The History of the World VII . . . .

[OzzyKP]

The reign of King Dawud was long and prosperous. The people were happy and with shrewd trading with their neighbors became one of the most technologically advanced nations on terra. A title that had long eluded them.

Helping them greatly was the decision to create a written language for every day use in the kingdom. The Hebrew script in which the commandments of God were written was deemed to sacred for everyday use. So a new script, an Arabian script was created.

At last an Arabian alphabet was created:

[OzzyKP]

On a warm beach in Baghdad

Things were so calm and prosperous in Arabia that King Dawud would take occasional vacations to the beaches of Baghdad. While still small, Baghdad was rapidly growing into a thriving resort town. However that summer would not be as calm or peaceful as the beaches of Baghdad....

"Sire!" called out Seraiah, Dawud's private secretary, "Sire! an urgent note has arrived for you."

He handed King Dawud the note after rushing hurredly over the sandy beach to where the King was reclining with his entourage.

Dawud sat up to quickly read over the note, "Thank goodness for an alphabet" he thought initially. Then his thoughts quickly turned to the contents.

"Seraiah, pack my things, we must ride to Mecca. And summon Foreign Minister Jehoshaphat immediately."

Pacing back and forth considering the news he just heard, King Dawud anxiously waits for Jehoshaphat to arrive. Servants scurry back and forth preparing the court for the trip back to Mecca. Soon Jehoshaphat arrives to confer with the King.

"I have heard the news Seraiah brought, sire, what are your orders?"

"I was uneasy from the very begining over the fact that the Kushren declared war on the Romans - especially now in this period of internal turmoil and civil war. Without a strong leader at their helm they would fold easily to a nation such as the Kushren." Clearly aggitated, King Dawud paced as he spoke, "To take advantage of the Romans in their moment of weakness shows the character of our allies to the north."

"Indeed sire," added Jehoshaphat, "Furthermore it is not in our strategic interest to have a weak Rome on our west - or worse yet a strong Kushren bordering us on two sides. We have had friendly relations with the Romans for many years and we must not allow the Kushren to succeed."

"I was glad to see a peace accord finally reached between China & Rome, and I did what I could to secure such a treaty, but it is none of the busness of the Kushren - especially not now as the war is ending. They are simple opportunists with no interest in the area besides crude greed and lust for conquest. Well Arabia will have no part of it. Send a message to the King to remove his army from our lands."

"I fear it would be too slow, Sire. They have decided to send their armies without notifying us in advance - and worse yet, they sent their armies through our land while we were out on vacation (OOC - when I had dropped) so the news that a considerable army is marching through our lands took us all by surprize. Considering how long it took for the courier to reach us, and how long it would take to bring your message north to Ricetown, I fear the troops will already be through our land and beginning their attack on Rome."

"You are right, Jehoshaphat, we have no time for negotiation. They have deceptively taken advantage of us while our backs were turned, we must act quickly. Send word to our garrisons that the Kushren armies should be ejected from our lands immediately. Tell General Joab to escort their troops beyond our border."

"Very good sire, I will send the message to General Joab immediately."

"And Seraiah, tell my son, Sulayman to quit flirting with those girls, we have to go!"

[deity]

Points 360BC

edit

[Frank Johnson]

I think I just need to reitterate that its pretty clear that the score chart in no way paints an accurate picture of the world in terms of its balance of power or real achievements.

[deity]

again...

Advise me of any errors... not sure of the cultured cities. How do I confirm it?

[LzPrst]

((guys. this is the story thread. discuss the chart in the other one))

Bjorgyn stretched out in the small valley between the hills and the eastern fjord. On a small island in the northwest stood a great tower in grey marble. It shone during the night so far that it could be seen for a hundred miles away, and ships would come sailing in, guided safely to the harbor, the greatest port in the world. No where else did so much trade take place as in the Viking ports, and none more than Bjorgyn.

Sverre looked upon his achievement. It was a grand magnificent building in the purest marble. It had been started as a temple, a replica of Oden's legendary Valhalla, but he had decreed that it would be used as a festival hall rather than a place for dreary worshippers, here all people would be welcome to drink and eat and tell stories of great adventures and exploits. A great hall, like The Great Longhouse Palace, placed on the opposite side of the city, on the northernmost hill of Bjorgyn. It would be the first thing to see for the ships that sailed in.




