Heavenly Light

Tianchao Jingdao

Constitution of the Empire Heavenly Light The Chidao Emperor Imperial Household | Imperial Stewardship Teachings of the Empire Tianchaodao | Jingbuist Absolutism | Chidaoism Grand Secretariat Diwang Zhang San (Bureaucrat) Ministries & Secretariats: Ministry of Truth | Ministry of Purity | Ministry of Stability Chao Suweiai formerly known as National Diet Gong Suweiai | Sifang Suweiai Defunct: The Seanad | The Imperial Yuan Political Factions: Guanchang | Kantai-ha (Navy) | Gunbatsu (Army) | Shanghu (Traders) Defunct: Kuominliantang | Nokarodo Faction | Badao Party Other institutions Tianchao Chuandui | Imperial Armed Forces | Young Wandering Society | Tegong Subdivisions

The Opening Ceremony in the National Diet. The Xianfa Emperor was the first Heavenly Light to officially speak to the elected and appointed members of the Imperial Yuan and Seanad.

The Heavenly Light is the title for the head of state of Jingdao. The Jingdaoese also refer to Her/Him as Emperor. Those who respectively want to refer to Him/Her, talk about She / He Who Is Jingdao.

Historical overview

Influenced by a renewed interest of the Shirerithians in their history and the introduction of a new, more precise and realistic calender, the Jingdaoese attempted to rediscover their own roots. Scholars, most of Kildarian and Melangian descend were hired to finish the work and research the ancient scrolls. A heavy emphasis was placed on the Jingdaoese culture and history, and less on the nations' Apollonian / Kildarian heritage.

A constant factor is the existence of a few dynasties who ruled over the Empire, with the support of the Gods, until they fell from grace. Special attention was given to the importance of the Heavenly Mandate.

Early dynasties

The mythical start of the Empire can be traced back to the Ying Emperor in 351 bAN, when the Jingdaoese started settling in the mountain region of central Cibola. The mountains and the few mountain passes which could be, with little effort, well protected, allowed the tribal chief Ying to unite the Lands of Jing (Lands of Purity). From the early start, the Jing People attempted to isolate themselves from the regions beyond the mountains. The belief that baishens and other evil forces were trying to destroy their homelands became stronger after a series of invasions in the First Century.

The Late Zuxiang Era saw a lot of unrest, weak emperors, the rise of local warlords and the demise of some important strategical mountain defences. A peasant revolt in the Third Century brought the Nongmin Emperor, a farmer who had successfully defended his home town against invaders and was appointed Prince of the Silver Rank, on the Throne. The Early Wangzi Era saw large scale attempts to re-unite the Jing peoples under one banner.

Nongmin and his descendants were largely successful and succeeded in establishing the first trade network with nations outside their own sphere of influence. The gold mines assured the empire of sufficient funds and the emperors carefully watched over those gold reserves, knowing that if they became depleted, the golden era of the country would soon end.

The Wangzi Era saw the rise and promotion of several 'Princes': local nobles and even merchants who received the title of Prince, in return for military or financial support. Military affairs were left in hands of those Princes, while the Court focused on religious and cultural development (the construction of temples and palaces put heavy pressure on the nations' treasury).

In the tenth century there was unrest among a large group of military officers. The trade routes were under immense pressure, as caravans were attacked once they left the safe borders of Jingdao. Calls for military expeditions were first denied (out of fear of angering surrounding tribes) by the Court. Eventually the Court allowed punitive expeditions, as the attacks became more frequent. A generation of soldiers and officers was raised and sent out. Some of those young officers were so successful that they received gifts (including land and the hand of the tribal chiefs' daughters to marry) for getting rid of the barbarians.

