Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 753 - 409 King’s Western Tour: Tepalcatepec and Olive Lake, Precious Specialties

Chapter 753: Chapter 409 King’s Western Tour: Tepalcatepec and Olive Lake, Precious Specialties

By late February, the air warmed, and flocks of birds headed north. The Royal Banner of Black Wolf moved again, traveling forty li north from Kan River village to Tepalcatpek.

In the local language, this place was "Tepalcatpek," known for its abundance of pottery. Tepalcatpek had a population of over a thousand people, originally the domain of a hereditary nobility from the south, but now directly under the Kingdom. To the northwest of Tepalcatpek lay the shimmering Olive Lake, from which the Kan River and Tao River both originated before flowing east and west, respectively.

Xiulote stayed in Tepalcatpek for two days. He summoned the local pottery master, showing great interest in the local pottery products.

In a semi-open shed, various daily-use painted pottery items were piled up, including pots, basins, jars, pitchers, bowls, and cups. Most of the colorful pottery were the common red pottery, interspersed with some grey pottery. These pottery items were simple and rustic in style, not comparable to the elaborate ones from the Capital City, but they were superior in terms of durability.

"Hmm, this pottery pot, how much?"

Under the strict guard of his trusted aide, who formed a circle outside the shed, Xiulote picked up a naturally patterned red pottery pot and asked the pottery master politely.

"...Ah, Your Majesty, this pottery pot, it’s a gift... no charge!"

The pottery master stuttered cautiously. He glanced at the surrounding Armored Warriors and again at the armor-clad King.

Upon hearing this, Xiulote smiled. He looked at Bertade and the Head Warrior then took out a bag of cocoa beans and handed it to the pottery master.

"Is that enough?"

"Ah! It’s enough... enough. A pot costs sixty cocoa beans, or it could be exchanged for a turkey. These are too... too many."

"No change needed."

Hearing the price, Xiulote nodded slightly. In the Lake Capital City, a sturdy pot cost a hundred cocoa beans, and a turkey eighty, both significant assets for common households. As the production site of pottery, Tepalcatpek naturally had much cheaper prices.

"With so much pottery piled up here, to whom do you plan to sell?"

"Your... Your Majesty, our pottery is cheap and useful. The mountains to the west want them, the mountains to the south want them, the villages to the east want them... When there’s no war, some merchants also come..."

"What do mountain people trade with?"

"Mostly with... dried meat, hides, feathers, sometimes with... grain, and some inferior Obsidian..."

"Not bad."

Xiulote nodded. Tepalcatpek was located at the western mountain pass and had a good geographical position, with spontaneous trade with the Tekos Tribe people. Solely relying on local trade was not enough to sustain so many potters. Such a mutually beneficial border trade could be further expanded later.

"Bertade, let’s go."

Xiulote scanned the high stacks of pottery inside the shed, preparing to leave.

The pottery master stood woodenly in place, blinked, and stared at the big bag of cocoa beans in his hands. Seeing the generous King about to depart, he suddenly cried out, his stutter instantly gone.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! We have a rare type of white pottery here, unavailable elsewhere! You might be interested..."

"Hmm? White pottery."

Protected vigilantly by his trusted aides, Xiulote turned back, looking interestedly at the pottery master.

"Bring it out, let me see it. Price is not an issue; if it’s truly rare, I might buy two pieces."

"Alright, sure."

The pottery master beamed with joy. He carefully moved the pottery pile aside and fumbled inside for a moment, taking out a small pottery bowl, a jade-like cup, and a smooth pitcher. These three items were entirely different in style from the other pottery, not only much more delicately made but also in a fine snowy white color.

"Your Majesty, these three exquisite pieces of pottery seldom appear even in the Capital City; they’ve been carefully crafted by me. The pitcher and the cup are each worth a tube of Gold Dust, and the bowl half a tube. If you take them all, two tubes of Gold Dust will suffice!"

"Hmm?... Bring them here, let me take a closer look."

"Sure thing."

Xiulote smiled, glancing at the pottery master, and took the white pottery pieces. They were quite beautiful, their surfaces finely textured with elegant grid patterns, clearly the work of a master.

"White pottery, fine texture?"

Xiulote pondered silently, a familiar feeling surging in his heart. After a moment of consideration, his eyes suddenly brightened and he asked the pottery master.

"The clay used in making these white pieces, was it white clay?!"

"...Ah!"

Hearing this, the pottery master’s expression changed. He responded hesitantly.

"Ah, the clay, that..."

"Give him three tubes of Gold Dust; I’ll take all three pieces of white pottery."

"At your command, my prince."

Bertade nodded, drew three tubes of Gold Dust from his breast, and handed them to the pottery master. Then, the Head Warrior coldly spoke out, his hand on his Bronze Sword.

"Answer His Majesty’s question, or else..."

"Yes, yes..."

The pottery master took the Gold Dust carefully, pocketing it. He looked worriedly at the King’s Armored Warriors, lowering his head to answer.

"Yes, Your Majesty. At the base of a nearby hill, one can extract a rock as fine as White Cloud Soil, crushed it becomes the excellent white clay..."

"Bring it to me!"

Xiulote had a moment of enlightenment and grew ever more convinced. Moments later, the leader of the potters brought over some white clay.

