"I do have a preliminary idea that might help you open up the situation in the inner court. It is called—'Eight Kings Deliberation'!"
"Eight Kings... Deliberation?" Erh repeated softly, carefully pondering the hidden implications of those four words. After a moment, he respectfully cupped his hands toward Xu Kun. "Forgive your son's dullness. I have yet to grasp the deeper meaning and specific workings of this 'Eight Kings Deliberation.' I ask Father to enlighten me."
"Heh, once laid bare, the logic behind it is not complicated." Xu Kun explained calmly.
"First, you must clearly recognize your current position.
Your status as Tortoise Lord is merely that of a 'firefighter' pushed to the forefront by the Seven Great Princes in response to the Black Tortoise Race's current internal and external crises. You were meant to bring down the Eight Wise Kings and clean up the disastrous aftermath of the Wild Hunt Operation.
Their true purpose is to use you to stabilize the race's people and weather the present power vacuum and crisis of trust."
In some ways, your current situation resembles that of a... Young Lord jointly elevated during a dynasty's transition by powerful ministers who each command heavy troops.
"Young Lord..." Erh savored the comparison in his heart.
Compared to those true puppet Young Lords, unarmed and at the mercy of others, his current situation was clearly much better. At the very least, he had already gained a preliminary grasp of some power.
Yet viewing himself through that identity allowed him to assess his true place within the current power structure more objectively and soberly—seemingly exalted above all, but with shallow foundations and powerful enemies surrounding him.
"Since you cannot seize absolute power and make every word count in the short term, then why not do the opposite and actively