The Baozang Fleet

Political event

At the ascension of the Prosperous Avatar, in the blessed heavens’ year of 2973, a new era of enlightenment began. The Avatar had envisioned an end to the seclusion of the Kang from the rest of the world. No more should the glory of Kang be spread through the clamour of spears, thunder of hooves, and the music of death. Sometimes the blade need not leave the scabbard in order for concessions to be made, and sometimes a few exotic goods given in the right time may conquer a kingdom just as efficiently as an army. In the spirit of this philosophy the Prosperous Avatar ordered a policy of looking outwards, to show the world the glory of Kang and make sure they understood their inferiority so that none ever would resist again: no more costly wars.   A treasure fleet, unlike any seen before, began construction. In the blessed heavens’ year of 2995 it stood ready to set sail. 303 large treasure ships had been constructed measuring 300 feet long and with a beam of 65 feet. Each ship sported a mixed compliment of sailors and soldier 500 in total and was armed with 30 cannons. Accompanying these behemoths was a vast array of 1268 smaller ships of differing sizes sporting a combined crew of 80 000 souls.   Setting out from the coast of the heavenly land, the fleet sailed west along the coast of the northern lands, spreading treasures unheard of, whilst collecting tribute in return. In most places the fleet was met with peace and curiosity, with people lining the shores to catch a glimpse of this floating city. The exception was the clans of Morngard. Being a proud ocean-faring people, they sent out their longships against the fleet. Odds against them, they were outnumbered 25 to one they none the less went forth. So impressed was the admiral of the fleet that he ordered a flag of truce to be raised. After a long talk and exchange of gifts the fleet continued its journey.   On the way back east, after having spread the glory of the Heavenly Kang to the mortals, the fleet passed by the small island nation of Frankonia. Being a proud nation itself, the Frankonians were first reluctant to offer tribute. A stand-off ensued, the Frankonians expelling the admiral’s delegation and the fleet turning its cannons toward Ponvarus. Mere minutes before disaster, an enterprising young son of the Dandale family braved the tension and darkness of night to row out to the admiral’s ship. Catching the sentries off-guard, he snuck onboard with a bottle of wine and made his way to the admiral’s cabin. The young man entered and sat down at the desk in the room, poured two glasses of wine before rousing the admiral. Instead of calling for his guards the admiral accepted the invitation to share a glass. When the sun rose above the eastern skies an agreement had been struck. Frankonia would agree to send tribute with the fleet while the Kang would consent to the opening of a combined consulate and trading post in Riwenjing. Frankonian traders would be allowed to, at will, bring tribute and in return receive gifts of gratitude. The Kang would not have to lose face and admit to trading with a lesser nation whilst the Frankonians would receive a monopoly on trade with the heavenly Mandate in everything but name.   The fleet was welcomed home to Kang with cheers as the foreign goods were paraded through the ports. It did not take long for the Avatar to send out the fleet once more. This combined trade and show of force continued until the early death of the Prosperous Avatar in the blessed heavens’ year of 3057. His unexpected return to the heavens cast Kang into a period of chaos to name a successor and the fleet fell in disuse. The new Avatar officially discontinued the fleet, finding the cost of such a project unfeasible.