GOVERNMENT
Within each Province, there are local forms of government to manage all aspects of that Province. All swear fealty to the Imperial courts, however, and the Emperor's word is absolute law.
Songtu is overseen by four Lord Judges, with four High Judges beneath them overseeing each Songtu city. The Lord Judge presides over major trials to do with the well-being of the province as a whole, as well as acting as legal advisor to the Emperor as needed. The High Judges act in a similar manner for each city they preside over, and will convene at the capital with the Lord Judges over matters regarding each region of the province as needed. Each High Judge has three judges who assist them in city-wide court decisions, followed by juries and lawyers and legislators, etc..
Separate from the Judges are the Advocates, who possess a unique place in the governmental system of Songtu. Advocates are members of the spiritual population, much akin to priests, who specialize in divination and meditation. An advocate's job is a divine mandate to challenge precedent, and bring prior decisions under scrutiny as they become outdated. While to an outsider they may seem like troublemakers, challenging the rule of law, in Songtu it is understood that they serve a very important purpose and prevent stagnation.
POLITICS
As Songtu values truth and justice above all else, they are often given the role of peacekeepers within the Empire. They have a friendly relationship with Gushui to the south, being similarly close to the dangers of Nhoplan and the Bone Giants. However, Songtu is limited by Imperial Law, and so cannot provide relief for their southern cousins without invoking the wrath of the Emperor. In the past, many Lord Judges have advocated on Gushui's behalf, which has cemented Gushui's loyalty to them as friends.
NOTABLE LAWS
Songtu possesses the usual laws against theft, murder, extortion, etc.. These laws also extend to the local spirits, and so citizens must take care that they are not harming spiritual beings or spaces with their actions. Permits are required for foraging, the building of new structures, and other things that will affect the natural landscape in any matter - these permits not only have to be approved by the courts, but by the priesthood as well to guarantee that no spirits will be made angry by things such as logging or polluting rivers.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Empire has a somewhat tumultuous relationship with their neighboring countries, with only a few exceptions. Nhoplan has been fierce enemies with the southern Provinces for millenia, and the borders between Gushui and Nhoplan remain highly contested. To the north, the Province of Sheng-gu endures skirmishes with Muqin de liwu, though these altercations are far more guerilla style and sporadic than conflicts seen in the south.
Liwu: Enemy
Rulastinia: Ally
Nhoplan: Enemy
Veila Kaur: Somewhat hostile
Le'raana: To be determined