Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 802 - 435: Time is Running Out

Chapter 802: Chapter 435: Time is Running Out

The red sun set between the mountains, casting ripples of light on Lake Texcoco. The twilight turned into glowing colors, shining in the horizon’s end. As dusk fell, smoke once again rose from all parts of the capital city, accompanied by endless evening prayers of praise, like the Divine Kingdom on earth.

The grand palace stood majestically, with the High Priest seated on the throne of the gods, calm and composed, handling the daily ecclesiastical affairs.

In the midst, the envoy of King Aweit had come once. The envoy met with the Prince of Tlacopan, confirmed the capture mission in Tlacopan, and swiftly departed again. Now, the Royal Warriors of the capital had long been deployed to the City-State of Tlacopan to assist in suppressing the rebellion.

Xiulote sat cross-legged, perusing the documents at hand, pondering the direction of further reforms.

"The Alliance’s capital region directly incorporates households, with taxes and tribute collected at about 40% annually, quite heavy. However, in the western, southern, and northern City-States, the local great nobility can collect 25-30% annually as tribute, while the Royal Family and Priesthood receive the remaining 10-15%. As for the more remote enfeoffed City-States, the central and local tribute ratio will further tilt towards the local great nobility."

Reading this, Xiulote fell into silent contemplation. The Kingdom of the Lake, located in the far west, enjoys the Alliance’s special favor. To maintain stability, the kingdom’s tribute collection is slightly over 30% annually, while the tribute submitted to the Alliance yearly is less than 5%.

Of course, whether in the Alliance or the kingdom, farmers in the villages and towns must follow the command of the village chiefs and priests, fulfilling various labor services. For instance, building canals, making stone tools, felling trees, quarrying stones, transporting food... As the lowest level of national governance, it is impossible for farmers to enjoy a peaceful and idle life.

"The Lake Capital City is affluent and prosperous, located at the center of the world. The main city is filled with nobles in Chinese Clothes, possessing the most wealth in the world. The North City has a huge trade market, dealing with the world’s most goods... gemstones, jade, obsidian, gold and silver ornaments, copper and pottery, feather clothes, spices and herbs, cotton and cocoa, timber and stones, salt and food, and various slaves are traded in this giant city."

Xiulote recalled the bustling scene of the Tlatelolco Grand Market, a slight smile appearing on his face. Then, he became serious, looking at the commercial tax records received by the Priesthood.

"Ecclesiastic reforms, strict inspections on merchant smuggling; centralization and system reforms, cutting off the private trade of nobility... Now, the daily commercial tax amount in the capital city is staggering. Even without considering the part lost to the tax collectors’ embezzlement, it is enough to support two armies of eight thousand men each!"

Xiulote marveled to himself. Without the extremely profitable gemstone trade and the lucrative copper trade, the commercial tax of the entire Kingdom of the Lake would likely not compare to that of the Alliance’s capital city alone. Then, he raised his eyebrows, noting a line of small annotations after the simple tax records.

"This is questionable... This is normal..."

"This is the evaluation by the High Priest specialized in numbers after auditing the Priesthood’s accounts."

The High Priest smiled faintly.

"For the commercial tax on various traded goods, it is counted every three to four months. The elders of the High Priesthood have a rough estimate of how much the tax collectors in the capital’s markets have embezzled."

Xiulote nodded. He looked at the roster of tax collectors on record, soon drawn by some annotations. Under the gemstone trade, there was a tax collector named Mes, every evaluation was questionable, but never further dealt with. Under the copper trade, another tax collector Ramakui had only one questionable mark, followed by a sacrificial skull mark.

"This is..."

"Hmm? Oh..."

The High Priest glanced at it and calmly explained.

"Mes is in charge of the gemstone trade and takes bribes from merchants every time. However, the amount should not be large and never caused a problem. Ramakui, on the other hand, privately sold a batch of military supplies to the Mistek people in the copper trade and was sacrificed after being discovered. As long as it does not hinder major affairs, the High Priesthood does not mind the occasional corruption of the Preaching Priests. But if they violate the Alliance’s bottom line, there is only the fate of being sacrificed!"

"Hmm."

Xiulote lowered his eyes calmly, nodding in agreement.

When the water is too clear, there are no fish. For feudal bureaucrats, one cannot demand too much. In the kingdom’s tax collection, a 10-20% loss is common, usually divided among various levels of the system. Losses of 30-40% would be scolded and not allowed to occur too often. Losses over 50% or delaying military or state affairs would be pursued for accountability and directly sacrificed to the Chief Divine!

After reading the Alliance documents, Xiulote sighed imperceptibly. He stood up, looking into the already dark night sky. A line of torches appeared from the western part of the capital, swaying closer towards the Temple District.

"A group from the west, heading straight for the Priest Grand Hall."

Xiulote observed for a moment, seeing several figures at the front with glimmering copper-studded cloth, and confidently judged.

"High Priest, the capture mission has yielded results!"

The High Priest nodded slightly. He called a few priests to move the books and documents from the grand hall to the secret side hall. Then, the High Priest wore the Feather Crown, held the Divine Staff, and sat at the top seat. Xiulote stood by quietly, waiting.

"May the Chief Divine protect us!"

Elder Azar, covered in blood and wearing Bronze Armor, strode to the grand hall entrance, bowing his head in salute. His War Club hung low, dripping bright red, leaving a long mark on the stone steps outside the hall.

"Respected High Priest, the capture mission in Tlacopan was entirely successful!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote turned to look. Elder Azar of the War God, over forty years old, wearing thirty pounds of armor and holding a War Club weighing several pounds, yet still agile and steady. The War Priests of the Chief Divine always undergo professional training, ready for war at all times. They are fully capable and armored warriors, nothing like frail clergy.