Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"Notify the Divine Descendants of Acame City, and deliver the kingdom's 'request': either obstruct the westward migration of the Feather Prince... or provide the kingdom with yet another reason to conquer Acame City..."

Xiulote made the decision, and the Guard Commander Ecatl put it into writing. Then the king used his seal, and the formal royal decree was thus issued. The scribe Yilian sat in the corner, copying a record of the published royal decree. The centralized power of the kingdom allowed efficient dissemination of royal orders without cumbersome bureaucratic systems; the rise and fall depended on "people."

"Family Head, the Prepetcha people are different from the Wilderness Canine Descendants, relying on agriculture and settling in villages with ample water supply. Across the Chapala Lake Region, twenty to thirty thousand Prepetcha, it is impossible for them to follow Feather Prince Pengguari and migrate entirely. Even if ten thousand people migrate, seeking lush water and new settlements suitable for farming in the western lands would not be easy!"

The Guard Commander Ecatl pondered for a moment and spoke out calmly with his view.

"Although the Feather Prince shows signs of migrating westward, within one to two years, he cannot move too many tribes, nor can he migrate far. All the fertile lake and valley lands west of Chapala Lake are already occupied by tribes of Tekos people. When the tribes of Chapala migrate west, they will first have to battle these Tekos tribes... His struggles now are merely pioneering efforts as a king!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote nodded slightly. His gaze lingered for a moment on Chapala Great Lake, then moved towards the rolling West Madre Mountains to the west of the lake. Following the winding Lerma River all the way west for six hundred li, lies the outlet to the Pacific Ocean east of Three Rivers City. And this Lerma River estuary is much farther north than the one on Talas River in the kingdom's south!

"If we occupy this port and completely open up the lower Lerma River, the development of the Northern Continent will accelerate dramatically! And the bird guano rock, coal mines, copper mines, and gold mines on the northwestern coast can be transported more conveniently southward!..."

"Yes, two months ago, the exploration fleet to the far north sent back their latest report. The Yoreim Great Tribe on the western coast has already come under the kingdom's control, bound by a blood oath to convert to the Chief Divine. The Yoreim Great Tribe, producing copper, coal, and gold mines, has been renamed Reagan Town, becoming the kingdom's first major town in the northern lands. Meanwhile, the Wilderness Preaching Priest, Utadori Quetzalcoatl, has requested to establish the first bishopric in Reagan Town in the north..."

"I have already approved this request and promoted Utadori to Third-level Main Priest, overseeing all religious affairs on the northwestern coast, permitting the establishment of a congregation armed force... A new batch of preaching priests and kingdom craftsmen has already sailed to the north. Reagan Town will set up a bronze smelting facility to produce bronze weapons and tools locally and begin constructing small temples, becoming the center for missionary work in the north..."

Thinking to this point, Xiulote rubbed his forehead again. He felt like a "greedy" monkey, stretching his claws toward both the eastern and western coasts, gripping the fruits on the vast land and refusing to let go.

"East coast, west coast, northern wilderness, Cuba Snake Island, I want them all!... Is this perhaps too greedy?... And the governance of these distant lands can only fully rely on the autonomy of various Chief God Priests, Legion Commanders, and County Magistrates... much like the Great Khan's Tribal Alliance on the plains..."

Xiulote pondered for a long time, feeling increasingly clear. Given the current communication speed of the kingdom, the governance requires full empowerment to local officials, effectively appointing "governors." He also understood clearly he could not stay long in the Seaside Lands, needing to swiftly organize the seaside tribes, setting up a "Seaside Governor Office" to bear the authority and manage in his stead.

The swirling thoughts flashed in the king's mind. His expression was solemn, and he spoke in a deep voice, yet his words turned to the kingdom's north.

"Since the Feather Prince has already migrated west, then the conquest of Chapala lands must be fully put on the agenda, unable to wait for my return with the army! Ecatl, draft a formal royal decree for me and also promulgate it to the Capital County Magistrate Olosh, Rivermouth County Governor Kuluka, and Apa County Magistrate Ezpan."

"Yes, Family Head!"

"The royal decree, after this autumn's harvest, Rivermouth and Apa counties to each deploy eight thousand formal legionnaires, conscripting flag team militias of the same scale, to conquer the Chapala lands! And the Jingji Legion to deploy three thousand men, carrying siege firearms, and bring along the Sky Family Head Oorta to subjugate various Chapala tribes. This expedition shall be led by Olosh, overseeing the entire situation, with Kuluka and Ezpan as deputies, managing the southern and northern routes respectively."

