Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

4330 Election Creates Major Changes in the Landscape of the National Conference
11 May, 4330

TIAN'AN, Han -- With the election results for May's election just being received, what is abundantly clear is the massive changes the National Conference will see. The Lotus-Phoenix-Jienist Coalition now faces surprisingly low seat counts, and have been pushed into the form of a minority government, with the Lotus Party's Yi Junkai in control of the Grand Chancellery. On the other hand the relatively new Socialist, Centre, and Social Democratic Parties did quite well for a first time election, both the Centre and Socialist Parties gained the highest number of seat, respectively. The results of the monarchist referendum have also come to light, with a slim 51.3% of the populace voting in favor. This means the move for a constitutional monarchy is sure to pass, especially with the new pro-monarchist Centre Party, as well as the Social Democrats agreeing to help establish this new monarchy.

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Originally posted by pandowlpaws on 9 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

The Kaizhou Inquirer - May 4330
The Kaizhou Inquirer is northern Indrala's leading periodical, reporting on politics, culture and economics

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Dr. Yi Junkai Elected Grand Chancellor Despite Worst Performance in Party's History
While Dr. Yi achieved 62.26% on the second ballot, his party lost 133 seats, and now holds the lowest seat count in its history


Grand Chancellor-elect Dr. Yi Junkai (second from left) participates in a Guidao prayer

TIAN'AN, Han — Election night was a bittersweet affair for Dr. Yi Junkai, who despite being elected Grand Chancellor, will now face an even bigger challenge; leading a coalition government as the smallest party in that coalition.

Following the departure of the vastly popular Kwan Zhiyong, Dr. Yi's successor, the Lotus Party achieved its worst result ever, losing over 64% of their representatives in the National Conference and reducing their plurality of votes by nearly 10 million. The Lotus Party was also outflanked on the left by the newly-formed Socialist Party in their home province of Jiaozhi, placing 5th there.

Nonetheless, a full endorsement from the Phoenix Party pushed Dr. Yi ahead of his Jien-Democratic opponent Zhan Zhi by 128,622 votes on the first ballot. Endorsements from the Jien-Democratic Party, Phoenix Party, and Socialist Party propelled the one-term Min Provincial Conference Representative and pediatric oncologist over the finish line with 32,713,341 votes on the second ballot.

The night was bleak for the entire Lotus-Jienist-Phoenix Coalition, all three parties of which lost significant numbers of seats and now hold a minority of seats in the National Conference. Dr. Yi will have to work across the aisle to ensure stability for the next five years, or Indralans may be back at the ballot box sooner than expected.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 10 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

THE SOCIALISTS AND LOTUS PARTY CLASH IN THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

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Socialist Leader retaliating Lotus Party attacks on health and government

The newly elected National Conference has gotten off to a rocky start. The Socialists, who's success in the election swept past any expectation, proposed withdrawing from the Kaizou Healthcare Convention in order to fully enable a government operated health system, one of their biggest electoral promises, but the Lotus and Centre Party quickly attacked the motion, saying the Socialists were 'ignorant' or 'daft', but the Socialists party refused to make soundbites and simply stuck to wanting a nationalized healthcare system

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Originally posted by Edward123456 on 10 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

Ryeo Heir Bankrolls Merger & Expansion for Feng & Cai Companies

June 7, 4331
TIAN'AN, HAN

Talk of a potential merger between the conglomerate companies of cousins Fang Zhihao and Cai Yahui has existed for years but various technicalities and disputes had prevented past success in achieving a merger. Alone, the two companies are small in comparison to Indrala's larger, more established caizu and a merger between Fang and Cai's companies has been considered an obvious direction if they seriously wish to compete with the caizu. Nonetheless, attempts failed and in recent months there had been growing dissent among investors of both companies due to the inability of the cousins to make an agreement.

However, this morning a major joint company meeting was called and the cousins unveiled a significant development plus a surprise guest, Ryeo Seojun, grandson of the deposed Emperor Choesun V and second-in-line to the Dranian throne. Ryeo Seojun has resided in Indrala since he arrived at the age of 7 following the coup launched against the Imperial Household by Taeyang Sang-ah. Due to the continued domination by Taeyang and her loyalists, Ryeo Seojun broke from centuries of tradition by not attending a Gongmangdo university, instead graduating from Kaizhou National University in 4325. Two years later, the heir quietly but controversially obtained Indralan citizenship against the demands of his parents, still holding on to hope of Ryeo restoration in their lifetimes. Since graduation Ryeo Seojun has held a corporate role in one of Fang's subsidiaries while also operating a successful live-streaming videogame channel, from which he recently retired. With today's Fang and Cai meeting it has now come to light that Ryeo has been building up an increasingly prominent role in Fang's organization over the past decade while also investing heavily in Cai's company as well.

