Aztec Eternals

The night is getting darker, the bonfire in the main hall is a little smaller, and a slight chill seeps in from the window, making people feel colder. If the intelligence officer was aware of it, he stepped forward and silently added some charcoal. The fire flickered in the hall, flickering and flickering.

The king looked at the huge wooden map, slid his fingers across the long river, and fell into long thoughts.

There are three great rivers in the world of the Mexica, connecting the plateau and the valley, connecting the mountains and the plains, making the forest and the rainforest a smooth road. In fact, in this era without livestock carts and mountain roads, rivers were the only large-scale transportation channels and the lifeblood of transportation that maintained the huge city-state alliance.

Avit's hand first stroked the north. The so-called war is nothing more than the rule of mountains and rivers, and soldiers follow their lives. For the Mexica, wars at the national level are firstly about the mountains and rivers, secondly about food transportation, and finally about the bravery of the legion.

The Leman River is the largest river in the world, flowing from east to west, about two to three thousand miles long. The easternmost part of the river is connected to the capital city in the lake through an artificial canal that is tens of miles long. Every step in this canal was dug out with the lives of Tepanek people.

Subsequently, the Leman River went west for more than two hundred miles, flowing through the city-states in western Mexica. Then the big river continued westward for more than 300 miles, forming a natural boundary. In the north is the Ottopan state of the Otomi people, and in the south is the northernmost Acambaro state of the Tarasco people. Here, the river diverges and passes through the narrow mouth of the river, tens of miles to the southwest, and flows into Lake Quetseo, deep into the hinterland of the Tarasco people.

Avit's strong fingers lingered on Lake Queteo for a long time. After a while, he opened his mouth slowly.

"Gilliam, the focus of the Northern Route Army should be here."

Gilliam looked at the location of Lake Quetseo, connecting the big river at the top and the plains at the bottom, right in the center of Tarasco, so he nodded for confirmation.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The Northern Route Army needs to gain a foothold on the banks of the Leman River first, then open up the mouth of the river, and go all the way deep into Lake Quetzeo. As long as they land at the southernmost point of the lake, they are only two hundred miles away from Lake Patzcuaro."

The king pondered for a moment, thoughtful.

"Jilim, the North Road relies on the big river and connects to the capital. Food transportation is convenient, and it is actually more suitable for mobilizing troops than the South Road."

Gilliam saluted deeply. He had been prepared for a long time and explained carefully at this time.

"Your Majesty, the general plan has already been agreed upon, and it should not be changed easily. There are four difficulties on the North Road.

First of all, the most difficult thing is to completely defeat Tarasco's navy. The Tarascos are the people of the lake. They have militiamen who are good at water warfare and a large number of boat divisions, which are not inferior to the alliance. In addition to the main force of the navy in Lake Queteo, they can also continue to recruit fleets from the western Chapala Lake area to quickly transport supporting warriors.

If these fleets are not eliminated, it will be impossible to establish a stable grain road. And how difficult it is to completely defeat the navy of the Tarascos! Although His Highness claims to invent gunpowder, some progress has been made recently. But what effect this new weapon will have is still unknown. We cannot put the progress of the war on uncertainty! "

Listening to the intelligence officer's report, Avit remained expressionless and continued to listen.

"Secondly, the second biggest difficulty is the fortresses of the Kingdom of Tarasco. The people of Tarasco are well aware of the importance of Lake Queteo, so they built a huge stone fortress at the mouth of the narrow river of tens of meters to control the The passage of the mouth of the river. The mouth of the river is completely within the bow and arrow and stone throwing range of the fortress, and the fortress must be conquered before it can go further.

On the south bank of the Leman River, there are also several stone fortresses and dozens of wooden camps, relying on each other for defense. According to the latest news, on the north bank of the Leman River, the Tarascos have occupied the wooden camp you built and began to reinforce it with bricks and stones. They are giving full play to the architectural effect of bronze tools.

In the end, even if the fortresses were conquered and they landed on the south bank of Lake Quetzeo and went south, there was still a small fortified stone city, the fortress Huayamo, standing in front of Chin Cong Chan. "

The king nodded slightly. He looked at the intelligence officer and waited calmly.

Gilliam paused for a moment, organized his speech, and said loudly.