Shibing Guowang, a simple sergeant, married into a rich family from beyond the mountain range in 981 AN. At that time, an imperial rescript had forbidden "the marriage between a Pure Jing who seeks to defend the Empire's borders and riches and a Woman of Lower Heritage". The Court demanded Shibing fired from his position. The military first accepted the move, but when news reached Shibing, he killed the officer who had come to arrest him. In an inspirational speech he called for an end of the Empire's isolation and expressed the hope that his fellow soldiers would join him in his struggle to liberate the Empire of the tyrants that wanted to keep their people imprisoned between the mountains.

Many joined him as he marched towards the capital of Zijincheng. Resistance by the palace troops was futile, as by now Shibings' army encompassed battle hardened and healthy young soldiers, while the Emperor had hastily assembled an army of young recruits and old veteran guards who had barely seen any combat in their life. The palace was conquered and the Guowang Dynasty replaced the Wangzi Dynasty in 987 AN.

Colonial changes

In 1526, the first Batavian attempts to colonise Cibola were made. Contact with Jingdao was made, and the Guowang emperors suffered a series of military defeats against the colonial troops. The military defeats eventually led to the end of the Guowang Dynasty and the rise of the Erasmii, who had held the religious authority over the country for a while already.

The Jingdaoese were made into a puppet kingdom within Batavian Cibola. The power of Jingdao, diminished by a dynasty which was unable to combat the new challenges that had arisen, was faced with total destruction. The last Guowang formally abdicated in favour of the Grand Duke of Batavian Cibola, Herman Civilis. The appointment of Herman (posthumously called Haman Emperor) in 1583 brought some new hope: his interest with Jingdaoese culture and religion brought him into contact with the influential Erasmii.

During a religious ceremony, Herman received a vision in which the goddess Germania advised him to appoint Mordechai ben Erasmus as his successor. The Erasmii Dynasty would ultimately lead the colonies to independence and establish Jingdao as a military power.

The Dynasty survived several crises, including the Jingdaoese Diaspora in 1602. The Ci Emperor (well known as Sisera) was forced to fight evil spirits, which resulted in the destruction of most of Jingdaoese Cibola. She Herself became a Catologian Goddess.

The Jingdaoese spread accross the world and eventually settled on the six isles in the Antican Sea, which had been conquered by king Rollin. It was, however, Rollin's successor, Jezza Rasmus, who claimed the Heavenly Throne. The return of Sisera from the Celestial Realm, as the Tianhou Emperor, brought back an even more powerful Heavenly Light.

It became commonly accepted in the Erasmii period that the Emperors were reincarnations of the Goddess Sisera or the two Prophets Mordechai or Simon (the two first Erasmii Emperors). The people saw the rule of the Heavenly Light as a blessing, even if He didn't rule directly but had the Grand Secretariat to act on His behalf.

To quote the common thought about government official policy: "Of course, all these stipulations in constitution and lesser laws, are only valid as long as Her Divine Majesty does not object to them". Even documents and laws like the Xianfa Constitution are therefore only able to exist as long as they are endorsed by the Emperor.

After the Destruction by the Obedience Machine in 1631 AN, the Dashi Emperor died and no successor came forward. A provisional government, headed by the Myxosean noble Takano Myksos, announced the (temporary) end of the Heavenly Mandate. Instead, after some debate, a member of the Erasmus Dynasty was appointed as Emperor of the Jingdaoese Empire. It's common belief that Jingdao without a Heavenly Light who's ordained by the Gods of Heaven, is doomed to fail. Therefore, the Heavenly Mandate became an even more indispensable part of the Jingdaoese political scene.

Imperial style

The imperial style of the Heavenly Lights is:

The (insert name here) Emperor, True Holder of the Heavenly Mandate, Bringer of Harmony, Descendant of Cato and Germania, Living Reincarnation of Sisera, Heavenly Light of the Holy Grand Jingdaoese Empire, Mater / Pater Familias of the Great Jing Dynasty, Caudillo of the Armed Forces of the Empire, Preserver of Aracigrad, King / Queen of the Batavians, Dutch(ess) of Kildare, Prince(ss) of Aryasht, Lord Protector of the River Warriors.

