The Jiangshi

***The Jiangshi***are a strigoic faction within the novel *Dark Blaze*. They are led by Grandmaster Cao Li, who became the successor to Vlad III Drăculești in the Far East after his downfall, until this claim was disputed by the Kuran Chi and their leader, Mitsurugi Sōjōbō.

The Jiangshi are arguably the most powerful strigoic faction east of the Thule's territories.

## **Background:**

The Jiangshi were formed whilst Vlad Drăculești was still active. Originally, formed as an infiltration scheme by Vlad to weave strigoium into China and the surrounding Oriental nations.

After Cao Li was chosen to lead the Jiangshi and began to infiltrate China and the surrounding nations, Vlad was defeated and the Jiangshi were left in limbo for a while. However, once Cao Li heard of the other power grabs, from Mircea Voivode, to Diarmuid Ó Murchadha, to the Vineeth Siblings, he chose to consolidate his power, and then began to strengthen his borders before expanding them.

During the Jiangshi's expansion, they were ruthless in their methods, using an intricate network of druggans and daemonic allies. They came into various wars against the Kuran Chi, Oceanic Tribes, the Thule, the Klyki, the Vetala and many other smaller factions.

Establishing their borders firmly during the 18th Century, European powers have made it gravely difficult for the Jiangshi to expand further. By the time of the Great War, the Jiangshi had been squeezed within their own territory and reduced in power, to the point that their much smaller neighbours, the Kuran Chi, have become their chief regional opposition.

## **Society & Structure:**

### **Society:**

The Jiangshi's society is based heavily on that of traditional China, especially that of the earlier dynasties, with a clear difference in their caste system, and devoted loyalty to those further up the caste.

As the Jiangshi base their morals and traditions mainly on traditional China, they are very sympathetic towards the Kuomintang Party, and have many druggans loyal to the Kuomintang, however, the Jiangshi is weary of their Muslim leaders.

Priding themselves on their home nation, the Jiangshi refuse to sire anybody that is not Chinese, and favour those who are Han Chinese. They do not discriminate against druggans' origins however, and will lead along non-Chinese until they are no longer required.

### **Structure:**

There is a clearly define caste system within the Jiangshi. At the top are Cao Lei and his Council of Elders, then there is the Warrior Caste, made up of first-class and sired strigoii, then the Peasant Caste, who are a collection of ghouls and druggans.

## **Territory:**

Below is a list of countries which the Jiangshi hold territory:

* China - headquarters located in Beijing.
* Hong Kong.
* Macau.
* Mongolia.
* Nepal.
* Dutch East Indies.
* Indochina.
* Mongolia.
* Burma.
* Singapore.
* Korea.
* England.
* France.
* United States Of America.
* Russia.

## **Members:**

### **Major:**

 Lin Bao
 Diaochan Drăculești

### **Minor:**

As of yet, there are no known minor strigoii within the Jiangshi.

## **Affiliates:**

As of yet, there are no known affiliates to the Jiangshi

## **Equipment:**

Below is a list of weaponry that has been seen used by the Jiangshi:

* Hanyang Type-88 - bolt-action rifle.
* Austin Armoured Car.

## **Sub-Factions:**

As of yet, there are no known sub-factions within the Jiangshi.

## **Appearances:**

The Jiangshi appear in Hadrian Voivode's 1915-1916 Marele Consiliu chapters, and are mentioned by Mircea Voivode within Hadrian's 1918-1920 storyline as being at war with the Kuran Chi.

## **Trivia:**

* The Jiangshi are named after the "hopping zombie creature" of Chinese lore.
* The jiangshi in Chinese lore are seen as the Oriental equivalent to the European vampire.
* Cao Li's family name (first name in China) is a tribute to Cao Cao, a famous Chinese warlord who nearly united the nation during the Three Kingdoms, B.C.
* A mortal enemy of the Jiangshi, who blinded Cao Li, Cao Futian was a real life rebel leader within the Boxer Rebellion.
* Diaochan, the brood-strigoi of the faction, was named after Diaochan from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
* The Jiangshi-Kuran Chi rivalry mirrors that of China and Japan, and the Sino-Chinese Wars.
* The Jiangshi are the only known strigoic faction that work closely with daemons.