Yun-Tsau

Yun-Tsau, also referred to as Merchant Kingdom of Yun-Tsau or Yun-Tsau dynasty , was a nation-state situated on Halinn in the Southwest of the world of Abexilas. It was ruled by the king, Tsang Kang and would be vassalized by Akashiro in 66 AU, with Akashiro completly anexxing the state in the year 82 AU. Yun-Tsau was bordered to the north and west by Sakravir and by Akashiro to the south. Being the northern neighbor of Akashiro the Yun-Tsau dynasty has long had mostly positive relations with its neighbors and its leaders preferring diplomacy and trade over war with the state religion being the mostly tolerant Askeviryan faith. 
==Etymology==
The name "Yun-Tsau" (pronouced /Yun'Tsau'o'/) originally comes Shangian language's name for the two races inhabiting the current region in northeastern halinn right at the northern river border next to Akashiro. The "Tsau" meaning people of trade which is a term used to refer to the people in the north part of the region that often had dealt with trading with nearby nations of eastern halinn, while the "Yun" origins are a bit shrouded in mystery as the Yun unlike the Tsau were originally nomadic tribes somewhere from the south. Speculated to either be a race that fled Akashiro before the first shogun even came to the lands due to blood feuds with other races in the area or that they simply migrated to find a better home for themselves. Either way the 'Yun' and 'Tsau' when put together create the name for the nation in which both currently reside within. 
The full name of Yun-Tsau is uzebyu-ga yaruno-wo Yun-Tsau or merchant kingdom of Yun-Tsau.
==History==
===The Enlightenment of Askevir and Spread of Chaos===
After the Enlightenment of Askevir, he would only reincarnate to his people every few centuries although that was not known until the second millennium of the Calendar made by some of Askevir's disciples to track down the years until his next reincarnation but after the news of him not returning once more to this world it spread chaos within in the land of the Tsau due to the still mostly tribalistic state it was without the existence of the four noble clans of the Tsau, beginning the chaotic first era.
===The formation of Cheung-Tsau under the first noble clan===
During the chaotic first era under which tribal leaders were amongst most common between the Tsau, a few of those tribes would rise up in the hierarchy of the region eventually becoming the four noble clans of the Tsau although at that noble they were not for it is known they have fought and killed thousands of people in order to gain more power in the area and to further unify the region under one rule. That clan would eventually be known as the Cheung clan who descends from Cheuk, the first child of Askevir. Them becoming the greatest merchants of Cheung-Tsau which was established after several decades of fighting the tribes that would refuse uniting with the clan. 
===Trade and Stagnation era===
The trading era would mark the end of the constant infighting between the tribes of the Tsau and each other now united under the Cheung clan would begin building the first city after centuries of being mostly small villages, this would eventually become to be known as "Enyonggeku-yo" in Shangian, the official language of the Tsau people and one that has been spoken first as holy then later becoming the commonfolk's way of talking.
During the Trading Era Cheung-Tsau would make trade deals with its neighbor the Akashiro shogunate under its first leader Jirayu La’ir Akashiro and founder of the state itself. Under his leadership Cheung-Tsau and Akashiro were quite the close trading partners as the Shigen-sha would protect Cheung-Tsau merchant ships with Akashiren soldiers in return Cheung-Tsau gave much trading materials it obtained from its voyages around halinn and the coast of Talasi such as silk, cotton, alcohol and much more. But after his death the state of Akashiro would fall into Chaos as multiple claimants attempted seizing the throne thus beginning Akashiro's Muhō Jidai or "age of lawlessness" in voyager's tongue.
During the period of infighting the state of Akashiro now led by Akira Akashiro would continue defending Cheung-Tsau ships but now in return for Cheung-Tsau to provide weapons for the shogunate's true heir against pretenders to the throne, but after the venturing of Akira into the abyss and not returning once more were the ships of Cheung-Tsau now under the threat of pirates and looters. 
One of the Akashiren breakaway clans known as the Hiragawa clan would attempt an invasion of Cheung-Tsau lands after their failure of capturing the capital of Akashiro Tennyoku, although they would be met with a combined force of Tsau and Akashiren armies awaiting them on the other side of the river border with the war of the ancestor river also known as sa-ruyan-ga unoan-wo arun in Shangian. There they would be defeated and Cheung-Tsau would receive its final works with the Akashiro shogunate as Tsukikage Akashiro would send a letter to the Uzebyu-ga ya-wo (merchant king) at the time proclaiming that Cheung-Tsau ships would no longer be protected by Akashiro as it will go into isolation to rebuild the crumbled lands. 
