Duke Longjiu had another identity that was more widely known: the heir to Zenith Industry.
He wasn't a big shot from the beginning.
Just like the Old Continent wasn't a complete kingdom at the start.
"At that time, there were about ten countries on the continent, until the Laurel Family birthed a conqueror named Ailando, blessed by the Goddess of Abundance, who began to rapidly expand his territory. In just four years, he doubled his lands across half of the Old Continent. Wherever he ruled, the climate was always mild, and the harvests were abundant each year."