Chapter 827: The Seaside Tribes and the Garrison Farming Dilemma
The scorching sun rises and falls, leaving a day of fiery red and halo in the vast seaside lands. As the sky darkens, the temperature difference between day and night and the pressure difference between sea and land stir up strong winds on the coast, billowing people's robes and making feather crowns flutter.
"Ecatl, this wind carries a lot of moisture... The rainy season in the seaside lands comes earlier than in the highlands and will soon arrive!"
Xiulote, wearing a feather crown and clad in a white robe, stood on a small hill by the Adobe River. His deep-set eyes gazed across the banks of the Great River, observing the incoming and outgoing boats, while large groups of militia moved forward with loads…
The young king watched the eastern horizon for a long while before softly speaking.
"The latest report... Black Wolf Torc has captured Coyote City, capturing thirty to forty thousand Coyote Tribe members. But the new Coyote Chieftain resisted desperately, encouraged by the Hidden Serpent City priests, and burned the city's grain reserves, setting half the city aflame... The Black Wolf executed five thousand people, killed all the rebellious noble chiefs, priests, and warriors, and withdrew to Conical House City with the captured tribespeople..."
Upon hearing this, Guard Commander Ecatl raised an eyebrow and lowered his gaze. He was aware of the recently arrived report, but more than the content or the lives of thousands, he was concerned about His Highness's reaction…
"Family Head, the climate in the seaside lowlands is warm, the rainy season comes early, and spring farming starts earlier than in the highlands. It's already late April, perfect for spring farming. Black Wolf Legion Commander has withdrawn to Conical House City to focus on organizing spring farming, grounding the army... This is beneficial to him personally and to the kingdom's army!"
"Indeed! After going through so much, Black Wolf has finally matured! This time, he chose to retreat instead of advancing east recklessly, patiently staying in Conical House City to garrison, which makes me relieved! Once I head west, I can finally trust him to manage the Totonaq Coast!"
Hearing Ecatl's words, a faint smile appeared on Xiulote's face. His Guard Commander had this ability to not only hit the key points in words and deeds but also put him at ease. However, Xiulote's smile lasted only a moment. As more thoughts came to mind, he couldn't help but frown and ask gravely.
"Ecatl, Black Wolf plans to garrison in Conical House City and asks me for grain and people. There are over fifty thousand surrendered seaside tribes who need to cultivate three hundred thousand mu of land. Adding the sustaining army of over ten thousand… Food for ten thousand soldiers, rations for fifty thousand people, grain for three hundred thousand mu, most need to be transported from the rear! The front won't get any relief until the pumpkin harvest in half a year..."
"We also need to manage garrison in Golden Bay City, which involves rations for over a hundred thousand tribespeople and grain for over five hundred thousand mu… Is the food brought from Serpent City in the rear enough?"
"With the Chief Divine as witness, the food is enough! Golden Bay City surrendered and handed over all stored grain intact, enough for one hundred twenty thousand people to eat sparingly for half a year! As long as there's no large-scale war mobilization or deployment of ten thousand-strong armies, supplementing with rations for a hundred thousand people from the rear... it's manageable until the autumn harvest!"
Guard Commander Ecatl spoke with a smile, softly.
"Family Head, drawing a fist back is to strike out with more force! Right now, as you personally oversee the spring farming in Golden Bay City, no one dares to slacken. If this year's spring farming is well attended, once the autumn harvest comes, the hearts of all tribes will be stabilized. In half a year's time, the East's shipyard should have built over a hundred transport catamarans to maintain the grain routes from the rear… By that time, with abundant grain, loyal tribes, and the naval forces securing the grain route, it will be time for the army to continue east!"
"Indeed! The grain surrendered by Golden Bay City is indeed crucial to the kingdom's army. In this regard, Serpent Mother Chieftain Miyava deserves credit..."
Hearing this, Xiulote nodded affirmatively. He then stretched out his hand, rubbed his throbbing temple, and said in a deep voice.
"Enough grain, loyal tribes, naval forces secure the grain route… Ecatl, every word you speak hits the mark!"
"To ensure sufficient food, it depends on this year's spring farming. In the seaside areas, April is the time to start spring farming! Are all the resettled tribes ready?"
"Yes... Family Head, within a forty-mile radius of Golden Bay City, eighty thousand Totonaq tribes have been thoroughly organized. Under the direction of the kingdom's priests and warriors, their spring farming has been arranged according to the garrison settlements..."
"A forty-mile radius? Eighty thousand tribes?"
Hearing this, Xiulote's brow furrowed. He understood the unspoken meaning of the Guard Commander and sternly questioned.
"Out of hundreds of thousands of tribes, only the spring farming of eighty thousand is assured? A forty-mile radius of Golden Bay City? What about beyond those forty miles?"
