Fengjiang

Fengjiang (Phoenician: 鳳降, : Fèngjiàng, : Otorikou), referred to in diplomacy as the Great and Sublime Imperial Realms of the Eternal Sanctuary where the Splendid Phoenix Bestowed Light (大崇熙鳳降明永殿帝國, Dàchóng Xīfèng Jiàngmíng Yǒngdiàn Dìguó, Dai takahaszi-hiroszi otori koumei eidono teikoku), is a country in south Serica. Clockwise from its metropole, Fengjiang borders Arsytia in the north along the Serican Demilitarized Zone; and possesses a maritime border with Buhan in the southwest. It is the world's most populous country with a population exceeding 1.7 billion people. The national capital of Fengjiang is Fengtianmen, where the Sanctuary of the Most Eternal - pre-eminent seat of all Infernalism resides. Its most populous city and financial center is Yutseng, with the cities of Szuto, Liugam, and Kaijing ranking close after.

Fengjiang is one of the oldest in the world at nearly 3,000 years old, the Fengquan River (鳳泉河) valleys from which it originates considered one of the. In its earliest form, Fengjiang first emerged as the Phoenician Matriarchy after its mythical founder and first Scion of the Phoenix, Yanshizu, united the disparate city states of the inner river valleys through war and diplomacy around the 1000s BCE. As technology advanced and agriculture became widespread, political power became centered on the vassal landholding princes instead of the ruling Scion who they all nominally served - beginning the Princely Era (900-363 BCE). These princedoms would eventually be unified under the Yi dynasty after a unification war beginning in 363 BCE, who declared themselves the regents of the Scion and ruled in their place, even while the Scion's authority was only nominal. This formative regency era would last for nearly a millennium (349 BCE - 900s CE), seeing Fengjiang's immense cultural and economic development just as it finally became centralized under a singular authority.

Historians recognize the Regency to have transformed into the Empire of Fengjiang after it expanded out of the confines of the Fengquan valleys and mounted a war of assimilation against the neighboring Kingdom of Yu in 902, a trend which would continue for the better part of four centuries as a series of regents supported expansionist drives that saw Fengjiang become the foremost political, military, and economic power in the region. While looked upon fondly as a by the Fengese due to contemporary world-leading advances in technology - notably the invention of, , , and  - foreign historians have noted the Empire to have been highly  to non-Infernalists and even repressive at times to Fengese citizens, seeing the development of a  to bolster economic output. By the later centuries of imperial rule, the Fengese economy had grown increasingly reliant on slavery, fueling corruption and multiple poorly planned wars which eventually led to significant unrest and revolts across large parts of the population. This would lead to a gradual erosion of central imperial power, prompting several independence movements and self-proclaimed inheritors to the regential throne which culminated in the Great Fragmentation (1303-1810) - a five-centuries long which amounted to over 100 million casualties. This period of war would be vastly influential to Phoenician culture even until the modern day, additionally incentivizing massive technological and industrial advancements which only contributed further to the war's devastation. This civil war would only end in 1810, after the five major remaining belligerents came together in the Scion's capital of Fengtianmen and were nominally vassalized as her Five Great Houses in the First Fengtianmen Congress, ending the war.

Nominally under the absolutist rule of the Sanctuary of the Most Eternal and its theocrat, the Scion of the Divine Phoenix Ascendant, since the events of the Sixteenth Fengtianmen Congress, Fengjiang has seen an extreme corporatization and privatization of all levels of government and society, promulgated by combines (national champions) backed by their respective Great Houses. Incited by the political upheaval resulting from participation in the Great Serrataran War in the 1940s, a political conspiracy by a group of influential combines known as the Fengjiang Ten would eventually dissolve the vassalized constituent statelets of Fengjiang, centralizing them under the direct authority of the Most Eternal and establishing themselves as its pre-eminent agents in the temporal sphere. While incredibly in economic terms, clerical-combine rule in Fengjiang is widely considered to be highly, seeing the widespread and systemic erosion of  as the ruling conglomerates exercise a holistic control over the public and private lives of those in Fengese society.

Fengjiang, with its great economic, technological, and military capability, is one of the two superpowers of Tellurus - leading the GOCE alliance against the TTO in the ongoing Cold War. It ranks as the largest economy in the world in both nominal GDP and purchasing power parity. The private militaries of each of its ruling conglomerates rival those of regional powers, and when combined under the Vermilion Banner Armies, is the largest and among the strongest globally. It is a founding member of the Atomic Ban Convention (ABC), and possesses a significant arsenal of atomic weapons under the control of its ruling conglomerates. A global leader in, , and industries, the country is one of the foremost pioneers of technology in the world, notably having established a permanent presence on the two moons of Tellurus and achieved human landings on the planets of Adrestia, Thrax, and Aerehtyc. The culture of Fengjiang - shaped substantially by its state religion of Infernalism - is well known around the world, its cultural influence is felt deeply in, , , , and.

Etymology
WIP

Prehistory, before 1000s BCE
The species  arrived in Serica sometime between 1.3 and 1.8  (Ma) and numerous remains of this subspecies have been discovered within the modern boundaries of continental Fengjiang. The earliest fossilized human remains on the continent were found in the Longshan Mountains (within modern Fengjiang), being the Longshan Men (龍山人) - representing 30 fossilized individuals belonging to the human subspecies . Fossils of animals found alongside similar dated hominid fossils include short-necked s, and s from Rhodin as well as  and s from northern Hatar. Simple stone tools such as the, , and  have been discovered amongst these remains, alongside evidence for the use of fire and cooking. It is believed that  arrived in Serica around 200,000 and 100,000 years ago from Rhodin, in accordance with the for the origins of  throughout Tellurus. The dominant theory posits that the Serican migration occurred as prehistoric humans in Avarda travelled into southern Serica, then spread northwards to populate the rest of the continent. The earliest modern human remains are dated to around 70,000 years ago in the Ksach Peninsula tucked away in the arid Honoe River basin, in what is now South Fengjiang. These are the Honoe mummies, believed to be the oldest artificially humans in the world. These mummies were elaborately prepared by an, who would remove all skin and organs from the body, to be replaced with clay and vegetable stuffing. The mummy is then baked in a, hardening the clay and allowing it to survive like similarly prepared earthenware until their discovery in the modern day. Fengese scholars describe the Honoe mummies to be the earliest evidence for the appearance of in Serican culture, a practice theorized to have been widespread across prehistoric Serica.

Proto-Serican culture
culture in Serica is believed to have started around 10,000 BCE, promulgated by the adoption of agriculture and sedentary lifestyles by prehistoric human communities in the region. Neolithic communities of the time subsisted off and, archaeological evidence suggesting an intensive practice of  as forested land was cleared using fire then settled temporarily, until the fertility of the local land was depleted and communities migrated elsewhere to allow the land to recover - the foundation of a semi-nomadic agricultural community. A primitive form of was practiced alongside these agricultural practices, as domesticated animals such as, , and  were raised for meat and produce, these animals moving alongside human communities as the latter migrated and settled around Serica. The remains of Neolithic villages have been discovered throughout modern Fengjiang, distinct in their use of and  for the construction of housing.

A cohesive Proto-Serican culture is believed to have formed around 2,000 BCE, the beginning of what is scholarly recognized to be the in Serica.

Government and politics
Fengjiang is an absolutist magocracy with Infernalism as its state religion, possessing corporatocratic elements by the oriental conception. The Scion of the Divine Phoenix Ascendant is the universal over Fengjiang, the Pyrosphere, and notionally the entire world, sourcing legitimacy from the Infernalist assertion of her inherent nature as the successive reincarnations of Yanshizu, the messianic prophet of the faith. The position is hereditary, passed down via a system of wherein the position is inherited by legitimate daughters (born from the Fengese Imperial Harem) with no possibility for male heirs. Notably, the eldest daughter is not always chosen, as it is asserted that any daughter (and indeed, theoretically any woman in the prophetic lineage) may be a reincarnation. The Vermilion Chamber, comprising the heads of the clerical apparatus in Fengjiang, is responsible for conducting the rites for determining the next Scion. The position of the Scion has varied in authority throughout history: while her legally and canonically unlimited authority is unassailable on a formal basis, she is nonetheless bound by the traditions and precedence set by previous Scions, alongside the political intrigue involving her selection and continued reign. Today, the Scion serves a largely ceremonial role on the surface, broadly adopting a policy of non-interventionism in regard to public politics for greater preference over her clerical duties in guiding the transcension of humanity through universal erudition - her involvement in Fengese politics and decision-making behind the veil is widely acknowledged, but obscured owing to the customary secrecy of higher politics in Fengjiang. Since her coronation in 1995, Wurongdefa is the incumbent Scion of the Divine Phoenix Ascendant.

