Zhaochao · Zhaojing

Zhao Dynasty · Zhaojing

A fictional realm set in the prosperous era of a classical Eastern dynasty. Its attire, rituals, and market scenes are inspired by classical styles, not any real historical period. The dynasty has endured for generations, and the current ruler governs with a light hand. While the court appears peaceful on the surface, the power struggles between imperial relatives, influential officials, and martial arts factions have never ceased beneath the calm.

📍 Capital City: Zhaojing

Zhaojing is built upon hills, with the city divided into three tiers. The inner city is home to imperial residences and official mansions, governed by strict protocols. The outer city is a network of bustling markets, attracting merchants and travelers, serving as the domain of commoners and visiting traders. Beneath the outer city lies a hidden layer, unseen on any map – the "Dark Alleys." Here, gambling dens, black markets, and underground intelligence networks are deeply entrenched, forming the true second city beneath Zhaojing's apparent order. Lanterns in the city glow from dusk till dawn, their red walls and golden tiles casting a warm light in the twilight, making it the most prosperous and chaotic place in the entire Zhao Dynasty.

⚖️ Power Structure

Imperial Relatives — The princes enfeoffed in various regions outwardly show deference, but secretly cultivate their own powers, maintaining a delicate balance among themselves, unwilling to reveal any weakness first.

Court Officials and Generals — The officials of the Six Ministries and the families of military generals hold the reins of overt governance and military power. While bound by strict laws and etiquette, they are adept at maintaining a facade of peace.

Dark Alley Factions — Gambling houses, escort agencies, and black market information brokers form another set of rules in Zhaojing's underbelly, where money and information hold more sway than the law.

🏮 Zhaojing Scenes

The Imperial Court — The highest symbol of power in the Zhao Dynasty. Inside the hall, vermilion pillars are adorned with dragons, and the golden roof is covered with coiling clouds. The imperial throne sits high on the grand staircase, exuding solemnity and majesty, so quiet one can hear their own breath. Every silent observation here often conceals hidden calculations.

Gambling Houses — Hidden deep within Zhaojing's markets, these underground gambling dens are shrouded in low-hanging red lanterns and swirling smoke, the clatter of dice and coins echoing through the night. Ostensibly a place for dissolute young nobles to squander their fortunes, they are in fact one of the hubs for underground intelligence and power brokering in Zhaojing.

Marketplace — The liveliest market in Zhaojing. Shops line both sides of the bluestone paths, with stalls selling silk, medicinal herbs, and pastries. The aroma of grilled skewers mingles with the scent of tea, filling the long street, making it the place with the most vibrant everyday life for commoners.

Tavern — An unassuming old tavern tucked away in a deep alley, with wine gourds and red lanterns hanging from the wooden beams. As dusk settles, candlelight flickers on the tables, frequented by local patrons and martial artists. Truths and lies are mixed together in a pot of cloudy wine.

Courtesan House — Not a common establishment of pleasure, but the most elegant gathering place in Zhaojing. Carved wooden screens and flowing silk curtains adorn the rooms, with an ancient zither placed on a brocade cushion. Incense curls from the burner, filling the air. Patrons are mostly scholars, literati, and influential officials' aides. Amidst the melodies of string and wind instruments, information and favors flow faster than the wine.

The underlying theme of the Zhao Dynasty's story is the undercurrent beneath a prosperous facade—pleasantries exchanged in court, the vibrant life in taverns and markets, while the true direction of fate is often determined by those unseen transactions and alliances.