidden this truth from the public, rumors of the supposedly immortal emperor’s aging have begun to circulate among the court and the provincial clans. With many potential heirs now vying for his favor, infighting among his children and scheming within his inner courts has begun in light of this impending time of uncertainty.
Goals
The foremost goal of the Li Dynasty is to preserve the empire’s harmony and uphold the principles of the Way, which emphasize balance, moral virtue, and the Mandate of Heaven. Central to this mission is maintaining a strong and centralized government that can ensure stability and prosperity throughout Shang’s provinces. To achieve this, the emperor must mediate between the powerful provincial clans, keeping their ambitions in check while fostering unity under the imperial banner. The dynasty also seeks to protect Shang’s sovereignty by resisting foreign interference and maintaining its independence in global affairs. Under the current tributary system, foreign nations wishing to trade with Shang must present valuable gifts and acknowledge the emperor’s supremacy before being granted access to its markets; Shang's capital city of Tianjing sees processions of foreigners on a near weekly basis. This system has positioned Shang as the center of the Far East's trade network, strengthening its legitimacy in the eyes of its people and its neighbors. Another critical goal is the preservation and promotion of Shang’s cultural heritage, particularly its spiritual and intellectual traditions. The emperor is expected to act as a patron of the arts, philosophy, and magic, ensuring that the empire remains a beacon of enlightenment. This includes the continued development of dunamancy and other arcane disciplines that reflect Shang’s unique connection to the cosmos. At the same time, the emperor must balance innovation with tradition, safeguarding the empire’s historical legacy while adapting to an ever-changing world. The Li Dynasty is committed to securing the well-being of its people by investing in infrastructure, managing natural disasters, and fostering agricultural productivity. Projects such as the maintenance of canals, granaries, and flood-control systems are seen as vital to sustaining the empire’s prosperity and avoiding the kind of chaos that could threaten the Mandate of Heaven.Relationships
The Li Dynasty commands the loyalty of the twelve provincial clans, though this loyalty is often tempered by rivalries among the clans themselves. Each clan governs a province under imperial authority, contributing troops, taxes, and resources to the central government. The empire's system of concubines, while fostering internal competition and infighting among the clans, is designed to prevent any single faction from growing strong enough to challenge the throne. By pitting the clans against one another, the emperor ensures that their power remains fragmented and their loyalty remains focused on the central government. Externally, the dynasty’s relationship with foreign powers is carefully managed through the tributary trade system. Ryūshima and Jur’am are two of Shang’s most important trading partners, exchanging luxury goods, rare resources, and cultural knowledge. This system not only secures Shang’s economic strength but also reinforces its position as a dominant cultural and spiritual authority. In stark contrast, the East Caspian Company’s repeated attempts to establish a foothold in Shang have been met with firm resistance. The ECC’s aggressive tactics and disregard for the tributary system have made it a persistent adversary, forcing the empire to heighten security along its borders and waterways.Figures of Interest
Emperor Wenyuan Li
Male mountain dwarf Emperor Wenyuan Li has ruled the Shangese Empire for nearly three centuries, his reign defined by stability, cultural preservation, and a commitment to the principles of the Way. Though revered as a just and wise ruler, his recent decline in health has been carefully concealed from the public by his court. As whispers of his aging spread, his many heirs vie for influence, each seeking to secure their position as the next Vermillion Emperor. Despite his condition, Emperor Li remains a shrewd and authoritative figure, navigating the delicate balance of power within his court while resisting foreign threats to Shang’s sovereignty.Grand Chamberlain Zhen Wei
Male human Zhen Wei is the emperor’s closest advisor and the head of the Vermillion Court. As Grand Chamberlain, he oversees the daily operations of the imperial government, manages the Order of the Passive Voice (Shang’s elite secret police), and ensures the emperor’s decrees are enforced throughout the empire. Calculating and pragmatic, Zhen Wei is fiercely protective of Shang’s stability and works tirelessly to suppress dissent. While he remains loyal to the emperor, his growing influence has made him a polarizing figure within the court.
Founding Date
825 PD
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
Shangese Empire, Li Empire, Li Cháo
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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