Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The birch candle burned out, and a new one was replaced. The night was deep, with faint gleams of the crescent moon. At this moment, the candlelight and moonlight simultaneously illuminated the desk. On the desk, a map was spread out, never forgetting the affairs of the world.

"The grand plan is the kingdom's massive infrastructure! Constructing six hundred miles of county roads and clearing seven hundred miles of waterways. Bronze tools and iron tools should be applied on a large scale in the engineering projects. Moreover, gunpowder from the Divine Revelation Place will be given priority!... The scale of mobilization in each county counts in tens of thousands, challenging the local organizational skills. Large-scale labor is sure to cause fatalities, but food supply and basic medical care must be well managed to minimize casualties!"

Thinking of this, Xiulote pondered for a while and continued to write annotations.

"Extract a batch of Priests from the kingdom's Divine Power University, and another hundred from my trusted aides. They are to be sent to various counties as my direct inspectors, to oversee the execution of the projects!"

Large-scale construction easily gathers tens of thousands of people, consuming large amounts of materials, requiring sufficient supervision. Xiulote's prestige was enough to send inspectors, making commanders and Samurais everywhere bow to orders. He wasn't worried about the commanders' loyalty but concerned that the Samurais were too harsh with their tactics, excessively coercing the civilians.

The Priests and trusted aides also supervised the use of logistical supplies, assisting in calculating the deployment of various human and material resources. It wasn't about eliminating corruption completely—that was impossible. As long as they could keep the percentage of material loss of each project down to around thirty to forty percent, Xiulote would be satisfied.

The arrangement for the grand plan ends here temporarily. Within three days, Messengers will carry complete Royal Decrees and tokens to the kingdom's counties. Once the construction issues are addressed, next comes martial prowess!

"County Magistrate Ezpan in Apa proposed a plan two years ago, which involved dispatching troops from Snake Bone Village in Apa County, heading north along the Chatou River to the Chapala Lake region, directly to the southern hinterland of Feather Prince! But I did not approve, instead instructing him to settle immigrants, establish civilian settlements, and focus on developing the Apa Plain. Last year, over a hundred thousand immigrants flooded in, leading to a food shortage in Apa County, preventing any active offensive."

Xiulote gazed at Chapala Lake, his eyes flickering as thoughts surged.

"The Chapala Lake area is flat, expansive, with interconnecting rivers and lakes, similar to the Apa Plain but with more convenient transportation! To its East is the Lerma River's upstream stretching a thousand miles, connecting the Lake Capital City. To its West is the Lerma River downstream flowing six hundred miles straight into the Pacific Ocean. To its South, it branches into two: the four hundred miles Chatou River linking Apa Plain, and four hundred miles Chaco River linking Colima Mountain Region. To its North is a six hundred miles Long River, flowing from the old nest of the Guajili Canine Descendants in Sakatekas Desert, traversing through the territory of the Guamal Canine Descendants, and merging into Chapala Great Lake!..."

"Five segments of rivers connect East, West, South, and North. The gold and silver mines and coal mines of the Sakatekas Desert, the iron mines of the Colima Mountain Region, the food supply of the Apa Plain, the commerce of the Mexican Valley, and the direct passage to the Pacific Ocean converge here!"

Thinking of this, Xiulote raised his head slightly, gazing at the starry sky above. The Chapala Great Lake stretches two hundred miles East and West, with five segments of long rivers converging. It has only one drawback, which is the susceptibility to floods!

"The Great Lake and Great River are unpredictable spirits; their moods decide the rise and fall of tribes."

Xiulote recited an ancient Prepetcha proverb in an ethereal tone, but he wouldn't stop there.

"...However, the Great Lake and Great River are also the best transportation, as long as you have the ability to tame them! In this Classical Period of insufficient productivity, the Chapala Lake area has yet to show its advantages. But when the Industrial Era arrives, the Patzcuaro Lake region will gradually fall silent, while the Chapala Lake area will rise continuously. The Guadalajara Metropolis by the lake will also become the second-largest metropolitan area in all of Mexico!"

After contemplating for a long time, Xiulote finally made up his mind. He was determined to seize this lake area. As for governance after occupation, it could be managed over time.

"After this year's autumn harvest, with sufficient food and people's minds somewhat stabilized, Ezpan can dispatch troops from Apa County. The Second Spear Legion remains stationed locally, organizing civilians to construct canals and reservoirs. Meanwhile, dispatch the Tekos Brigade and the Long Snake Corps!"

"The Long Snake Corps, with the Tlaxcala Samurais as its backbone, is already more than half assembled and can dispatch troops for raids after autumn. As long as the Long Snake Corps achieves merit and receives land and titles, the Samurais from the various Tlaxcala tribes will gradually integrate into the kingdom's military system!"

"And Monkey Kuluca needs to dispatch troops from the Rivermouth County upstream, recruiting the Guamal Canine Descendants and further investigating the strengths and weaknesses of the Guamal people. Three routes of raids, leaving no chance for Feather Prince to breathe. When I return from the eastern expedition, I'll launch a western one to utterly occupy Chapala!"

