NOVPUBJune swiftly passed by a week. Two Kings sat loftily in the Capital of Qinchongcan, with thirty thousand Mexica legions intimidating every direction, and envoys of submissive regions arrived one after another.
The mountain tribes from the Weytamo copper district presented newly crafted copperware; the Great Nobility from the southwest of Apachigan submitted their declarations of submission; the Tekos Tribe from the edge of the Colima mountain region delivered the daughter of a Noble Chief; and finally, the envoys from the Chapala Lake Region arrived.
In the grand Palace of Wind, King Aweit adorned in divine attire, holding the inherited Divine Staff, received the audience of the Chapala envoy. The envoy, clad in a gem-embedded feathered long robe with a noble feather crown on his head resembling the spread wings of a mighty eagle, kneeled humbly before the two rulers of the Mexica Alliance.
"Most High Sun God King, valorous God of Death, bloodline of the Holy Eagle of Prepetcha, ruler of the Chapala Lake Region, Divine Descendant Prince Pengguari, sends greetings to the great Kings through his envoy! Admiring the greatness of the Alliance, revering the martial prowess of the Alliance, he wishes to offer his unparalleled loyalty to the Most High King!"
"Before I set out, the Prince cut his hair and dripped blood, swearing by the name of his ancestors! He vowed to spill the last drop of the Holy Eagle’s blood for the Most High King, and to guard the northwestern wilderness for the great Alliance for generations. As long as the Prince lives, the fierce Chichimeca Canine Descendants shall never set foot on the soil south of the Lerma River!"
"The Prince’s loyalty is visible to the divine spirits! He has already imprisoned the former queen of the Tarasco Royal Family. He presents to you gold and silver, gems, feathers, and jade artifacts, along with a beautiful girl from the Feather Family. Among those accompanying me, there are several princes from the former royal family, all of noble blood…"
At this, Xiulote was slightly surprised. The implication of noble blood meant that they could serve as holy sacrifices for the grand celebration.
"Sun God King, as the ruler of the Chapala Lake Region, the Prince wishes to submit at your feet and battle for your glory! Please grant a noblewoman from the Mexica Royal Family to be the Prince’s new wife…"
At this point, the envoy finally took out a wooden plank of submission from his chest, held it up with both hands, and presented it to the Great Tlatoani of the Mexica Alliance.
"Most High King, this is the pictorial of the Lake Region’s submission, with the annual tributes listed behind it."
Aweit extended his hand, and a trusted aide took the pictorial, carefully inspected it, and then handed it to the King. After looking at it for a while, the King smiled gently and passed it to Xiulote.
"Acceptable! Let submission be converted to faith, and grant him the noble lady. Spring and Autumn tributes cannot be delayed!"
"Exalted is Your Will!"
The envoy bowed again, his face tightly pressed against the cold ground, revealing a barely noticeable slight smile.
Xiulote took the pictorial, glanced at the densely packed Feather Family banners, counted the exaggerated figures of over a dozen warriors and dozens of militia, and shook his head with a smile. He turned to the back and saw drawings of gold, silver, gemstones, jade artifacts, feathers, and robes, and figures with bound hands, yet saw no corn, beans, pumpkins, fish, wood, or stones. The young King then slowly nodded.
Although forced by circumstances, the Chapala Lake Region had shown submission, but the Alliance still had almost no influence over the area. In fact, both parties clearly understood that today’s submission was merely a superficial ceremony, a bowing under military threat. Once the Alliance’s main forces returned to the East, the land of Chapala would be an independent kingdom.
"The faith in the Three Gods is deeply rooted in the Lake Region, but it is not without its flaws. Hmm, the militia captured earlier, converted then released…"
Xiulote pondered for a moment, then revealed a smile as well.
The audience ceremony ended quickly, and the Chapala envoy respectfully bowed once more, then, guided by the guard, turned and departed. Yet, as he left, he inevitably raised his head and swiftly glanced at the grand murals of the Palace of Wind.
As the guard and the envoy gradually moved away, the grand hall was once again left with only the two Kings. Aweit removed his heavy crown, opened his elaborate robes, and laughed, saying.
"Pengguari is not an eagle, but rather a cunning fox. From now on, this fox is yours to deal with."
"Although the fox is cunning, it is not good at fighting. Faced with the swift Black Wolf, it is merely delicious prey cowering at home."
Xiulote, full of confidence, smiled and shook his head again.
"It’s just that, this fox’s den is somewhat too far."
Both laughed heartily. Their laughter echoed in the grand hall, like the loud cries of an eagle. After a long while, Aweit became serious again.
"Xiulote, after meeting the Chapala envoy, I will lead the army away tomorrow. On the way back, I will take the Northern Army’s route, swiftly returning by water route.
I will meet with your father once at the Rivermouth fortress, board the Naval Forces ships of Annatri to return to the East. Then, at the southern bank of Lerma River in Akanbaro State, I will stay for two days, summon and pacify the local submissive nobility, and conduct the glorified nobility division ceremony for Tepopolo.
Eight thousand warriors, two thousand from the Noble Chief Battle Group, will head north with me. Tepopolo and the remaining fifteen hundred Royal Warriors will also travel with me to the fief. As for Marshal Iskali, he will stay here with five thousand men to guard until the end of the July spring planting when the stability of the Lake Region is confirmed, after which he will commence his journey back to the East, heading to his fief in Xitaqualo State."
