JalNES I: Quick and Easy

[jalapeno_dude]

I've finished the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, finally, but that's all. Update will probably not be finished tonight, but I should be able to work on it Tuesday night and Wednesday.

 

[TerrisH]

Nice. and backstabs JD?
and it is a various abiguous Question. If Yes, we freak and get all parrinoid.
If no, well, we relax and only have to worry about how our orders went.

 

[Kozmos]

Wow JD, your thread title sounds a bit perverse, at least in my immature mind

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Well, not so much backstabs so much as sidestabs...



@Cleric: Yeah, I realized that after I posted it. See post 19 of this thread.

 

[carmen510]

Can't really get orders done quick enough........

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Can't really get orders done quick enough........

Send them anyway. They were due two days ago, but I won't get to your section for a few days.

 

[~Darkening~]

Well, not so much backstabs so much as sidestabs...

*cough**cough*EIRE*cough**cough*

 

[LittleBoots]

Not really. I merely refused to take part in this ridiculous attempt to activate a defensive treaty when Britannia quite clearly declared war. My orders were purely conditional, as there is no way Britannia would NOT attack me for not going to war with them, if only to secure their flank.

Besides... YOU'RE one to talk about betrayal in the British Isles... you introduced it to the region

 

[Swissempire]

Malta is MINE!!!!!!
FINALLYY!!!!

 

[adherence.]

“Hurry up, we’re late! Father’s waiting for us!”
“Yes, I know already!”
“Let’s go, I can hear the royal advisor speaking already!”

A young girl and her older sister were dashing towards the open gates. The large entrance of the Imperial Palace of Palembang had always been open since the funeral of the last Hyang maharaja. It had been solemnly decorated since that time, but today the decorations seemed lighter and happier. Indeed, long, bright-coloured banners fluttered in the breeze, greatly differing from the dark and heavy vertical banners that they had replaced. They slowed down as they entered the Palace, taking in the huge courtyard filled with people, all of whom had their attention directed to a royal advisor, up on a large balcony. The older sister, in her late teens, started to pick up what the man was telling the crowd. Her smaller sister was more interested in the large courtyard.

“… yes, people of Srivijaya, I declare to you that you do not need to wait any longer. By tradition, the next maharaja will be the head of the ascendant line, the second most powerful and influential family of royals, the Soleh.”

To that, the large crowd started to cheer and applaud. The man continued as the noise diminished.

“The House of Soleh, who for centuries had been close to the ruling House of Hyang, has now received the duty of governing the domain of Srivijaya. While it is a difficult task, the governing of a nation, the House of Soleh has been involved in the affairs of the nation for a long time already, as they have worked with the House of Hyang. With the involvement of the people, we will-”

The older daughter turned to her sister, but she was not there. She frowned. She knew where she probably had gone. Probably busy looking around at what had been done to the courtyard. The courtyard had been divided into three parts: the centre, from the entrance to the other side of the courtyard where there stood a large entrance to another part of the palace, was a very wide stone pathway; and the grassy areas to the left and right of the centre area. Here there were statues of people long gone and of mythical animals frozen in time. They gave an aura of antiquity and detachment, thought the daughter.

The young girl, in the meantime, was staring face to face at one of the large dragons, hands at her hips, squinting her eyes suspiciously into its eyes of stone.

“Uncle told me about you,” the child began slowly, “you’re a meanie.”

The dragon stared on, unmoving, disregarding the accusations of the girl.

“Young princess! There you are!”

The girl swerved around and smiled at her amah. “Hi!”

The amah sighed. “Little Diah, we’ve been worried about you all afternoon. Please, go inside now and get dressed for your entrance.”

“Okay!”

She ran off. Seconds later, the older daughter found the amah.

“Oh, has Diah gone inside now?”
“Yes, you should too, miss. You don’t want to be late.”
“Oh, yes. Of course,” she smiled.

At that, she followed her sister and went inside to prepare.

***

“To all of the critics, to all those who have uncertainties we say: Give us your doubts! Give us your critique! We will satisfy your skepticism and dispel your restlessness…”

The voice was muffled behind the closed doors which led to the balcony overlooking the expansive courtyard. Within the doors, a man dressed regally paced the floor. He looked strong and his face was handsome. A face not easily forgotten, once remarked by his wife. Today, his face was markedly worried, creased with concern. He seemed restless. His wife, dressed in gold and silver, shades of deep crimson and violet, was sitting. Upright, eyes closed.

