The Dragon King had not completely defeated Golden Roc Fort in the battle of the seaside slope, but he had changed people's attitudes towards him in the Western Region. Gu Shenwei turned from the infamous and unwelcome Dragon King into a popular and prestigious hero overnight. Many highborn, powerful people began to inquire about him.
However, these people were afraid to do so publicly, in case of being rejected by him. They instead would find someone acquainted with both sides to pass their intentions to the Dragon King. Only when they got a positive response would they send their own man.
It was a rule -- anyone who broke it suffered a bad outcome.
The Central Plain was the first to send people to inquire about the Dragon King.
Like the businessmen in Hui City, the Central Plain merchants had not expected the Dragon King's victory. They had ignored their former ally, and never showed any support to him.