Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"For this cassava, first, we have to choose a plot of land... We don't compete for good land by the river. Cassava isn't picky about the land, just find a slightly higher one, where the soil is loose, slightly sandy when you grip it... Hmm? This patch of land looks good, the soil is quite alright..."

In July, the summer sun is high. Even in the early morning, it makes one sweat all over. Nearby, the river flows quietly, with shimmering reflections on the small pools formed during the rainy season.

The old militia, Chiwaco, tied a sun-shading scarf, leaned on a digging stick, and carried a basket full of cassava stems on his back. He searched for the highlands while probing the soil. Behind him were three children with similar scarves and digging sticks: Chipawa, Dark Snake, and Didi. Following them was the Divine Revelation Priest, MeKate, who also came to help.

"Hmm... The soil is loose, and the roots of these weeds are shallow, easy to pull out..."

The old militia searched all the way until he reached a small flat slope and stabbed the soil three inches deep. Then, he squatted down, pulled out two weeds, grabbed a handful of sandy soil, and said with satisfaction.

"Let's do it here! For planting cassava, the soil needs to be deep, thick, and loose! Its roots go really deep!... Come, from here to here, forty steps around, pull out all the weeds!"

"Uh?... Okay, Dad!"

Wilderness Samurai Chipawa looked perplexed, staring at the soil beneath his feet. He couldn't distinguish the quality of soil, but he was quite strong. Everyone worked together for half the day to roughly clear this small patch of sandy loam soil. Then, the old militia, full of enthusiasm and smiling, squatted down and began teaching Chipawa how to plant cassava.

"Dig a small pit, about half an arm's length deep is about right. Then, insert one end of the cassava stalk downwards, straight into the soil, cover it with soil... Yes, just like that, don't press too hard... This soil is a bit dry, later we'll fetch some water and pour it on..."

"Planting cassava by inserting it..."

Wilderness Samurai Chipawa squatted on the ground, carefully maneuvering soil with both hands, cautiously planting the cassava stalk. At this moment, he stared at his mud-covered hands, inexplicably dazed, a surreal dream-like feeling. The last time he went to the fields with his father was over seven years ago. Until yesterday, he had never thought that these hands, accustomed to gripping long spears and bronze axes, these hands used to killing and hunting, would once again plant crops...

"You rascal! What are you thinking about!"

The old militia, Chiwaco, habitually reached out, pinching his son's ear, finding it satisfying.

"Have you been listening to what I say? You need to memorize it! When I'm gone, you'll have to rely on yourself to plant! In seven or eight months, cassava will grow, and by then, you'll be able to divide the stalks and double the planting area..."

"Ah? Dad! It hurts, it hurts!..."

Wilderness Samurai Chipawa instinctively dodged but stopped abruptly, allowing his father to pinch him tightly. He scratched his hair, casually making up a question.

"Dad... I was just thinking... Why is cassava planted vertically? Can't it be planted obliquely? Can't it be buried horizontally in the soil? Why must it be planted vertically?..."

Hearing such a soul-searching question, the old militia paused, releasing his hand.

"Hey! You rascal! That's a good question... Let me think about it..."

"On Cuba Snake Island, most Taino People plant cassava vertically... But I remember a tribe named Jing River Tribe that plants cassava obliquely. I curiously asked them why. They said vertical planting makes the roots deep, resistant to strong winds, requires more water, and isn't afraid of drought... But there's a downside, the root grows too deep, making it troublesome to dig up!..."

"Later, they experimented with oblique planting... Then they discovered the cassava roots grew diagonally to one side and were much shallower, making it easier to dig..."

"As for planting it flat...? I feel it might work too! Just not sure how the cassava would turn out? Would it grow at one end or form roots at both ends?"

The old militia squatted on the ground, seriously pondering, muttering to himself. Chipawa leaned closely beside him, watching his thinking father with a face full of reverence and confusion, just like in his childhood.

Behind them, everyone seeing this heartwarming scene showed understanding smiles. Dark Snake was happy for old Chiwaco for a brief moment but suddenly lowered his head, showing a gloom.

