Great Chu

Biodata

Background / History

Great Chu exists in a divergent history where Xiang Yu defeated Liu Bang at the Feast at Hong Gate and founded the dynasty. That altered history developed into a high-martial world in which martial cultivation, divine skills, and Great Grandmasters can decisively affect politics and warfare. 1

More than a thousand years after its founding, Great Chu presents itself as a wealthy and civilized suzerain state. Tributary states offer tribute in recognition of its status, while the court returns gifts to demonstrate the empire’s grandeur rather than to profit from tribute. 53 299

Government and Military

Great Chu’s forces are noted for strict discipline during the Annan campaign: civilians report that Chu soldiers neither loot nor harm the population and insist on paying for goods. 324

Relationships

• Annan Kingdom — Former tributary state that ceases tribute, raids Great Chu’s frontier, and aligns with India. After the campaign led by Princess Pingyang and Huang Shaojie, its king submits and Annan is incorporated into Great Chu. 280 324
• India — Initially supports Annan and deploys a massive army against Great Chu. Huang Shaojie’s victories eventually force India’s king and ministers to submit to Great Chu. 319 478
• Japan — Long-running hostile power responsible for espionage and later a major invasion of Great Chu. Great Chu repels the invasion, crosses the East Sea, and conquers Japan’s forces. 47 408 426 437
• Persian Empire — A foreign superpower that initially treats Great Chu as an equal rather than a suzerain. Persia later invades through Jiayu Pass, but Huang Shaojie defeats its army and compels King Charles to submit. 357 459 468
• Western Shu remnants / Later Shu — A restoration movement and rival state that seeks opportunities to strike Great Chu during its external wars. 171 427

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Imperial security and domestic authority — Great Chu’s Imperial Guard investigates crimes and foreign espionage, including the Japanese spy network at Fountain Pavilion. 2 47
• Annan–India campaign — Annan’s border attacks prompt Great Chu’s intervention. Huang Shaojie infiltrates Annan, wins over its king and troops, and helps defeat India’s invading army; Annan subsequently joins Great Chu. 280 301 323 324
• Persian diplomatic challenge — Prince William’s delegation tests Great Chu through an arena contest and political demands, exposing Persia as a military and magical rival. 357 359 373
• Multi-front crisis — Great Chu faces Japanese invasion, Persian aggression, Western Shu unrest, and internal succession conflict, placing the dynasty under simultaneous external and domestic pressure. 408 411 444 459
• Defense and retaliation against Japan — Huang Shaojie turns the tide at Hangzhou, destroys the invading Japanese armies, gains Sea God abilities, and leads a sea-crossing invasion of Japan. 410 418 426 437
• Persian submission — After Persia’s invasion and the fall of Jiayu Pass, Huang Shaojie defeats the Persian military and forces King Charles and the Persian court to submit to Great Chu. 459 463 468
• Imperial expansion under Huang Shaojie — By the time Indra returns from the Spirit Realm, Huang Shaojie is identified as Great Chu’s Emperor. Following his defeat of Indra, India surrenders and Great Chu expands by six million square kilometers. 471 478

Trivia

• Great Chu’s founding premise depends on Xiang Yu surviving and defeating Liu Bang, creating the setting’s alternate high-martial history. 1
• Its citizens and officials frequently frame Great Chu as the “Celestial Empire,” emphasizing its self-image as the central and most civilized state. 299 324