Bakfong

Beifang (: 北統, tr. Bakfong, [ˈbæk fɔŋ]; : Bắc Thống), officially known as the The Imperial State of Beifang (Bakanese: 大北統, tr. [bak7][fong1][daai6][dai3][gwok3]; Yuenese: Đại đế Bắc Quốc), is a    on Kesh bordering Alvakalia to the south, Guurdalai to the east, Tonkina to the northeast, Poja to the north, and Kodeshia to the southeast. Beifang is the 11th most populous country in the world, as well as one of the most densely populated and urbanized. Most of the country's terrain is arid, though most of its population of 116.5 million is concentrated in the mediterranean-coastal areas. Beifang is administratively divided into 18 provinces and traditionally divided into 7 regions. The Taywu-Xigong-Panyu Tripolitan Area is the densest and most populated metropolitan area in the world with over 55.3 millon inhabitants within the city limits. Taywu itself is the densest and most populated metro in the world. The day of Beifang's official founding is March 7th.

The areas around the Yi Sui Lake were inhabited as early as the Later Paleolithic period, though the first mentions of the region appear in Kodeshi chronicles from the 3rd century BC. Between the 2nd and 6th centuries AD, the kingdoms of Beifang became unified through a series of wars under an Emperor and feudal court based in Tsung-tangsi. Starting in the 8th century however, political control of the country shifted towards a rapidly rising scholar-bureaucrat class based on Ying Tsi principles. Despite a very long period of stable rule, the nation fell into a destructive civil war in the 18th century between Imperial favorists and scholar supporters. The civil war was heavily influenced by an influx of weapons technology from the West. In 1851, a Teutonic fleet forced Beifang to open various ports on the mainland to Artemian powers (which historically was limited to Raocuengh), which gradually extended to concessions of Bakanese lands to the Teutons and Tiplansk. In the Heiwu Era, the 100 Compromises Treaty was signed which limited the Emperor's powers to diplomacy and being a figurative head of state, whereas the former scholarly class would control civil and foreign affairs. The Fu Gwok Movement led to Beifang's adaptation of western political and military structures as well as industrialisation. Beifang entered the Grand Campaigns in 1915 as an ally of Modrovia and Mero-Curgovina, fighting against the Crown-aligned Selengeria and Communists in Artemia. After prolonged intervention in both the Kodeshi Civil War and the Great Kesh War, Beifang underwent nonviolent political and military reform. It has since maintained a bicameral parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a legislature, the House of Mandarins; and two assemblies: The Lower House of Proletariats and Upper House of Nobility.

Beifang is a regional power and a member of numerous international economic organisations. Although it has renounced its intentions to ever declare an offensive war, the country maintains a modern military. Following the Grand Campaigns, Beifang experienced record economic growth, becoming the 5th-largest economy in the world by 2018 and having the 12th highest GDP-PPP per capita. Beifang has made significant contributions to science and human development. Ranked "quite high" on the Human Development Index, Beifang has one of the world's highest life expectancies, though it is currently experiencing an aging population. Culturally, Beifang is renowned for its art, cuisine, music, and popular culture, including its prominent recreational activities such as sand-sledding, water sparring, and canoe dueling.

Etymology
"Beifang" is the name first recorded in the 3rd century BCE to refer to the confederation of lake tribes in the north. Beifang has two root words:
 * The word Bei, meaning "North".
 * The Kodeshian word fang, a Kodeshi completer term that also means "North", used when referring to a region.

Bakfong - meaning "favored realm" - was originally used by the various lake tribes to refer to the proto-kingdom of Minyue after the Gwok-Min War. Upon establishing relations with the Kodeshi empire, XXXn officials recorded the name of the nation as "Beifang" in their chronicles. Cultural exchanges continued over the next few centuries, with Kodeshi influences permeating the wealthy aristocratic elites of Bakanese society. Introduced by merchants from then-Chenzhou, chopsticks and Taoism, as well as the Kodeshi concept of a bureaucratic scholar-government, made its way into Bakanese culture and subsequently shaped the nation for centuries to come. The first period of significant cultural importation took place in the 9th century, with the adoption of Kodeshi characters as a writing system and various loanwords. The second period of cultural exchange happened during the 14th century, when commercial and political contact between Kodeshia and Beifang reached an all-time high. The concept of "civilized-against-barbarians" was introduced, forming the basis for Bakanese military expansion half a millenium later.