Owing to fundamental divergences between oriental and Fengese occidental politics, there exists no formal Fengese, the closest comparable piece of foundational legal documentation unifying the country being the primary scripture of the state religion of Infernalism and derived religious law. The rulings of the decennial Fengtianmen Congresses, wherein the chief religious and political authorities in the country assemble and deliberate over the future policy objectives of the nation, serve as the primary legislative authority applicable across the whole nation. The Edicts of the Scion and adjutant clergy in the Vermilion Chamber - formally the direct commands of those offices - are symbolically used to encapsulate the decisions made during Congresses, but may also be used more seldomly in the general executive decision-making of their offices. The most important Edicts throughout history are compiled into the Auguries, an Infernalist textual canon which serves as the legal and canonical for legislation in Fengjiang.

Eternal Phare
Contrary to oriental standard, Fengjiang does not recognize any separation between religion and state, in adherence to the official Infernalist line that all politics revolves around the transmission of useful knowledge, and thusly accords to the clergy an inherent right to rule through their position as the pre-eminent guardians and bestowers of erudition.

Within the theocratic hierarchy of Fengjiang, the Eternal Phare - the paramount Phare across the country and faith - is its highest revolving office. It is comprised of a variable number of Magi from all Sanctuaries in the Pyrosphere, alongside Erudites of various specializations and achievements - all of whom hold the senior rank of Savant and are Sages presiding over notable gees. While technically serving in its canonical capacities as the principal executive and legislative body over Infernalist jurisprudence and thus the law of Fengjiang with an authority only second to the Scion's, the Eternal Phare rarely exercises this formal authority, a phenomenon attributed by commentators to internal factionalism (contrary to Infernalist assertions of ecumenical unity) and thus a mutual interest to maintain the status quo in Infernalist doctrine. In modern times, membership in the Eternal Phare is typically a title of prestige granted ex officio - membership is more a testament to one's influence in the Infernalist theosphere than an advantageous station to be pursued for that influence. Outside cases of ex officio or direct appointments by the Scion, the Eternal Phare is formally self-appointing through a simple majority, though it is generally accepted that there are several obscured prerequisites for selection or even candidacy - following the Infernalist principles of Yinli.

The primary sway of the Eternal Phare comes from its proximity to the center of power in Infernalism - the Scion and the Sanctuary of the Most Eternal she chiefs. Those with membership are allowed the honor of directly presenting policy proposals and advisory opinions to be deliberated by the Scion, circumventing bureaucratic oversight which may otherwise hinder or outright block such overtures - Sakaguczi Jomogihara's presentation of the Formulation on the Fundamental Strata of the Cosmos in 1911 is the textbook example of this phenomenon. In addition, that membership in the Eternal Phare is granted ex officio for those chairing the various Orders of the Eternal Sanctuary (comparable to oriental except applicable to the entire Pyrosphere) means that there always exists a cadre of Erudites who hold significant political influence in the Eternal Phare. The most influential of these Erudites form the semi-formalized Vermilion Chamber, named after the office adjacent to the Scion's throne room where its select members generally assemble.

The Archmagus is the provost of the Eternal Phare, serving as primus inter pares among its members in theory and charged with clarifying the accumulated Erudition of Infernalism to the Scion in a nominally advisory capacity. While the full membership of the Eternal Phare is not often convoked due to its international nature and the relatively unremarkable formal functions of the office, convocations usually occur for the purpose of electing a new Archmagus from their ranks, when the predecessor either dies or abdicates. With the status quo of nominal non-interventionism in Fengese politics by the Scion, her tremendous political sway has been partly delegated to the Archmagus, such that the Archmagus functionally serves as Fengjiang's theocrat in formal affairs.

Combinial Forum
The Combinial Forum is a deliberative body and forum of discussion comprising 462 Combines (as of 2022) from around the GOCE, but predominantly of Fengese affiliation. All member combines are deputized by the authority of the Scion or indirectly through the higher clergy (and historically, Fengjiang's multifarious non-clerical rulers) to manage portions of the theoretically unbounded territory under her universal jurisdiction - in a manner comparable to oriental where a lord enfeoffs a vassal with land in exchange for their service. In this context, the service being provided by the combines is productivity and security, managing the land and the material and human resources within it to the temporal benefit of Infernalism, such that the other apparatuses under the Infernalist banner have ample support to more directly pursue the objectives of Infernalism. Simply put: whereas the clergy manage the spiritual health of society, the combines supply their efforts by managing the resources of society.

Superficially, combines resemble private combines of the oriental conception. However: as Infernalism, and thus Fengjiang, sets no distinction between the public and private spheres of life, combines are inextricably bound to the magocratic hierarchy of Fengjiang. The profits they generate through their enterprising must ultimately (at least, theoretically) be used to fuel the greater interests of the faith, a fact enforced as their duty as a gear in the wider engine of Infernalism. While this may mean that combines are comparatively less free than their oriental combinial counterparts, their position as agents of clerical authority means that they wield broad prerogatives and privileges in their duties of "resource management", exercising tremendous control over the populations under their employment or ownership. A combine can, and is even expected to exert a holistic level of control over the social and economic lives of clerical subjects under their management, to maximize their productivity and contribution to Infernalist society - a combine provides all that one may ever need and extracts all that one may ever provide, "from cradle to grave".

The Speaker of the Combinial Forum chairs the Forum. Since 2020, Tsau Qin-hwa of the PKT Group has held the office.

Local government
Formally, day-to-day administration of the Scion's realm is managed by the clerical institution, the responsibilities of administration delegated on a regional basis to each of the five Sanctuaries of Infernalism. Gees serve as both hubs of local decision-making and instruments for carrying out broader national policies. Gees are ranked in the clerical hierarchy by the scale of the population and territory they are responsible for: minor neighborhood gees may administer villages of hundreds (and sometimes even less) and have limited actual government functions, while the largest gees at provincial levels are responsible over millions and practically serve as their governments through Phares and subordinate Magistracy Boards - the heads of which are often members of the Eternal Phare. All eventually answer to Sanctuarial gees, who in turn answer to the Scion. Sages, in their capacities as the head of a gee, act as civil servants, aided and advised by an extensive bureaucracy comprising Erudites and Initiates of varying specializations.

As much of the higher echelons of combines are also comprised by the clergy (see ), the interests of combines are theoretically represented through their Erudites' participation in Magistracy Boards. As legal entities themselves, the majority of combines are subordinate to local gees and constituted to manage those gees' territories, but there are a number of major combines who are subordinated directly to Sanctuaries, technically making them equal in authority to lower gees. Many so-called "Great Combines" are constituted through prophetic fiat through centuries-old covenants with past Scions, granting them a degree of independence from local governments. The greatest of these combines (the Fengjiang Four particularly) practically act as parallel administrations, bestowed numerous legal protections and only obliged to carry out the policy objectives of the clerical administration, though even on this they are allowed a remarkable level of freedom to interpret on their own terms. Indeed, the authority of Sanctuaries is in many cases correlated with the authority of the combines under their nominal jurisdiction, promoting mutual cooperation instead of conflict.

Politics
Politics in Fengjiang is defined by the theory of Infernalist politics, being the management of the protection, development, and bestowance of Erudition as well as the apparatus which supports those efforts - two spheres of responsibility which are ostensibly under the charge of gees and combines respectively. While both gee and combine bureaucracies run parallel with one another in writing, the clergy's monopoly on Fengese education and the bestowance of erudition has granted them an unmatched domination over the intelligentsia of the nation. Clerical Initiation is a mark of academic passage and is a prerequisite for most educated career trajectories, even for those in combines. Due to this, the clergy heads both the gees and combines of Fengjiang. With this in mind, Fengese internal politics manifests through the interactions between factions and denominations within the clergy, in modern times informed by a dualistic split between the Vitalists and Materialists: respectively an ideology championing spiritual and sociological study, and one exalting empirical science and clinical technocracy. Since the ascendancy of the latter in the early 20th century, the combines have been bastions of Materialist clergy, whereas the administration of gees are traditionally under the dispensation of Vitalists. As is common for countries adherent to Infernalism, the public understanding of Fengjiang's inner political workings is vague, the direction of government determined through secretive intrigue between the two factions and the protean cliques which constitute them.



