HOW THE GOVERNMENT OF LIJIANG WORKS
The Imperial Palace. A complex where the Dragon Emperor his family and personal staff reside.
The Dragon Emperor Is determined by the Laws of Inheritance. These laws apply to all positions and possessions in society. All noble positions are allocated to male inheritance while religious titles and property are allocated to female inheritance. In both cases the law states that the eldest child of the correct gender of the posts holder inherits the title. If they have no children of the correct gender then it passes first to siblings, then to direct cousins. Noble titles may not pass to women and Priestly titles may not pass to men. Should no heir be present the title reverts to the Dragon Emperor for noble titles and the Dragon Priestess for religious titles. Should the title of Dragon Priestess be vacant the six eldest Priestess in the nation are required to find a suitable candidate who must then receive the blessing of the Dragon Emperor. Should the Dragon Emperor title be vacant the Dragon Priestess must call a period of mourning and this must last a minimum of 120 years. During that time the Dragon Priestess and the Council of Sorrow (a body made up of the descendants of 12 Feudal Lords unable to inherit the throne appointed by the High Priestess on the day of Emperor's death) will run the nation. The period of mourning may last for as long as the Dragon Priestess determines but may be no longer than 150 years. Upon completion of the period of mourning the Dragon Priestess may announce the new Dragon Emperor.
ORGANS OF THE GOVERNMENTThe Dragon Emperor - All knowing and all powerful. He is the living embodiment of the Two Dragons and is responsible, so much as he wishes, for all decisions in the nation no matter how big or small. Technically he could instruct individual farmers on what crops to plant in each field but naturally this would be impossible for a nation so large and so therefore generally the Dragon Emperor delegates a great deal of their powers.
The Grand Council of the Majestic Empire - The Empire is currently split in fifteen provinces, each controlled by a High Lord. The High Lords or their substitute each sit on the Grand Council which must meet once a month by law however today they meet several times a week. Any High Lord may appoint a substitute to sit in their chair on the Grand Council and may change this as often as they wish. They act as advisers to the Dragon Emperor and carry his decrees and laws back to their provinces.
The Noble Council of the Majestic Empire - Each High Lord has under them a number of Lords who are responsible for enforcing the Dragon Emperors Decrees as well as undertaking tasks such as tax collection, raising military forces and maintaining local infrastructure. Once every three months the Noble Council meets and any of these Lords may attend where they discuss issues relating to running the nation.
The Council of Imperial Knights - This was originally a body set up where each Lord would appoint a group of no more than 200 Knights to help them with their duties. Today however the nation maintains a large standing military. The original Council of Imperial would be open to any Knight to attend, today any officer over the equivalent rank of Captain may attend. The Council meets twice a year.
The Grand Imperial Council - This is a body made up of all the other Councils and meets once every two years. It is today largely symbolic however in the past it was used as a means of the Dragon Emperor personally speaking with all levels of government.
The Dragon Priestess - Blessed with insight and direct communication with the Two Dragons she is not officially a part of the government however does attend various council meetings and is often consulted prior to major decisions.
Sanctum of the Two Dragons - An almost replica of the Imperial Palace built on the valleyside opposite the Dragon Emperors residence. It is home to the Dragon Priestess and her staff
SPECIAL BODIES
With tradition, ritual and ceremony playing a large part in Lijiang there are a number of special bodies that while they have no political power as such still hold a huge amount of influence over the nation.
THE GUARD OF THE EMPIRE - This is a force of around 8,000 troops who are directly controlled by the Dragon Priestess. They usually provide guards at holy sites however are fully trained soldiers. They are generally more disciplined, better equipped and trained than regular military infantry and would be considered Commandos by many nations although fall short of being a Special Forces unit. They were instrumental in bringing the conflicts that marked the end of Emperor Junjie VI's reign. They are marked by their crimson red uniform. Members are selected after rigorous testing and are contracted to serve 10,000 years.
THE GOLDEN ENCLAVE - This is named for the area of the Imperial Capital which is controlled by the wives of the Dragon Emperor. There can only be one Dragon Empress and traditionally this is the first of the Emperors wives. Only the Emperor may be Polygamous as it is expected that he have many sons for the stability of the Empire. While there is only one Dragon Empress the other wives of the Dragon Emperor are referred to as Queens. The Emperor may only marry women of noble birth whose father is qualified to sit on any of the Councils. There have been many historical precidents however of the Emperor taking non-noble lovers as concubines and fathering children with them. The Emperor may name any non-noble born woman an "Imperial Lady of the Emperors Chamber" which carries significant prestige in the nation. Once named as an "Imperial Lady of the Emperors Chamber" a woman may have accommodation in the Golden Enclave. The Enclave is permitted to make its own laws in several areas of life and these apply to its limits which are marked with ceremonial gates and guarded by the Guard of The Empire.
Wall of the Golden Enclave