Due to the lack of protection once more Cheung-Tsau received heavily losses by the hands of pirates taking and looting Cheung-Tsau ships causing an era of stagnation. Under this stagnation the Cheung would weaken severely and under their weakness rose the three other clans of the Tsau now proclaiming themselves noble besides the Cheung, they would be known as the Tsang, Kiu and the Shao who under the threat of civil war would be allowed to co-rule the state of Cheung-Tsau with the Cheung clan but manage different roles as to not cause hostilities between the clans. 
===Migration of the Yun===
After the rise of the other clans within Cheung-Tsau, each clan would be given certain rules detailing their role within the state. The Tsang clan were given management of the merchant kingdom being given domains on the holiest site of the Askeviryan religion, The temple of marble. While the other clans, such as the Shao would be given the kingdom's domains of lawmaking and diplomacy due to their family passed skills of incredible writing and creativity, while the Kiu would be given the domains of the kingdom's armies and workforce due their profession and family passed leadership skills. Together the four clans attempted to rebuild Cheung-Tsau despite the losses at the hands of losing several tens of ships to pirates and would ultimately be unsuccessful. 
Until the mass exodus of the Yun people from unknown areas within the "plains of Akashiro" shiro-ga nenri-nu in Shangian in which the Yun are theorized to have from, came and settled within the southern lands that were barely lived in by indigenous Tsau people. Under their leader Guo I would establish relations with the Tsau in order to find his people a place to call home. In return for giving the southern barely developed lands of the Tsau in the south Guo I must aid Cheung-Tsau in their fight agains the stagnation culminated by the loss of trading vessels of the Cheung. 
This would seal the "Accord of the south lands" which was an agreement between Guo I, leader of the Yun and the four noble clans of the Tsau.
===Formation of Yun-Tsau===
After some time of the Yun people settling within the southern lands, they would eventually adapt to the environment of the area and adopt many of the local customs and traditions of the Tsau such as wearing silk clothing, eating with one's left arm and adopting the religious philosophy of the Tsau, also with many Yun adopting the state religion of the Askeviryan faith culminating in a shared cultural traditions and norms between both the Tsau and Yun.
This would eventually pave the way to the second agreement between the Tsau and Yun being "Accord of Unions" which would solidify the relations between the Tsau and Yun forming the Merchant kingdom of Yun-Tsau. The Yun would also be able to develop mountain farms in which food such as wheat, rice and other grain was farmed in order to supply food the growing population as with the immigration of the Yun more food was needed as importing it through trade was not sufficient enough.
===Famine crisis and deaths of thousands===
After an unknown disease hit the mountain crops of the Yun within the southern region, widespread famine came spreading throughout the two major cities at the time being Enyonggeku-yo and Ruyan-Okya, the southern city that was established by the Yun people. The famine would cause the death of thousands of people at that time not sparing anyone except those of high rank. 
During the era of the famine the Uzebyu-ga ya-wo of the dynasty Tsang Kang (formerly known as Cheung Kang) would unexpectedly perish due to unknown reasons with his body being buried in an unknown location, in the wake of the death of its leader a temporarily provisional council was set led by Fu Hongyuan a rich Tsau benefactor who provided aid to the Yun-Tsau government for in return getting access to Enyon's ships. 
Later on, under the orders of the council Tsang Syaoran, half-brother of Tsang Kang would be called back to Yun-Tsau to reign shortly, but his reign would not last longer than a few months as the council had decided to ultimately let the Akashiro shogunate vassalize Yun-Tsau, later on with popular vote would agree on integration with Akashiro but thanks to the deals made with Lason Amakiir would be allowed to keep its culture and religion separate of Akashiro's. 
Although slow at first, food imports from Akashiro would eventually help fizzle out the famine's work but unfortunately not reverse it, as it had caused the death of over 300,000 people within Yun-Tsau and leaving many in poverty as the Yun farmers were left out of work, as well as Tsang Syaoran being blamed for the death of thousands considering he was the head of state at that time and him being made to leave the country once more going into self-exile. 
===Modern times===
Currently now as of the year 70VE Yun-Tsau has exchanged hands once more as with the eventual union between Aethos and Akashiro, Yun-Tsau would become officially a part of Soralae. Despite the hard challenges the people of Yun-Tsau have yet to give up, Fu Hongyuan for example has remained aiding the sub-government of the region of Yun-Tsau as well as hiring builders in order to continue the finishing up all the city projects within Enyonggeku-yo. 
