In the history of the human race, every era had its own defining characteristics.
From the tribal alliance system of ancient times to the current feudal enfeoffment system of the Great Shang era, all arose from changes in social structure.
Now, the Human Emperor bore the title of Emperor, and the feudal lords paid tribute to him.
Yet there were eight hundred feudal lords throughout the realm. Their numbers were so great that the Shang Emperor alone could not govern each and every one of them.
Thus, four regional lords were established in the four directions to assist the Shang Emperor.
To the eight hundred feudal lords, the four regional lords were more like guardians; there was no relationship of subordination between them.
Yet sometimes, even a simple system could, with the passage of time, breed endless power.
By Di Xin's time, the four regional lords were Jiang Huanchu, Marquis of the East; Ji Chang, Marquis of the West; E Chongyu, Marquis of the South; and Chonghou Hu, Marquis of the North.
They had already become powers capable of sharing the realm with Cheng Tang.
To Di Xin, they had nearly become a case of a tail too large to wag.
Now, Ling Qing, Daoist Lingguan, and their fellow disciples were all situated in the east, under the jurisdiction of Jiang Huanchu, Marquis of the East.
The states under their rule were not particularly large, but they could roughly be linked together into one whole.
Moreover, with six of them serving as rulers, it was enough to ensure peace and prosperity within their states, steadily strengthening their power.
Ling Qing himself had once been a ruler in the Warring States Instance, so he was naturally no stranger to the position.
But at this moment, he had no desire to spend