Previously, I discussed renaming the original Chinese variant civilization Zhuzi’s Legacy to The Benevolent Dynasty or The Prosperous Dynasty. Here is a detailed supplementary note to clarify the core vision of the renaming plan, open up the naming space, and once again anchor the best transformation direction for the upcoming Yue Fei DLC.
- Core Vision of “The Benevolent/Prosperous Dynasty”: Focusing on China’s Most Prosperous Eras
The proposal to rename the civilization to The Benevolent Dynasty or The Prosperous Dynasty is not limited to a single dynasty. Instead, it extracts the most prosperous and powerful eras from China’s historical dynasties—Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming—and integrates them into a “Pan-Hua Xia Prosperous Civilization” variant. The core logic is “Naming for Prosperity, Defining by Era”, weakening the rigid single Neo-Confucian label of the original “Zhuzi’s Legacy” and strengthening the civilization’s “grand prosperity narrative” and inclusivity.
Specifically, the design concept behind this renaming is:
- The Benevolent Dynasty: Corresponds to the stable and prosperous periods of ancient Chinese dynasties—characterized by political clarity, orderly governance, and stable livelihoods. Examples include the Zhenguan Reign of the Tang, the Renzong Golden Age of the Northern Song, and the Yongle Prosperity of the Ming. It highlights the core civilizational value of “pacifying the world and bringing peace to the people”.
- The Prosperous Dynasty: Corresponds to the peak stages of each dynasty—where national strength was at its height, territories were vast, the economy flourished, and culture reached its zenith. Examples include the Kaiyuan Prosperity of the Tang, the unification peak of the Yuan, and the Ren-Xuan Prosperity of the Ming. It highlights the grand civilizational atmosphere of “all nations paying homage”.
After the renaming, the civilization’s core settings (such as the dynastic mechanics and age bonuses of Tang-Song-Yuan-Ming) do not require major changes. Only the name and description need to be replaced with “The Benevolent/Prosperous Dynasty”, supplemented with a core positioning: “Embodies the essence of China’s benevolent and prosperous eras, upholding the prosperity and strength of Chinese civilization”. This preserves the integrity of the original civilization while making the name more aligned with the grand temperament of the AOE4 Chinese civilization, making it more recognizable than “Zhuzi’s Legacy”.
At the same time, the alternative naming is not fixed. Everyone can freely brainstorm, as long as the core connotation of “the most prosperous eras of China’s dynasties” is reflected. For example:
- Benevolent China, Prosperous China
- Benevolent Hua Xia, Prosperous Hua Xia
- Benevolent Era of Hua Xia, Prosperous Era of Hua Xia
- Prosperous Dynasty, Golden Dynasty
These names all revolve around the “highlights of China’s dynasties” and can be finally determined based on community discussions.
- Value of Lightweight Renaming: Low-Threshold Optimization, Rapid Improvement of Civilization Recognition
The plan of “The Benevolent/Prosperous Dynasty” is essentially a lightweight optimization direction with low cost and high effect. Its core advantage lies in “changing without complexity”:
1. Extremely low modification cost: There is no need to adjust civilization mechanics, unit attributes, or age bonuses. Only the civilization name, description text, and related UI/subtitles need to be changed, resulting in small development workload and high implementation efficiency.
2. Rapidly weaken old labels: Directly break the strong binding between “Zhuzi’s Legacy” and “single Neo-Confucianism”, allowing the civilization to return to the essence of “overall Chinese civilization”, and avoiding players’ stereotype that “Zhuzi = Chinese civilization”.
3. Fits the overall narrative: The new name naturally aligns with the grand positioning of the AOE4 Chinese civilization. Both old and new players can quickly understand its core temperament of “prosperity, strength, and inclusiveness”.
It is suitable as a temporary transition plan to quickly optimize the name recognition of the original civilization, laying the groundwork for more in-depth transformations in the future.
- Optimal Plan: Complete Transformation into an Exclusive Song Dynasty or Yue Army Civilization
Although lightweight renaming is good, it is ultimately just a “tweak”. Facing the upcoming Yue Fei DLC, to make the Chinese variant civilization truly deeply linked to the DLC and form an exclusive characteristic, the best plan is always to completely abandon the original framework of “Zhuzi’s Legacy” and directly transform it into an exclusive Song Dynasty civilization or a military civilization themed on the Yue Army/Beiwei Corps.
The reasons are clear:
1. Full historical alignment: Yue Fei was a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty who fought against the Jin Dynasty, and the Yue Army was his direct elite unit. Transforming into a Song Dynasty civilization can fully restore the Song’s economic prosperity, military characteristics (such as the Shenji Crossbow and Beiwei Corps), and changes of prosperous eras, creating a seamless connection with Yue Fei’s historical background; building a civilization themed on the Yue Army can construct exclusive mechanisms around Yue Fei’s military ranks, noble titles, and northern campaigns, allowing players to personally experience the passionate plot of “loyalty to the country and recovering the Central Plains” in the game.