"Uh… Family Head, with the kingdom's army stationed here, even the Totonaq tribes beyond forty miles will adhere to your royal decree! They will certainly farm in spring on time and need the grain and rations provided by the kingdom. However, more management and detailed control… our accompanying Priesthood is already stretched to the limit, and indeed it is not enough..."
The Guard Commander Ecatl replied cautiously and respectfully.
"In the current situation, for managing the garrison of each unit, a small flag team is set up for every four hundred people, with over ten of the Kingdom's Main Force or surrendered Totonac Warriors overseeing them. Every ten small flag teams form a large flag of four thousand people, with over ten Chief God Priest and Assistant Priests assigned, controlling and educating the people's hearts..."
"To manage a garrison of eighty thousand people in this manner requires two hundred flag teams, staffed by more than two thousand warriors and over two hundred priests... Along the march to the East, after a test of their beliefs, there are still many reliable surrendered warriors. However, we indeed have a shortage of Priests and Assistant Priests proficient in calculations and capable of directing farming..."
"Therefore, around the Golden Bay city area, beyond these fully controlled eighty thousand people, there remain thirty to forty thousand Seaside Tribes, for which the kingdom only dispatched overseeing warriors and roughly set up flag teams. These tribes will follow the Royal Decree and farm on time, but the results of their farming are uncertain... After all, their level of farming has always been inferior to that of the Highland Tribes..."
Upon hearing the Guard Commander's explanation, Xiulote rubbed his temples and remained silent. The current issue was actually this: the Kingdom lacked manpower to manage the garrison!
The great army conquered the Totonac Land, completely dismantled each tribe, set up flag teams, and brought them under total control, which required numerous grassroots management personnel. To properly arrange each flag team and conduct large-scale garrison operations needed a multitude of talents knowledgeable in mathematics and agriculture. Now, grassroots management personnel can still be played by the surrendered warriors, but there is genuinely a shortage of Priests knowledgeable in mathematics and agriculture!
In the end, although garrison yields are substantial, it is highly organized and demands high management military and political affairs. High organization means the involvement of disciplined military forces, whereas high management requirements necessitate talents with cultural grasp.
"I can garrison in the Patzcuaro Lake region reliant on the elite Alliance Army, large numbers of young priests... and most crucially, the compromise and acceptance of the emerging group of officials in the centralized Kingdom of Tlaxcala, led by Sage Jatili!..."
The sun set, and the bright moon rose from the sea. Watching the distant seaside and the gradually dimming spectacular sky, many memories surged in Xiulote's heart. After a decade of ruling the Kingdom, he had gained a deeper understanding of the operation of political power. He could also increasingly discern the reality behind societal appearances.
"I could garrison in the Tlaxcala Land thanks to the Alliance's brutal slaughter ensuring the compliance of various units. And from the various City-States within the Alliance, as well as the Kingdom's Divine Might University came young priests who became the backbone of garrison management... Certainly, there was also Head Warrior Bertade and a batch of literate and numerate trusted aides working tirelessly..."
"Yet now, the kingdom's expedition to the Totonac land, with a main force of at most twenty thousand, aims to conquer the thousand-mile extensive seaside! If allowing each unit to maintain its original state, simply ensuring their submission and compliance could be achieved with formidable force. However, to completely scatter each unit, set up flag teams, bring them under thorough control, and even organize a garrison... how could it be achieved with these undisciplined surrendered warriors and insufficient accompanying priests?"
Thinking of this, Xiulote paused. His expression was solemn as he asked himself inwardly.
"For establishing a deep governance, relying on people is essential, people who are reliable and capable grassroots backbones! Since I aim for deep rule over the Totonac Coast, thoroughly winning over the hearts, controlling tens of thousands of Seaside Tribes... then, where will these culturally knowledgeable people responsible for grassroots management come from?..."
The sea breeze howled, clothes fluttering with a rustling sound. The king remained silent for a long time, lost in lengthy contemplation. The Guard Commander Ecatl stood nearby, lowering his head respectfully and staying silent. He understood the king's predicament and had thought of a solution. However, he knew he must not voice it for such important matters; the king needed to decide by himself.
"Let's go! It's getting dark..."
After a long time, Xiulote raised his head. His eyes were deep, with a faint tinge of blood, and his gaze was as cold as a knife.
"I am a bit hungry and want to return to eat fish, the most delicious bay snapper."
"Yes, Family Head!"
"Ecatl, after the fish, I want to drink wine."
"Ah?"
"I want to drink wine while watching the beauties dance!... Make arrangements as last time."
"Yes, Family Head!"
The moon had risen, the sea breeze intensified. Hundreds of warriors moved silently and solemnly, guarding the high-raised Royal Banner, heading toward the camp outside Golden Bay City. There, delicious food, fine wine, and beauties patiently awaited a night of indulgence.