Supported by significant Ryeo backing on both sides, merger negotiations have finally succeeded but now with the direct involvement of Ryeo Seojun, who will be taking on a central leadership position in the newly established company. Named as the FangCaiRyeo Group, this newly formed conglomerate will bring major competition to the established caizu and the involvement of Ryeo Seojun likely brought not just significant investment but also potential connection to Kyuma Industries and Dankuk's major chaebol, Haedodi and Muhandae, all of which are alleged to have a relationship with the Ryeo Family. Of the three, Kyuma Industries has been the most suspect in these allegations with the company having relocated the majority of its operations to Dankuk after the union of the Houses of Aynako and Ryeo.

Many structural aspects of FangCaiRyeo Group remain to be finalized and as a whole the conglomerate will have operations in numerous industries, including consumer electronics, technology, music and entertainment, finance, and telecommunications.

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Originally posted by Zongxian on 11 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

CENTRE PARTY SUPPORTS FASHION
C-101 "Luxury Tax Adjustment Act" seeks to save crippled fashion industry

20 JULY, 4331
KAIZHOU, JIAOZHI

Centre Party Leader Tao Hong recently wrote an op-ed for Indrala Fashion Weekly, where he detailed the sights and sounds of Kaizhou Fashion Week 4331. The Centre Party leader has always had a taste for the arts. Now, in the National Conference, his party has introduced a sweeping tax bill that will halve the Luxury Goods tax. This monumental change in the tax structure of Indrala will be this first time in over three decades that a party has proposed to reduce the Luxury Goods tax. Kaizhou Fashion Week has welcomed the bill with open arms, hoping that the tax reduction with aid their efforts to regain position as the leading fashion week in Terra.

"It takes a lot of guts to cast the actual Kaizhou Harbour as the backdrop for your fashion show, but Xu Li, the young star now at the helm of Fànsīzhé, has plenty of that already. No one was going to choose to follow Shi Xiulan at the ultimate house of Kaizhou provocation unless they have confidence, and watching the relatively untested Xu Li take on that role has been both exciting and terrifying."

-- Excerpt from an op-ed written by Centre Party leader Tao Hong

Xu Li, up-and coming fashion mogul who recently inherited the Fànsīzhé brand from her father, had this to say:

"Fashion in Indrala is at an all time low. We don't have the means to spread our art around the world! This is the first time since Chancellor Huang Zitao that a politician has cared about us! We embrace Mr. Tao's interest and commitment to our art and industry. Most people don't get it... this is our livelihood."

-- xoxo Xu Li

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Fànsīzhé's new couture makes its debut under the reign of Xu Li

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Originally posted by TreeHugger on 11 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

RESOURCE AND ENERGY GIANT QINGYI TO LOBBY GOVERNMENT
Indrala Megafirm seeks de-regulation and tax breaks in order to boost profits and expand operations

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QINGY offshore vessel sits in the coastal waters nearby Anle Province

26 JULY 4331
HANZHOU HARBOR, SHU

QINGYI CEO CHAO DE LUN has reached his last straw with the government in Tian'an. He has expressed great concern with the long term viability of his megafirm's operations given the current regulation structure in Indrala. QINGY [TTX: QGYI] is a resource extraction and energy corporation based in Hanzhou, Shu. The company's recent coastal operations have been dampened by several of Indrala's longstanding regulations on Energy, Labour, and Pollution. Additionally, their large share in energy production for Indrala is in jeopardy with recent attempts in Tian'an to nationalize energy production and end private ownership of Indrala's energy sources. According to Mr. Chao, "there hasn't been a proven ally for industry in Tian'an since we endorsed the Zhang Republicans in 4295." He spoke further about his frustrations:

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QINGYI CEO Chao De Lun speaks about his company's recent struggles

"This is a real turning point for our operations. We are Indrala's most valuable corporation, in my opinion. We provide energy to heat Indralan homes, we provide the lights in Tian'an, we even provide the fuel for your vehicle. Yet, people in this godforsaken country still think they can survive without us. Do you have any idea how much tax revenue the government of Indrala receives from us annually? And where do these hotheads think jobs will come from if we are gone. Because of this reality, we have decided to make a concentrated effort to lobby the political establishment in Tian'an. Our company already has our hands in the baskets of many big name figures, and we aren't afraid to pinch. Now is the time for this government to show us they are serious about Indralan industry or we will leave, along with our Caizu conglomerates."

