Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

In the lowland tropical rainforest, spring always comes earlier than imagined. At the beginning of April, the hues of spring deepen. The season of reproduction arrives amidst the songs of diverse birds.

The red cardinals of America sing with "anger," jubilantly spreading their red and black feathers to attract the dull, grey females. They occupy their respective "treetops," expelling male birds that cross their paths, and even confront their own shadows as competitors for mates, constantly "dueling" with the air.

"Ecatl, the chieftains of the Seaside Tribes, are like these noisy red cardinals. They rack their brains, desperately occupying their respective treetops, yet their vision is limited to the immediate."

Xiulote stood on a small hill, gazing towards the rainforest in the East. The desolate Golden Bay City was right by the northeastern coast, while the vast earth-toned Great River lay at his feet. At this moment, he looked across the river and saw a large group of surrendered soldiers transporting grain, struggling into the verdant jungle, startling a cloud of chasing red birds.

Several hundred Dog Descendant Warriors, heavily armored and equipped, supervised the tribal defector forces transporting supplies. Occasionally, a red-haired hunter scout would deftly pluck a bone arrow, shoot into the sky with precision, and bring down a small bird for roasting.

"These Totonac chieftains always refuse to obediently comply and achieve merit in the kingdom's wars! Only when the mighty army arrives, and hunters draw their bows to shoot, do they realize their insignificance and the impending approach of death!"

A scout arrived from the West, drenched in sweat, delivering the latest report. Xiulote raised his eyebrows, unfolded the urgent report, glanced at it briefly, and his expression turned cold. Then, he handed the report adorned with illustrations to the Guard Commander Ecatl and spoke indifferently.

"In the area near Five Mountains City at the rear, there are several Totonac chieftains opposing the Kingdom, raising rebel forces to harass the army's supply routes."

"Chief Divine protect us! Are there chieftains rebelling at the army's rear?"

Upon hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl's expression became stern. He took the report, quickly read it, and then relaxed slightly.

"Family Head, these rebellious Totonac chieftains likely come from the Mistec people's territory. When the army advanced eastward, they hid in the Mistec Valley, under the protection of the Cloud People. Now that the army has departed, they're daring to emerge from the mountains like concealed burrowing rats!"

"According to the description in the letter, these rebellious chieftains only command around a thousand tribal warriors. With their strength, they might at most harass small militia teams transporting grain, but they cannot capture any fortresses along the way! As long as we deploy two samurai camps and catch them once, we can defeat them!"

"Hmm. Order Head Warrior Bertade to dispatch more personnel and mobilize two thousand Mexica City-State troops to ensure the supply routes remain open!"

Xiulote nodded and issued the orders in a deep voice. Then, after contemplating briefly, he sternly commanded again.

"Write several royal decrees, rebuking the surrendered Totonac Tribes along the route! Tell them to send men and provide manpower to expel the harassing tribes. Inform them if they continue to shelter or remain inactive… when the subsequent great army of the Alliance arrives, they all shall ascend the sacrificial high platform to face the Chief Divine's judgment!"

Hearing this, Ecatl hesitated slightly, showing a moment of doubt. From Tree Snake City to Golden Bay City, the six hundred miles of supply routes rely solely on a City-State army and several thousand tribal defectors for maintenance. The tens of thousands of Totonac Tribes along the way have been forced to surrender under the purgative pressure of the Eastern Expedition Corps. As for the so-called subsequent great army of the Alliance, it practically does not exist.

"Family Head, when you led the army across, you pacified the surrendered tribes generously, and generously rewarded the chieftains. But now, with the post-weak supply routes, you severely reprimand, threatening with the might of the army… what if these tribes also turn against us..."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote chuckled. He pointed to the red cardinals in the distance and patiently explained.

"Ecatl, my extensive pacification as I traveled was for long-term considerations, to win over the hearts of the various tribes. However, you must understand that these surrendered Totonac Tribes are like the red cardinals with narrow vision. In their hearts, they only have their own interests, and presently their allegiance to the Kingdom is very low!"

"Without the hearts being won over, only respect for authority can be enforced, there's no chance of them appreciating kind deeds. Thus, to drive them at this time, the Kingdom's force must be used as intimidation, and the threat of sacrificial judgment instilled as fear! However, if we placated gently, they might mistakenly perceive the Kingdom's softness, giving rise to unfit ideas!"

"Ah! So that's it! The Family Head is wise!"

Hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl reflected briefly, then appeared enlightened. He nodded in pure admiration and respectfully bowed. Seeing the Guard Commander's gleeful expression and posture of reverence, Xiulote's earlier displeasure upon receiving bad news faded considerably.

"Family Head, considering the time, the Black Wolf Legion Commander should have reached the Coyote City area by now!"

"Hmm. The latest Eastern report was five days ago, when the Copper Cannon arrived outside Conical House City, showcasing Thunderbolt's Divine punishment. Subsequently, under the persuasion of Chieftain Yoltzin, Conical House City finally opened its gates in surrender... ten thousand more Seaside Tribes have joined the Alliance!"

As Xiulote spoke of the Eastern victory reports, a smile of satisfaction appeared on his face, and his mood finally lightened. He gazed at the greenwood of the East, quietly contemplating.

"After capturing Golden Bay City, another twenty thousand defectors, forty thousand surrendered tribes. Capturing Conical House City added a few thousand defectors, thirty thousand tribes… on the Eastern Expedition frontline currently, only the Imperial Guard Legion and Black Wolf Army, over ten thousand Kingdom's main force, control over thirty thousand Totonac defectors! And behind Snake City are eight thousand Yu Yan Legion, with almost the same number of defectors..."

"The more battles won against defectors, the fewer brutal sieges, resulting in unused surplus! I have already promoted four thousand Totonac Tribal Warriors, granting them land along with three thousand Mistec Vanguard Camps. In the Imperial Guard Legion, eight hundred Seaside Warriors have been selected and accepted, along with over a thousand absorbed by the Black Wolf Army..."

Here, Xiulote paused, calculating momentarily, then shook his head helplessly.

"Out of more than thirty thousand Totonac defectors, only over six thousand have been integrated into the Kingdom! The remaining over twenty thousand defectors, although already converted to the Chief Divine, still pose a potential instability threat that can only be suppressed by military forces… yet to genuinely win their allegiance, how difficult it is to speak of achieving it!"

Hearing this, Ecatl hesitated slightly, and fell silent. Even one as perceptive as him couldn't suddenly offer any words that would please the Family Head. After all, handling these tens of thousands of surrendered Totonac defectors was a matter he knew little about, rendering him incapable of proposing any truly viable solutions.

"Dealing with defectors, understanding the internal affairs of the Totonac people… hmm, the priests have also used the Truth Serum to check. If the newly installed Serpent Mother Chieftain from Golden Bay Tribe has sent gifts worthy of attention, well, it might be... interesting!"

"Oh? A gift? That alluring Snake Woman... what 'interesting' gift did she send?"

"Family Head, she sent a long wooden box, inside which was a bundle wrapped in cotton...,"

"And when the trusted aides unfolded the cotton blanket, they found a woman draped in gauze inside!…"

"Huh? A woman wrapped in a cotton blanket?!…"

At this, Xiulote raised an eyebrow, a surprised expression appearing on his face. Momentarily, he was taken aback, as if in a daze.

"Yes, wise Family Head!"

Guard Commander Ecatl nodded, smiling as he answered.

"Precisely, the gift wrapped in the cotton blanket, was herself!"