Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 815 - 447: Four Important Tasks

Chapter 815: Chapter 447: Four Important Tasks

With the man’s words, the grand hall suddenly fell silent, as if even the breeze had ceased.

Xiulote stood still, quietly observing. Although many years had passed, the appearance of the old friend had not changed at all, as if carved from stone or wood. He paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face and he bowed his head in return.

"Blessings of the Chief Divine! Greetings to you, esteemed Alliance Female Snake, Chief Advisor of the Royal Family! May you be like the wings of an eagle, accompanying the King in his flight, governing the four corners of the world!"

"Blessings of the Chief Divine!"

Gillim slowly rose, bowed again, and then stepped forward, gesturing with his hand while sincerely praising.

"Your Highness, it is a joy to meet you again after several years. You are the Western Eagle and the Long Snake of Miken, ruling the Kingdom of the Lake in the Alliance with your divine courage and wisdom! ..."

"In just a few years, the Kingdom of the Lake has been established in the West and has prospered day by day. Centralization reforms, county governance, organized settlement, military merits granting land, developing industries and controlling trade, divine creations, southern expeditions and northern campaigns, changing fiefs... Every achievement of yours makes me applaud and admire immensely!"

At this point, Gillim prostrated himself again, paying deep respects.

"The Divine blessing Your Highness with enlightenment is truly a fortune for the Mexica! Let me pray for you as a Mexica, wishing your divine enlightenment to be eternal! Divine blessings to Your Highness, praise the Chief Divine!"

"Esteemed Chief Advisor..."

Xiulote hurriedly stepped forward to help Gillim up. However, the Chief Intelligence Officer firmly remained on the ground, performing the full ceremonial rite earnestly. Then, he lifted his head to calmly meet Xiulote’s gaze, his eyes filled only with genuine sincerity and admiration.

At this sight, Xiuxoke, who had been seated all along, raised his eyebrows. With a light sigh, he stood up to persuade and also proceeded to assist the Chief Intelligence Officer.

Under the persistent persuasion of the father and son, Gillim slowly got up. He gently adjusted his attire, his smile unwavering. The three exchanged greetings and then formally took their seats. Xiulote and Gillim faced each other while Xiuxoke remained seated to the side.

After some pleasantries, Xiulote pondered for a moment and frankly inquired.

"Esteemed Chief Advisor, you are always busy with Alliance affairs. This time, you took the effort to invite me through my father. May I know the reason?"

Gillim put away his smile and his expression turned serious. He respectfully answered.

"Your Highness, this time I am here under the King’s orders, with four important matters... The first matter is to report to you: the aristocratic rebellion in Tlacopan has been quelled, and twenty thousand rebel citizens will be exiled to the Kingdom of the Lake, everything in the capital city has returned to normal. Yesterday, the royal elder Cacamatzin discussed with the King, and your wedding with Princess Alisa is set for an auspicious day ten days from now!"

"Ten days?!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote’s face showed a trace of surprise, and an uncontrollable joy surged in his heart. In his mind, he pictured a slender figure in white, an exceedingly beautiful and pure face, and a pair of gentle and affectionate eyes.

"Alisa, my beloved... In ten days, it will be our wedding!"

Hearing the date of his son’s wedding fixed, Xiuxoke’s face lit up with a smile, unable to contain his joy. He lightly tapped the small table, laughing heartily.

"Good, splendid! Haha, esteemed Female Snake, to hear such good news from your mouth!"

"Haha! Commander Xiuxoke, in the face of the Alliance’s heroes, I naturally am a bird of glad tidings."

Gillim’s smile remained unchanged. Over the past few years, the central authority had repeatedly initiated major purges to reform centralization. Countless nobles of the Alliance had died by his hands, and his reputation among the nobles probably resembled that of a death-calling vulture, chilling hearts at his sound.

The atmosphere in the grand hall relaxed. The three chatted for a while, discussed some wedding arrangements, and praised the royal elder Cacamatzin. Then, observing the expressions of the two, Gillim spoke solemnly.

"Esteemed His Highness Xiulote, esteemed Commander Xiuxoke... The second important matter for this visit is to discuss preparations for the Eastern Expedition! After Your Highness’s wedding, the mobilization for the Eastern Expedition must begin. The Tlaxcala people, relying on the eastern mountains, have built many strategic mountain fortifications and stationed many skilled archers... This time, the biggest challenge of the Eastern Expedition is not field battles, but the siege of fortresses..."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote nodded slightly. The Alliance had launched several campaigns against the Tlaxcala Alliance in the past, all obstructed by their layered and solid fortresses. The Tlaxcala people, worshiping the God of the Hunt Mixcoatl as their chief divine, practiced archery, making them very adept at defense. The rugged mountain fortifications and the vast number of archers were the greatest obstacles in the Eastern Expedition!

"Your Highness, among the congratulatory gifts you contributed to the kingdom, there are 36 Rain God Tiger Squat Cannons and 4 Sun Divine Eagle Cannons. These bronze cannons are immensely powerful, endowed with divine strength! The Sun Divine Eagle Cannons can fire from hundreds of steps away, destroying wood and stone, making them formidable tools for siege... However, after studying the Divine Eagle Cannons, the craftsmen in the royal workshop found them extremely difficult to manufacture..."

