Is there a <loadBefore> tag? ( not to be confused by the confirmed existing tag: <loadAfter> )
(Why would this be needed?)
For example this mod, called "Startup impact": https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1684944322
Could use it as this, to make sure it is at least loaded before the "Rimworld core" (in case the user has no installed mods)
eg:
<loadBefore> Ludeon.RimWorld Ludeon.RimWorld.Royalty </loadBefore>