She opened her eyes.

“Sit with me, love. You’re stressing yourself out. The girls will be here any minute now, have no worry.”

He stopped and looked at her. He smiled, sat down with her, held her hand. “Yes, of course.”

They should have been with them already; waiting, sitting, talking, and laughing lightly. But they weren’t.

This was not the Maharaja’s greatest concern.

Hyang. The name conjured up thoughts of progress. The very palace that the Maharaja was in now was the result of a previous monarch, of Dapunta Hyang’s ingenuity. The Hyang dynasty introduced Hinduism to Srivijaya, bringing the inhabitants to new cultural and spiritual peaks. They were also known for their friendliness and interactivity with the people, surely something one would normally hear only in the most curious of societies. They were remarkable. Were.

Rameh Hyang. The last of the Hyang line. His health deteriorated alarmingly. He died of an unknown condition. Without any heirs. A sadness swept over Srivijaya. There was a funeral, grand and foreboding. What are we to do? Who is to rule now, like the benevolent Hyang? How are they going to amount to that which is now gone?

Puran Soleh, this unfamiliar Maharaja of Srivijaya, felt the pressure, the expectation. The legacy of the maharaja before him was known by all, and it would be the duty of those now to continue this accomplishment on into the future. Murdhna. Yet, this would not be simple. He was an infant, born into a family which had just lost its eldest son. He had plans though. He would expand the Srivijayan known realm. Find Srivijaya’s place in the world, like himself. He himself, after all, was still an infant, was he not?

“Father, we are here.”

He cleared his mind. “My little orchids. Finally. Here, come sit.” He hugged his youngest one and looked over to his wife. Her kind eyes smiled at her. No need to worry.

He looked at the faces of his two daughters. They were his blood. The future. If only I could see through the eyes of the greater of my grandchildren. He imagined the potential of his descendants. The heights of honour and achievement and prosperity that they could realize. That they could realize.

Back to the present.

Together they sat. Waited. Talked. Laughed lightly. But the whole time, in the back of his head, the new maharaja worried.

How to rule a nation, how to rule a nation…

 

[adherence.]

That was a story I should have posted a while ago, haha, so I don't really expect any bonuses or whatever from it. I also have story for the current turn.

 

[adherence.]

An excerpt from The Rise of Legalist Srivijaya


An understanding of the emergence of legalism in the early history of Srivijaya begins with an understanding to the underlying causes which influenced the governmental atmosphere of the time and of the foundations upon which legalism could be built upon.

With the death of Maharaja Rameh Hyang, traditionally dated to be in the year 627 BCE, came the end of the Hyang dynastic line, which had lasted for 537 years. Royal power was transferred into the hands of the Hindu Soleh line, who had been personally close to the Hyang family for centuries. The Soleh line had always been one of the most powerful in the region, and indeed, the second most powerful under Hyang reign. The Soleh family inherited the throne without any complications, although there was a general expression of doubt and reluctance from many Srivijayans, mainly from those who had been loyal to the Hyang royal family. The Soleh family understood this concern, and sought to retrieve normalcy for the Srivijayan populace and the progress which had been started by the Hyang dynasty.

The Hyang accomplished much during their time as the ruling dynasty of Srivijaya. The completion of the expansive Imperial Palace of Palembang, or the Dakatrahan, as it is commonly referred to today, was accomplished in 798 BCE, an architectural feat and exceptional example of Classic Srivijayan architecture. The Mukaesih[1], or “Northern Ocean”, Expedition of the ninth century BCE was a decision made by the Hyang royal court of Maharaja Rakrian. The expedition would later serve to greatly increase trade and expand the world known to Srivijaya at the time—initially to Funan, and, later on, the areas surrounding Hainan and the Chinese coast. The trade stimulated by the Mukaesih Expedition was so substantial that there is significant evidence which points to the newly-established trade between Srivijaya and the early Sinitic kingdoms as one of the main contributing factors of the rise of the fifth century BCE state of Hainan. Eventually, busy trade routes were established between As well, the expedition would not have been made possible if not for the invention of the jong, which was designed under the court of Maharaja Rakrian. Briefly described by historian Surya Beratha, the jong used an effective design:

