Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 997 - 598: Militia, Samurai, Merchants, and Priests, Expedition Fleet Heading to the East!

Chapter 997: Chapter 598: Militia, Samurai, Merchants, and Priests, Expedition Fleet Heading to the East!

"Five... five thousand miles?!..."

The old Militia, Chiwaco, trembled all over, even his voice was shaking.

"Five thousand miles to the East... wouldn’t that be... the endless Eastern Sea?"

Puap showed surprise; in ancient myths, the Eastern Sea was tumultuous, inhabited by terrifying sea creatures, the final place where the Feathered Serpent Divine departed.

"Ah!... the homeland in the East, the ancestors’ dwelling, and the Serpent Island in the sea..."

The Mayan merchant, Tikalo, showed changing expressions, nostalgia surfacing in his heart. He was only a naive child when his parents took him away from the homeland, Tutulxiu-Mayapan, and now it has already been over forty years.

"Hmm. Tikalo, do you remember? You once presented me with two gems from the Eastern Snake Island in the Lake Capital City! Those two gems attracted and repelled each other, born from the cluster of black hard stones..."

Xiulote’s expression slightly moved. He recalled those two perfect chromite spinel gems and felt a strong yearning surge in his heart. They were critically important, capable even of changing the world with the great Cuba iron ore! The reserves of Cuba iron ore were so large, its purity so high, and the accompanying metal so precious, it could usher the powerful Central America Empire into the Industrial Era!

After a while, Xiulote’s thoughts returned from the distant longing. He had enough patience to complete this grand vision step by step over several decades.

"This time, you are heading to the Serpent Island in the Eastern Great Sea! You must locate the position of the black stones, leave enough manpower, and establish bases and sentry points!... Well, Puap, you once discovered a small patch of black stones with Black Wolf Torc at Black Rock Mountain, you should remember the appearance of those stones."

"Yes, esteemed Your Majesty. If I see such black stones again, I’m sure I can recognize them!"

Puap stood upright, akin to a gorilla, patting his chest vigorously. He remembered the Tecos Priest covered in stones, making black stones fly and form eerie stone spheres, frightening even the Black Wolf General to the point of not daring to act... eventually, he charged and slew him with a single blow! He could boast about this experience for a lifetime.

"Excellent! You must document the waterway along the route and record the Maya city-states you pass through. For this, you must rely on the Maya guides... this voyage is just the beginning, and as it progresses, you can transport more samurai! Tikalo, I once promised you, it will surely be fulfilled!"

Xiulote looked calmly at the Mayan merchant beside him, with an unyielding will in his eyes. Seeing this, Tikalo pressed his lips tightly and lowered his divine head to the fully mature King.

"Your Highness, obey your will! I will bring the old sailors from the trading group to join the Kingdom’s exploration fleet. They are very familiar with the waterways along the Eastern Totonaq coast to the Yucatan lowland. However, to reach the sea Serpent Island from the Yucatan lowland, you must arrive at the easternmost Echabovana, connect with the local Maya trading groups, and find an experienced guide... the trading group’s fleet has never truly sailed that route..."

In the Maya Lands, there are numerous city-states and many trading teams. Each Maya trading team usually has a fixed route with stable trading and output. Like Tikalo’s trading group, they trade within the Mexica Alliance, selling goods shipped from the Totonaq coastal ports.

Throughout Central America, the Mexica Alliance is a gathering place for wealth, the richest place in the world! Tikalo’s trading group has influence and channels here, while other Maya trading teams need to sell goods through them and generally wouldn’t easily offend them. Of course, behind the large trading groups, there are surely city-state nobility whose attitudes are often very changeable.

"Hmm. The Chief Divine once bestowed a Divine Revelation upon me, the slender Serpent Island lies directly east of the Northeastern Echabovana of the Yucatan! That Serpent Island extends one to two thousand miles east to west. As long as the fleet heads east, it will definitely not miss it!... Of course, finding a familiar guide will be more stable. Additionally, in this expedition, besides dealing with the Maya city-states, you must also connect with the Taino tribes on the island. As for the content of the connection..."

At this point, Xiulote paused slightly and then summoned a trusted aide, whispering softly. Soon, a priest in a white robe appeared before everyone.