Family

The Imperial Family was made up of the Emperor and His / Her spouse as the primary consort and Mother / Father of the Nation. In addition, the Emperor typically had several other consorts and concubines, ranked by importance into a harem, in which the spouse was supreme. Imperial convention dictated that at any given time there should be one Huang Hou (the Imperial Spouse), one Huang Guifei (the Imperial Noble Consort), two Guifei (Noble Consorts), four fei (Consorts) and six pin (Imperial Concubines), plus an unlimited number of other consorts and concubines.

Although the Emperor had the highest status by law, by tradition and precedent the mother of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, usually received the greatest respect in the palace when it came to household affairs and was the decision maker in most family affairs. At times, especially when a young emperor was on the throne, she was the de facto ruler. The Emperor's children, the princes and princesses, were often referred to by their order of birth, e.g., Eldest Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, etc. The princes were often given titles of peerage once they reached adulthood. The Emperor's brothers and uncles served in court by law, and held equal status with other court officials. The Emperor was always elevated above all others despite any chronological or generational superiority.

List of Head of States

Not all Head of States were Emperor. Those receive no number.

The Zuxiang Dynasty (351 bAN - 264)

No.	Portrait	Regal name	Personal name	Birth	Reign	Death	Succession	Bloodline	Note
1		Ying Emperor	Ying Zuxiang	Zijicheng, 378 bAN	351bAN - 302 bAN			Zuxiang	United the Eight Tribes of Jing under His command and became the first Jingdaoese to claim the title of 'Emperor', with support of Beneth ben Erasmus, the high priest of Zijicheng.
2		Liu Emperor			302 bAN - 256 bAN			Zuxiang
3		Zhang Emperor			256 bAN - 221 bAN			Zuxiang
4		Long Emperor			221 bAN - 208 bAN			Zuxiang
5		Yi Emperor			208 bAN - 184 bAN			Zuxiang
6		Yin Emperor			184 bAN - 163 bAN			Zuxiang
7		Han Emperor			302 bAN - 256 bAN			Zuxiang
8		Shang Emperor			256 bAN - 202 bAN			Zuxiang
9		Yon Emperor			202 bAN - 174 bAN			Zuxiang
10		Gengshi Emperor			174 bAN - 133 bAN			Zuxiang
11		Wang Emperor			133 bAN - 70 bAN			Zuxiang
12		Ai Emperor			70 bAN - 25 bAN			Zuxiang
13		Mang Emperor			25 bAN - 3			Zuxiang
14		Cheng Emperor			3 - 68			Zuxiang
15		Ming Emperor			68 - 111			Zuxiang
16		Ruzi Emperor			111 - 115			Zuxiang
17		Second Ying Emperor			115 - 169			Zuxiang
18		Third Ying Emperor			169 - 201			Zuxiang
19		Huan Emperor			201 - 215			Zuxiang
20		An Emperor			215 - 223			Zuxiang
21		Ling Emperor			223 - 228			Zuxiang
22		Dang Emperor			228 - 235			Zuxiang
23		Mitzu Emperor			235 - 237			Zuxiang
24		Sisa Emperor			237 - 241			Zuxiang
25		Fourth Ying Emperor			241 - 258			Zuxiang
26		Fifth Ying Emperor			258 - 265			Zuxiang

The Wangzi Dynasty (265 - 987)

The Dynasty of Princes.

