Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 953 - 558: The Generous King, The Rewards for the Warrior!

Chapter 953: Chapter 558: The Generous King, The Rewards for the Warrior!

The ancient hall was built from volcanic rock, its colors deep and solemn. The four walls were carefully decorated, with vibrant murals depicting the legends of the earliest Divine Descendants of the Tree Serpent, telling the story of the founding of Tree Snake City. This is the epic heritage of the Tlaxcallans, remembered in the hearts of generations of Divine Descendants of the Tree Serpent.

However, upon closer inspection, those still magnificent carvings showed more signs of hacking. The previously adorned gold, silver, and gems had all disappeared without a trace. Only rows of torches on the wall blazed, illuminating the scenes within the great hall.

The Mexica generals sat in a circle, their expressions solemn, draped in splendid war clothes. Over a dozen warriors who had made great contributions were prostrate, empty-handed, kneeling at the center of the hall. Before them, the highest King held the Divine Staff, with a faint smile, loudly proclaiming.

"A great victory in the eastern expedition, the Chief Divine blesses the Alliance! The hereditary nobility of the Lake Region, Royal Army Commander, Chichimiqui the Cursed Dog, first breached the South City, seized the city’s Temple, and captured the leader of Tree Snake City, claiming the first merit in this battle!..."

At this point, Aweit paused, his gaze sharp, sweeping over the City-State Army Commanders. Everyone lowered their heads together, sincerely showing admiration for the brave and battle-wise close associates of the King.

Seeing this, Aweit smiled satisfactorily. The first merit of the siege was naturally to be attributed to his own Royal Legion. He raised the Divine Staff, deciding with the authority akin to a Divine.

"By Royal Decree: Chichimiqui the Cursed Dog, promoted to Third Level Honorable Nobility! Granted a fief of four hundred acres of Chinampa, one hundred agricultural slaves, twenty beautiful concubines, and ten chests of gold, silver, and gems!"

"What, promoted to Third Level Honorable Nobility?!"

Upon hearing such a reward, the Army Commanders of each state looked at each other in shock.

In the King’s rewards, the most important was the promotion in nobility rank. From Second Level Hereditary Noble to Third Level Honorable Noble, this was a true threshold, a huge leap in social class! Honorable Nobility is the pinnacle of noble promotion, becoming truly at the top of the ruling hierarchy, inheriting indefinitely, sharing the kingdom’s honor. Once enfeoffed in foreign lands, one could become a City Lord!

"The King rewards like this, wantonly elevating new nobility, promoting honorable... how can we, these glory families who have bled for the Alliance for generations, bear this?"

The Centurion Xintle of the Reeds Legion opened wide his eyes, about to voice his opposition.

One must know, in the whole Mexica Alliance, there were only about thirty or forty Honorable Family houses, spread across each state, about three per state, all wielding power over the major City-States. Chichimiqui the Cursed Dog, just ten years ago, was only an ordinary Military Merit Noble. Now, with only one western expedition and one eastern expedition, he soared high, equating with the sitting Honorable Nobility and City-State Army Commanders!...

"Cough!"

Pachjo, the Legion Commander of the Golden Gorge Legion, quickly reached out to hold down Xintle beside him, motioning with his eyes. He had long seen that the King was continuously taking measures to weaken the local Great Nobility.

Whether it was the prior centralization reforms or the reforms against the priesthood, or even the command to have City-State Warriors attack cities during the eastern expeditions, all aimed at weakening the strength of the Great Nobility. Now, promoting new nobility to lessen the influence of hereditary nobles... his discontent was accumulating too! It’s just, recalling Xochitl’s suspicious death in battle...

Pachjo carefully coughed, whispering to Xintle.

"...The Alliance values warriors the most. With such battle merits, the rewards, though generous, are also justified."

"...Ah."

Xintle gritted his teeth, sighing low, his heart ablaze yet feeling helpless.

In the corner, a secret conversation took place with few words before falling silent again. At the center of the hall, Chichimiqui the Cursed Dog’s eyes were red with excitement, his voice choked. He suddenly knelt down, bowing his head heavily to the King who personally elevated him, swearing tremulously.

