Shen

the Divine Empire of Shen, Shen
Flag
Motto: Harmony under Heaven
Anthem: Harmony under Heaven
Shen Empire 2019
Capital	Sharanfo
Official languages	Shen Mandarine
Recognised national languages	Mandarine, Monagonan, Rhandi
Ethnic groups	Shen
Demonym(s)	Shenian
Government	Unitary Imperial Buracracy
• Empress	Wu Zhao
• First Minister	Li Kurasan
Establishment
• Founded	522 BC
• Currenty dynasty	1912
Population
• 2019 est estimate	193,000,000 ([[List of countries and dependencies by population|1]])
• 2015 census	186,939,030
GDP (nominal)	estimate
• Total	2.63 trillion
• Per capita	13,650
Currency	Shen Yuan ([[ISO 4217|¥]])
Date format	mm-dd-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+86
Internet TLD	.ripa

History

the Grand River Civilization

Prehistory Archaeological evidence suggests that humans first started inhabiting the Grand River Valley around 40,000 years ago. Evidence of hunter-gatherers foraging along the river banks is found throughout the entire River Valley, leading most modern archaeologists to conclude that there was continuous habitation of the region. The earliest known indications of agricultural settlements are found in the Grand River delta. Radiocarbon dating of primitive farming implements suggest that's the earliest agricultural settlements put down there roots roughly 6000 years ago although it took an additional 2,000 years for agriculture to make its way down the entire length of the river. By the year 2000 BC small agricultural settlements began to coalesce into the first city-states. Located mostly in the north of the country, they were the first real examples of civilization. these small city-states, would lay the foundation for everything the shen state would become. Written language. Complex bureaucracy. Designated primogeniture. All of these institutions began during this time. The city-states engaged in small contest of arms continuously through this period. due to the limited population and threats from Nomads entering into their spheres of control, large-scale military conflict was a rarity. Although several attempts were made to carve out proper Nations by conquering neighboring city-states very few of these Proto Nations survived long after the death of the ruler who had built them, with the cities under occupation quickly rebelling to gain their independence.

Government

== Imperial court ==

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The entire state is focused around one institution and one institution alone. The Imperial Court. The Heavenly Throne within the celestial Palace the word of the emperor is the word of God. And all power flows out from that seat.

Ever since the reign of the first God emperor a series of elaborate rituals have determined what life is like behind the great red walls of the celestial Palace.

The emperor, once crowned may never leave the grounds of the palace. It is believed that allowing a living God to walk on unconsecrated ground awakens bad spirits who plague the nation with Misfortune. This is backed up by historical examples of god Emperors who left the celestial Palace to lead their armies only to lose on the field of battle. The emperor is never to be truly alone. Although they are allowed a small amounts of privacy members of the Imperial Guard are Within reaction distance at all moments of the day and night.

Due to their existence as living Gods no person may view the face of the emperor. Servants that work directly with the Emperor are usually blind. Originally this was done by manually blinding servants put in the modern era it has proven more beneficial to hire those that were born blind and are better adapted to serving without sight.

All the emperor's concubines are also blind, although it is rare for concubines to have been born that way with most being blinded

Whenever the emperor leaves their private Chambers and must interact with their ministers or other officials they wear a thin veil of gold silk over their face . This allows them to see outward and view the court with relative ease and also prevents anyone from seeing their faces. They may also choose to extend a large silk curtain down over there throne and sit unmasked while they hear the business of government. The only people who are allowed to look at the face of the Sovereign are their chosen spouse and their children When An emperor passes the title of Emperor does not officially passed from him to his successor until coronation has occurred. The dead body of the sovereign still holds all the rights and privlages of the ruler, until the coronation of the successor. Their body is not cremated, until after the coronation. All Emperors are required to inform the Imperial Department of National Security who they plan on choosing to succeed them as emperor. The choice is made from amongst their living children and can be either a man or woman and either born of their spouse or a concubine. After the emperor's death the chosen successor and all the other children of the emperor are located. Each child is assigned a group of Imperial Guardsmen that follows them at all times no matter where they're going. The death of the emperor is first told to guards, as well as who will be chosen to be the next Emperor. The Imperial guards then take the selected successor to the celestial Palace and kill the rest of their siblings. When it is confirmed that all other siblings are dead The Chosen successor is finally placed upon the throne in an elaborate and secretive ceremony known only to the high priests, and the Imperial Guard. The child of the emperor is ascended to godhood and replaces their parent as the god emperor.

the Structure of the Bureaucracy

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Standing just below the emperor is what is called the Serene bureaucracy. It is composed of numerous Ministries, Imperial departments, departments, the national bank, and holy orders.

