Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The July downpour came from the Caribbean Sea with a roar, pouring onto the Northern Land coast. Outside the Vastec people's small village, the water level of the long river surged up. And the small lakes near the seaside gathered together, forming a Great Lake stretching dozens of hundreds of miles.

"What is this rainy season lake called?"

The old militia squatted by the door of the village chief's thatched cottage, watching the endless rain outside and chatting with the wrinkled village elder. The village elder looked timid, carefully lowering his head to respond.

"Master... This is the Mangrove Lake."

"Don't call me master... call me... never mind, don't be afraid, call me what you like! You say, Mangrove Lake?"

"Yes! Because there is a large mangrove forest around it, that's why it's called that."

"Oh!"

The old militia smiled kindly. He didn't hold resentment against the village elder for his previous accusations. On the contrary, he was somewhat grateful. If it weren't for the village elder bringing the Canine Warriors, he wouldn't have had the chance to meet his son.

"Then, what about this long river? What's its name?"

"Master, this long river is called Egret River. Lots of egrets stay by the river, from the upper reaches to the sea mouth, all these large white birds… so it's called Egret River."

"Did you give it this name?"

"No, it's not. The original tribes in this area, the Jananbury people, called it that. Some people also call it the 'Flower River'. Because there are many flowers by the river, in spring and summer, flowers everywhere..."

"Egret River... Flower River... Such a beautiful river!..."

Upon hearing this, the old militia Chiwaco nodded. He recalled the scenes by the river, the large wetlands, flower clusters, and bird flocks, smiling merrily.

"How long is this river? Where does its upper stream lead to?"

Upon hearing this, the village elder frowned, thought for a long while, then replied softly.

"Master, this river is very very long... Sailing upstream to the west for many days leads to Warrior Lake. And as some say, it flows down from the further western wilderness... As for the specifics, I don't know!"

"Warrior Lake..."

The old militia pondered for a moment and nodded again. He didn't make things difficult for the village elder, just quietly watched the heavy rain outside and the long river in the rain.

Actually, this long river is known in later generations as the Rio Soto La Marina, a thousand-mile-long river in northeastern Mexico, originating from the western highlands wilderness. Close to the river's estuary where they now stood is the famous Soto La Marina Wetlands Delta, known for its beautiful scenery and abundant birdlife. The thriving bird population has long spread natural fertilizers over the land, making it extremely fertile.

In other words, this is a place suitable for farming, stretching several hundred miles along the Egret River!

The old militia watched the wide long river for a while, his eyes shifting towards a nearby highland. There, two acres of cassava fields had been cleared, sprouting new branches. And the vibrant life, with crops that could nourish the entire land, was taking root and growing.

"Did you remember how to plant cassava?"

"I've remembered, Master."

The village elder answered softly with a bitter look.

"The villagers in the village have also remembered."

Upon hearing this, the old militia smiled contentedly. He had spent two days farming with his son. This young lad quickly got impatient and directly called the villagers to follow his father to plant together. The old militia wanted to hit his son, but Chipawa ran while arguing.

"Dad! I'm a distinguished Hundred-man Team captain; you want me to farm, which makes the Tribal Warriors look down on me! Besides, I'm not suited for this; even if I learned it, it'd be easy to forget. If I remembered wrongly, it would be a waste of teaching!... I'll bring out fifty men in the village to learn with you! If you teach them well, it's equivalent to me knowing it!..."

"Ah, right!... I'm going to take the warriors for a trip to Warrior Lake! I need to personally tell Sister Alan about you and bring your longship back. She doesn't like the Mexica people, but for my sake, she'll definitely help you!"

"You brat!..."

The old militia chased for a while, but his old arms and legs couldn't catch up. He could only helplessly let his son off the hook, putting his thoughts onto the villagers. And the villagers' performance was indeed much better than the wilderness warrior Chipawa, putting his mind at ease.

Thinking of this, he looked to the side at the squatting village elder again, and asked solemnly.

"How to harvest cassava? How to eat? Recite it once."

"Um... dig out those... roots... then soak in water for one or two days... clean it... peel it... cut into pieces... cook them to eat..."

"What else?"

"Um... can also grind into flour, like corn flour, make it into cakes..."

"What must not be forgotten?"

"Uh..."

"Hmm?"

"Oh, oh! It's soaking in water. Must soak in water and peel, otherwise it's poisonous. Eating it can be deadly..."

The village elder appeared bitter, sighing in his heart. Everything seems to be poisonous, yet they are to plant it, to eat it, isn't this wishing for death? But the master's words, he dared not disobey, and had to memorize them...

"Hmm!"

After listening, the old militia smiled contentedly. He smiled fondly, putting his arm around the village elder's shoulder, and gently said.

"Old brother!... That young lad brought people and ate all your turkeys and grain... I plant this cassava field... consider it, my gift to you all!..."

"Yes...Yes! Master... Whatever you say, I listen to you!..."

The rain poured down, irrigating the new cassava field, on this warm and humid Northern Coast. The two old farmers squatted by the thatched cottage entrance, watching this green-filled land, gazing at the long river, much like a poetic pastoral painting.

After three or four days of seaside rain, it cleared up again. Several dugout canoes followed the rushing river from upstream. At the canoe's bow, the wilderness warrior Chipawa held his head high, looking ostentatious. He brought back a command from the young chieftain Alan, telling the village's Canine Descendant Captain Ebony Deer.

"Ebony Deer! Sister Alan said! You have to return the longship you took to the Mexica people! And give them all a weapon to defend themselves on the road! By the way, the rest of the armor, weapons, and gemstone, half for each of us!"

"What? Half for each?! Damn it! Chipawa, I'll beat you until you spill!"

The Canine Descendant Captain Ebony Deer jumped madly, yelling loudly.

"You promised! You promised! I gave you the men, everything belongs to me!"

"Bull! I said then to kill them, that's when I give you the things, to shut you up. But now, I did nothing; Sister Alan even praised me for being reasonable, not impulsive... So why should I benefit you? These are my dad's things, giving you half is good enough... Hurry up! Get the stuff out, don't dawdle!..."

"Chief Divine! Ancestor! I wanna kill you! Kill you!..."

The Canine Descendant Captain Ebony Deer swore and rushed forward, fists flying flesh, having a fight with the wilderness warrior Chipawa. After the fight, nose bruised and face swollen, he grudgingly took out half of the goods from the fleet and left angrily.

"Dad! Come with me! Sister Alan is waiting for you all at Warrior Lake's Crow City!"

The wilderness warrior Chipawa similarly had a bruised nose and swollen face, yet his expression was smug. He jumped onto the longship's prow, fumbled around for a while. Then, seeing his slightly worried father, he laughed and shouted.

"Let's go! Everyone come up to row!… Let me sit a bit on Dad's large ship! I haven't seen such a big ship before!..."