Bronze Dawn/Atlas/Jiangnan

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Central Plains	Jiangnan	Quanrong	Nanyang	Hu	Return to Atlas

The vast reach of the Great River once marked the southern end of the Chinese world as it was under the Shang and the Western Zhou dynasties. Despite the best attempts by both the Western and Eastern courts of Zhou, the territories south of the Great River still remain stubbornly opposed than ever before.

Northerners may disdain the barely sinicised inhabitants of Jiangnan (the people of Chu are often derided as "monkeys wearing caps"), yet the vast riches of Jiangnan simply can't be ignored. Rare resources and bonus cards that can't be purchased in any other way can all be found here, thus any kinglet seeking to build an empire in the Central Plains must either defeat the great kingdom of Chu or work together with it.

Notes

Most of Jiangnan consists of mountainous terrain, with the exception of Linjiang, which is fairly flat enough to be developed. Gongwu, Huaiyi and Yuyue are fairly swampy and so attacking these areas won't be easy.

The vast stretch of the Great River can either help or hinder, depending on who you are. It is generally accepted that the southern nations — especially the more developed cultures of Yue and Chu — are powerful naval powers that can easily hold their own against the more "civilised" nations of the north. Any nation seeking a means to gainsay the powerful southern nations then must find a means of breaching the Great River, before they can then turn east or west to then roll the flanks of the great kingdoms here.

Political summary

Early on, the largest nations, Chu and Yue, are located here. In the early Grand Campaign, Chu and Yue are each 3 territories large, yet by the Septarchy campaign, Chu has effectively conquered all of Yue and also controls the northern territory of Cai. This can make Chu especially powerful, particularly if Chu has allies in the north.

Resource count

x 1

Ba

The broken lands of Ba are not a place where an army ought to march — it comprises mainly forbidding mountains and water, with trees few and far between. As excellent a land this is for harvesting indigo, it is a warrior country, and it is one that will not easily yield to any one who marches against them.

: Dyes

: Treachery

Shu

This small state, ensconced in the mountainous lands east of Quanrong, is located on the banks of the Great River. It is a land where sumac trees grow well, so whoever controls Shu will undoubtedly have a reliable supply of lacquerware. Shu's strategic location also puts it at the very hub of trade all across China, so whoever controls Shu will very much gain an economic edge.

: Sumac

: 10

Yuyue

Also known as "Old Yue", this was once the seat of power of the Yue, until Goujian moved it north to Gongwu after having annexed it from Fuchai of Wu. Like neighbouring Linjiang, precious metals can be found here, making the people of Yue the exceptional metalsmiths that they are in the south.

: Silver : 10

: Cultural Dominance

Huaiyi

Huaiyi is the Huai river basin, and forms a natural borders between the duchies of Lu and Qi to the north, and the Yue kingdom to the south. This place however like so many parts of Jiangnan, has only of late begun to be civilised, owing to the reforms implemented by the late kingdom of Wu which once had its capital of Gusu along the banks of the Great River.

: Silk

: Wealth Boom

Gongwu

The final stretch of the Great River before it meets the Eastern Ocean, Gongwu is the southern half of the late kingdom of Wu, and now forms the seat of the kingdom of Yue following Goujian's annexation of Wu a century ago.

: Tea

available.

Linjiang

Linjiang is smack in the middle of the Great River Basin. Whereas other parts of Jiangnan are covered with treacherous highlands, Linjiang is sufficiently flat as to allow some semblance of population growth. The capital of the Chu kingdom, Ying, is it self located here, and is the focal point of a nascent glassware industry which produces glass beads for the adornment of China's nobility.

: Glass

: 40

Changsha

This territory is fairly fertile, its hills heavily forested and haunted by rhinos. We will have no trouble with our Timber stockpiles if it is inducted into our kingdom.

: Rhinos : 30

: Timber Boom

Jiujiang

Jiujiang may be mountainous and thus not so valuable in the way of fertile land, yet should not be dismissed; valuable minerals of all sorts can be found in the hills here.

: 10	: Metal Boom