Aztec Eternals

At the beginning of March, the warm spring breeze blew through the fields in the south, and the growing grass and trees showed fresh and tender green. It's the season of reproduction of birds and beasts, and there is vibrant vitality everywhere.

Shulot led three thousand imperial guards, and after patrolling the Apa Plain, he returned to the Apa Army City in the east. At this point, the Southern Expedition came to an end. The land in the south needs to be reorganized, and the closed mouths must be relocated and assimilated. The hunting kestrel is temporarily full, and quietly saves energy for next year's hunting.

Before Xiuluot went south, there were about 210,000 people in Zicao County in the south, of which more than 70,000 were in the east, 60,000 in the middle, and 70,000 in the west. After the reduction of blockade and reform and punishment of rebellion, 40,000 rebels from Zicao County were escorted to Gyeonggi and demoted to serfs. Conquering the tribes of Southwest Coalkoman, the population was 90,000 before and after. 40,000 of them also moved to Gyeonggi as serfs, and the remaining 50,000 stayed in the west to reclaim the Apa Plain. The three states of Otomi on the north bank of the Leman River each had one or two thousand nobles and officers who were exiled.

Based on such a rough calculation, after the Southern Expedition, the population of Zicao County was about 220,000. With Kuramo City as the center, there are more than 50,000 people in the east and more than 50,000 in the middle, totaling 110,000, mostly of the Prepecha ethnicity. With the city of Apa as the center, the Apa Plain in the west has a population of 110,000, and the Prepecha and Tekos ethnicities account for half each.

On the way to the west, Shulot has been thinking about the arrangement in the south.

The Apa Plain will be dominated by farming, reclaiming wasteland and gathering the people of the Tekes Mountains. The area around Lake Atojak outside Curamo will be dominated by foreign commerce and trade, and shipbuilding will be developed. The two cities each stationed a semi-full-time army of 8,000 people, led by Ezpan and veteran Etaliq respectively.

"The south is vast and has different development priorities. Veteran Etalik is a veteran of the Holy City family warrior. Ezpan is the role model of Prepecha's descendants and is about to be promoted to honorable nobles. Commander, no matter who is the commander-in-chief, the other person will not be convinced."

After thinking about it for a long time, Xiulote finally decided to divide Zicao County into two, and set up counties in the western part and the eastern part. Taking the 50 li east of Apa City as the boundary, Apa County was established to the west, with jurisdiction over 110,000 people. , the governance is located in the city of Kuramo, and at the same time, the southern estuary of Tulsa is under the direct control, and the overall situation is under the jurisdiction of Etalic.

Because both of them hold heavy troops and have the power to conscript. The king set up a new official position for this position, called County Yin, which was the same as the one set up by Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period. The county Yin has the military and wealth in the first hand, and has both the power of internal suppression and external expansion.

Xiulote made a decision, and Wang Ling immediately communicated to the south. And another county Yin, the monkey Kuluka of Hekou County in the north, also had a messenger.

At the end of last year, Monkey dispatched 4,000 spear corps and another 4,000 canine Ding Zhuang. With the cooperation of the Royal Navy, they headed westward along the Leman River. Eight thousand troops took advantage of the unpreparedness of the Feather Legion and plundered the borders of Sakapur and Chapala Lakes. The army plundered for three months before and after, and returned with 20,000 people. Most of the canine Ding Zhuang have gained a lot, and their military heart is more stable.

The River Mouth Legion relies on the navy and uses canine light soldiers, which are quite swift in action. To stop the kingdom's looting, hundreds of canoes were deployed in the Lake Chapala region to patrol along the Leman River. The Royal Navy has fought against the navy in the Chapala Lake area several times. Relying on the numerical advantage of the two-body canoe, it has steadily gained the upper hand and killed hundreds of enemies. And when the galley warships are launched one after another, the advantage of the navy will be further expanded. With everything in place, the time to conquer the Lake Chapala region is about to come.

Benefiting from the plundering of the war, the number of mouths in the four counties of the kingdom has increased. Hekou County increased by 20,000, a total of 230,000; Gyeonggi increased by 80,000, a total of 360,000; and Apa County and Shicao County each 110,000. The total population of the four counties is 810,000, and the heritage of the kingdom is growing day by day, but it will take some time to integrate.

"Up and down the kingdom, everyone is eager to fight, and they are happy when they hear the battle! As soon as the opening of the military meritorious award is opened, it will be prosperous if you fight, and if you don't fight, you will die."

Thinking of this, Shilot was silent in thought. Not long ago, the veteran Etalik sent a messenger from Kuramo City with a letter, mainly saying two things.

One is the black wolf's three thousand people who are resting in the city of Kuramo, and there are many spoils to be transported to the north first, or converted into cocoa beans or cloth that are easy to carry on the spot. The other is that the population in Kuramo City is empty. I heard that the king has returned from the expedition, and he has gained a lot. He asked if there is an extra population to move to Kuramo City?

"Tex captives will either move to Gyeonggi, or develop the Apa Plain, where is there any excess population..."

