The sunshine in September spreads across the sky and the earth, and the rain decreases significantly and becomes sporadic. This is the time when harvest begins. In the warm climate of the tropics, early pumpkins have been harvested, ripe beans are about to be harvested, and flowering corn is swaying in the fields. A long wind passed by, and the mountains and fields were lush and green, and fruits of various colors wafted out with their ripe aroma. However, when it came to the banks of the Leman River, it saw only desolation and desolation.
The main force of Annatri's fleet arrived with a large group of reinforcements, and a new batch of food for the capital was also brought with it.
Eight thousand spear regiments landed at the port one after another and gathered in small groups. The militiamen were heavily armed. They put on paper armor, fastened their rattan helmets, carried shields on their backs, held bronze spears tightly in their hands, and looked at both sides of the river curiously. The same is true for Guzman. As a miner and farmer who has been working since childhood, he has never been more than fifty miles away from his hometown. In this unfamiliar land, he subconsciously stood upright and stayed close to his teammates. His gaze was distantly focused on the approaching flag of His Highness and the legion commander who quickly stepped forward to salute.
Shulot smiled. He lifted "Monkey" Kuruka from the ground and patted his shoulder affectionately.
"Monkey, I haven't seen you for a long time, but you have become much stronger. You did a great job in the acquisition of the copper mine last time! How is the training of the Lance Corps this time?"
Kuruca nodded respectfully, his eyes sparkling. Facing His Highness, he subconsciously scratched his head and answered with a smile.
"Dear Lord, I have been thinking about your teachings and dare not forget your orders for a moment. These days I have been training with the legion, and sometimes I will join the queue to experience it. After a few months, the spear The phalanx has been able to disperse and form quickly. In order to maintain the formation, the phalanx has to move and change direction more slowly. As for the column assault mentioned in your letter, I have tried to practice it several times, and I also have to discuss it with Adjutant Eze. Pan continues to explore.”
Xiulote nodded. He looked at the new troops who were landing and gathering on the river bank in an orderly manner, and his smile became more obvious. Then, he looked at Ezpan, who was kneeling and saluting behind Kuruca, and made a joke.
"Ezpin, now we are in your territory. The fish has returned to its own pond and will slip away if you are not careful... You are more familiar with the human geography here, so you need to give me more ideas!"
After hearing His Highness's words, Ezpin kowtowed to the ground without hesitation. Then, he raised his left hand with the missing little finger and said in a deep voice.
"Your Highness, the Lord God has witnessed that I am loyal to you and am willing to die at any time! The fish has landed, and from now on I will be a wolf dog following the king. I am willing to do my best for the Western Expedition!"
Shulot watched Ezpin's expression for a while, then he also smiled and lifted him up, laughing loudly.
"That's right! This is your vast world, and you will have a lot to do!"
Then, Shulot looked at Kuruka who was approaching again.
"Monkey, how about you and Ezpin working together?"
Kuruca changed his mind and answered with a clear smile.
"My lord, Ezpan is an outstanding lieutenant general and the most important pillar of the legion!"
Shulot nodded again. He smiled and asked another question.
"Where is the Mayan merchant Tikalo now? What is the situation?"
Kuruca thought for a while and bowed to report.
"According to reports from people around Tikalo, he is now under the direct command of the royal family's intelligence officer, serving as a communication channel between the southern Weitamo State and the Alliance. The Alliance has sent two waves of envoys, and the chiefs of the Weitamo State have been Conditions prevailed, and preparations were made to remain neutral in the war. Trade in the copper mines continued, but management was now in the hands of the Crown."
Shulot pondered for a moment and nodded slightly. As an important strategic material, copper mines must be directly managed by the central government. Now it seems that the royal family is bound to win the copper mines in Weitamo.
While several people were talking, the spear regiment had already disembarked, followed by tribal hunters in single clothes and holding long bows.
Shulot looked towards the river bank. These mountain hunters walk steadily and don't mind the food, rain, and sleep along the way. Since they often engage in fishing and hunting, most people are no strangers to boating. At this time, they were united as tribes and gathered under the call of the leader. Although they were a little loose, they were busy but not chaotic.
"Black Wolf" Toltec strode toward His Highness's flag with his head held high. He walked a few steps and then knelt down on one knee.
"Your Highness, Toltec salutes you! May your conquest go smoothly and your military fortunes last forever!"
Xiulote laughed, pulled Toltec up from the ground, and asked with a smile.
"My Black Wolf, how is the situation with the army? Is the journey going well?"
"Your Majesty, it's been a smooth journey, and the heavy rain has washed you away! We can go to war at any time and get the enemy's heart for you!"
Toltec spoke confidently and glanced at Kuruka confidently.
Shulot saw everything. He smiled and patted his beloved general on the shoulder, giving instructions softly.
