Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The sun rises and sets, and ten days have swiftly passed. The dark night sky is adorned with the Milky Way, but the dawn's light has yet to arrive. Spring flowers are in full bloom, the red poinsettias vibrant in their native tropical America, blooming their last, painting a radiant spring scene. The envoy, hurrying along, treads on fallen petals, coming from the Eastern battlefront, bringing back the latest report.

"Family Head, frontline's report! After conquering Conical House City, Black Wolf, under Chief Priest Yitai's presiding, held a large-scale conversion ceremony, converting over thirty thousand Totonac Tribes!"

"Thereafter, he led five thousand vanguards, arriving beneath Coyote City. He has already cleared the surroundings of the City-State, subduing between ten and twenty thousand Totonac Tribes. As long as the transported bronze cannon arrives, he can capture Coyote City, thoroughly subduing the over twenty thousand Coyote Tribes within the city!"

Guard Commander Ecatl unfolded the report, swiftly glanced through it, then respectfully reported back to the King.

Still beside Adobe River, still on the same small hill. The ruler and his minister stood at the hill's summit, gazing across at the deep green wilderness on the opposite shore of the Great River. Beneath their feet, the tribal militia hauling grain moved like small ants, struggling to progress slowly along the newly cleared jungle pathways. On the riverbank, several tall wooden poles stood, hanging with the heads of a dozen deserters, silently warning the scattering surrendered tribal army with harsh military discipline.

"Hmm? The Kingdom Legion has arrived, Coyote City has not surrendered, and dares to stubbornly resist? Chieftain Mayakun of the Coyote Tribe, does he dare refuse the persuasion to surrender? Or did his persuasion fail to work?"

Xiulote maintained a serious demeanor, took the vividly illustrated report from Black Wolf, read through it carefully, and gradually frowned.

"The Kingdom Legion has arrived, the tribes around Coyote City all submissively surrendered to the Alliance. The tribes within Coyote City also sent out envoys, discussing surrender arrangements. Then, like grass mice, they regretfully reneged, electing a screeching Mouse King, swearing to resist to the end?... Truly trying to stop a chariot with an ant's arm, unaware of death!"

"Hmm... the specific situation in Black Wolf's letter is vague... merely guaranteeing that once the cannon arrives, within three days, they will surely capture the City-State, thoroughly cleaning up the resisting Chieftains, Heads, and Samurai within the city..."

Xiulote suppressed his anger, scrutinized and repeatedly read the report twice, finally discerning some underlying implications.

"'Like grass mice, regretting'... it seems some issues arose during negotiations. With Black Wolf's personality, the terms for surrender were likely extremely harsh, provoking resistance from the City-State Nobility... 'screeching Mouse King'... guessing a courageous Leader emerged within the City-State. He seized this opportunity to preach resistance, took over the City-State's chieftain authority... hmm, likely both of these!"

Xiulote held the letter, based on Black Wolf's aggressive demeanor, the Totonac people's power struggle's characteristics, from the vague snippets, rapidly deduced the hidden circumstances behind. He then shook his head, put away the letter, and sighed with subtle emotion.

"The Totonac Tribes have a long heritage, inheriting the ancient culture of the Olmec people. Though they are not strong in military force, their resistance is rather tenacious... should the eastern Maya Tribes also be like this!"

Upon hearing the ruler's sentiment, Guard Commander Ecatl lowered his eyes, remaining silent. Nevertheless, Xiulote looked at him, smiling and asked.

"Ecatl, how long do you think the Kingdom's great army will take to completely conquer this Totonac land and control the thousand-mile seaside?"

"... Family Head, if the heroes of the Totonac rise to stand before the Kingdom's Copper Beast, that would actually be a good thing!"

Guard Commander Ecatl spoke cautiously. He looked at the ruler's expression, analyzing the recently received report from another angle.

"As long as this group of people perishes, the resistance power of the seaside tribes will be obliterated. Therefore, the greater the current resistance, the more stable and easier the Kingdom's future governance will be!... Hence, I believe that a slower military advancement might not necessarily be a bad thing. At least, it's much better than these people hiding, only to resurface once the army has left!"

"Oh? Elimination of the resistant forces for easier future rule is, therefore, a good thing?..."

Upon hearing the Guard Commander's words, Xiulote was momentarily stunned, his thoughts turned, then he laughed out loud.

"Haha! Ecatl, what a mouth you have!..."

