Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The East Madre Mountains stretch high and extend north and south, dividing the Tlaxcala Highland from the Totonac Lowland. At the southeastern point where the mountains meet, there stands a towering peak rising into the clouds, North America's third highest peak, Citlaltépetl, the Divine Mountain. In the Navajo language, "citlal" means "star," while "tepētl" means mountain. Thus, this 5,600-meter-high mountain is also referred to by the local mountain tribes as "Star Mountain."

"Star Mountain" stands tall, with the mountain range extending. The long earthen Great River originates at the foot of Star Mountain, meandering eastward, flowing through Earth River City, Feather Bird City, and after traveling over 700 li, finally reaches the river bend village only 20 li from the estuary.

At this location, the Great River has gathered streams spanning 700 li, becoming fierce and expansive. During the peak rainy season, the river's water levels will rise by six to seven meters, serving as the most natural dividing line between the Totonac lands of the East and West.

"Praise the Chief Divine! What a magnificent river!"

Tupa, wearing leather armor and carrying a longbow, stood on a small hill just one li from the river bend village with a dozen trusted aides. He paid no attention to the clamor and shouts in front of the village, instead focusing on the grand river flowing from the southern upstream, speaking with a smile.

"If we could capture the entire river from top to bottom, traveling from Tlaxcala to the East would offer a convenient transportation channel! By then, the army descending from the highlands could reach Golden Bay City beside the Eastern Sea in just over ten days..."

Tupa envisioned for a moment, then turned to look at a chieftain standing with bowed head behind him, smiling as he asked.

"Hmm, Kuikama, am I correct?"

Upon hearing the sudden question, Kuikama shuddered. As one of the chieftains who surrendered from Earth River tribes, he had personally witnessed other noble chiefs' sacrifices, realizing the fearsome nature of the leader in front of him. Although he had survived so far, his heart was constantly in anxiety and unease.

"Ah!... Chieftain Tupa, you... you are correct!"

"Oh? Am I truly correct? This river flowing eastward, doesn't it encounter any obstacles?"

"Ah, yes!... The river originates at Star Mountain's foot, and that section of the waterway is extremely steep and turbulent, with over a dozen waterfalls, making navigation dangerous... But once reaching Earth River City, the river becomes flat. Further downstream for several hundred li, the connections between the northern and southern tribes rely heavily on the river, making it very convenient..."

"Excellent!"

Tupa nodded patiently after listening. He looked deeply at Kuikama, smiling meaningfully.

"Kuikama, perhaps it won't be long before you return to Earth River City... By then, make sure you choose wisely..."

The Long River flows endlessly, making two large bends here, heading to the northern estuary. Tupa looked at the downstream river surface for a while before leading everyone to the siege battlefield in front of the river bend village. The village was built along the river, situated between two bends, making it difficult to deploy troops. However, the camp's terrain wasn't high, surrounded by a low wooden wall and a wooden fence outside. At this moment, the village was bustling with activity, voices shouting sharply. A large number of tribal hunters were defending on the wooden wall with hunting bows and javelins.

In front of the village, the lakeside army had already laid out their lines, adopting a siege stance. Hundreds of red-haired elites holding greatbows, under the cover of newly made shield vehicles, approached within a hundred steps, releasing arrows into the camp leisurely.

The more numerous Totonac defectors, in loose formations, under the command of war drums, charged at the camp. Mostly bare-chested, wielding stone axes and stone spears, a few vanguard warriors held bronze axes, striving to chop and destroy fences and wooden walls. On the wooden wall, a large number of arrows and javelins occasionally struck, knocking the defectors to the ground, yet none dared to retreat.

Tupa watched for a moment, fingers slightly bent, calculating mentally. Under the cover of superior bow and arrow advantage, the casualty ratio between the attackers and defenders was roughly equal. Without the "Divine Might" strike of copper cannons, the defending army's morale remained strong, showing no sign of wavering.

"What a pity! If only there was enough gunpowder, attacking these small villages would be a breeze..."

Tupa pursed his lips, seeing the first thousand vanguard defectors, already losing a hundred to two hundred, showing signs of breaking. He shook his head and took out his personal conch, resolutely sounding the horn for retreat.

"Beep! Beep beep!"

The horn sounded, and the charging defectors immediately sighed in relief, turning around and fleeing backward desperately. The tribal hunters on the wooden wall leaned out, fiercely firing arrows at the retreating enemies. However, almost simultaneously, a more intense shower of arrows came, knocking down the defenseless hunters on the walls.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

The red-haired Dog Descendants fired two more volleys before turning to retreat. The Totonac militia lowered their heads, pushing shield vehicles, closely following the Dog Descendant Warriors. This probing siege ended here, uncertain if there would be another battle in the afternoon.

"Chieftain Tupa! The vanguard has broken through the outer wooden fence and is about to climb the wooden wall... At this critical moment, why sound the horn for retreat?!"

The Totonac Surrendered General, Wood Lizard, hurriedly came to the side of the main general, Tupa. He bowed in inquiry, his face showing some urgency mixed with incomprehensible anger.

"This wave of vanguard pushed forward and disrupted the defending archers. Once they almost die out and retreat, I will lead a veteran camp of a thousand into the wooden wall for a fight to the death!... We might even capture this riverside village!..."

Tupa smiled cheerfully at the anxious Wood Lizard, nodding slightly. The counterpart, being a Totonac surrendered general, was surprisingly more eager to fight than Tupa himself, of Mexica origin, caring even less about the casualties of defectors.

"Haha... truly interesting!"

"What?"

"Oh, I meant don't be in a rush. Siege matters can be approached slowly for now..."

"Don't rush, take it slowly?"

Wood Lizard paused, raising his head to stare at Tupa's smiling face. He bit his teeth and responded in a deep voice.

"By the Chief Divine's witness! Chieftain Tupa, yesterday morning, the river bend village already dispatched envoys seeking aid, paddling a canoe downstream to Golden Bay City. Calculating the time, Golden Bay City's reinforcements could be deployed at any time! If waiting for enemy reinforcements to arrive, capturing the river bend village would be even more difficult!"

"Haha! Don't be hasty, we're waiting for Golden Bay City's reinforcements to arrive!"

Tupa burst into laughter, extending his hand to pat Wood Lizard's shoulder, revealing the mystery.

"Black Wolf Leader has already taken two thousand elite, ambushing north. Whether Golden Bay City's reinforcements come or not is inconsequential. If they do, it will be good to swallow them whole!"

"Black Wolf Great Chief personally setting ambush in the North? This is to lure the reinforcements out..."

Wood Lizard suddenly comprehended. He stood in place for a moment, not knowing what to say. Tupa smiled and whispered a few more words.

"Wood Lizard, the ambush is being personally handled by Black Wolf Leader. Not many generals know about it, and it's not intentionally kept from you... Once Golden Bay City's reinforcements move out, I will lead fifteen hundred elite northward to assist the Leader. As for the main camp at the river bend village, it will be all up to you to manage!"

The Long River roars, flowing endlessly, with canoes shuttling back and forth on the river. Outside the river bend village, the lakeside army camp is silent for half the day, until a red-haired scout runs swiftly from the north, bringing critical news.

"Thousands of Golden Bay City's reinforcements have finally deployed southward half a day ago!"

The news arrived, causing the camp to burst with noise. Three quarters later, the camp gates opened. Led by Commander-in-Chief Tupa, fifteen hundred elite samurai fully donned armor, carrying copper spears and bronze axes, marched northward with a clang.