"Very good! Toltec, bring your books to my tent tonight."
Toltec was instantly petrified and speechless for a moment. Kuruca glanced at him quickly and smiled.
Shulot looked at the river again. The militiamen had already come ashore, followed by boatloads of food. All parties have gathered together, and now he has a full 30,000 Mexica army in his hands! Twenty thousand were Mexica warriors from all over, and another ten thousand were elite militiamen. Finally, add an Ottomi legion.
Nearly 40,000 people gathered here, consuming tens of thousands of kilograms of grain every day and piling it up. Even if the fleet brings a new batch of food, it can only last for two or three months. It was getting harder and harder to maintain the food route, and he couldn't wait any longer. These legions are also the largest force he can gather. The Holy City family has emptied their wealth and is all concentrated here.
The reinforcements promised by the northern general have yet to arrive. Following the messenger's recent report, Ocelot defeated the Chichimecs on the northern border and eliminated more than a dozen tribes migrating south. He built pyramid-shaped temples in the north to intimidate all the tribes along the way, and sent a large number of prisoners to the capital. He also recruited many weak tribes who surrendered and promised the envoys to send as much support as possible.
"Everything is ready now, just waiting for the battle on the battlefield!"
Shulot looked across the river bank, toward the broad Leman River, and then toward the distant south.
In the next few days, the returning Mexican Navy quickly entered the battle and fought continuously with the Tarasco Navy at the river mouth fortress.
Tarasco's navy was dispatched repeatedly in small groups to harass Mexica's grain transport ships. The alliance's navy also dispersed in small groups to patrol and escort. On the long Leman River, you can often see more than a dozen small boats, flying different flags, fighting with each other, and fighting on the water. Spears stabbed, war clubs swung, bows and arrows shot, daggers pierced. Every day, dozens of people were killed and injured on both sides, and dots of red bloomed everywhere in the river.
Facing the enemy's harassment, Shulot had a headache. He was reluctant to waste his elite warriors in such a fight, so he ordered two elite militiamen with longbows and spears to board the boat. Under the leadership of the warriors, they fought against the enemy. He also made the longbow militia skilled in shooting on the water.
Tribal hunters demonstrated accurate close range archery on the water. With the advantage of bows and arrows, the alliance gradually won more battles than lost. The Tarascans learned in battle and gradually became familiar with the Mexica bow and arrow tactics, and began to equip their navy with a large number of vine shields.
As the skies cleared, new gunpowder weapons were rolled out of warehouses and distributed to longbow warriors and militiamen. In the secret mountain camp, they were familiar with shooting gunpowder arrows and waited for the coming of the war.
On sunny days, Shulot gathered the navy several times and invited battle to the river mouth fortress in the south. However, the enemy's fleet was like a scattered pack of wolves, constantly harassing the retreat, but did not engage in a decisive battle.
Faced with this situation, Shulot unfolded the map and clicked on the west several times with his finger. Three thousand Otopan warriors were transported by a navy and thrown into the lower reaches of the west. Giowa contacted the Otomi tribes on both sides of the river and dispersed into more than a dozen small groups, plundering all the way west from Sacap State and gradually approaching the edge of the Chapala Lake area.
This fleet and the Otopan warriors are just pawns to lure the enemy. The real main force of the fleet, under the guidance of the Otomi tribe on the north bank, came to the lower reaches of the river less than a hundred miles north of the river mouth fortress, to Lake Eureria in the sunken river bend.
Shulot personally led the fleet to inspect. This place is downstream of the river mouth fortress. It only takes a day or two to go with the current, and it takes three or four days to go back against the current. The north bank of the river and lake is located between Guamare and Otpampang. It is a rare flat forest land with several Otomi villages where troops can be stationed for rest. On the south bank of the river and lake is Sakapu State, which is being plundered. The river here is wide, the water flow is flat, and there is enough space for movement. It is a suitable place for a battle.
Looking at the deep reeds on the north bank of the river and lake, the young commander finally nodded with satisfaction. The main force of the fleet moved quietly, transporting large quantities of troops and supplies here several times. The warriors immediately went ashore and settled in the Otomi village, blocking the surrounding passages and strictly prohibiting pedestrian traffic. The main force of the fleet is quietly lurking here.
The Otomi village on the north coast is silent, but the Tarasco territory on the south coast is full of war. Led by the local Otomi people, the Otopan warriors accurately killed the manors of nobles everywhere. The local nobles, big and small, tried their best to resist, but all the local warriors were recruited by the kingdom, and most of the militia were also mobilized. The nobles had to gather the peasants in a hurry, but they were killed by the Otomi warriors who quickly attacked.