"Esteemed Divine Revelator, Chief Priest Sir, Second Level Priest Tomate greets you! Praise the Chief Divine!"

Tomate’s meaning is quite straightforward, as "Tomato." In the Mexica Alliance, tomatoes are common fruits, and due to their blood-red juice, they hold some symbolic religious significance. From Tomate’s name, one can see that he isn’t from a noble family but likely originates from an ordinary priest family.

"Praise the Chief Divine! He watches over us!"

Xiulote uttered a prayer, smiling and nodding, looking back at everyone.

"On this sea journey, Tomate will lead over ten pious Chief God Priests, carrying printed scriptures, to accompany you. When the fleet finds the iron deposits of black stones and establishes a base, they will remain there to spread the faith of the Chief Divine to the surrounding Taino people!... Similarly, you must leave enough samurai to protect the priests’ safety and collect food from the nearby villages."

Militia, Samurai, Traders, and Priests - this is the composition of this expedition team, marking the beginning of the Kingdom of Lake’s first eastward colonization. What kind of cost will such an exploration entail, and what kind of returns? Xiulote was not yet clear. However, to preemptively address the dangers from across the sea, he had to do it! He also had enough strength and resources to bear it all!

"By the way, Tomate, this time at sea, you should bring more dried tomatoes. They are a gift from the War God, using their red divine juice to replenish your blood..."

"Follow your guidance, Chief Priest Sir! The light of the Sun Supreme God will surely dispel the darkness of the Feathered Serpent Long Island, resisting the evil from the sea to the East!"

Tomate knelt down, bowing his head respectfully. The prophecy of His Highness to the East had already started small-scale spreading among Kingdom Priests. As an appointed pious priest, he was ready to dedicate, even sacrifice, his life for the Chief Divine! Wherever that may be...

"Excellent! The light of the Chief Divine will illuminate the sky and sea, defending against all evil!"

Xiulote satisfied, extended his hand, and grasped Tomate’s hair. Then, he turned to look at the old militia.

"Chiwaco, how are the seven longships of the expedition fleet doing?"

"Your Majesty, the seven longships have been repaired in Water Valley City for nearly a month; all have been restored. Now, they are docked not far outside Tree Snake City, in the Valley Water River, ready to set sail anytime."

Chiwaco bowed his head, reported carefully. From Water Valley City to Tree Snake City, the road is only over a hundred miles, but the waterway is nearly doubled. He led the fleet, twisting and turning, entering the Valley Water River to reach Tree Snake City’s Valley Water River (Rio Zahuapan). In Navajo, Zahuapan means "water that heals grain."

"Water Valley City... Valley Water River... Tree Snake City..."

Xiulote touched his chin, deep in thought. Organizing tens of thousands of civilians to dredge the river and dig canals could halve this two hundred mile winding waterway. Unfortunately, these Four States wouldn’t be his to possess.

"Your Highness, when I arrived, I also saw the longships in Valley Water River; indeed, they are large and long, even three-tenths larger than the paddle-sailing ships of Yucatan city-states! Truly a gift from the divine!"

Tikalo bowed, sincerely praising for a while. Then, he cautiously asked.

"Just... Your Highness, Valley Water River only circulates within the Four States territory. To reach the Totonac shore from Tlaxcala State, there are only the slightly north Cat Owl Great River (Rio Tecolutla), the mid-angle Great River (Rio Filobobos), and the southern flat sand Great River (Rio Colipa). These three tributaries do not connect with Valley Water River... how can the seven longships reach here?..."

"Haha! Don’t worry, I have a plan, and have prepared sufficient manpower!"

Xiulote smiled confidently, full of assurance.

"You shall travel along the Valley Water River, until the eastern end... then, enter water at the source of Cat Owl River’s tributary, at Lake Tenexac (Tenexac)!"

"Ah? Your Highness, the end of Valley Water River is still dozens of miles from Lake Tenexac! There should be no waterway connection there..."

"Hmm. I have sent people to investigate it. There is approximately thirty miles of land between the end of Valley Water River and Lake Tenexac."

At this stage, Xiulote looked toward the East, and a not-so-distant story surfaced in his mind.

"Haha! The Chief Divine’s blessing! For this thirty-mile distance, we shall voyage overland, re-create the East!"