The Erasmii Dynasty (1583 - 1657)

No.	Portrait	Regal name	Personal name	Birth	Reign	Death	Succession	Bloodline	Note
–		Haman Emperor	Herman Civilis	South Batavia, 1502	1583 - 1587 4521 ASC - 4635 ASC	1587	During a mass the goddess Germania advised him to appoint Mordechai ben Erasmus as his successor.	Civilis	Herman was simply a Grand Duke and never claimed the position of Emperor, but he received the regal name and title "Haman Emperor" posthumously in 6483 ASC, which is a literal translation of His name. The country was still known as South Batavia and an integral, autonomous part of the Kingdom of Batavia.
1		Mengjiang Emperor	Mordechai Ben Erasmus	South Batavia, 1521	1587 - 1592 4635 ASC - 4779 ASC	1592	After careful considerations, and to allow for stable transition of power, it was decided to let the Mengjiang Emperor succeed by His oldest son.	Erasmii	Became the first Heavenly Light and Emperor while the country was not yet independent. He is the ancestor of all Emperors in a direct line.
2		Kaiming Emperor	Simon Ben Erasmus	South Batavia, 1564	1592 - 1593 4779 ASC - 4835 ASC	1597	After His disappearance during the Shanglu Campaign ( 52 EGA ), His Diwang Yuan Windsor took over the country.	Erasmii	Proclaimed Jingdaoese independence from Batavia and took the title of Heavenly Light. His disappearance in 1593 started a period of uncertainty: the popular Diwang placed the Emperor's daughter under house arrest.
–		Yuan Windsor (Yuan Diwang)		South Batavia, 1508	1593 - 1595 4835 ASC - 4877 ASC	Heemecht, 1595		Windsor	Succeeded in a plot to become the Head Regent of Grand Duchess Sisera, who would later succeed Her Imperizal Father. He received the title of Diwang and abused his power to gain control over the country. A plot to imprison the Grand Duchess was however foiled by loyal guards who would later form the core of the Tegong organisation. When the Kaiming Emperor in 1594 returned, the lands were divided. Eventually, the Imperial Court successfully took revenge and got Yuan killed in 1595. The lands still loyal to him soon changed sides.
2		Kaiming Emperor	Simon Ben Erasmus	South Batavia, 1564	1594 - 1597 4852 ASC - 4955 ASC	1597		Erasmii	Disappeared (kidnapped by - according to Imperial Sources - barbarians who had allied themselves with Yuan) in 4835 ASC and returned in 4852 ASC. Together with his daughter, Sisera, he could push Yuan back to the western parts of Jingdao. In 4877 ASC Yuan finally was murdered and the Empire reunited under one banner. Introduced the Imperial Charter of 4913 ASC in which the political system was drastically changed: an elected Imperial Council was introduced; the Diwang became a symbolic prime minister and the Secret Council became the official second chamber. At the end of his reign, the Kaiming Emperor had to fight off the Baishens, which drove him crazy. The ancient capital, Zijincheng, was burned to the ground and Sisera had to go in hiding.
–		Regency Council			1597 - 1598 4955 ASC - 4961 ASC				The Magister Miguel Windsor of the Church acted as Regent as long as no Emperor was placed on the Throne.
3		Zanding Emperor	Jacob Ben Erasmus	South Batavia, 1555	1598 - 1599 4961 ASC - 4987 ASC				The Zanding Emperor was appointed the new Heavenly Light by Decree of the Church at the beginning of 4961 ASC, but the coronation only followed at the end of the year in the new capital, Zhongjing. The Zanding Emperor disappeared (according to gossips murdered by Sisera bat Erasmus), possibly because he didn't have any real Erasmi blood but was married into the family.