Walking to the north of the city, viewing the final part of construction Sverre knew well that this temple would never be used as one, and he cared not. The Viking people cared little for the gods and rarely prayed or worshipped like the peoples of the south.



But people did come from afar to see the magnificent festival hall. From the Incas people sailed on the river from Tiwanaku, and along the coast from Cuzco. Carthagians and English came from all over the world to the port of Oesthavn in order to sail west to see the monument. All these tourists left behind them riches that made Bjorgyn flow with gold and wealth. And trade flourished as well. Every year Bjorgyn would collect 20 million gold coins. Shops would set up all around the temple, money would flow like the great river. Sverre was pleased with himself. Not only had he succeeded in finishing the Festival Hall, but he had also managed to strengthen the Viking military.

Now he had but one more task to finish. To subdue the Goths of the north. They would gladly become part of Viking civilization if only a city would be built in their home. And the western edge of the world also needed a city.

[OzzyKP]

Several Days Later in Mecca...

The trip up the Euphrates took longer than expected. It became painfully obvious that a road to Baghdad was despirately needed. General Joab was successful ejecting the Kushren troops from Arabian soil without incident. The only problem however was part of the Kushen army went west instead of north back into Kushrena. They were the more irritable half of the army and it was worried they would cause damage on the several days march back north through Arabia. So the quickest path out was the safest.

King Dawud assembled his cabinet to discuss next steps and await a response from Ricetown.

The King was the first to speak, "General Abishai, what has become of the western Kushren army?"

"They continue their march west - toward Rome. Our sentries are monitoring their movements."

"I took the liberty of notifying our friends, the Romans," added Foreign Minister Jehoshaphat, "it appears their cities won't be at much risk. However the Kushren may do some damage to the countryside."

"Well it is their problem now, we have done all that we can do," said King Dawud, " At least we have sealed out the Kushren to prevent them from sending additional troops. I wonder where..."

The King pauses mid-sentence upon seeing his secretary, Seraiah, enter the room carrying a sealed scroll. No doubt the message he was just asking about. Seraiah delivers the message to Dawud who quietly reads it over. All eyes are on him waiting for some sign as to the contents of the message.

Finally after staring down at the parchment for what seemed like an eternity, King Dawud angrily throws the scroll across the table and slams his fist onto the table, "The damn Kushrena have declared war."

The table errupts in surprize and chatter as everyone considers out loud what this will mean for them. The first to settle down his peers and gain the floor is Jehoshaphat.

"What possible pretense could they have for declaring war?"

"They say closing our borders violated our treaty of alliance, and the penalty for our violation is open warfare," responded the King.

"That is preposterous!" exclaimed Jehoshaphat, "Our violation?! They were the dogs who violated the treaty by declaring war on the Romans!"

Jehoshaphat begins to rummage through a box of scrolls and other official documents looking for the treaty.

"Ah yes, here it is," he said as he pulled out a hefty scroll held tight with a dark blue ribbon. Jehoshaphat stood up and untied the ribbon. The lengthy scroll unrolled on the table and continued to unroll till it fell over the edge of the opposite side of the table.

Jehoshaphat studied the many clauses and articles and amendments from the obscenely long treaty for a moment before finding the correct passage, "Ok, here it is, I shall read for everyone: 'Article Four, Section 7. Recognizing that either Israel or Kushrena may have similar mutual protection pacts with a third civilization, if one Treaty member wants to declare war on another civilization, Treaty members shall consult the other government in the Treaty, and exhaust all diplomatic options with a third, outside civilization before declaring war.'"

"Ah ha, it is clear as day!" said General Joab as he rose to his feet, "The dirty Kushren violated their own treaty by declaring war on the Romans with no notice or consultation with us, and then accuse US of violating the treaty when we were the ones trying to honor it! They were just waiting for an excuse to attack us. They shall die like the dirty unKosher pigs they are!"

Looking over the treaty, King Dawud finally rises to speak. His age is definitely beginning to show, but he is as full of energy as a young man.

"Since it was signed, our 'alliance' has been worth less than the 15 feet of parchment it was printed on. All we have seen from the Kushren is broken promises and betrayal." gasped Dawud, his anger rising up, " It seems clear they merely declared war on the Romans to provoke a war with us - their true goal all along. We shall not bow to those cowards. It is time for their sins to receive righteous punishment."