"Thirdly, we still have to consider the attitude of the Otomi people. Although the Otomi people have ceased war with the Alliance, they are also hostile to the Tarascos, and may even be used by the Alliance to a certain extent. However, there is no doubt that In the hearts of the Otomi people, they are extremely hostile to the alliance and vigilant!

Once the tens of thousands of main forces of the alliance marched to the banks of the Leman River and once again posed a huge threat to the city of Ottopan, the Otomi people were likely to change their attitude again and join forces with the Tarasco people. And when the main force of the alliance fell into the castles on the south bank, facing the temptation to destroy the main force of Mexica in World War I, the Otomi might backstab the alliance, cut off the food road, and lead to the failure of the Western Expedition.

Even if these threats are just speculation, the main force of the alliance cannot take such a huge risk. And as a king who has just inherited the throne, you must not fail in this enthronement war! Your elder brother is due to failure. This kind of risk can be borne by His Highness’s partial teacher.”

Avit's pupils shrank slightly. He lowered his eyes and reached out to hold the magic staff beside him.

Gilliam bowed his head respectfully, even if the king did not look at him, his movements were still meticulous.

"Your Majesty, the last point is the attitude of the two states in the west of the alliance. Trocan and Tepanica Pangbang suffered a lot in the last war. Thousands of warriors were lost in the Otomi Mountain Forest, and their food was also lost. A large number of recruits. I am afraid that the two states will not fully support this western expedition.

Therefore, most of the food for the North Route Army still had to be transported from the Texcoco Lake area, and the water route along the route was nearly 500 miles. And the South Route Army will set out from the nearby and affluent Lazikobang, where grain has been accumulated for several years, and grain roads can be built nearby. Before opening up Sitakwarobang, the land grain road was only more than a hundred miles away. In contrast, the northern river transport is not dominant. "

The king finally nodded seriously. He paused for a moment, and ordered in a deep voice.

"Gilliam, tell Shulot the above four points. Let him know the difficulty of the conquest and prepare in advance."

The intelligence officer was taken aback for a moment, then saluted solemnly and obeyed the will.

Afterwards, Avet's finger departed from Lake Quetzeo, followed the mighty Leman River all the way to the west, entered the sea at Halikeskobang, and then went out to the boundless West Sea. He paused slightly, there were only vaguely rumored small islands in the western sea, where countless seabirds stayed.

The king's gaze turned again to the northeast of the capital, where the third longest river in the world, the Tampen River, was located.

The Tampeng River flows from southwest to northeast, about a thousand miles long. Its starting point is the lake capital of Lake Texcoco, and a little north is the connected Lake Hartokan. Immediately, the long river surged northward, passing through the northern city-states of the Mexica, to the northernmost state of Hirotepec, and then turning northeast, passing through Metzitlan State and reaching the edge of the plateau.

Next, the long river descends abruptly, flows from the Mexica plateau into the plains of the Huastecs, and finally meets the Eastern Sea at Kuxikapambang. Beyond the East China Sea is the myth of the Feathered Serpent Islands, and farther north, the rumored boundless forest of white disasters.

The king stretched out his hand, casually placed it in the Vastyk's place, and asked calmly.

"How are the Vasthecs doing?"

Gilliam thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Hirotepec has fallen, and all the nobles have sacrificed. General Ocelor took over the city lord and sent troops to parade the eastern border. The Vastec people are full of tribute and have paid this year's tribute in full. According to the instructions of the elders, the tribute There are also dozens of 'cubs of huge horned quadruped beasts'."

Hearing this, Avitt suddenly became interested.

"Cubs of four-legged beasts? I heard that when they grow up, they can be as tall as a person and as long as a person and a half? I heard a story about riding beasts from Shulott. Can these giant beasts be ridden?"

Gilliam nodded affirmatively, then shook his head clearly.

"Indeed. Your Majesty, according to Vastec's tamers, these giant beasts can grow to great size and run like thunder. But they are wild and untamed, and cannot be approached by strangers unless they are accompanied from childhood. Every spring, they There is also an extremely irritable estrus period. Even if they are domesticated from a young age, they will not regard us as masters, but only as partners, and will not obey orders."

Hearing this, Avit waved his hand.

