Mandate Order Hundred Schools Guide: 6 Doctrines & Court

Quick Answer: The Hundred Schools of Thought (诸子百家) retainer system is Mandate Order's signature strategic feature. By recruiting scholars from Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism, Militarism, Daoism, and Agriculturalism, you assign them to court debates, city governorship, army commands, and diplomacy. Combine retainers to enact powerful synergistic national policies across the 9-Grid State Policy Board (九宫国策).

In the chaos of ancient China's Warring States era, rulers competed not just with swords, but with competing governance philosophies. In Mandate Order (烽沙), the intellectual doctrines of the Hundred Schools directly dictate your state's technological, civic, and military trajectory.

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The Six Major Schools of Thought

Each school offers specialized mechanical perks, unique building unlocks, and distinct court debate styles:

| School of Thought | Core Philosophy | Primary Gameplay Bonuses | Recommended Playstyle | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Legalism (法家) | Order, Law, Discipline | +Work efficiency, +Tax revenue, -Crime rate, strict conscription | Fast industrial scaling & militarization | | Mohism (墨家) | Universal Love, Defensive Tech | +Fortification defense, +Siege engine speed, +Workshop output | Defensive turtle & engineering powerhouse | | Confucianism (儒家) | Virtue, Hierarchy, Rites | +Popular support, +Diplomatic trust, +Immigration growth | High-morale city growth & alliance leader | | Militarism (兵家) | Art of War, Strategy | +Army charge power, -Troop maintenance, unlocks special battle formations | Aggressive expansion & battlefield dominance | | Agriculturalism (农家) | Land, Farming, Grain | +Crop harvest yield, +Granary spoilage resistance, -Irrigation cost | Economic foundation & famine immunity | | Daoism (道家) | Harmony with Nature | +Disaster resilience, +Herbal medicine, -Citizen unrest during crises | Stable crisis management & temple blessings |

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The 9-Grid National Policy Board (九宫国策)

As your state gains prestige and conducts court debates (廷会议题), you unlock slots on the 9-Grid State Policy Board:

[ Internal Civics ]  |  [ Economic Industry ]  |  [ Foreign Alliances ]
[ Legal Reforms   ]  |  [ The Mandate Core   ]  |  [ Military Doctrine ]
[ Cultural Rites  ]  |  [ Logistics & Trade  ]  |  [ Frontier Warfare  ]

Top Policy Combinations

1. The Grand Legalist War Machine (法兵合流):
   • Legalist Conscription + Militarist Drill Codes = -30% soldier recruitment costs and +25% troop drill speed.
2. The Agrarian-Mohist Fortress (农墨固本):
   • Mohist Fortifications + Agricultural Granary Reserve = Siege defenses receive double hit points while garrisons consume 40% less food during enemy encirclements.
3. The Confucian Diplomatic League (儒家合纵):
   • Rites of Harmony + Tribute Networks = Increases AI willingness to form non-aggression pacts and trade agreements by +50%.

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Diplomacy: Alliances, Vassals, and Subterfuge

You share the ancient map with rival warlords and regional city-states. Use foreign diplomacy to protect your borders:

1. Horizontal and Vertical Alliances (合纵连横):
   • Vertical Alliance (合纵): Form coalitions with smaller weaker states to counter an overwhelming dominant hegemon.
   • Horizontal Alliance (连横): Align with the strongest military faction to carve up border territories together.
2. Trade Treaties (通商): Establish official diplomatic trade caravans. Open markets generate steady tariff revenue for both capitals.
3. Tribute and Marriage Alliances (和亲纳贡): If a massive enemy army marches toward your walls before your defenses are ready, offer seasonal grain tribute or royal marriage alliances to buy critical years of peace.

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Retainer Recruitment & Court Debates

Scholars wander through local taverns, academies, and inns. When hiring retainers:

• Check their Doctrine Affinity: High-ranking scholars provide larger voting weight during seasonal court sessions.
• Avoid conflicting doctrines in key ministries (e.g. appointing a strict Legalist and an orthodox Confucian to the same ministry creates factional deadlock).

For early settlement recommendations, revisit our Beginner Guide.