Aztec Eternals

The morning sun is faint, revealing from the far east, illuminating the bright and tortuous road ahead. Soon, thick cooking smoke rose from the front, and the noisy voices of people resounded in the mining area.

Standing on a high place, Shulot looked at the busy mining area, as if looking at the sprouts sprouting in the soil, imagining the appearance of towering trees. After a long time, the king let out a deep breath.

Even though he has a vision that spans the ages, he can write down the technology tree of the oracle, and draw up a grand blueprint for a hundred years, or even two hundred years. But at this moment, it is still necessary to return to the reality of lack of scientific and technological theories and professional talents, and start from scratch.

The advancement of science and technology requires a foundation in all aspects. Education needs ten years to cultivate talents, technology needs decades of continuous accumulation of experience, and society needs a hundred years of development to cultivate a new soil for change. Everything still takes a long time.

Xiulot looked calm, and looked at the fiery red sun again. Only then did the guards be sent to summon Ezpan.

With the discovery of coal, the importance of the Chingambat mining area increased again. For now, coal can replace wood for fire, and coke can replace charcoal metallurgy, thereby further liberating manpower and improving metallurgical efficiency. Moreover, coal mining is far easier than copper mining, so it is worth deploying manpower immediately.

Taking this into consideration, Xiulot decided to expand the number of miners and warriors again, build industrial and mining towns here, and add bronze and gunpowder workshops. Chingambat will be the kingdom's first industrial zone to focus on planning and development. Under such a long-term perspective, as the person in charge of the area, Nekali, who was born as an elite scout, although loyal and hardworking, is still a little lacking in experience.

During these days of local coking, Ezpan personally participated in the production and performed very well. He has the experience of a miner, has a deep understanding of the mining industry, is quick in thinking, and is very flexible in mythology and belief. In the heart of the king, this seems to be a more suitable candidate.

While Shulot was thinking, Ezpan was already smiling and came quickly. He was still wearing the costume of the commander of the Mexica Legion, with the talisman of the Sun Hummingbird hanging on his chest, and he knelt down respectfully to salute four or five meters away.

"Your highness, your loyal guardian salutes the incarnation of the sun! The rising sun is born, just like your glory!"

Xiu Luote smiled lightly on his face, but felt quite at ease in his heart. He waved his hand, signaling the loyal guards to get up.

"Ezpan, you have helped me make coke these two days, which is very effective. What reward do you want?"

"Your Highness, for the past two days, I have been filled with the joy of serving the gods! Being able to dedicate myself to you is the greatest reward!"

Ezpan bowed his head again. He has now been promoted to a hereditary nobleman, and he is also the commander of the Tarasco Legion, which controls tens of thousands of people. Both status and power are at the same time, and wealth and beauty are naturally indispensable. At this moment, in front of His Highness, there is really nothing to ask for.

"Well. Ezpan, what do you think of the mining area?"

"How's the mine?"

Ezpan was slightly taken aback, and the unbearable memories of his youth flooded his mind again. Soon, he restrained his emotions, looked at His Highness's face, and answered after consideration.

"His Highness gave the guidance of the gods, and the mining area has the blessings of the gods. It will naturally contribute a steady stream of power to the prosperity of the kingdom!"

"very good!"

Xiulot nodded with a smile, then said lightly.

"Ezpan, you have been in the mining area for many years and are very familiar with it. I attach great importance to this place. Do you want to be the general manager when you plan to expand the mining area?"

The calm words were like thunder, and suddenly exploded in Ezpan's heart. In an instant, he was terrified in his heart, fell to his knees suddenly, raised his left hand with only four fingers, and sincerely swore to the gods.

"Your Highness! The Lord God has witnessed that my loyalty to you has long been fused into my blood! I am willing to hold a weapon and shed the last drop of blood for you. I am willing to hold a shield and use my life to defend your Majesty Your Majesty. I have no second thoughts!"

Xiu Luote was expressionless, with all kinds of thoughts rushing through his mind.

Although Ezpan was born as a miner, he seemed to be extremely repulsed by this place. Miners have always been regarded as the bottom of society, but warriors are the backbone of society. No matter how important the king is, in people's minds, the general manager of the mining area is not a glamorous and noble position, but the head of the legion with real power is the apex of society that everyone yearns for. Ezpan is now the commander of the feudal country's legion, and he is also the earliest benchmark among the Prepecha people. If he was transferred from the legion to manage the industrial and mining area, in the eyes of everyone, it would be no different from being reprimanded.

What's more, the industrial area determines the future of the kingdom! Under such a barbaric foundation, in order to develop the industrial and mining industry, the person in charge must be willing to devote himself wholeheartedly to it. He must have the strongest and most active executive power! It is impossible for Xiulot to hand over this position to someone who does not value the industrial area.