"Since you can't ride it, let's put it in the zoo. Send someone to domesticate it first, and then try to see if it can be domesticated. By the way, send someone to take Alyssa to see these novel cubs, she should like it. Let me know later Sholot. Remember he was very interested in this beast, calling it a 'bison'."

The intelligence officer should be saluting. The king continued to touch the map and think about the world.

At the Kuxikapambang of the Vastecs, the Tampen River joins another tributary that flows down from the mountains. Going westward along this tributary, you can reach Coahuila, where the dogs of the highlands gather.

"What's the trend of the northern dogs?" Avit first looked at Coahuila, which has a large number of dogs. Then he looked south, and below him was the Otomi Parmesbang.

"In the middle of February, the weather is dry and cold. The dry season has been long, and the rainy season has not yet arrived. The northern desert is full of barrenness and withered yellow. The Chichimeks are short of food, and they are migrating southward in waves. During last year's war, Austrian The Tomi people suffered heavy casualties, and Palms was burned to the ground, and there was also a great famine. At this time, all the warriors of the Otomi shrank in the city for defense. The Chichimek dog descendants could not find food, and Keep going south."

Looking south from Palms State, it is the northern border of Xirotpec State and the northernmost part of the actual control of the Mexica Alliance.

The king frowned, thinking seriously. On the banks of the Leman River, he was deeply impressed by the fearless dog-born.

"Gilliam, send a message to Othello. The alliance allows him to recruit Otomi warriors. At the same time, order him to go north in time to sweep up the dog-born who are going south to prevent them from gathering too much. If there are dog-born tribes who are willing to obey, It can also be included in the alliance and used as a precursor during the Western Expedition."

Having said that, Avit smiled lightly.

"Since the Tarascos can recruit dog-born as consumables for war, a richer alliance can naturally do so. As for the specific number of dog-born recruited, let Xiulot communicate with Othelol himself when he goes north. .”

"Your Majesty, let His Highness meet with the Northern Commander in private."

Gilliam hesitated to speak.

Avet glanced at the intelligence officer lightly, and waved his hand.

"It doesn't matter. With Texcoco's change, there are only 6,000 people in Othello's hands. What's more, with the high priest, even without the king's order, they will definitely meet in private."

The king stopped and said nothing. Then, he pointed south again, measuring the Tarsas River in the south inch by inch.

The Talsas River in the south of the Union is the second longest river in the world, winding its way from east to west for two thousand miles. Its easternmost point originates from the Tlaxcalan state of the Tlaxcalans, where fertile mountain valleys were irrigated. The king's finger stabbed heavily there, as if stabbing into the heart of the Tlaxcala Union.

"How are the people of Tlaxcala?" Sen Han's voice came, carrying the killing intent of generations of Mexica people.

"Your Majesty, since you took the throne, the army of the Tlaxcalans has withdrawn from the border and gradually disbanded. At least until the autumn harvest, they will not gather in large numbers. However, when the main force of the alliance marched west, the Tlaxcalans It's hard to keep quiet for long."

The king nodded slightly, and then ordered in a deep voice.

"The Kingdom of Tarasco is connected to the Atotonilco State of the Alliance in the north, and to the Watts Tepek State in the south. During the Western Expedition, neither of the two city-states can draw troops, and they need to be properly strengthened

The main force of the alliance will go south, and the food road is also in the south. Watts Tepek is especially important, and at least 5,000 more warriors are needed. At the same time, we must also guard against the Tlaxcalan navy, preventing them from going down the Talsas River and bypassing Watts Tepek State to land. "

Gilliam nodded seriously, these are all things that should be done.

Then, Avet looked around Tlaxcala, thinking about all the powers he could use.

"Are the Totonacs in the east of the Tlaxcala willing to join the alliance and send troops to fight against Tlaxcala?"

"Totonacs are weak and cunning tits, they just chirp and squeal, never actually shoot."

"What about the Mixtecs in the south?"

"The Mixtec are watchful roe deer, only guarding their homeland. They are rich and harmless, neither to the Alliance nor to the Tlaxcalans."

"What about the religious holy city of Cholula? The Tarascos are out-and-out believers in alien gods. In this Western Expedition, we Mexica will conduct a battle of gods. Witnessed by the gods, the tribes of the same belief should not interfere Battle of Gods."