The modern usage of Beifang outside of Kesh stems from the historical misconception that Beifang was a de facto province/territory of the Kodeshi empire at the time of Artemian exploration. The term has remained in popular usage to this day.

In the Yue language, the country is called "Bắc Thống", a naturalisation of the Bakanese name.

Prehistory and Antiquity
According to archaeologists, areas around Yi Sui Lake had been inhabited by modern homo sapiens for about 19,000 years. The first known inhabitants were the Sau Yun, migrants from the Great Kesh mountains coming down in search of food after the last ice age had melted and water was plentiful across the area. Grain cultivation was believed to have begun practice around 2100 BCE, with fast-growing short grain rice from East Kesh crossbreeding with the native fragrant rice to form pearl rice.

The Bakanese Bronze Age flourished during the next millenium, resulting in the thriving Sau Yun culture dominating the northern coastal plains. Complex art styles such as the Kou Sung Star developed during this time. The Sau Yun culture also saw the rise of advanced sculpting techniques, resulting in the famous Lam Yi Bas Relief. Only one known polity existed in the form of a tribal confederation sometime between the 17th and 14th centuries BCE. Though writing had not yet been developed, records from the time period were recorded via T'siu T'siu knotting methods. It is believed that what would become Beifang's pantheon of gods began to take form sometime in this period. The reason for the collapse of the Sau Yun culture is unknown, although theories range from invasions by the migrating Wu peoples or a mass fish death in the 12th century BCE resulting in famine.

The first written records of the Wu tribes dates from the 10th century BCE, apparently detailing a barter trade with rice. The Wu peoples, as recorded by the Kodeshis, were the latter group to migrate from the Kesh Mountains, displacing the declining Sau Yun civilization and establishing small agricultural communities for much of their beginnings. Extensive rice cultivation was practiced around Yi Sui Lake, gradually extending up to modern-day Quang Chau. An Iron Age culture sprung up sometime in the 9th century BCE, resulting in a minor population boom around the lake. The earliest native Bakanese script, Gao Krit, was developed sometime around 900 BCE. Unique to northern Beifang, historians consider it to be the forerunner of later Yuenese scripts. Another native script known as Manh Tok was developed sometime around 750 BCE, though its speakers are unknown. The writings contain borrowed characters from Gao Krit, furthering the debate on the extent of Gao Krit's usage. Initial invasions of the Gwokyang peoples in the 6th century BCE caused a rapid shift in culture from a sparse agricultural society to an urban, warlike society. City-states and independent agricultural polities sprung up around the lake and coastal regions. Contact with the Rao peoples of Raocuengh was also established at this time. The western coasts were dominated by the commercially powerful Ou and Yang city-states constantly warring with each other over control of the Sea of Raocuengh, while the militarily powerful kingdoms of Min and Yueggang dominated the northern shores. The Luo Principalities were a group of petty princedoms characterized by infighting, invasions from the East, and lack of unified rule. By the 4th century BCE, the Wu states were collectively known in early Kodeshian as "Ba Liang", having been contacted through sea trade. For the next millenia, Kodeshi merchants, refugees, and political exiles would flock to Beifang during periods of stress in Kodeshia, shaping the culture and heavily influencing local Bakanese.

Some time around 250 BCE, the ancient city of Tsung-tangsi was legendarily founded by Kogung, the Mountain Godking. The city was actually founded by goat herders. However, this town would soon grow into the most important religious and cultural center in the entire country, with centuries of warfare fought to secure its influence. High King Mann Yukip of Min conquered the region in 237 CE, controlling the religious body of Beifang and entering in a dynastic union with the kingdom of Tayyue (tr. Western Yue). The eastern half of Yuefang was under occupation by the invading Gwokyang nomads, and several wars were fought to reclaim lost lands until the rise of the various Tonkinese kingdoms.

Modernisation and Fu Gwok Movement (1852-1915)
Despite economic reforms passed in the early 18th century to adapt to rising Artemian dominance, Beifang gradually fell behind due to conservative attitudes towards modernisation by the emperor. Legislative vetoes of imperial decrees had already reduced the power of the throne, but with the arrival of Teuton colony ships to Kesh, many in the Siwu and Si-ga houses saw the looming threat of Artemian colonisation. A skirmish with a Teutonian warship saw the loss of 4 Gwan Fat - class warships.