Current whereabouts of Tsang Syaoran are unknown as he is said to have travelled out into sea once more looking for repentance for his sins and misdeeds, accompanied by a servant maid who takes care of him and his needs as he was blinded due to dishonoring his family. 
==Culture ==
===General===
Culture within Yun-Tsau is generally split between the two races of the north sector of Yun-Tsau being the Tsau and the southern sector inhabitants being the Yun, with small and minor Akashiren areas that were settled by Akashirens who migrated into Yun-Tsau during the famine crisis. 
 
 
While the Yun had a mostly nomadic style of living before arriving within Yun-Tsau, they would eventually settle within the southern region and build themselves the City of Ruyan-Okya (later demolished under Akashiren vassalage rule) where the community of the Yun would base their operations in. After Akashiren integration the region had a small amount of permanently settled Akashirens who had taken over building themselves the small towns of Linshao and Shidumasa. 
===Religion===
Religion is one of the key aspects of the Yun-Tsau people as the majority of the nation adhere to it or to its philosophy, the majority of the Tsau people are practioners of the Askeviryan faith, an ancient religion founded by the ancient Tsau ancestor Muqin (Also known as Unoan Muqin in Shangian) and later preserved by Askevir who would play a key role in ensuring the people never forgot their ancestor's will and wishes upon them. On the other hand, the Yun are a bit more diverse with half of the Yun having converted to Askeviryan faith and the other having still following their folk religion of worshipping ancient gods and deities. Tenshin has also sprung up in Yun-Tsau lands with Akashiren migrants bringing their faith alongside them. 
 
===language===
Most common spoken language within Yun-Tsau is Shangian (language of the united peoples) as well as being the official language of both the once independent state of Yun-Tsau and the current region of Yun-Tsau under Akashiro (Soralae) The writing system of Shangian being a Pictograph of Characters which either have a meaning on their own or they're combined with other characters in order to form new words. Shangian is also known for its usage of honorifics such as "o-" being used in formal speaking between rulers and the people below them and "ki-" being used to refer to nobles, elders and anyone of higher status alongside other honorific suffixes. The Akashiren language is also spoken but only in the small minorities around the region by migrant Akashirens.
===Cuisine===
Cuisine within Yun-Tsau varies a lot between the Yun and The Tsau. In Tsau cuisine, the majority of cuisine usually comes from the sea as Tsau inhabited areas are not very suitable for food growing instead, The Tsau relied on fish and shellfish and octopus and other marine animals for food. The Tsau would also import food into the nation through trade with their neighbors. Drinks include Baijiu, the rice wine of the Tsau. It was invented after the Yun inhabited the southern regions, growing rice in the riverbank and sending them to the Tsau. Baijiu is often consumed during celebrations and the normal day of workers in Tsau workforce as means of elevating stress. It is also used in wedding and religious ceremony. 
Yun cuisine however differs a lot with food being more from the land, due to the early nomadic lifestyle of the Yun they developed the taste for wild animals such as wild boars and birds, in which they're hunted in parties of hunter usually made of three or four hunters using bows, swords and spears for such things. As well as farming thanks to their inhabitation on the bank of the ancestor river (according to the Yun-Tsau people) on the border between Akashiro and Yun-Tsau. Drinks include Mijiu, the rice wine of the Yun who infuse it with other flavours such as sweet berry or glowberry in order to sweeten its taste for it being a clear tasteless spirit. It is often consumed by higher-ups in the Yun social hierarchy as drunkenness of commoners is seen as obscene. 
Both the Yun and Tsau are known to use wooden chopsticks similar to that of Akashiro's and are used as well as a mixing tool. Noodles are also widely consumed by both of them as each indulge in specific kinds of noodles. Green Tea is also one of the popular drinks to both the Yun and Tsau being served in meetings and formal events. 
=== Architecture===
Architecture of Yun-Tsau mainly focuses around the "White lotus" style of buildings in which different styles of roofs indicate which building it is to the Yun-Tsau locals. 
* Double-eave Hip Roof: used in the most important Askeviryan temples and the castle's main hall, symbolizing honor and authority.
*Single-eave Hip Roof: used in some important buildings, slanted on both sides.
*Single-eave Resting Hill Roof: a combination of single-eave hip roof and resting hill roof.
*Hanging Hill Roof: two overhanging slopes that are straight.
As well the common usage of white concrete in order to build such things as it is seen as a pure untainted color by the people. Shrines are also built that way in order to symbolize their true purity as well burial shrines which are made with quartz walls. 
