Society of Loyalists for the Mango Throne

The Society of Loyalists for the Mango Throne, commonly known as the Mangoists, was a reactionary political faction during the Mango Anarchy in Shireroth. Led by the influential writer Zhao Feng, the Mangoists sought to preserve the traditional monarchy of Shireroth and counteract the revolutionary sentiments that were sweeping the empire during the early years of the 18th century. They advocated for the restoration and reinforcement of the monarchy’s central role in governing Shireroth, positioning themselves in direct opposition to the growing republican and reformist movements of the time.

Formation and Ideology

The Mangoists emerged in response to the increasing power of radical groups such as the Sakuragists, who sought to abolish the monarchy entirely and create a secular republic. The Mangoists were a reactionary group of nobles, conservatives, and monarchists who feared the consequences of the revolution and the instability it could bring to Shireroth. The faction was built around the idea that Shireroth’s traditional structure of power - centered on a (strong) monarch, New Feudalism and nobility - was the bedrock of the empire’s success and prosperity.

The group’s name, the Mangoists, derived from their passionate defense of the Mango Throne, a symbol of the monarchy and imperial authority. The Mangoists viewed the throne as a critical institution that had preserved Shireroth's unity and identity for centuries, and they believed it should remain central to governance. They rejected the radical proposals for restructuring the empire and sought to maintain Shireroth’s feudal traditions.

Leadership

The Mangoists were - ironically- led by the Jingdaoese Zhao Feng, an influential writer and ideologue whose works on monarchy and the preservation of tradition resonated deeply with conservative factions. Zhao Feng, a staunch monarchist, used his platform to argue that Shireroth was in danger of losing its identity and cultural heritage due to the rise of revolutionary ideologies. His writings and speeches were instrumental in rallying support among the aristocracy, the military, and more traditional elements of Shirerothian society.

Zhao Feng’s leadership within the Mangoist movement was marked by his efforts to provide a coherent, intellectual basis for the restoration of monarchy, drawing on both historical precedents and his own ideological views. He presented the monarchy as a stabilizing force against the chaos and anarchy that threatened the empire and warned of the dire consequences of allowing radical factions to dismantle the traditional structures of power.

Goals and Objectives

The Mangoists sought the following objectives:

• Preservation of the Monarchy: The primary goal of the Mangoists was to maintain the authority of the monarchy, ensuring that the Kaiseress (or Kaiser) retained the power to rule. They rejected the idea of constitutional monarchy or republicanism, advocating for a return to the more autocratic model of the past.
• Counter-Revolution: As a reactionary faction, the Mangoists aimed to actively resist the revolutionary forces that were gaining traction within Shireroth. They called for the suppression of radical factions like the Sakuragists and their supporters, viewing them as a threat to the established order.
• Support for Aristocratic Privilege: The Mangoists championed the traditional privileges of the nobility and sought to preserve the feudal system of Shireroth. They believed that the aristocracy’s role in governance was crucial to the stability and success of the empire.
• Restoration of Order: The Mangoists viewed the rapid pace of reform and the social upheaval caused by the revolution as destabilizing. They called for the restoration of order through strong leadership and the reinforcement of traditional authority structures, including the military and the nobility.

Influence and Support

The Mangoists gained significant support from conservative and reactionary factions within Shireroth, particularly from the nobility, Cults and military. Several nobles, who saw their privileges and influence being eroded by the rise of revolutionary movements, rallied behind the Mangoist cause. They feared the loss of their estates, titles, and power under the new revolutionary government and saw the Mangoists as the last hope for maintaining their status. Their unwillingness to change, however, proved to be a problem, as many nobles felt pressured to at least support a faction which would bring some kind of change to appease the masses (as proved by the bad election results in the Adelsraad elections of 1735).

In addition to the aristocracy, the Mangoists attracted support from factions within the military, who believed that a strong monarchy was essential to maintaining order and discipline within the armed forces. They also garnered backing from conservative civilians, particularly those who valued tradition and were wary of the social and economic changes proposed by revolutionary leaders.

However, the Mangoists faced significant opposition from revolutionary groups like the Sakuragists and the Aldricists, who sought to replace the monarchy with a more democratic system. These factions viewed the Mangoists as an obstacle to progress and democracy and clashed with them in both political and military arenas.

Activities and Impact

During the Mango Anarchy, the Mangoists played an important role in resisting the political reforms being pushed by the revolutionary factions. They sought to rally support for the monarchy and attempted to influence the political discourse in Shireroth. Despite their efforts, the Mangoists found themselves increasingly marginalized as the revolutionary factions gained ground.

In 1735 AN, when the Shirerithian general elections were held amidst the turmoil of the Mango Anarchy, the Mangoists performed poorly, securing only 25 seats in the Adelsraad and 160 seats in the Folksraad. The Mangoists were overshadowed by the more radical and moderate factions, but their ideological opposition to the reforms ensured they remained an important voice within the political landscape.

The failure of the Mangoists to gain significant political power in the election was partly due to their inability to unite with other conservative or royalist factions, as well as the growing unpopularity of the monarchy among the common folk. Despite this, the Mangoists continued to fight for the preservation of Shireroth’s traditional monarchy and sought to challenge the growing influence of the revolutionary groups.

Decline and Legacy

By the end of the Mango Anarchy, the Mangoists were increasingly isolated, as Shireroth moved toward a more republican form of government. Although the monarchy remained in place, its power was significantly diminished, and the once powerful aristocracy was relegated to a ceremonial role. The Mangoists, unable to stop the tide of change, slowly faded into political irrelevance.