Chupang period
The Chupang period (Pwo: 諸邦, 'many states') was a period in the history of West Lestria, particularly Linghsi, spanning from the 11th century to 1650. It was marked by the division of Linghsi into a number of maritime and mercantile kingdoms, typically dominated by a single hegemon that alternated periodically as their power waxed and waned.
The period began following the abrupt and poorly documented collapse of the Wei Empire and of West Lestrian civilisation in general in the mid-10th century, which resulted in prolonged chaos and substantial retrogression of the area. A sense of order was only restored in the 11th century with the rise of various kingdoms in the former territories of the vast Linghsi empire. By the 12th century, West Lestria had recovered from the collapse, having restored trade with Ascesia and Masrey which had prospered in the Wei era, and even bolstering these connections into major avenues of technological and cultural exchange.
The hegemony system of the period was based on acclamation of a hegemon by a majority of other states, in turn reflecting the actual disposition of power. Until 1245, the state of Fei was the hegemon of the area; it was followed by Liu from 1245 to 1343, then Tuan from 1343 to 1428, and Tsui from 1428 to 1500. In 1500 Min became the hegemon after subduing Hsia, a status solidified by its defeat of Yang in 1506. Min continued to be unchallenged in Linghsi through the imposition of onerous tributary requirements, which impeded the ability for its vassals to act independently, until its fall to a Pey invasion in 1648. By 1650 the remaining states had also been conquered by the newly founded Baygil Empire, inaugurating a new period of unification in West Lestria continuing to today.