A long, moist wind blew from the mountains and forests in the east, blowing across the people on the boat. The aroma of fresh vegetation fills the nose, making everyone feel refreshed.
On the galley warship, everyone was silent and watched the old man and the young man's exchanges. Shulot thought for a moment, lowered his head, and sincerely saluted Kakamazin again.
"God bless you! Uncle Kakamazin, everything is subject to your arrangements!"
"Haha, very good! God bless you!"
Kakamazin laughed heartily, with appreciation in his laughter. Afterwards, he took Xuelote's hand and began to chat about some common gossip, and from time to time he asked about the situation in the kingdom.
Shulot answered candidly, telling the story of his experiences in the southern and northern wars, as well as his feelings about the governance of the kingdom. The two of them had their own concerns, but they were extremely sincere, and they were talking and laughing happily, which was exactly what they were enjoying.
The two fleets immediately merged and headed towards the magnificent capital city on the lake. From here to the capital, there is only the last sixty miles of waterway left, which can be reached by boat in one or two days.
July is coming to an end, and the wind and rain have become violent. The patter of summer rain falls from the hazy sky, hitting Lake Texcoco, and the same hazy water vapor rises. When everyone was boating on the lake, they were walking through the mist and rain, surrounded by wonderland-like scenery.
Shulot stood on the bow of the ship, staring at the heart of the alliance, the most prosperous place in the world. Villages and towns were faintly visible, passing by on both sides, and songs of prayer could be heard; boats and merchants gave way one after another, separated on the lake, and waves of exclamations floated over.
"The capital city in the lake is right in front of you."
Kakamazin stood nearby, looking at the capital city shrouded in smoke. As the fleet moves forward, large tracts of chinampa are spread across the lake, and the white causeway is already looming.
"Xulot, the capital city in the lake, is a great royal city built by us Mexicans with our own hands, and it is also the fundamental source of all our divinity!"
Kakamazin smiled, but his words meant something.
"The king of Mexica belongs to the great lake capital. And the great lake capital belongs to our blessed Mexica people. In the hearts of all Mexica people, Tenochtitlan is more than just a city. The royal city that will never fall is a symbol of holiness and divine blessing... No matter where you are, no matter how tall the sacred tree grows, this place will be your root!"
Hearing this, Xiulote pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.
"Uncle Kakamazin, I understand what you mean. The kingdom is a fiefdom of the Alliance. I am first the highness of the Mexica people, and then the king of the Prepecha people."
"Ha ha!"
Kakamatsu laughed heartily again. He reached out and patted his great-nephew on the shoulder.
"Xulot, you are His Highness of the Alliance, and you are the future king of the Mexica people! For us old guys in the royal family, the elder is the evening sun, Avit is the noon sun, and you are Morning sun!...Don't be anxious, don't be crooked. Under the blessing of the main god, the alliance is getting stronger and stronger. The sacred tree grows vigorously and is destined to control the world. But, everything takes some time...Well, I really hope that I can See that day with your own eyes!”
"Uncle!..."
After hearing these words, Shulot lowered his eyes slightly and was a little moved. He didn't know what to say in response, so he just chewed on Kakamazin's words.
"Don't be anxious, don't be crooked..."
Kakamatsu smiled and nodded. He stretched out his hand and pointed into the haze of light smoke. The prosperous capital city in the lake is already in sight, and the towering temple stands high, like a sacred mountain falling on the human world.
"Look! The lofty temple is right in the smoke! Walk slowly over and you'll be there soon!"
As usual, the huge fleet docked in the village north of the capital, and the king's envoy had been waiting for a long time. It took three thousand guards a long time to reach the shore of the lake. Then came boxes of neat betrothal gifts and heavy bronze cannons.
Kakamazin was very interested. He looked at these "strange copper beasts" that he had heard about for a long time, and asked some questions from time to time. He then commented with a smile.