[OzzyKP]

The Kushren War

The Arabians quickly found themselves on the defensive. Kushren troops originally intended for the assault on Rome were diverted towards Jerusalem. The army represents the first foreign troops to invade Arabia since unorganized bands of Philistine warriors hundreds of years ago. The Kushren army caused heavy disruption to peaceful Arabian wheat farmers outside of Jerusalem. Their presence led to food shortages in the city and created worry among the populace. King Dawud was not worried however. He sent General Joab to Jerusalem shortly after the Kushren declaration of war with plans to immediately raise an army capable of defending the Jewish holy city.

Just in time, Joab’s force of mighty axe wielding troops were trained and ready for combat. While young and inexperienced (in Arabic: gnoobs), the men of Joab had excellent leadership and were trained specifically for this battle. They knew their enemies’ weaknesses and exploited them.


Choosing to march out and meet the Kushren army in the field instead of defending from behind the Jerusalem walls, General Joab attacked the invading horde with skill and ferocity. The soldiers may be inexperienced, but they were defending their homes from an aggressive foreign power, and they fought bravely until the Kushren force was scattered and broken.

Meanwhile, King Dawud instructed Jehoshaphat to make an alliance with the northern Canaanites – long time enemies of the Kushren. With the Canaanites attacking from the north, and the Arabians attacking from the south, it was hoped the Kushren would quickly realize the error of their ways and end this war.

After taking some time to heal and replenish their forces, General Joab took his force north to bring the war to the Kushrena. The best defense is a good offense. Indeed the best way to prevent future attacks on Jerusalem or other Arabian cities was to hamper the Kushren infrastructure and damage their capacity to raise and maintain a large offensive army. General Joab fought several smaller, successful battles against local garrisons in outlying villages and mining towns outside of the Kushren capital, Ricetown. After many victories, Joab amassed a good amount of loot and slaves.

The Kushren commanders, instead of facing the powerful army under General Joab, they tried to seize the opportunity to attack Jerusalem. No doubt they figured with Joab distracted outside Ricetown, Jerusalem would be lightly defended. King Dawud expected such a move, and sent Joab’s brother, General Abishai, to raise another army in Jerusalem. Trained in time to face the new Kushren force, General Abishai was just as successful as his brother and the Kushren were soundly defeated. Abishai then led his army to the east past Paris, to Romefeller.




It was clear that God had abandoned the Kushren, and was punishing them for their many misdeeds and sins. In addition to attacking God’s chosen people, the Kushren king committed the grave sin of leading his people into idolatry. Leaving behind the Jewish faith of the people, the Kushren king forced the false belief of Buddhism on his people and began persecuting the Jewish converts in his western cities – blaming them for the many defeats at the hands of the Arabs. Refugees fleeing from persecution came to the city of OZ hoping to be free from the misery. The brutal Kushren regime however committed their most horrific offense to date, and the leadership of OZ massacred the Jewish refugees.

In spite of this, Abishai, like Joab, was instructed not to attack any Kushren cities, for fear the siege would harm the Jewish population inside.. Their goal was not to conquer territory, but to hamper the Kushren ability to make war on Arabia and force a peace settlement. However, after suffering many defeats, some minor some major, the Kushren refused to negotiate and refused to talk peace.

Finally after years of defeat, the people of Kushrena grew restless wtih their leadership. Their long time leader, the mystical figure of Treize Kushrenada, disappeared, as has happened many times in the past. There are of yet no reports as to who is to be the new ruler of Kushrena.

[Frank Johnson]

Jungle Empire



While other tribes warred with each other for land and resources, the Inca started their assault against the hostile forces of nature. A grand highway had been carved from the jungles and hillsides, which dominated the vast majority of its empire linking its numerous cities and outposts. After decades of toil in organized work gangs, the jungles were finally beginning to yield fruit, both literally and figuratively. Although in its beginning stages, ambitious men throughout the empire were planning on the best methods to gather the jungle’s variety of resources.

In the absence of such luxuries for now, the great numbers of people of the empire suffered under the rule of the Sapa. The hearts of the ruling classes varied wildly, some kind, others cruel. Faced with hordes of unruly peasants, Sapa Lain had the rabble organized into labor camps in order to construct terraces and libraries in Cuzco. Proclaiming that men cannot live on bread alone, Sapa Lain ordered the library to be constructed in record time. Despite these achievement’s the Sapa’s dream of a society of highly educated and well cultured middle class citizens to rule over has yet to become a reality.

