NOVPUBThe brilliant sunlight fell straight from the sky, illuminating the ant colonies on the earth not far apart, which were the small yet vast formations of two legions. A refreshing breeze swept through, dispersing the raised dust and bringing with it the roars and shouts of the legions.
The Mexica warriors, draped in vibrant Cotton Armor and Leather Armor, wielded glittering War Clubs and Copper Spears, and their left arms were further equipped with essential Wooden Shields and Rattan Shields. They formed tight ranks and let out loud roars, imitating the cries of eagles and tigers. From time to time, a Warrior Captain, carrying a small flag on his back, would lead the squad members to rhythmically beat the Wooden Shields and shout in unison, deterring the enemy in front of them.
And the captains of the Temple legion were even more conspicuous. These frenetic warriors with tattooed faces stood at the forefront of the formation, lifting bone-shaped musical instruments and blowing the terrifying Death Whistles. The deep whistle sounds passed, like a haunting ghostly wind, and immediately quieted the Chapala Militia ahead, significantly lowering their morale.
In the center surrounded by the warriors, there was a quickly constructed wooden high platform. At each corner of the platform stood a Personal Guard Warrior holding a Great Shield, firmly defending the central Commander-in-Chief. At the center, Xiulote in his commanding regal attire, wearing a heavy Feather Crown and carrying the four-meter-tall Black Wolf Banner, stood solemnly on the high platform holding a delicate Spear Flag. He positioned himself at the most conspicuous height, under the largest canopy, ensuring that all warriors could clearly see him—the heart of the army’s spirit!
Next to him stood several Messenger Officers, ready at all times and holding various small flags. Behind him was a military band with drums and wooden gongs, holding horns and conches, and with Bone Whistles and copper whistles in their mouths. They were ready at all times to turn the military commands into sounds of various types and rhythms. Military commands need not be melodious; they only need to resound in all directions!
Xiulote stood solemnly at a considerable height, his expression firm and grave. He watched the Chapala Legion several miles away, quickly estimating the military situation, imprinting the circumstances in his mind.
The enemy army was fully deployed, with squads and circles stationed in place, arranged in a rough line formation. The Chapala Legion was about thirty thousand in size, with warriors around ten thousand. In their military formation, four warrior squares were most prominent. There was one square on each flank, with the left flank warriors dressed in sky-blue War Clothes, slightly more in number, and the right flank in silver-white War Clothes, slightly fewer.
Xiulote observed carefully. The left flank warriors had more Copper Spears, and their formation was more orderly as they were loudly shouting at that time.
"The left flank is more elite. It seems the enemy favors the left side!"
The Young Commander nodded slightly and noted this in his mind. He then looked towards the central warriors of the enemy.
The central warriors of Chapala were divided into front and rear formations, with almost equal numbers in both. They wore patterned War Clothes, gathering as tightly as feathers. From a distance, Xiulote observed that the front formation had more warriors while the rear guard was slightly fewer, resembling a large-headed bird, with the bird’s head precisely where a large Commander’s battle flag stood!
The battle flag was situated on a small hill, conspicuously placed, with the brilliant Long Feathers of a special bird embroidered on the fluttering flag. A trusted aide familiar with the Tarasco immediately approached, whispering a few words. The Young Commander then nodded steadily and smiled slightly.
"The Prince’s Commander’s great flag! Chapala’s feathers, we meet again! Congratulations on your promotion, I’ve prepared a new gift for you!"
At that moment, Xiulote turned smilingly and looked back at the two pine cannons behind him. The cannon barrels had already been loaded, the muzzle sealed with cotton, and the match cord extended long. The surrounding gunmen, carrying fire sources, were also ready.
The Young Commander estimated in his mind. The enemy’s warriors were around ten thousand, each of the four squares holding between two and three thousand, allowing for flexible command. Following that, his gaze shifted left and right, his pupils slightly constricted.
On the small hill surrounding the enemy Commander, there were two groups of high-ground-holding Archer Militia, each about two thousand strong. The Militia formed rough squares, anxiously checking the bows and arrows in their hands, evidently well-trained.
Xiulote carefully examined those tiny figures and the nearly man-high Wooden Bows, feeling somewhat relieved. Most of these Chapala Militia archers used Tlaxcala Wooden Bows, with a few crude Hunting Bows; their threat to warriors in Cotton Armor was usually only effective within thirty steps. Even though they had the high ground, their effective killing range extended only a little beyond forty steps, unless their archery skills were extraordinary.
The Chapala legion placed warrior squares at its core, surrounded by large groups of assembled Militia and scattered supervisory teams. Under the leadership of village leaders, Chapala’s Militia gathered by village units. They wore clothes, held high Stone Spears and Stone Hammers, mixed with slings for throwing stones, loosely formed into groups. At this moment, the Militia were engaging in chaotic loud shouting, countering the terrifying cries of the Death Whistle, seeming to maintain decent morale, yet their specific numbers were difficult to discern.
Xiulote swiftly estimated, adding the reports from the Scouts, and roughly had the numbers in his mind. Around four thousand close-combat Militia flanked each side of Chapala’s warrior squares. In front of the warriors were four thousand stone-throwers and four thousand close-combat Militia. Accompanied by four thousand archers in the rear formation, the total was around twenty thousand. As for further behind the formations, those who kept far away and flickered dimly were probably unarmed logistics workers.
Having grasped the enemy’s deployment, the Young Commander no longer hesitated. He swiftly waved the command flag, issuing orders. The Mexica legion also made slight adjustments and fully deployed.
Under the Black Wolf’s banner, there was a three thousand-strong shooting legion composed of Longbow Personal Guards, Archer warriors, and Temple Crossbowmen, plus four hundred Jaguar Warriors guarding the left and right as the Personal Army of the Commander. The main body of Warrior Militia was then deployed in front, forming five parallel squares.