All members of Infernalist clergy, no matter their position or affiliation, are expected to contribute to the formulation and deliberation of government policy, given that Fengese politics is informed by Infernalist theological ideals. This traditionally manifests through the presentation of dissertations and commentaries, typically comprising one or more writers' opinions on specific policies or broader national strategies when weighed up against the doctrinal concerns of Infernalism. Through this clerical framework, criticisms and consequent debates on policy are relatively common occurrences, inadvertently creating a quasi- that provides the intellectual and accomplished population with an active say in politics, albeit with an Infernalist bent. Hermeneutic Boards, composed of clergy of similar viewpoints and interpretations (particularly on doctrine), serve as political s.

In stark contrast however, the wider populace is politically inactive (and apathetic in many cases), as Infernalism marginalizes the opinions of the ignorant in its worldview: conventionally those who are not part of the erudite clergy. Populist opposition movements (demagogy in Infernalist reckoning) are cracked down upon with extreme prejudice. Even for clergy, there exists a between acceptable or taboo topics of discussion. For both, any coordinated activities that can be construed as unduly interference or recalcitrance is persecuted outright. The Prophetic Order for True Thought is responsible for censuring unsanctioned political organizations. Periodically, radical essays are "questioned" by the Order and are quickly retracted, though outright condemnations have been relatively rare in recent times - this is more a product of effective crackdowns on such views before they become notable than some unanimous harmony in society (as would be asserted by Fengese media).

There exists no institutional avenue for in Fengjiang outside the faith. The lay citizenry is expected to express their concerns to their jurisdictional clergy, who then address those concerns through their flexible participation in the government process. Attempting to bypass this system through is abnormal, and indeed, is persecuted as demagogy on the rare occasions they do occur. Cults venerating prominent Infernalists are the primary manifestation of mass movements, as members extol the achievements and more importantly, the (believed) political beliefs of revered figures - that cultists gush more over the popular perception of a figure's beliefs than that figure's actual convictions are a subject of popular humor. Outside of state-approved cults for Scions, Apostles, and some major Heralds, official approval of such cults of personality are highly variable: most are merely tolerated, but crackdowns over charges of idolatry or heresy are not uncommon for any who stray too far from the leash.

Law
As is standard for all countries adherent to Infernalism, Fengjiang does not recognize any considered fundamental in oriental sensibilities, reflecting an "all means necessary" mindset which characterizes Infernalism when it comes to pursuing its ideals. Zhufa, the Infernalist, is the predominant legal system applied in the country, with jurisdiction over every citizen and resident - even those not of the Infernalist faith. As the clergy are the only institutions authorized to interpret and exercise Zhufa, they effectively serve as jurists responsible over all fields of law, chairing Zhufa tribunals. A notable difference from oriental tradition in Zhufa tribunals is that members of juries are selected from the clergy and not the uninitiated public (considered to be ignorant).

Fengjiang maintains a comprehensive state apparatus for surveillance, censorship, and indoctrination to enforce the Infernalist social order of the country. There is no right to : any citizen can and regularly are prosecuted on charges of "blasphemy" over perceived challenges to the clerical status quo, while all media providers must receive clerical charters before they may operate. Torture and the death penalty are considered to be valid criminal punishments, whereas extrajudicial killings are common by religious and combinial organizations who have been granted blanket privileges to interpret the law - the Prophetic Order for True Thought is perhaps the most notorious, its agents authorized to pass immediate judgments without recourse or appeal. Contrary to oriental exaggeration however, the so-called "secret police" apparatus of Fengjiang has rarely been applied outside of an individual case-by-case basis, though this is more a testament to the degree of social control the establishment has on its citizens. Throughout history, the wrath of the Infernalist establishment has disproportionately fallen upon ethnic and religious minorities, which have been largely eradicated through means of conversion, assimilation, and sterilization.

In accordance with Guashi's Dilemma, is not guaranteed in Fengjiang, and is even viewed to be a hazard to the social order of the country. All Phoenicians are required to be Infernalist by law, belief in any other religion (or none at all) punishable as apostasy. Conversion to Infernalism is a prerequisite for those seeking citizenship. Special exemptions are granted to foreign visitors or residents, allowed to practice alien faiths in the privacy of their residences, though any attempts at proselytization or religious organization is a crime.

Foreign relations
Fengjiang is considered a on the global stage, exerting tremendous influence upon the world through its pre-eminent position as the leader of the Great Occidental Commonwealth of Exemplars (GOCE), the seat of primacy over all Infernalism and the Pyrosphere, and the largest economy and market globally. The Prophetic Order for Civilized Communion is the ministerial organization charged with managing Fengese foreign policy and advising all other national institutions on diplomatic affairs, additionally acting as the diplomatic arm of the institutional Infernalist faith. Operating on behalf of their clerical charterers, multinational Fengese combines additionally exert economic and cultural influence through their activities across the world, serving as informal diplomats who are given the broad privileges of interpreting foreign policy guidelines and on that interpreted basis, carrying out its intended objectives.

Officially, Fengese foreign policy is informed by a holy mission for Infernalist proselytization and conversion on a universal scale, in pursuit of universal redemption as demanded by Guahsi's Dilemma. In practice, the minutia of foreign policy is shaped by a realpolitik approach to geopolitics, elevating the importance of pursuing Fengese interests (particularly economic ones) above any ideological motive. Seemingly contradictory to one another, it is nonetheless believed that both approaches will ultimately contribute to the nation's holy mission, given the empowerment of Fengjiang - the religion's pre-eminent emissary - through pragmatic decision-making will naturally be to the benefit of Infernalism. The significant economic and cultural influence of Fengjiang, partly through its leadership position in Infernalism, is considered a key part of its.

Military
Nominally, the Fengese military is centralized under the institution of the Sanctuarial Custodian-Guard, with the Fengese Scion as its commander in chief via her status as primate of all Infernalism. However, the Banner Armies have traditionally been split into informal cliques belonging to the Five Great Houses which themselves ruled regional cliques since the de jure unification of Fengjiang in 1810. This status quo would shift during the events of the Great Serrataran War, as the increasingly escalating conflict necessitated further consolidation in the Fengese military - eventually resulting in the consolidation of a large part of the military establishment under the combinial Fengjiang Ten and its leaders.

Since the unification and corporatization of Fengjiang through the Sixteenth Fengtianmen Congress in 1960, the Sanctuarial Custodian-Guard have been practically abolished as a central command for the military, only existing as a nominal institution under which the private militaries of Fengese combines in the Combinial Forum identify under.

All combinial members of the Custodian-Guard generally identify under one of five Banners, corresponding to regional commands and thus their regions of military responsibility. Major militarized companies in a given region traditionally vote on which company will serve as the military commander of a Banner during wartime. During peacetime, the Custodian-Guard is generally disbanded, leaving its member combines to pursue its own military interests independently. War can be declared by either the approval of over half of the Eternal Phare or two-thirds of the Combinial Forum, at which point member combines are contractually obligated to centralize their military assets under the command of their respective Banner Guard, whereas the Combinial Forum will serve as a that maximizes returns on investments for military action and regulates what military action has to be taken. Private militaries enter their own blocs and begin to jockey between one another, bidding for military contracts with consumers’ cooperatives that combine the buying power of multiple billion individuals and the combines which represent them. At the end of the bidding process, one or more military blocs comprised of varying members of the Custodian-Guard (depending on the degree of military action required) emerges from the bidding process victorious, charged with carrying out the military wishes of the market, dissolving as these wishes are fulfilled.

A notable deviation of this tradition is in the management of the Serican Demilitarized Zone on the Fengese border with Arsytia in the north, formed in the aftermath of the Great Serrataran War and the Treaty of Gamtoi which ended it. It is internally agreed that all regional Banners provide military personnel and equipment to man the DMZ, in roughly equal proportions between all Banners, though the latter agreement is not always followed. Foreign military bases do not fall under the regional spheres of control dictated by the Banner system and is a common point of contention between Fengese militant powers.

