Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The bonfire reflected the night sky, and the myriad stars illuminated the earth. Ancient myths were as deep as the night sky, and new beliefs passed on like sparks. On this night, Xiulote was writing diligently, unable to sleep. He thought of many things far and wide, reminiscing about a long time ago.

He remembered the strategy before the decisive battle with Tizoc in the military camp. That night the starry river was splendid, and he laughed out loud with Aweit, imagining the future of the Empire.

He recalled his date with Alisa on the pyramid of the Feathered Serpent Divine. That night the stars bore witness, and he revealed his heart, telling for the first time the story of a wandering soul.

He also remembered the night he first met Nashu, discussing with his grandfather in the High Priest's Mansion. That night the starlight was dim, his grandfather entrusted him with much, and he witnessed the extinguishing of a candle in the wind.

"Ten years have passed!...How much have I changed? How much have they changed? And how much has the world changed?"

Xiulote silently gazed at the starry sky, watching the morning star rise, escorting the sun's arrival. As the morning sun descended, the sparks faded into the sunlight, and he, like a king, calmly orchestrated more arrangements.

"Ecatl, arrange reliable trusted aides to help me send two letters to the Lake Capital City."

The morning sunlight shone on the face of the young king, as if lighting up a deep sea. His expression was steady, his movements powerful, his words full of confident strength.

"The first letter is for my wife Alisa. Tell her, I will seize the thousand-mile Totonac coastline as a gift for my eldest son's second birthday!"

Upon hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl paused slightly, calculating in his mind. Prince Xiu Hua was born last July; before his second birthday, that means by next July, the Tototanak people must be completely subdued, and he should return victoriously to the capital city...

"The second letter is for my granduncle Cacamatzin. Consult him on the rumors of the Alliance and ask him to involve himself in Xiu Hua's upbringing and education. Hmm...make sure to convey my attitude: the new sun will restrain its brightness, descend first, and avoid a considerable distance. Because the immortal sun points the way forward, and we all follow that path!"

Hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl was stunned, showing surprise.

"Family Head, did you say 'descend? Avoid?'"

"Hm."

Xiulote nodded, not explaining much further. He just gave another reminder.

"In two months, it will be the tribute of the New Year's Grand Ceremony! This year's tribute, the gemstones, copper materials, copper armor, and copper soldiers presented to the king will be doubled! And the envoy sent must pay grand homage to the god before the great nobility of each state on behalf of the king! Then, in the name of the vassal king, request the king to send arbitrating priests to handle the internal noble succession within the kingdom!"

"Ah? This...doubling the tribute, arbitrating priests?"

Upon hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl was somewhat incredulous. Doubling the tribute symbolizes the alliance influencing the kingdom's financial authority. The arbitrating priests represent the alliance influencing the kingdom's judicial authority. Such a stance is tantamount to opening up the kingdom's power and requesting the Alliance's participation.

"Hmm!"

Xiulote slightly nodded. He looked at the shocked Guard Commander, pondered a bit, and then gave a brief explanation.

"The kingdom's mining technology has made breakthroughs, causing a rapid increase in copper material production. Doubling gemstones and copper materials won't significantly impact the kingdom's production capacity! Most of the kingdom's nobles are newly promoted military merit nobility. Although they are numerous, their ranks are not high, and they don't own much land. They are relatively young and are still far from inheritance disputes. The arrival of the arbitrating priests in the kingdom can only resolve relatively insignificant small matters..."

"Therefore, these arrangements are more a political statement: the Kingdom of the Lake is loyal to the Alliance, loyal to the king, faithfully accepting the king's centralized reforms!"

As for the military authority not mentioned, it naturally needs to be tightly held and cannot be relaxed in the slightest. Xiulote knew very well where a regime's power truly comes from!

Hearing the explanation from his highness, Guard Commander Ecatl was thoughtful. He quickly noted down all the royal decrees and softly inquired.

"If the arbitrating priests sent by the king clash with the kingdom's nobles, what should we do?"

"Hmm...let Chief Priest Ugus and Chief Priest Mawilo mediate between them. Chief Priest Ugus is the son of the current High Priest Uguel, and the Alliance's arbitrating priests must give him some face. And Chief Priest Mawilo is in charge of the kingdom's religious affairs, and the military merit nobility also respect him."

"Yes! Family Head!"

Soon, Xiulote made all the arrangements. His wife, Alisa, and granduncle, Cacamatzin, were two strong communication links to ease opposing tensions and prevent misjudgments with King Aweit. The stance at the New Year's Grand Ceremony was a concession from the Kingdom of the Lake. The Kingdom of the Lake demonstrated submission to the king to enhance the king's prestige, as compensation for the request for a title.

