Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 994 - 595: The Aftermath of the Eastern Expedition, Handling the Country, The King’s Arrangement

Chapter 994: Chapter 595: The Aftermath of the Eastern Expedition, Handling the Country, The King’s Arrangement

In the vast hall, there was a moment of silence. The bonfire flickered inside, casting shadows of the two kings, revealing the deepest shadows. The shadows swayed, but the people were silent. King Aweit raised the clay cup and sipped tea quietly. Xiulote gazed at the statue, silently reciting scriptures.

Only after finishing a cup did King Aweit put down the clay cup and speak calmly.

"The Northern Four States Army, during the eastward campaign, suffered heavy casualties. They even handed over a thousand elite Fire Warriors, reaching their limit, unable to continue the consumption. When I return to the capital city, these warriors from the Four States Army will be disbanded and return to their respective states. Of course, the more than ten thousand remaining militia from the Four States Army can be handed over to you to guard the camps or transport provisions."

The eastward campaign was declared over, and the city-state warriors of the Northern Four States were about to return home. They were forced to attack cities, suffered heavy losses, and were full of grievances, unable to be further compelled, or else they might truly rebel. As for the conscripted militia, they could be further burdened.

In the world of Central America, the endurance of the militia far exceeds that of the Celestial Empire, roughly comparable to India or Ancient Egypt. The reason is, on one hand, they devoutly believe in the divine, fear the divinity of the divine descendants, follow the guidance of the Priest, and pursue peace after death. On the other hand, they lack meat, lack training, do not possess crossbows or copper weapons. In front of well-trained warriors, the resistance of the militia usually amounts to nothing and can be easily suppressed, naturally considered no more than "people."

Of course, the spear militia and longbow militia formed by the kingdom, capable of defeating warriors, do not fall into this category.

"Yes. This time going north, I brought eight thousand ’Yu Yan’, eight thousand ’Huashu’, four thousand ’Imperial Guards’, a total of twenty thousand. These armies are not enough to control two states, but with over ten thousand militia, it is more than enough to besiege two Snake Cities!"

Xiulote looked at the king and reported earnestly. The king should have long had intelligence on the movements of the Southern Army.

"In the southern two states, there are thirty thousand warriors and militia. They must guard various forts and guard against the Mixtec people, unable to move freely for now. However, the Divine Stone City in the southeast, having witnessed the Alliance’s military might, sent envoys to surrender. Most Mixtecs are fearful, and when Black Wolf’s army returns north, another army can be drawn to move north..."

"Ha! Caught between two sides, betraying their suzerain... The Mixtecs and the Zapotecs are just field mice hiding in the mountains and forests!"

Hearing this, a flame flashed through Aweit’s eyes.

"When I return to the capital city and stabilize the Alliance’s situation, we will accumulate provisions for a few years. The Alliance will once again dispatch troops, sweeping southward for nine hundred miles, until the Oaxaca Valley! I want to offer sacrifices to the Cloud Divine Descendants at Mount Alban Pyramid Temple, establishing the emblem of the Chief Divine!"

"Sweep nine hundred miles southward, an expedition to the Oaxaca Valley?"

Xiulote’s heart trembled. He lifted his head and saw the king’s cold and hard expression, pursed his lips, wisely kept silent.

The Oaxaca Valley is the old stronghold of the Zapotec people, located southeast at the edge of the world. In history, King Aweit once led warriors a thousand miles southward to conquer, reaching the edge of the Oaxaca Valley, even touching the Maya Tribe in Guatemala. However, the fierceness of that conquest, the great losses of marching through the rainforest...

"Teacher, how should we deal with the Totonac city-states in the East that have shown upheaval during the eastward campaign?"

Upon hearing this question, Aweit pondered for a moment without immediately responding. According to his thoughts, the Totonac people are also untrustworthy turncoats. They were incited by the Holy City Cholula during the eastward campaign, gathering over ten thousand warriors to subtly threaten the Northern Route Army.