"Xulot, you have really worked hard to marry Alyssa! There are so many precious gifts, even an old guy like me is really surprised! ...As for the gifts, let them sort them out slowly. Anyway, they arrived. Don’t even think about taking it back here! Haha, we have to enter the capital first. You go to see King Avit, and I will report something back to the elder.”
"Okay! Uncle, let's go!"
Shulot nodded in agreement. He wanted to ask about the elder's condition, but after thinking for a moment, he did not speak. The three thousand guards were immediately divided into two waves, and most of the warriors stopped in the village. Only five hundred personal guards guarded Shulot, holding the flag of the Black Wolf, heading towards the city along the white causeway full of pines and cypresses.
Farewell to the Western Expedition, it has been four years since Shulot left the royal capital. As he moved forward steadily, he looked at the surrounding scenery.
The prosperity of the capital city in the lake is even greater than before. The main roads in the city have been rebuilt and can pass large groups of warriors. Complete toilets and water channels were also built beside the streets to keep the capital clean.
The composting method of manure has been popularized in the Texcoco Lake area, and after demonstration by the priests, it can effectively increase the output of Chinampa. There are 250,000 people in the capital city in the lake, and the daily fertilizer output is extremely large. The toilets in various streets are owned by different nobles. The fertilizer produced will be carried away by boat on the same day to the nobles' Chinampa, where it will be piled and applied to the fields.
Both sides of the street are also planted with pines and cypresses, especially Avivit trees. King Avite liked the name of the tree and the fragrance of the tree.
Shulot led his personal guards and walked among the fragrant tree-lined avenues.
All the civilians who were coming and going fell to the ground to avoid him, not daring to look directly at the figure of His Highness the Goddess. The nobles in the capital bowed and saluted one after another, sincerely praising His Highness who came from afar. Exclamations and praises continued to sound, accompanied by low discussions, and soon spread throughout the capital like the buzzing of a bee swarm.
Xiulote passed through the northern city and passed the edge of Tlatelolco's great market. He looked at the orderly market scene for a while, nodded slightly, and felt pleased. Soon, everyone walked through the long canal between Beicheng District and the main city, and entered the more magnificent main city.
In the main city, the wealth of the entire world is gathered. Everywhere you look, you can see white stone buildings and red rock roofs. Even in civilian areas, you can see many large houses decorated with gorgeous gold and silver. In the aristocratic area, flowers are planted everywhere, the fragrance is everywhere, and young girls are playing among them.
Shulot walked along the way, looking at the magnificent scenery of the capital. Many memories came to mind, along with the insights after running the kingdom. In his opinion at this time, the prosperous scenery of the capital city in the lake is indeed rare in the world, and the capital of King Qincongcan is also incomparable.
"Tenochtitlan is located in the middle of the world, with a population of two to three million. The long dikes on Lake Texcoco have established eight thousand hectares of rich water gardens. There are hundreds of villages along the lake, with 150 One hundred thousand people worked hard to support such a prosperous royal capital!"
The king thought in his heart. Tenochtitlan was able to be so prosperous because the long dike controlled the water and brought half of Lake Texcoco under its control. On this basis, the second is the highly productive Chinampa Floating Field. Going back further, the third is the convenient water transportation of the capital in the lake. The fourth is the stability and prosperity of the entire alliance.
"These factors can actually be replicated in Qinchongcan City... I have to ask for a group of master craftsmen who are good at water control from Avit, and bring a group of old farmers who are familiar with Chinampa. When I return to the kingdom, I will start to manage it. Lake Patzcuaro…”
Everyone continued to go south and soon came to the temple and palace area. The sixty- to seventy-meter-high temple casts a majestic shadow. Countless prayers, accompanied by bursts of rosin, floated between the temple and the altar.
Arriving at the temple and palace area, another group of envoys were leading the way. Five hundred kingdom guards stopped outside the temple area. In front of them was the residence of the gods and priests. Except for grand festival celebrations and worshipers led by priests, this place is not usually open to civilians. From here, only a few can move forward.
