Fiction:Zi Dynasty

The Zi Dynasty is a large Far Eastern nation ruled by a line of dynastic rulers; Self-styled as "Emperors". The Zi in particular are known to be incredibly zenophobic, and rarely trade or interact with outside nations other than to demand tribute or to invade.

Early History
The Zi Dynasty was formed in 1389 in response to the growing corruption and decadence of the then-powerful Khe dynasty. It was led by a small grouping of administrators, aristocrats, and military commanders to wanted to see a return to the old ways. The corrupt Khe where late to respond, and before the year was out the capital city of Hannang was seized and the Zi Dynasty was proclaimed.

For the first century or so, the Zi where very popular. Promising a return to the "old ways" of isolation and fair, enlightened government. In many ways they where successful. The Zi recalled all trade missions and broke ties with almost all outside nations and had the merchants and diplomats put to death to "prevent the spread of toxic foreign knowledge". They also shook up the government, firing and executing many of the most corrupt and cruel courtiers, administrators and officers to replace them with more competetant or, at least more Zi-friendly, personell.

The 15 and 1600's where well-regarded as periods of peace and little strife. The arts flourished and the people where very content with the government. Under the facade of prosperity, however, the administration started to show its cracks. The Zi, having inherited such a vast bureaucracy passed down from dozens of dynasties, found it was also very unwieldy and ripe for corruption. Shakeups and reforms could only do so much. Cases of corruption and inefficiency are on the rise within the Zi even today.

Government
The government is a unique form of Absolute Monarchy. The country is ruled by a head-of-state, known as an "Emperor", whose authority and legitimacy are supposidly derived from a heavenly source. Under the Emperor is a massive bureaucracy to make sure the Emperor's word is law. This bureaucracy is vast, stretching all across the country and is ancient; All of these things make it vulnerable to redundancies and corruption, but it is still enough to make sure the country functions properly.

The Mandate of Heaven
A concept that is essential to understanding the Zi (and indeed any dynasty before the Zi)'s government is the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, or, the belief that the Emperor and his bloodline have a divine right to rule the country. Convicning the populace that one has the Mandate of Heaven is essential so the country does not descend into chaos. The Mandate of Heaven can be "held" or "lost" and, while being an opinion, if the majority of the population believe the current ruler has lost the Mandate, the country will surely collapse.