Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 804 - 436: Secret Conversation Between Grandparent and Grandchild

Chapter 804: Chapter 436: Secret Conversation Between Grandparent and Grandchild

Night fell deeply, and darkness seeped in through the window, pressing down on the room so heavily that it was hard to breathe. The candlelight flickered, temporarily dispelling the night outside the side hall, bringing in a touch of light.

The grandfather and grandson sat close together, dressed in casual clothes. An old face bore a faint smile, while a young one showed deep sadness. After a long period of stillness, their expressions gradually restrained, the surging emotions hidden away.

"Xiulote, my child. To see you grow up with my own eyes, to see you brave and decisive... my heart is filled with pride and comfort."

The High Priest Xutel’s expression was calm, with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Soon, I will be able to see you get married, to see you continue the family line... it is truly joyous, and I have no more regrets!"

Xiulote pressed his lips together, prostrated himself on the ground, and saluted his grandfather.

"Grandfather, the Elders are already seriously ill, you must not fall... the religious reform cannot do without you, and the great cause of the Alliance still needs you to maintain it!"

"Haha!"

The High Priest Xutel laughed heartily, even shedding a few tears from laughter. Then, he reached out his hand and gently patted his grandson’s head.

"Xiulote, my child, the great cause of the Alliance will be in your hands..."

Subsequently, the High Priest’s expression became stern as he straightened up. He spoke slowly, his words calm and profound, sending a chill down one’s spine.

"The list of rebels in the hands of Prince Totoquihuatzin, the names of the nobility in Tlacopan to be dealt with, were all drafted by me personally."

"Ah! What?! Was it you behind all this?..."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote’s body trembled, and he exclaimed in surprise. He could hardly believe it.

"But, but!... The targets of the assassination plot by the Tlacopan nobility were you and the King..."

"Xiulote, my child, the human heart cannot withstand tests, and it can be guided."

The High Priest nodded openly and smiled faintly.

"The High Priesthood and the Royal Family deprived the Tlacopan Great Nobility of their autonomy, reduced large amounts of their land and population, and also reclaimed the religious authority from the Subordinate God Priests. The local nobility and priests naturally harbored discontent; this was the hidden spark. Later, the Alliance reduced the garrison in Tlacopan, relaxed management of the City-State, and ignored the frequent gatherings of the nobility, causing the spark to gradually ignite. Coupled with the deliberate cooperation of Prince Totoquihuatzin, the secret inducement of the Alliance’s Secret Guard, and some hints from Elder Uguel, the spark grew ever more intense, developing into an assassination plot..."

"Prince Totoquihuatzin, the Alliance’s Secret Guard, Elder Uguel... all were involved, guiding this plot..."

Xiulote was stunned, a chill ran through his heart.

"So, from the beginning of the conspiracy to the preparation for the assassination, the so-called rebellion of the Tlacopan nobility had always been manipulated by the Alliance?"

"Exactly. This assassination was always under the control of the Alliance. In fact, among the list, there were only three families of Great Nobility who truly planned to send assassins to kill the Venerable in a desperate gamble."

The High Priest smiled indifferently, bowed his head slightly, and looked at his palm. Again, he saw the vivid red all over his hands.

"As for the other dozen or so families, they merely participated in banquets, heard about it, but didn’t report it immediately. This is still a serious crime, and how to punish it depends on the needs of the Alliance."

"Fabricate charges, incite great purges..."

Xiulote slightly lowered his eyes. The centralization reform of the Mexica Alliance, like the inheritance of the Alliance’s throne, was full of blood and fire. The Royal Family and the High Priesthood wielded the most powerful forces, mercilessly and decisively clearing all obstacles, one could even call it ruthless.

"The fate of mortals is always set early by the Chief Divine, and only those blessed by the Divine can see it ahead of time."

The High Priest’s expression carried a sense of weariness and tranquility, as if he had seen through the fog of fate, making everything seem serene.

"My child, the Chief Divine shines upon the Texcoco Lake District, spreading the most sacred light! From the beginning of the religious reform, the fate of the Tlacopan nobility was sealed. They were destined to be like the nobility of Texcoco, just living for five more years..."

