August is the height of the rainy season. The gods opened the channel between the Milky Way and the human world, and heavy rain poured down from the sky.
From the Great Temple in Lake Texcoco to the House of Winds on Lake Patzcuaro, the vast land is filled with continuous wind and rain. The soft soil was full of rainwater, and the bluestone walls were slippery. All battles became difficult and slowly stopped.
It was windy and rainy, and Shulot, dressed in a plain robe, stood on the watchtower of the wooden castle camp, looking to the east of the Leman River. He was waiting for the returning fleet. Looking around, the rain curtains form one continuous curtain, causing the river to rise and the water surface to become wider. The big river not far away was so turbulent that it ran all the way to the west.
Heavy rain limited the view. The young commander didn't know how long he stood until the first faint black spot appeared in front of his eyes, then the second, and the third... Hundreds of boats came down the river, and the warriors densely packed on the bows braved the rain. Come. He finally smiled and hurriedly walked down from the watchtower.
Soon, preparations were made at the dock on the river bank. The huge fleet of boats slowly docked, and the warriors came ashore one after another.
Shulot has put on the majestic commander's uniform, surrounded by guards, to welcome the new legions.
Annatri jumped from the magnificent boat with a spear in hand. She strode up to the young commander, bowed her head and saluted seriously.
"Your Highness, one thousand temple guards, three thousand royal warriors, four thousand holy city legions, and twenty thousand people's food for three months have all arrived on time!"
Shulot returned the greeting solemnly.
"Anatri, the rain is so heavy, you have worked hard all the way! It is not easy for the warriors to march in the rain for several days. Banquets, dry clothes and barracks have been prepared in the wooden castle. The reinforcements will go now After resting, the sailors can take turns going ashore!”
Then, Shulot took two steps forward and walked towards the commanders of the reinforcements. He first exchanged salutes with the honorable noble Tepopolo. The young commander glanced at Tepopolo curiously. Even though the weather was so hot and humid, the other party still wore a wet fur hat on his head, covering his forehead tightly.
"Your Highness, I have some minor injuries on my forehead. Please forgive me for not taking off my hat to salute."
Tepopolo explained awkwardly.
The young commander nodded and did not ask further questions in front of everyone. Tepopolo was visibly relieved.
Then, Shulot looked not far away. Father Xiu Suoke had a smile on his face and gentle eyes. There was joy in the smile that I had not seen for a long time, and there was calm and deep concern in the eyes.
The two looked at each other for a moment, suppressing their excitement, and bowed their heads in salute. Then, Shulot also bowed to his teacher Orosh. Looking at the majestic young man, Orosh smiled silently, his expression full of joy and relief.
The welcome banquet was formal and simple. There was no grand singing and dancing at the banquet, and the generals did not drink wantonly. The camp prepared roasted venison, roasted rabbit, corn tortillas, black bean puree, a few cups of freshly made cocoa drinks, and finally a delicious fish soup made from freshly caught fish.
Shulot secretly guided. Make fresh fish soup with boiling water, then add clean fine salt and cold-repellent pepper. Then, the fish soup is simmered in a clay pot for a long time until the stewed soup is thick and white, the bones and meat are separated, and the aroma is fragrant.
After everyone finished a bowl of fish soup, they felt it was extremely delicious and sweated all over. Everyone praised the chef's skills and then got down to business. The various reinforcements reported the detailed status of the army, and Bertard described the garrison situation of the wooden forts in the north and the approximate strength of the Tarascans in the south. Finally, Shulote set the tone, and various departments were stationed in scattered positions, holding on to the camp, patiently waiting for the arrival of the fighter plane.
When dusk falls, the banquet ends and the generals return to their camps. As the captain of the navy, Annatri returned to the ship to rest. She follows the tradition of her ancestors, rarely leaves the fleet, and does not come into contact with the major nobles of the alliance.
Shulot thought for a while, and a smile appeared on his face. He ordered Bertard to send the commander of the naval division. During the banquet just now, he had heard about Anatri's bold words and also knew the origin of the scar on Tepopolo's head. At this time, he had a vague idea.
After receiving the military order from the commander-in-chief, the vicissitudes of life of the warrior commander looked at the young man speechlessly for a moment, but he still bowed his head and accepted the order.
As soon as we walked out of the big tent, the sky was full of wind and rain. Annatri stood upright, tilted his head slightly, and looked at the warrior commander with interest. After a moment, she briefly saluted and then asked loudly.