"Your Majesty! You...you are the soaring eagle, and I, Chichimiqui, am your wings! The Chief Divine bears witness! Wherever the eagle flies, I am willing to follow you, to lay down my life for you!"

"Haha!"

Aweit laughed heartily. He reached out to grip Chichimiqui’s hair. Then, he personally helped his beloved general up, handed him a cup of wine, and toasted in celebration.

"Come! The Chief Divine bless the Alliance! All generals, raise your cups to celebrate the first merits of the eastern expedition!"

"The Chief Divine blesses! Cheers to the King! Cheers to General Chichimiqui the Cursed Dog!"

No matter what they thought in their hearts, smiles appeared on the faces of everyone. They all raised their cups and drank it all. Chichimiqui the Cursed Dog gulped down the Tequila, with its slight spiciness flowing down his throat, tasting sweet as honey.

"To capture Tree Snake City, warriors of each state fought fiercely, all achieving remarkable battle merits!... And the Military Merit Noble of the Lake Region, the Royal Legion Vanguard, the Warrior Moquihuix, first broke into South City, killed the Head Warrior of the Tree Snake family, and captured two Divine Descendant princes, claiming the second merit of this battle!"

Moquihuix’s face was flushed, kneeling on the ground, even his breathing became heavy. He awaited the King’s reward, his heart pounding fiercely.

Aweit smiled slightly, glanced at this loyal and fearless young warrior, paused briefly, then loudly announced.

"By Royal Decree: Warrior Moquihuix, promoted to Second Level Hereditary Noble! Granted a fief of one hundred acres of Chinampa, twenty agricultural slaves, four beautiful concubines, and four chests of gold, silver, and gems!"

"Second Level Hereditary Noble, one hundred acres of Chinampa!"

Moquihuix’s head buzzed, his face instantly blossoming with a smile. One acre of Chinampa floating field yields about the equivalent of six acres of Milpa fields. And one hundred acres of Chinampa is equivalent to six hundred acres of ordinary fields! More importantly, such floating fields are priceless and almost never circulated in the market, being the foundation passed down by noble families.

In fact, the population of the Texcoco Lake District had already been saturated, and all the suitable lands had been fully cultivated, held in the hands of various levels of nobility. For this eastern expedition, King Aweit was able to allocate thousands of acres of Chinampa for rewards, largely due to the High Priest’s sweeping purge last year, uprooting the Great Nobility of Tlacopan, exiling a full twenty thousand people!

Unfortunately now, both the Elder and High Priest had gone to the Divine Kingdom. The succeeding High Priest Uguel had always been playing deaf and blind, extremely cautious. Such grand cases would certainly not happen again.

Aweit, while pondering, extended his hand to grip Moquihuix’s hair. The slightly drunk young warrior finally reacted, loudly swearing allegiance.

"Your Majesty! You are my supreme sun! I will stab with the copper spear, wield the battle axe, and fight bravely! I will let your brilliance shine upon all states in the world!"

"Haha! Good! Come, drink this cup fully!"

"The Chief Divine blesses! Cheers to the King! Cheers to the warrior!"

Regarding the promotion of Hereditary Nobles, the present powerful Army Commanders had no particular reaction. Being so much influential and knowledgeable, such power was already within their grasp in the City-State, so they did not care much.

Aweit finished his drink, looking at the kneeling Moquihuix, recalling his performance in suppressing the City Lord of Tree Snake in the Temple during the day... The King’s lips curved up, like a divine who had fulfilled his wish, smiling as he gently asked.

"Moquihuix, besides these rewards, do you have any other wishes?"

"Uh, a wish?"

Moquihuix was stunned. He looked up at the King’s face, so majestic yet amiable, and impulsively voiced his recent wish.

"Your Majesty! I want pretty girls dancing in the garden!"

"...Ha! Haha!"

Hearing this wish, the Mexica generals looked at each other and burst into loud laughter.

"So, it’s just a passionate young wolf cub, in heat!"

"Haha!"

Aweit laughed out loud. He extended his hand, patted Moquihuix’s blushing face, and agreed with a smile.

"Alright! When you go out later, whoever catches your eye, just take her away! Tonight, you’re exempted from duties, allowed a night’s pleasure!"

"Uh? Just take her away?"