Firekeeper-Guard
The Firekeeper-Guard is a organization loyal to the Infernalist clergy of Fengjiang, each of the five Sanctuaries of the country operating their own Firekeeper s. As an inherently clerical institution, the Firekeeper-Guard is charged with the express defense of Infernalism, from members of its laity and clergy to its property, and even to the enforcement of "public morality" in accordance with Infernalist canon. During wartime or if declared, the Firekeepers may be mobilized to serve as an  force.

The Firekeeper-Guard's membership is primarily composed of s, who are obligated to join the paramilitary for a period comparable to after they finish their education - the education industry is dominated by Infernalist clerical institutions. After finishing their obligated service, members may choose to continue and aim for higher service in the Firekeeper-Guard or pursue careers in combinial "private" military service, if not returning to civilian life. Aside from its conscript base, the Firekeeper-Guard also operates professional military forces, which serve as the personal bodyguard of higher clergy and holy sites.

Geography
Fengjiang is located in Southern Serica, bordering Arsytia through the Serican Demilitarized Zone in the north and possessing a maritime border with Buhan in the southwest. It lies roughly between the Lautian Ocean to its west and the Laharqan Ocean to its south, additionally between the latitudes of XX° & XX°N and the longitudes of XX° & XX°E.

Not including its offshore and insular territories, mainland Fengjiang has an approximate area of X,XXX,XXX square kilometers, making it the Xth largest country in the world and the second largest in Serica. Its landscape is vast and diverse, encompassing various s ranging from the Ksach Peninsula and surrounding deserts in the arid south to wetter and s in the north, split by the  regions which straddle the Fengese interior. The Longshan and Bautan plateaus dominates the center of the country, the latter of which being where Mount Fengwo, the tallest mountain in the country and the world at 11,479.88 meters tall is located. The Sorgan and Transerican mountain ranges separate Fengjiang from the rest of the of Serratar. The longest rivers in Fengjiang in descending order are the Alkiojoki (known locally as the Dichuan), Longmen, Silver, Honoe, Cimu, and Fengquan rivers - the Fengquan is the of the Phoenician civilization.

Climate
The Fengese climate is highly diverse, owing to the geographical and topographical diversity of the country. The northwest of the country is relatively, characterized by dry, weak winters accompanied by heavy. In contrast, the southern coasts and interior are largely arid, shielded from the moderating effects of s by the mountains straddling the country's center. The coasts surrounding the South Serica Sea are, its warm summers and relatively mild winters conducive to a stable marine environment unique to the region. Overall, seasonal variations in the country are mild, as monsoon currents in the Laharqan Ocean to the south are moderated by the highlands of the Longshan and Bautan mountains.

Wildlife and biodiversity
Fengjiang is a, harboring many species to the country and its several distinct ecosystems. Many of Fengjiang's wildlife are intertwined with the long mythological and literary history of the country, making each uniquely linked and significant to national culture. The clearest example of this cultural importance would be the religious mythos of the Mother Phoenix, a legendary bird central to the widely believed Fengese national religion of the Infernalism - various birds with likenesses to the Phoenix, such as the (the national animal),, and , have historically been assigned with eminence and value, such that witnessing one in the wild would be considered auspicious and bringing harm to them would be likened to.

In terms of flora, Fengjiang is similarly diverse, and is home to a great variety of types as determined by its climate zones. In the north,  forests dominated by  like, , and. In the eastern coasts surrounding the South Serica Sea and facing the Lautian Ocean, the is most prevalent, the region's mixed forest and  historically being a major center of  in Fengjiang, producing, , and  which define regional cuisine. occupy the Longshan and Bautan highlands of the Fengese interior, the  above the  inhabited by various  and  species. and are interspersed in the transition zone between the cooler, humid north and the dry  conditions further south, characterized by low-lying  with sparse tree and prevalent  cover. All are host to various unique plant species that are ingredients used in.

Bearing a long coastline that stretches from temperate to tropical oceans alongside plentiful freshwater resources across its river valleys, Fengjiang hosts one of the world's largest and most diverse marine populations. The Fengquan River has the largest in the country, home to more than 300 freshwater fish species. Marine wildlife is also prevalent in the coasts, especially in the fertile of the South Serica Sea. Several marine mammal species like are endemic to Fengese waters.

Beyond protections arising from religious associations and sheer necessity however, the wildlife and biodiversity of Fengjiang is under considerable threat from human activity as it shares habitat and faces pressure from the largest human population in Tellurus, ranging from mass and  to historically lax regulations on  and. The intense industrialization characterizing the 20th century in Fengjiang has left significant and oftentimes irreparable scars on the Fengese environment, the resultant driving many native species of wildlife into  and even  in some high-profile cases - such as the extinction of the  river dolphin in 1988 and that of the Longshan dragon in 1997. Most wild animals have been driven away from the expansive agricultural and industrial cores of the nation, faring little better in the more sparsely populated interior as across all Fengjiang continues to threaten wildlife. In the 21st century, wildlife preservation has become a central topic and controversy in Fengese media and policy, concerns over a potential nationwide as has been observed in the heavily polluted Serican DMZ and various river valleys of Fengjiang fueling a new generation of regulations directed towards resource exploitation, pollution, and continued urban & industrial development. By 2003, all endangered wildlife is protected by law, and more than a thousand have been established nationwide - centers of an ongoing  and  effort as dictated by clerical consensus in the Twentieth Fengtianmen Congress in 2000.

Economy
Fengjiang has the largest economy in the world by both nominal GDP and purchasing power parity GDP. It is a with a  and, though while it has held and maintained its position as the most industrialized country in the world, it has since the 1980s underwent a gradual  wherein the national economy is shifting from heavy manufacturing to more specialized electronics manufacturing and the service sector, in part prompted by its space race with geopolitical rivals in the TTO.

In accordance with its relatively recent transition towards a "technologically sophisticated economy", massive investments into education have made much of its previously poorly educated population into a highly skilled workforce, boasting one of the highest percentages of a population with a tertiary degree despite its size. As of 2022, Fengjiang possesses one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world of around 0.72, though economists have argued that the predatory practices of the Fengese scholarship and job market alongside combinial influences on the education system have skewed the metrics.

Notably, under the economic model laid out by Fengese corporatocracy, business regulation in Fengjiang is extremely lax, enabling a laissez-faire styled economy which theoretically allows for free competition between market actors. In practice, the highly insular culture of Fengjiang alongside the decades, in some cases centuries-long foothold of its combines in the Fengese economy has largely inhibited the entry of foreign firms not belonging to a member of the GOCE or not otherwise culturally accepted by the Fengese market. Fengese culture - influenced by marketist thinking since the nation's corporatization in 1960 - perceives the national economy to be inseparable from national security, to the extent that unwelcome competition with foreign firms is commonly depicted as akin to an incursion on Fengese territory.

Central to the Fengese model is the combine (Phoenician: 合團), referring to the various clerically enfeoffed conglomerates which operate throughout Fengjiang and wield massive power in its combinial political system. As agents of the ruling magocracy, the combines wield tremendous authority in both official and unofficial terms, afforded a holistic degree of control over their enfeoffed territory and the resources upon it - including their employees. Rejecting oriental notions of public and private spheres of life, combines exert deep influence into the lives of workers under their employment or ownership, with the objectives of maximizing one's contributions to Fengese society "from cradle to grave".

Currency
The currency and only legal tender of Fengjiang is the Fengese yuan (Phoenician: 鳳元; ¥). It is also in numerous countries (mostly obligated by GOCE membership) and the de facto currency of several others. Since the rapid expansion and internationalization of the Fengese economy following 1960, the yuan has emerged as the primary contender against the Barenian dollar's traditional position as the chief of the global economy, having become the world's most traded currency in the 1990s.

The monetary policy of Fengjiang is managed by the Liugam Banking Consensus, an alliance and forum of cooperation between the Big Three banks of Fengjiang: PKT Financial Services, Koutei-Sakaguczi Holdings, and the Royal Vermilion Investment Corporation. As the combined assets, equity positions, and currency reserves of these three banks dominate a sizable majority of yuan in circulation, the triumvirate has been recognized in confidence by the Combinial Forum to effectively serve the role of Fengjiang's, thus granting it the sole authority to issue Fengese yuan. The yuan is a, though its value has at times been influenced by the monetary policy of the Banking Consensus in order to ensure its stability and favorable position as a reserve currency in the global economy.

