Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 887 - 505: The Threat of the Mistek People

Chapter 887: Chapter 505: The Threat of the Mistek People

The sun shone brightly, illuminating the simple large tent. The samurai stood solemnly guarding the abode of the king. The messenger came from afar and bowed down to report. The king held the Divine Staff and stood up tall.

"Thousands of Mistec Warriors have appeared in the Little Willow Fort?"

Xiulote unfolded the map, searching in the basin south of Water Valley City. The first thing that caught his eyes was the small city of Tlaxcala, 80 miles south, the captured city of Itzocan, the Blade Road City.

In Navajo, itz is the abbreviation of itztli, meaning "flint and small knife," while ocan is the transformation of ohtli, referring to "path, road." Combined, it means "Path of Flint," Blade Road City. As the name suggests, the terrain here consists of surrounding mountains, a basin, with undulating hills and rocky mountains.

From Blade Road City, going southwest along the basin for another 70 miles, you reach the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses. This group of fortresses is also part of the main supply route of the army. The supply route goes along the mountains, from High Mountain City first to the southeast, reaching the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses. Then it turns northeast along the basin, through Blade Road City, and down to Water Valley City.

The whole supply route is nearly 300 miles long, supplying an army of fifty thousand and tens of thousands of prisoners. The militia troop carrying the food, heads bowed, kept moving, maintaining the army’s lifeline.

"Mountain Pass Fortress group, Blade Road City..."

Xiulote stared at the rear of the army, the two most critical logistical points. Then he moved his finger, exploring the basin where Blade Road City is located.

In the southeast corner of the basin, there is a conspicuous mountain path, winding southeast between the mountains. Traveling a hundred miles through the mountains, you reach the military camp where Mistec reinforcements are stationed, Huejotzingo, the "Place of Little Willows," the Little Willow Fort.

"Little Willow Fort... Little Willow Trees..."

Xiulote stared at the Mistec fort hidden deep in the mountains, frowning slightly. Then he looked at the Head Warrior.

"Bertade, what is the terrain here?"

"Your Highness, Little Willow Fort has a large area where little willow trees grow. Such places where little willow trees grow are mostly muddy and wet swamps. Similar to the Mud Fort, the terrain here is also muddy and treacherous. Difficult to deploy an army, it’s quite easy to defend but hard to attack."

"Ha! Reinforcing thousands in Mud Fort, threatening the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses sixty miles north. Reinforcing thousands in Little Willow Fort, threatening Blade Road City a hundred miles north. Is the Mistec army stationed at these two places trying to threaten the army’s supply route?"

Upon saying this, Xiulote’s face showed anger, and he shouted sternly.

"Send the legion envoy to the two forts and reprimand the leaders of the Mistec people! Ask them if they want to turn against the Mexica Alliance and betray their suzerain!"

"As you command, Your Highness."

Bertade nodded, immediately writing two royal decrees, called in two trusted aides, and sent them to various Mistec tribes in the south. Then he pondered for a while, speaking frankly.

"Your Highness, the Southern Army is stationed beneath Water Valley City, ready to rescue the rear route at any time. It takes only two to three days to go to Blade Road City and five to six days to reach the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses. The Mistec’s reinforcements in key frontline positions may not have the determination and courage to directly fight the alliance! Most likely, they are aiming to pin down the alliance’s forces, allowing the Telascallan to hold on longer!"

"Hmm."

Xiulote nodded, holding the Scepter in his hand. He thought for a moment and gave further orders.

"Increase rear defenses. The Royal Legion of six thousand men will be stationed separately at the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses and Blade Road City. As the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses is closer to the rear, add four thousand militia to guard. As for Blade Road City, add two thousand militia, and keep a close watch on the southeastern mountain pass."

Thus, there are three thousand samurai and four thousand militia, totaling seven thousand men at the group of Mountain Pass Fortresses. Blade Road City has three thousand samurai and two thousand militia, totaling five thousand men. With the defending army occupying favorable terrain, even if thousands of Mistec Warriors suddenly attack, they can hold out until the main force arrives.

