Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 712 - 377 Southern Topography, Three Routes Southward!

Chapter 712: Chapter 377 Southern Topography, Three Routes Southward!

The Kingdom’s south, northern Zicao County, the small town of Aotuo (now El Puente Alto). A circle of no more than two meters high—simple stone walls—encompassed this little town of one square mile and a population of just a thousand or two. To call it a town might be generous; it barely functioned militarily, and perhaps the term township would be more apt. There were no significant constructions within the town except for a newly built Chief Divine Temple, a modest commercial market, and some common houses serving as resting places for the traveling merchants.

During the western campaign, in the "Month of Ultimacy," Marshal Iskali led five thousand southern reinforcements through Aotuo town toward the battlefield in the Capital’s Lake Region. They forcibly requisitioned provisions here and executed the local Lord. After the campaign, Aotuo town became directly administered by the Kingdom, marking the boundary between the Royal central control and the local authorities. To the north of this line, peasants had been registered for household taxation and conscripted into militia colonies; southward lay vast noble lands and autonomous tribal villages. Of course, this implicit boundary was soon to vanish.

Atop Aotuo town, the Black Wolf’s banners flew high, and outside the walls lay a continuous stretch of military encampments and patrolling Samurai. King Xiulote was leading a seven thousand-strong Imperial Guard Legion stationed here, awaiting the arrival of the southern Nobility. He did not stay within the confines of the cramped town but chose to rest in the vast camp outside.

In fact, whenever he left the Capital City, Xiulote preferred staying in the rigorous military encampments, amongst the plain Samurai, a practice similar to that of Eastern Roman Emperor Basil II. For within the loyal legions and under the protection of tens of thousands of Samurai, he felt a strong sense of security and a power to change the world!

At this moment, the King was sitting crossed-legged in the grand tent, examining reports from various legions while studying a topographical map of the south on the case table.

Heading south from the Capital Region, the terrain of hills gradually increased, with mountains running north to south starting to form barriers east and west. There were approximately three main passageways from the southern Capital Region to Zicao County and the southwestern mountainous areas. Small towns like Aotuo were scattered along these three routes, surviving on the trade from caravans traveling north and south.

The first and most westerly route was an army march of 250 miles southwest from the southwestern Qinganbate mining area (now Tingambato), reaching Apachigan City (now Apatzingán). That was the Fief of the Palm Family, on the edge of the southwestern mountainous region, beyond which lay the mountain-dwelling Tecos Tribe. Continuing 400 miles west from Apachigan City, through tortuous mountain passes, one would reach the heart of the iron ore-rich Colima Mountain Region, Colima City (now Colima).

Xiulote extended his pen and drew a red circle in the middle of this route. Although he was awaiting a response from the southern Nobility, tens of thousands of soldiers were not going to just stand idle. Three legions had already headed south, not granting the southern Nobility any time to muster a rebellion.

Now, the eight thousand-strong Guajili Legion from Toltec was positioned precisely at the red circle. They had just captured a hereditary Noble’s Manor. The local hereditary Nobility occupied the mountain passes, fortified their villages for self-protection, and refused passage to the Royal Army. Yet, merely two days later, the Great Nobility that issued this command became prisoners of the Royal Army and were sent to Aotuo town as "turkeys" to ’kill the chicken to scare the monkey’.

The second slightly western route went directly south from the Qinganbate mining area through two intersecting mountain paths to reach the westernmost side of Atoyac Lake. This route was 200 miles long, rather smooth, and featured wide mountain plains and valleys.

The eight thousand strong Second Spear Legion from Ezpan was marching south along this road. The Second Spear Legion consisted of Prepetcha Samurai, who proved much more efficient at local coordination. Lords along the way complied with providing provisions and cleared the paths, with none daring to take up arms in resistance.

The third central route ran south from the storage hub of Patzcuaro City for over 300 miles, passing through the small town of Aotuo, and arriving at Kulamo City in the middle of Atoyac Lake.

Xiulote was on this road. Olosh’s Jingji Legion had already moved south along this route, now less than 100 miles from Kulamo City. Ahead of them was another influential, honored Noble with control over a population of more than ten thousand: the Xiteli Family.