2. Strongest DLC linkage: The core of the Yue Fei DLC is Yue Fei and the Yue Army. If the Chinese variant civilization is still “Zhuzi’s Legacy”, it will be disconnected from the DLC theme; transforming into a Song Dynasty/Yue Army civilization can make the DLC content (such as Yue Fei’s exclusive units and Beiwei Corps troops) become the core feature of the civilization, forming an experience effect of “1+1>2”, and players’ sense of immersion and loyalty will be greatly improved.
3. More unique gameplay and narrative: The “civilian governance + economy + defense” of the Song Dynasty civilization and the “military discipline + elite + northern campaign” of the Yue Army civilization are completely different from the Neo-Confucian tone of the original “Zhuzi’s Legacy”. They can add a new gameplay dimension to the Chinese civilization variant, avoiding aesthetic fatigue of the Chinese civilization in the community.
- Plan Comparison: Lightweight Transition vs. In-Depth Transformation
Plan Type Specific Content Advantages Applicable Scenarios
Lightweight Renaming Rename to “The Benevolent/Prosperous Dynasty”, etc., retain original mechanics Low cost, low risk, rapid implementation Temporary optimization, rapid improvement of recognition
In-Depth Transformation Transform into Song Dynasty/Yue Army civilization, reconstruct core mechanics Full historical alignment, strong DLC linkage, unique gameplay Adapt to Yue Fei DLC, long-term operation
- “The Benevolent/Prosperous Dynasty” is a lightweight optimization plan providing direction. Its core is to focus on the most prosperous eras of China’s dynasties, improve civilization recognition with low thresholds, and the alternative naming is flexible and adjustable.
- However, transforming into a Song Dynasty/Yue Army civilization is the optimal plan to adapt to the Yue Fei DLC and create a differentiated civilization. It can make the Chinese variant civilization truly reborn, becoming one of the most historically immersive and gameplay-featured civilizations in AOE4.
Whether it is “The Benevolent Dynasty” or “The Prosperous Dynasty”, both are essentially putting a more magnificent on the existing framework of “Zhuzi’s Legacy”. However, if we truly want to embrace the historical weight brought by the Yue Fei DLC, a mere rename at the text level will always feel like a thin veil.
The true path to breaking the dead lies in a thorough “rebranding” and removal of labels.
With the official update underway, why not completely discard the framework of “Zhuzi’s Legacy” and build an exclusive Song Dynasty civilization from scratch, or a military civilization centered on Yue Fei—the Yue Army/Beiwei Corps?
Only in this way can the age progression in the game truly correspond to the Song Dynasty’s century of prosperous governance; only in this way can the troops we command be the iron-blooded army that broke through the Helan Mountains and swore to reclaim the Central Plains. This is not only the greatest sincerity to the Yue Fei DLC but also the key to making the Chinese civilization variant truly “stand firm” in Age of Empires IV.
【Yue Fei DLC Idea】Remaking China Civ ‘Zhuzi’s Legacy’ into Pure Song Dynasty: Two Dynasty System Proposals
With the upcoming Yue Fei DLC for Age of Empires IV, I’ve always felt that the original China civ variant ‘Zhuzi’s Legacy’ — which tangentially mixes Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming — fails to truly capture Song Dynasty uniqueness. This is the perfect chance to rework it as a Song-exclusive civ that abandons cross-dynasty references, building the entire age system around Song history while tying into the Yue Fei theme.
Below are two distinct replacement proposals for the original Tang-Song-Yuan-Ming age system, tailored to Song history and balancing gameplay rhythm with historical narrative.
Proposal 1: Four Great Eras of the Song Dynasty (Focus: Golden Age Highs)
Core Concept: Replace the standard age cycle with four officially recognized golden/peaceful eras of the Song Dynasty. Each age highlights a distinct phase of Song prosperity—economic, cultural, military, and restorative—aligning with AOE4’s age-based power spikes.
- Dark Age: Founding of the Song (Emperor Taizu’s Reign of Jianlong)
- Rationale: The Jianlong Reign marked the Song’s founding and initial stabilization after decades of chaos. It’s the perfect parallel to the Dark Age’s “founding and steady growth” phase, laying the civ’s foundational groundwork.
- Feudal Age: Early Prosperity (Emperor Zhenzong’s Reign of Xianping)
- Rationale: The Xianping Reign was a period of political stability, low taxes, and rapid agricultural growth—exactly matching the Feudal Age’s focus on population booms and economic expansion.
- Castle Age: Peak of Prosperity (Emperor Renzong’s Golden Age)strong text
- Rationale: Emperor Renzong’s era was the Song’s true peak—economically robust, culturally flourishing, and socially stable. This age mirrors the Castle Age’s “golden growth” phase, showcasing the Song’s strength.
- Imperial Age: Restoration (Emperor Xiaozong’s Reign of Qianchun)
- Rationale: The Qianchun Reign was the Southern Song’s only golden era, marked by administrative reforms, military buildup, and the rehabilitation of Yue Fei’s legacy. It aligns perfectly with the Imperial Age’s late-game showdown phase, tying directly to the Yue Fei DLC theme.
