[lukan]

"Point is that saying that China wasn't always unified so it is similar to Europe is wrong"

Good point, I agree. That is why I initially said "lot's in common". But I believe the concept of "flee to another country if your views weren't accepted were you are now" is also quite present in chinese folklore.

So yes, there was the one person you could not flee from in china, which was the emperor and his court. But I would argue that your views also could not really go against the catholic church and the pope in europe for a long time and in most parts of it. (In a point more on topic, I would argue, that the disempowerment of the Inquisition, was the main ingredient in the industrial revolution, see Galilei and co.)

[pantalaimon]

Reformation was most popular in the northern countries of the Hanse trade union. Freeing themselves from Catholicism also meant freeing themselves from the emperor and the tribute payed to him.

When the Protestant stronghold Magdeburg refused to pay, it was entirely obliterated during the 30 year war, to set an example for other 'rebel' cities