High on the list of priorities for the Sapa was the securing an abundant source of iron for the great forges. The Inca used the material to push their tradition of metal working to new heights. Organized military training sought to replace simple standing armies composed of local tribesmen with ranks of well trained and well equipped fighting men. Although the borders of the Incan empire were secure and peaceful, the Sapa knew it was only a matter of time until the Incan Empire’s interests due it into conflict with some of the less enlightened tribes of Terra. Some were peaceful and many were prosperous. Most did not face the hardships that the Incans faced. Travelers brought back stories of vast empires to the south, several of which traded with the Inca and allowed free passage. Knowledge exchanged from north to south down the coasts and along the great Imperial highways of the west.

[Toni]

The Bulgarian Expansion

Bulgaria reached its greatest size under Khan Krum who presided over a golden age of artistic and commercial expansion. Plans were being made also for the establishment of a common, official religion which will permanently permit the joining of the Bulgarians and native cultures.

Under the rule of Khan Krum Bulgaria expanded its territory and turned into a major political force. The kingdom bordered with the Arab civilization of King Dawud to the north east, as well as the Romans, and to the west the Bulgarian borders reached the Zhou and Egyptian civilizations. In order to unify the Bulgarian nation and expand trade among its cities Krum made his priority the building of a great highway connecting all the settlements for the coming years.

Being able to push their borders further west the Bulgars build the great city of Veliko Turvono close to the wine fields of melnik. Leaning from local tribes that the south sea contains rich fish deposits the settlement of Varna was established as well in order to secure this important resource.

Due to it’s strategically location right on the Chinese and Egyptians border a decision was made to turn Veliko Turnovo into the most powerful city in Bulgaria and to serve as the primary fortress and strongest fortification in the Kingdom in order to repel any ill intentions from its neighbors. The most monumental building in the city was the Khan's palace. The beautiful architecture, the original and realistic murals, the colorful mosaics and handicraft masterpieces show the high disposition and artistic genius of Bulgarian masters.

The city of Veliko Turnovo was built in the ending outskirts of the western Balkan Mountains. The town is situated amphitheatrically on 7 hills. Travelers from afar wrote about the city and its magnificence, describing it as the most beautiful Bulgarian city. The city was quickly becoming a regional administrative, economical and cultural center. Veliko Turnovo was also though by many as "the second after Mecca" in its beauty and might.

[OzzyKP]

Foreign Minister Jehoshaphat brings some important news to the King.

"Sire, it seems at long last a new King has claimed the throne of the Kushren."

"Oh, big news. Who is this man? Is he someone who will deal with us?"

"Little is known about this man, he is referred to only as "the conqueror, the 45th". It appears he traces his ancestory back many generations to a short-lived, aggressive, English dynasty many centuries ago. Beyond that, none of our people know anything about him."

"Hmm, with a name like "the conqueror", this could be bad for us. I shall dictate to Seraiah a letter to send to the new King. Please prepare copies to send to all nations."

And so King Dawud dictated a letter to the new Kushren leader. The letter is below:

An Open Letter to All Nations

To: Conqueror the 45th, of the Kushrena
From: King Dawud, of Arabia

It has come to our attention that you have now assumed the duties of ruling your people, taking over from Treize Kushrenada. Congratulations, we wish you a long and prosperous reign.

We have many matters of state to discuss that have immediate importance to both our people. As you know, your predacessor declared war on us and a state of war has exisited between our nations for some time now.

Arabia has no interest in this war, and despite the firm upper hand we currently possess in this war I am prepared to offer a magnanimous peace treaty.

- We call for an immediate end of hostilities and a swift return to full peace.
- For starting an unprovoked war against Arabia, and to honor previous technological agreements that were ignored and violated by previous rulers, the Kushren will be required to gift Arabia their next technological advancement that is currently unknown to us.

The sooner we can put this war behind us the better.

- King Dawud

[Conquistador45]

I Conquerer the 45th come from a long line of battle hardened Spanish Conquistadors. I was accused, by my peers, of not being aggressive and brutal enough. I have been exiled by my people and thus I come to the throne of Kushrena through a distant couisn. I was called upon to takeover as ruler by Treize Kushrenada, while he persues his trip into space. All minimal internal strife, (if any), will end as I takeover the Kingdom with the previous rulers blessing.

I bring with me my family of two daughters, (alas I have no Queen, as my wife died in childbirth), a strong will and keen desire to rule the Kushrena Kingdom as a fair and strong ruler. Of strong heart and mind. .... I have fought many previous battles, but only as a last resort. I am more open minded than most of my people and heartily embrace the buddist religion. I look forward to long years as ruler of my new people, (or until Treize Kushrenada returns).