Its entire existence to serve the emperor's will. Although Emperors have found that it often has a mind of its own. It turns decree into policy, and policy into action. Without understanding the secret internal workings it's impossible to tell exactly where the orders are coming from.

There are four classifications of departments Ministries - staffed by members of the Serene bureaucracy specially trained with the skills needed to handle that department, each Ministrie is tasked with different areas of governance. While on paper each Ministry is a strict meritocracy in which Talent is noted by subordinates, co-workers, and superiors leading to promotion in practice this can often be corrupted by ambitious bureaucrats with connections or charismatic personalities. Each Ministries broken down into many departments which are then further broken down into branches. Inter-Department are subsections of departments that exist as a go-between between multiple departments to fulfill specific goals that would fall under multiple Department's and multiple Ministries jurisdiction. They are the newest additions to the existing imperial system being introduced in 1915. The last two are unique cases. the Imperial Bank and the Union of masters

Imperial departments - similar to Ministries, but rather than being staffed by the Serene bureaucracy they are staffed by volunteers, recruited from outside the political system. Promotion in these organizations built not just on skill but on Loyalty to the emperor. This has had mixed results in the past with armies being defeated because they were staffed with Imperial loyalists as opposed to a talented officer Corps.

Ministry of the treasuryBold text - tasked with the enforcement of Taxation and managing the budget of all departments. The ministry of the treasury also issues National bonds to raise revenue as well as maintaining the nation's gold and silver Reserves

Ministry of AgricultureItalic text- the department in charge of maintaining the existing high agricultural yields. it also directly manages government owned Farmland. While this was once a sizable amount of all the Farmland in the Empire, over the years land grants and privatization has reduced government owned Farmland to a tiny percentage of total agricultural production. They are also responsible for the introduction of new agricultural technology specifically genetically modified crops and have gone to Great Lengths to study their effects in recent years before ultimately deciding to introduce them to the market.

Ministry of CommerceItalic text- the ministry in charge of regulating trade and commerce within the Empire and with other nations. They are tasked with enforcing tariffs and customs and enforcing the handful of regulations the central government applies to large business. They also are in charge of standardizing of certifications for professionals, with doctors and Tradesmen being required to register with the ministry to practice.

Imperial department of WarBold text- responsible for the maintenance, training, Supply, and recruitment of her Holinesn’s Imperial Army, her Holiness’s Imperial navy. and her Holiness imperial Air core. The three branches have always existed under a Joint Unified command structure. Forming a Joint Chiefs centuries before such a concept was thought up by other nations. But rather than having Joint Chiefs in order to better coordinate the military, it exists so that the first two branches and now three branches could check each other's power. Although the Army has always maintained prominence within the military, the Navy has always been tasked with the important role of keeping the waterways of the Nation free of Bandits and pirates, as well as protecting from foreign Invaders.

The Imperial Flying core was split off from the Army in 1951 as its needs became more specialized.

Students who do well on their civil service exams but choose not to enter the Serene bureaucracy are also offered a chance to join one of the two military academies. This trains the bulk of the nation's officer Corps and is also handled by the Department of War.

Imperial Department of National SecurityItalic text- officially most of this department doesn't exist. The only thing that's known to the public is the federal police force. And while the average citizen might think the Imperial Guard service under the Department of War as an unofficial fourth branch, a more educated individual might tell you that the Imperial Guard is part of the Imperial Department of National Security existing separate from the military and containing most of the nation's Special Forces.

But the true power of this organization isn't in what is known but what is unknown. What it's officially denied and hidden away in blackened out letters and redacted documents. The Yǐngzi rén. The shadow people.

The exact Foundation of this group is shrouded in mystery but from what can be gathering they existed long before the rise of the empire, and where already an active Force during the Warring States. Some even suggest that they formed as a secret society to fight against colonization by the sea people. Regardless of their Origins by the time of the first God Emperor Unified the Warring States, they were firmly under the control of the Imperial government. ((And some say were the sole reason that that government came to be)). lurking in the shadows the organization was tasked with the defense of the new regime. Becoming the eyes and ears of the emperor beyond the celestial Palace, existing as the nation's internal and external intelligence agency. There is no length they will not go to to fulfill their mission. Their reach extends to everything the Shadows touch.