Moquihuix had drunk quite a bit and was somewhat tipsy. At this moment, hearing the King’s words, he thought for a moment and boldly shouted.

"Your Majesty, I was born with great strength! If I can take away two, are both mine?"

Upon hearing this, the hall erupted in cheerful laughter, filled with a lively atmosphere.

"Haha! Of course, however many you can take away, they’re all yours!"

Aweit couldn’t help but laugh as well. He nodded cheerfully, granting Moquihuix’s request. He was always forgiving to loyal and brave Samurai.

Afterwards, the King raised the scepter again and walked towards the next warrior. He looked at the kneeling, imposing figure, smiled faintly, and his voice grew even louder.

"Acid Wood City’s Military Merit Nobility, Acid Wood Army Head Warrior, Turquoise Texiwhit, first to ascend the wall, the first to break into South City, also achieving great merit!"

Texiwhit knelt on the ground, expression calm, without much fluctuation. He was naturally reticent, and after the Family Head’s death, he spoke even less.

"Royal Decree: Warrior Texiwhit, promoted to Second Level Hereditary Noble! Awarded eighty mu of Chinampa fief, sixteen Agricultural Slaves, three beautiful concubines, three chests of gemstones gold and silver!..."

At this, Texiwhit’s expression still showed no emotion. After all, he was the trusted General of the former Legion Commander, not lacking land or wealth. As for himself, he cared not for riches or beauty.

"...Such a warrior should be selected into the Tonsured Guard, appointed Centurion, fighting for the Alliance, dying for the Royal Family!"

"Hmm? Transferred to the Tonsured Guard, appointed Centurion?"

Upon hearing this, Texiwhit raised his head in surprise, seeing the King’s smiling gaze upon him, momentarily at a loss.

"If transferred to the Imperial Guard, I must leave Acid Wood City-State, heading to the Lake Capital City, guarding close by the King...In this case, how will I have the opportunity to investigate the truth of the Family Head’s death?"

Indeed, at this moment, the great Turquoise General, although suspicious of the Family Head’s death, the object of his suspicion was the succeeding Acid Wood Legion Commander, Yunshan Clan Chief Huitzilihuitl.

Because, that night the one with the ability to act in the camp, and ultimately gain the most benefit, was Huitzilihuitl! As for the supreme King, for now, he hadn’t considered much.

Huitzilihuitl’s chubby face was smiling, kindly looking at Texiwhit. If Texiwhit stayed in the Legion, he would never let him return alive from the eastern expedition back to the City-State. What a pity...

Aweit’s eyes shone brightly as he carefully examined the expression of the great Turquoise General. He observed for a long time, seeing no obvious resistance, nor discovering a trace of hidden hatred in his bewildered expression. The King finally relaxed, smiling broadly, and asked.

"What’s wrong, Texiwhit, you are unwilling?"

"...I...this..."

Texiwhit stuttered, but under such circumstances, he couldn’t refuse. After a moment, he sighed, bowed his head, prostrating like a bear on the ground, respectfully saluting.

"Your Majesty, you are the towering Divine Mountain, standing at the pinnacle of the Alliance! I wish to follow your image, climb to the heights, and fight for you to the death!"

"Good! Very good!"

Aweit received the answer he desired, nodding with satisfaction. Generously rewarding the warriors of the City-States who achieved great merit, winning over the hearts of the Samurai from each region...this Texiwhit would be the perfect example!

"Come, drink this cup to the full!"

"Chief Divine bless! Congratulations for the King! Congratulations for the warriors!"

The generals congratulated in unison, drinking the rice wine to the full. The King laughed heartily, extending his hand.

Seeing this familiar loyalty ritual, Texiwhit felt somewhat dazed. He paused for a moment, then slowly bowed his head. Subsequently, a powerful hand grasped his hair, restraining his spirit from then on. Afterwards, a voice, both dignified and smiling, came from the front.

"Haha! Texiwhit, my warrior. Besides these rewards, what other wish do you have?"

"What, a wish?"

Upon hearing this, Texiwhit pressed his lips together, lifting his head. From this angle, he could see the King’s amiable smile and Huitzilihuitl’s kindly smile. Regarding the Family Head’s death, suspicion of Huitzilihuitl flashed in his mind, about to reveal itself!