More to come...

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Originally posted by TreeHugger on 11 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

Phoenix Party Plagued by Internal Disputes

[Image missing]

October 4, 4331
TIAN'AN, HAN

Phoenix Party Leader and Minister of Food & Agriculture Lan Liao today survived a sudden vote of no confidence pushed forward by internal opponents in her party. Since Minister Lan's takeover of the leadership there has been an ongoing struggle for the Phoenix Party to solidify its political identity and the situation has only worsened with the failure of the National Conference to form a government following last year's elections. Some analysts suspect that early elections could be called in an agreement isn't found soon and this possibility expedited the plans of Lan's opponents to make an attempt for her ouster.

Following the failure of the more traditional and paternalistic bloc of the party to remove Minister Lan there has been a swift restructuring of Lan's leadership team, including the firing of Secretary-General Chan Ju, viewed as a major facilitator of the vote of no confidence this morning. Breaking from the usual separation of Party Leader influence on Secretary-General selection, an ideological ally of Minister Lan, Fang Wei, was chosen with recommendation from the leader. This has caused even greater anger among opponents of Lan's camp and has provided an even greater hold for the moderates over the Phoenix Party. Aside from the disputes of the traditionalists and moderates, the selection of Fang Wei has also brought concerns of growing corporate influence in the party due to Fang's family relationship to Fang Zhihao, as well as his extensive lobbyist history on issues relating to business regulation and taxes. While Minister Lan's moderates, united by their broadly viewed nationalism and liberal conservatism, have solidified control of the party there is obvious division among the moderates themselves regarding the party's economic platform. Certainly Minister Lan's struggle to effectively lead a united party is far from over.

FCR Group Unveils Fanrong Motors

[Image missing]

October 1, 4331
KAIZHOU, JIAOZHI

Propelled by the Luxury Tax Adjustment Act, the FangCaiRyeo (FCR) Group has unveiled its newest subsidiary company, Fanrong Motors. Initial sales of the luxury automobiles are anticipated to begin mid-to-late next year and currently three vehicle models have been announced. So far all bodies are rebadges and/or slightly modified luxury models of those sold by Prospero Motors, a subsidiary of Kyuma Industries which holds about a third of the shares of Fangrong Motors. It is anticipated that this is only the first stage of a larger scale expansion of FCR Group into the automotive manufacturing realm. The success of Fanrong Motors luxury division will likely guide the eventual introduction of more affordable Prospero vehicles to the Indralan market.

A Ryeo Betrayal?

October 1, 4331
TIAN'AN, HAN

The recent headlining activities of Ryeo Seojun and his leadership in the FangCaiRyeo Group has found great disapproval with his father, who seems to have all but disowned his son for "abandoning Dankuk." Inside sources are saying that Ryeo Choesun didn't learn of his son's Indralan citizenship until it was mentioned during the news this summer of Seojun's involvement with the Fang and Cai companies. The father has allegedly not spoken to his son for months, having last spoke to him in person after showing up to his son's apartment to berate him for keeping his "betrayal" secret. If these alleged events are true it would confirm escalated tension between the Ryeos, a rift which has its roots from Seojun's time in Indralan high school and university. Utilizing his own share of Ryeo wealth, separated from his father, Seojun moved to his own private apartment while still in high school, prioritizing an "online gaming career" over his household's devotion to politics and future Dranian revolution. Through university he then transitioned to a more serious career in business and entrepreneurship, again aided by wealth amassed through his family's funds. This combination of events has caused immense frustration for his father, who has disapproved of use of "Dranian wealth for Indralan gains" and now the news of the citizenship as well, it is said those in Choesun's inner circle have given Seojun the nickname, "Aoi Sukarno," a reference to the Tukarese heir that was manipulated out of his royal succession during the height of the Great Kyo Empire. This nickname has been fiercely denied however, as Aoi Sukarno is a dark part of Ryeo history that continues to be publicly avoided by the family.

