The strong wind shook the curtains of the big tent, just like the swaying bonfire in the big tent, flashing bright or dark lights on the faces of the generals. The showers beat on the soft earth, just like the scout's hurried narration, causing ripples in everyone's hearts.
"The Tarascans have mobilized more than 50,000 troops, the specific number is unknown. Among the troops are the Bronze Axe Guards directly under the royal family and a large number of Bronze Spear Warriors. These legions are currently gathered at Acanbarro on the south bank of the Leman River. Area, there are still troops coming in the follow-up."
"Now the enemy scouts have covered both sides of the Leman River, and it is impossible to detect a more accurate enemy situation. Near the siege camp of Otopan, we discovered the whereabouts of the enemy scouts. It is expected that Tarasco's army group is only a few meters away from our camp. More than a week’s march.”
This was shocking news, but it was not beyond the expectations of the generals in the camp.
Now that spring plowing has passed, the Tarascans no longer have any worries about mobilization and will definitely send troops. The target of their troops is either the powerful Mexica army, the dying Otomi people, or both, and is subject to change at any time.
Everyone in the camp began to whisper. Those participating in the discussion today were all direct army generals who obeyed the king and were loyal enough, and there were no city-state army commanders who had any intention of swaying and advocating retreat. No matter what is in their hearts, everyone will obey the king's instructions.
Shulot stood on the edge of the big tent with his hands tied, looking at the king sitting high on the altar with the corner of his eyes.
Tisoke, who was in the middle of the tent, only wore a set of light Chinese clothes and a simple feather crown today. He did not spend much effort to maintain the "majesty of God." Compared with the last meeting, his face was obviously much paler, showing a sub-healthy state of poor sleep. He was probably deeply troubled by this long-drawn-out siege.
At this time, there was still an unhealthy blush on his cheeks, which seemed to be the combined effect of emotional excitement and insomnia.
After listening to the scout's story, Tisok took a deep breath, calmed down, and then said in a deep voice: "The movements of the Tarascans are unknown. The army will separate a partial division and go to the Leman River in the south. Garrison. One is to use the river to hold down the Tarascans, and the other is to establish contact with the capital through the river and open an additional food transportation channel."
"Who do you think is more suitable?" After saying that, Tisok still glanced at every commander present with his sharp eyes, carefully observing the expressions of the generals.
Kasar strode forward with his head held high. Underneath his confident expression was a strong desire for victory: "Please give me 20,000 warriors, and I will definitely defeat the Tarascans in one fell swoop!"
Tisoke didn't speak, just nodded calmly. Then, he looked at Avitt.
Avitt nodded solemnly: "The Tarascans are our powerful enemies. We don't want to defeat them, just hold them back. This time we go south, we will not only have warriors, but also militiamen responsible for building strongholds. Commander-in-Chief Totec is good at using troops and has an extremely accurate grasp of the situation, so he is the most suitable candidate."
The king observed Avitt's expression and saw only true sincerity. He nodded slightly and finally looked at Totec: "Commander-in-Chief, what do you think?"
Totec thought for a while and then said with certainty: "I recommend Avit. I can deal with the Tarascans, but the siege of Otopan is more important. Avit fought with the Tarascans two years ago. The battle resulted in a win or a loss for both sides. He knew the tactics of the Tarascans very well. Moreover, the purpose of this partial division was confrontation and defense, not offense. Avitt's defense has always been very good. So he is more suitable !”
Tisok pondered for a moment and tapped his fingers lightly on the stone surface of the throne. Then, he looked at Avitt again for a few seconds and finally nodded.
"Avit, you will be the commander of the southern division." Tisok's eyes were always on his brother's face.
"The army now has nearly 20,000 direct warriors and 24,000 city-state warriors. This time we go south, I can only give you 15,000!"
Tisok's eyes became sharp. "No matter how large Tarasco's army is, you must guard the north bank of the Leman River and not let them cross the river until the city of Otopan falls! The messenger has sent a message to the capital and new legions are being mobilized. As long as you hold it for a month, You will have a steady stream of reinforcements.”
Avitt lowered his head solemnly: "I obey your will! My king."
Immediately, he looked up at Tisok and said sincerely: "Fifteen thousand warriors are already the upper limit of my commander's ability, and they are enough to resist the Tarascans. However, it may be difficult to go south this time. I We need 10,000 direct legion warriors and a thousand Jaguars as the core. They have a higher degree of obedience and can last longer."
Tisok hesitated. If this is the case, there will be less than ten thousand direct warriors, one thousand direct Eagle Chapters, and five hundred Broken Hair Guards left around him. The core strength of these absolutely loyal people is reduced to about 10,000.
The king looked at his most trusted commander-in-chief.
Totec nodded and confirmed: "This is the correct tactical choice. The defense of the front line still depends on the core of the direct subordinates, and the proportion of casualties that the city-state army is willing to bear is much smaller. The remaining 10,000 direct subordinates of the camp are enough to command 20,000 city-state warriors Conduct a siege.”