"Bertard, I haven't seen you for a month. I just heard that you killed forty Tarasco warriors in one battle, and was named the Holy Eagle Warrior Commander by His Highness. You also triggered the manifestation of the Sun God. Now the army There are rumors in Zhongdu that you are the best warrior of the Northern Route Army. I wonder when you are free, can you compete with me?"
The warrior commander looked at Anatri calmly. He didn't say anything, just returned the salute.
Annatri frowned slightly. After thinking for a moment, she strode towards the fleet on the river. The samurai commander was one position behind and followed steadily. The female warrior secretly observed the opponent's footsteps and listened to the rhythm of breathing. Then she sped up and ran like a cheetah on the soft soil.
Bertard still walked steadily, his breathing was unruffled, and he always maintained a body distance.
Anatri observed for a moment, then suddenly stopped and stood still.
"You must compete with me, otherwise I will stand here and never leave!"
In the wind and rain, Bertard stood silently. He waited calmly for a long time, and the heavy rain soaked both of their clothes. Until the night was dark, the warrior captain looked at the female warrior's firm expression and finally spoke helplessly.
"good!"
Darkness fell, and a bonfire was lit in the commander's cabin. In the flickering firelight, Shulot crossed his legs, sat opposite his father, and talked closely.
"Father, are your injuries healed?"
Shusoke smiled and nodded, patting his chest.
"It's been better a long time ago. Now I can charge into battle at any time and fight for half a day. In the past six months, I heard that you were in danger several times in the capital, so I often wanted to go to the capital to find you. But your grandfather didn't allow it, letting me take control of the legion and do it. Be prepared for anything..."
Shusok briefly mentioned it without mentioning the details of the preparations. Then, he looked at the handsome and determined young man, smiled with satisfaction, and patted his son on the shoulder.
"I heard that you have done many great things, and I didn't believe it at first. But when I saw you today, I watched your words and deeds. In the past six months, you have indeed grown a lot! You have been able to command an army and face the battle of blood and fire... .The important responsibility and future of the family now rest on your shoulders!"
Speaking of the last sentence, Shusoke felt inexplicably emotional. While he was very pleased to see his son's rapid growth, he couldn't help but wonder if he was already old.
Shulot listened quietly, with a real smile on his face. After a while, he spoke softly.
"Father, I have no experience in commanding large-scale battles. In this Western Expedition, I am going to let you serve as the marshal of the Northern Route Army, to control various ministries and control specific military affairs."
Shusok was stunned for a moment. He was slightly moved, thought for a moment, and shook his head firmly.
"Xulot, I will definitely assist you in this western expedition. Serving as marshal helps to establish prestige and win over the military morale of various ministries. This position should be held by you personally! I can serve as deputy marshal. If this expedition If you succeed, the honor will be on you. If you fail, the responsibility will be on me... My son, my future has been determined, but your future has unlimited possibilities!"
After hearing his father's sincere words, the young man was silent for a moment and nodded slowly.
After deciding on the primary and secondary division of labor, the two discussed the specific military deployment and the arrangements for each ministry's camps.
After the adjustment, the trusted Chinese army was in the main fort in the middle. The central army includes four thousand holy city warriors, two thousand temple guards, and one thousand longbow guards battalion, totaling about seven thousand people. Then, the left and right armies each consisted of three thousand warriors directly affiliated with the royal family, led by Barda and Tepopolo respectively, stationed in the left and right forts. Then, the rear army consisted of three thousand western city-state warriors, scattered in more peripheral camps, who were also responsible for security patrols. As for the logistical food and fodder, most of it is concentrated in the main fort, and only one month's worth of food is distributed to each branch.
Hulot took out the wooden map and brought up the latest military situation.
"Father, I am going to bypass the fortress defense line on the south bank. I learned from the prisoners during the last ambush that the fortresses in the south have been in operation for many years. Nobles and militia, big and small.”
"In order to defend their property, they are very determined to fight. They even took the initiative to fight once to drive away the samurai squad that was harassing and destroying. Now, they choose to defend the base and mobilize the strong men to enter the city. With so many fortresses, it is not wise to break through one by one. , and we don’t have enough troops.”
Shusok looked at the patterns on the map and constructed the situation on the southern front in his mind. After a while, he nodded in agreement.
