So in the most recent Dynasty Warriors game, in one of the endings Sun Quan restores the Emperor to power, but keeps all three kingdoms alive as dukedoms with their respective leaders in charge--essentially creating a Chinese Holy Roman Empire.
However while this is a game it raises an intresting question. In that regard, how plausiable is a Chinese empire with the governing structure of the Holy Roman Empire? What would be the best POD for something like that to happen. Realistically, all "fantasy or ASB scenarios aside" who would be the best one to usher in this form of governance(please, no Sun Quan). And how long would it last?