Ministry of Justice Italic text- in charge of maintaining the courts as well as certifying lawyers, the irony of its name is not lost on those who fall victim to its brand of Justice. More interested in gaining false confessions and making examples of low-level criminals the ministry of Justice is home to some of the most sadistic individuals within the Serene bureaucracy.

It also is tasked with maintaining the country's Prison System including a network of forced labor mines.

Ministry of Education-Bold text tasked with maintaining the public education system the Ministry of Education is usually the first Ministry that any citizen will have personal contact with during their life. Requiring 10 years of education for all citizens starting at the age of 6, the ministry ensures that by the time they graduate secondary education they have an understanding of science Math, fluency in the Imperial tongue and usually fluency in at least one other language. They also ensure the values of the state are pressed into the individual and they know their place within the order of the empire. At the age of 16 every student is required to take the civil service exam. This is one of the hardest tests in the world and test their knowledge on every subject that they where taught. Children who accelerate in this test are invited to join the Serene bureaucracy. From there on the student will spend an additional two years of general education and at the age of 18 will choose an area to specialize in which will inevitably place them in a certain Branch within the Serene bureaucracy.

Ministry for EnergyItalic text- tasked with maintaining the nation's energy reserves, maintenance of the National Grid and the operation of the nation's hydroelectric dams and nuclear power plants, the ministry of energy Works around the clock to make sure the rest of the nation can as well.

Ministry of HealthItalic text- well the nation has no National Healthcare System, the Department of Health is still active with its campaigns to improve hygiene in less-developed regions as well as quarantine the outbreak of infectious disease. They are also in charge of the medical schools of the nation and that's train the Nations medical staff.

Ministry of CultureItalic text- the best way to win a battle is to never have to fight it. And thus the ministry of culture seeks to create a passive and servantile population that will not rebel against Imperial rule. Controlling all aspects of cultural development they seek to form a national image in the mind of people from an early age. Starting with children's television and Lasting until the elderly are watching soap operas in the middle of the day the government has final say on all media and often intervenes to promote what they view as Orthodoxy in the values presented in television.

Foreign media is heavily restricted and required to go through a censorship board before being distributed throughout the country

Inter-Department of WelfareItalic text- handling the nation's limited welfare State, the Department is in charge of maintaining the poor relief programs that gives food to the poorest citizens as well as maintaining the national vaccine program that provides free vaccinations shots to all citizens.

Inter-Department of StatisticsItalic text - tasked with keeping track of everything within the nation, it has taken over the role of many different departments, and allowed information to be easily accessible to whoever needs it. They also handle the census, witch is held once every 10 years. All departmental statics are recorded, rationalized, and secured the inter department of statisics.

Inter-Department of Urban DevelopmentItalic text- responsible for the development of urban infrastructure such as Metro's, bus lines, large-scale sewage treatment plants, and public housing. Under the auspices of the inter Department of Urban Development the capital region has slowly been evolving in Megapolis. With the Metro areas of its three main cities becoming more and more intertwined each year

Ministry of the InteriorBold text- tasked with protecting the nation's Wildlife and regulating the extraction of Natural Resources, the interior Ministry handles all government owned land, not operated by other departments. Rewarding mining contracts to foreign or domestic companies. Arranging population control methods for wild animals. And keeping chosen Parks beautiful and pristine.

Ministry of LaborItalic text- tasked with regulating labor, this organization make sure that the unemployment rate is as low as possible. Mostly through relocating unemployed people from one part of the country where there is a lack of jobs to another part where there is a surplus. They also run the workers disputes department which is the closest thing the nation has too official labor unions. They exist mostly to smooth out issues and prevent strikes

Forign MinistryItalic text- International Outreach and maintaining embassies is the function of the foreign Ministry. It is the only branch in which a member of the Serene bureaucracy who chooses to specialize in it will spend most of their life outside of their home country. While serving abroad they not only deal with the handling of diplomacy but also engage in cultural exchanges, bringing what many view was a strange and exotic culture to the citizens of other states. They also promote investment into the Empire to foreign businesses.

