Huddling together for warmth, unifying realms, devouring the weak to strengthen oneself, big fish eating small fish, small fish eating shrimp—survival of the fittest, the strong prevail. This has always been the unchanging law of heaven and earth.
From the beginning of the fusion of the Myriad Realms until now, a hundred years have already passed. In the various great realms, the once chaotic situation has begun to settle. The structure of power has stepped into a brand-new stage.
One realm after another has been unified. The weak can only submit, or flee into the wilderness. The strong dominate all. Some realms are jointly ruled by several powerful forces forming alliances, seizing the power of the realm and extracting all manner of resources to strengthen themselves.
All forces are desperately striving to develop and grow stronger.
To grow stronger, endlessly stronger.
This is the foremost desire of every force.
It can be said that now, almost every realm has formed into an independent structure. Anyone who dares to interfere will encounter comprehensive rejection and hostility. The difficulty of expansion is increasing invisibly.
As before, it is no longer possible to easily march into another realm.
It is said that many realms have already opened realm gates. Through these gates, reinforcements can be quickly dispatched, ensuring they are no longer isolated. Once discovered, these realm gates have been exploited, and now inter-realm travel is no longer difficult. However, the cost of opening a gate is not low; ordinary people cannot afford such passage.
Yet this already means that realms are no longer relatively isolated, but increasingly interwoven and complex. If you offend one power in a realm, in the next instant countless backers may emerge, pressing you to the ground and pounding you relentlessly.
Across heaven and earth, all forces and races of the myriad heavens are bound by innumerable threads.
Before, when realms were not connected, it was possible to break them one by one. Now, with realms linked, they can mutually support one another. To attack one power may well mean facing the might of an entire race. Often, tugging on one strand sets the whole net trembling. The entanglements are countless, and the situation is far more complex than before.
As the Immortal Court, Da Yi has become the focus of all. Whatever it does, it must consider all aspects.
For external wars and expansion, it can no longer act without justification.
The face of the Immortal Court must be preserved.
No one will respect an Immortal Court without principles or limits.
A good reputation can bring endless benefits.
This has always been Yi Tianxing's deliberate goal. Now that Da Yi has ascended as an Immortal Court, its development requires more careful thought. Only with a good reputation can it endure long-term. Yet Da Yi cannot cease expansion. This is the pressing dilemma for its ministers.
"Indeed. According to the intelligence from the Palace of Calamities, realms everywhere are stabilizing. The great powers are all focused on peaceful development. Chaos and war are actually decreasing. Without turmoil, Da Yi has no grounds to act—acting without justification would be inappropriate."
Tong Huang nodded in agreement.
Da Yi's ascension had shocked all realms and dynasties too greatly. The pressure it brought was immense. Without growing stronger, they would perish. This fear haunted all.
"Your Majesty, I believe this matter may yet have a solution."
Jia Xu smiled, stepping forward to speak.
"Oh? Let us hear it, Jia Aiqing."
Yi Tianxing nodded, awaiting his counsel.
Jia Xu had never disappointed him in all these years.
"Your Majesty, within Da Yi we already have the Ranking of Titles. For the sake of reputation, we cannot attack without cause. But other forces do not have such scruples. Among humanity, there are many dynasties. We may confer titles and ranks upon neighboring powers. If they submit to Da Yi, then a whole realm joining Da Yi may be rewarded with a royal title; half a realm with a marquisate. Realms may even be granted as fiefs to those ennobled."
Jia Xu spoke with a faint smile.
He was proposing a system of enfeoffment.
"This is inappropriate. Titles may be granted, but not lands. History teaches us this. The enfeoffment of nobles often led to uncontrollable lords. For instance, the Shang Dynasty, with its so-called eight hundred lords—how many were truly loyal? The Zhou Dynasty too, with countless feudal states, eventually fragmented into competing kingdoms, constant wars ensuing. These are lessons written in blood. Granting too much power only breeds ambitions that should never exist. Once opened, this precedent will unsettle hearts."
Su Shi's expression changed as he hurriedly counseled against it.
Such historical examples were far too many.
Granting limited power is acceptable, but granting too much only invites disaster. It could cause endless trouble for later governance.