Proposal 2: Full Historical Evolution of the Song Dynasty (Focus: Narrative Continuity)
Core Concept: Strictly follow the Song’s historical timeline, dividing the four ages into distinct historical phases. This maximizes historical immersion by reflecting the Song’s rise, peak, decline, and final resistance—each with unique strengths tied to its real-world context.
- Dark Age: Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (Pre-Song Chaos)
- Rationale: When the Song was founded, central China was still trapped in the chaos of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. Emperor Taizu rose from this turmoil to unify the Central Plains—mirroring the Dark Age’s “survive and expand” challenge.
- Feudal Age: Northern Song (Unification and Stabilization)
- Rationale: The Song ended the Five Dynasties schism and unified the Central Plains, entering a phase of political normalization and internal development. This matches the Feudal Age’s “stabilize internal affairs and expand territory” gameplay loop.
- Castle Age: Great Song (Peak Era: Chanyuan Alliance to Liao-Jin War)
- Rationale: After the Chanyuan Alliance, the Song enjoyed over a century of peace, with commerce, culture, and urbanization reaching their zenith. Though militarily cautious, this was the Great Song’s period of greatest. It represents the Castle Age’s “peak economic and military readiness” phase, showcasing the Song’s golden age.
- Imperial Age: Southern Song (Retreat and Resistance)
- Rationale: Following the fall of the Northern Song, the Southern Song retreated south and waged a prolonged war against Jin and later Mongol invasions. This age reflects the Imperial Age’s “defensive standoff and final push” phase, aligning with the Yue Fei DLC’s theme of patriotic resistance.
Comparison & Final Verdict
Advantages of Proposal 1
-
Focuses on the Song’s greatest strengths, delivering a smooth, dominant gameplay experience focused on economic dominance and late-game military surge.
-
Balanced bonuses across all ages make it accessible for casual players while offering unique identity for fans of Song prosperity.
Advantages of Proposal 2
-
Delivers unparalleled historical immersion, telling a complete story from chaos to unity, peak to decline—resonating deeply with the Yue Fei DLC’s narrative of loyalty and resilience.
-
Each age has clear historical stakes, making strategic choices feel meaningful (e.g., defending the south in the Imperial Age feels tied to real history).
Recommendation
Proposal 2 (Full Historical Evolution) is the stronger choice for the Yue Fei DLC. It weaves the Song’s full journey into the civ’s identity, uses the Great Song to explicitly label the peak era, and creates a direct narrative link to Yue Fei’s legacy as the defender of the late Song. This turns the civ into more than a gameplay set—it becomes a historical tribute.
【Yue Fei DLC Concept】Rework “Zhuzi’s Legacy” into Yue Army / Beiwei Corps（背嵬军）
With Age of Empires IV finally getting its long-awaited Yue Fei DLC, I think it’s the perfect chance to completely rework China’s variant civilization “Zhuzi’s Legacy”. The original Tang–Song–Yuan–Ming dynasty system feels unfocused and disconnected from Yue Fei’s story.
I strongly suggest turning it into a Yue Army (or elite Beiwei Corps)-themed variant, replacing the old dynastic ages with either Yue Fei’s noble ranks or his military career progression.
Proposal 1: Replace dynasties with Yue Fei’s noble titles
Dark Age – Kaiguo Zi (Founding Viscount)
Reason: Reflects Yue Fei’s early career, earning his first noble title through merit.
Feudal Age – Kaiguo Hou (Founding Marquis)
Reason: Corresponds to Yue Fei being promoted to Marquis, stabilizing his command and growing the Yue Army.
Castle Age – Kaiguo Gong (Founding Duke)
Reason: Marks the height of Yue Fei’s power and the peak strength of the Yue Army during the northern campaigns.
Imperial Age – Prince Zhongwu / Prince Wumu
Reason: Posthumous royal title honoring Yue Fei, representing his legacy and legendary status in the final era.
Proposal 2: Replace dynasties with Yue Fei’s military ranks
Dark Age – Chengxin Lang / Tongzhi
Reason: Shows Yue Fei starting as a low-ranking military officer.
Feudal Age – Dutongzhi
Reason: Yue Fei became commander of the Shenwu Rear Army, formalizing the Yue Army.
Castle Age – Taiwei / Xuanfu Shi
Reason: Taiwei was the highest military rank in the Southern Song; Xuanfu Shi gave him full regional command.
Imperial Age – Vice Military Commissioner / Zhaotao Shi
Reason: Represents his later high command and unyielding spirit of recovering the Central Plains.
Comparison & Summary
-
Proposal 1 (Noble Ranks)
More epic and ceremonial, fits AoE4’s dynasty-style progression naturally.
-
Proposal 2 (Military Ranks)
More thematic for a military-focused civilization, emphasizes the Yue Army / Beiwei Corps identity.
Both versions fully replace the mixed-dynasty system and align perfectly with the Yue Fei DLC.
Which version do you prefer?