Empire of Zhenia

The Empire of Zhenia (Zhenian: 대동진제국, Daedong Jin-jaeguk, literally translated as "Empire of Great Zhenia"), was a historical and  that existed as the direct predecessor to modern-day Zhenia, from June 4, 1438 AC until the Declaration of Union following the December Revolution in 1499 AC. Its history spanning over 61 years, it saw the reign of four emperors during its rule, starting from Emperor Seongjo and ending with Emperor Gojong.

It was founded on June 4, 1438 AC, shortly after the end of the Wars of Zhenian Unification, when the pre-existing Confederation of Zhenia was reorganized into an empire centered around Shindan via the Declaration of Zhenian Unification, thus introducing the title of Emperor of Zhenia to Emperor Seongjo, then-Emperor of Shindan and Khagan of the Yemeg and Balakhaat People. Daedo was selected as the new imperial capital, although the Government of Shindan would assume complete control over foreign and military affairs from Sanggyeong until it too completely relocated to Daedo in 1451. While the emperor remained the head of state, the Prime Minister of Shindan also became the empire's.

Emperor Seongjo (1438-1443)
The reign of Emperor Seongjo, also referred to as the Daeseong era due to his era name, marked the beginning and fundamentals of the new empire. He came to rule as the Emperor of Zhenia following the Declaration of Zhenian Unification on June 4, 1438, the same day as his coronation as Zhenia's sole emperor. Directly after his coronation, a series of reforms, commonly referred to as the Daeseong reforms, were announced nationwide: the reforms essentially proliferated existing policies of Shindan and the Confederation of Zhenia into the mainland as a whole, including the prohibition of topknots, mandatory education by the state, reorganization of administrative subdivisions and several other reforms spurring industrialization and modernization. Much of the Daeseong reforms was in part the implementation of Shindanese systems and policies nationwide, at an attempt to ultimately suppress secessionist movements and increase Shindanese control over the mainland.

Emperor Gojong (1489-1499)
The reign of Emperor Gojong from 1489 to 1499 AC saw the progression of the empire into a full republic as a result of the December Revolution and the Declaration of Union, as well as the continuity of modernization and industrialization in mainland Zhenia.

Legacy
Under the leadership of Emperor Seongjo and the Confederation, the unified Zhenian state in the modern sense of the word had finally been achieved, despite it was primary led by Shindan and the Golden Arc region. Imperial rule under the Empire also laid out several characteristics defining modern Zhenia, including freedom of the presses and protest, a governmental system centered around the Parliament, a social system completely devoid of the traditional caste system and a standardized education system proliferated nationwide.