===Art ===
Yun-Tsau art consists of calligraphy, ceramic making and pottery and creation of copper vessels. Calligraphists from around Yun-Tsau are known to be taken by the government and used for writing official documents and diplomatic letters. Calligraphy is also considered one of the skills were required to serve within the merchant king's court
Cermaic making is a very complicated task that has been recorded as being as old as the nation itself, it is widely considered a sacred treasure of the people. Ceramics often include different styles in which they're colored vibrantly and displayed in high places to avoid them being broken. Bigger ceramic pieces are usually seen as signs of wealth as they can be quite expensive.
Copper molding is also an ancient art where copper is melted, casted and finally shaped in a certain way in order to make it more appealing. Copper molding is most often practiced by the hands of nobles as the operation can be quite the expensive for the average commoner.
===Poetry===
Poetry in Yun-Tsau is seen as one of its sacred symbols, poetry is also considered a lifestyle by one of the four noble clans of the Tsau, the Shao. Yun-Tsau poetry is quite diverse, but the three most notable ones are:
#Official formal poetry: Made by the Shao clan, this type of poetry is reserved only for the government and the higher-ups, as well as being used in diplomacy.
#Religious poetry: Religious poetry is from the writings of Askevir the preserver. One example of religious poetry is the Askeviryan faith's holy book Chronicles of Gold.
#Trade poetry: Made by the Cheung, Trade poetry is often made by Cheung sailors as means of spreading family traditions of the Cheung.
===National symbols===
National symbol of Yun-Tsau is the symbol is the Shangian character "Ji" or balance in voyager's tongue, it symbolizes the main balance of the universe and world within Yun-Tsau culture. It is also a part of the Askeviryan's faith symbol itself as it also represents enlightenment and eternal refuge within the ancestor's teachings. The character itself is a part of the Shangian language and is commonly used by the Tsau and Yun to mark sacred objects. 
The Dragon depicated upon Yun-Tsau's flag is also considered a national symbol that symbolized the autonomy and indepence of Yun-Tsau from its neighbors, under Akashiren vassalage the dragon remained in usage as the people still had full rights within their lands albeit under Akashiren dominion. After the annexation of Yun-Tsau under Akashiro the lord of Yun-Tsau placed by Akashiro Fu Hongyuan ordered the creation for a more fitting flag now that the nation had fully been integrated into the Akashiro shogunate. 
===Etiquetted===
Yun-Tsau Etiquette includes many familial hierarchal traditions that include respecting one's elders, paying respects at shrines and temples and veneration of ancient ancestors if known about. Yun-Tsau etiquette also includes bowing down slightly when meeting someone on the road, half a bow when meeting someone older and wiser, and a full bow when meeting nobles and elites. Tea is also often served to guests as show of hospitality as tea is seen as a high valuable resource which is why it is only used in formal events. Handshaking may not be done with monks and priests as their hands may be tainted by the hands of others which carry their misdeeds. 
=== Traditional medicine === 
Hailing from ancient traditions different kinds of remedies for cures and illnesses were made in Yun-Tsau as means of helping the population. Different kinds of medicine include fish oil medicine, herbal medicine, tea medicine and Askeviryan monk healing practices. Infirmaries within Yun-Tsau are usually in small alone locations although healers must first attain a right to practice or else risk facing punishments. 
Fish oil medicine includes extracting the oils from fish and using them to treat wounds and bruises, they can also be consumed in order to soothe stomachaches. Herbal medicine includes the combining of different herbs with medicinal properties in order to heal burn marks and broken limbs. Tea medicine is often practiced for healing psychological wounds and past trauma as different teas are made in special ways to calm the minds of patients. Askeviryan monk healing practices are based upon teachings of the Askeviryan faith in order to heal spiritual wounds and injuries.
===Clothing and social hierarchy===
Social hierarchy of Yun-Tsau can be often seen through the clothes the people wear. Commoners within Yun-Tsau are known to wear simple and less expressive clothing often either black or white or gray in color. Rich Tsau would more colorful attire in colors such as green or blue or red. Noble Tsau would wear colorful attire as well however, adorned with their noble family's seal either on the front or back of it to identify them. The merchant king himself is the only allowed person to wear combinations of any attire he wants as it signifies his control and dominance over the lands. 
 Yun-Tsau Social hierarchy Classes
Type 	Title 	Ranking within the hierarchy of the society
Ruling 	Merchant king 	The highest amongst high, controls everything within Yun-Tsau lands. This rank no longer exists.
