Chapter 1388: Sahul
Chapter 1388: Sahul
The West once had a loosely unified empire called the Roman Empire. Its capital was the City of Seven Hills, which was the current Holy Seat.When the Roman Empire declined and eventually collapsed, its frontier provinces rebelled and declared independence one after another.
During its expansion, the Roman Empire continuously incorporated other ethnic groups into the empire. After their conquest, the Senate would only send governors, tax officials, and troops. As long as taxes were paid and manpower was provided during war, all other internal affairs were left under autonomous rule. Even so, these people were treated as second-class citizens, while first-class citizens indulged in luxury through external plunder and the exploitation of the second class. This created class-based and ethnic discrimination.
Besides that, there was also regional disparity. There were always wealthy and impoverished areas. When the empire fractured, prosperous regions would naturally reject poorer ones, eager only to cast off their burden.
Thus, when the empire collapsed, nearly all outer provinces broke away and sought independence.
The Central Plains dynasties considered the same issue, which led to the policy of relocating the populace to strengthen the border regions. This was to promote integration and blur the distinctions entirely.
The Daoist Order had also considered this issue because of its vast territory. This was why some opposed accepting the Tawantin Empire, arguing that Tawantin could share prosperity but not hardship.
After all, Tawantin was different from Nanyang. Nanyang had been integrating with the Central Plains since the era of the First Emperor, accumulating over a thousand years of shared foundation. However, Tawantin was entirely incompatible, with a completely different culture, language, and mindset.
Historically, such a region might remain loyal while the Daoist Order was strong, but once it weakened, Tawantin would likely pack up and leave, unable to endure hardship together. It might even turn against the Daoist Order.
This was precisely why the Li faction’s approach faced resistance. True integration would take centuries to bear fruit, and no one could guarantee the Daoist Order would remain dominant for that long.