"This is the future Minister of Industry of the Empire."

The king shook his head inwardly, stared at Ezpan silently for a moment, and then said with a smile.

"Forget it. Ezpan, of course I know your loyalty. I am very relieved to entrust the legion to you! You have followed me for many years, and it is time to start a family. There is still an unmarried Mexica in the Holy City My lady, I have already said hello. Prepare to marry one of them as your official wife before the end of the year."

Hearing this, Ezpan felt relieved. But soon, the king's plain words came again, making him sweat profusely and fight with his brothers.

"Ezpan, you know my ambition. As a loyal legion leader of the alliance, you can accept bribes, but you can't get too close to the old nobles of Tarasco. Your future will be of great use!"

"Ah, Your Highness! I... I will go back right away, return the old and expensive property, and dismiss the beauties in the south"

"Fine! You need to have this awareness, but don't act on it."

Shulot stared at it for a moment, then ordered lightly.

Since taking over the capital in the lake, the old nobles of Tarasco have put on the softest stance, trying hard to seek friendship with the upper-level forces of the kingdom and find opportunities to integrate into the ruling class. Among them, the southern nobles who retained their land and wealth were the most generous and active.

As a descendant from Tarasco, Ezpan has a large army in his hands, so he naturally became the target of the southern nobles' active wooing. Luxurious clothes, treasures, spices and beauties, all of them have everything they like. All of this was seen by the kingdom's intelligence personnel, and some secret information came from the confession of the priest who deliberately guided it.

Although Ezpan didn't show any infidelity now, the king still wanted to beat him a little bit. This is not only a kind of immediate reprimand, but also a kind of long-term love. And smart people can naturally understand the meaning as long as they think a little bit.

The king smiled flatly. He took a step forward, shook the other person's hair, and his tone softened slightly.

"Ezpan, my loyal guard, you are a smart man, take good care of my surrendered generals! As for the old nobles in the south, don't startle them."

"Your Highness, follow your will!"

"Go down!"

Under the king's peaceful gaze, Ezpan walked back a dozen steps before turning around and leaving. The sun rose into the sky, and his body was already drenched with sweat, but his heart fell to the ground like a big stone.

"The newborn sun rises into the sky, shining brighter and brighter, but it is also extremely hot!"

Ezpan looked at the sky above his head, sighed with emotion, then continued to lower his head and returned to the busy coking site. The second batch of coke in the mine is being intensively smelted.

The golden October passed in the harvest, and the calm November came in the sunshine. The tribute for the autumn harvest has just been collected, and the shipment usually starts in mid-November. This year's harvest is good, and the farmers in the kingdom can finally take a breather. They enjoy the hard-won peace, the safety without war, and the satisfaction brought by the abundance of food.

In leisure time, religious ceremonies are the most important sustenance. The chanting of prayers continued to echo throughout the lake area, and the belief in the Lord God began to lay a foundation.

In the Qinganbat mining area, the flag of the black wolf is still flying high. The samurai, craftsmen, miners and food supported by the capital have all arrived, and the expansion of the mining area will begin immediately. There are 2,000 elite pro-military troops stationed in the main copper mining area, and 500 of them are wearing bronze armor, which can suppress the rebellion of less than 10,000 people in time. A large number of scouts were also dispatched to monitor the movement of the army within fifty miles.

There is also a small episode in this. On the edge of the copperfields, scattered scouting teams caught several spying Trapanik traders.

Originally, according to the custom, foreign businessmen with unknown origins were caught in this kind of place, and they were to be treated as foreign spies and beheaded on the spot. As a result, the leading businessman shouted loudly, saying that he had seen His Majesty! After some discussion, the scouts spared his life for the time being and escorted him to the center of the mining area to meet the supreme king.

"You said you met me?"

Xiulot was expressionless, staring at the pale, fat businessman in front of him. He felt vaguely familiar, but couldn't remember it for a while.

"Ah, yes, Your Highness no, Your Majesty!"

The chubby businessman looked nervous and sweated profusely. He glanced at Ezpan who was guarding him with some fear, raised his left hand with only three fingers left, and replied cautiously.

"More than half a year ago, in the city of Ivacio in the east, I reported to you the news of the Mexica reinforcements!"

"Um?"

Only then did Xiulot recall. He glanced at Ezpan, who nodded affirmatively.

"Your Highness, this businessman is quite cunning"

"Um."

Xiu Luote was expressionless, looking at the businessman lying on the ground coldly.

"The kingdom has issued a decree to ban Trapanic merchants. Which force have you been appointed by when you appear here?"

