NOVPUBBeyond the capital and its controlled districts, the varied ranks of the Great Nobility, the lesser Nobility, vassal tribes of the Tekos, and even the Samurai and Militia from the capital, were all parties we could negotiate and compromise with. We needed to keep them as neutral as possible, or even turn them into our friends.
Among them, the power of both the high and low Nobility in the regions was the strongest. Thus, the Alliance would promise autonomy to the mountainous Weytamo State, persuading the lesser nobility of Xitaqualo State to defect. After that, once we have repelled the reinforcements from the Chapala Lake Region, I shall send Envoys to them, temporarily promising them autonomy and peace. As for the Akanbaro State in the east, if we can’t find an opportunity to crush them in one fell swoop, we can also send Envoys, promising to preserve the fiefs of both the high and low Nobility."
"At this moment, I keep Ospai by my side as an example of obedience, to divide these Nobles of all sizes and give them a chance to surrender. Once Ospai formally surrenders, he will become the best channel of communication, helping the Alliance to persuade various Tarasco Lords to defect!"
Hearing this, Toltec finally understood and slapped his thigh, laughing aloud,
"So Your Highness intends to make all the Tarasco ratfish surrender! But Your Highness, if those timid ratfish surrender, where will our Samurai go to gain their glorious achievements and substantial wealth?"
Xiulote chuckled, patted Black Wolf on the shoulder, and continued to speak,
"When the first phase is complete and the Tarasco kingdom’s political power is wiped out, we will enter the second phase. In this stage, we must seize both political and religious authority and control even more land and manpower. The legions must pacify the lesser nobility within the controlled region, transform all Tarasco Priests, directly control the local populace, and also suppress the Great Nobility in the adjacent regions! The new rule must penetrate into the villages, whether in the name of the Alliance or in the name of the Divine!"
"In this phase, the heathen Priests within the controlled region and the Tarasco Nobility in the adjacent areas are enemies that must be eradicated! Samurai and Militia who are willing to pledge allegiance to the Alliance, merchants and civilians who obey the ruling from various places, are our friends and we must, as much as possible, turn them into our own. We have to establish a brand new order, an enlightened path to promotion, a centralized and powerful Kingdom!"
Hearing this, Kuluka, who was born into the lower working class, his eyes flickered. He looked at His Highness, who loomed majestic, and asked cautiously and carefully,
"Your Highness, what then is the third phase?"
Xiulote paused for a moment, pondered for a while, and slowly said,
"The third phase is about extending control deep into the villages, increasing the area under effective rule, conquering the Chapala Lake Region, the mountainous Weytamo State, gaining control over the Tekos people of Colima State in the south, influencing the Tekos Tribes in the north, assimilating and pacifying the Guamal Canine Descendants, gradually incorporating the northern Otomi people!"
"So Your Highness, what is the fourth phase?"
Hearing the monkey’s question, Xiulote’s gaze deepened, and he thought of many things: the Alliance, the Nobility, the civilians, the slaves... The not so distant new worlds of north and south, the distant nations of the old world, and even the infinite future! After a long pause, he calmly shook his head.
"Monkey, you will see the fourth phase, for that is our era!"
The tent fell silent once again, the generals internalized His Highness’s innovative teachings, and felt the contained ambition surge in their hearts. After a moment, the confident and fearless Toltec asked loudly,
"Your Highness, is there a third saying?"
Xiulote thought for a moment and then said meaningfully,
"Yes! The third saying is, contradictions continue to transform, the struggle never stops, the enemy is always there!"
Hearing this, Olosh and Etalik exchanged a knowing glance; the two nodded subtly in agreement, and then their gazes diverged.
The tent lapsed into silence once more, the tranquil burning of sandalwood permeated the air. The distant scent pervaded hearts and minds, following soaring thoughts across time and space, all the way to the changing future.
Soon, the tent flap was lifted again, and the Royal Family’s Vice Legion Commander, Balda, along with the Divine Blessing Legion Commander, Natali, arrived side by side. They each took a knee in succession, bowing respectfully to Xiulote.
"Respected Your Highness, praise the King! The grand Alliance upholds us, and under the command of the exalted Royal Family, the legions of the Alliance have achieved a brilliant victory!"