Aweit’s expression had become somewhat serious. A hint of worry was hidden in his eyes.
"As spring planting begins, the Militia mobilized by the Alliance are gradually dispersing, and the City-State Warriors are eager to return home. The number of troops under your command will significantly decrease, and the support capabilities of the Alliance will also diminish..."
"Xiulote, my student, the first year is the greatest challenge, you must try to establish a firm footing. From today, the four hundred Jaguar Warrior Brigade and over three thousand Royal Warriors at your command are now truly yours! You must distribute lands to them here, let the warriors take root. I will also gradually relocate their families from the Alliance."
Upon hearing Aweit’s words, Xiulote was emotionally moved and nodded, then performed the gesture of a student.
"Thank you, Teacher! The legions from the western city-states have already returned East not long ago, the legions supported by the northern Otapan City-State have been dismissed, the Divine Blessing Legion from Xilotepec City will also return, and the surrendered army from Tarasco still needs time for integration... Indeed, I need a trustworthy force to suppress the various territories in the Lake Region!"
In the recent days, the counting of the legions had been completed. Now, in my hands, there are nearly a thousand trusted aides, over a thousand Temple Guards, over a thousand Longbow Militia, more than two thousand Holy City Legion, over five thousand Long Spear Militia, plus the thousands you’ve left to me, as well as several hundred Canine Descendant Mercenaries, adding up to fifteen thousand Mexica legions.
"This number of troops, dispersed throughout the territories, can basically maintain the stability of the Fief. As for the thirty thousand Surrendered Army from Tarasco, I have a new resettlement plan..."
"Oh? This is indeed a fresh plan, having the legion taking up the hoe... I’ve never thought of that... But it can only be implemented among the surrendered soldiers without political status, and it requires the Commander’s sufficient prestige..."
Aweit looked curious. He listened patiently for a while, his eyes brightened, then he nodded thoughtfully.
"Not bad! Xiulote, the legions of the Alliance can conquer nations and destroy city-states, but establishing firm rule is far more difficult than conquest... This requires more nuanced and flexible governance skills, gradually controlling the hearts of the people... and food, that is the most important public sentiment, the most fundamental cornerstone of rule!"
Having said this, Aweit smiled faintly.
"Xiulote, are you sure you do not need me to leave behind the Great Nobility of the capital? They are very familiar with this land and hold considerable influence, capable of helping you quickly control everything in the Lake Region."
Xiulote shook his head firmly.
"No, Aweit, I do not need them. Take them all away!"
Aweit slowly nodded, displaying a calm smile. The fate of the captured nobility was thus decided. The Mexica King looked at his successor with solemnity. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
"Good. Xiulote, since you do not need me to leave behind the Great Nobility of Tarasco, from now on, the rule over the lands within the lake will be entirely up to you! Remember, governing a nation is like taming a golden eagle, sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle, all depending on the situation, never be impatient!"
Xiulote pondered for a moment, then responded seriously with a nod.
"Yes... to conquer territory with a War Club and Bronze Axe, and then to rule with divinity and food... Aweit, I do not need the Tarasco nobility from the capital, nor do I intend to rely on the old governing system...
"The power of a King comes from the hearts of the people, and from the people he stands upon! The Patzcuaro Lake Region has been swept clear, it is a brand new blank slate, I want to build a more centralized kingdom here, and with it, create a completely new, strong masterwork!"
Hearing this, Aweit slightly lowered his eyes and slowly nodded his head. He stepped forward and gave Xiulote a solemn hug, also leaving a parting word.
"Soar high, my mighty eagle. I will watch you fly from the nest at the peak, and wait for the day you return!"
The breeze blew, all whispers merged into the wind. The hall then fell silent, only the sound of wind chimes ringing clearly.
The next morning. The splendid morning sun rose from the eastern horizon, illuminating the majestic bluestone capital and also shining on the splendid Mexica legions outside the eastern gate. Under the reverent gaze of tens of thousands of Alliance warriors, two kings clad in sacred and solemn royal attire, held up the Divine Staff to each other, conducting a silent communion between deities.
Their silent gaze lasted a long time, until the sky was completely bright and the Sun God ascended the sky. Aweit finally gave Xiulote one last deep look, turned majestically, and departed. The Royal Banner was raised high to the north, followed closely by tens of thousands of warriors. The somber atmosphere spread across the field and gradually disappeared into the horizon’s end.
Only then did Xiulote let out a gentle sigh. He raised his slightly lowered head, looking invigorated towards the sky. The golden light bathed the land, with an eagle soaring at the zenith!
"Bertade, fully supervise the spring planting affairs! Send out trusted aide messengers, see how the Surrendered Army is doing! After a while, I shall personally inspect the fields. Spring planting is currently the top priority!... Starting today, whether warriors or Militia, everyone must give their all to the spring planting!"
"Kuluka, gather the Scouts and long-distance merchants, and report back to me in detail about the situation in the Fief!"
The young King commanded sharply, the generals and trusted aides saluted in turn. Centered on the capital, countless Messengers scrambled in all directions, heading to every corner of the Patzcuaro Lake Region. As they raced along, they implemented the King’s will across this reborn land!