With this thought, all hesitation vanished. Xiulote stood tall and walked out from the bright tent, into the deep night. He gazed towards the North at Cloud Serpent City, but all he saw were the towering shadows of the mountains.

"Chief Divine shelter us! The army stationed, two sturdy fortresses, have laid siege for a year! What is the situation in the two cities now, and when will the aftermath of this eastern expedition come to an end?"

These questions, as the army's Commander-in-Chief, Xiulote already had answers. In Cloud Serpent Mountain City, many small squads of Militia were dispatched, playing hide-and-seek with Samurais in the mountain forest. The sole purpose of these mountain city Militia was to procure salt.

"According to the Militia's confession, last autumn, Cloud Serpent Mountain City's mountain fields also yielded substantial food. Given such consumption, their food can last another year! However, they lack salt."

Cloud Serpent Mountain City lacks salt, while in White Snake Hill City, everything is scarce! Some Militia escaped from Hill City, bringing news first that "Nnobility eats grain, Samurais eat people, and all old, weak, women, and children are dead." Recently it changed to "Nnobility and Samurais eat people together, able-bodied eleven drafted, sacrificed and shared."

Indeed, in White Snake Hill City, supplies depleted, and people resorted to cannibalism. Yet, despite such dire circumstances, there wasn't a rebellious uprising among the Tlaxcala Militia in the city. Divine Descendants hovered above like deities, invincible as Divine beings. Priests held sacrificial ceremonies in the name of the Divine. Samurais wielded power, easily suppressing any hints of rebellion once detected.

"Divine authority penetrates deep into people's hearts, engraved into their bones. The gap between the Samurai and the militia is vast, like heaven and earth. The militia inside the city are weakened by hunger, and their most rebellious choice is to desperately escape the city to find a glimmer of hope!"

Xiulote lowered his gaze. He could imagine the dire situation in White Snake Hill City. The Kingdom's Cannon Casting Bureau had already sent a messenger; six heavy mortars weighing a thousand jin each were completed and were about to be transported to the frontline. It would probably take another two months for these six mortars to be arduously transported upstream against the Tarsus Long River to arrive here.

"If we hurry, before the peak of the July rainy season, perhaps we can capture White Snake Hill City. If we move slower, resting during the heavy rains in July and August, scaling down slightly in September, we can begin the siege... by October, we should be able to capture it!"

Xiulote's eyes twinkled, gazing northward. The last strongholds of the Cloud Serpent Divine Descendants were surrounded by continuous trenches and camps, leaving no escape. The food supply in White Snake Hill City was nearly exhausted, and they could no longer hold on. As for Cloud Serpent Mountain City, more gradual efforts were needed.

"Cloud Serpent Mountain City has such treacherous terrain... there's no need to rush at this moment."

Xiulote thought for a moment, then turned his gaze eastward, where Black Wolf was leading a large army towards the Totonac's coast. The king held the army, stationed here, making arrangements in the East much easier. Once the eastward expedition was over and the alliance army returns, it would be challenging to plan strategies for the various tribes in the east!

"Family Head, the night is deep, it's time for rest."

Guard Commander Ecatl stood behind the king, waiting for a while before quietly advising him. Xiulote raised his head, looked at the bright moon high in the sky, and nodded slightly.

"Hmm. Ecatl, you should rest too! There's a trusted aide on guard at the entrance."

"Family Head, I'm fine."

Ecatl lowered his head, respectfully bowing. Upon hearing this, Xiulote said no more. He stepped towards the resting tent but suddenly paused, recalling something.

"Ecatl, how long has it been since I went to see Nashu?"

"Your Highness, you've been handling the kingdom's affairs, managing the eastward expedition's military matters, and frequently meeting with the leaders of various military groups... It's been over a month since you last entered Tree Snake City."

"Oh? It's been more than a month already?"

Xiulote furrowed his brow and touched his chin, devoid of a beard.

"It's been so long! Nashu has been unwell due to the environment; it's been months, how is she still not better?"

"..."

Ecatl remained silent, keeping his head down. He adhered to the responsibilities of a Guard Commander, being cautious in speech and behavior. As for the family head's personal matters, he found it inappropriate to speak.

"Enough! Ecatl, prepare the escort. After handling both administrative and military affairs, I'll return to Tree Snake City tomorrow!"

"Yes, as you command!"

Ecatl lowered his head, looking at his toe tips until Xiulote entered the tent and extinguished the candles. Only then did he raise his head and gaze at the moon in the sky for a while.

"The High Priest once said, 'The moon is in the sky, sometimes full, sometimes lacking. Even the king high up in the sky will have moments of indecision, during the waning moon.'..."

"Family Head, I loyally serve you as I did your grandfather. No matter what decisions you make, I will hold a sharp axe to handle all beginnings and ends for you!"

The night was deep, shadows flickering. Ecatl, holding his bronze axe, stood guard before the tent, silent as ever. The deepest night also came from the East, silently engulfing the great tent.