Following the king's words, Ezpan pulled out the obsidian dagger, pressed the merchant to the ground, and then grabbed the opponent's right hand.

"Ah, ah! Your Majesty, I have not been assigned by any force, don't cut it, don't cut it! Let me explain! The Kingdom prohibits the trade of copper mines. I came to the mining area to see if I can get some copper mines from the previous connections. , sell it to the west!"

"Um?"

Shulot waved his hand, but Ezpan stopped moving. The sharp obsidian blade was already pressed against the merchant's little finger, and a faint line of blood seeped out from the tip of the blade, accompanied by the merchant's low howl of fear.

"West? You mean the mountains of Colima?"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty! The tribes of Colima are close to the tribe of Trapanik, and there are often business exchanges between the tribes. I once went to the west of the Colima mountains in a small boat."

"Huh? Colima. Boat?"

Xiulot was slightly moved, and asked majesticly.

"Businessman, have you ever sailed on the Great Western Lake?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I set off from Zihuatlan and headed northwest along the shore of the lake. After passing through the mouth of the Balsas River, and continuing up three or four hundred miles, we will reach the Colima Mountains."

"The mouth of the Balthus River, three or four hundred miles of sea road"

Xiulot's expression changed. Zicao County in the south is on the Balthus River, and about two hundred miles south is the mouth of the river. This route is surprisingly appropriate! It is more convenient and relaxed than the mountain roads in the southwest, and it is also more convenient than the waterways in the northwest.

"Businessman, what's your name?"

"Ah, my lord, my Mexica name is Tralee, 'earth of the earth'. I am from the Trapanik tribe of Cihuatlan, and my father was the head of the village of the plains, and I am the second son of the family"

Hearing the king's question, Tralee breathed a sigh of relief, no one would care about the name of the dead. He explained in every detail.

"Tralee, I give you a chance to play for the great alliance and the holy royal family."

The king spoke lightly. There was a sudden light in Tralee's eyes. The kingdom of Tarasco has perished, and the old backing also collapsed. A businessman cannot be without dignitaries, and being able to directly serve the king of the alliance is the dream of an ordinary businessman like him. It's just that he has to worry about being eaten and wiped away. In this situation, he has already been bitten by a beast.

"Ah, Your Majesty! Witnessed by the Supreme Lord God, I am willing to die for you!"

Tralee shouted with all his might, tears welling from his eyes.

Xiulot looked unmoved. A businessman's oath is meaningless, only benefits and threats can be controlled for a long time. He looked at the scout captain escorting the merchant.

"Where are his companions?"

The scout captain was startled, and answered respectfully with his head bowed.

"Your Highness, they have all been sent to the Kingdom of God in accordance with the usual practice."

"Well, then return him and his companion's belongings to him."

"Obey, Your Highness!"

Shulot looked at Tralee. Hearing the scout captain's words, the merchant's face didn't show any sadness, but a hint of joy, just like what he did in Ivacio City before.

"Well, very good, this is a natural leader. Colima, Trapanik may have unexpected gains."

Shulot thought calmly, then ordered in a deep voice.

"Traley, I will return all your property to you, and even give you a hundred catties of copper material!"

"Ah, here, thank you for your generosity! I will definitely do it for you."

Tralee's eyes flickered, and he hurriedly bowed to the ground to salute.

"I have orders for you!"

The king interrupted the businessman with an undeniable majesty.

"You have to travel by water to the Colima Mountains in the west to trade with the local noble chiefs. I will send a few Mexica warriors with you! You must not hide anything about the signs of the waterway and the situation of the tribe along the way!"

"Ah, Your Majesty, this, this."

Tralee looked apprehensive. If this kind of spying mission is caught by any force, it is a dead end.

"As long as you complete this task, you will be able to gain a foothold in the alliance, become one of the merchants allowed by the royal family, and be able to legally trade some materials controlled by the alliance. Even, in the not-too-distant future, with the support of the alliance, you will have the opportunity to return to Hometown, become a fief noble with real power!"

Tralee's heartbeat quickened instantly. Then, the cold and majestic voice came from the top of the head again.

"If you can't complete this task, even if you flee to the horizon, the alliance's scout team will send you where you need to go!"

"Ah, Your Majesty! I am willing to die for you!"

Xiuluo nodded, and the other party finally made his due choice. He left the last sentence and turned to leave.

"Ezpan, I will leave the rest to you!"

"As you will, my supreme sun!"

Ezpan bowed his head respectfully. It wasn't until the figure of the king disappeared from sight that he raised his head and looked at the fearful Tralee. The pace of the times is rolling forward, and everyone needs to make a choice, including himself.