Aztec Eternals

Following Shulot's loud suggestion, the temple fell silent for a moment, and even the curling smoke dissipated silently.

The elder of the capital leaned forward slightly, and quietly extinguished the magic smoke in his hand. Then he stretched out his hands to straighten his clothes, and half of the smoke disappeared from the sleeves. Then, the elder's face twitched slightly. As soon as the smoke was extinguished, the embers were still hot, falling into the clothes, it was so sour. He held back the pain and said nothing, just looked at the majestic high priest and Shulot who was saluting, thinking secretly in his heart.

The high priest nodded in approval and looked around.

"The part about business tax in the religious law has not yet been determined. Although Priest Xiulot's suggestion is quite insightful, everyone needs to discuss it one by one and improve it."

The priests and elders also nodded in response. Now that the high priest had set the tone of approval, naturally no one objected publicly. Everyone straightened their postures, sat in a circle in awe, and discussed each item one by one.

The various ministries in Central America are in dispute, and the states are against each other. The city-states have always been loose, and there is no authoritarian government to control them strongly to form a unified market. Big merchants earn huge profit margins among various ministries, so they grow bigger. They often spend a lot of money, the rich, and even hire hundreds of samurai.

But merchants, rich as they are, are still a weak, powerless and ruled class, crops in the field waiting to be harvested. Aristocrats and aristocrats all over the world stared at the merchants, taking whatever they wanted. If the timing is right, some great nobles will even hook up with hired warriors and send troops to plunder the caravan without leaving anyone alive.

In the city-state, big merchants are strictly limited in the amount of land they own and the level of clothing. Hedge warriors have limited loyalty. Big merchants need to pay a lot of tribute in exchange for the protection of the local rulers.

All the elders in the temple have received generous gifts from the merchants, but no one speaks for them at this time. To the magnificent sacred tree of priests, merchants are just tiny insects. In the sacred hall, Shulot proposed to reform the commercial law to restrain lowly businessmen, and met no resistance from the elders at all.

Unifying market regulations, managing currency and weights and measures, managing market prices, and controlling strategic materials, these four are the proper meanings. There have been similar discussions in the past, but there are only a few executors because of the lack of words and manpower.

The elders first briefly discussed the currency exchange ratio, and stipulated the standard quantity of cocoa beans, the length of cotton cloth and the weight of sand. Then it was decided to send low-level priests to manage the salt mines near the capital, collect tin mine tribute from the southern city-state of Mexica, and collect taxes in kind from copper mine merchants. Finally, send more judges and limit the sale of weapons and equipment.

Controlling luxury goods has not caused too many waves. The society in Mexica is strictly hierarchical, advocating restraint of desires and emphasizing agricultural warfare. Warriors and civilians shouldn't have overstepped their ranks and spent expensive luxury. Levying a luxury tax will increase revenue, but it needs to send out valuable talents who are proficient in calculations.

When it comes to controlling the smoke, the elder of the capital city who was smoking before gave a slight signal, and the other elder of the capital city spoke in a deep voice.

"Shenyan is a medium for gods to communicate with people. It can listen to the voice of gods and heal physical diseases. Warriors don't need to communicate with gods, and they can be banned. But for priests, maybe there is no such thing."

The majestic eyes of the high priest watched over, with great pressure in the calmness.

The elders of the capital city who spoke met their eyes, paused, and then continued: "Perhaps it is not unreasonable."

The high priest nodded and made a direct decision: "There are many ways to treat diseases. Divine smoke will damage vitality, and you must add medicinal herbs to it carefully. No matter what you do in private, priests are not allowed to smoke divine smoke in places where people gather. Violators once Confiscated, whipped twice, demoted three times!"

The priests and elders all bowed and bowed to accept orders. Shulot pondered for a while. This law of his grandfather seemed to contain profound meaning, and it could be used to clean up the vain local priesthood in the future.

"Manage foreign merchants, cancel the right of autonomy, and at the same time protect the safety of merchants. If necessary, dispatch troops to conquer the 'bandits' along the way!"

Schlotte repeated the last piece of advice again. He puts a lot of emphasis on "Bandits."

Hearing this, the elders exchanged glances. After a while, an Elder of the Holy City hesitated slightly and asked a question.

"Where did the army to conquer bandits come from?"

"Send out the temple guards!" Xiulot said decisively.

"We need to expand the size of the temple guards, set up garrisons at important passage nodes, and collect business taxes to maintain them. These temple guards are an extension of the will and actions of the priesthood. They not only maintain business roads, fight against ordinary bandits, but also Attack all the 'bandits' who dare to stop the priest's actions locally!"