“The jong, to put it as a simple definition, was an agile militant and mercantile sailing vessel capable of carrying 750 people along with over 250 tonnes of cargo. The jong’s design is very efficient. The sails, set obliquely, are cut elliptically and are slightly curved, giving the shape of an airfoil, and with the ability to be easily reefed and adjusted. This allows the jong to sail quite safely, and swiftly, in all manners of wind strength. In peacetime, the jong was, and is, used mainly for trade, and in wartime or in conflicts, it was able to be used mainly for naval combat.” (Surya Beratha)
​

Along with the Mukaesih Expedition, the Hyang dynasty, as well as other prominent noble families, aided the spread of Hinduism in the region. Small Hindu communities had already existed on Sumatra before the Srivijayan royalty and nobility adopted the religion and started to encourage it within the lower classes. It was only after this encouragement from the royalty that the people started to adopt the religion, eventually turning Hinduism into the dominant religion within the Srivijayan domain. The introduction of Hinduism to Srivijaya proved to be a cultural and spiritual invigoration, turning Palembang into a cultural hub. Finally, the traditional friendliness and openness which the royal family had towards those not of noble status was, while notably unorthodox (even occasional members of the royal family were more than reluctant to participate in such behaviour), instrumental in gaining over time the trust and confidence of the lower classes.

While the Hyang themselves were gone, their legacy lived on through the hallmarks of their accomplishments. The Soleh, then, not only took the responsibility of holding dominion over Srivijaya, but also the burden of following up an accomplished line of monarchs. The concept of murdhna, a sense of duty and good conduct in honour (especially in those of high status), greatly affected the mindset of the monarchs to come. This motivation would serve to bring a continued sense of progress to the people now under Soleh jurisdiction.

Economically and strategically, Selat Melaka, or the Strait of Melaka, could not avoid being of great importance. Small-scale trade emerged in the area as maritime tribes from northern Sumatra to northern Borneo eventually used the strait as a trade route. One significant site of trade was located at the very tip of the Malaysian peninsula, on a small island. This island would serve as a suitable site for the founding of the small settlement of Singapura. The lifeblood of the developing town would be the trade that flowed though the strait, serving mainly as a major port between Srivijaya and Funan in its earliest years. Srivijaya would continue to expand on the peninsula, later establishing major cities such as Melaka, after which the strait is named, and Kasatu. Although it was under the Hyang dynasty that Srivijaya first expanded to Selat Melaka, it would be under the Soleh dynasty that Srivijaya actually grew around Selat Melaka. Selat Sunda would also come to be controlled by Srivijaya during the time of the Soleh, as they expanded onto the island of Java.

The trade stimulated around Selat Melaka proved to be advantageous, obviously in a commercial sense, but also in the sense that Srivijaya grew to become more adventurous as a trading state. Srivijayan jongs, inspired by the Mukaesih Expedition, sailed north to Hainan and the numerous Sinitic kingdoms of the time. Some trade began between these kingdoms and Srivijaya. This would later give reason for the inhabitants of Hainan to unite and form their own nation. Jambi would benefit greatly from this trade, as the mining of gold started to pick up in its vicinity. The trade accomplished by Srivijayan trader under the Soleh dynasty was seen as a faithful honouring of murdhna, but it would not be enough to satisfy the Soleh.

Under the Soleh, Srivijaya expanded from eastern Sumatra, the Riau Islands, and the settlement of Singapura to include about half of Sumatra, much of the southern end of the Malaysian peninsula, and part of Java. Wanih Soleh, the last of the Soleh dynasty oversaw a great portion of this expansion, as it was under him that major expansion took place. Believing that the murdhna placed upon himself and his predecessors was far from fulfilled, it was his blind and impetuous ardor for fulfilling this duty that eventually brought the downfall of the Soleh dynasty. Maharaja Wanih saw territorial expansion as a key duty of the royalty, and it would be his contribution to his family’s murdhna. With great zeal, he sent forces to accomplish massive expansion goals in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java. Unfortunately, due to poor planning, the great majority of Srivijayan forces perished and this left a significant absence of forces to protect any place in the kingdom. Realizing this, barbarians attacked in force, taking western Sumatra. This led to a decrease in the rural economy, and this was furthered by raids conducted by barbarians taking advantage of this chaotic situation. Quickly found to be at fault, Maharaja Wanih was deposed by the remnants of the army in 388 BCE, as all confidence for the royalty to govern was lost. The army took stewardship of the nation, fearing that a prolonged absence of power would lead to more barbarian uprisings and, eventually, a fragmentation of the whole nation. Wanih Soleh and his family were exiled from Srivijaya and would find themselves travelling to Funan, and ultimately settling in Hainan, where they would live relatively unknown. Many hundreds of people left Srivijaya because of this shift in power, mainly people who were afraid of the state that Srivijaya had been left as—essentially, a military stewardship—fearing instability, but also some of the nobility who still felt loyal to the Soleh. Many of these émigrés, though, were traders, who believed that trade would be stifled under the military stewardship. These people left in jongs, headed to Funan and Hainan, some even for the kingdoms in the far north. Those who chose to leave for the Sinitic kingdoms in the north were solely traders, and it would be these people that would bring a new order to Srivijaya.

