Whether in the East or the West, the present structure was a typical dual system—the transcendent and the secular were separated.0

This arrangement also solved a very practical issue—one of civilization and morality. As the world developed, expanding territory became increasingly difficult. Killing was often the easiest way to erase problems, yet indiscriminate slaughter not only invited moral condemnation but also left behind serious hidden dangers.0

This dual structure helped address the problem of territorial expansion.0

Take the Eastern world as an example. Although the Great Xuan Empire was the strongest and most central nation of the East, it did not annex smaller states such as Fenglin, the Yu Kingdom, or the Funan Kingdom. These states remained vassal states under the Great Xuan Empire, accepting its investiture while still governing themselves. The relationship belonged to a tributary system, and thus, the Great Xuan Empire could not truly be called an invader.0

The Daoist Order served as the key that maintained this tributary system. Though the various states belonged to...0