"Old Chiwaco... found his son..."

Beside him, Priest Mekate squinted, acutely noticing the young Dark Snake's expression. He pondered for a moment before silently walking to Dark Snake's side, patting the boy's shoulder.

"Chief Divine blesses! Truly wonderful!"

"Yes... Chief Divine blesses!"

Dark Snake lowered his head, responding softly. His face was evidently downcast, as if recalling something, exhibiting an uncontainable sadness.

"Dark Snake, this time, surviving the storm was due to Chief Divine's blessing! Captain Chiwaco, us, and you are all cherished and blessed by Chief Divine!..."

Priest MeKate smiled kindly, his words enticingly persuasive, like his preaching, silently sinking into the heart.

"Chief Divine blesses you!... Dark Snake, I remember you were born around Water Valley City, right? Telascallan, have you considered your father... maybe he's still alive somewhere!" Hearing this, Dark Snake trembled, still silent with his head down. Priest MeKate stepped forward again, gently rubbing Dark Snake's head, reminiscent of old militia Chiwaco's fond habit, a familiar intimate action made the boy tremble again.

"Ah, Dark Snake!... This journey eastward has faced so many obstacles and storms... Of the four returning longships, over two hundred people, only twenty of us remain..."

Priest MeKate's voice was low, his eyes tender, his words full of sincerity.

"You're the youngest member of the fleet; we regard you as a child... Regardless of where your father went, and whether old Chiwaco found his son... you're the child of our fleet!... From now on, follow us! With us, you have a home..."

"Home?..."

Hearing these words, Dark Snake's mind was shaken. He lifted his head, staring blankly at the kind and gentle Priest MeKate, tears suddenly streaming down.

"Woo!... MeKate Old Father... Woo!... I don't have a father... The day Water Valley City fell, my father abandoned me, ran north... He didn't want me... Old Chiwaco found his son... Wah wah!..."

Upon hearing this, Priest MeKate raised his eyebrows, a flash of insight in his eyes. He lowered his head, hugged Dark Snake's shoulders, stepping lightly, firmly leading him to another side of the field.

"Hey! Dark Snake... don't cry anymore... your father... that was during the war! But now, things are different! Your Majesty said, Telascallan are also citizens of the Kingdom! In the Kingdom of the Lake, they even formed the Telascallan Long Snake Corps, recruited several thousand Telascallan Samurais!... Whether it's you, or your father, now both are pardoned by Your Majesty, part of the Kingdom!"

"Ah?... Truly... truly?"

Dark Snake's voice trembled. After a long sea exploration, experiencing so many life-or-death situations, he had a deep sense of belonging to the fleet. Toward the always kind Priest MeKate, he held a share of trust. At this moment, with hope, he widened his eyes, looking at Priest MeKate.

"Has Your Majesty truly pardoned us? Even... the Divine Descendants of Telascala..."

"Divine Descendants? Indeed!"

Hearing this, Priest MeKate's heart trembled. His eyes remained warm, actions kind, his tone full of sincerity.

"Of course! Even the Divine Descendants of Telascala are accepted by the Kingdom..."

"Dark Snake, believe me... if you're willing, tell me your father's name, I can inquire for you! Maybe, from the migrating Telascala Tribes counting hundreds of thousands, we might find him for you..."

This time, Dark Snake was silent for a long, long time without speaking. Priest MeKate's eyes flickered, secretly sighed, seemed it was still not the time. But he still smiled kindly, gave Dark Snake a warm hug.

"Forget it! Dark Snake, what's past is past!... In the future, you're our child, we're all your fathers..."

"He is called Black Serpent..."

"Hmm?"

Dark Snake lowered his head, embraced Priest MeKate, his body trembled slightly. His voice was small, yet clear enough for MeKate to hear.

"My father, he's called Black Serpent... he was the City Lord of Water Valley... 'Black Serpent' Teuctli..."

"City Lord of Water Valley? 'Black Serpent' Teuctli?!..."

Embracing from the other side, Priest MeKate suddenly lifted his head, his mouth breaking into a smile.

"Good child, I will remember..."