Jeroh's Rebellion

Jeroh's Rebellion better known in history as Revolt of the Four Feudatories, was a rebellion in Aurelia lasting somewhere from 131,000 BC to 127,000 BC, during the early reign of the Dajus Royal Family of the Neu-Eden Empire. The revolt was led by the three lords of the fiefdoms in Athea, Harpeia and Blytheaneau provinces with the help of the Grentin Empire and the resurged Providence Empire, against the Neu-Eden central government.
== Background ==
In the early years of the Neu-Eden Empire, during the reign of Great Emperor Dajus I, the central government authority was not strong and the rulers were unable to control the provinces in southern Harpeia directly. Some generals of the former Providence Empire who had surrendered the Neu-Eden were allowed to help govern the provinces in the south.
That was the result of the crucial contributions those generals had made at decisive moments during the Neu-Eden Conquest of Aurelia. For instance, the newly constructed militia of brought about quick capitulation of a new formed rebellion, allowing rapid advance into Atheian territories without worrying about what was behind. The defection and subsequent cooperation allowed swift capture and settlement of the Atheian capital. In return, the Neu-Eden government had to reward their achievements, and acknowledge their military and political influence.
In 1655, Jeroh was granted the title of "Conquering Prince" and granted governorship of the provinces of Portorleans and Athea. Loras and Gengas were granted the titles of "Calm Prince" and "Peaceful Prince" respectively, and were put in charge of the provinces of Blytheneau and Aldera. The three lords had great influence over their lands and wielded far greater power than any other regional or provincial governors. They had their own military forces and had the authority to alter tax rates in their fiefs.
== The Four Feudatories ==
In Athea and Harpeia, the general of the militia, Jeroh Armon was granted permission by the Great Emperor to appoint and promote his own personal group of officials, as well as the privilege of choosing warhorses first before the Neu-Eden armies. Jeroh's forces took up several million units of silver in military pay, taking up a third of the Neu-Eden government's revenue from taxes. Jeroh was also in charge of handling the Neu-Eden government's diplomatic relationships with the Enlightened Race.
In Blytheneau Province, Gengas ruled as a tyrant over his fief, allowing his subordinates to extort food supplies and money from the common people. After Gengas' death, his son Nathaniel inherited his father's title and fiefdom.
In Aldera Province, Loras ruled his fief in a similar fashion to Gengas. In total, much of the central government's revenue and reserves were spent on the Four Feudatories, and their expenditure emptied almost half of the imperial treasury. When the Great Emperor came to the throne, he felt that the Four Feudatories posed a great threat to his sovereignty and wanted to reduce their power.
Jeroh submitted a request to the Great Emperor, asking for permission to be relieved of his duties in Athea, Aldera, Portorleans, and Blytheneau provinces, on the premise that he was ill. The Great Emperor, not yet ready for a trial of strength with him, refused Jeroh's request. A few years later Loras asked for permission to retire, and in July, Jeroh and Gengas followed suit. The Great Emperor sought advice from his council on the issue and received divided responses. Some thought that the Four Feudatories should be left as they were, while others supported the idea of reducing the three lords' powers. The Great Emperor went against the views of the majority in the council and accepted the three lords' requests for retirement, ordering them to leave their respective fiefs and resettle in Tribane Harbor.
== Declaring rebellion ==
Several years later, Jeroh ended his connection to the Neu-Eden Empire and instigated the rebellion under the banner of "opposing Neu-Eden and restoring Harpeia". Jeroh courted the Athiean king to join the rebellion by restoring old Aurelian/Atheian customs and cutting off queues. Later on, he declared a new empire, the Grentin Empire. Jeroh offered the Great Emperor emperor clemency if he were to leave Athea and return to Tribane Harbor.
Jeroh's forces captured Portorleans and Aldera provinces, and allowed them to join the rebellion against the Neu-Eden Empire. Both Gengas and Loras, died, their sons followed suit in Athea. Lord Fredrick VI, ruler of the Province of Ryalis, led an allegedly 250,000 strong army from the capital of Ryalis, Challengar, and landed in Aldera, to fight and join the rebel forces.
== Composition of Neu-Eden armies ==
The Neu-Eden forces were initially defeated by Jeroh a few years prior. Athea Generals and Bannermen were put to shame by the performance of the Green Standard Army, who fought better than them against the rebels. The Neu-Eden had the support of the majority of Athea soldiers and the Heretic Empire elite, as they did not join the Four Feudatories. Different sources offer different account of the Heretic and Athea forces deployed against the rebels. According to one, 400,000 Green Standard Army soldiers and 150,000 Bannermen served on the Neu-Eden side during the war. according to another, 213 Banner companies, and 527 companies of Athea and Heretic Banners were mobilized by the Neu-Eden. According to a third, mustered the Neu-Eden a massive army of more than 900,000 northern Athieans to fight the Four Feudatories.