The King briefly examined it—it was as white as a cloud and as delicate as powder, of excellent quality. A joyous smile appeared on his face.

"Indeed, it is White Cloud Soil, kaolin... exceptional clay for ceramics! Also suitable as a fill material in rubber."

Xiulote pondered for a moment, watching the anxious potter’s leader, and asked in a deep voice,

"What is your name?"

"Ah! I... my name is Elo."

Unknowingly, the potter’s leader, Elo, began to stutter once again.

"Excellent! Potter Elo, you are now conscripted by the Kingdom!"

Xiulote smiled warmly, causing Elo to shiver.

"Bring your pottery tools, bring several bags of white clay. Accompany the Imperial Guard Warriors to the Divine Revelation Place in the Capital City to report!"

"Your... Your Majesty!..."

"Bertade, let us depart."

Xiulote left two samurais behind with a smile, taking Bertade away. It turned out that Tepalcatepec, surrounding the village, produced kaolin. Thus, the trial production of porcelain was now more promising.

"Your Highness, where to now?"

"To Olive Lake in the northwest. I’ve heard that there is an exotic forest heavy with resin and frankincense."

"By your command, Your Highness."

Bertade summoned a local guide, gave a few instructions, and the guide led them off.

Olive Lake was located six or seven miles northwest of Tepalcatepec. After trekking for a quarter, they saw a vast emerald lake with waterbirds playing on it. The lakeshore was covered with various lush tropical trees and a small Prepetcha village.

The agricultural fields outside the village were small, with numerous trees instead. Dozens of villagers were busy in the forests, and upon seeing the troop of samurais approaching, they fled in panic toward the village.

Xiulote ordered his trusted aides to stop and sent Bertade with some Prepetcha warriors to pacify the village elders.

Two quarters later, Bertade returned calmly with two samples and an elderly village chief to report to the King.

"Your Highness, there indeed are trees producing frankincense around Olive Lake; this jar contains fragrant oil collected by the villagers. The abundant ’resin’ refers to the ’tears’ of the rubber trees, which the Kingdom uses as rubber."

Rubber trees were not uncommon in Mexico, known as "cauuchu, the weeping tree." Rubber was also widely used: rubber balls were standard equipment in human sacrifice ball courts, and rubber cloth was used for ancient raincoats.

The Divine Revelation Place, guided by the King, had mastered the vulcanization technique of smoking natural rubber with sulfur, producing the first batch of vulcanized rubber, used for timber wheels. When the Imperial Guard Legion moved south, the wheels of the Sun Divine Eagle Cannon carriages were covered with vulcanized rubber to reduce chassis shock and damage. However, even though Xiulote improved the rubber tapping method, the rubber production was still too low.

"Oh? There are wild agarwood trees and rubber trees then."

Xiulote first took the fragrant oil and sniffed it. This was the future Mexican agarwood, primarily sourced from local olive-family trees, sometimes mixed with berries, and widely used in religious rituals.

"It smells quite different from the Celestial Empire’s agarwood. Hmm, gentle and meticulous, sweet and tender, more akin to rosewood."

The King pondered for a moment; this fragrant oil was an excellent religious item and a fine trade good that nobility and priests would demand. Next, he examined the local rubber, already solidified into rubber sheets, looking fairly decent in appearance.

Xiulote stood still, briefly conversing with the local village chief. The village, being near Olive Lake, was therefore called Olive Village. He did not station himself in the rudimentary lakeside village but led his trusted aides around Olive Lake for half a day.

The lakeside was filled with fragrant trees, and the air carried a faint clean scent. The King walked along the lake, his mood relaxed and joyful. He hummed softly, beaming,

"Wandering around the lake in early spring, enjoying the scenery, listening to the birds singing—a rare leisure indeed!"

"The lakeside scenery is indeed splendid. However... Your Highness, it is not safe here."

Bertade was meticulous, closely following behind the King. With a quiet smile, he tactfully advised. The area was on the edge of the western mountain region; for the safety of the King, about a hundred scouts were dispersed into the mountains, and six or seven hundred samurais were on guard around the lake.

"Indeed. It is time to return."

Noting the Head Warrior’s advisory tone, Xiulote nodded.

"After observing for half a day, Olive Lake is very suitable for cultivating olives and rubber trees. Indeed, this region of Tepalcatepec, abundant with White Cloud Soil, agarwood, and rubber, is worth vigorously developing!"

"Precisely, if fully developed, these specialties are all highly sought-after trade items in the world. However, this place has yet to be taken over by Preaching Priests, and the population is sparse. It will take some time before it prospers."

"Indeed, then let us record this and leave it for the future."

Xiulote stood by the lake, taking one last look at the rippling blue waters. He longed to boat on the lake, to sleep amidst the fragrant forests. But a King at a high position, burdened with the affairs of the world, could not act unreservedly.

"Bertade, let us depart."

"Your Highness, where to?"

"Back to Apa Military City. The envoy brought news of Black Wolf, and I have ordered him to come from Kulamo City. This time, he needs a stern reprimand!"

Hearing this, Bertade briefly tilted his head, noting the King’s faint smile, and understood.

"As you command, my King!"

By Olive Lake, the King halted; the western tour ended here. The next day, three thousand Imperial Guards, escorted by the Royal Banner, left Tepalcatepec, looping around the northern Apa Plain, returning to Apa Military City.