However, from beginning to end, these seaside city-states never came into direct conflict with the Mexica Alliance. After the conquest of Tree Snake City by the Alliance, the neighboring Totonac Tribes immediately withdrew their warriors and offered tribute. In other words, these subordinate city-states are still fairly obedient and clever, not directly offending the Alliance’s majesty. The ones who directly offended were those who rebelled and sent troops in the South.

"The Totonac tribes, sooner or later, will also need to be cleaned up. But for now, the first to be punished are the southern Mixtec and Zapotec, the so-called two tribes among the clouds!"

After a moment, Aweit’s eyes sharpened, and he made his decision.

"Send envoys to make the Totonac city-states convert to the Chief Divine, hand over the divine descendants to the Lake Capital City as hostages! As for other punishments... Xiulote, you shall handle it!"

"Following Your Majesty’s order!"

Xiulote bowed to the ground respectfully. His eyes flickered, thinking of the locations of the Totonac tribes, a thought buried deep in his heart, persistently emerged.

"Punishment for the seaside tribes... the eastern seaport..."

"Yes. After I return to the capital city, the Western Weisoqinke State will be managed by Commander Stanley of the Eagle Legion. He still has a Royal Legion and a City-State Army, which can come to your aid if necessary."

King Aweit lowered his gaze slightly, returning to the main topic. Although Weisoqinke State had been captured by the alliance’s auxiliary forces, the remaining Tlaxcala Tribes in the mountains had not yet been cleared.

Aweit had once intended to hand these two armies over to Xiulote. But after much thought, out of the king’s instinct, he decided to separate the military authority of Weisoqinke State from the Tlaxcala State. Weisoqinke State controls the western strategic pass, essentially maintaining the grain route to the Tlaxcala State, a mutually assured guarantee.

"The frog god Sochipili said that a wise elder never places the sacrificial venison before a young hound. The young hound need not be tested, nor necessarily withstand the test..."

"Good! I will work well with Commander Stanley to stabilize the situation in the northern two states!"

Xiulote nodded, contemplating. Perhaps the business of trading population could also be done with the two armies in the west.

As the two kings discussed, the major matters after the eastward campaign were settled. The direction of the world and the life and death of the people were, after all, decided by a word from the true rulers.

After discussing military and political matters, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed. Aweit gestured, and guards added drinks, served dried fruits, and some snacks and confections. The two of them ate and drank casually and discussed the royal family’s matters.

"After the elder’s passing, Uncle Cacamatzin assumed the position of Chief Minister. Uncle has always been low-key, rarely involving himself in the alliance’s major affairs or interfering in important positions. So, this time, let him have a larger share of the eastward campaign’s spoils of war..."

"Good! Great-uncle presided over my and Alisa’s wedding and is my elder. I have a pair of turquoise armbands, smooth and clear, about the size of a human head, said to have the effect of calming the mind, so let me entrust you to give them to Great-uncle!..."

Xiulote smiled, mentioning Uncle Cacamatzin, whom he always remembered fondly. Aweit nodded slightly, recalling the long-term feudal plan, his expression flickered, and he spoke again.

"After this year, Little Quetelawak will be thirteen, old enough to be betrothed to noble ladies from various states. During this eastward campaign, to avoid threats to the rear, I detained the leaders of the Vastec southern city-states... Now that the eastward campaign is basically over, let Little Quetelawak marry a princess from a Vastec city-state to soothe their people’s hearts."

Little Quetelawak is Montezuma II’s brother, the legitimate heir of Predecessor Monarch Ashayacatell. Historically, he was once supported by the capital city’s nobility to fight against the invading Spaniards. He drove Cortes out of the capital city and pursued them hundreds of miles. But after more than two months, he died of smallpox spread by the colonizers.

Upon hearing this, Xiulote’s eyes flickered. He knew little about Quetelawak, and these royal marriages were now determined by the king. However, mentioning the Vastec people, he also had his thoughts, which needed to be guided by the situation.

"Teacher, the southern Vastec have more than a dozen major tribes. For Quetelawak’s marriage, who do you consider?"

Upon hearing this question, Aweit pondered slightly. Soon, a submissive and elder face appeared in his mind.

"Then... the Silver Raven Tribe!"