The sky is covered with a curtain of rain, and August is already the most intense rainy season.
In the blink of an eye, another week of wind and rain came. During this week, Avitt stayed on the Diaoyutai despite the ups and downs. He just waited quietly for the two most important news from the north and the east.
The Tarascans on the south bank organized several naval attacks, but the thunder was loud and the rain was light. Only three to four thousand militiamen were brought in to attack, and they were scattered upstream and downstream for several days, exerting psychological pressure on the Mexicans.
Xiulote was a little worried: "The city of Xilotepec has rebelled. If the Tarascans cross the river in large numbers, where should we retreat?"
Avitt smiled slightly: "Kid, you don't have to worry. Marching and fighting not only depends on the strength of both sides, but also the fighting will of both sides."
"The Otomi people are defending their homeland. They will definitely sacrifice their lives and do everything they can to stop the Mexica army. The Tarascos and Tlaxcalas are just strategic cooperation to attract our military strength. This will relieve the siege of the city of Otopan and prevent the Otomi people from perishing.”
"With such a purpose, the Tarascans will not have an overly high will to fight. The most they can do is fight with the wind and take advantage, so they will not cross the river in large numbers and fight with us who occupy the terrain. That way. They are trying to pull chestnuts out of the fire for the Otomi people, and the casualties will be too heavy."
"But if the king retreats and the Otomi people are attracted by the opportunity to encircle and annihilate us, they may choose to let the king go and attack our back path south. At this time, our geographical advantage will be wiped out by the attack. The Otomi people will do it. The vanguard, the Tarascans, will also seize this opportunity and cross the river in large numbers. They will echo the Otomi from the north and south, thus completely wiping us out."
"If my guess is correct, the king's messenger will be here soon." Avitt paused and showed an unpredictable smile.
"Avit, what you said makes sense!" The young man agreed very much.
"Child, you are not allowed to call me by my name, you have to call me teacher!" Avitt said with a straight face and reached out to pinch the boy's face.
The daily training had an effect, and the boy quickly jumped away. It seems that the teacher and friend's mood has not calmed down yet, so he should hide in the guard camp for two more days.
In less than two days, the king's messenger arrived as expected.
"... You have successfully stopped the enemy last time, and you need to continue to hold on. Tratoani has generously given you land and wealth... You are not allowed to retreat even half a step without the king's order. You must defend the north bank of the Leman River until Otto Pan City has fallen... When you return to the capital, you will be the first contributor to this expedition! You will be promoted to deputy king and rewarded with Chinampa..."
The messenger first made a majestic announcement in the big tent. Afterwards, he congratulated the king's brother with a smile on his face, hoping that the future deputy king would live up to the king's heavy responsibility and trust, continue to persevere, and win the first victory in the expedition.
Avit bowed his head for the last time to the king's will. He had a resolute look on his face and respectfully tied the letter and the wooden board. There was determination on his face until death, and an eagerness to look forward to the future, until the messenger left.
Then, he smiled at Shulot: "The king is ready to withdraw his troops."
The commander immediately withheld the king's order and asked the officers loyal to him to convey the new military order. The warriors immediately prepared supplies and prepared for retreat.
The next morning, another huge fleet arrived from the capital. Avitt mobilized the influence of his maternal family and recruited as many boats as possible on Lake Texcoco. This time, another hundred large boats and four hundred small boats were assembled, carrying only basic food and the most basic rowers.
Now, he has three hundred large boats and one thousand small boats in his hands, with a maximum carrying capacity of 17,000 people.
The Tarascan fleet was shocked by the overwhelming superiority of the Mexica fleet. They restrained their activities one after another and hid in the depths of Lake Quiceo, which was connected to the Leman River, and sheltered next to the fortress in the hinterland of Tarasco.
At this point, everything is ready except for the east wind, and the young man is eagerly looking north.
The next evening, the "east wind" finally came from the north. The dusty Akapu has obviously lost weight, and his graceful posture is no longer the same. However, when Shulot looked into his eyes, his eyes were bright and dazzling.
The three of them sat cross-legged. The closed tent was the same as last time, the bonfire was flickering, the wind and rain were the same, but the excitement was different.
"We can't wait any longer, now is the time!" Akap shouted excitedly.
"The news of the rebellion in the city of Xilotepec came, and the food road was subsequently cut off. The city-state army was in an uproar, and the morale of the 30,000 warriors was in chaos. Within a week, the city-state army commanders gathered several times and proposed a retreat. The last time, the company directly under the company The officers were also persuaded.
Because there was only three and a half weeks of food left in the camp, and it would take at least two weeks to return to Xilotepec. It’s unknown when the supply line in the rear will be restored, and guerrilla teams of the Otomi people can be seen everywhere in the mountains and forests.
The king could no longer hold back and could only nod in agreement. Finally, I sent a wave of persistent messengers to you, and began to pack up the camp, gather the scattered legions, and prepare to return to the Xilotepec camp.
I finally had a secret conversation with Captain Shusok. The leader has gathered the four thousand warriors under his command. They will always follow the king and stay close to Tisok, waiting for our arrival! "
Avitt also nodded with suppressed excitement: "The army has been packed up and can board the ship and return eastward at any time. Two thousand of my loyal family warriors have joined the new batch of reinforcements assembled in the capital and will soon support the army of Xilotepec City. camp."
"Let's take a boat to the east, capture this reinforcement first, and then capture the Xilotepec camp to cut off the king's return. If it goes well enough, we will capture the nearest mountain camp and say goodbye to my brother there!"
After saying that, the two hugged each other firmly, with burning fire in their eyes.
The boy was caught in the middle and had the illusion of being the ham in the sandwich. He couldn't help shouting for help: "Tisoke is just an old grass rat, don't get too excited. The young condors have their eyes on the whole world!"
After hearing these words, Avitt and Acap were stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily and hugged the boy harder.
The world is in my arms, my heart is like fire. A dreamless night, great fighting spirit!
Early the next morning, Avitt broke camp and boarded the ship.
After crossing the river, he had 14,000 warriors and 13,000 militiamen, and the maximum capacity of the boat division was 17,000 people. The commander left 10,000 militiamen to garrison five camps and ordered them to retreat or surrender as long as they held on for two days. When retreating, try to follow the river to the upper reaches of the east, so that when the fleet returns, it can pick them up as quickly as possible.
Next, fourteen thousand warriors and three thousand militiamen boarded the fleet. The army quickly headed east upriver with only two weeks' worth of food and grass. Warriors and militiamen took turns taking over the oarsman duties, and the boat kept moving. At this speed, it is estimated that it will only take ten days to reach the vicinity of Xilotepec Camp.
Standing on the big boat, the wind and rain are blowing, and the journey is long. Shulot looked at the camp on the north bank for a while.
Under Avitt's orders, the militiamen planted flags widely, and the commander's flag stood at the highest point of the mountain stronghold, temporarily confusing the enemies on the south bank. There is still more than a month's supply of food and grass in the camp.
The militiamen stood silently on the camp, watching the fleet go eastward with low morale. Nearly a hundred loyal warriors also stayed inside to maintain the most basic order. Their destiny is to sacrifice and wait.
The big boat started, the two sides passed by, and the river was surging. Shulot's heart was filled with cold hardness, which was the cruelty of reality. He took one last look at the south bank. King Tarasco's banner still stood high, the altar of the priests was looming, and the warriors and militiamen were scattered.
When can we meet again? There is a warm smile on the corner of the young man's mouth, which is the expectation and confidence of the future, as if the hot flames drive away the coldness.
"When we meet again, it will be a complete conquest!"
