Yingdala

[jack]

March 6, 5616

Mandate of Heaven Left Unfilled and Unclaimed, Chancellor Gu Wanzhe De Facto Leader

Instability at the very top as imperial continuity is jeopardized and government is elevated to fill void.

Kaizhou, Jiazhi – With the passing of Emperor Jiu on October 6, 5606 and leaving no heir to inherit the Mandate of Heaven, Chancellor Gu Wanzhe, 42, became the de facto leader of the empire and was sworn in on January 20, 5607. In his inaugural speech, Chancellor Gu told the empire that it was his "top priority" to ensure that "the Mandate of Heaven is filled without much delay;" however, the Mandate has been left unfilled for over a decade now, leaving many confused on the prospects of the empire's government.

Imperial scholars have protested the Chancellor for failing to act according to imperial law that states that, "...upon the passing, incapacitation, or abdication of the Emperor without an heir, the Chancellor shall, within 90 days, form a commission of scholars, clergy, and noblemen to fill the vacancy of the Mandate of Heaven." While the Chancellor formed the commission, the commission was unable to be effective in their role as the Chancellor stood as a hindrance in their functioning.

After 10 years the Mandate's vacancy, and with no one claiming it, people are growing frustrated with the lack of care of imperial continuity as Chancellor Gu has sought to increase his own power instead. Many imperial loyalists have marched in the streets in the empire's capital calling for the resignation of Chancellor Gu and for the restoration of the Celestial Throne.