Xinji

Xinji (: 新集), officially the Republic of Xinji, is a state in the Confederate States of Northern Avalonia. Xinji is the 2nd largest state by area but the smallest by population with only 180,000 residents, with a majority situated along the Xin River. Its capital and largest settlement by population is the city of Liuzhao, which houses 50,000 residents.

Xinji was first inhabited by Native Avalonians for at least 2,800 years, with the Vukar, Yhili, Mawiilu and Ashhern tribes inhabiting the region. With the arrival of the colonial powers to the region, these tribes were enslaved by the raiding Shakan and virtually wiped out in colonial plantations. The area was then inhabited by a mix of Shakan and foreign settlers until the War of the Blue Wheel, which in conclusion pushed Shakan territory beyond the Waknan-Kwan Line; despite this, the far west remained partially settled by Shakan. In the conclusion of the War of the Blue Wheel, the colonial powers set up the Free Protectorate of Xinji which was jointly administered by the victorious powers, with the land being parcelled out and handed to settlers. The land distribution led to a large influx of migration from all over the region. In 1868, Liao would annex the territory; however, the Cykrian Revolution and its subsequent negotiations would allow for a high level of autonomy. In the 1935 plebiscites, more commonly known as Khang's Plebiscite, Xinji voted to join the Confederacy. Following integration, the Republic of Xinji was created.

Today, Xinji is unique in C.S.N.A for its unity of culture despite its many ethnic groups. The state holds a strong emphasis on ranch and settler culture permeating all its ethnic groups. Economically, it is dependant on agriculture especially cattle and mining.

History
The native tribes first moved into what is modern-day Schangau 2,800 years ago, settling along the shores of the Xin. This remained unchanged until the arrival of Artemian and Keshian colonies and the demand for slave labour on colonial plantations led the coastal tribes to invade and enslave the interior ones. the Shakan themselves then were pushed out of their coastal homes and migrated further inland.

War of the Blue Wheel
Tensions between the colonial powers and the Shakan began to rise as colonial settlers continued to push further west with periodic clashes occurring between settlers and native tribes. Although officially, the colonies considered these settlers' actions illegal as many had treaties with the Shakan, in reality, did nothing to stop them and in many cases secretly supported these settlers. In 1823, the tribes of the Shakan united into the Shakan Tribal Federation and launched a campaign to wipe out the settlers in their territory in a series of brutal raids. The colonies formed an alliance and declared war on the Shakan, culminating in the War of the Blue Wheel.

Xin River campaign
In 1825, the Colonial Army of the Blue Wheel Alliance began its campaign to destroy the Shakan by attacking into the Shakan heartlands along the Xin River. The campaign was characterized by its slow progress against the Shakan's fortified positions. The Shakan were eventually defeated in 1827 and signed the Waknan-Kwan Treaty which delineated the borders of the Shakan State and the newly created Free Protectorate of Xinji.

Free Protectorate of Xinji (1827-1868)
The Free Protectorate of Xinji was a jointly administered state of the 4 colonial powers in the region which served as a buffer zone between them. The Protectorate's government handed out land to settlers who arrived in the state, leading to a very mixed ethnic community.

By the 1860s, Xinji had developed its own culture distinct from its colonial forefathers, known as Xin Style. Xin Style was characterized by a commonality of dress focused around usability, with cowboy hats, coolie hats, Valysk headdresses and Bakanese sandals all being common on the average citizen. The state had its own armed militia and courts.

Annexation and Cykrian revolution
In 1868, the government of Xinji, then under heavy Bakanese influence, proclaimed that it would be incorporated directly into Bakanese Liao. The proclamation led to strong public backlash as many took to the streets in protest. Local militia units were deployed to defend the capital building in Liuzhao; however, a young militia Captain by the name of Volyn Ckyr instead joined his unit with the protestors to storm the capital. In the bloodless coup, Ckyr was proclaimed president of the newly formed Xinji Free Republic and issued an order for mobilization. Bakanese Liao sent an invasion force of 5,000 under the claim of restoring order, marching to Liuzhao. Liaotian forces began a blockade of the city while also under orders to limit civilian casualties. Unwilling to simply stand by, Ckyr launched a series of nighttime raids against the Liaotian army, of which he often led personally. A week after the blockade had begun, reinforcements from Xinji arrived on the scene. Despite being well over 10,000 in number, it was poorly equipped, and its commander, Major Fong Nguyen, refused to attack the dug-in Liaotian Army forces. A frustrated Cykr led an attempted night break out but was killed. Nguyen was then informed that a second Lioatian army was only 2 days away, and later sued for a conditional surrender that gave Xinji a high level of autonomy.

20th century
During the Grand Campaigns, Xinji was the site of a number of small battles between Liaotian and New Valentine forces. Xinji voted to join the C.S.N.A. following a strong campaign by local leaders about economic benefits. Through the latter part of the 20th century, Xinji remained relatively stable but was affected by events in its periphery within the C.S.N.A., such as the Kesh War Crisis, the Montonite Crisis, the Volomi Insurgency, and the Osk incident.

Current
TBD

Geography
Xinji exists in a large tropical savannah which starts off flat in the north, becoming more mountainous in the south. across it runs the Xin River.

Demographics
TBD

Economy
Xinji's economy is dependant on mining and agriculture, which are its main employers.

Culture
Xinji Has a unique culture that incorporates its many different ethnicities. Known as Xin Style, it has a unique style of dress and a strong fusion culture. It also has the largest following of the Liaotian syncretic religion, with about 40,000 members.