Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

The Kaizhou Inquirer - February 4300
The Kaizhou Inquirer is northern Indrala's leading periodical, reporting on politics, culture and economics

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Wolfsheim Plague Expected In Indrala Within The Year: Tian'an National University
The plague which has ravaged Ostland and Dovani is predicted to appear in Indrala within the year, according to experts


Tian'an National University Hospital, the largest hospital in Tian'an

TIAN'AN, Han — The deadly Wolfshiem Plague (also referred to as the Dovanian Plague) is expected to spread to Indrala within the year, according to medical researchers at Tian'an National University.

The disease, which has claimed 90 million lives since it first appeared in Ostland in the mid-4280s has not yet been observed in Indrala. According to experts, pre-existing travel restrictions to Hulstria and Ostland have hindered the spread of the disease to our nation. However, as the disease has spread to Kazulia, Kalopia and Istalia, medical researchers from TNU suggest that the disease could be in Indrala as early as next July.

According to Professor Li Maozhi, the situation could prove disastrous for Indrala:

Not much is known about the plague at this point. Research has been extremely limited due to the political circumstances surrounding it. However, we know that if the disease arrives in Indrala and is not properly quarantined, it could be apocalyptic. Our nation's incredibly high population density would make the transmission of the disease very quick and the numbers of potentially infected people would exponentially increase before medical professionals could even count them. Our best hope is that the international medical community can find a cure, a vaccine or at the least a proven and effective control method before the disease arrives in our country.

Last year, the government allocated an additional $12.5b toward medical and scientific funding in order to innoculate Indrala and attempt to find a cure. The research efforts have been hindered by the Government of Hulstria which invaded Ostland and has prevented any World Congress personnel from entering the country. This situation has led to a major international crisis, with security council members including Indrala, voting to prepare a military response to Hulstria's antagonism. Speaking to the Security Council, Ambassador Zhou Jiahao said:

...the Government of Indrala condemns in the strongest possible terms the Imperial Crownlands of Hulstria for their hostile actions in preventing medical aid and research into Ostland.

Protestors have gathered outside the Chancellor's residence demanding Zhang Zemin responds with a full travel ban and increased medical funding. The Chancellor has been rather mum with regard to the disease, although it is clear that they will not be able to stay that way for long.

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Sun Clan Heir Is Only Surviving Member Under 100 Years Old
The heir to the Sun Clan, one of Indrala's most notable noble families is the only member of his family under 100 years old.


Sun Li Pavillion, one of the Sun Clan's many palatial estates

KAIZHOU, Jiaozhi — One of Indrala's most prominent and prestigious noble houses is facing a crisis as heir Sun Xulun died last year, leaving his 17-year-old son, Sun Luhan, and 108 year-old grandfather, Sun Yue, as the only surviving male members of the Sun Clan. It is reported from sources within the Sun Clan's staff that Sun Luhan is under great pressure to find a wife to continue his family line. The situation is further complicated by the Sun Clan's majority ownership in the Sun Group, one of Indrala's largest conglomerates. Should Sun Luhan not produce an heir, not only would the noble house go extinct, the Sun Group would face a succession crisis.

Despite good relations in the past with the He, Li and Tan Clans, it is reported that Sun Yue is facing great difficulty finding a potential wife for his great-grandson, as many clans see this succession crisis as a potential opportunity to consolidate their claims to the Dragon Throne. Many caizu families are also refusing marriage negotiations, for much the same reason regarding the Sun Group.


17-year-old Sun Luhan, a Gongmangdo student, distinguished horse-archer and the young heir to the Sun Clan's fortune and prestige has been well reported in the past as reluctant to take on his role. In a post which circulated online back in 4299, Sun once joked to his classmate Park Hye-ri:

What's the point of living in such a backward, traditional way when the government doesn't even recognize nobility? I'm not interested at all in that. I'd much rather spend my time traveling, and you know... living. My great-aunt went to a nunnery to try to escape this responsibility. Could you imagine having such a futile existence that you'd rather be a nun? Ugh.

The Sun Clan threatened to sue Park, claiming that these remarks "never occurred, and are disgraceful, dishonorable lies," but the two parties supposedly settled outside of court. Nonetheless, Indralan netizens criticized the teenager for his lack of gratitude and humility as heir to one of the largest fortunes in Indrala. Others defended Sun, claiming that his disillusionment is understandable, given his father's sudden death that same year.


Official portrait of Sun Luhan

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Opinion: "Zhang Zemin is Strangling the North" by Liu Zetien
Liu Zetien is an economic pundit and blogger from Yincheng, Jiaozhi


Liu Zetien

Zhang Zemin and the Republicans don't care about the North. I mean, it's no secret that Chancellor Zhang is infatuated with Shu, trying desperately and rather pathetically to regain his party's traditional homeland, but Zhang doesn't seem to understand that he has to be the Chancellor for ALL Indralans.

Since the mid-4260s, Jiaozhi's economy has led Indrala in growth. This province has gone from the most impoverished province in the nation to its prosperous, second only to Han. This growth is nothing short of a miracle; the Jiaozhi Miracle.

Most of these hard-fought gains have been made in high-tech and luxury goods manufacturing. And yet, time and time again the Republicans have slapped ridiculous increases on the luxury sales tax. During Xuan Shuren's administration, the Republican government increased the luxury sales tax from 5 to 50%. Most reputable economists noted that this increase would lead to a recession in Jiaozhi, and luckily the tax change was reversed by the Lotus Party government before its effects could be totally felt. Despite this, the Republicans have again let their hatred for the north known, after Zhang Zemin increased the rate from 5 to 18% almost immediately after coming to government.

Though the Lotus Party was able to negotiate this rate down to 10%, this still represents a 100% increase in the tax rate. So long as this punitive tax rate stays in place, Jiaozhi's economy will be experiencing considerable strain. And for what? Increased subsidies to farmers in Shu? Should we in Jiaozhi really be forced to suffer so that this Republican experimentation with Metzist wealth redistribution can help out a couple illiterate farmers in the south? In what world?

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 9 November 2017.