At this thought, the High Priest gently shook his head, his expression resolute and his will as firm as iron.

"In the Capital Region, there cannot be such a group of disloyal nobles occupying land and population, constantly threatening the Lake Capital City! The High Priesthood and the Royal Family do not want them to exist. So now, with the time ripe, the Royal Family and the High Priesthood strong enough, they should be erased."

"The so-called reform is paved with the bones of the old nobility, creating a new path. The only chance for the Tlacopan nobles to survive is to join the westward expansion and be enfeoffed outside, or to request re-enfeoffment voluntarily. Prince Totoquihuatzin is very wise, always cooperating with the Alliance, and the Alliance is happy to leave a role model... and when the sensible nobles leave, the remaining stubborn traditionalists will all be sacrificed to the Chief Divine~"

"...The fate of mortals was decided long ago."

Hearing these familiar words, Xiulote felt a resonance in his heart. Bowing his head slightly, he listened to his grandfather’s words, savoring the outward cruelty of political struggles, unable to truly grasp the hidden weariness in his grandfather’s words.

"Xiulote, my child. The plot by the Tlacopan nobility was secretly controlled by the Alliance all along and posed no real threat. The reason I let Prince Totoquihuatzin make the initial report at this time was simply to avoid drawing attention to your newly acquired interpretative authority over the scriptures."

The High Priest smiled gently and held his grandson’s hand.

"I’ve already come to know the Divine Revelation Scripture you spoke of at Divine Power University. The Mystery of Deities encompasses all things and possesses the power of creation. This is a path I never envisioned, never seen before, and I don’t know where it leads... but I trust that you understand it in your heart. The road is always made by people walking it; it is just a bit hasty to try it at this time..."

Saying this, the High Priest paused. Looking at his grandson’s young, determined face, his eyes showed a tender light, confident in his smile.

"But, my child, it’s good to speak out now. Since I hold the position of High Priest, wield great power, I will handle the aftermath in advance for you, reducing some future troubles... The foundation of the Kingdom of the Lake is not yet deep; tell me your needs, and I will settle them for you!"

Xiulote lowered his eyes, and warm emotions surged in his chest like a tide. He held his grandfather’s hand and, after a long silence, spoke in a deep voice.

"Grandfather, the Kingdom of the Lake is expanding rapidly with its conquests, and it has gathered many tribespeople. I need more Mexica to fill the kingdom and balance the different ethnic groups..."

"In addition, the kingdom has newly settled 90,000 Tekos tribespeople, and after the autumn harvest we must rally our troops for a distant eastward expedition. I need the Alliance’s food support to fill the kingdom’s granaries and reduce the pressure of food supply...."

"The kingdom’s copper production is increasing rapidly. The mined copper materials need to be mixed with tin materials, cast into bronze weapons, armor, farm tools, and utensils. The primary source of tin ore is in the southern City-States of the Alliance, and further south in the Land of Jontal. The southern City-States of the Alliance are hard to intervene in; I wish to obtain some tin ore from the riverside Land of Jontal..."

"The gemstone trade of the kingdom is an important source of wealth and it’s best to further expand into the City-States, and open an independent trade route to the prosperous South. This trade route must follow the Tarsas River and pass through the Land of Jontal..."

"The kingdom is in its early stages, needing more talent to fill various posts. The most needed are literate individuals who understand basic mathematics and are devout believers of the Chief God Priest. Secondly are senior artisans, skilled in a craft and capable of leading apprentices. Lastly, experienced master craftsmen who can design canals and seasoned farmers specialized in constructing Chinampa are needed..."

"Population, food, tin ore, trade routes, talent..."

Xiulote spoke all at once. In this cruel world, he had long grown accustomed to facing all difficulties independently, but only his grandfather could make him feel a sense of reliance.

The High Priest Xutel nodded calmly, with a gentle smile on his face. He lowered his old face, thinking deeply and recalling the situation in various parts of the Alliance. After a while, he promised calmly and forcefully.

"Xiulote, my child. Everything you need, I will resolve for you!"