4		Ci Emperor	Sisera Bat Erasmus	South Batavia, 1588	1599 - 1604 4987 ASC - 5081 / 5165 ASC	Unknown		Erasmii	The Ci Emperor was the first female monarch of the Empire. Because the title always was male, they decided to keep it that way. It's unlikely to ever hear anyone speak about the Empress. She was the first High Priestess of the Cult of Germania. This would, in contrast to her father, have given her the spiritual power to beat off the dangerous influences of the Baishens (the Kaiming Emperor was driven to madness at the end of his reign). In 1602 she was forced to destroy large parts of her Empire to fight evil spirits who threatened the world. This was followed by the Jingdaoese Diaspora (1602 - 1604). The powers She had received from Germania to combat the evil demons that had escaped from Balgurd made Sisera realise that Her destiny was not to rule over Jingdao, but to protect humanity from harm. She helped her people periodically, leading them from continent to continent, in search for a new home.
–		Rollin the Conqueror		Apollo City, 1577	1604 - 1605 5165 ASC - 5188 ASC			Mor'Ler	Landed on the coasts of Urndel and married into the House of Mor'Ler, establishing the base for future conquests of the islands. He never claimed the Heavenly Throne but paved the way. His son, Magister and Crown Prince Pius, was murdered. Rollins bastard son, Andreas Wijsneus, helped Jezza Rasmus on the Heavenly Throne.
5		Duchang Emperor	Jezza Rasmus (Jezza Erasmus)	South Batavia, 1557	1604 - 1606 5188 ASC - 5216 ASC			Erasmii	Took the Throne with support of Rollins bastard son, Andreas Wijsneus. He thanks his regal name to his dubious past as owner of casinos in Ishrua ('Duchang' means 'casino'). The Emperor stepped down voluntarily when Sisera Bat Erasmus returned from the Celestial Realm in 1606. It was revealed after his reign that Jezza actually belonged to the Erasmus Dynasty, but had kept this silent to avoid conflict for once Sisera would return.
6		Tianhou Emperor (Tianhou Empress)		South Batavia, 1588	1606 5216 ASC - 5223 ASC			Erasmii	During the Purity Ceremony in 1606, the Catologian Goddess Sisera came back to Micras and took back the Heavenly Throne as Hers. The Duchang Emperor showed himself loyal and became Her Field Marshal of the Tegong. In 5223 ASC the message was spread that the Empress-Goddess had disappeared and probably had returned to the Celestial Realm. The Heavenly Palace announced that her last wish was that the Duchang Emperor would retake the Throne and rule as Her Clearest Reflection.
5		Duchang Emperor	Jezza Rasmus (Jezza Erasmus)	South Batavia, 1557	1606 - 1608 5223 ASC - 5273 ASC			Erasmii	Reacquired the Throne after the Thianhou Emperor ascended to the Celestial World once more.
7		Jinken Emperor	Hirohito	Shanbao (Six Islands), 1596	1608 - 1610 5273 ASC - 5326 ASC			Erasmii	Limited the Ministry of Purity's discretionary powers to perform roadside executions to persons, as defined by the Law on the Protection of Human life, who do not have Xing- or Jingstatus. His name refers to this (Jinken means 'human rights'). Forbade the Jingdaoese people to pray or offer to any God but His Divine Majesty himself, it also introduced the Jingdaoese national morning prayer. The de facto start of Tianchaodao. Abolished decrees from the period of Jingdaoese occupation of Batavia and declared Jingdao to be neutral with regards to the Batavian issue.
8		Feixing Emperor	Sisera II	South Batavia, 1588	1610 5326 ASC - 5327 ASC			Erasmii	Died while giving birth to Mordechai II. Her reign, which lasted from 13.03.1610 to 06.04.1610, made Her the shortest reigning monarch in modern history. Famous for flying everywhere with the Sisera One, Her private jet. It earned Her the name Feixing (Flying) Emperor.
–		Regency Council			1610 5327 ASC - 5333 ASC
9	File:File:Yuandi 2.png	Yuandi Emperor	Mordechai II		1610 - 1615 5333 ASC - 5489 ASC			Erasmii	Called the Yuandi (Garden) Emperor because of His love for nature. His love for nature, even as a toddler, resulted in the transformation of large parts of the Empire in His own little backyard. The young Emperor died on the age of five as a result of drowning in one of his large lakes during a tea break. The two responsible bound servants were afterwards drowned in the same lake as punishment.
10		Goburin Emperor Erlkönig	Simon II		1615 - 1623 5489 ASC - 5719 ASC			Erasmii	Gave up all territories of the empire, retreated to a submarine base on Leng [1]. Due to the effects of the cold and radiation, he and his crew turned into goblins.