"Whew! There must be no apparent rift between me and Aweit. If there's a crack on the bird's egg, it will attract flies. And those with intentions in the alliance will exploit it, just like these rumors have!"

Xiulote took a long breath and finally laughed as he concluded.

"Don't rush! Time is on our side; we need to be patient and wait!"

Upon hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl nodded heavily, respectfully obeying. He felt that his highness had conceded much for the kingdom's greater good, but such a choice avoided a real outbreak of conflict. At the kingdom's development pace, time was indeed "on our side." He contemplated for a while, recalling words he hadn't spoken before and gently reminded.

"Family Head! Actually, the source of the rumors, the people with intentions in the alliance, may not necessarily be the alliance's great nobility!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice.

"Ecatl, then who do you think it could be?"

"Family Head, I think it could be the priests of the Alliance..."

Upon hearing the Guard Commander's reply, Xiulote looked surprised. He examined Ecatl with interest.

"Oh? You're saying this because the rumors are a priest's ballad?"

"No, it's not."

The Guard Commander, Ecatl, thought for a moment, organized his words with effort, and made a comparison.

"Two fierce Jaguars were drinking water by the shore, and in the water was a vigilant Crocodile... and while a man stood far off on the shore, he saw this scene. He wanted to hunt some gains, so what should he do?"

"What should he do?"

"He threw a stone into the water, stirring up all three. Then, without showing himself, he just watched them contend, and the remaining flesh and blood would be his."

After hearing this analogy, Xiulote thought about it and then smiled, querying back.

"Haha! Ecatl, by what you say, do you mean the priests of the Alliance want to hunt the king, me, and the Great Nobility? Do they have such ambition and capability?"

"No, I don't mean that."

The Guard Commander Ecatl raised his head, looking into the prince's eyes, sincerely reminding.

"Family Head, what I mean is, they are standing on the shore! In this murky affair, we've all entered the water, while the High Priesthood of the Alliance stands on the shore!"

Upon hearing this, the smile on Xiulote's face gradually disappeared, and his expression grew solemn.

"The priests... on the shore?..."

"Family Head, with this round of disputes, haven't you also relaxed the boundaries to allow the arbitration priests of the Alliance to interfere in the Kingdom?"

"Hmm? This was an idea I just came up with... Do you mean they could foresee my response?"

"No, they don't need to foresee... They are standing on the shore! The power and flesh falling from the fight won't miss them..."

When the Guard Commander Ecatl reached this point, his voice became deep. Having served the High Priest for so many years, he had a keen sense of the intrigue and power struggles within the High Priesthood.

"Family Head! The Elder Priests of the High Priesthood, having experienced the Theocratic Era of Elders and High Priests... Perhaps some among them are unwilling to remain subordinated under the King forever. The methods of the High Priests are like daggers in the night, attacking silently, completely different from that of the Great Nobility..."

Saying this, the Guard Commander Ecatl bowed deeply on the ground, earnestly pleading.

"Family Head! You must be on your guard! ...After all, the High Priest has granted you the authority to interpret scriptures, and blessed with Divine Revelation, you have delivered many new scriptures... The Priesthood of the Kingdom of the Lake is already practically independent, outside the control of the Alliance High Priesthood. And the contradiction of Supreme Divine Authority lies hidden between you and the High Priesthood... Please, be cautious!"

In bright light, silence reigned. Xiulote lowered his gaze, holding the Sun Amulet around his neck, silent and pensive. When it comes to royal and divine power, the path to supreme authority is always fraught with blades and concealed dangers. For those who already wield power, how could they easily relinquish it? They only desire more!

"Be careful of the risks posed by the High Priesthood... I understand!"

After quite some time, Xiulote let out a deep sigh, burying everything within his heart. Then, focusing on the loyal Ecatl, he announced solemnly.

"Matters must be prioritized. The foremost task now is to quickly mobilize troops to punish the Totonac rebels!"

"Make all preparations! Five days hence, I will lead twelve thousand troops, with ten siege mortar cannons, to make a vow and depart for the Eastern Seaside!"

"May the Chief Divine protect us! This time, I aim to take the entire Eastern Coast!"

Hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl bowed deeply, responding passionately.

"As you command, Family Head! May you rise from the Eastern Sea like the Sun! May the Chief Divine protect the Kingdom!"

Five days later, a grand sacrificial ceremony was held in the large camp outside Tree Snake City. Subsequently, over ten thousand elite troops gradually set out, and the Royal Banner of the God of Death Black Wolf, which had been stationary for a year and a half, once more advanced.

Flags fluttered as the forces wound their way forward. A new conquest lay to the East!