The Northern Skirmishes (1907-1908)
Historically, contact between Beifang and Kodeshia happened via the

The Grand Campaigns (1915-1926)

 * See more: The Grand Campaigns

Beifang participated in the Grand Campaigns on the side of Teutonia and Kodeshia via its historical alliance with Teutonia. Entering the war in 1919, the Siwa legislature issued a formal declaration of war on Tiperyn and its allies while supporting Kodeshia in its land reclamations against Artemian imperialism. Upon the entry of the Caliphate and Guurdalai into the war, Beifang launched a massive invasion of west Guurdalai and sent expeditionary forces to Alvakalia to combat the Caliphate. Additional troops were also deployed to Mero-Curgovina to fight Monarchist and Republican forces in Artemia. The initial stages of Bakanese entry were lackluster, as fighting on the Kesh front ended in brutal stalemates. Guurdalaian troops had effectively locked down defensive borders utilising trench warfare tactics and machine guns of Tiperyn origin. The Kesh front did see the first extensive use of Beifang's air force and would mark the expansion of an official air corps, though production numbers were limited. The gradual defeat of Guurdalai led to peace treatises and concessions to Kodeshia and Beifang, the latter both of whom supported Alvakalian independence against a crumbling Teutonic Empire.

Yindong Crises (1963-1976)
The destruction left in the wake of the Great Kesh War ravaged the regional economy. Refugees, war reparations, and reconstruction created a rift between the mostly intact Bakanese economy and the neighboring countries. While Alvakalia, Kodeshia, and Guurdalai rebuilt their respective nations, Beifang experienced positive economic growth for 5 years, upheld mostly by domestic commerce and banking. In 1963, the economy suffered badly after sanctions from Artemia and Avalonia wreaked havoc on Bakanese exports. Faced with overproduction and a potential market upset, the Yindong was automatically devalued by 0.083% in a span of 3 months. tbc

Demography
Beifang had an estimated population of 116,560,000 as of 25 June 2018.

Language


95% of Beifang's population can speak Standard Bakanese or Min Bakanese, as it is considered the lingua franca, while 52% of the population either speaks a dialect of Bakanese or knows a second regional language. Historians believe that the 8 tribes of Wu had their own languages with unique dialects of ancient Bakanese. Studies of old records have proven for example, that Yang Bakanese was mutually unintelligible with Yelang Bakanese. After the Unification Wars, it is believed that the Min dialect became more prominent around the Wu area and the old proto-languages either adopted Min words or merged with Min. During the time of the Kodeshian domination, Bakanese was exposed to the Kodeshian language and consequently absorbed many loanwords; up to an estimated 15% of Standard Bakanese is intelligible with Kodeshian with an additional 45% of the vocabulary consisting of loanwords. Regional dialects are still highly reminiscent of the original languages once spoken by the other tribes. The Bakanese script is a modified form of Kodeshian calligraphy, though characters are not mutually understandable between the two.



On the other hand, Yue is often classified as its own language group due to its geographic isolation away from the other tribes as well as its linguistic preservation since the days of the Minyue. Yuenese and Bakanese share many common words with each other; the former often containing many naturalised words and phrases from Bakanese and Kodeshian. Yuenese also has considerable foreign influence such as shared vocabulary with Tonkina and Anglic merchants from the 17th century. An estimated 41% of Bakanese people can speak Yuenese despite ethnic Yue making up only 27% of the population. Contrastly to Bakanese, Yuenese utilises both a Latin alphabet and Kodeshian-derived characters interchangeably for reasons of commerce.

Beifang also contains fusion languages, resulting from the Artemian colonial era. The special port of Tsih-Pa Ra was a former Mero-Curgovinian trade outpost that grew into a bustling economic hub in the late 19th century. The majority of the population there speak Meronese, a unique dialect of Bakanese with over 35% of its vocabulary consisting of loanwords from Mero-Curgovinian. The Legantine languages of Allemanic and French are considered the lingua franca for all trade with LOFN nations. Likewise, Goidelic is the Bakanese lingua franca for trade relations with NSC-aligned countries.