"Lastly, send elite scouts to carefully investigate! How many reinforcements did the Mistec send, and how many are warriors, and how many are militia?"

"At your command!"

After arranging the defenses, Xiulote’s expression slightly relaxed. He carefully looked at the situation in the south, as murderous intent surged in his heart.

"Bertade, the Mistec people hidden in the southeastern mountains threaten our supply route at any time."

"Your Highness, the supply route is currently quite stable. The defending forces in each place occupy critical terrain. Without deploying a large army, the Mistec cannot cut off the supply route."

"Hmm, with the Southern Army stationed here, if the Mistec dare to march north, they will be decisively broken!"

Xiulote was full of confidence in the main legion’s combat strength. But soon, his tone changed, and his expression became serious.

"But if the Mistec army stays hidden, neither advancing north nor retreating, it becomes troublesome. They hide in treacherous terrain in the mountains, difficult to conquer. If the army continues to march north for another 120 miles, besieging the four critical Snake Cities of the Telascallan... At that point, how can we ensure the safety of the rear route? Do we have to keep splitting forces to be stationed, being led by the nose by the Mistec people?"

Upon hearing this, Bertade frowned as well.

Although the Mistec have not raised the flag of rebellion against the alliance, preparing for the worst is necessary, treating them as enemies. The Five Mistec States have over 800,000 people, with an estimated twenty to thirty thousand warriors. This place is only more than 300 miles from the western homeland of the Mistec, Mountain River City. Their food supply would not be a problem, sufficient to support tens of thousands of troops. Beyond the Mistec are the Three Zapotec States, having about 500,000 people and around twenty thousand warriors.

Of course, the various Mistec and Zapotec clans are city-state alliances, with internal factions belonging to different honorable nobility, lacking a strong king or great chief. Yet, they would not muster warriors for all-out battle unless faced with imminent destruction.

"Yes, the Mistec threat always looms, and its precise scale remains unclear... It always feels like a thorn in the side, truly uncomfortable!"

"Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"I have an idea, but I haven’t decided yet."

Xiulote pondered for a while, then sternly ordered.

"The Black Wolf’s over ten thousand troops will continue advancing east for 130 miles these two days, eradicating the flanking Mountain Peak City. The Huashu Corps will follow along, suppressing tribes and capturing prisoners in that area. The Yu Yan Corps, having the strongest warriors, will continue north for 60 miles, flanking north of Cholula City, blocking roads and plundering surrounding villages. The least capable Pang Mang Corps will remain in the Water Valley City area, thoroughly clearing the entire basin."

"As for the Imperial Guard Legion, they’ll be stationed at Water Valley City, holding the south and north. I will personally be stationed here, arranging the spring plowing for the Telascallan prisoners, and addressing issues with the Holy City... The campaign against Telascallan tribes is not urgent. The Southern Army has achieved breakthroughs, while the Northern Route Army has more warriors and stronger combat strength..."

Xiulote paused briefly, gazing towards the northern mountains. He seemed to be looking through hundreds of miles, seeing the prestigious royal banner of the "Evil Spirit Commander," of the mighty Mexica Alliance.

"I believe it won’t be long before there is good news from the Northern Route Army!"

Bertade nodded and looked northward together. At this moment, he also awaited the breakthrough of the Northern Route Army, eager for the climax of this eastern expedition.

Several days later, the Mistec leader responded to the envoy, claiming "Loyal Mistec tribes have no intention of rebellion, just cautiously guarding against remnants of Telascallan fleeing inland." However, according to scout reports, Mistec Warriors gathering in the south continued to increase.

In late April, the Black Wolf led ten thousand troops eastward to attack Mountain Peak City. The Yu Yan Corps advanced north, plundering and blocking roads. The Holy City Cholula was terrified, sending another envoy to Water Valley City to request an audience with His Highness. Xiulote did not permit it, still refusing to meet.

By the end of April, an envoy from the Lake Capital City finally arrived from the west, bringing the latest news of the Northern Route Army!