Everyone's heart trembled. In the name of maintaining commercial roads, the purpose of sending temple troops to the place is self-evident. Together they looked at the high priest.

The high priest pondered for a moment, remembering the cleanup in Texcoco not long ago. His killing intent flashed away, and then he nodded slowly with no expression on his face.

"Very good. The Lord God is omnipotent, and His majesty cannot be offended. Regardless of their status, those who disobey will be washed away with holy blood!"

The priests and elders were silent. The elders of the Holy City first bowed down to take orders. The elders of the capital city hesitated for a moment, then bowed and agreed.

The ensuing meeting seemed uneventful. The elders set a goal of doubling the capital city temple guards to four thousand. Then send envoys to communicate with the king and ask the warriors directly under the royal family to help fight the bandits. Afterwards, everyone continued to agree on the details of the teaching method.

And when the sun goes down, the meeting ends. The elders took their leave and left, walking hurriedly, leaving with important news.

High Priest Shuttle touched the boy's head again. He looked at Shen Yi's young man with relief, but said in his mouth: "My child, you are too reckless. I should say the last one."

Shulot shook his head and stared at his grandfather firmly.

"The eagle wants to fly in the sky to meet the wind and rain! I can't hide on the sacred tree and rely on you."

The high priest smiled appreciatively. Immediately, he summoned Bertard and doubled the boy's personal guards, and he was not allowed to go out alone in the future.

Two more days passed. The commercial law has not yet been fully negotiated, and even the reference map of commodity prices has not yet been drawn. In the afternoon of this day, a businessman came to visit, offered New Year's gifts, and asked His Holiness to see him.

Nothing happened today, Xiulot was practicing the longbow with Bertard. Across tens of meters, he shot without fail, hitting the huge human-shaped wooden target, and the landing points were normally distributed. Beside him, marksman Berthard maintained a good-natured smile and did not comment on the lord's shooting skills.

After listening to the guard's report, the boy waved his hand. At this time, the purpose of the businessman's visit is self-evident, but he is really well-informed. He asked the guards to make an announcement.

"The high priest has not returned yet. If there is no important business, he will not see guests."

After a while, the guard hurried over again, and replied respectfully.

"Your Highness, the businessman outside the door said he was an old acquaintance with you. At the same time, he also offered many gifts, here is the list."

As he said that, the guard handed over a wooden board full of patterns. Now papermaking has just been applied, and writing is still being taught. Paper and text are still far from popularization, and wood graphics are still standard.

Xiulot took the board and browsed quickly and casually. Costumes painted with feathers, bright gold and silver, strange fruits and flowers, long-haired slaves with indistinguishable gender. His eyes stopped on the golden axe, the golden new bronze weapon?

Shulot pondered slightly, with a little curiosity in his heart. He handed the board and longbow to the guards, and took Bertard to the gate to see the so-called old man.

When we came to the front yard, a strange businessman appeared in the distance. Round fat face, slender head, tall feather ornaments, and hanging silver ornaments. Shulot was taken aback for a moment, this Mayan businessman was indeed somewhat familiar.

Seeing Shulot approaching, the Mayan businessman carefully identified it for a moment, comparing the young boy in his memory with the resolute warrior in front of him. Then, he smiled sincerely.

"Honorable Highness! Your most loyal old friend, Tutulxiu's noble Ticaro pays tribute to you! We met in the market of Metzitlan. At that time, you and Orosh warrior chief returned from hunting, and I I am also preparing to invite you to taste the best Shenyan."

Shulot recalled for a while, and finally matched the Tikalo in front of him with the profiteer in Olosh's mouth. They are really old acquaintances!

He smiled slightly and nodded to Ti Carlo. Then he asked with a smile.

"Tikalo, how did you end up in Tenochtitlan? How did you know I lived here?"

Ticaro with a genuinely gracious smile.

"Respected Your Highness, we Mayan merchants live and sleep in the open, walking among the city-states. Delivering the goods needed by the people to them in time, earning negligible rewards for hard work. I have been in the capital for several months, and I have heard it everywhere' The great name of His Royal Highness the God-inspired.

His Highness invented the giant catapult and the huge bow and arrow, enlightening wisdom. The former chief commander of the rebellion, brave and extraordinary. Recently, he also invented writing and participated in the compilation of the code. He wants to inherit the great figures of the alliance. Who doesn't know? Who doesn't admire?

