Xinhan

Introduction and History
The second dynasty of China, one of the classical ages in the dynastic cycle, was the Han (漢). Also the name of the majority of the peoples of Eastern China, the Han have always represented an age of strength for China where it matched its western counterpart, the Roman Empire. Thus, August Emperor Xu Shin's name for the former territory of Dongyue (東越) to Xinhan (新漢) (meaning the New Han), shows the willingness of the easternmost colony of the Tang Empire to reestablish itself as a haven for Chinese Civilization.

In 750 AD, a Chinese Trading Fleet (complete with military escort to enforce decisions and fend off Wokou pirates) was driven from its intended route to China. For weeks, the fleet struggled to stay alive. When it emerged from the storm, though, the sailors and troops found themselves in an unfamiliar land to the East of the Middle Kingdom. With most of the crew maintaining a garrison, the remaining fleet returned to China, albeit with all ships sunk save one. Eager for more tributaries, the Tang court sent a group of colonists not only from China, but also from its surrounding tributaries (Japan, the Khmers and Annam) in hopes of being able to communicate with the Barbarian Natives. The extraordinarily mineral-rich and fertile lands of the new land, named Dongyue, proved alluring to many in Feudal Japan and peasants in China. Lured by hyperbolic rumors of gold in the very rivers, colonists arrived at Dongyue with a rush. Around the dawn of the 10th century, though, the colonists abruptly stopped. Worried, governor Xu Shin sent for word--only to find out that the Tang had fallen into unrest. With China now ravaged in Chaos, fewer and fewer colonists arrived. Concluding that things would be no better in China, Xu Shin announced the creation of the Kingdom of the Xin Han, still supposedly under the rule of Emperor Ai (unaware that the Emperor had already been poisoned to death and the Tang gone.) With the aid of the Yumi, Klamath and Nootka tribes of California, Xin Han grew to become a mix of Chinese and Native culture, with fashion that reflected it. In the year 934, Emperor Xu Shin's son, Xu Yao, announced hte creation of the Xin Han as an independent Empire as it began to expand further east, its tendrils reaching into the plains. By the time of Emperor Xu Yao's Great-grandson, Xu Ling, Xin Han could very well rival the Empire that it had left.

The People of the New Han
While the New Han is fairly large, its population is far smaller than that of the mainland. The vast majority of the urban population of the Xinhan are Chinese by decent, followed by Japanese Immigrants (mostly from the peasant class) and other settlers. Most of the native tribes, though, prefer to stick true to their traditions, only adopting such weapons and tools as was beneficial (such as the repeating crossbow known as the Liannu and basic Gunpowder technology. However, many of the larger tribes, particularly the Yumi, Klamath and Nootka, have heavily benefited from the Xinhan.  Yumi Mercenaries are feared both in the Xinhan and in the surrounding tribes for their ferocity and fierce loyalty to their employers.  Major cities include the capital of Xinyang and cities such as Yuejing, Wuling and Xinhanzhong.

Resources
The New Han's success could mainly be attributed in its location. In a temperate climate with abundant sea life and trees, the New Han boasts extremely fertile and productive fields that are easy to till and mineral deposits of precious metals, saltpeter and many substances traditionally used as medicines or for Gunpowder by the Mainland Chinese. Its only real problem is constant Earthquakes.

Technology
The New Han, technologically, resembles its mainland partner. On land, it has a far smaller army, but, augmented with elite native mercenaries, it remains a formidable force. In terms of naval technology, though, the New Han's navies, built for the high seas, are far superior to the war junks of the Mainland. Piracy is a minor problem in lesser-used shipping lanes, though. The New Han army is divided into banner armies organized by their ethnic groups thus:

Yellow Banner Army: Royal Guard (mixed forces) Red Banner Army: Chinese Skirmishers, Arquebusiers, Crossbows Blue Banner Army: Royal Marines (Wokou Pirates, Chinese Mercenaries) Green Banner Army: Steppe Cavalry (former Mongols and nomads, mounted natives) Cyan Banner Army: Old Han Cavalry (Chinese Cavalry) Violet Banner Army: Heavy Infantry (Chinese Iron Troop, Japanese Samurai) Grey Banner Army: Old Han Infantry (Chinese Regulars) Black Banner Army: Irregulars (Native Mercenaries) White Banner Army: Medicine Men, Warrior Priests, Engineering Corps