NOVPUBJinjinni displayed helplessness. He fell silent for a moment, then advised in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, the autonomous tradition of the Chapala Lake Region has been long established. They have to guard against the Tekos rebels in the mountains, as well as the Guamal Canine Descendants from the north. This time, they were able to spare ten thousand Samurai and twenty thousand Militia to support us, showing great submission and respect for Your Majesty’s prestigious campaign."
The Chief Minister watched the young King’s expression and continued respectfully.
"I will negotiate with them. After the autumn harvest is complete, if all goes well, they should be able to provide an additional twenty thousand Militia. The northern battlefront is as stable as the towering mountains to the west, there’s no need for Your Majesty to worry."
Upon hearing this, Su’angua pondered for a moment and finally nodded.
"Maintain communication with the Chapala Lake Region, send an elder of the Kingdom to persuade the local Great Nobility. How has the mountainous south side of the Tarsas River and the Weytamo region responded? They are very close to the southern battlefront, and five thousand Samurai could quickly join the battlefield."
Jinjinni hesitated for a moment but chose to be honest.
"Your Majesty, the Weytamo region has refused your summons. They replied that the spring plowing keeps them busy, Mexica people are raiding their borders, and they are unable to send troops northward."
Upon hearing this, Su’angua angrily tore off the copper bell in front of him and threw it onto the silver ritual vessel. The crisp sound of the wind bell, along with a deep thud, mimicked the King’s troubled thoughts.
"Damn the southern City-States. Once this war is over, I’ll squeeze those tribes back into my palm!"
The King muttered darkly, then turned his stern gaze to the Chief Minister.
"Jinjinni, have the subdued Tekos tribes responded to the call to arms?"
Jinjinni smiled and nodded.
"Your Majesty, the subdued Tekos tribes have responded to the Alliance, agreeing to dispatch ten thousand elite tribal Samurai. The condition is that the Kingdom provides provisions and quality equipment. They’ve just finished their spring plowing, and it’s a long journey. They are expected to take two months to arrive."
Su’angua’s mood settled down, and he sighed softly.
"The City-States of our Kingdom are even less loyal than these subdued foreign tribes!"
Then, the King commanded in a firm voice.
"Meet all their demands. There’s no need for them to walk here, dispatch the southern Naval Forces to meet them, directing them straight to the Xitaqualo front. Also, negotiate more with their local Chieftains; the Kingdom is willing to provide exquisite feather garments and costly jewelry made of gold and silver in exchange for another mobilization of twenty thousand Militia, after the autumn harvest!"
Jinjinni bowed again and noted down the order on the wooden map to the west.
Su’angua paced back and forth, deep in thought.
"Jinjinni, how are the negotiations with the envoys sent to the major kingdoms? Are the surrounding tribes willing to send troops to aid us or to attack the Mexica people?"
Jinjinni gently shook his head.
"Your Majesty, we have always been distant from these tribes. All of them devoutly believe in false gods, unaware of the true divinities. The southern Mistec people and the Zapotecs are watching. The Mexica people loosened the tribute on them, so these tribes have no intention of rebelling temporarily. The northern Otomi people have contacted us several times. Although we maintain an unspoken truce, they are also unwilling to send troops at this time. Vastec people seem to be heavily exploited and quite resentful. But they are suppressed by the Mexica Northern Commander and do not dare to rebel temporarily."
Having said this, the Chief Minister solemnly saluted.
"Now, our only hope is the Tlaxcala people from the East. They have harbored deep enmity towards the Mexica people, clashing fiercely for many decades. They are very keen on the idea of sending troops. However, the priests of the Holy City Cholula from the false Divine Church intervened, claiming that this is a holy war against followers of different religions. Unless we convert to their false religion... "
Su’angua frowned. The worship of the Sun Chief Divine, the Earth Mother Goddess, and the Moon Goddess had been deeply rooted in Mi’ken for a long time. Although the priests were suppressed by the Royal Family and accepted the assignments from the King, they would absolutely not agree to convert.
"Conversion is out of the question. Mexica people are like Jaguars devouring the forests, their ambition is the whole world. The Tlaxcala people must understand this. Only by uniting our two Kingdoms can we withstand the massive Alliance that dominates the Mexican Valley.
Select from the Royal Family, send noble Divine Descendants as envoys. Tell them I am willing to consider the leaders of Tlaxcala’s Four States as elder brothers, with me as the younger brother, and sign a centuries-lasting alliance witnessed by the gods! Also, I am willing to establish marriage ties, taking the Princess of the Tlaxcala people as my chief wife and offering a princess from our former King to them!"
Hearing this, the Chief Minister’s expression drastically changed.
"Your Majesty, your current chief wife is a daughter of the Kingdom’s Great Nobility, how could she be lightly dismissed? As for the former King’s Princess, the Tlaxcala people have always been cruel and brutal... "
Su’angua shook his head adamantly, his tone firm and decisive.
"This time, the Mexica people come fiercely, mobilizing the entire Kingdom with many advanced weapons. It seems, to me, that our Kingdom might face the danger of annihilation! What does the humiliation of the princesses matter at such a time? As for the current Queen, I naturally will explain carefully and soothe her family. Moreover, the actual marriage will wait until after this war. Now, our primary task is to find a way for the Tlaxcala people to send troops and reduce the pressure on the front line!"
The Chief Minister Jinjinni was left speechless. He remained silent for a long while, finally bowing deeply and accepting the command.
