Ren Sakuragi
Ren Sakuragi (1705 - AN) is a Shirerithian politician of mixed Jingdaoese and Kildarian descent, who rose to national attention during the turbulent period following the outbreak of the Streïur uis Faïren. Initially an unremarkable and moderate public notary, Ren would go on to play a leading role in the revolutionary politics during the Shirerithian unrest in the late 1730's, with his radical ideas and forceful oratory bringing him both acclaim and controversy.
Early Life and Background
Ren Sakuragi was born in 1705 AN in the Haigong District, a region with one of the few REST-camp-facilities in western Greater Kildare, originally meant to re-educate rebellious Kildari into loyal citizens of the Jingdaoese state. His mother, a Kildarian by birth, was the Administrator-General of the Haigong REST-camp, tasked with managing the re-education of Kildari dissidents. Despite official promises to close the camps from the syndicalist regime when it came to power in 1704 AN, they continued to function, now focusing on those who opposed the increasingly moderate syndicalist regime in power.
Ren’s father, a fallen Jingdaoese aristocrat, had been an early critic of the regime, distributing anti-government pamphlets and engaging in subversive activities. He was eventually imprisoned in the same REST-camp where Ren’s mother worked. During his time in captivity, the two fell in love and had a child. Their relationship became somewhat of a symbol of the regime’s declining control, as it was conducted openly despite the restrictive political climate. Ren's father was released after the fall of the syndicalist regime in 1707 AN, and together, they began to manage the Haigong REST-camp, navigating the shifting political landscape.
Comfortable Childhood
Ren’s childhood was relatively stable compared to many of his contemporaries. Although he grew up near the REST-camp, he was insulated from its harsh realities, living in comfort due to his parents' privileged position. However, exposure to children imprisoned alongside their families left a deep impression on him, particularly fueling his growing disdain for the segregationist policies of the Jingdaoese state.
In 1723 AN, his family moved to Dalmacija, one of several Kaifazhen (development towns) designed to resettle rebellious Kildari in more favorable conditions, yet isolated from the general population. It was here that Ren’s sense of injustice deepened. Witnessing the segregation of Kildari and the stark inequalities inherent in the system, Ren began to develop a powerful political philosophy rooted in equality, anti-segregation, and opposition to aristocratic privilege.
Rise to Political Prominence
Ren Sakuragi’s early political career was characterized by his increasingly radical stance against both Jingdaoese and Kildarian elites. He became a vocal critic of the privileges enjoyed by the nobility, despite his own minor aristocratic heritage. By the late 1720s, he was publicly advocating for the abolition of aristocratic privileges and calling for the separation of religion from the State, a bold stance in the Eastern territories of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, where the Heavenly Light held considerable religious authority. Ren's distrust of the Heavenly Light grew from its historical complicity in supporting the Jingdaoese regime and its tacit acceptance of the syndicalist government during its rule.
His speeches became increasingly fiery, calling for an egalitarian and secular state, free from the control of both the aristocracy and the Heavenly Light. These views garnered him support among the disenfranchised and alienated, but also made him a target of both religious authorities and the Jingdaoese government. Especially those who viewed him as worse, or even worse than the syndicalist scum that had governed the country for three years. He deftly navigated the political tensions, managing to avoid the purges that frequently swept through the Jingdaoese and Greater Kildarian political class and sporadically left for Shirekeep, where he studied at Metzler University and came in contact with more democratic-inclined Batavians.
In 1734 AN, after years of political maneuvering, Ren was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Dalmacija. It was the first time since 1717 AN that the provincial assemblies were directly elected by the people, in the hope to rally support for the war efforts of the Jingdaoese and Kildari on the Benacian frontlines. He felt is as a symbolic victory for his burgeoning revolutionary sentiment. Ren’s election marked his transition from a local agitator to an important figure on the Greater Kildarian scene.
Political Philosophy and Revolutionary Leadership
Ren Sakuragi’s political philosophy was heavily influenced by his early experiences with segregation and repression, but it also drew on the broader revolutionary ideals sweeping Shireroth at the time. His ideas were characterized by a desire for sweeping reform, specifically:
- Abolition of Aristocratic Privileges: Ren viewed the aristocracy as a parasitic class that perpetuated inequality. He believed the revolution must dismantle the hierarchical structures that allowed the nobility to dominate politics and society.
- Secularism: Ren was a fierce proponent of the separation of religion and state. He believed that the Heavenly Light had become too enmeshed with the political system, using its influence to oppress the population and legitimize corrupt rulers.
- Economic Equality: Although not a full-blown syndicalist, Ren was sympathetic to the economic struggles of the working class. He supported a more egalitarian distribution of wealth, though he distanced himself from the authoritarian methods employed by the former syndicalist regime.
Ren’s fiery oratory and uncompromising stance on these issues earned him the reputation of a political radical. His speeches, often delivered with dramatic flair, made him one of the leading voices in the revolutionary movement. Despite his radicalism, Ren was pragmatic in his political dealings, aligning himself with various factions when necessary to achieve his broader goals.
