Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 816 - 448: Three Reasons

Chapter 816: Chapter 448: Three Reasons

The ancient and solemn hall made of bluestone was adorned with the emblem of the Chief Divine, suspended and gleaming. Below the pure gold Sun Hummingbird, three people sat solemnly, studying a simple hand-drawn map.

At this moment, the young king straightened his back, lowered his finger, and pressed it on the eastern part of the map, at the lower reaches of the Tampen River, near its estuary on the Caribbean Sea. His face was full of determined resolve, as if proclaiming the ordained will of the Chief Divine.

"I want Cukuxicapan, Otter City!"

"The Vastec capital, Otter City?!"

Gilim’s expression changed swiftly, and his demeanor grew severe.

Otter City (now Panuco) is located about eight hundred miles northeast of the Lake Capital City, at the lowest convergence of the two branches of the Tampen River, and only one hundred miles away from the Endless Lake in the East. It is the core heartland where various Vastec tribes gather, a hot lowland plain of jungles and marshes, a boundary of the world untouched by the Mexica Alliance.

Even Predecessor Monarch Montezuma, who conquered and forced the submission of the Vastec Alliance, never truly reached Otter City. In legend, it is the Divine Realm ruled by the Storm God, with a hot and rainy climate, swept by terrifying storms that can destroy villages and flatten towering houses and trees. Likewise, during the height of the rainy season, the lower reaches of the Tampen River would swell, flooding farmlands and marshes along the river. Further east of Otter City, under the coastal swamps, lies an unknown evil, rumored to be natural deep wells flowing with ceaseless black water...

In tropical Central America, the climate is temperate and rainfall is suitable in the highland valleys, making them fertile lands. In contrast, the tropical lowland plains are often too hot, and the coastal areas receive excessive rainfall, which leads to either dense rainforests or flooding rivers, making large-scale agricultural production unsuitable.

The area around Otter City is both a lowland plain and a coastal region, with unpredictable hurricanes. To the wealthy Mexica people occupying the fertile valleys, it is a distant and impoverished borderland!

Although the Vastec tribes are numerous, their villages and towns are sparsely developed. To ward off hurricanes, the Vastec people didn’t build tall houses or temples, mostly living in shacks. Even Cukuxicapan, Otter City, is far less impressive than the City of Texcoco, not to mention the glorious Tenochtitlan.

Gilim contemplated for a moment, his expression soon returning to calm. He bowed respectfully and advised.

"Your Highness, the various Vastec tribes have always been loyal vassals of the Alliance, paying their tribute timely every year without fail. Without a suitable reason, to rashly act against a vassal and seize Otter City... I fear it will damage the prestige of the Alliance and cause the vassals to become disloyal!"

Xiulote listened calmly and nodded.

"Not long ago, King Aweit had a long talk with me, clearly outlining the eastern expedition. The Alliance’s Northern Route Army, led by the King himself, will demand military provisions from the Vastec tribes. The massive food demand of tens of thousands of Samurai is enormous, and if the Vastec people rebel because of it, the Northern Route Army will take the opportunity to subdue them!"

Upon hearing this, Gilim frowned slightly. The King had indeed discussed this arrangement with him.

As the Chief Intelligence Officer, he instinctively resisted such unpredictable methods and never underestimated any opponent. Though the Vastec people were weak, they still had tens of thousands of population and occupied strategic advantages. Forcibly throwing stones into still waters to create splashes was too crude a tactic.

Fortunately, the task was still under his supervision. He had already gathered intelligence and carefully calculated the Vastec people’s food reserves to ensure that the demanded amount was just within their acceptance threshold, preventing major rebellions.

"Your Highness, the Vastec tribes face threats from the Canine Descendants in the North. With the mobilization of tens of thousands of the Alliance’s troops, even if they harbor discontent, they won’t choose to rebel at this moment."

Gilim shook his head lightly and then asked with a look of confusion.