Exports
electronics, automotives, biotech & health, general hitech shit; decreasing heavy industries outsourced to GOCE

Imports
raw resources, OIL, fissile material running dry on the mainland, foodstuffs

Transportation
The Fengese transportation network is one of, if not the most, sophisticated of its kind, standing out for the remarkable efficiency of both transportation technology and its implementation, alongside the near universal interconnectedness of the network despite the nation's size. Acting as the primary mode of transportation between the urban centers of Fengjiang, the Xinzhulian, or "bullet train" as it is known abroad, is a network of  running alongside conventional  which connect the megacities of the Serican Peninsula along Fengjiang's coasts and heartland with one another. upgrades have already been carried out in several major cities as part of a nationwide implementation test. Road transportation serves as the secondary method of land transportation, connecting the more treacherous Fengese interior to regional hubs for finance and logistics. Since development of the aforementioned Xinzhulian rail network, maritime transportation has been disfavored as a means of passenger transportation, generally only used for riverine travel into the Fengese interior or between islands not connected by bridge. Maritime traffic is thus dominated by, carrying cargo to and from the extensive ports of the country - the Port of Yutseng is the busiest container port in the world. Most internal maritime traffic occurs between the two hubs of the South Serican Sea and Sea of Avarda, but the inclusion of Hyperaustrea into the Combinial Forum in 1969 has seen a boost in maritime activity between Fengese ports and Capricornia centered in the Sundic Sea. The Fengese enclaves of Nankaido and Ikała serve as the primary s between Fengjiang and the continent of Avarda.

is the most common way of commuting in Fengjiang. Combined survey and census data in 2022 indicates that nearly 80% of the population utilized public transport for daily transit, with more than half commuting on Fengjiang railway networks. Public transportation in Fengjiang is handled by contracted firms on smaller scales and by conglomerate subsidiaries when operating on greater scales, and it is common for the transit vehicles under a conglomerate to be prioritized or sometimes even reserved for the conglomerate's employees - many conglomerates opt to operate their own public transportation networks to facilitate travel between one's residence and workplace (both typically owned and operated by the same conglomerate) for their employees, an arrangement generally offered and accepted as employee incentives.

Similarly, in a given region of Fengjiang is operated by conglomerates dominant in that region. AirPhoenix, a consortium of Fengese conglomerates operating aviation subsidiaries serves as the of Fengjiang, managing and regulating aviation-related matters such as the licensing of aircraft and aviation infrastructure. The consortium also doubles as the representative of the GOCE. Aviation infrastructure in Fengjiang is developed - international airports operate in every regional capital and major city in the country, totaling at 167 as of 2022. Szuto International Airport is the busiest airport and most common layover destination in the country, as it serves as the primary southern access point of the Talthray-Yueguan Air Corridor, a relatively narrow corridor which bypasses the hazardous and thusly restricted airspace over the high-altitude Bautan Plateau. Most minor cities operate their own national airports or possess adequate transportation networks that can allow rapid transit to nearby international airports, facilitating convenient air travel for its citizenry.

Demographics
The national census in 2022 recorded Fengjiang's population to be approximately 1,791,383,002, projecting an annual growth rate of around 1.73% without factoring in extraordinary elements (see Breeding camps in Fengjiang). Nearly 99% of the population is recorded as part of the Phoenician ethnic group, all of which primarily speak the Phoenician language as their. The remaining percentage largely comprise foreign residents or rare pockets of minorities, who typically speak Phoenician as a second language alongside their native language.

Fengjiang has urbanized significantly in the past century, seeing historical spikes in development and urban populations following the 1960s and onwards as the country emerged as a global and the largest economy in 19XX. The percentage of the population living in urban areas rose from 30% in 1950 to over 80% in 1990 - the country's urban population surpassed 1 billion in 1993. There are over 300 cities in Fengjiang with populations that surpass 1 million; 11 of which are considered as they have more than 10 million in population. It is notable that due to the extensive urbanization of the country, the exact boundaries between urban areas are oftentimes blurred, leading to the designation of numerous contiguous urban areas as : primarily the South Serican Sea Rim (環南西洽海圈) centered on Yutseng, the Chain of Pearls Megalopolis (珠鏈城市群) centered on Chuto, and the Heartland Megalopolis (核心城市群) centered on Kaijing - each of which surpass 200 million in collective population.

Ethnic groups and languages
Based on the 2022 census, nearly 99% of Fengjiang's approximately 1.8 billion citizens have been legally identified as Phoenician, the small remainder being foreign residents or rare minority groups, making Fengjiang the most ethnically homogenous country in the world. The Phoenician ethnic group is defined by the adherence to Phoenician culture and its customs, including full comprehension and fluency in the Phoenician language - thus leaving room for significant racial and linguistic diversity despite the nominal homogeneity of the ethnic group. In Phoenician culture, one's is irrelevant: as long as a person follows Phoenician customs and speaks the Phoenician language, they are a Phoenician, and more than likely a Fengese citizen.

The primary subgroups of the Phoenician ethnic group can be determined by their location of origin and their Phoenician dialect, primarily split along regional lines (see Phoenicia). The remaining 4% comprise minor Phoenician subgroups such as the North Phoenicians (北鳳人) and Highlander Phoenicians (山鳳人), who comprise regional minorities in the northern and mountainous regions (primarily the Bautan and Transerican mountains) of Fengjiang respectively.
 * Core Phoenicians (核鳳人) make up the majority at around 47%, located primarily in central and eastern Fengjiang and unified by a common fluency in the Standard Phoenician - the official language of the country.
 * Peninsular Phoenicians (半島鳳人) are the second largest subgroup at around 29%, located primarily in West Fengjiang around the eponymous Serican Peninsula and the South Serican Sea's coastal region, known for the regional Peninsular Phoenician dialect.
 * Pearl Phoenicians (珠鳳人) are the third major subgroup at around 20%, located primarily in South Fengjiang and unified by the Pearl Phoenician dialect.

The remaining approximate 1% of the country's population comprise foreign residents and rare non-Phoenician minority groups, the former of which takes up the vast majority. Foreign residents in Fengjiang typically originate from member states of the Fengjiang-aligned GOCE, as abiding by Phoenician customs and fluency in the Phoenician language (or regional dialects) are prerequisites to residency.

As a result of historical Phoenicization efforts lasting centuries, even millennia long, most non-Phoenician populations native to Fengjiang's portion of the Serican continent have either been assimilated as Phoenicians or eradicated entirely. The largest of such non-Phoenician minorities still surviving in Fengjiang are the Geku people (葛窟), centered in isolated pockets in the Transerican Mountains. Such minorities are classified as "barbarians" (夷狄), and are guaranteed no rights under the Fengese legal system unless they assimilate into Phoenician culture.

Religion


Infernalism, a Phoenician and Serican religion, is the of Fengjiang, having entrenched itself as an integral part of the Phoenician and thereby Fengese identity ever since its inception in the 1000s BCE and adoption by the predecessors of the modern Fengese nation. Officially, 99% of the Fengese population is an adherent of Infernalism, as adherence is mandatory for every Fengese citizen, whether born in the country or. Notably however, such figures are generally obtained through one's with a local temple or monastery, and does not cover true devotion in the faith. The ceremonial head of state of Fengjiang, the Scion of the Divine Phoenix Ascendant, is formally considered to be the reincarnation of Yanshizu, the prized daughter of the deific Mother Phoenix and a figure in the Infernalist faith.

As such, Infernalism has had a profound effect on Fengese culture and society as a whole. Among such influences would be the cultural practice of, which places a heavy emphasis on fire as a deific and sacred concept, shaping folk customs such as lit s being common in most households and s established across significant locations in the country. More significant and characteristic of Infernalist cultural influence would be the practice of Infernalist genealogy and by extension eugenics, where Infernalist monasteries and their clerical staff held the traditional responsibility of "maintaining the purity" of the people (cultural, religious, economic, genetic etc.) in their jurisdictions, generally manifesting through the monitoring and recording of family s and s, between families deemed to compatible and discouraging relationships with those deemed undesirable. Otherwise, while cultural participation in the religion, such as in festivals and traditional customs, remain high, actual participation in the institutional aspects of the religion is comparatively lower - leading to commentators to note Infernalism's status in Fengjiang to be more of a folk and cultural religion than any organized faith.

is not guaranteed by any foundational document in Fengese history, as it has been historically presumed that every inhabitant of the nation is an adherent of Infernalism. Despite this, it is an unspoken allowance that non-Fengese nationals are allowed to practice their faith, as long as it remains a private matter and does not overly conflict with the pronounced tenets of Infernalist doctrine. After Infernalism, Occidental Kaurissem is the second most popular religion at around 0.5% of the population (~8,500,000), though adherents mostly belong to foreign national and expat communities, particularly from Hyperaustrea.