Ruling 	Lord of Yun-Tsau 	has taken over the role of the Merchant king after Yun-Tsau's integration into the Akashiro.
Ruling 	The four nobility of the Tsau	They rule over lands given to them usually by their forefathers or by Akashiro.
Religious	Monks, priests and sages 	The Backbone of the religious life of the people within Yun-Tsau.
Workforce	Merchants and traders 	Working for the Cheung improved much of their legacy.
Workforce	Craftsmen and artists 	The Backbone of the Yun-Tsau workforce.
Workforce	Farmers 	Backbone of Yun-Tsau's food production.
=== Gambling===
Gambling in Yun-Tsau is often done by the wealthy as the Askeviryan faith while not outright banning the practice heavily criticizes it as self-indulgent. Gambling is done often in tea houses where gamblers would play games such as Dashika, a game which is played using small stones which curved with Shangian characters or pictures of animals, objects and plants. 
===Criminal offences and Punishment and Execution methods ===
Criminal offences in Yun-Tsau vary as the code of law is mostly based off the Askeviryan faith. Yun-Tsau laws are all written upon school of "Pa" (ruling in voyager's tongue) which puts heavy emphasis on giving the maximum punishment to offenders in order to keep the the social harmony in check. Crimes and their punishment include: 
#Petty theft: Punished by a few days within prison, if repeated the offender's hands are cut off to end their offending.
#Murder: Punished by death especially if familial in nature, the offender is often executed with strangulation.
#Fraudulence: Punished by public lashings and beatings especially for Fraudulent merchants and traders.
#Not repaying debts: Punished by taking the debt holder's home and giving it to the one who is owed the debt.
#Grand theft: Punished by death, execution method may be either Quartering (being chopped up into pieces) or boiled alive.
#Heresy: committing heresy within the Askeviryan church would result in the exile of the heretic until they have either died or have completed their penance.
#Corruption: Corrupt nobles are stripped from their titles and are made to live as simple commoners, if severe enough nobles may be forced into temporary slavery in order to regain their lost honor.
#Public drunkenness of commoners: This punishment mainly falls upon commoners who are publicly intoxicated, punishment includes public shaming.
# Adultery: Cheating on one's spouse is punished severely, the offender is publicly lashed and is also publicly shamed.
#Mocking the ancestor Muqin or Asekvir: Mocking saints and religious characters may result in heavy punishment such as high fines.
==Politics and Government structure==
===The four noble Tsau clans===
Since the existence of the Tsau and Yun people, they have both been governed by their head noble clans, for the Yun however their clan was eventually integrated into the four Tsau clans after the heads of the noble Yun clan culturally assimilated and converted to the Askeviryan faith. 
Yun-Tsau clans
Clan name 	Seal of the Clan	Operations and works within Yun-Tsau
Cheung (pronounced /Che'ung/)	 	Cheung clan, main heads of the trading operations within Yun-Tsau.
Tsang (pronounced /Tsa(e)ng/)	 	Tsang clan, hold dominion over the religious aspects of Yun-Tsau.
Shao (pronounced /shao/) 	 	Shao clan, poets and diplomats of Yun-Tsau.
Kiu (pronounced /K'io/) 	 	Kiu clan, has dominion over the workforce and small army of Yun-Tsau.
===Military structure and naval capabilities===
Throughout its history Yun-Tsau never had any upstanding official military force, rather the majority of its military power came from conscription of civilians and hiring mercenaries in order to support itself. During the war of the ancestor river small in the time of Cheung-Tsau, the kingdom was able to muster up a small militia group from the people although it was largely thanks to Akashiro for aiding them against the Akashiren clan that attempted to take Yun-Tsau land. 
Naval capabilities on the other hand are more largely better for Yun-Tsau, as since the time shogun Tsukikage Akashiro had made the shogunate isolationist, Yun-Tsau was eventually able to develop itself warships in order to protect its smaller trading vessels from pirates. 
==Cities in Yun-Tsau==
=== Enyonggeku-yo ===
Ex-capital of the merchant kingdom of Yun-Tsau, established during the Cheung-Tsau era and currently in development due to the crisis that hit Yun-Tsau. Population is majority of Tsau origin with small numbers of Yun and Akashirens. 
=== Ruyan-Okya ===
Established by the Yun people after their migration, was demolished under Akashiren rule.
=== Linshao and Shidumasa ===
Towns of both Shidumasa and Linshao were constructed in the location where Ruyan-Okya used to reside within. Built under akashiren rule, their population is mostly akashiren and Yun with Tsau minority.
Category:Akashiro