Ministry of InfrastructureItalic text - tasked with maintaining and improving the nation's vast Transportation Network. Responsible for the construction of the highways system. The rail network. And almost all roads within the nation. They also oversee are ports and harbors upgrading them to meet the needs of an increasingly globalized economy. They are also in charge of the imperial postal service.

Grand Imperial bankItalic text- one of the few institutions outside the total control of the Imperial government. The grand Imperial Bank is what is considered a semi Independence Department. Seeing as both an independent bank and is tasked with regulation of the currency, it controls the money supply. Being somewhat outside the Direct Control allows them to have more freedom with economic adjustment. Being able to set long-term growth patterns, free of the short-term goals of any specific Institution. They are also the main Reserve Bank Of The Nation holding trillions of Yuan worth of foreign Reserves

The Union of MastersItalic text- in charge of maintaining the temples of the Empires official state religion, the Imperial cult the union of masters get their name, from there position. Masters are the highest level of Monastic priesthood. one can obtain with the imperial cult, having to spend years studying scripture, and in deep reflection. they are tasked with enforcing morality and Orthodoxy in spiritual matters to the faithful. Those who wish to join this organization or more accurately are forced into it by their parents recruited at the age of 8 and study for 8 years. At the age of 16 they became a full monk, and may advance rise to the rank of master within the organization. You may become a monk later in life, but only someone who has devoted their entire life may obtain the rank of master. Membership in this organization is for life and trying to leave before then is a death sentence.

Economy

he Imperial economy has been roaring for decades now is they have carved out a unique niche in the global economy.

Shen manufacturing has become heavily specialized in the areas of low cost high volume production. Consistently able to produce Goods quickly and cheaply on a mass scale. Although quality of their goods have never been as high as sums more advanced economies they're specialization in producing large amounts of goods incredibly cheaply have made them an essential part in numerous Supply change throughout the entire world. It said that not a single person goes through the day without encountering something made partially or wholly within the empire.

While this has been a massive boost to the nation's growing economy the low quality of shen goods have caused the label "made in shen" to become synonymous with low-quality goods.

In order to power their manufacturing sector the Empire relies heavily on its mineral deposits in the south of the country. Huge veins of coal iron bauxite Cobalt Jade and even smaller amounts of uranium and other rare earth metals run throughout the shop the country. Heavy extraction for manufacturing and exports how were the economy of the South. Although increasing Automation and industrialization of the mining process has resulted in mass unemployment in the southern part of the country reading too many to head north or move into major cities to seek jobs.

Besides some minor offshore reserves the nation lacks any large-scale petroleum deposits and must import increasing amounts of petroleum every year to meet the demand of its economy and its growing middle class. Efforts to diversify the nation's energy portfolio and seek alternatives to petroleum have met with limited success and it's believed that the nation is set to continue to become more reliant on foreign petroleum for the foreseeable future. The largest single source of petroleum is monogon

The rich rivers of the Grand River Valley and the blue River Valley have allowed the nation's agriculture to prosper for Millennia. A modern-day with the Advent of phosphate fertilizer and Industrial agricultural equipment has drastically increased food production to the point where starvation is basically nonexistent. A combination of incredible cheapness by overabundance and government welfare programs for getting it to those who really can't afford it have eliminated starvation in the country.

The middle of the country and the Blue River Valley produces a bounty of a nation's main Agricultural Product. Rice oh. Well closer to the north of the Country tropical fruits and sugar plantations add to the diet.

Rice and spoiled foodstuff is traditionally also used as the main ingredients in livestock feed. Shens Central Plains have traditionally been at home to herds of cows pigs and chicken which are the staple Meats of traditional diets . Closer to the South Yaks and goats are more common and thus they make up a much larger portion of the staple food in the southern region of the country. rice also forms the basis for the Nations alcohol industry there is the number one alcohol being rice wine although in increasing native brown liquor industry has grown in recent years.

With the rapid growth of the economy and wages in recent decades, a service sector has started to grow even faster than the industrial sector. Meeting the entertainment and Leisure needs of the new middle class theater change an international fast food restaurants are popping up throughout the more populated areas.

Being home to a culture that stretches back millennia, as well as natural beauty like Crystal Falls and the beautiful beaches of the North, shen has a thriving tourism industry mostly filled with cultural tourists interested in seeing the temples and palaces that still stand and are still in use after millennia. A growing Leisure tourism industry along the shoreline has also sparked growth in Resorts and other tourist amenities in the north of the country although they make up a small amount of the GDP