Third Heavenly Era (5719 ASC - present)

The Third Heavenly Era is the third revival of Jingdaoese society after the Second Diaspora.

Nr	Picture	Regal Name	Name	Reign	Notes
11		Haigui Emperor	Sisera III Haigui	5719 ASC - 5855 ASC	Led Jingdao during its largest annexation: integrating large pieces of Central Apollonia and the Apollonian Republic. Her rule saw the mass celebrations of 1,000 Years Independent Jingdao, which was an important and popular event that was celebrated in all corners (even the newly annexed) of the Empire and strengthened national unity.
12		Dashi Emperor	Mordechai III Dashi	5855 ASC - 5984 ASC	Killed by the nuclear blast which destroyed large parts of Epoli (other nuclear detonations happened in other large Jingdaoese cities).
			Provisional Government	5984 ASC - 5989 ASC	Composed of several representatives of the more influential provinces from the Jingdaoese Empire [2]. Headed by Takano Myksos.
13		Zettai Emperor	Gradus	5989 ASC - 6080 ASC	Appointed by the Provisional Government as Emperor, and not as Heavenly Light. Soon after ascending on the Throne, he pushed through reactionary proposals - with support of the Nationalists - which limited the liberal freedoms which had been guaranteed by earlier constitutional proposals (effectively starting the Minshu Period). His actions concerning pushing for a more absolute monarchy, earned him the posthumous title 'Zettai' (meaning 'absolute').
14		Kattei Emperor	Heinrich	6080 ASC - 6137 ASC	Heir to the throne of Großwalstadt and to the houses of Erasmus, Blutwasser and Ayreon-Kalirion. Kattei is Jingdaoese for 'Reborn', referring to the Emperor's position as Heavenly Light after it had gotten in disuse.
15		Danya Emperor	Simon	6137 ASC - 6243 ASC (6171 ASC)	Danya is Jingdaoese for 'Simple and elegant' Disappeared during his campaign in the Northern Territories against the mutant slaves in 6171 ASC.
16		Sheng Emperor		6243 ASC - 6407 ASC	Sheng is Jingdaoese for 'to win'. Started a campaign against the traitorous Jexit Kingdom which had occupied most of the country. Ended the liberalised Minshu Period. Start of the Sheng Restoration.
17		Mingshi Emperor		6407 ASC - 6457 ASC	Came to power with help of Jung Shun, who was promoted to Diwang, following the Jingdaoese Spring. Voluntarily took up a more ceremonial role and went to meditate overseas, where He was influenced by Shirerithian spies who were dressed as Ergonian beggars. Declared war upon Shireroth and its allies on 6448 ASC. Military failures led to His unfortunate "accident" by tripping on a banana and falling through an open window. This happened on the same day that His Diwang, who He had ordered to be purged (and who in turn had ordered the arrest of the Heavenly Light), died at the hand of poison.
18		Xianfa Emperor		6457 ASC - 6534 ASC	Proclaimed that the absolute power of the Heavenly Light had to be curved in favour of a more democratic legislature. He convinced more conservative members of the administration that the Emperor would remain an overseer, with veto privileges. Died during spiritual fasting.
19		Hai Emperor		6534 ASC - 6754 ASC	Served as commander of the Navy in the Western Armada and as commander of the expeditionary army into the Green before his ascension on the Throne. Sought to restore imperial power. A constitutional crisis erupted with several members of the Kuominliantang chosing the side of the Emperor and establishing the Badao (way of the hegemon) party. Died after being shot (by accident) in an armed struggle between the Imperial Whites and radical anti-Bassarid Forces.
20		Meiyo Emperor		6754 ASC - present	Succeeded Her brother, the Hai Emperor.