The birth of the legalist philosophic school took place during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period of the early Sinitic kingdoms. The main idea behind the concept of legalism is its essential principal of jurisprudence: the upholding of law. This philosophy spread throughout the Sinitic kingdoms and eventually it reached the Srivijayan traders who had settled there. Association with those émigrés who left because of the Soleh had been strictly frowned upon, but upon realising the dire economic situation created by the Soleh, the military stewardship came to welcome the increased trade which the settled émigrés stimulated. Eventually this idea of legalism came to reach Srivijaya where the military stewardship was ready to accept it.

In 387 BCE, a year after the deposing of the monarchy, a power struggle had already emerged within the “governors” of the military stewardship. The two major figures of this struggle where Governor Hamengku[2] and Governor Gajah[2]. Hamengku favoured waiting until a suitable form of governing could be found, which would eventually eliminate the need for military governing. Gajah, on the other hand, believed—whether for his own personal goals or for the good of the nation—that the military should continue on as legitimate rulers of Srivijaya. Hamengku would gain the upper hand in matters, with a majority of the army allying with him. As a result, he was able to issue a decree by which the current military stewardship would dissolve once a suitable form of government, whether it was a monarchy or not, could be established. Seeing this as a misguided step, Gajah soon created his own faction which would clash with that of Hamengku. Tension started to rise as a murder of someone in the Hamengku faction was attributed to a Gajah follower. Hamengku realised the need for a governing body to be reinstated, and decided upon establishing a new dynasty according to Srivijayan tradition. Upon realising this, Gajah threatened to declare war against the new dynasty, which would effectively start a civil war. Reaching an impasse and not wanting to make a decision that would leave Srivijaya vulnerable to external forces, the two factions decided to turn to a form of governing that would satisfy both parties: a legalist stratocracy.

In 379 BCE, nine years after the overthrow of the Soleh dynasty, the Srivijayan legalist stratocracy was established. The nation would be governed by a council of governors who also had high positions within the army. These governors, including Hamengku and Gajah, adopted the philosophy of legalism. Three main ideas governed their actions: hokum (law), kaidah (method), and kekuasaan (power). All people became equal before the law and the law was to be strictly upheld. It was the system of law which ran the nation, not necessarily the ruler, or rulers. The rulers were not emphasised as powerful, but all those who opposed the will of the rulers, which basically was just the law, would be disciplined. This de-emphasis of the rulers would also serve to hide their motivations, thus weakening those who might oppose them (as they would not know how to weaken those ruling). As well, a “mystery of authority” placed upon the rulers emphasised respect and obedience from the people. In addition to the council of governors, there was also a lower body of ministers (not associated with the military) who would aid the council and prevent misgovernance. Under the legalist stratocracy, standardization of weights, measures, and Sumatran script was accomplished, in order to establish a more efficient means of administrative organization. Also, the legalist stratocracy, being comprised of Hindus, continued to encourage Hinduism. The legalist stratocracy, kept in check by a body of ministers, proved to become an effective means of governing, especially in its beginning years ....

________________________________________________________
[1] Called the "Mukaesih Expedition" after the admiral Tun Mukaesih, who led the expedition.
[2] The first names of governors Hamengku and Gajah are unknown, due to the shrouded nature of the council in which they would eventually take part.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Nice stories!

 

[carmen510]

Orders sent. Not that elaborate, but I think suitable.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe completed. Expect the update tomorrow, barring unforeseen circumstances.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Finished the Central Mediterranean....

Anyone feel like posting so I can get the top of the page for the update?

 

[alex994]

I HATE MY LIFE!

This good?

 

[North King]

No, alex, you need to get it to the TOP of the page. So one more post after this should do it.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

I'm interested in seeing what happens.

 

[Luckymoose]

is this the last post on this page?