Bai Empire

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The Second Bai Empire (Babelic: 百帝国 bai diguo, Gohangukian:백 제국 baekjeguk, Nipponish: 百帝国 hyaku teikoku), or the Empire of Hundred Lands, sometimes in Ingerish known as Lychia or the Babelic Empire, is an empire located in southern Tarephia and northern Antarephia, split into north and south by the Strait of Lyc. The empire is known to be one of the oldest empires in the world which still exists today. The current royal government of Bai has been ruling the kingdom for at least 300 years after the overthrowing of the corrupted Lin Dynasty in 1856. The Bai Empire is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The current monarch of Bai is Mao Jiangshi, who has reigned since 1982, and the premier is Lai Shen Kang. The capital of the Bai Empire is Baijing (百京), known to be one of the oldest cities of the empire, with other major urban areas of the empire included key financial centre Jincheng (今城) and largest city Port Dunghoi (东海港).

The empire is believed to have started from the Di Empire in the early 2000 BCE. Since then it has expanded, conquered or re-unified several times, but the shape of the empire still remains similar today since the establishment of the Bai Empire in 1200 AD. The empire underwent its golden period under the Suo Dynasty (索朝), which began conquering parts of Meilan and other territories such as Yuethon and in the Axian peninsula, thus expanding the kingdom beyond Tarephia and Antarephia. The Lin Dynasty was then established in the 15th century but was greatly weakened when foreigners began conquering Lin's colonies and took over several of the empire's ports along the Lyc. The second Bai Dynasty, under general Zhong Menjin, then overthrew the short-lived Lin Dynasty and re-established control over its colonies, but eventually after the Bai's prestige has declined, a period of decolonisation took place during the 20th century. At the turn of the 20th century, the empire faced a civil war fought among communists, democratics and the royal government. After the defeat of the communists and democratics, the Communist Party of Bai and People's Party government of Bai retreated and formed factions, which political status remains disputed. Under the king Mao Bansheng, he implemented a programme of Weixin (维新), or modernisation, which greatly helped the growth of the empire's economy.

Today, besides Babelicans, there are also known native Gohangukians and Nihongoneans (Japanese) in the country. It is believed the empire have certain links to Gohanguk, but the Bai empire denies any ties and links to such a nation. The official language of the empire is Babelic, which about 90% speaks. Other national languages include Babelic dialects like Kuangdongian and Teochese, Meilanese, Monkellish (Mongolian), Bokadish (Tibetan), Gohangukian, Nipponese and Nihonish.

The empire is considered to be a regional power in south Tarephia and north Antarephia and has one of the largest economies in both Tarephia and Antarephia. This is due to the massive steps taken by the Bai Empire to modernise. However, the empire is also infamous for prevalent gender inequality and restrictions on civil liberties and political rights. It is also known for widespread censorship of political speech and information, most notably on the Internet, routinely used to prevent collective action.

Etymology

The name Bai Empire means Empire of Hundred Lands, at the time in 1200 AD when the Bai Dynasty established a hundred districts. The name Bai Empire was still used in subsequent dynasties, but the name was changed to Suonia under the Suo Dynasty, known as the 'Age of Exploration' for the empire. It changed back to Bai Empire when the 2nd Bai Dynasty was established. The Ingerish name Babelic Empire in general also refers to the empire, and the name Babelic is believed to have been derived from 'Bai-bei-ren' (Babelic people) to refer to the people of Bai and Bei.

Some explorers also used the name Lychia which name was used for the Strait of Lyc separating the kingdom. It was possible that it came from the name Shore of Lin (霖陆), named after the Lin Dynasty. The name Lychia was sometimes used in certain nations to refer to the ethnic group of the land.

History

Key events:

