Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

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THE CENTRE PARTY IS BORN
Indralans of all stripes come together to witness the dawn of a new age

01 JANUARY 4327
KAIMING CONVENTION CENTRE - TIAN'AN, HAN

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION - those are the last words spoken before the spark of the most pivotal moment in Indralan politics within the last half-century. Enter: The Centre Party, a dynamic composition of Indralan centrists, moderate ex-Republicans, and Lotus Party defectors. This stunningly perfect alliance of Indralans with extremely complex and variable political opinions was orchestrated by the only living public figure known to possess such exquisite collaborative skills: His excellency, Zhang Zemin.

This moment came to Zhang Zemin in a dream. A dream where the ancient monarchs of Yingdala fought endlessly for power over the land. Each clan led the country until the next clan defeated them. It was a tumultuous cycle of death, greed and sorrow. Zhang Zemin awoke from this dream in the midst of his second stroke in two years. Doctors rushed to save the former Grand Chancellor, only to find he would be left permanently numb on his left side. In light of this event, Zhang Zemin made it his mandate to bring Indralans together. In realization of his fleeting time on Terra, he rushed to gather as many political allies and Caizu conglomerates to expedite the creation of this pragmatic political force. The increasing threat of intolerance and hate from his Republican successor, Chang Ruogang, made it especially precious for Zhang Zemin to push his cause into the bright minds of Indralans across the land. Despite his illness, he managed to finesse a great deal of strength from the ongoing love of Sun Luhan and Princess Kunghee. He claimed to have abandoned his Republican ideals "as soon as their lips touched." This passionate adoration of the growing monarchy movement, combined with a desire to let pragmatism rule the country is what led to the creation of the Centre Party.

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The night was filled with celebration and dance

AMONG THE RANKS of the Centre Party sit many well-known Indralan figures. Zhang Zemin worked closely with several of his former cabinet ministers during his time as Grand Chancellor, and even reached across the isle to his friends in the Lotus Party for help. His long time friend and confidant, His excellency, the late Huang Zitao (ex-Grand Chancellor and leader of the Lotus Party), left Zhang Zemin a wish on his deathbed: that the country return to peace and stability through cooperation rather than confrontation. The foundation of the Centre Party is weighted on this principle: that compromise and bipartisanship must always rule over stiff necks and partisan gambling... in other words, country (and people) must always be put over party, no matter the cause.

The Centre Party would not become reality as long as Chang Ruogang still had power over the Republicans, and that was the greatest challenge that Zhang Zemin had to overcome. His cunning strategy would leave Ruogang without a home and the radical Republican right without air to breathe, as ex-Foreign Affairs minister of the Lotus Party, Dr. Jin Meihui crossed the floor in order to undermine the corrupt Republican leadership and bring Zhang Zemin's transition team into power. This bold move (which was completed in less than 24 hours with no significant opposition or resistance), is what paved the way for this day, the founding of the Centre Party.

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Returning to the political spotlight after months of sickness and unrest, his excellency, Zhang Zemin

THOUSANDS FILLED THE HALLS of the Kāimíng Convention Centre in west-central Tian'an to celebrate the inaugural party convention of the Centre Party. Republicans of years past arrived in swaths to trade in their Republican Party memberships and claim their free Centre Party ID cards. Citizens with no prior political affiliations lined up outside the convention centre, hoping to be let in before the night was over. Press lined the walls for a chance to get a highly coveted shot of Zhang Zemin admits the green balloons and bright lights. The scene was set to perfection. Finally, after a long night of celebration and policy conversations, it was time for a speech. Zhang Zemin approached the podium with the help of his aids, and he began what would be an hour long speech:

"Good evening friends, it is so humbling to be blessed by your company. I'd like to start off by thanking you for being here. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you for your support and good will.

From the ashes of the past we shall rise. Let us carry the torch from those who did so honourably before us. I never want you to forget two names that are the most important to me: Song Yi and Huang Zitao, for these two Indralans made a profound difference in all of our lives. Let us not forget the mistakes of the past, let us never allow us to follow the path of hate and dishonour. We must learn from the past, as it will guide our future. This party will be the party of Indrala. No more obstructionism, no more partisanship. If there are people starving on our streets, we will feed them! If there is a broken bridge in this country, we will fix it! If there is a mother crying for her daughter, we will love her and make her feel warm. We are so much greater as a people when we work together, and I cannot wait to see what can be accomplished when we choose cooperation over division. I reach my hand out to the Lotus Party and offer them friendship, I offer my hand out to the Sun Clan and offer them love. I offer my hand and my heart to the people of this country and offer them hope for a new vision of this country.

Let us never lose our compassion, let us never lose our hearts, for the day we turn our back on each other, is the day we turn our back on this country's future. Today marks the begging of a new era in Indralan politics. Today you have chosen to realize the Indrala Dream!

Thank you."

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© 4327 Centre Party of Indrala

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Originally posted by TreeHugger on 3 January 2018.