Up to this point, the three polities had operated on a very simple feudal model. Peasants were subsistence farmers who paid taxes to their local aji and performed various other labors and services to him; the aji in turn owed taxes and services to the head of their polity (hypothetically a chief, but called a prince in many English-language texts on the subject).
Up to this point, the three societies had operated on a simple feudal system. Farmers were self-sufficient and paid taxes to their local ruler, who was also responsible for paying taxes and services to the supreme leader of their polity (theoretically a chief, but referred to as a prince in many English-language accounts).