After reading this, Shilot shook his head slightly and continued to read the letter.

The black wolf returned from sweeping the mountains and brought back a thousand Tecos fishermen and hundreds of canoes. There are 40,000 or 50,000 Tecos tribes near Haenyeo City, relying on the small seaside town to defend, and the number of warriors who can fight is only a few thousand. The purge of the Gyeonggi Corps has been completed, and 4,000 warriors remain in Kuramo City. And the newly formed Zicao Legion also has 3,000 people, enough to suppress the local area.

As a result, the black wolf Toltec and the veteran Etalik asked for their orders together.

"Your Majesty, 4,000 Gyeonggi warriors and 3,000 Guaquili legions, sailing down the river in a boat, are enough to destroy Haenyeo Castle, plundering tens of thousands of people and returning home!"

Seeing such a request, Shulot was silent. As long as the food delivered by the navy can keep up, the 7,000 troops will have a good chance of defeating Haenyeo City. However, the turmoil in Zicao City has just been pacified for only three months, and people's hearts are actually undecided. The spring ploughing in May will start soon. Even if tens of thousands of people are looted, it will not be able to keep up with this year's ploughing. It must be supported until the autumn harvest next year to be self-sufficient. In order to support the army, spring ploughing in Zicao County is likely to be delayed...

After thinking about it for a long time, Shilot made a more secure choice.

"Prepare for spring farming with peace of mind! Before the autumn harvest, no troops are allowed in Zicao County. The Gyeonggi Corps will soon be transferred to the north to suppress the tens of thousands of serfs who have moved into Gyeonggi."

The king's messenger had just left, but the black wolf Toltek came from Kuramo City with his personal guards.

"His Royal Highness! I, the black wolf Toltek, lived up to my mission, went deep into the southwestern mountainous area, burned food for seven hundred miles and returned it!"

Since the Southern Expedition, the two have not seen each other for half a year. Toltec fell to his knees excitedly, and returned to the king with his head held high.

"Very good, very good! My black wolf, you played very well!"

Shiroute smiled and was also a little excited. He took a step forward and lifted the black wolf from the ground. After a few months apart, the black wolf was a little thin, but the spirit of the whole person was even better. Looking at it at this time, the black wolf sword's eyebrows and eyes are like an unsheathed bronze sword, with a sharp temperament and an unusual eye-catching.

The two of them smiled and talked for a while, and then Shilot raised his face and gave a serious order.

"However, my black wolf, as the commander of the army, still has to put his own safety first! You must not be so reckless when you march in the future! The entire Guaquili army is all under the command of one person. exist!"

"Testimony from the Lord God! Your Highness, this time is a rare opportunity for fighters! The hinterland of the southwest is not well prepared, and the troops are very empty. There are also Texian guards as guides. If you miss the opportunity, let the enemy prepare, or escape. Entering the mountains, I still don’t know when the expedition will be…”

"Ok?!"

"His Royal Highness, I will listen to you in the future, listen to you!"

Seeing that His Highness was really serious, the black wolf Toltek saluted again and again and respectfully responded. Then, the black wolf's eyes flashed and he asked carefully.

"His Royal Highness, the conquest of Haenyeo Castle..."

"Before the autumn harvest, it is absolutely impossible!"

Shirot clearly shook his head. The hearts of the people in the south were uncertain, and there were tens of thousands of captives, and the foundation of the kingdom was really unstable. Only after the flag teams are formed, the priests spread their beliefs, and the spring ploughing and autumn harvest are successfully completed, can they stabilize a little.

"After the autumn harvest..."

"Toltek, you left more than half of the legion, and only brought 3,000 people to conquer, don't you want the remaining 5,000?! Why don't you go to the camp outside the city and appease the 5,000 Guaquili legion! "

"Uh... I want it, I want it! Of course, the more troops, the better. Isn't that the lack of food? If you bring 8,000 people into the mountains, you will starve to death on the way. Otherwise, you will have 8,000 people in hand. , I'll be able to take down Hai Nucheng directly..."

"Ok?"

"Your Highness, I'm going right now!..."

Seeing the back of the black wolf leaving in a hurry, the corner of Shirot's mouth showed a smile. After a long period of polishing, he finally cultivated the first outstanding general himself, which is worthy of the responsibility. Valley

A few more days passed. Shulot sits in the Apa Military City to appease the southern ministries, and from time to time gathers and feasts with generals such as Black Wolf. After a day of feasting, Toltec suddenly took out a few dark blue stones and displayed them in front of everyone.

"His Royal Highness, this is the strange sacred stone that I obtained by killing the priest of Tecos with Puap in the sacred mountain of Tecos outside Trout Village!"

The black wolf wine was half intoxicated, and his face flushed red. He smiled and put these divine stones in both hands, then put his hands behind his back and rubbed them a few times.

"Your Highness, guess how many **** stones are there now?"

"Six dollars."

Shilot was slightly drunk and guessed with a smile. He just glanced at it just now and counted the number of dark blue stones.

