What is the suzerain-vassal system?

The suzerain-vassal system is an organic part of China's traditional political system, which can be divided into broad sense and narrow sense.

Broadly speaking, it involves the relationship between domestic emperors and powerful groups such as clansmen and heroes, as well as the special traditional relationship between ancient China and neighboring countries around the world. In a narrow sense, the suzerain-vassal system is actually an important administrative institution established around the emperor's handling of the relationship between imperial power and local power groups such as clansmen and heroes.