Government
Beifang is ruled by an   lasting over 1700 years, making it one of the oldest modern nations on Anterra. The Upper Legislature, the Siwu House of Nobility, is comprised of noble lords that descend from the feudal lords of medieval Beifang. The Lower Si-Ga House of Proletariats represents the interests of the common people and is a democratic element heavily influenced by Artemian Enlightenment ideas. The Emerald Throne is the seat of power for the emperor, who has limited but considerable powers over the legislature.

Monarch

 * See: List of Bakanese Dynasties and Monarchs

Provinces and Territories
The Wu Megapolis Area is the most populous province in Beifang and is the cultural, political, and economic center of the country. Originally 4 separate prefectures, the province was formed in 1981 with the Zan Hing Hing economic reforms. By combining the 4 prefectures, companies and economic factors were now centered around one of the densest areas in the country. With a staggering population of 55.7 million people living in a greater metropolitan region about 7,253 km2 (4507 sq mi) large, the province has one of the largest concentrations of people in the world with about 7624 per/km2. The area has a well-established reputation as a world-class city while dominating geo-economics in East Kesh with a rich history dating back nearly two millennia. Taywu itself comprises a mere 573 km2 (221.23 sq mi), yet hosts a massive 27.2 million people within its district lines. The city-wide Capital district is home to the densest population of 47469 per/km2.

Culture
Bakanese culture is a result of the country's position along maritime trade routes in the Eurybian Sea. Early in its history, the Sau Yun Bronze Age culture dominated the region until the arrival of the Wu people. Agriculture played a key role in the development of regional politics, as the fertile northwestern coastline serves as a major food source. Traditional Bakanese cultural elements include arts, dances, performative operas, games, combat sports, and other aspects such as silver smithing, imposing architecture, and water puppetry. In contemporary times, Bakanese culture contains influences from Artemia and western Kesh.

Sports
Traditional Bakanese sports are centered around combative competitions. The ancient traditions of disciplined warfare and constant training of military-age males transitioned into martial arts such as Dauyun, Trung Tei-Ong, and Sapa Ka. Water sparring is the most popular sport in the country, as it allows practitioners of all martial arts to face off against one another in a shallow river-bed serving as an arena. Other popular sports differ depending on regions. Sand sledding is a common recreational activity in the southern deserts, while canoe jousting is popular along the Yi Sui Lake.

Contemporary sports such as soccer

Cuisine
Beifang's culinary history can be traced back to the earliest inhabitants around Yi Sui Lake. The Sau Yun peoples cultivated grains such as kao yok (lit. "jade rice") and "kwun ga" rice, which were grown around the areas of modern-day Quang Chau. By the time of Wu migration from the Great Kesh mountains however, kao tum (lit. "perfume rice") had become the dominant grain in the Wan Kow valley, having been introduced by Kodeshi merchants. Favored for its quick ripening and requiring little water as well as its iconic sweet fragrance, perfume rice became the staple crop of Beifang well into modern times.

Bakanese cuisine typically centers around the use of strong flavors paired with complex textures. Food in Beifang also differs depending on region. In the far northern regions, fresh seafood and light meals are preferred (e.g., maihou). Meats such as pork are also popular in the region, with dishes such as heuphaigang (steamed pork roll) and souphaigang (steamed fish roll) appearing on most, if-not all dinner tables. Soumam (fish sauce) is widely used in cooking as well as condiments.

The subtropical climate of Beifang's central regions and the abundance of arable land makes these regions famous for their spicy and fresh ingredients. These provinces are well-known for serving sophisticated meals in small portions, combining intricate flavors and complex techniques. Chili peppers, garlic, and fresh herbs are frequently used in cooking. Examples of popular dishes include gauloukong (mussel rice), gombanghou (glass dumplings), and ohkphaigang (steamed snail sausage). Liberal use of garnishes such as scallions and cilantro are typical of this region, as well as sugar and vegetable oils.

In the arid provinces of the south, Bakanese cuisine has been historically influenced by the many desert-dwelling tribes in the Sik Wa, which stretches well into modern-day Alva. Fresh produce is difficult to procure in these lands, which in turn makes southern Bakanese cuisine very hearty with powerful flavors. Meats such as saibu ostrich, Sik Wa ram, and zebu cattle are staples in the region. In addition, crops such as tieu sok (lit. "sandy sorghum") and tieu gim (lit. "blood oats") are some of only a few varieties able to grow in such dry conditions, with herbs and garnishes being ill-afforded luxuries. As a result, pickling and drying are some of the most common food preservation methods. Dishes such as boukhou (spicy beef jerky), gaiphuo (camel noodles), and tieuphaigai (steamed oat noodles) are among the most popular foods in the south.