Within a few days, black smoke rose in the western sky. They were burning villages, burned farmland, and noble estates reduced to ashes. Outside the manor, the Otomi people hung up the nobles of Tarasco who were mercilessly executed like a demonstration.
The defeated local nobles fled south, bringing news of the Otomi invasion to the heart of the kingdom. The messenger was delivered quickly, and a continuous stream of warnings was transmitted to the river mouth fortress until it reached the ears of Ospai, the marshal of the north and commander of the naval division.
The "crocodile" noble's eyes widened and he was quite shocked. The Otomi people joined the war and joined forces with the Mexica fleet. They relied on the Otomi tribes on both sides of the river to plunder nobles of all sizes. After hearing the news, Osipai hesitated and smelled a hint of conspiracy.
According to scout reports, new Mexican reinforcements have apparently arrived on the north shore, numbering around 10,000 people. Thinking about this, the experienced commander hesitated for a long time, but still chose to stand still and prepare to remain on the defensive.
However, upon hearing the warning, the five thousand Chapala warriors in the fortress at the mouth of the river clamored for battle. While they were worried about the Otomi plundering their hometown further downstream, they also despised the Otomi's fighting power and wanted to go west to rescue them.
Faced with the request made by the Chapala Legion, the Russian faction firmly shook its head and refused.
"Dear Feather Pengguari, I cannot agree to your request to send troops."
Pengguari, the commander-in-chief of Chapala, was nearly forty years old. He has a majestic appearance, elegant manners, and wears gorgeous feather clothes. His name means "feather" symbolizing the gods, and he was obviously of extremely noble birth. Hearing the words of the Northern Marshal, he also shook his head.
"Dear Marshal 'Crocodile', the Chapala Army has come hundreds of miles to help, and its loyalty to the kingdom can be seen from day to day. We are here to fight bravely, not to sit idle in the fortress! Now, Western Sa The nobles of Cap State came to cry one after another. They were related to the generals of the legion. The warriors were worried about the safety of their hometown in the Lake District and were angry at the enemy's atrocities of massacring the nobles. They could no longer wait any longer!"
Osipei remained silent. He also felt heavy pressure, and defense was not his style. After pondering for a moment, reason prevailed, and Commander "Crocodile" shook his head.
"Peng Guali, the enemy's information is not yet clear, and the king asks to hold on. I am the marshal of the north and have overall responsibility. It is not appropriate to go to war at this time."
Hearing this, Peng Guali lowered his eyes slightly and spoke coldly.
"Ospai, if the enemy's intelligence is unknown, it should be found out immediately. You are the marshal of the north, but our Chapala Corps is independent, and we represent the autonomous lake area. You have overall responsibilities, and we have local responsibilities. The legion's support is here to defend the kingdom and protect our hometown. If even the weak Otomi people can burn and kill indiscriminately in the south, defending the kingdom is just an empty talk!"
Having said this, Peng Guali paused for a moment and said seriously.
"If you insist on not sending troops, our five thousand Chapala warriors will go out on our own and go overland to support! I will leave ten thousand militiamen at the river mouth fortress. There are still six thousand warriors and twenty thousand militiamen in Akambalo State , enough to defend the defense line!"
Hearing Peng Guali's words, Ospai felt a headache.
The big nobles in these places have private soldiers, have high status, are rebellious, and value the property of their hometown more than anything else. The last time the great nobles of Acambaro went out privately to disperse the Mexica marauding team, they were attacked by the enemy and lost nearly a thousand warriors and more than 3,000 militiamen. This time the Otomi attack was obviously a repetition of the same strategy.
As the commander of the Chapala Corps, Peng Guari had five thousand warriors and nearly ten thousand militiamen, which was not much different from his strength. In terms of status, "Feather" is a noble noble that has been passed down for a long time, and cannot be severely suppressed by rank. And now that the northern front is still counting on the next batch of Chapala reinforcements, it is even more difficult for him to restrain him.
As the commander-in-chief of the North Road, he could not make the troops carry out orders and prohibitions. If the Chapala Corps were to be supported by land, they would be traveling slowly and would not be able to capture the enemy force being transported by the Navy. The most likely result was to be ambushed by the main force of Mexica warriors and suffer heavy losses.
At this moment, the Ottomi army harassing the lower reaches has seriously affected the morale of the fortress troops, and will undoubtedly affect the arrival of the next batch of reinforcements. He had no choice but to modify his original defensive plan and take action to deal with this enemy first.
After pondering for a long time, Osipai finally looked into Peng Guali's eyes and spoke sternly.
"Feather of Chapala, if you send troops alone, once you encounter the main force of the Mexica, you will definitely be destroyed! The fierce Mexica warriors are completely different from the Otomi people. You wait for a few days first, so that I’ll go check out the military situation on the north coast, and then we’ll discuss sending troops together!”