Now for my first act as King Conquerer the 45th of Kushrena...........a counter proposal.

An Open Letter to All Nations

To: King Dawud, of Arabia
From: Conqueror the 45th, of the Kushrena

We also call for an immediate end of hostilities and a swift return to full peace.

The war started for reasons of tresspass. Open borders were needed and negoiated for. But after being unsucessfull, the previous ruler felt he had no choice.

Previous tech agreements are suspended during a war. Resumption of said agreements are a seperate issue and can be negotiated when peace resumes.

I King Conquerer the 45th offer the hand my youngest daughter,"Esmerelda",(the light of my life), in marrige to the son of King Dawud, "Sulayman". If King Dawud excepts, Sulayman will have to erect temples in honor the Kushren princesses god`s. This marriage will cement the two Kingdoms in a long, lasting peace bringing prosperity to both.

I await the reply of King Dawud.

King Conquerer the 45th

[deity]

To: Conqueror the 45th, of the Kushren

From: Tan-gun, King of the Choson ones

Firstly, allow me to congratulate you on your 'promotion'.

The Choson were very concerned at the previous actions of the Kushren and are well pleased at this turn of events, although much fondness is still felt for your predecessor.

Your continuance of practising the Buddhist faith is most re-assuring and seek your help in spreadinmg the one true religion throughout the lands.

The galley that passed by your lands many centuries ago has now almost completed a full circumnavigation of the continent, proving that the continent is indeed a finite whole. (!@)

We predict future land pressures and urge the Kushren to quickly settle any remaining lands, in accordance with your agreements with the Celtic and Arab nations.

We applaud your peace proposal and hope that King Dawud, of Arabia responds in kind and that the intermingling of bloods does embrace cooperation with religious tensions in the future.

Also, refer to our agreements with your predecessor and inform the Choson and Celts of any issues.

I'm sure our path for mutual benefit in our North East region will continue.

Yours truly,

King Tan-gun of the Choson

[OzzyKP]

Sulayman

By this time, the once proud and strong King Dawud was showing his age. No longer the warrior who cut off the head of the giant, Jalut, Dawud was ill and bed ridden. His son, Sulayman, while not first in line for the throne, has begun assuming more and more of his father's duties as he has become sicker and sicker.

One day, two new mothers approach King Dawud, bringing with them a single baby boy. Each mother presents the same story - She and the other woman live together. One night, soon after the birth of their respective children, the other woman woke to find that a wolf had dragged away her baby in her sleep. In anguish and jealousy, she took her dead son and exchanged it with the other's child. The following morning, the woman discovered the dead baby, and soon realized that it was not her own son, but the other's.

Old King Dawud, after listening to the story (and nodding off to sleep in places) decides in favor of the older woman. His son Sulayman however stops him first, and takes out his knife. He declared that there is only one fair solution: the live son must be split in two, each woman receiving half of the child. Upon hearing this terrible verdict, the boy's true mother, the younger one, cried out, "Please, My Lord, give her the live child - do not kill him!" However, the liar, in her bitter jealousy, exclaimed, "It shall be neither mine nor yours - divide it!' Sulayman instantly gave the baby to the real mother, realizing that the true mother's instincts were to protect her child, while the liar revealed that her only motivation was jealousy.

The judges of the realm objected to having one so young as Sulayman interfere in their counsel, and so Dawud proposed that Sulayman be examined publicly before a tribunal of lawyers; when this was done Sulayman not only answered all questions as soon as they were put, but confounded his judges by asking them questions which they could not answer.

So it was that Sulayman's blessing of wisdom was shown to the whole kingdom.

In King Dawud's final days, very few saw him besides his son Sulayman. The two talked about affairs of state and awaited a response from Conqueror the 45th, of the Kushren. Finally the letter came.

Sulayman read the letter to King Dawud in private, and Dawud was outraged.

"Not only do they.... refuse the... technology tribute, but they have the.... audacity to.... demand we violate God's commandments .....by making temples to.... foreign gods." rasped the weakening King Dawud. "My son... send our response... via General Joab.... take Ricetown.... raze it... to the ground... for this insult."

"Of course father, right away," replied Sulayman.

