Chapter 964: Subjugation
Jing Tianming sent the eight severed heads of the Yamato-no-Orochi to the Xiujing encampment. After reviewing them, Sage Qingwei sent one of the heads to Heian Capital, applying further pressure upon the Fenglin court and forcing them toward surrender.
This was to show that the Daoist Order could even slay the Yamata-no-Orochi without dispatching a Longevity-stage Immortal, which meant that taking Heian Capital would not be difficult. The Daoists simply did not wish to cause greater bloodshed, hence granting Heian Capital a chance for a dignified resolution.
The Heian Capital naturally understood this truth, which was why Princess Himiya Akiko fled so desperately. Her existence was the reason the Fenglin royal family retained any right to negotiate with the Daoists.
Of course, what could not be won on the battlefield could not be gained at the negotiation table either. This so-called negotiation was nothing more than a unilateral surrender by the royal family.
Soon, the Fenglin royal family sent its reply. They would accept the Daoist Order’s terms.
In line with the first round of negotiations, the royal family agreed to punish those guilty of instigating the war, including several court officials such as the Sadaijin. All Sonno-joi ronin would be disbanded, and the Tenmon Sect would be stripped of its status as the state religion. All armies were to be reorganized according to Daoist standards. The aristocracy would be reformed, the land system restructured, and the royal family demoted, submitting as vassals to the Great Xuan Empire. The Fenglin royal family would remain only as a symbol, stripped of actual power, while the Chancellor’s Office would assume all authority over the Heian Capital and its subordinate offices.
In addition, the Daoists raised an extra condition. The Three Divine Artifacts should not remain in the hands of a demoted royal family but be safeguarded by the Fenglin Daoist Mansion. On this point, the royal family had little say because Princess Himiya Akiko had been frightened into submission due to the Imperial Preceptor destroying the incarnations of the Three Great Kami and then slaying a flood dragon with one sword. Thus, the Saio agreed to this condition.
The royal family agreed so readily because the Daoist Order had built an excellent reputation over the years. They had never reneged on their word, so there was no fear of retribution later.
Thus, the balance the Daoist Order desired was achieved. Chancellor Toyotomi’s Office now wielded actual authority, while the royal family remained only as a symbol.
Still, with the Great Tengu and Princess Himiya Akiko a part of the royal family, they could serve as a counterbalance to the Toyotomi government. The Fenglin Daoist Mansion stood between them, maintaining balance rather than siding firmly with either. However, mutual checks did not mean cruel factional strife had to erupt. That was why Sage Qingwei arranged for Toyotomi Hidemochi to marry Princess Tamako, using marriage to ease tensions between the two sides.