The decline of the Jiaolong clan can clearly be traced back to the disastrous defeat of Emperor Ying Long’s expeditionary force.
However, based on the historical records Long Hu investigated in Beiming Fanyang, the expedition itself was rely the trigger... In truth, the Jiaolong clan of that era had been excessively arrogant and flamboyant, offending too many vassals, and the seeds of danger had been sown long before.
Emperor Ying Long chose to embark on the expedition mainly because he insisted on marrying Yin Xiaojing’s daughter, but this "public opinion" ca more from the "imperial clan" than from his subordinates.
According to records, many tribesn within the clan disapproved of this marriage because Yin Xiaojing’s daughter was not of the Jiaolong clan, demonstrating their xenophobia.
With such extre xenophobia, their relations with neighboring vassals naturally couldn’t be good.
After the emperor’s failed expedition, the bitter fruit of deteriorating diplomatic relations finally manifested, with the Jiaolong clan making successive blunders and even losing the support of their loyal ally, the Xuan Gui Clan, ultimately leading to their downfall...
In conclusion, although most vassals now believe the Jiaolong’s decline resulted from the failed grand expedition, Long Hu contends that the problem lay in the clan’s own managent.
They overly relied on Emperor Ying Long’s imnse martial force, foolishly attempting to confront four major vassals simultaneously. As a result, when Emperor Ying Long suddenly beca trapped in the Mortal Realm, everyone pushed the crumbling wall even harder.
The true reason for the collapse was less about losing the emperor and more about foolishly antagonizing the four major vassals.
After learning this lesson, even though Long Hu had decided to venture into the Cultivation Realm, he would not repeat the mistakes his father made.
To solidify the throne, the first step is to stabilize the four major vassals. The intricate web of interests among the vassals is usually difficult to balance and control, but there’s a clever trick:
Win over the four patriarchs.
Just as the Jiaolong clan once overly depended on the emperor, the four major vassals also have nearly unconditional trust in their own patriarchs. As long as you win over the four patriarchs, there’s no fear of internal upheaval within their clans.
Of course, patriarchs generally do not abuse their prestige to interfere crudely in clan decisions, so Long Hu carefully selected a powerful redy.
"The reason all predecessors lost contact after Ascension was the lack of the Great Wilderness realm’s coordinates," she spoke eloquently before the four patriarchs, "I cannot conclude that Ascension will certainly fail, but the Great Wilderness realm is farther from us than the Immortal Realm. Relying solely on Ascension Force without the coordinates clearly lowers the success rate."
"Therefore, the coordinates are not only beneficial for the four of you but imnsely advantageous for the entire Demon Race... Let us tentatively assu Jiaolong Clan and the four major vassals reach an agreent to jointly hold this coordinate information."
"Then, any clan’s patriarch intending to ascend to the Great Wilderness realm must negotiate with us to acquire this coordinate information..."
As Long Hu patiently spoke, the four patriarchs’ eyes lit up, exchanging knowing glances.
Though they had essentially ceded power to the clan leaders for years, their basic political acun remained, imdiately recognizing the imnse benefits to be reaped here.
Although the four major vassals are powerful among the many tribes in the Eastern Emperor Realm, they have no confidence that their tribes will thrive forever—let alone, the precedents of the Jiaolong and Qilin are right here!
But with this, besides their inherent strength, the vassals gain an extrely important bargaining chip... Roughly equivalent to the Five Great Nations becoming the United Nations’ five permanent mbers, many effects previously achieved only through martial force can now be resolved more perfectly.
"I believe this idea is feasible," the Ancestral Azure Dragon was the first to express support, "If Your Majesty wishes to seek that Magic Artifact in the Mortal Realm, the Azure Dragon Clan is willing to send three elders to escort Your Majesty safely."
"Indeed," the Xuanwu Patriarch was the second to react, "The Xuanwu Clan is willing to send four elders, at Your Majesty’s disposal."
Sending elders to serve Long Hu is not the point; the implication behind this action is—the two clans are allies of the emperor.
As allies, they will also uphold the Jiaolong clan’s legitimate rule in the imperial capital when the emperor ventures into the Mortal Realm, which is Long Hu’s real concern.
The Vermilion Bird Patriarch and the White Tiger Patriarch responded a mont later, the forr pondering for a while and said:
"Since the proposal suggests the vassals unite, naturally, the Vermilion Bird will not remain uninvolved."
"The Vermilion Bird Clan is willing to send seven elders to accompany Your Majesty to the Mortal Realm to find that Magic Artifact. Additionally, if rebels linger near the imperial capital, the Feathered Clan of South State is willing to dispatch troops to vanquish them."
Although not explicitly stated, everyone knows the "rebels" undoubtedly refer to the Qilin clan that left the imperial capital.
The Qilin ruled for years, turning all of Central State into the Horned Clan’s domain. Now, having been ousted due to the four major vassals’ combined opposition, the Qilin’s foundation in Central State remains, and many Horned Clan mbers still support the Qilin, constantly thinking of restoring their power.
The Vermilion Bird already harbors animosity against the Qilin, so now that they’re willing to take on the task of stabilizing Central State and suppressing the Horned Clan, Long Hu naturally has no reason to refuse. After all, the weakened Jiaolong Clan alone is insufficient to conquer an entire state.
"I find the imperial capital severely damaged," the White Tiger Patriarch offered an alternative, "West State is willing to provide funds to repair the damaged structures in the imperial capital and Central State. As for Your Majesty’s expedition to the Mortal Realm, the White Tiger Clan is willing to send five elders to serve."
The four patriarchs stated their positions, finally allowing Long Hu to feel at ease.
Unlike Emperor Ying Long’s previous unilateral actions, her journey to the Mortal Realm ties all the four vassals’ interests together, ensuring she won’t repeat her father’s mistakes.
Of course, before setting off, it’s crucial to quickly advance her Demon King Realm, so she has a ans of self-defense in the Mortal Realm.
Apart from the Jiaolong clan’s secret techniques, there are also many scarce cultivation resources. Could she request so from the four major vassals?
Thinking of this, Long Hu carefully pondered her words and once again spoke with a beaming smile:
"In the past, when Father ventured into the Mortal Realm, he unfortunately beca trapped at Shushan, attesting to the Human Race’s formidable strength."
"Although I’m not seeking confrontation with the Human Race this ti, the uncertainties are too nurous, and my power is dwarfed compared to my father. Do you have any guidance for ?"
Hearing her words, the patriarchs knew she was making a request.
This was to be expected: even taking a step back, as a new emperor, Long Hu deserves congratulations and gifts from the four major vassals for her coronation.
Now it’s rely a matter of replacing lavish items with those that enhance her power; the guise of gifting is readily available. As for whether to do so... does such a reasonable new emperor not warrant investnt from the vassals?
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