The night is getting darker, the bonfire in the main hall is a little small, and a slight chill seeps in from the window, making people feel colder. If the intelligence officer noticed something, he stepped forward and added some charcoal fire silently. Then the fire flickered in the hall, flickering on and off.
The king looked at the huge wooden map, his fingers crossed the long river, and fell into long thoughts.
There are three major rivers in the Mexica world, connecting plateaus and valleys, connecting mountains and plains, turning forests and rainforests into smooth roads. 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 alliance of city-states.
Avitt's hand first caressed the north. The so-called war is nothing more than the relationship between mountains and rivers and the soldiers serving their lives. For the Mexicans, war at the national level is primarily about the mountains, rivers and climate, secondly about food transportation, and finally the bravery of the legions.
The Leman River is the largest river in the world, flowing mightily 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 dozens of miles of artificial canals. Every step of this canal was carved with the lives of Tepanek people.
Then, the Leman River went west for more than two hundred miles and flowed through the city-states in western Mexica. Then the river continues westward for more than three hundred miles, forming a natural boundary. To the north is the Otopan state of the Otomi people, and to the south is the northernmost state of Acambaro of the Tarasco people. Here, the river branched off, passed through a narrow mouth, and headed southwest for dozens of miles, flowing into Lake Quiceo and deep into the hinterland of the Tarascans.
Avitt's strong fingers lingered for a long time on Lake Quetseo. After a while, he slowly spoke.
"Gillim, the focus of the Northern Route Army should be here."
Gillim looked at the location of Lake Quetseo, connected to the river above and the plain below, right in the heart of Tarasco, and nodded to confirm.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Northern Route Army needs to first establish a foothold on the Leman River, then open up the mouth of the river and go all the way deep into Lake Quiceo. As long as it lands at the southernmost end of the lake, it will only be two hundred miles away from the Patzcuaro Lake area."
The king pondered for a moment, thoughtfully.
"Gillim, the north road relies on a large river and connects to the capital. It is convenient to transport food and is actually more suitable for mobilizing the army than the south road."
Gilliam bowed deeply. He had been prepared and explained carefully at this time.
"Your Majesty, the general plan has been agreed upon long ago and 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 Tarascans are people of the lake. They have militiamen who are good at water warfare and a large number of navigators, which are not inferior to those of the Alliance. In addition to the main force of the navy in Lake Quetseo, they can also continue to recruit fleets from the Chapala Lake area in the west to quickly transport supporting warriors.
If these fleets are not eliminated, it will be impossible to establish a stable food channel. And how difficult it is to completely defeat the Tarascan navy! Although His Highness claims to invent gunpowder, there has been some progress recently. However, it is not yet known what effect this new weapon will have. We cannot let the progress of the war depend on uncertainty! "
Listening to the intelligence officer's reply, Avitt remained expressionless and continued to listen.
"Secondly, the second biggest difficulty is the fortress complex of the Kingdom of Tarasco. The Tarasco people are well aware of the importance of Lake Quiceo and built a huge stone fortress at the mouth of the narrow river of tens of meters to control the Choking the channel at the mouth of the river. The mouth of the river is completely within the range of the fortress's bows and slings. The fortress must be conquered before it can continue to penetrate deeper.
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 Tarascans have occupied the wooden camp you built and began to reinforce it with bricks and stones. They were taking full advantage of the architectural effects of bronze tools.
Finally, even after conquering the fortress group and landing on the south bank of Lake Quiceo and heading south, there is still a small solid stone city, Fortress Huayamo, blocking Qin Congcan. "
The king nodded slightly. He looked at the intelligence officer and waited calmly.
Gillim paused for a moment, organized his words, and spoke loudly.
"Thirdly, we still need to consider the attitude of the Otomi people. Although the Otomi people have ceased war with the Alliance, are also hostile to the Tarascans, and may even be used by the Alliance to a certain extent... However, there is no There is no doubt that the Otomi people are extremely hostile and wary of the Alliance!
