Xian Chu Cha

Xian Chu Cha occupies the southwestern part of Kintai, and is known for its conservative outlook and stability.

Structure

Xian Chu Cha is a Kingdom, and as such is ruled by a dynasty of kings. That said, more than anywhere else in Kinta,  Xian Chu Cha is a nation where the civil service holds immense sway. The power of the king is limited by law, and the laws of Xian Chu Cha are complex and labyrinthine. True power is held by the mandarins who shape and navigate those laws. It is, in many respects, quite a meritocratic society.

Culture

Xian Chu Cha is extremely conservative. The majority of its people follow the way of stone and are strong adherents of it. Xian Chu Cha is generally peaceful, having not fought a major war in over 200 years. It is, however, slow to change and slow to respond to new events. The flow of news throughout the nation is carefully regulated.

Public Agenda

Xian Chu Cha wants peace and stability.

Assets

Considerable financial reserves. The stability of the nation has made it popular with mechants and so many seek to trade here. Xian Chu Cha also possesss a standing army of considerable size, allthought they are untested and many of their tactics have not changed in 500 years. Xian chu cha is not a coastal nation and so has no conventional navy, but the nation is spanned by a vast canal network and so makes use of military barges, though mainly for transport.

History

During the age of the philosophers Kun Fu Tse , founder of the way of stone, began to preach his philosophy in Ching Nam Xin. Soon word of his wisdom reached the king, who made him an advisor. Soon Kun Fu Tse was reorgansizing the civil service, imposing a system of order, limiting acts of patronage and promoting meritocracy. Many of the states problems were overcome, it survived famines and plagues that laid other low, and grew strong and prosperous. Xian Chu Cha's growth has been slow and generally led through diplomancy rather than conquest. It became a beacon of civilization that other nations wanted to join.

Demography and Population

Xiang Chu Cha is a well connected nation with merchantile ties to Nun Chung, Zu Deng, and even the fire islands. It is not uncommon to see people from other nations within its borders, but strict rules on citizenship mean that these people are likely to be visitors. Kitsune are tolerated but rarely seen, Nezumi even less so.

Territories

The territory held by Xian Chu Cha is large, from the snowy high plains to the northwest, to the red lands in the south. Much of the land is fertile or forrested, and connected by a great network of canals.

Technological Level

Xian Chu Cha has a lot of thinkers but is slow to adopt new ideas, though its people are meticulous in their execution. When they make something, it works. Technology is late medieval level.

Religion

Xian Chu Cha is cautious with regard to religions, and each temple must be registered and its beliefs clearly documented. Any religious gathering or festival require permission from the state. Any behaviours that are contrary to the law require special dispensation which will not be granted except under rare circumstances.

Foreign Relations

Xian Chu Cha strives to keep cordial relations with all other nations and has so far done so, but there is clear alarm at the fall of Nan Chung and the expansion of Xu. Xian Chu Cha is like currently a very slow moving vessel attempting to change its course with no map, and elderly captain and a crew that don't want to believe there is a problem.

Agriculture & Industry

Much of the land is fertile and given over to agriculture, inlcuding the production of silks and other textiles. There is also ample forest land providing timber, and a number of mines that produce copper, silver and jade.

Trade & Transport

The great canal network connects all of the major cities in Xian Chu Cha, and there is also a well maintained road network. Both of these extract tolls from passengers, but are efficient and safe. Many barges take passengers for a small fee and carters often do the same.

Education

Education in Xian Chu Cha is exceptionally good. The state actively seeks out giften youngsters and educates them from an early age, renumerating their parents if they are taken away to be trained for the civil service.

Infrastructure

Xian Chu Chan has built and maintained an impressive amount of infrastructure over the years. Most notable is the great canal network, but there are also aqueducts and irrigation networks, roads, border towers and castles and city walls.

Founding Date

1400

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Demonym

Xianen

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Command/Planned economy

Major Exports

Food - particularly fruit, wool, silks, silverware and jade, manufactured goods.

Major Imports

Iron and clay

Legislative Body

While laws are passed by the king they are suggested and drafted by the civil service, following a slow and meticulous process that has not changed in four centuries. The mandarins themselves are chosen by an extremely taxing meritocratic process, culminating in a three day long exam just to join the civil service.

Judicial Body

Xian Chu Cha has some of the most advanced and complex laws in all of Kintai, and multiple bodies oversee the enforcement in different areas, including criminal law, trade law, divine law, medical law, domestic law and civil duty. A common joke in other nations is that if you wish to cross the road in Xian Chu Cha, you should look both ways and consult a lawyer.

Executive Body

A strict feudal system means that the power of enforcement flows from the king to his lords, and from the lords to the soldiers that serve them. Most of a soldiers work is enforcing the law, not fighting wars.

Controlled Territories

• Song Yan

Neighboring Nations

• Xu