With the emergence of Fengjiang as a world power and with pragmatic secular interests in mind, Infernalist for  between Infernalism and other world religions is a growing industry, particular with that of Kaurissem. Such syncretism seeks to explain and make sense of theological and doctrinal differences between such faiths, primarily to justify Infernalism to be when viewed from the perspective of other religions and vice versa.

Education
The Fengese education system is completely monopolized by the clergy and carried out through gees, in accordance with Infernalist magocratic governance. The school year is continuous - the year is generally equally split into four semesters of 3 months each, all four associated with their own assessment exams which occur at the end of the semester. The school week lasts six days. There is no set and -related vacations are sporadic, touted by Fengese education institutions as beneficial to acclimatizing students to work schedules in adulthood. For similar reasons, uniforms are generally mandated as part of the dress code for all tiers of the education system: Fengese uniforms are unisex, typically comprising trousers and white shirts. After-school is common and generally considered inseparable from conventional educational expenses.

The education system is split into six academic tiers according to age. Education is generally subsidized by combines and the clerical institution until the end of lower secondary, further subsidization onwards done in the form of : While there is no state-mandated compulsory education owing to the lack of a central government in Fengjiang, most careers in Fengjiang will require at the very least a Basic Education Confirmation, while societal expectations demand university degrees in order for a person to be considered as "fully educated". Education in general is considered a high priority for any Fengese, as success in education is viewed as a source of pride as well as religious and social accomplishment in society at large, and thus is a. Higher education is perceived to be the main propeller of social mobility in Fengjiang, a practical necessity if one wanted to obtain a career beyond the poverty line - there is no in Fengjiang. Obtaining a degree from one of the top universities of the country - all run by conglomerates - is the ultimate symbol of prestige, high socioeconomic status, promising marriage prospects, and a respectable career path. Such degrees are oftentimes prerequisites to any prestigious, secure, and higher-paying career paths in Fengjiang, such as positions in a Fengese combine's financial, IT, or overseas divisions. As the alternative is a already oversaturated by less skilled graduates, there exists incredible societal and financial pressure for a student to enroll in prestigious universities, which in turn possess incredibly stringent requirements and limited available slots to weed out "substandard" applicants. An average Fengese academic career lasts for the better part of three decades, during which a student's life revolves around education, the highly demanding requirements to socioeconomic success and enormous pool of competitors owing to Fengjiang's population meaning that intense academic competition is guaranteed. To achieve such success, it is expected that a student must excel at every assessment examination in their academic career, enter a prestigious university, and excel again at a prospective career entrance exam - this excellence is colloquially termed as the "big red book" (大紅書) due to the use of red as an indicator of academic excellence in a Fengese report book, which collages every in a Fengese's academic career. Additionally, the "model student" in Fengjiang is expected to be, being fluency in Phoenician and two other secondary languages.
 * (學前) begins between the ages of 1 or 2, lasting until the age of 6. While not mandatory, parents generally enroll their children at this stage to prepare children for further education and increase their chances for academic success, additionally because of a lack of time for - the alternative option. Either way, all children at this age are still required to take classes in the Phoenician language and receive religious education in the Infernalism, to ensure basic proficiency in knowledge for both. Both will remain mandatory up to lower secondary, but comprehension in both is culturally demanded by the end of such mandatory education.
 * (小學) begins at the age of 6, lasting approximately 7 years and ending right before reaching the age of 13. At this stage, students are expected to achieve complete fluency in Phoenician, and must then take up secondary languages: the most common by order of popularity are Melkian, Avalonian, Ponterosan, and Saessish.
 * (初中學) begins at the age of 13, lasting approximately 3 years and ending right before reaching the age of 16. Students must select between one of four specializations at this age, being and, , , and.
 * (高中學) begins at the age of 16, lasting approximately 3 more years and generally ending right before reaching the age of 19. Both levels of secondary education are generally carried out in the same school, and it is possible for (留級) to occur in cases of underperformance. Optional and separate vocational education (專科學) becomes formally available at this age, the most common being courses relevant to business and industry. Upon graduation, the student receives a  (基本教育確證).
 * (預科學) generally begins between the ages of 19 and 20, ending before reaching the age of 21, the age of adulthood in Fengjiang. At this tier, students must select a to "prepare" for, at which point they will receive appropriate education on relevant fields of studies, which combines academic and vocational education. Upon graduation, the student receives a  (預科確證).
 * (大學) begins from the age of 21 and onwards. Entrance exams are practically mandated for every university, with a Basic Education Confirmation as a prerequisite. While not mandatory, it is considered mandatory in Fengese society to pursue university education, as relevant university degrees are required for most careers in the country. To enroll in a university, a student must be a Fengese citizen or possess a.

Health
Fengese healthcare is among the world's most sophisticated, thanks to the country's combined extensive efforts in the industry of, especially in the areas of and. As educational standards in Fengjiang are substantially higher than would be expected in countries with similar and, the healthcare industry is high-paying and highly competitive, with degrees in medicine being one of the most sought-after degrees in the country, only behind business, law, and information technology in popularity. Fengjiang is one of the world's primary destinations for health tourism, attracting millions of such visitors annually from around the world, though with greater representation from the Western Hemisphere. Notably, the country has been criticized as a safe haven for corruption and tyrants, as it has a record of facilitating the treatment of world leaders in both politics, industry, and business - including those considered to be corrupt or authoritarian by Eastern liberal standards. Fengjiang is the primary destination for asylum seekers of that nature.

Despite the advanced nature of Fengese healthcare, it nonetheless remains that many of the higher-level treatments are prohibitively expensive for much of the country's population, a product of vast. All healthcare and insurance providers in Fengjiang are private in nature, and it is not uncommon for both to belong under the ownership of the same conglomerate. Basic healthcare services are provided as part of employment benefits in all Fengese conglomerates, though further coverage would require an employee to be higher in the company hierarchy or to pay higher subscription fees - both of which are options unavailable for much of the population.

The most common cause of death in Fengjiang is lung cancer and similar respiratory illnesses, caused primarily by widespread air pollution and poor regulatory standards when it comes to pollutant emissions. To combat this, it has become a cultural norm to wear face masks when travelling outside in Fengjiang, while indoor spaces are thoroughly ventilated and cleaned to serve as "safe spaces" in regard to air pollution. are a common product in the country, used to treat exposure-related irritation to the eyes. Most Fengese have access to clean drinking water in modern times, though it is customary to filter tap water before drinking or not drink it outright, due to several high-profile cases of water contamination in the past, especially in industry-adjacent housing areas.

is considered a hidden killer in Fengese society, its increasing frequency obscured as mortuary records traditionally hide suicide as a motive in records. Euthanasia and assisted suicide is legal in Fengjiang, providing an official avenue for ending one's life in a painless manner if so desired, though recipients are typically contractually obligated to provide their corpses as payment for the costs incurred by euthanasia services. The term "selling one's body" (賣身) has entered colloquial Fengese vocabulary as a euphemism for euthanasia, as recipients may designate beneficiaries to which the funds leftover after a corpse sale are transferred post-mortem. The line between suicide and euthanasia is blurred, such that Fengese refers to both as "unapproved" and "approved" suicide respectively.

There generally are no queues for in Fengjiang, due to their availability. It is expected that transplant recipients pay for their own transplants at prices determined by the laissez faire free market of Fengjiang. Where such prices may be prohibitively expensive elsewhere due to high demand, the ample supply in Fengjiang has lowered the prices of most organs to an affordable degree for most - provided one has proper insurance coverage. Fengjiang is the central hub for and the largest exporter in the GOCE, though Fengese citizens are still prioritized for organ use.