Once the alliance's tens of thousands of main forces move to both sides of the Leman River and once again pose an actual huge threat to the city of Otopan, the Otomi people are likely to change their attitude again and join forces with the Tarasco people. And when the main force of the alliance is trapped in the castle complex on the south coast, facing the temptation of annihilating the main force of Mexica in a battle, the Otomi people may backstab the alliance and cut off the food route, leading to the failure of the Western Expedition.
Even if these threats are just speculation, the main force of the alliance cannot take such huge risks. And as a king who has just inherited the throne, you must not fail in this war to ascend the throne! Your brother failed...this risk...can be borne by His Highness's partial master..."
Avitt's pupils shrank slightly. He lowered his eyes and reached out to hold the staff beside him.
Gillim bowed his head respectfully, his movements meticulous even though the king was not looking at him.
"King, the last point is the attitude of the two western states of the alliance. Trocan and Tepanica Pampang suffered a lot in the last war. Thousands of warriors were lost in the Otomi Mountains and Forests, and food was also destroyed. A large number of recruits. I am afraid that the two countries will not fully support this western expedition...
Therefore, most of the food for the Northern Route Army still had to be transported from the Texcoco Lake area, and the waterway along the way was nearly 500 miles. The Southern Route Army will set off from the prosperous Lazico State, where food has been accumulated for several years, and a food road can be established nearby. Before the opening of Sitacuaro State, the land transportation road was only more than a hundred miles. In comparison, northern river transport is not dominant. "
The king finally nodded seriously. He paused for a moment and ordered in a deep voice.
"Gillim, inform Shulot of the above four points. Let him know the difficulties of the expedition and prepare in advance."
The intelligence officer was stunned for a moment, then solemnly saluted and obeyed the order.
Afterwards, Avitt's fingers left Lake Quetseo and headed west along the mighty Leman River, entering the sea at Jalix Coban, and beyond was the boundless West Sea. He paused slightly. There was only a vague rumor of a small island off the west coast, where countless seabirds stayed.
The king's eyes once again turned to the northeast of the capital, where there was the third largest river in the world, the Tampen River.
The Tampeng River flows from southwest to northeast and is about a thousand miles long. It starts from the lake capital of Lake Texcoco, and slightly to the north is the connected Lake Haltokan. Immediately, the long river surged northward, passing through the northern city-states of the Mexica, to the northernmost state of Herotepec, then turned northeast, passed through Metztitlan, and reached the edge of the plateau.
Next, the long river descends suddenly, flowing from the Mexica Plateau into the plains of the Huastec people, and finally joins the Eastern Sea at Cuxica Pampang. Beyond the East China Sea lies the myth of the Quetzalcoatl Islands, and further north, the rumored forests of boundless white disasters.
The king asked calmly, holding out his hand and placing it casually on the Huastec's place.
"How are the Huastecs doing?"
Gilliam thought for a moment and smiled.
"Herotepec has fallen, and all the nobles have offered sacrifices. General Ocelor took over as the city lord and sent troops to patrol the eastern border. The Huastecs were frightened and have paid this year's tribute in full. According to the instructions of the elders, the tribute There were also dozens of 'cubs of huge horned four-legged beasts' among them."
Hearing this, Avitt suddenly became interested.
"The cubs of four-legged beasts? I heard that when they grow up, they can be as tall as a person and half as long as a person? I heard Shulot tell stories about riding beasts. Can these giant beasts be ridden?"
Gilliam nodded affirmatively at first, then shook his head clearly.
"Indeed. Your Majesty, according to Huastek's trainer, these giant beasts can grow to great heights and run like thunder. But they are wild and difficult to tame, and no one can approach them unless they have been with them since they were young. Every spring, they There is also an extremely violent estrus period. Even if they are tamed since childhood, they will not regard us as their masters, only as partners, and will not obey orders..."
Upon hearing this, Avitt waved his hand.