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Originally posted by Zongxian on 11 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

Website: Today's Top Stories
These are the three most viewed stories from the Tian'an Times online homepage

1 September 4328

Northern Anle Drought Ends in Major Rainfall: Villagers Blame the "Sun"


Sun Yijun, the Sun Clan scion, pictured at Dawei Village

DAWEI, Anle -- Startlingly green hills, surging rivers and the snow-wrapped Anle Range in the distance signaled what farmers in Dawei Village knew; after two weeks of rainfall, the drought has ended.

The Dawei Drought began in June of 4228 and had disastrous consequences on the livelihoods of the four thousand people who depend on the fertility of the land. Many in the village began to despair and reluctantly subsist on government assistance offered through the Lotus Party's Green Sprout Program, though no one was happy about this: "We live on this land to work it. I am ashamed to be taking money that doesn't come from my labour" said farmer Wu Feyang.

Many of the farmers will talk about a deep despair in the village that the drought may never cease, until the arrival of Sun Yijun. "I remember when he rode in to our village," recounted local farmer Dai Luoyang, "his face was as bright as the sun. One wanted to look, but couldn't."

Sun Yijun, matrilineal descendant of the deposed Ryeo Emperor Choesun V of Dankuk, and patrilineal descendant of the Sun Clan, was in the area to receive instruction on desert horseback riding. The 16-year-old's party left Dongjing on horseback, making the trip northbound to the Tebie Desert. This would inevitably lead to Sun passing through Dawei Village.


The young Sun Yijun and his travelling party south of Dawei Village

"As he arrived in the village he saw the barren fields and dead plants," says 89-year-old Meng Lin as she begins to tear up, "but nothing bothered him as much as seeing the children, so thin and malnourished"

According to locals, Sun attempted to play a game of football with a group of children while his party tended to the horses, but the children were too tired to play. He then ordered his group to distribute their supplies and food throughout the village.

"One of his men protested this, saying that they needed all of their stuff for the trip" according to Meng, "but he simply put up his hand and restated what he said, and they did it."

Sun Yijun remained in the village for three more days, during which the young heir joined villagers in the fields to provide on the spot guidance, surprising many of the farmers with his knowledge on the topic of agriculture (Sun is well-known for maintaining a large vegetable and flower garden at the family's property outside of Huzheng Lake) and his willingness to participate in physical labour. He also instructed his party members to teach the children how to ride horses and practice archery.

Sun Yijun refused to eat during these three days, asking that all provisions were given to the villagers. Following protestations from a member of his party, he reportedly replied, "just because I have been born with a gold spoon in my mouth, it does not mean I have special right to eat while people here starve. In fact, it is due to the privilege of my birth that I should not eat while the children are malnourished."

His principled stance made him very popular among the villages elders. Sun Yijun often began his morning by playing a game of weiqi with the elders, of which he reportedly always won. "He may be the kindest person to ever come to our village," Xiong Xuegang claims, "but he has a ruthless intellect when it comes to weiqi strategy!"

On the day Sun left, all the villagers gathered to bid him farewell. As his company disappeared beyond the horizon, the unimaginable occured: "I thought I was hallucinating," recounts Dai Luoyang, "I felt something hit me. When I rubbed my forehead and felt my hand get wet, I thought 'this must be a dream'." It wasn't a dream, and what followed was two weeks of heavy rainfall.


Children run through the visibly more fertile Dawei rice fields

"After he left, I feel a deep shame to have treated him so poorly" says Meng Lin, "there isn't a doubt in my mind, or in those of the other villagers, that Sun Yijun is the Son of Heaven. Just look around. After his visit, heaven's fortune shines down on our village. We are so lacking and unworthy of his visit."

While the events may have been strictly coincidental, the Sun Claim to the throne has at least four-thousand deeply devoted supporters.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 11 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

News for 20 April 4332

The Market is a nationally-published daily economic newspaper centered in Tian'an. While the paper remains generally non-partisan, critics have observed a tendency for the paper to publish articles which generally support classically liberal economic policies and the established economic order of Indrala.

TQ Group Launches New Smartphone, Makes Large International Investment in Q2

TQ Group CEO Tang Chengbin formally launches the new TQ10 smartphone on Monday

KAIZHOU, Jiaozhi - TQ Group has long been recognized as the most ambitious young caizu in Indrala, and its recent actions are no exception.