"So, you are planning to go south from Quiceo Lake? Then the Southern River Mouth Fortress will be your biggest checkpoint on your way south."
Shulot smiled confidently.
"Indeed, I already have a rough siege plan. According to the latest intelligence, the main force of the Tarasco Navy in the south has set off to the lower reaches of the west to receive reinforcements from the Chapala Lake area. This trip has been going back and forth several times. Hundreds of miles away, there will be a month in between, and the river mouth fortress will be in a relatively weak state."
Having said this, Shulot hesitated a little.
"Father, our reinforcements have arrived and we have a temporary advantage in strength. What I am hesitating about now is whether to take advantage of this opportunity to send troops south and quickly attack the Hekou Fortress. If we can capture the Hekou Fortress before the Autumn Harvest mobilization, the situation will suddenly change. With a sudden change, the future suddenly opens up!”
Shusoke was a little surprised and looked at the young man doubtfully.
"How can a large army break through such a strong fortress within a month? How sure are you?"
Shulot smiled and answered cautiously.
"I invented a new type of weapon that is very powerful... I am about half sure. If the enemy is not prepared, it can blow open the wooden door and allow the samurai to rush in!"
Shusok thought for a moment. He checked the map and troop distribution carefully and asked.
"Xulot, have you actually used this kind of weapon in previous wars?"
Shulot was silent for a moment and shook his head.
Shusok then understood. He patted his son on the shoulder again and admonished.
"My son, in actual war, commanders always have to consider the worst case scenario and leave room for everything. All kinds of unexpected accidents will always happen, and they often bring bad results. When you occupy When you have an advantage, you should further expand your advantage and suppress the enemy from the front. Taking risks is often just the last resort when you are at a disadvantage."
After hearing his father's teachings, Shulot thought for a moment and nodded.
"Generals who are truly good at fighting do not have particularly spectacular epic victories. They always manage the situation and defeat the defeated enemy with a sure victory."
Hearing this, Shusoke tasted it for a while and laughed in agreement.
"Where did my son hear the art of war? It is indeed a wise and insightful advice."
Then, Shusok continued to point to the map with his finger, pointing towards the north.
"Xulot, the first priority of the army is to manage the situation and take the initiative. Your original plan is actually very good. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the Tarasco Navy to leave, we must first eliminate the unstable factors in the rear and eliminate Austrian forces. The Tomi people are dragging them into the water! Once the army moves south, we cannot leave the weak back road to the untrustworthy Otomi people."
Shulot nodded in agreement and smiled slightly.
"Father, heroes see the same thing! Now our troops finally have the upper hand. When the heavy rain stops, I will lead my troops north and force the Otomi to make a choice and fight with us against the Tarascans!"
Shusok smiled and nodded. Then, he thought of his own experience, the crucial blow in the battle between the two kings, and said with a serious expression.
"Xulot, if the Otomi people agree to send troops, just in case, don't mix their troops with the Northern Route Army!"
Shulot was startled for a moment and asked.
"How does father think he should act?"
Shosok moved his finger forward, farther west of the Leman River, to the Zacap State of Tarasco.
"This is it. If the Otomi people sincerely cooperate with the alliance, they will definitely not take the initiative to hit hard rocks on the southern defense line and lose precious warriors. Sakapu State and Otomi Guamare State are opposite each other across the river. Between the Chapala Lake area and the south coast defense line. There should not be many Tarasco defenders here, and the towns are quite prosperous. Investing an army here can mobilize the troops on the southern front on the one hand, and on the other hand Attract the attention of Chapala's reinforcements."
Shulot looked at the map and his eyes lit up.
"Yes! The Otomi mercenaries of Tarasco come from here. In the mountains and forests on the south coast, there are also small tribes of Otomi people, and they are involved with the Otomi people in the north. Attacking here is a requirement for negotiation, Easier for the Otomi to accept!”
At this point, the two finally looked at each other and smiled, completely reaching a consensus.
The swaying campfire, laughter and memories bring warmth to the body and mind. The father and son talked for a long time at night, and many old things came to mind, and before they knew it, it was already dawn.
Early on the next morning, a group of envoys hurriedly left the main castle and headed for the northern city of Otopan with the commander's latest request.
Another week has passed as the heavy rain continues. The Otomi finally sent a messenger to formally reply. The two parties agreed to negotiate in the forest between Otopan City and the North Shore Wood Castle.
