The T'au are still a relatively insignificant force in the The Galaxy / Milky Way.
The current T'au New Empire possesses approximately three hundred habitable planets, divided into twenty-one official, inter-system family domains, along with some smaller colonies and outposts.
Its overall sphere of influence spans a star cluster roughly five hundred light-years in diameter.
The T'au Empire's influence expanded rapidly until the true Imperium of Man dispatched a massive invasion force to suppress it.
Despite being a dystopian society, the T'au Empire remains one of the relatively harmonious and enlightened entities in the entire 40K universe.
The T'au's governmental structure is a "democratic system" built on meritocracy and nepotism, differing from traditional monarchies or autocratic regimes.
Officials at all levels are appointed by their superiors or committees, while the nation's supreme leader, the Supreme Aun (Aun'O), is elected, holding a position more akin to a president than an emperor.
There is also something similar to a "High Lord Senate"; thus, the T'au Empire is not actually a true imperial regime.
The T'au Empire excels at using diplomatic means for expansion, prioritizing negotiation and cooperation with alien races rather than direct conquest through war.
This is extremely rare in this highly belligerent universe.
(The T'au Empire is a classic case study of a successful new product launch from a marketing perspective.
Its original creation stemmed from GW's belief that the 40K universe was too dark and grim, needing some bright, lighthearted elements to liven up the setting.)
(And so, the T'au, a 'Space Japanese' of sorts, came into being.)
Beneath the surface, the T'au Empire exhibits a capitalist flavor.
It possesses a clear merchant class, a unified currency system, and a standardized labor employment system, making it more modern than the Imperium of Man, which remains in a feudal economic stage.
At the same time, the T'au Empire demonstrates astonishing diversity.
Any race, as long as it believes in the greater good, can be naturalized as a second-class citizen of the T'au Empire, enjoying high autonomy and respect.
As long as it does not hinder the greater good, the religious and cultural activities of alien races are unrestricted.
Humans can continue to worship the Emperor but must remove xenophobia, Nicassar can continue to explore the universe, and Kroot can continue their custom of cannibalism.
This inclusiveness is extremely rare in the The Galaxy / Milky Way.
However, behind this "enlightenment" is actually a carefully packaged "sugar-coated bullet."
The Core of the T'au Empire consists of the Aun Clan and the four major castes, who are effectively first-class citizens, using the greater good to control the population.
Many people still believe that the Aun and other castes collaborate, but what does that matter?
The ruling class remains unchanged.
The T'au Empire is also gradually evolving towards "imperialization," for example, by implementing strict eugenics, where all forms of love and sex are considered Heretics, and inter-caste marriage is an even more serious crime.
Despite its superficial democratic facade, internal social stratification is severe, and the caste system is extremely rigid.
The fate of commoners is predetermined; they cannot freely choose their profession, marriage, or lifestyle.
In reality, the T'au Empire has gradually shown some "imperialistic" tendencies, such as the Aun Clan being the true oligarchic class, treating commoners ruthlessly and indifferently, and practicing genocide under the guise of the greater good.
(Sterilization was retconned, but I lean towards "population control.")
The Aun Clan divides the Tau into five major castes, each with corresponding occupations, where everyone performs their duties and responsibilities.
Earth Caste: The commoner class.
They excel in their chosen professions, working diligently for the greater good, with no grand ambitions.
Earth Caste members can also become engineers, often collaborating with the Water Clan to develop new technologies.
While primarily commoners, after some training, Earth Caste 'Mech pilots can also fight.
Fire Caste: The warrior class.
The Fire Caste is considered impetuous, often relying on violence to solve problems, but compared to the bloodthirsty neighbors surrounding the T'au Empire, their aggressiveness is actually quite mild.
Fire Caste members are taller than Earth Caste and stronger than Air and Water Castes, but still shorter than the average human height.
Air Caste: Pilots.
Early Air Caste members were messengers, scouts, or explorers, gliding with membranous wings.
As the Tau explored the stars, the Air Caste took charge of interstellar travel.
Their bodies are tall and slender, adapted to zero-gravity environments; although they look like bamboo poles, they can withstand the G-force overload of acceleration.
Air Caste also includes engineers and soldiers, demonstrating occupational crossover between castes.
Water Clan: The pillar of the T'au Empire.
They are diplomats, merchants, and civil servants, controlling intelligence networks, with flexible minds and often ambitious.
When the Tau encounter a new civilization, the Water Clan negotiates first; if unsuccessful, the Fire Caste takes over with weapons.