As the new year is approaching, our Mayan business group got together and specially prepared a congratulatory gift for His Royal Highness. When everyone talked about His Highness's life, I realized that I was lucky enough to become His Highness's old acquaintance. The business group asked me to be a representative and take the liberty to visit and present you with a congratulatory gift! Also please don't dislike the meager gift and accept our admiration. "

Shulot looked at Ticaro's bright smile, and at the bundles of feathered garments in the front yard, boxes of gold, silver and precious stones, hundreds of kinds of fragrant fruits and flowers, and dozens of obedient and charming female slaves. He pondered in his heart.

"If you come with such a generous gift, what you want will never be small. It must be related to commercial law. However, commercial law is related to state affairs, and there is not much room for discussion."

Shulot looked at the last wooden basket, and Ticaro confidently lifted the covering curtain, and there were dozens of golden bronze battle axes inside. The boy stared at it for a long time, this was the gift that really moved him.

"This is a cunning big businessman, and it will benefit my great cause. If Avitt is here, what will he do?" Shulot thought of Avitt, and then "Monkey" Kuluka. With a move in his heart, he made a decision.

Shulot smiled slightly, and looked at Tikalo, who was also smiling, with the gaze of a great nobleman. The latter is sincere and respectful, with superficial humility and businessman's calculations.

"Your Highness, this is a bronze battle ax made by the Tarasco people two months ago. It is extremely sharp and extremely strong, and can easily cut through leather armor!" Noticing the young man's attention, Ticaro introduced it first.

Xiulot remained calm and nodded slightly.

"Dear Your Highness, these are the female slaves presented to you by the merchant group. There are Vastec witches with dancing rhythms, Tlaxcala nobles who have always been hostile, delicate and mellow Mixtec girls, and wild and unruly maidens." The tamed Chichimek girls are all beautiful, carefully selected, and each has an exotic style. If His Highness likes it, you can also make special requests to the merchant group."

Ticaro's face was like a spring breeze. According to his experience, to deal with such young and proud nobles, gold and silver costumes usually have little effect, but singing songs often have miraculous effects, which has been tried and tested.

Shulot paused for breath. He felt the breath of the beautiful opposite sex, and a trace of instinctive desire surged up. Immediately, the girl in white emerged from his heart, a pure smile flowed like a clear spring, and his mood calmed down, with a slight embarrassment on his face. The boy gritted his teeth, glanced at Ti Kalo, and no longer hesitated about the next plan.

Ticaro observed the boy's expression, looked at the boy's clear eyes and reddish face. He was a little strange and puzzled, and continued to introduce.

"Your Highness, these are the flowers and fruits that are cherished in the southern rainforest. This is the huge white king lotus, this is the purple bell begonia, this is the alluring red lip flower, this is the passion flower of the plateau, and The torch ginger flower, which symbolizes the god of fire, is a rare and rare herb, and it is not inferior to the royal garden!"

Xiuluo nodded, these flowers are indeed strange and beautiful, even in later generations they are treasures, rare to see.

"Your Highness, these are the fruits I personally picked for you in the wild. These are fresh cactus fruits, yellow unicorn fruits, sweet and sour pineapples, plump mami fruits, and sweet white custard apples. It is a gift from the gods, with my hand, I will dedicate it to the venerable that the gods love!"

Shulot smiled slightly. he asked thoughtfully.

"Tikalo, these are the fruits that the gods love, and you picked them yourself?"

The Mayan businessman nodded his elegant head slightly, and answered with a confident and friendly smile.

"There is no lie! I pick it myself, just to dedicate it to you."

"Good! It is the love of the gods."

Shulot retreated two steps calmly, came to the side of the guarding warriors, and then ordered indifferently.

"Take him down! I will sacrifice these fruits to the gods with the people who picked them!"

The armored warriors agreed with a bang and strode forward. They took out their batons, easily knocked down the merchant's guards, and subdued the docile servants. Then the majestic warriors stepped forward from left to right, grabbed the horrified Mayan businessman with trembling hands and feet, and dragged them mercilessly to the altar of sacrifice.

Shulot turned his back to the businessman who was being dragged away. Hearing Ticaro's eager cry and begging for mercy, he couldn't help but smile softly.

If you want to subdue sophisticated and cunning businessmen, why use the tricks of businessmen to conspire with them. Use the advantage of the king, use the rules of the warrior, and take it straight!

"Those who submit will survive, those who don't will die, you won't make things difficult for me."

The boy put away his smile and sighed again.

"The old friend is still the same, but I am different after all."

Every time a new chapter is published, I will read it twice on the PC page and revise the 20-minute sentence details. Readers who read the new chapter within 20 minutes of publishing, if you have time, welcome to refresh again. thanks for your support!