TQ Group began the week launching their new TQ10 smartphone, which the company claims is the "fastest, most powerful smartphone in the world." Consumers have certainly been interested by the pitch, as pre-orders reached 3.9 million within 24 hours. TQ Group's push in consumer electronics has been its most robust, with the company now having an effective monopoly over consumer television screens. It is yet to be seen how the market will respond to TQ's entry into telecommunications, but all indicators appear to be promising.

TQ10 advertisement featuring YingPop star Chan Xiyun

This same week, TQ Group made headlines in Valruzia after announcing a $170 million peso investment in BÖNNING Car Factory. This investment marks the single largest capital investment for TQ Group outside of Indrala. Economic analysts have praised the "strategic" mindset of the TQ Group Board, who surely are hoping to expand the capacity of BÖNNING in an effort to cripple their caizu competitor, the FCR Group which recently unveiled their automotive subsidiary: Fanrong Motors. The TQ Group has already begun to petition local and federal government to reduce barriers to trade with Valruzia and expand opportunities for BÖNNING to lay foundation in Indrala.

OP-ED: "As Expected, Luxury Tax Decrease Leads to Explosion in Economic Activity"

By economics professor Lang Hai of Tian'an National University

Professor Lang giving a lecture to his students at Tian'an National University

Up and down, up and down — watching a yo-yo is mesmerizing if you stare at it long enough. The same holds true for gyrating luxury tax rate and the effect it has on Indrala's economic outlook. This overview is going to be a bit of a rollercoaster ride, so bear with me:

The Lotus Party lowered luxury taxes to 5% during the administration of Wu Hán to spur economic growth while balancing the budget after the reckless spending of Tony Pua's dictatorship. This was one of many factors which we understand to have contributed to the Jiaozhi Miracle: that is, the rapid transition of Jiaozhi's provincial economy from low-skill, low-wage to becoming the most innovative and fast growing regional economies of the country. Under Nationalist Chancellor Feng Xinyue, the Republican-Nationalist coalition raised luxury taxes to 20%. It should be noted that both parties lost Jiaozhi to the Lotus Party by at least 30 percentage-points. Under the successive Chancellor Xuan Shuren and his majority-Republican government, luxury taxes were hiked to an all time high of 50%. Luckily, these changes would last three years until Lotus Party Chancellor Huang Zitao would lower them to 5% once again, but much damage had already been done as Jiaozhi's economy stagnated for the first time since 4259. Under Zhang Zemin, the Republicans raised the tax again. Initially raised to 18%, the Lotus Party opposition was able to negotiate the rate down to 10%, however as Liu Zetien notes, "this still represent[ed] a 100% increase in the tax rate."

However, Zhang's legacy party, the Centrists, have struck a far different note. Perhaps a far more Lotisian note, as the party put forward bill C-101 which lowered the luxury tax rate to 5% once again. The measure passed with near unanimity, were it not for the Socialist Party. But, if we're being honest, can we expect Metzists to actually support an economically beneficial measure if it doesn't fit with their extremist messaging?

Since the tax was lowered, we've seen the largest Kaizhou Fashion Week since the 4280s and the launch of a luxury car manufacturer, among others. Just as with Chancellor Wu's reduction, it seems that there has been another explosion of economic activity in Jiaozhi and across the nation, just as academics and analysts have suggested for years. Perhaps the Centrist Party will be able to shake fears of Republican-style economic ineptitude, having achieved such a major success while in opposition.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 12 January 2018.

[Wu Han]

Ryeo Choesun Returns to Dankuk

May 11, 4332
GONGMANGDO, DANKUK

The claimant to the Dranian throne shocked his home nation as he arrived at Gongmangdo International Airport accompanied with his wife this afternoon. Ryeo Choesun's residence in Tian'an now sits vacant, as its contents have either been sent with the heir to Dankuk or placed in possession of Ryeo Yejun, who still lives in Indrala.

While a new banner flies over Dankuk, the heir still found himself embraced by old allies in the former imperial capital. Despite very obvious threat from the authoritarian Dranian government, Ryeo Choesun made no secret of his arrival and swiftly made his way through customs before departing to a temporary penthouse in central Gongmangdo. As he exited the airport the heir was quoted as declaring his intent to fight for the restoration of the Imperial Household.

Indralan officials were not informed of Ryeo's decision to return, though all other members of the family still remain in the country, with at least one, Ryeo Seojun, possessing Indralan citizenship. No members of the family could be reached for questions and Ryeo Choesun now runs major risk of imprisonment.

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Originally posted by Zongxian on 12 January 2018.