The Water Clan acquires far more planets and populations through diplomacy and propaganda than the Fire Caste and Air Caste do through military conquest, even once persuading an Inquisitor of the Imperium of Man to join the greater good.
The Water Clan is therefore considered the primary threat to the Imperium of Man.
Aun Clan: Brahmins, the ruling class, it's that simple.
The horror of T'au Empire society is that regardless of race, class, or individual, everyone is deprived of the right to choose.
If you are an ordinary Tau, your destiny is already sealed.
The T'au Empire's Earth Caste will arrange a partner for you based on genetic information to ensure that the genetic makeup of your offspring is biologically optimal.
If you are a Tau or a convert, you will receive a house, universal healthcare, and a job working at a fast-food restaurant.
But that's it.
You are not allowed to pursue other work, not allowed to study or further your education, not allowed to decide who you love; in short, you are not allowed to create value beyond your status.
The T'au Empire prioritizes diplomacy with alien races rather than direct extermination, a practice truly rare in this universe (who are you calling rare!).
But the Tau, like the Japanese of old, have also attached a seemingly beautiful slogan to their expansionist actions: the greater good.
While the greater good is indeed good enough, it could at any moment transform into a "Greater The Galaxy / Milky Way Co-Prosperity Sphere."
Most importantly, just like the Japanese of old, the T'au Empire is at an absolute disadvantage in terms of size compared to its main adversaries, and can only hope to compensate for this by tactical advantages and winning major decisive battles (gambling the nation's fate).
The T'au Empire doesn't care; they have seen the armies of the Imperium of Man, Orks, Necrons, or Tyranids, yet they believe the greater good will overcome everything.
They believe they have mastered the art of war while other races are still mired in ignorance.
But most Tau Lords, including those "Aun Brahmins" with some ability to perceive the Warp, don't fully know what truly awaits them in the depths of the The Galaxy / Milky Way.
They only see a small fraction of the enemy's strength and mistakenly assume it is their full power, believing that even if they are temporarily crushed, they will ultimately triumph under the banner of the greater good, yet they are completely ignorant of true power.
(The issue of the T'au and the Warp has severe retcons and conflicting lore.)
A group of human converts (traitors) to the T'au created the T'au'va goddess, representing the greater good, through prayer in the Warp.
When the Tau learned of it, they were completely bewildered.
Compared to close combat, the Tau prefer to hide at a distance and snipe.
The Tau consider melee combat useless and unnecessary, which is actually quite reasonable; after all, when any large weapon in their arsenal can tear through the thin side armor of Imperial armored vehicles, why risk close quarters?
(They will soon learn what a "fossil" is! Fossils that can swallow hot plasma blasts!)
Furthermore, the Tau's bodies seem to have been originally designed for flight (though some say they are aquatic creatures), being very slender, even diminutive, and the entire race seems to have some vision problems.
Therefore, apart from some elite Fire Warriors, they are generally somewhat weak in close combat, as the difference in strength already determines everything.
Of course, this does not mean the Tau are weak in combat; the Tau's combat effectiveness is entirely embodied in their personal battlesuits or 'Mechs.
Without battlesuits, the Tau's combat effectiveness is truly a bit concerning.
The T'au Empire shares similarities with the Imperium of Man in tactics; while they, like the Imperial Guard, rely on firepower superiority, their tactics emphasize strike precision, mobility, reconnaissance, and individual initiative, directly contrary to the Imperial tactical philosophy of attrition warfare and trench warfare.
The Tau are more about "flanking and surprise attacks!"
The Imperium of Man, on one hand, now wishes to completely crush these "Tau Lords."
But on the other hand, considering their demonstrated resilience and advanced technology, they feel that eliminating the T'au Empire would consume vast resources, and the outcome would likely be a net loss.
More importantly, the Imperial High Lords discovered that these "Tau Lords" could, to some extent, divert enemy fire from the Imperium.
So the Imperium often leads Orks and Tyranids to the T'au Empire's territory to let them "dog-eat-dog."
Therefore, the T'au Empire is not currently considered a major threat that needs to be eliminated as a priority in the eyes of the Imperium.
Conversely, the Tau have gradually realized what a daunting task expansion is in this perilous The Galaxy / Milky Way, so their current strategy is more stable and conciliatory.
Now, they will basically try first: "The Tau Lord asked me to convey a message to you: as long as you surrender your manpower and resources, the Tau Lord will ensure your prosperity and safety, and the treatment for good citizens will be excellent!"
If the planet refuses, they will use railguns to persuade it next time.
And now, the ambition of the Tau is growing.
It's time for the Imperium to respond, just as a certain great man once said:
"The naughty Tau children need a spanking..."
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