"The Chief Divine bears witness! Family Head, I answer honestly, dare not speak carelessly!..."

"You, you say correctly, but gloss over the significant..."

Xiulote shook his head with a smile, extended his hand, patted Ecatl's shoulder, and asked again.

"I just asked you, how long will the Kingdom's great army take to gain control here? Answer honestly!..."

"Uh... Family Head..."

The ruler's hand lightly patted the Guard Commander's shoulder, yet it was like Mount Five Fingers suppressing the astute monkey. Guard Commander Ecatl opened his mouth hesitantly for a moment and finally could only answer truthfully.

"Family Head, to conquer the thousand-mile seaside, pacify the Totonac Tribes, surely requires defeating the resistance core of the Eastern Tribes, the spiritual support of the Totonac Warriors, the Eastern Holy Land Hidden Serpent City! And to capture the Hidden Serpent City over six hundred miles away, at least requires sweeping the coastal tribes ahead, such as Coyote City, Ke Shi City, Lake Sacrifice City, Grass Altar City...

"The rainy season in the lowland seaside is about to arrive, and the heavy rain will hinder the army's advance. Observing the present situation, completing this goal before this year's rainy season is impossible... However, if everything goes smoothly, by next year's rainy season, it should be possible to capture Hidden Serpent City!

"Of course, if the Kingdom can establish a strong Naval Forces by the Eastern Sea shore, transporting food and troops along the coastline... then the army's conquest can surpass the jungle's impediment, and the progress will be greatly accelerated!"

"Great! This time, you've spoken well! The Tropical Jungle's rainy season, Eastern Sea coastal Naval Forces... climate and sea routes, truly are two focal points!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote withdrew his hand, nodding with satisfaction. He touched his chin, pondering the Eastern Sea shipyard's situation. The Eastern Sea shipyard has just been established not long ago, only prepared materials, repaired some monolithic war boats, has yet to produce the first oar-sailed longship, expansion is still needed! He then recalled the rebellion at the rear, the strict Royal decree had been sent, Bertade should have also received the decree, wondering how much longer it will take to clear away the small rebellious bands.

"Mountainous rainforest, fragmented terrain. Highlands and lowlands, culturally divergent origins. No horses, nor swift large ships... Even possessing overwhelming military superiority, wanting to unite the tribes and conquer distant city-states... remains challenging and slow!"

"Time waits for no one! At present, it has already been spring of 1490. The Moors on the Peninsula truly cannot hold out much longer. And once the Moors surrender, Spain's bullfighting gaze will turn afar, seeking another target to battle..."

"Both Spain and Portugal's navigation technology is sufficient, capable of crossing the ocean to reach the vast Americas. By then, even without Columbus, there will be Melunbu... Even if they don't first arrive in Central America, they will reach the vast South American and North American..."

Thinking of this, Xiulote pursed his lips, his expression became grave, his heart subtly agitated. He silently gazed towards the East, beyond the boundless jungle, looking into the infinite Caribbean Sea. Until the sun gradually set, blood-red filled the sky, only then did the ruler stride decisively, turning away.

"Let's go! It's getting dark, time for a good meal!"

"Yes, Family Head!"

Guard Commander Ecatl quickly caught up, cautiously reminded.

"Family Head, the reply to Black Wolf Legion Commander..."

"Hmm, as usual! Let him clean the tribal city-state, then hand it over to the priests in charge. Slowing down doesn't matter, no need to rush, no need to advance recklessly..."

"As you command!"

"By the way, is the sorting and reorganization of the Golden Bay City Tribes completed yet?"

"Family Head, four thousand Golden Bay Tribes have completed sorting. Two thousand young men and women below thirty-five were selected, reorganized into ten flag teams, stationed around Golden Bay City, establishing ten garrison camps! These camps are managed by the earliest surrendered seaside guards who passed the test. As for the remaining two thousand elderly and infirm, they were divided into two groups and entrusted to the original Golden Bay Noble Chief Heads!"

"Very well! Have the Noble Chief Heads of the Golden Bay Tribe shown any discontent?"

Upon hearing the ruler's seemingly casual question, Guard Commander Ecatl pondered deeply and cautiously remained silent. The Kingdom's reorganization is extremely stringent, discontent among the Heads is nearly uncountable! Yet the ruler's current inquiry, word by word, indicates blood and carnage. Meeting this standard, there's only...