"Mm, indeed. Conferring titles, even kingly titles, is fine. But titles without lands—that is the principle. If we grant both title and land, would this not risk uncontrollable power, creating hidden dangers for the future?"
Huang Chengyan also voiced his agreement.
"Your Majesty, this minister believes conferring lands is not impossible. If you wish the horse to run, you must feed it well. To think otherwise is unrealistic. After all, if another force submits, they bring an entire realm. Without Da Yi expending manpower or resources, without dispatching armies, we can gain a realm with ease. To grant only titles would be insufficient. Instead of true fiefs, we may grant fiscal fiefs (封邑). They would receive a portion of that realm's tax revenues as their stipend. Thus, they cannot interfere in governance, avoiding excessive power or dangerous ambition, while still receiving tangible benefits, demonstrating Da Yi's sincerity."
Liu Bowen smiled faintly as he spoke.
If a power truly offered an entire realm, granting only a title was insufficient. But granting lands could create future dangers. Better not to do so. This loophole should not be opened.
Transforming fiefs into fiscal fiefs—封邑—was a clever compromise.
They would not govern directly, but merely sit back and collect a substantial stipend. This would sufficiently display Da Yi's sincerity.
Know this: each realm under Da Yi produced immense yearly tax revenue.
Of course, not all of it could be given; only a portion.
"Very well. Titles with fiscal fiefs—this is feasible. The stipend shall be one-tenth of the realm's total annual tax revenue. But a time limit must be set. The fiscal fief will last for one hundred years. After that, it reverts to the state."
Yi Tianxing pondered briefly before making his decision.
Da Yi's titles were extraordinarily attractive to outsiders. A royal title from Da Yi carried even greater fate and authority than the rank of many dynasty rulers. Moreover, it meant clinging to the golden thigh of Da Yi's Immortal Court. Not every dynasty founder had the confidence to endure long-term. Many had only established their realms in a fit of passion, only to discover later that their talents could not sustain them.
In such cases, if Da Yi extended an olive branch, many powers would be tempted.
Even if only one accepted, Da Yi would gain much—its reputation intact, a new realm acquired, at the cost of mere titles and fiscal stipends. Such a price was nothing.
Spending a little ephemeral wealth in exchange for a foundation of eternity.
There was no comparison between the two.
Given Da Yi's current position, this was a strategy with an extremely high chance of success.
"Your Majesty, I also believe that in addition to conferring titles, we may open the gates of opportunity. The Immortal Academy could recruit across the Eternal World, into every realm. We could attract more talents and geniuses to study in Da Yi. This would strengthen our race, while also spreading Da Yi's influence more deeply. Let foreign geniuses take pride in joining Da Yi. Subtly, this could bring unexpected gains."
Jia Xu added again.
In this world, discontent arises not from scarcity, but from inequality. By exposing such disparities, we can win hearts. With the trend of the times, everything falls into place naturally.
Thus, foreign strategy must shift—toward infiltration.
Everything must be grounded in righteousness.
"And how shall we handle realms controlled by alien races?"
Yi Tianxing nodded, then asked again.
For human dynasties, Da Yi could not openly intervene. But for alien-dominated realms, a plan was needed. They could not be left unattended.
"For alien realms that dare to provoke Da Yi's Immortal Court, we need show no mercy. Direct conquest by our armies. But for those that do not provoke us, this minister suggests sending certain talented individuals to stir chaos within them. Then Da Yi would have its excuse to intervene. For example—Chen Sheng, Wu Guang, Li Zicheng, Fang La… They are all suitable for such work."
Jia Xu smiled, his eyes gleaming strangely.
The ministers in the hall exchanged odd looks.
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had long been within Da Yi's scope, even secretly reaching certain agreements.
Everyone knew exactly who they were and what they represented.
Truthfully, every time they were seen, the ministers itched to execute them outright—for they were embodiments of rebellion and turmoil. Yet now, they might be put to good use, serving as vanguards.
Following this, intense discussions filled the hall.
One new policy after another was established.
Foreign strategies were rapidly refined.
Da Yi would never settle into stagnation, losing its spirit of progress.
"Your Majesty, according to Six Doors' investigations, within Da Yi's territories, unusual cases of demonic qi have begun to emerge across many realms."
Zhuge Zhengwo stepped forward and reported solemnly.
(End of Chapter)