However, Sulayman had no intention of relaying the order. Sulayman hated war, he hated bloodshed, and wished nothing more than for this war to be over quickly and forever. If that meant passing up the tribute, and building temples to foreign gods, so be it. The true God would understand the need for pacifism.

Sulayman stopped all members of the royal court from seeing his father for the next two weeks, except a young harpist to soothe his father in his last days. Finally at long last the great King Dawud died.

[KunojiLym]

The Northern Zhou Dynasty continued its slow decline, even as the various dukes struggled for power amongst themselves, occasionally uniting against the threat of the Roman barbarians. Under this backdrop, the state of Chu, bolstered by foreign axes, became the new hegemon, and a poweful rival to the state of Qi. Far to the west, the state of Han rose around the newly established city of Shanghai, but it was not yet considered a part of civilized China.

In the midst of this mayhem, many citizens of the Zhou fled south to Egypt and Bulgeria. One of them settled in the Bulgerian city of Boyana [Hebei in Chinese], and started a school emphasizing the rule of law and seniority over all. That man was Kong Qiu, otherwise known as Confucius, and upon his death in 600 BCE, his teachings quickly became dominent in Boyana. It was to be another 100 years before a follower of his teachings, Meng Ke or Mencius, wrote and published the Spring and Autunm Annals, which gave the period its name.

The publication of the Annals was followed by a century of relative calm, during which the mighty Chu and Qi armies beat back the Roman invaders and tore up their sources of metal. Finally, some years before 400 BCE, the Romans sued for peace. The Kingdom of Zhou had fought back the barbarian hordes. Immeadiatedly following this, however, the two strongest states turned on each other. Duke Zhuang of Chu had long eyed the riches of Yin, capital of Qi, with greed and desire, and now, as his armies returned victorious from Rome, he struck, sweeping through and annilating a multitude of smaller states in his path. Qi scrambled to respond, but her army was far from home, and in the spring of 400 BCE, the bulk of the home army was annilated. Qi was broken, but Chu was unable to press the advantage, for by autunm, Qin armies from Xianyang had arrived, armed with fearsome new iron weaponary, in purported 'defense' of Qi. It was around this time that the dukes finally dropped the pretense of nominal loyalty to the King of Zhou, instead declaring that they were kings themselves. So it was that the Spring and Autunm Period came to an end, and the era of the Warring States began. The leading contenders were Chu, Qin and Yan (which had greatly benefited from Qi patronage and was quick to absorb the refugees from that state).

Also around this time, another school of thought arose in the city of Veliki Preslav [Lin'an in Chinese]. A man named Li Er was said to had left Chu in disgust and travelled to Boyana in order to learn from the disciples of Confucius. What he found there was apparently not to his liking, so he travelled west to Veliki Preslav, where it is said that he finally saw through the mysteries and lies of life on this world. According to legend, he was about to leave Veliki for good when the gate keeper implored him to write down his wisdom, whereupon he promptly sat down and wrote his seminial work in little more than half a day. Then he dissappeared. This man is more popularly known as Laozi, and the work attributed to him is the Dao De Jing, or, 'The Book of the Way and its Virtue'. The school of thought that he left behind was to become known as Taoism, diametrically opposed to Confucianism, and yet complementary to it in several ways.

These were not the only schools of thought to be founded by the Chinese in this period. Mozi, founder of the moralistic and pacific school of Mohism, actually did manage to find the ear of the King of Yan, and was particularly critical of both Confucianism and Taoism. The ruthless school of Legalism, too, started to gain favor with the King of Qin. In fact, the Northern Zhou Dynasty, for all its strife and violence, also gave birth to the so-called Hundred Schools of Thought, and there were certainly many wandering scholars vying for the ears of the various kings in China, and also further south in Bulgeria and Egypt.

In the midst of all this, the religions of India had spread to China. All three of the leading contenders (Qin, Chu and Yan) were worshippers of Krishna, while the hapless King of Zhou had converted to Hinduism. Qi and Han still worshipped their ancestral spirits, the way their forefathers before them had done so. But as is the case with most foreign imports, the worship of Krishna and the Hindu gods was, in practice, not much different from the sort of worship that the Chinese have always practiced. Chinese ancestral worship already had the concept of Tian (Heaven), an omnipotent presense that watched over everyone below. The concept of Brahman was thus merged with that of Tian, and Krishna was treated as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Wan Mei Tian, or 'He of a Thousand Beauties'. Similarily, the deities of the Hindu faith were merged into the Chinese pantheon of ancestral spirits and gods.