"Since you can't ride them, let them be placed in the zoo. Send someone to tame them first, and then try to see if they can be tamed. By the way, send someone to take Alyssa to see these novel cubs. She should like them. Let me know again Shulot. I remember that he was very interested in this beast and called it a 'bison'."
The intelligence officer salute should be. The king continued to touch the map and think about the world.
In the Huastec state of Kuxikapampang, the Tampon River joins another tributary flowing down from the mountains. Going westward against this tributary, you can reach Coahuila, where plateau dog descendants gather.
"What are the movements of the canine people in the north?" Avitt first looked at Coahuila, a country with a large number of canine people. Then, he moved his gaze southward. Below was the Otomi people's Palm State.
"It's past mid-February, and 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 yellowing. The Chichimec descendants are lacking food and are migrating southward. In last year's war, the Austrians The Tomis suffered heavy casualties, and the state of Parmus was burned to the ground and was in the midst of a great famine. At this time, all the warriors of the Otomi retreated to defend the city. The Chichimec canine descendants could not find food, so they would Keep going south.”
Looking south from the state of Palmos, it is the northern border of the state of Chilotepec and the northernmost point actually controlled by the Mexican Union.
The king frowned and thought seriously. On the banks of the Leman River, he was deeply impressed by the dog-born who were not afraid of death.
"Gillim, send a message to Ocelor. The Alliance allows him to recruit Otomi warriors. At the same time, he is ordered to go north in time to sweep away the canine descendants from the south to prevent them from gathering too much. If there is a canine tribe that is willing to obey, They can also be brought into the alliance and used as a precursor during the Western Expedition."
Having said this, Avitt smiled lightly.
"Since the Tarascans can recruit canines as consumables in war, the more prosperous alliance can naturally do the same. As for the specific number of canines recruited, when Shulot goes north, let him communicate with Ocelot himself. .”
"Your Majesty, please let His Highness and the Northern Commander meet privately..."
Gilliam hesitated to speak.
Avitt glanced at the intelligence officer lightly and waved his hand.
"It doesn't matter. Including Texcoco's changes, Ocelot only has 6,000 men. What's more, with the high priest here, they will definitely gather in private even without the king's order..."
The king stopped talking and said nothing more. Then, he pointed his finger southward again, measuring the Tulsas River in the south inch by inch.
The Tulsas River in the south of the Union is the second largest river in the world, winding from east to west for two thousand miles. Its easternmost origin originates from the state of Tlaxcala, where it irrigated fertile mountain valleys. The king's finger stabbed hard there, as if stabbing into the heart of the Tlaxcala League.
"How are the people of Tlaxcala doing lately?" Sen Han's voice came, carrying the killing intent of Mexica people from generation to generation.
"King, since you came to the throne, the Tlaxcalan army has withdrawn from the border and dispersed one after another. At least until the autumn harvest, they will not gather in large numbers. However, when the main force of the alliance marches westward, the Tlaxcalan people It’s hard to stay calm for long.”
The king nodded slightly and then ordered in a deep voice.
“The Kingdom of Tarasco is connected to the Union State of Atotonilco in the north, and to the South of Vaztepec State. During the Western Expedition, neither city-state in these two places can mobilize troops, and they need to be appropriately strengthened.. .
The main force of the alliance will take the south route, and the food route is also in the south. The Vactepec State is especially important, and at least five thousand more warriors will be needed. At the same time, we must also be on guard against the Tlaxcala navy and prevent them from going south along the Tarsus River and bypassing the Wactepec State to land. "
Gillim nodded seriously, these are all things that should be done.
Then, Avitt looked around Tlaxcala, thinking about all the powers he could use.
"Are the Totonacs to the east of the Tlaxcalans willing to join the alliance and send troops against the Tlaxcalans?"
"The Totonaks are weak and cunning tits. They only chirp and scream but never take action."
“What about the vassal Mixtecs to the south?”