The theologian king then nodded: "Avit, I will give you ten thousand direct warriors. Do you have anything else to ask for?"
Avitt thought seriously for a moment: "I need fifteen thousand direct militiamen, who will be used to build and garrison the camp. Finally, I also need the command authority of the capital's boat troops to establish water transportation lines."
The king took a deep look at Avit, and finally agreed solemnly: "I promise you all this! Remember, guard the Leman River and you are not allowed to let the Tarascans come over. If the Tarascans don't attack, You are not allowed to take the initiative to cross the river to attack! Finally, you are not allowed to retreat without my order!"
Avit then bowed his head deeply and saluted, hiding his expression, only letting the king see his complete obedience.
After discussing the most important issue of the Southern Route Army, the rest of the meeting went on easily and quickly.
During this period, the army's logistics line was attacked by a squad of Otomi warriors and Toltec rebels. The Otomi had a city to rely on, but the Toltec rebels did not.
The Toltecs then sent out a large number of scouts and found more than a dozen villages where the Toltecs gathered deep in the mountains and forests. Then he sent two hundred broken-haired guards and eight hundred senior warriors to sneak into the deep forest. These most elite warriors of the Chapter ruthlessly wiped out all the Toltecs they saw. The individual combat effectiveness of the Broken Hair Guards is still higher than that of the Jaguar Warriors, and almost no rebels can escape.
Now the logistics line is back to normal again. The only enemy of food supply is the humid and continuous rainy season.
The proceedings ended quickly. During this time, King Tisok had no extra energy to focus on Shulot, and did not even ask about the boy's previous attacks. He just warned: "You must continue to study the trebuchet!" and discussed the arrangements for other things with Totec again.
The army was quickly organized and organized. In less than two days, the army was divided.
So, on a rainy morning, Avitt wore a bright sunstone cloak, with a heavy flag nearly three meters high tied to his back, and led an army of 30,000 people with a resolute face to set off.
No horses, no carriages. Commanders at all levels can only walk and mark their status with high flags on their backs. Avitt's back flag is a huge yellow umbrella canopy supported by a long wooden frame, and the eye-catching canopy is covered with equally dazzling green feathers. This is the symbol of the supreme commander of the army, ensuring that it is clearly visible to all soldiers.
In this era, you cannot be a commander if you are not physically strong.
At this time, Avitt seemed a little high-spirited. After leaving the siege camp, he faced the gentle caress of the drizzle and listened to the singing of swifts. He smiled and said to Shulot: "The corn has sprouted and the rainy season has finally begun!"
Behind the supreme commander, there were a thousand elite Jaguar regiments, which were still the core of the army.
The Jaguars and Eagles are both high-level shield-wielding battle groups. The Jaguars prefer flexible offensive assaults, while the Eagles prefer heavy shield defense formations. The Broken Hair Guards are few in number, possess more outstanding individual martial arts skills, and are absolutely loyal to the king.
The ten thousand direct samurai have high morale and are the backbone of the army. Ten directly affiliated warrior battalions were arranged in front and back, leading the 5,000 city-state warriors with average morale, and also maintaining the 15,000 militiamen carrying food.
Thirty thousand people just shuttled through the drizzle. The army marched on the soft soil in the forest and along the gradually gentle mountains for a week, and finally arrived at the bank of the Leman River.
Shulot climbed a high hill and looked towards both sides of the river. Below are rolling hills and trees, and on the other side are staggered gentle slopes and fields. The scouts of the Tarascans can be vaguely seen. There are relatively flat tidal flats on both sides of the river bank, extending infinitely from east to west.
He first looked to the west. The long river hundreds of meters wide was surging westward, passing through Lake Chapala, the western boundary of the Tarascan people, and then winding into the distant Pacific Ocean. Then he looked east. By sailing upstream here and sailing a canoe, it only takes ten days to reach the western city-state of Mexica, then the prosperous Valley of Mexico, and even the great capital city on the lake.
"Canoes and small boats are still too slow. They can only travel up to 20 kilometers per day upstream. If there are Chinese vehicles and ships, it will only take a few days to communicate." Xiulote thought in a trance. However, shipbuilding technology is too difficult and cannot be dreamed up by one person out of thin air.
The Leman River, a 750-kilometer-long river, originates from the center of the Mexican Plateau, connects the three cities of the imperial capital, the cities of western Mexico, the Otomi city-state group, and the Tarasco city-state group, and goes straight to the end. Pacific Ocean to the west.
"This is really the core waterway of a Mesoamerican empire!" Shulot sighed. The canal was the lifeblood of the classical empire, and the area around the canal was the core area of effective rule.
The young man's thoughts seemed to travel through time and space, reaching the distant and prosperous future: "The Tampen River in the north, the Leman River in the middle, and the Balsas River in the south are the Yellow River, Yangtze River, and Pearl River in the future of the empire!"