Further east from this road lay continuous undulating forests, with Weytamo State to the south, separated by the Tarsas River far across. The region was sparsely populated with tribal villages and scattered Tekos Barbarians. Due to the high cost of direct rule here, it would retain the current state of loose control and autonomy and was not part of the scope of the current southern campaign. However, if any southern Great Nobility fled there, the Royal Army would show no mercy.

In summary, the Zicao Family’s Fief was around Kulamo City (now Los Cimientos), and the Palm Family’s Fief was in the area of Apachigan City. Between the two cities over a stretch of two hundred miles lived a concentrated population of more than a hundred thousand, representing the essence of Zicao County and the most focal point for the southern Great Nobility.

From the behavior of the southern Nobility, the further west toward the Colima Mountain Region, the stronger their resistance. The closer east toward Atoyac Lake, the weaker their willingness to resist... At least to the King at this moment, that seemed to be the case.

After examining the situation, Xiulote nodded in satisfaction. Tens of thousands of Samurai descended upon the south with overwhelming momentum, and the southern Nobility had no capacity to resist. As such, there was no need for mercy; demote and replace them, directly subjugating two hundred thousand of the south’s people!

With this thought, Xiulote smiled confidently. His gaze followed the Great Lake downward, and more plans emerged one by one. After replacing the southern Nobility, he would establish a shipyard along the shore of Atoyac Lake. Then, the army would continue south along the river, subduing the Tecos Tribes on both banks until they reached the estuary of the Tarsas River. Afterward, they would head north along the coastal route controlled by the merchant Telali, conquering the various groups of Colima...

At that moment, an Envoy hurriedly arrived and exchanged a few words with Bertade. Then, the Head Warrior respectfully reported back.

"Your Highness, the Clan Leader Guramo of the Zicao Family requests a private audience with you."

"Clan Leader Guramo of the Zicao? A private audience?"

Xiulote frowned. He knew without asking what Guramo wanted to request, but he had already planned to swallow up all the territories surrounding Kulamo City. There were convenient thoroughfares and waterways, fertile riverside farmlands, and profitable foreign trade routes—central to the future southern development of the Kingdom. The Kingdom’s southern Shipyard would also be established there.

As for the fate reserved for Guramo, it was to be reassigned to the North Coast of the Lerma River, given a fief in the barren Guamare State, to keep the company of wilderness Tribes and to balance the local Otomi Nobility.

The heart of a King was, of course, inscrutable. Xiulote indifferently refused.

"Denied! I will summon all the southern Nobility collectively! Has Zotol of the Palm Family arrived yet?"

"Zotol has not come, and I fear he will not come. The Scouts report that the Palm Family has rallied four or five southwestern Nobilities, relocating their women and children to the southwestern mountain region. Their Samurai and Militia have been fully mobilized, assembling in Apachigan City. It seems they are prepared to resist to the end."

At these words, Xiulote’s brow raised slightly. The Palm Family was a mountain region Nobility, originally scheduled to be reassigned to the Pamus State in the wilderness to cultivate the land and supplement Balamo’s command... After a few moments, he smiled faintly and drew a red circle on Apachigan City.

"If that’s the case, there is no need to hold back against the rebellious southern Nobility! Order the Guajili Legion under Black Wolf to accelerate their pace and strike directly at Apachigan City! Instruct him to keep the Guajili Tribe in line, not allowing the Nobles to escape into the southwestern mountains, and to refrain from slaughtering civilians indiscriminately!"

"I will follow Your will."

Bertade respectfully accepted the order. Afterward, he spoke in a grave tone.

"Aside from a few from the southwestern mountains, most of the great southern Nobles have arrived. When do you plan to summon them?"

Xiulote glanced at the sky outside the tent, where the sun was dipping westward, dusk about to settle. He tossed aside the pen in his hand and stood up to ask.

"Are the noble captives sent by the Guajili Legion all ready?"

"Your Highness, they are ready. The Artillery Camp is also in position."

"Good! Then let them go to the parade ground outside the camp to witness the wheel of history and listen to the voice of truth!"

"...I will follow You, my King."