"The Mixtecs are watchful deer, only guarding their homeland. They are rich and harmless, both to the Alliance and the Tlaxcalans."
"Where is the religious holy city of Cholula? The Tarascans are complete believers in the gods. In this western expedition, we Mexicans will engage in a divine war. The gods bear witness, and tribes with the same belief should not interfere God’s war.”
Hearing this, Gillim's eyes lit up. He thought for a moment and 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 give generous gifts so that the priests of the Holy City can temporarily prevent the Tlaxcala Alliance from sending troops, at least for a few months."
Avitt nodded and made up his mind.
"Then let the elder priest Akap go. He has outstanding appearance, is gentle and polite. Now he is the successor of the former chief priest. He has a distinguished status and is suitable for diplomacy! The Totonak and Mist people We also sent envoys there to at least make the people of Tlaxcala more fearful.”
Gillim nodded respectfully and wrote it down silently.
The king's finger continued to move, as the Tarsus River turned south, passed through the state of Yowaltepec, where the Mixtecs flourished, and then turned west. Then, the river followed the southern boundary of the Mexica city-states, passed through the sparse gatherings of the Jontal people in the mountains, and passed through the state of Huetamo, which has a large copper vein.
Avitt stared at the copper mine sign in Wetamau State for a long time, looking westward and extending along the river again. The Tulsas River passes through the Apatchingam state in the Lake District, leaving many lakes there. Finally, the river turns southwest again, joining the boundless West Sea from Coalcoman State.
The king's finger rested on the westernmost estuary, thinking carefully.
"Is this the tribal alliance of the Tekos people in the south?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. From here to the Colima State in the west, there are at least three hundred thousand conquered Tecos tribes. These southern Tecos have been vassals of the Kingdom of Tarasco for more than ten years or more. For a long time. Compared to the Alliance, the Kingdom of Tarasco has always been... tolerant and weak towards its vassals, and even made a blood alliance with the local leader and became a brother.
Therefore, in the event of an emergency, the Kingdom of Tarasco is estimated to be able to recruit 10,000 Tekos warriors and more tribal militia from here. These warriors of Tekos were difficult to sway until the divine descendants of Tarasco were cut off. "
Gilliam used his words carefully.
Avitt thought deeply and shook his head slightly.
"No matter what the effect is, send a team of envoys there. Even if you can't persuade the local leaders, you still have to get a glimpse of the local human geography. Shulot keeps mentioning Colima State over and over again!"
Avitt smiled softly, and the memory made his eyes soften a little. Then, he stretched out his hand and repeatedly traced the distance between the Talsas River and the capital city in the lake, looking for the distance in his memory. This is the only major river that does not connect to the capital.
After a while, the king sighed in his heart.
"The closest point between the Tulsas River and Lake Texcoco should be only 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 naval force can also move from Texcoco Going south from the lake... you can also go upstream from the south and attack the southern part of the Tlaxcala..."
Blood appeared in the king's eyes again. In this era, digging a canal more than 300 miles long would mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and take more than ten years. And if there were bronze tools, perhaps only 100,000 people would die... The effect of this canal would allow the Alliance to firmly control the entire South!
After a long time, Avitt recovered from the huge and cruel prospect. He stood up and looked at Gillim who was standing there.
"Gillim, please go down. Tomorrow go to the craftsman area to check and count the number of longbows produced. Then go to Xiulote and tell him all the important information and plans."
Hearing this, the intelligence officer bowed to the ground and saluted. Then, he stood up solemnly, carefully took the wooden board covered with information, bowed and stepped back.
In front of Avitt's independent window, you can see the bright moon hanging high in the sky. It is when the stars are shining brightly, I wonder who else is looking up at the sky. Perhaps, that person is also looking forward to taking advantage of the wind, flying out of the crowded jungle, and looking down at the people among the mountains in the west.
After standing in silence for a long time, the king sighed quietly.
"Very good. The days passed will never come back. The king should be alone and drink the supreme wine...bitter and long!"