"Otter City is extremely remote, eight hundred miles from the Lake Capital City of the Alliance, and at least thirteen hundred miles from the Qinchongcan Capital in the West! Your Highness, even if you forcibly take such a distant borderland, it would be difficult to govern. What benefits would it bring?"

Hearing this, Xiulote’s expression turned serious. He had been prepared, and after a brief consideration, he spoke openly.

"Respected Royal Advisor, since you asked, I will be truthful and request you to convey this to the exalted King! My endeavor for Otter City has three reasons."

"First, to consolidate the Alliance’s northern defenses against the southward incursions of the Canine Descendants. Otter City is located at the lowest part of the Tampen River, where the western and southwestern upper reaches meet. Six or seven hundred miles west of Otter City, the western upper course of the Tampen River is near the kingdom’s northern border outpost, Pamus City. Pamus City is isolated and communications are difficult, making it unstable. With a support stronghold downstream, they can assist each other and stabilize the Alliance’s control over the northern border!"

Hearing this, Gilim nodded calmly. He was aware of the kingdom’s northern conquests and the existence of Pamus City. If the Kingdom of the Lake were to commit its limited military resources to the distant and desolate Northern Land, assisting the Alliance in developing the northern border, it was something he welcomed.

"What Your Highness speaks does have some logic."

Xiulote smiled faintly at Gilim, giving him a deep look before continuing his explanation.

"Occupying Otter City has a second benefit—it can completely open the northern water routes! Starting from the River Mouth Fortress of the kingdom, traveling three to four hundred miles east along the Lerma River, one reaches the western federation states of the Alliance. Continuing two hundred miles east leads to the heartland of the Texcoco Lake District, connecting to the Lake Capital City. North of Lake Texcoco, turning northeast, one goes three hundred miles further along the tributary of the Tampen River to arrive at Xilotepec City. From there, continuing downstream past the rugged Madre Mountains, traveling over five hundred miles, it reaches the lowest part of Otter City. The endless Great Lake in the East lies just a hundred miles east of Otter City! This creates an unobstructed fifteen-hundred-mile waterway from the Kingdom of the Lake to the Vastec tribes!"

"A fifteen-hundred-mile unobstructed waterway!"

Gilim’s eyes lit up thoughtfully. The uppermost part of this waterway is controlled by the Kingdom of the Lake, the middle segments by the allied western city-states, and the Texcoco Lake District north of Xilotepec City, all under royal central control. Even if the remote lower part of Otter City were occupied by Your Highness, it wouldn’t pose a threat to the royal central authority but would rather further disperse the kingdom’s forces...

The Chief Intelligence Officer lowered his eyes, deliberating briefly. Quickly, he confirmed that Xiulote’s proposal seemed devoid of personal gain. With this realization, Gilim sighed inwardly, revealing a look of appreciation.

"Your Highness, your loyalty to the Alliance truly commands my respect! However, traveling down the tributaries of the Tampen River involves navigating the treacherous Madre Mountains. The river is very narrow, has steep gradients, and the water flows rapidly. Navigating boats there would indeed be risky!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote pressed his lips together, nodding in acknowledgment.

"It’s true that a section of the Tampen River’s tributary is challenging! The newly built oar-sail ships of the kingdom have reinforced keels to withstand impacts significantly. For the most perilous section, we can have haulers pull the boats. Once we traverse down the eastern Madre Mountains, the journey will be unobstructed!"

"I see!"

Gilim nodded solemnly, appearing respectful.

"It seems Your Highness has thoroughly prepared. May I ask, what is the third reason?"

"The third reason..."

Upon hearing the inquiry, Xiulote paused, his eyes deepening. He stood up, looked towards the rising sun in the East, remaining silent. After a long while, he spoke in a chanting tone, his voice low and resonant.

"It is the divine guidance, leading to the endless Great Lake. On the narrow Snake Island in the Great Lake, where the Feathered Serpent Divine once departed, foreign invaders will soon arrive by ship! They have rough long beards, deathly white skin, greed, and evil in their hearts, bringing terrifying diseases and destruction!"