Culture
Fengjiang, corresponding to its status as a, possesses one of the oldest cultures in the world, one that has left tangible influence across much of its , from antiquity till modernity. Its culture is considered the dominant in Serica, and its great age means that it has had ample time to both directly and indirectly influence the development of neighboring cultures and their philosophies, etiquette, virtues, and traditions. Central to Phoenician culture is the state religion of the Infernalism, a and  religion that has served as the vessel through which key tenets of Phoenician culture and the Fengese identity have been preserved and carried over the ages. As a direct result, the concept of politics and even society itself has been significantly changed in accordance with Infernalist dogma - to a point of near-unrecognizability when compared to oriental norms.

Phoenicization
Above anything, it is considered a sacred duty of all Phoenicians, no matter their national or ideological differences, to preserve and spread Infernalism through whatever means may be available to the person, whether that be the simple act of speaking the Phoenician language - the religion's {{wp|liturgical language" - to even actively shaping global politics to fit the Infernalist vision. This practice of dogmatic conservation and proselytization is known as Hànxí Wèisú (捍習衛俗), literally "protecting customs" or more commonly, "Phoenicization". Outside observers have noted Phoenician culture overall to be "monolithic" in nature, not the least because of a cultural insistence to conserve existing, "pure" versions of Infernalisma and derived Infernalist culture and resist any change which may affect their perceived purity. Reflecting this insistence for religious and cultural homogeneity, Phoenician culture has been noted to be inherently intolerant of foreign and recognizably distinct cultures, manifesting in a sense of cultural exceptionalism wherein a Phoenician perceives their own culture as the baseline for all others to follow, and that the farther one strays from that cultural baseline, the more ignorant they are. There is no direct translation for the word "integration" in the Phoenician language, only "assimilate" (同化, ‘’tónghuà‘’; {{Abbr|lit.|literal translation}} "make same"). As a Phoenician, not abiding by Phoenician customs is a sure way to lead to one's {{wp|ostracization}} from society; as a foreigner, not following Phoenician norms while in Fengjiang is considered a major insult, and easily places oneself in the crosshairs of discrimination or persecution.

It is taught that the ultimate objective for all Phoenicians is to ensure the predominance of Infernalism over all others, even the universal conversion of every human (and lately, sapient) in existence. This is justified through logical interpretation of the apocalyptic dogma of the religion: as it is believed that reality as we know it is a product of a "Cosmic Struggle" between Light and Dark, and one must maximize humanity's virtue by all means to ensure Light's victory in this struggle, the alternative can only be universal extinction and annihilation by the forces of Dark - a dilemma which extends the {{wp|Heaven}} or {{wp|Hell}} dichotomy of Kaurissem to the collective entirety of sapientkind.

Gender and family
Fundamentally, Phoenician culture and thus, Fengjiang can be characterized to be in nature, heavily influencing Fengese laws and norms surrounding, , , , , as well as Fengese , , and  in broader terms. Many of these laws are derived from the dogma of the Infernalism which serves as the unifying faith of the Phoenician cultural sphere, which holds the deific Mother Phoenix as the Allmother responsible for the creation and birth of both the universe and all life within it, doctrinally enshrining the role of motherhood as sacred and thus imparting religious and cultural significance to females in Phoenician culture. Infernalist teaching posits the to be a dualistic communion between the feminine  responsible for imparting consciousness and spiritual awareness onto the masculine mortal husk representing the base and animalistic universe - exemplifying the female role as a dominant one responsible for "tempering" the perceived crass nature of males in Phoenician society.

In effect, this strong emphasis on the significance and vitality of the female sex in Phoenician culture has elevated women to authority across all levels of Fengese society, from national governance to family dynamics. Matters of inheritance and succession are always, prioritizing female heirs over male ones in when passing down titles, properties, entitlements, and obligations - the position of monarch of Fengjiang can only be passed down from mother to daughter, with sons left entirely out of the line of succession. In accordance with this, while both parties to a marriage keep their surnames, their offspring will take their surnames from their mother's family. Even when not directly encoded in either canonical or civil law, it is considered normal that females take an authoritative role in relationships and families due to cultural perceptions of their role as providers and nurturers, deviations from this model historically viewed as eccentric by Fengese norms. This has extended to leadership positions in, , , and , additionally bolstered by the Infernalist position of inherent feminine brilliance. Traditionally, were that of leader, thinker, and custodian while the male's were aligned more towards menial and "active“ roles, though the perhaps contradictory view of both women and men as warriors has historically led to a muddling of gender roles in combat scenarios. While legally stratified gender roles have largely been abolished by practical concerns around the times of the Great Fragmentation, relevant societal expectations and norms have persisted even in the modern day, best encapsulated by the ancient Fengese idiom Mǔlìng Fùgàn (母令父干, lit. "the mother directs, the father does", usually paraphrased as "the mother has her wisdom, the father has his hands and feet").

Women are considered as the head of the household in Fengjiang, manifesting in classical Fengese law in the concept of hùmǔ (戶母, lit. "mother of the household"), where the oldest female of the household is viewed as the "matron", traditionally holding legal privilege over the property of the household (including slaves) and exercising authority over her dependents, from autocratic privileges over her husband and children, lessening to positions of mentorship and esteemed status when reaching one's extended family. is viewed not as a union between two people but an alliance between families through blood ties, the matrons of both families traditionally holding the duty of in a manner akin to Hatarian s - this would form the basis of the various Fengese s and  which emerge throughout history. Customarily, the local Infernalist temple would provide advice in that has been described as a form of, wherein temples held records of  for families in their jurisdictions and sought to promote perceived "beneficial" traits and eliminate "undesirable" traits through recommending marriages between "prospective" bloodlines: indirectly leading to  as informal castes were established from the basis of a regional Infernalist jurisdiction's perceptions and preferences, which oftentimes see sectarian differences. In most cases, the "three purities" were sought after: that of culture (Phoenician cultural homogeneity), religion (Infernalist religious piety), and genetics (desirable genetic traits). Prompted by political and economic concerns, Infernalist matchmaking would traditionally match families of similar socioeconomic statuses together, thereby perpetuating the aforementioned informal caste system and restricting social mobility in Fengese culture.

Similarly to gender roles, legal basis for matronage has been mostly eroded in modern times as both pragmatic and concerns have influenced Fengese thought in its gradual opening-up to global culture around the 20th century. Ever since the ascendancy of combines in Fengjiang began, the structure of the traditional Fengese family clan is mostly constrained to and their quasi-aristocratic leanings, with the average family in Fengjiang shrinking to those akin to a : grandparents, parents, children. Substituting it, Fengese combines have taken the cultural role of matronage in Fengese society, presenting the concept of a combine-employee relationship in similar terms as that of a matron and her clan, known in Fengese media as the Dà Jiātíng (大家庭, lit. "one big family"). The originally religious institutions responsible for matchmaking and genealogy in Fengjiang have been co-opted by combinial interests. Placing themselves in the traditional positions of an employee's family, it is not uncommon for combines to matchmake employees viewed to be "prospective", oftentimes with incentives such as wage increases, social mobility, and improved reputations attached.

Intercourse and sexuality
Fengese cultural perceptions of is defined primarily by the doctrinal concerns of the Infernalist religion. As opposed to spiritual concerns that may be expected in Eastern faiths like Kaurissem, Infernalism and its clerical hierarchy concerns itself with more temporal matters, in this case the "health" of societies which it presides over. Practices such as Infernalist genealogy and eugenics, wherein Infernalist temples keep track of and cultivate family lineages, connections, and interactions are done to bolster this "societal health". It is for this reason that (fornication) is shunned by Infernalism and thus by traditional Fengese society, as it is perceived that such activities make it unnecessarily harder for Infernalist institutions to monitor  and may promote  between population groups that are viewed to be incompatible with one another - tainting the. Traditionally, sex is viewed as a purely procreative act, a duty to society and humanity as it ensures their continued survival and prosperity - a worldview which has been increasingly espoused as the threat of has entered mainstream discourse. Canonically, the pleasure derived from sex is considered to be a gift from the Mother Phoenix, a reward for one's service to society.