• Founding of two kingdoms (2000 BCE): Di Empire in Tarephia, Kan Empire in Antarephia.
• Tuan Dynasty (1000 BCE-756 BCE): Tuan Dynasty - First theocratic empire under Tuanism. Ended in the disintegration into smaller states.
• Great Bai War (400 BCE-200 BCE): States fought among each other. Ended when a known general Yi Huang, from the Jing Kingdom, one of the powerful states, then conquered all the states and proclaimed the Jing Dynasty (敬朝).
• Jing Dynasty (敬朝) (200 BCE-175 AD): Further developed a united culture (known then as Jinglicism), while honouring other cultures (eg Bokelism and Mokellian) which were formed during or prior to the civil war. However, dissatisfaction rose among some of the generals and some oppressed citizens under the then Emperor Yuan Ming, and the dynasty ended in a brutal revolt.
• Fu Dynasty (福朝) (200-550 AD): Transformed the empire into a significant maritime power and was able to establish trade routes between Tarephia and Antarephia, greatly improving the economy. Split into Anfu and Tafu Empires in the 350 AD after disputes between the successor of the emperor; hence the two brothers ruled different parts of the empire. The Tafu Empire began several isolationist policies to combat a plague in 475 AD. Although the empire managed to suppressed several revolts in the 6th century AD, its military was greatly weakened and took over by the Anfu Empire (then the Kai Empire) in a war in 540-550 AD.
• Kai Dynasty (开朝) (350 AD-633 AD): Formed from the Anfu Empire, began an infamous purge in the 5th century on native Gohangukians which were then exiled. Conquered the Tafu Empire. Ended over a succession of weak kings.
• Council Era (评议纪) (633 AD-812 AD): During this time, the kingdom is ruled by a group of elders, to replace the political vacuum after the last king died. However, morality throughout the kingdom declined, while ironically Tuanism is still being developed greatly. Eventually, when the people asked for a new king under (woman) Great Elder San Lipeng, the monarchy was then restored when she married Chen Shuming.
• Lang Dynasty (朗朝) (812 AD-1120 AD): Known for the general expansion of the empire into today's Meilan and Cinasia. Also expanded trade as well, and created a large naval fleet. However, the dynasty ended over several revolts and splintered into several smaller dynasties. It is here that the name 'Bai Empire' was first used.
• First Bai Dynasty (百朝) (1233 AD-1327 AD): Reunified several states after the Bai Treaty initiated by the Dan state. Began retaking other states through a brutal war in the 14th century, but ended when people started revolting against the king's violence towards other states. Another treaty was then signed to reunify the remaining states, starting the Suo Dynasty.
• Suo Dynasty (索朝) (1327 AD-1542 AD): Known for its colonisation in Archanta and the Axian peninsula which expanded the empire beyond Antarephia and Tarephia, thanks to a large maritime fleet. Overthrown by some merchants who revolted when the empire refused to divert its finances to redeveloped its ports which limited trade.
• Lyc Dynasty (林朝) (1542 AD-1663 AD): Known as the corrupted dynasty which greatly weakened the empire. Foreigner started to establish foreign ports on the Shores of Lin. Lost Beizhen to Ingerland, and sold off the rest of the Meilanese states to Ingerland. Dynasty fell when the empire fell into debt; the emperor Gan Yunshang was beheaded with his head sold off to pay debts; an old Babelic tradition to pay off debts.
• Second Bai Dynasty (第二百朝) (1663 AD-present): Emperor Yun Daomeng took power, tried to re-establish control over independent nations like Meilan, which efforts failed. Eventually, he decided to formally recognise their independence and form the Babelic Cultural Alliance. Managed to, however, remove Franquese and Castellan control over certain ports after negotiations. In the 19th century, dissatisfaction against the absolute rule prompted the abdication of then emperor Yuan Chenchang. Under the new emperor Mao Leyi, social reforms were implemented, and the government has been reformed which formed a parliament.
• 1879: First elections held for the new parliament: Jun Wangwei becomes the first premier of the empire, with the Babelic Democratic Party winning the majority.
• 1930s: Tensions rose between pro-democratic factions and several left-leaning parties in the parliament. Then emperor Man Chengyu tried to dissolve parliament but led to a civil war in 1930.
• 1940s: Though the royalists managed to drove the communists and pro-nationalists away, the kingdom went into a crucial crisis with other nations over the Lyc crisis.
• 1975: Infamous purge against the Dunghoi Riots.

List of one-level divisions

Despite the name, the empire does not contain exactly a hundred districts as before; there are 87 districts, which includes ten contested districts. However, it also has three other directly-controlled regions, two autonomous regions and two Special Administrative Districts (SADs).

Tarephian Side

(Based on existing districts)

• Yinjing 音景 (Soundview)
• Oujing 欧景 (Irving)
• Sanping 三萍 (Sanspruit)
• Keshen 克森 (Clarkson)
• Anji 按基 (Bymark)
• Xuendong 悬东 (Clifton)
• Erxi 鹅系 (Ellersley)
• Randi 染低 (Denlow)
• Faleming 法乐铭 (Fleming)
• Yarenbin 芽仁滨 (Arenby)
• Bingxi 滨兴 (Berxley)
• Yaqing (Ayrgrove)
• Yangta 阳塔 (Suntract)
• Peimen 配门 (Pellmar)
• Jishi 基石 (Foutainstone)
• (Chester)
• (Starspray)
• (Venford)
• (Roslin)
• Mijiang 米江 (Rice)
• (Dowling)
• (Leveridge)
• (Signet)

(To add)

• Qigu 漆谷
• Yingde 盈德
• Baishen 百森
• Baijing Capital Region 首都地区
• Xiangtien 香田
• Getien 歌田
• Bingjiang 滨江
• Chuanjia 川贺
• Beikan 北堪
• Shuzhu 肃祝
• Bagong 巴恭
• Duowu 多乌
• Yanwu 沿务
• Special Administrative Division of Ellerson 鹅森特别行政区
• Autonomous region of Changyu 昌玉自治区

Antarephian Side

• (Capricorn)
• (Calidia)
• (Duluth)
• Hong'an 红岸 (Crimson)
• (Tesbor)
• (Nova)
• (Glaber)
• (Argentia)
• Hua'anyun花安云 (Floweramyun)