"This campaign is a divine war witnessed by the Chief Divine, an official western expedition! The objective of the divine war is to fully conquer the Chapala Lake Region, control over twenty thousand Prepetcha Tribes, and bring them all into conversion! Thoroughly clean up the old nobles of the conquered Prepetcha areas, stripping them of their fiefs and commoners, establishing royal directly managed settler villages. Carefully screen and identify priests of the Three Gods, severely punish sacrificial offerings among High Priests, and absorb and adapt lower-ranking priests..."

Xiulote's voice was steady and strong, yet heard by Ecatl like a dense aura of bloodshed striking the face.

"Carefully clean up, severely punish sacrificial offerings..."

The Guard Commander Ecatl pursed his lips, meticulously writing down the royal decree. Subsequently, the scribe Yilian copied three versions in turn, as the official royal decree for each County Magistrate.

"The southern and northern routes, after occupying the Chapala Lake Region, will establish the Great Lake County, with the County Magistrate as..."

The Chapala Lake Region, repeatedly conquered, had long been like a peeled cactus fruit, leaving only the delightful taste to savor. Therefore, Xiulote firmly believed in victory in the conquest of the Chapala Lake Region with no doubt. But when it came to choosing the new County Magistrate after the conquest, Xiulote was momentarily hesitant.

Without a doubt, the Chapala Lake Region would not be enfeoffed but incorporated into direct control. This also implied clearing out the old nobility of each tribe, establishing settler towns, and delineating church districts for management. However, as the Chapala Lake Region is quite far from the Capital City, the County Magistrate's autonomy would be significantly higher.

"It requires someone who can govern the area, handle the various Tekos and Prepetcha tribes, yet remains loyal to the kingdom..."

Xiulote furrowed his brow, contemplated for a long time, yet hadn't reached a decision. After pondering for a while, he looked towards the Guard Commander Ecatl and asked solemnly.

"Ecatl, who do you think would be appropriate to manage the Chapala Lake Region?"

Faced with this question, the Guard Commander Ecatl's expression turned solemn. Such suggestions that determine territorial control are of great importance. He had to be cautious and rarely spoke out.

"Family Head, the Chapala Lake Region's tribes intermingling, situation is complex. After conquering this place, confronting the northern Guajili people, and the western Tekos people... it must be overseen by a loyal great general controlling the legion!"

The Guard Commander Ecatl stopped at this point, bowing his head, not daring to say more. Xiulote raised his eyebrows, his face showing contemplation.

"A great general controlling the legion? Of the Imperial Guards, Jingji, Zicao, Spear One, Spear Two, Guajili, Long Snake... Among the kingdom's Legion Commanders, those yet stationed in one place or campaigning abroad, there's only..."

"The Legion Commander of Long Snake Legion, a great general from a family of Samurai, Elvi!..."

Having thought of this, Xiulote gazed deeply at the Guard Commander Ecatl.

"Family Head, Samurai of the family have served the Holy City lineage for generations, your loyalty is witnessed by the Chief Divine!"

The Guard Commander Ecatl stood respectfully, his face showing sincere candor. He and Elvi were indeed both from the lineage of Samurai of the Holy City branch, mutually acquainted. But he was also equally sure of the other's loyalty, akin to his own, both willing to serve the Family Head to death!

"Hm, your loyalty, I trust!"

Xiulote gazed for a moment, nodded slowly. Then he made a decision, issuing the royal decree.

"Royal Decree, from Apa County to launch the main force for conquering the Chapala Lake Region, to be the Long Snake Legion! Legion Commander Elvi will oversee local military and political affairs, spread the Chief Divine's faith, and temporarily manage the conquered Chapala lands!"

"Obeying you! Family Head!"

The Guard Commander Ecatl kneeled on one knee, bowing in reverence. Xiulote maintained a calm expression, watching as the trusted aide drew up the royal decree and personally stamped the Jade Badge. Then he rose to his full height, glanced at the setting sun to the west, and smiling faintly, said.

"Let's go! Today's affairs are temporarily finished. As evening draws near, let's go see the gifts from the Golden Bay Tribes..."