Military

 * See more: Bakanese Navy

The Imperial Armed Forces is the military of the Imperial State of Beifang. With a long history of organized warfare, its modern iteration was formed in 1856 with the formal restructuring of military services and doctrine. With the help of Mero-Curgovinian and Teutonian advisors, Beifang had transformed its feudalistic levy armies into disciplined, modern power.

Economy
One of the largest economies on Kesh and in the world, Beifang has stood as a bastion of pro-entrepreneurial policies and a business-friendly market. For most of its history, the country relied heavily on the fertile lands and natural harbours around the lake, with economic activity mainly centered around the cities of Quang Chau and Taywu. It wasn't until the establishment of the Mero-Curgovinian trade outpost of Tsih-Pa Ra (Scipara in Mero-Curgovinian) that the nation began to undergo gradual economic reforms in order to adapt to the rising globalised trade system and the growing power of the Artemian nations. In the latter half of the 18th century, Beifang fought a brief naval skirmish against the early Teutonian fleets that colonised the nearby lands of later Alvakalia. Upon seeing the strength and importance of a modern navy, the Siwu Council of Nobility forced the conservative Emperor Yue Kong (Yu. Viet Cuong) to sign the 100 Compromises Treaty, which limited the authority of the Emperor and placed matters of the economy and legislature into the hands of the Siwu and Si-Ga legislative houses. The opportunistic noblemen opened the country to Artemian influences and immediately witnessed an influx of new technologies and ideas brought in by western traders. The Fu Gwok Koeng Gwan ("Nước Giàu Quân đội Mạnh") or Fu Gwok ("Phú Quốc") Movement in 1852 saw the rise of a new class of entrepreneurs, industrialists, and the implementation of laissez-faire government economic policies whilst a growing middle class developed a large, favourable market for foreign companies to invest in the country throughout the 19th century. Young students were often sent abroad primarily to Teutonia and Mero-Curgovina to study western economic theories and law. In modern times, the shipping sector accounts for 7% percent of the GDP while the manufacturing sector accounts for 29%. Private enterprise makes up an astonishing 82% of the country's economic output with the public sector holding only 9%. The economy is dominated by service industries, although shipbuilding, shipping, transportation, and biotech make up large shares. The Taywu Stock Exchange is one of the largest on Kesh, listing 2,142 companies as of 2018 worth a combined total of $4.1 trillion. As such, Beifang can be considered one of the maturest and most westernised economies in Kesh.

Economic system
The Commission of Trade and Commerce has strict guidelines and standards that pervades all levels of economic activity in the country. Beifang implements a unique variation of the system known as, in which the means of production are owned privately, but the state has considerable control over the allocation of credit and investment as well as intervening in the economy to protect and advance the interests of businesses. The central government invests heavily in its private sector with often lavish to a level dubbed "" by many business-goers. Ironically despite Beifang's for big corporations, many upstart small businesses find success in the country due to the  managed by the government and a large pool of skilled human capital to grow a small company. Problems do exist though, as Beifang struggles with rapidly rising crony capitalism and hereditary wealth rather than allowing growth through risk.

Foreign investment is also a key factor in Beifang's development sector, as it drives private land owners outside of the Wu megacity area to usher in, where barren land is reclaimed as fertile and habitable soil. Since 2000, approximately 82,000 km2 has been reclaimed from the desert sands and developed as either human dwellings or agricultural and manufacturing plots. However, economic consequences have resulted in the migration of businesses out of the condensed and urban coastal regions in favor of abundant, inexpensive land farther inland. Nonetheless, the coastal provinces account for more than 70% of Beifang's GDP.

Economic Relations
Beifang maintains a strong economic presence in neighboring countries as a primary source of foreign direct investment. In 2018 alone, Beifang accounted for a lion's share of FDI into Kodeshia, amounting for more than $11 billion dollars worth of investments into the latter. Refined oil forms a large part of Bakanese exports and is the basis for nearly all economic relations with Alvakalia, the largest oil import partner.