Extending from this line of logic, Infernalist doctrine correlates the health of a society with sustainable, activities which are perceived to negatively impact this fecundity are resultantly shunned as unproductive and thereby sinful. Based on this, in of itself is considered to be sinful, as purely same-sex relations are unable to produce offspring and thereby run the risk of terminating prospective lineages. is condemned along similar lines. and in contrast hold little stigma in Fengese society, similar to  relationships in that it is considered a societal responsibility for one to procreate. is considered normal and even a status symbol in Fengjiang, as the dominant partner in the relationship (generally female due to ideals of matronage) would need to be more socioeconomically well-off to provide for and support their lesser partners - is a luxury only afforded by wealthy aristocrats. Despite the matriarchal nature of Phoenician culture, polygamous relationships generally trend towards (higher female ratios) due to their idealization, with Infernalist reasoning that such relationships present a "perfect balance" between the feminine virtues of  and procreation, and the masculine virtue of menial servitude and childrearing - a family of the sort could procreate and provide for itself while simultaneously taking good care of the household.

There exists no distinction between gender and sex in Fengese society, exploration of the topic considered taboo except in Orientologist academic circles studying foreign societies and cultures. Infernalist doctrine enshrines the concept of the binary gender, especially as it espouses gender roles in favor of its matriarchal worldview, roles which are deemed to be naturally occurring even in more secular circles. is also taboo in Fengese society for similar reasons, interpreted to be an "act against nature" and a disservice to society as it jeopardizes traditional gender roles assigned in Phoenician culture, with male-to-female transitioning especially condemned as it is viewed as an attempt to bypass the traditional system of inheritance - a sign of impious greed. There exists no recognition of transgenderism in official documents, and transgender foreign nationals are required to register with their biological sex, if not simply barred in the first place. Practice of is illegal in Fengese healthcare,  similarly so if not done for expressly health-related reasons - the concepts of  and  are not recognized. The concept of is similarly unrecognized, and infants who display intersex characteristics at birth are legally required to be surgically altered to be either female or male, not requiring the consent of parents.

is mostly illegal in Fengjiang, considered to be a form of and thus a disservice to society. While abortion for reasons of the mother's physical health is legal and widely accepted on account of Fengjiang's matriarchal leanings, abortion for most other reasons is illegal. Notably, while previously legal (even if at times condemned), abortion on the basis of or  has been criminalized since 1997 in accordance with the Demographic Health Edict passed in the same year. There exists an alternative avenue for mothers who may not seek children either for aforementioned reasons or otherwise, that being the sale of one's babies to an affiliated combinial, whereupon they can be raised by or by combinial. Abortions on request are illegal, and unsupervised abortions are punishable along the same lines as infanticide - up to or. The distribution of such as  and  is highly restricted, though mostly overlooked when applied for the  of undesirable populations. (even ) is legal and accepted for use in the population control of undesirable populations, as are abortions with the goal of curbing such populations (see Infernalist eugenics).

On account of Infernalist condemnations of, (or any other unprocreative ) is considered irresponsible culturally, though prosecutions outside of the clergy are practically non-existent nowadays. and are framed along similar lines, their consumption in Fengjiang being relatively commonplace, as long as it remains a private matter. The for commercial purposes is generally targeted towards international audiences and tourists, viewed apathetically to be another avenue for Phoenician  and Phoenicization, even if canonically questionable.

The and  in Fengjiang is set at the 21 years old. This is in accordance with Infernalist views on maturity, the canonical view being that people under that age are immature, both physically and mentally. , legally considered to be with everyone under the age of 21, is socially unacceptable. This is applied to fictional depictions of such people as well, even if to a lesser extent. is a capital offense in Fengjiang, with the mandatory punishment being, in accordance with Infernalist doctrine. Punitive may be considered depending on any additional offenses.

and, particularly when committed against women, is a serious offense in Fengjiang. This is due to the traditional dominant role of women as community leaders in the country, especially when contrasted with the perceived crass and animalistic nature of men in Infernalism. Rape is a capital offense in Fengjiang, punishable by, in accordance with Infernalist doctrine. Punitive may be considered depending on any additional offenses.

Cuisine
Drawing on millennia of culinary traditions and cultural influences, Fengese cuisine is highly diverse, split between numerous regional cuisines each reflecting their own unique historical and cultural experiences. Generally, rice has been the staple food of central Fengjiang, whereas breads and noodles are the staple food of the surrounding regions, primarily in the culturally distinct east and south. Between all regional traditions however, there are multiple aspects to Fengese cuisine that have been retained throughout the ages, owing to commonalities in the ethnic culture of Fengjiang - especially the unifying influence of the Infernalism. have historically been highly prized in Fengese cuisine and culture at large, owing to its religious importance to Infernalist theology - the heat of spice is considered to be reminiscent of the holy fire of the deified Mother Phoenix. Spiciness is viewed as a central component of any Fengese dish, such that any lacking spice would be considered "incomplete" by Fengese standards. is the signature spice of Fengjiang, the most famed variety being the Phoenix’s Pepper (鳳椒) - prized for its extreme pungency and heat. Most consume it impure, eating it while fresh and mixed in with sweet and sour vegetables to dull its extreme heat. In its purest and holiest form, the Phoenix’s Pepper is consumed after it is dried, the resultant heat ordinarily causing heavy breathing, sweating, and crying alongside more uncommon symptoms of tunnel vision and hallucinations - traditionally used by Infernalist oracles to interpret the future from pepper-induced visions. Even if rare, consuming the entire pepper in this form at once has reportedly led to deaths from the sheer distress, especially for those unaccustomed to its heat. In Fengese cuisine, the Phoenix’s Pepper is used as an appetizer or palate cleanser, to “open” one’s taste buds and stomach for a full meal.

Another Infernalist influence in Fengese cuisine is the application of a significant amount of dry heat as a part of food preparation, developed into the "Four Fires" customary in Fengese cooking: (炸),  (煎),  (烤), and  (炒). The deliberate use of oil in Fengese cooking is dated back to royal cuisine in the early 900s, the increased productivity of later eras and resultant availability of cooking oil allowing for the popularization of as an integral part of traditional cuisine.

Literature and philosophy
A central component of Fengese social philosophy is that of, embodied by the Fengese phrase "random fortunes and disasters" (幸災順變, Xìngzāi Shùnbiàn). Occurrences that might be considered bizarre or appalling in outside cultures are viewed with uncaring apathy by the Fengese in most cases, notably apparent when observing the poor living standards and rampant inequality in the country, alongside the numerous scandals related to the country's combinial leadership.

While there is no exact cause for this widespread apathy in Fengese society, Eastern sociologists have identified contributing factors which date all the way back to the Great Fragmentation (1303-1810), a Fengese lasting five centuries which dominates the Phoenician cultural consciousness. Literature of the time had normalized the multigenerational conflict to be an inherent part of the, framing it as a religious trial by fire which tested the worthiness of humanity, or more specifically the Phoenician people. The Arsytian sociologist Heikki Pentti notes the conflict to have established a "culture of indifference", as the Fengese view the conflict and more importantly, the intense suffering it brought to be inevitable, akin to a. In response, Fengese of the time stockpiled nonperishables and gas masks with spares, drilled civilian society in disaster and war drills - practices which have survived despite generations having passed since any significant armed conflict involving Fengjiang. "The Phoenician, in the face of the great misfortunes of the world, will 'go with the flow' instead of resisting their fate. Their apathy is trained, such that they have trivialized tragedy and accepted even the greatest of atrocities as part of the inevitable human experience, such that they view our dismay at the convictions propagated by their culture and overlords to be an overreaction birthed of ignorance. When facing suffering, they prepare for the worst, and celebrate anything better."

"In truth, our stay in this world is impermanent It is more transient than dewdrops on the leaf of grass, or the moon reflected in water A century in the mortal world is but a fleeting moment in the Heavens As the radiance of life is bestowed from the stars, it cannot shine forever All those born in this world must necessarily perish someday Unless we consider this our wakeup call, it is a grievous truth indeed Understanding this is the road to salvation, but also the path to regret." From this long history of warfare, a longstanding genre in Fengese literature has emerged, being "war poetry" (戰詩, Zhànshī). Originally developed in the early decades of the Great Fragmentation as a tool of which glorified conflict and promoted contemporary military interests, as the war progressed, the genre gradually turned into an avenue of, humorizing the brutality of conflict through use of  - theorized to be a  to downplay the countless tragedies and atrocities of the era in the contemporary Fengese social consciousness. This genre has survived to this day, its modern pioneers satirizing recent events like the Great Serrataran War and ongoing Cold War to great popularity in the country and controversy abroad.