Adorned in the magnificent attire of an Eagle Warrior, Balda wore a sincere joy, his fist placed over his chest, performing an ancient Nobility gesture.
"Respected High Priest, praise the Chief Divine! The most high Chief Divine blesses us, and under the guidance of the sacred Priests, the army of the Chief Divine has won a glorious victory!"
Natali, dressed in the simple robe of the Divine Blessing Legion, looked solemn and calm. Clutching the Sun Amulet on his neck, he faced the young Priest and praised and prayed with devotion.
Xiulote watched the two Legion Commanders who had arrived last, listening to their different yet similar words, and laughed heartily. He opened his arms wide, as if to lift the two men, and replied likewise.
"Balda, I dedicate the splendid victory to our esteemed Royal Family and the honor of battle to our immortal ancestors! The land and civilians of Tarasco are destined to become an inseparable part of the Alliance!"
"Natali, I dedicate the glorious victory to the supreme Sun God and the noble Sacrifices to the great War God! The foreign gods of Tarasco will be expelled, and this place will become a bright and sacred Divine Kingdom!"
The three laughed together, their laughter filled with the heroic spirit of conquest. Following this, Balda and Natali took a step to either side, standing firm beside the gathering of commanders.
A breeze blew into the tent from outside, and Xiulote slightly lowered his gaze. He savored the fading scent, which conveyed a different flavor, as well as a different attitude of allegiance.
Afterward, the Young Commander opened his eyes and looked calmly at Toltec.
"Black Wolf, how are the longbow Militia faring?"
"Your Highness, aside from the hundred or so who are healing, there remain fifteen hundred in the longbow Militia. They have donned the cotton Armor we captured, they’re rested and ready, and they can march at any time! Also, the abandoned longbows have been properly collected; we just need to replenish the troops, and they can be reformed into an army!"
Xiulote nodded slightly. Having gone through naval battles on the lake and siege shootouts, the longbow Militia had suffered heavy losses. Their equipment had been upgraded to reduce casualties in shootouts. These Militia are precise at mid-close range archery, adept at squad movements, and perfectly suited as snipers or for hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.
"The longbow Militia will continue to garrison at Huayamo Fortress, waiting for further orders! Toltec, you will select from the three thousand surrendering members of the Tekos Tribe. As before, pick out five hundred skilled in archery and add them to the longbow Militia, then begin intensive training.
As for the remaining two thousand five hundred, including all of the tribal Chieftains, hand them over to the Naval Corps Commander Annatri by Cuitzeo Lake. She will lead half the fleet back to transport grain; take these unstable captives to her, to be handed over to the northern General Osellor, as a way to thank him for providing Canine Descendant support.
In the distant northern stronghold, these Tekos far from their homeland will be easier to convert. The northern General’s forces will need fresh blood that can be easily controlled, and so does my Legion! Tell Annatri to relay the message: If General Osellor agrees, the exchange between the Chichimeca Canine Descendants and the Tecos Tribe can continue, and I will also provide sponsorship for weapons!"
Toltec responded loudly. He silently repeated the plans in his mind, carefully contemplating His Highness’s arrangements.
Then, Xiulote turned to Balda and smiled warmly.
"Balda, how many are left of the three thousand Royal Legion?"
Balda looked somewhat somber as he spoke loudly.
"Your Highness, the siege of Huayamo Fortress has cost us several hundred Samurai. Of the three thousand troops I led, fewer than two thousand remain! The Royal Legion is the true elite; please ensure they receive adequate consolation and rewards!"
Xiulote nodded slowly.
"Very well. I shall personally preside over the funeral of those who died in battle and generously reward the injured Warriors! Balda, your Legion will also stay stationed in Huayamo. Secure the fortress with fortified spirits!"
The mighty Eagle Warrior bowed his head to take the order. Finally, Xiulote looked toward Natali of the Divine Blessing Legion.
"Natali, how is the Divine Blessing Legion now?"
Natali bowed respectfully, never letting go of his Amulet.
"Praise be to the Chief Divine, He protects us! Your Highness, during the siege, the Legion merely sealed off the perimeter. The Samurai are in high spirits and unscathed. The Chief Divine is supreme, and Divine battle is grandest! The two thousand Samurai of the Divine Blessing Legion are always ready to sacrifice for the Chief Divine!"
