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Tributary system of Imperial Daxia: Difference between revisions
Tributary system of Imperial Daxia (view source)
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The benefits of joining the tributary system were manifold. Tributary states gained the right to trade with the empire (all relevant taxes and duties still applied), which was the largest market of eastern [[Audonia]] and had the biggest agglomerations of people, in addition to being the only nation with access to eastern goods. (''[[Levantia]] and [[Sarpedon]] are located east of Daxia, therefore Daxian sources call it the East''). The potential profits of engaging in commerce with [[Daxia]] could potentially dwarf the cost of giving the yearly tribute, so wily rulers made optimal use of trade missions and merchant networks to gain back their 'investment' and then some on top of that. As has been noted the Qian dynasty made significant adjustments to the system and began closing off avenues of profit by increasing taxation and duties on foreign goods making the tributary relationship more economically one sided. | The benefits of joining the tributary system were manifold. Tributary states gained the right to trade with the empire (all relevant taxes and duties still applied), which was the largest market of eastern [[Audonia]] and had the biggest agglomerations of people, in addition to being the only nation with access to eastern goods. (''[[Levantia]] and [[Sarpedon]] are located east of Daxia, therefore Daxian sources call it the East''). The potential profits of engaging in commerce with [[Daxia]] could potentially dwarf the cost of giving the yearly tribute, so wily rulers made optimal use of trade missions and merchant networks to gain back their 'investment' and then some on top of that. As has been noted the Qian dynasty made significant adjustments to the system and began closing off avenues of profit by increasing taxation and duties on foreign goods making the tributary relationship more economically one sided. | ||
The political recognition and support of the empire was also very useful in helping local rulers cement their positions and intimidate and discourage internal rivals from attempting a power grab. Often times a veiled threat of armed intervention was enough to maintain the status quo for a few more years. Especially loyal and valued vassal states whose rulers were granted titles by the imperial court could also expect monetary stipends to reinforce their loyalty, in rare cases the monies kept being dispensed in a hereditary manner, a very rare form of praise for a particularly loyal royal line. | The political recognition and support of the empire was also very useful in helping local rulers cement their positions and intimidate and discourage internal rivals from attempting a power grab. Often times a veiled threat of armed intervention was enough to maintain the status quo for a few more years. Especially loyal and valued vassal states whose rulers were granted titles by the imperial court could also expect monetary stipends to reinforce their loyalty, in rare cases the monies kept being dispensed in a hereditary manner, a very rare form of praise for a particularly loyal royal line. Being a vassal of [[Daxia]] was also seen as enhancing the prestige and pedigree of a dynasty and could be an extra leverage in interactions with other states outside the system. | ||
===Rituals=== | ===Rituals=== | ||
Maintaining the tributary system involved much feting and entertaining dignataries from all across the continent and the Daxians observed certain rituals and formal ceremonies at various stages of the process. As the receiving of tribute was considered a joyful and auspicious occasion, the caravans carrying the imperial tribute were accompanied by musical bands playing trumpets and drums, each local governor had a duty to organize and pay for these music bands and see that they remained while the caravans were in the province. The foreign delegates all had to wear clothing of the same color, and not one vassal state was assigned the same color. This was done for issues of identification and to warn people away from interfering with the caravans (or fraternizing). | Maintaining the tributary system involved much feting and entertaining dignataries from all across the continent and the Daxians observed certain rituals and formal ceremonies at various stages of the process. As the receiving of tribute was considered a joyful and auspicious occasion, the caravans carrying the imperial tribute were accompanied by musical bands playing trumpets and drums, each local governor had a duty to organize and pay for these music bands and see that they remained while the caravans were in the province. The foreign delegates all had to wear clothing of the same color, and not one vassal state was assigned the same color. This was done for issues of identification and to warn people away from interfering with the caravans (or fraternizing). | ||