Exalted: Zhaojun

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If one were to sum up what defines both the empire-turned-satrap Zhaojun (pron. Shao-Yun) and its people into one word, it would be "Negotiation". By this I mean not only the complex trade networks that criss-cross the satrap's many borders, but also her people's seemingly endless capacity for haggling and bickering over both of the above in an endless state of debate and amendment. But what would be seen as an abhorrent level of inefficiency on the Blessed Isle or the Periphery is seen as almost a hobby or sport carried out with great relish and - for the most part - without animus.- introduction of From Isle to Isle; a Travel Guide from the Blessed Isle to the Caul for first-time pilgrims Chapter 3: Zhaojun
== History ==
Originally inhabited by the Meiyu people, after the great contagion the region was settled by two new ethnic groups - the Zhao and the Baihu. These groups migrated down the coast in the years following the great contagion after joining the unsuccessful Seven Tiger Rebellion against the Scarlet Empress.
The two cultures colonized and developed the area over the following centuries; the Zhao by and large developing inland and the Baihu along the vast stretches of coastline. These three fragmented peoples formed what would be called the Greater Zhao Empire, filling the plains, mountains and jungles of the region with a rich, complex system of provinces. In time the Tengese Migration passed through the region and down the southwest coast, further adding to the melting pot of cultures.
For over 500 years the Greater Zhao empire ruled the region practically unopposed, able to spread as far inland as needs required, until in the late 600s RY the Realm's spread downwards from An Teng stopped them in their tracks. From the years 670 through to 718 a bloody war took place as increasingly larger and larger chunks of the Greater Zhao Empire were carved off and made into new Realm-appointed Satraps.
The war was finally ended as the High Queen of Zhaojun agreed to marry into house Mnemon, her empire now becoming the realm Satrap of Zhaojun. But barely more than 50 years later in 769 the fall of Mnemon and the disgrace of her house by association threatens to throw the new peace back into chaos...
== Geography ==
The defining geographical feature of the Greater Zhao region is the Meiyu Sea, a stretch of water over a thousand miles long and nearly a hundred miles wide at its widest point between the mainland and The Spine, a mountainous ridge of land sheltering the mainland. On the Ridge side of the Meiyu coast a string of predominantly Baihu provinces with a high indigenous Meiyu co-demographic work the sea and trade both with the mainland and internationally . On the mainland Zhaojun Province, home of the capital city of Goldenseal, sits at the mouth of the Cahngdao River Basin surrounded by the eually prosperous provinces of Xiuping, Fubei and Gangchin. Spreading outwards are over a dozen more provinces limited only by the swamplands to the south and the Firetop Mountains to the east.
== Provinces ==
=== Realm-Controlled Satraps ===
==== Maichu ====
The first province to fall to the Realm, Maichu still has not recovered from most of the damage done during its fall.
==== Huanghei ====
This province takes up the peninsula known as The Talon, which along with Nai Lei cuts off the Meiyu Sea for any traffic that is not Realm-approved.
==== Zhujen ====
As the Greater Zhao Empire spread up the coast, the seat of the empire moved from Goldenseal to Red Fan in Zhujen. As the tide of the war against the Realm turned however the government was forced to flee back to its original homeland, leaving Zhujen to fall to the realm.
==== Ferazha ====
Overwhelmingly covered in thick jungle full of hostile wildlife and insurgent natives that can pass back and forth across the borders, Ferazha was a challenge to govern for the Zhao, and far more so for its new owners. A local saying to people who have to go to Ferazha for business roughly translates as "Good luck with that".
==== Nai Lei ====
Occupying the long thin spur of land at the tip of the spine, Nai Lei is the home of House Yueh, a cadet house of House Tepet (and thus given recent events, effectively of house V'Neef) that was founded when the province was conquered.
=== Zhaojun Provinces ===
==== Changdao River Basin ====
Zhaojun, Xiuping, Fubei, Gangchin - These provinces have the easiest access to most of the essentials for prosperity in Zhaojun: fresh water from the Changdao rivers, close proximity to the Meiyu Sea, and large stretches of fertile farmlands. 
==== The Spine ====
Chyung Tei, Sung Woo, Nang Thom, Lao Wa, Pnomn Mon, Xi Qu, Phu Lanh, Romlung - These provinces were predominantly settled by the Baihu, whose powerful navy in the post-Shogunate era became the basis of a complex sea trade network. In the past some of these provinces came into conflict with those of the mainland, with the southern province of Romlung and its neighbour Yaonan (see below) seperated only by the shadowland of Riven and Xi Qu's more Zhao culture occasionally at odds with its Baihu and Meiyu neighbours.
==== South and East Mainland ====
Xioru, Quinjdong, Qiufei, Shi Ging, Taishu, Chiaolun, Yaonan, Guichun, Laoqu - Without access to the coast, these provinces rely on a complex trade network with each other and the western provinces to trade what they have for what they need. Chiaolun used to be the only route through the mountains to the east until the great road to the south opened up, provinces adjacent to the mountains mine iron ore and the almost entirely jungle-filled Xioru trades officially in lumber but relies on the jungle more discretely for trafficking anti-Realm guerrillas north and embargoed goods south.