Another way to see it is what is it compared.

I remember reading on the Laws of Power in how they describe the failure of Portugese in Japan when compared to Dutch - in that Portugese also do some evangelization, which pissed the shogunate off, while Dutch just focus on trading things Japan want, and thus establish good relationship.

Above point is not to talk about necessary facts, but to point out how, in terms to gaining power, one need to provide things that the other people care.