Hearing this, Gilliam's eyes lit up. He pondered for a moment, then nodded seriously.

"Your Majesty, you can give it a try. The Alliance's religious reform is currently limited to the Lake District, and the priests in the holy city of Cholula have not been affected. The priesthood has always maintained contact with them, and the noble priesthood is also open to them. Yes Send envoys and send rich gifts to let the priests of the Holy City temporarily prevent the Tlaxcala Alliance from sending troops, at least it can be delayed for several months."

Avit nodded and made a decision.

"Then let the Elder Priest Akap go. He has an outstanding appearance, is gentle and courteous to others. Now he is the heir of the former chief priest. His status is distinguished and he is suitable for diplomatic affairs! Totonac and Mister There are also envoys sent there, at least to make the people of Tlaxcala more afraid."

Gilliam nodded respectfully and made a silent note.

The king's finger continued to move, following the Talsas River to the south, passing through the Mixtec-rich Yovaltepec state, and then turning west. The river then follows the southern borders of the Mexica city-states, passing through the sparse settlements of the Chontal people in the mountains, and through the Wetamo state, which has large copper veins.

Avet stared for a long time at the sign of the copper mine in Wetamobang, looking westward and following the river again. The Tulsas River runs through Apacingam in the Lake District, where it leaves many lakes. Finally, the river turns southwest again, from Coalcoman state, into the boundless West Sea.

The king's finger rested on the westernmost estuary, thinking carefully.

"This is the tribal alliance of the Southern Tekos?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. From here all the way to Colima in the west, there are at least 300,000 conquered Turkos tribes. These southern Tekos have been vassals of the Kingdom of Tarasco for more than ten years or even more For a long time. Compared with the alliance, the Kingdom of Tarasco has always treated the vassals. It condoned the weakness, and even made an alliance with the local leaders by blood, and they were brothers.

Therefore, in case of an emergency, the Kingdom of Tarasco estimated that 10,000 Tekos warriors and more tribal militia could be recruited from here. These Tekos warriors are hard to shake until Tarasco's gods are cut off. "

Gilliam used words carefully.

Avit thought deeply and shook his head slightly.

"No matter what the role is, send a team of envoys there. Even if you can't persuade the local leaders, you still have to spy on the local human geography. Shulot has been repeatedly mentioning Kolima State!"

Avit smiled lightly, and the memory softened his eyes a little. Then, he stretched out his hand and repeatedly gestured between the Tulsas River and the capital city in the lake, looking for the distance in his memory. This is the only big river that does not connect the capital.

After a while, the king sighed in his heart.

"The nearest point between the Tulsas River and Lake Texcoco should be more than 300 miles away. If a canal is dug to connect the two places, the alliance can quickly mobilize its troops, and the main force of the navy can also go down from Lake Texcoco. .and can also go upstream from the south and attack the south of the Tlaxcalans."

There was blood in the king's eyes again. In this era, digging a canal that is more than 300 miles long means the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, and it will take more than ten years. And if there are bronze tools, maybe hundreds of thousands of people will die. The effect of this canal will allow the alliance to firmly control the entire south!

It was a long time before Avitt recovered from the vast and cruel prospect. He stood up and looked at Gilliam who was standing there.

"Gillim, go down. Go to the artisan area tomorrow to check and count the production number of the longbow. Then go to Shulot and tell him all the important information and plans."

Hearing this, the intelligence officer prostrated himself on the ground. Afterwards, he stood up solemnly, carefully took over the wooden board covered with information, bowed and stepped back.

In front of Avit's independent window, he can see the bright moon hanging high. It is the time when the stars are shining brightly, and I do not know who else is looking up at the sky. Perhaps, that person is also looking forward to riding the wind, flying out of the crowded jungle, and overlooking the common people among the mountains in the west.

After standing silent for a long time, the king whispered quietly.

"Very well. The days past are gone and never come back. The king shall be alone, and drink the wine of the supreme bitter and long!"

I searched a lot of maps in foreign languages, and also referred to Google Earth and MT maps. This chapter introduces the terrain of the Mexica world in detail, and then conducts war and diplomatic deduction based on geography. Well, politics and military affairs in the Middle Ages always followed the logic of geography, which is very important (_)