Gillim’s tone shifted, and his expression became solemn. He suddenly kneeled and earnestly insisted. "Your Highness, for the success of the Eastern Expedition and to reduce the casualties of the Samurai... please send the master craftsmen of the Kingdom of the Lake to guide the Alliance in the divine art of cannon casting! The Alliance will fully support the kingdom’s needs for population and food."

After Gillim finished speaking, he respectfully prostrated himself and remained motionless. The hall was so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Xiulote glanced at his father, both furrowing their brows.

"The Alliance is requesting the cannon casting technology for fortress sieges..."

Xiulote pursed his lips in silence. The Chief Intelligence Officer’s request clearly showed sufficient recognition of the bronze cannons’ power.

At the current technological level, casting bronze cannons was extremely challenging. Although the kingdom had incorporated the bronze craftsmen from Tarasco, mastering much of the casting techniques, they could only barely produce usable Divine Eagle Cannons through extensive mold casting... Not to mention the alliance’s lack of casting heritage.

When presenting the bronze cannons, he had prepared for the request for technology, but its prompt arrival was quite unexpected.

"It seems the Alliance, valuing military power, is highly sensitive to military advancements."

Xiulote pondered for a long time, making a decision. King Aweit aimed for world dominance and naturally coveted siege artillery technology. It would not be difficult to refuse the Chief Intelligence Officer, but rejecting King Aweit would be very challenging, especially at such a sensitive time, when he was in the capital city preparing for the wedding.

After a moment’s contemplation, Xiulote lowered his eyes and responded solemnly.

"Esteemed Female Snake, since you oversee Alliance intelligence, you must be well aware of the Kingdom of the Lake... Apart from the cannon casting technology, you probably have other requests too? Feel free to voice them, so the kingdom can prepare in advance."

"Your Highness is insightful."

Gillim smiled slightly, detecting Xiulote’s agreement within his words. He nodded solemnly and respectfully replied.

"Your Highness, the third important matter is for the success of the Eastern Expedition against the Tlaxcala people and future campaigns against the Totonac and Mistec people... The central authority also needs to learn the new shipbuilding technology from the Kingdom of the Lake. Establishing crocodile bow oar-sail ships and strengthening the Alliance’s naval forces to gain an advantage on the north and south rivers... Esteemed Your Highness, please send the master shipwrights of Prepetcha to guide the Alliance’s shipwrights!"

"Requesting the shipbuilding technology that will determine the future..."

Hearing this, Xiulote’s eyes flickered. He carefully observed Gillim, impressed by his keen perception. After pondering for a moment, he gradually formed a plan.

The Alliance possessed numerous seasoned large timbers, a substantial population, and craftsmen, presenting significant potential in shipbuilding. Strengthening the overall capability of the Alliance’s naval forces and training skilled shipwrights would benefit the grand strategy. After all, Western colonizers were coming soon...

"Esteemed Female Snake, does the King have any other requests?"

Gillim scrutinized but could not discern any dissatisfaction from Xiulote. Somewhat surprised, he paused briefly before speaking again.

"The final important matter, heavily emphasized by the King, concerns Princess Alisa, his eldest daughter of exalted status, identity, and the most cherished flower of the royal family. The Alliance shall allocate 500 hectares of Chinampa fief, 10,000 direct retainers, and 500 family Samurai as her grant."

Gillim prostrated himself again, respectfully abiding by the King’s order despite his inner reluctance.

"The King instructed that beyond land, population, and Samurai, the Princess also requires financial support. Your Highness, after your marriage, please entrust the kingdom’s gemstone trade entirely to Princess Alisa!"

"...Hand over the gemstone trade to Alisa?"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote paused. He pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

"Alright!"

Hearing this, Xiuxoke tightly furrowed his brows. He glanced at his son, wanting to say something but held back, letting out a sigh.

"Alas..."

"Excellent! Your Highness is truly generous!"

Gillim, having completed his rites, had a sincere smile on his face.

"Since that’s settled, I shall report to the King..."

"Wait!"

Xiulote’s expression changed, and he spoke solemnly.

"Alisa is my wife and my most beloved. It is only right to entrust her with the gemstone trade. Likewise, I can provide the Alliance with cannon and shipbuilding technology... but it must be exchanged for a city!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Gillim’s smile vanished silently. His expression turned cold as he spoke sternly.

"Your Highness, the Lake Sealed Country is a close vassal of the Alliance and should comply with the royal decree from the central authority! The Texcoco Lake District is directly under the Alliance, and each state has its own territory... May I ask which city Your Highness desires?"

"Esteemed Female Snake, rest assured. The city is not within the Alliance, nor is it any great noble’s fief."

Xiulote gave a faint smile, taking out a simple map of the world from his bosom and spreading it before them. He then moved his finger and heavily tapped a place in the east on the map, saying aloud in their astonished gazes.

"The city I want is here!"