"Haha! No, it's a piece!"

The black wolf laughed. He brought his hands behind him to the front and slowly spread them out. I saw that all the **** stones were gathered together to form a large dark blue stone.

"His Royal Highness, these sacred stones are very interesting! Priest Tecos said that the sacred stones were endowed with divinity, with male and female souls, separated from the two ends of the sacred stones... I will dedicate them to you as a gift! In the future, take a look When you arrive at this divine stone, you will be reminded of my military exploits..."

"Same **** attracts, opposite **** repels? This is, this is, a magnet?!"

Shilot was stunned, his eyes instantly clear. He suddenly stood up and stretched out his hand eagerly.

"Show me!"

Black Wolf was a little surprised. He looked at His Highness's serious and unusual face, and suddenly woke up most of the time, feeling a little uneasy in his heart, and said carefully.

"His Royal Highness... These are the creations of the evil gods, and they may indeed offend the Lord God. I didn't mean to..."

"Bring it!"

The black wolf obeyed and stepped forward. Shulot took over the "God Stone" and checked it repeatedly in his hand. These "sacred stones" are dark blue as a whole and have strong magnetic properties. The strength of their mutual attraction and repulsion is stronger than the Cuban "black gems" presented by Mayan merchants, and they are indeed magnets! Or, they are natural magnetite.

"Black Wolf, where did you get these magnetite ore?"

Xiulote watched for a moment, suppressed the excitement and excitement in his heart, and asked in a deep voice.

"Huh? Magnetite?"

The black wolf pondered this difficult word curiously. It seems that His Highness is very concerned about these divine stones.

"His Royal Highness, the sacred stone is in the sacred mountain of Tecos, west of Trout Village. There is a low hill there, but there is a mountain god, which can attract thunder and lightning in the rainy season... The location is west of the mouth of the Tulsa River, about sixty inside."

"Magnetite mines? Magnetite mines near estuaries and coasts?"

As soon as Shiloh's expression moved, the joy on his face could no longer be suppressed.

"It's really the blessing of the Lord God!"

The king held the "God Stone", prayed in a low voice, and fell into thought. After a while, he made up his mind and looked at the samurai chief beside him.

"Bottard, I want to go to the mouth of the Tulsa River and take a look at it myself!"

"Ah?! Your Highness, it's nearly four hundred miles away from Apa City..."

Bertard's face was no longer calm. According to the original plan, His Royal Highness will be stationed in Apa City for one month. Wait until April, when the south settles down, and then lead the Imperial Guard Corps back to the capital to preside over the spring ploughing. Thinking of this, the samurai chief cautioned.

"His Royal Highness, spring ploughing is about to begin. Now that the army is dispatched to go deep into Haikou in the south, I am afraid that it will consume too much food..."

"There is no need for a large army! There is no hostile army on the southern coast, and we will not conquer Hainv City for the time being. The matter is very important, I will leave the king's flag in Apa City, and only bring two thousand loyal guards. Go to the mountain to see for yourself. Within a month, I will turn back."

With a firm expression, Shilot made a decision.

If the so-called "Sacred Mountain" is really a magnet mine, then the kingdom's southern strategy will have to be completely adjusted. The significance of an iron ore to the Kingdom of the Lake, and even the whole world, cannot be overemphasized~www.readwn.com~ This is the key to the development of Mesoamerican civilization. The key to the "thrilling leap"!

Ever since he came to this era, Shulot has been looking for iron ore for too long.

The Colima Mountains are too remote to conquer, and the iron ore buried underground is too deep. Under the constraints of real conditions, Shilot accepted the obedience of the chief of Colima and maintained peace with the various ministries of Colima. But in the heart of the king, there has always been a dash of unwillingness and regret. Until now, the news of the Southern Magnet Mine came, and his excitement and anticipation could no longer be restrained, and turned into the determination and motivation to go south!

"...Okay. Follow your will, Your Highness. I'll make arrangements as soon as possible!"

Seeing His Highness's expression, Bertard knew that the king had made up his mind and could not dissuade him. At this time, going south to the estuary, although the journey is long, there is really not much risk, just make good arrangements and preparations.

Shirot nodded in satisfaction and looked at the surprised black wolf again. He smiled gently and held the black wolf's arm.

"Toltek, my black wolf. I am very satisfied with your gift! The Lord God blesses the kingdom and brings divine enlightenment. If the 'Sacred Mountain' is as I expected...you will also be rewarded! "

"Ah? Reward?"

The black wolf was startled and blinked. His Highness did what he said, saying that it was a heavy reward, and it would certainly not be taken lightly. But the reward is because of a few strange "God Stones"? ...he was a little confused, but still fell to the ground respectfully.

"His Royal Highness, you are the wolf king blessed by the Lord God! I, Toltek, the black wolf, will never disappoint the wolf king!"

"Haha, God bless you! Black wolf, my love, you are favored by fate!"

The king laughed loudly, and the place where he was happy was like a spring breeze blowing his face and flying birds.