Kakamazin stopped. He smiled and patted Shulot on the shoulder and said gently.
"God bless you, have a smooth journey! Shulot, let's say goodbye here! There are a lot of things to do during the wedding. We will meet again in a few days!"
"God bless you! Uncle, take care of yourself all the way!"
Shulot lowered his head and saluted Kakamazin, and the two parted ways immediately.
Kakamazin walked slowly eastward, escorted by several followers, to the chief palace where the elder was. And Shulot turned southwest and went to the palace of King Avit.
The temple area was solemn and filled with patrolling royal warriors and temple guards. Shulot raised his head and looked at the towering temple in the distance.
A blazing sacred fire was lit in front of the great temple. At this moment, my grandfather should be busy there, right? After meeting the king, he went to visit his grandfather. The father should be in a noble house further out, and he would not be seen until tomorrow.
I am even more timid when I am close to my hometown. Inexplicable thoughts came to mind, making people a little confused.
Shulot walked along the avenue and watched the king's palace appear in sight. He thought of the girl in white and licked his dry lips.
"After fighting on the battlefield and countless life and death moments, I still feel nervous..."
Standing in front of the king's palace, Shulot laughed to himself. He took off the bronze sword from his waist and walked into the vast palace under the guidance of the guards.
There are many avivit trees planted in the palace, as well as large areas of roses and different fragrant flowers. Shulot walked on the stone path of flowers and trees. Soon, the three-story King's Hall appeared in front.
"YoYo!"
A loud eagle cry suddenly sounded above Shulot's head! Then, a fierce gust of wind came, causing his hair to lift up, and he was suddenly startled.
Shulot subconsciously took two steps back and looked up. A fat golden eagle danced its wings and fell from the sky. Little Avelot chirped happily and suddenly jumped into his arms, causing him to stumble and almost lose his balance.
"...Little Avelot, why did you suddenly show up again!"
Shulot was speechless for a moment, stretched out his hand, and flicked the little golden eagle's head hard. Who knows, little Avelot seems to have a lot of experience in dodging, and he will naturally dodge away as soon as he puts his little head back. Then, it raised its head proudly and chirped loudly.
"YoYo!..."
"boom!"
Shulot quickly stretched out his hand and played again. This time, little Avelot couldn't escape. It groaned in pain, then struggled with its wings, kicked its talons, and swooped out.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
The little golden eagle spread its wings and took off, shouting "Bad guy! Bad guy!". Then, it raised its wings and flew towards a two-story building behind the King's Hall.
Shulot was refreshed. He followed the direction of Little Avelot's flight and cast his sight over it. Above the two-story building, the god's curtains were fluttering in the wind. And a figure in white stood Tingting behind the gauze-like curtain.
"ah!"
Shulot watched the little golden eagle fly into the pavilion, crash into the gauze-like curtain, and reveal a beautiful face like a glimpse of light. The girl in white smiled softly, her eyebrows moving. She hugged the little golden eagle gently and skillfully, then turned around gracefully and lightly, and disappeared from behind the curtain.
A gust of wind blew, and there seemed to be a vague laughter of the girl in white, all of which floated away like a veil. Shulot stood stunned for a few breaths, and the king's guards did not urge him.
After a moment, Shulot pursed his lips and regained his composure. After this interruption, his nervousness suddenly dissipated, leaving only full of expectation and high spirits.
The two of them passed through the nobles and officials waiting outside the palace until they arrived in front of the heavy palace door. Then, the palace door creaked open, revealing a king in rich attire, with a calm expression and majestic position on the throne.
"Praise the Lord God! The incarnation of the Sun God, the Grand Tratoani of the Alliance, the Supreme King Avite, the Prince of the Lake Shulot greets you!"
Shulot looked solemn and walked slowly into the hall. He knelt on the ground respectfully and saluted to the alliance's big talker, the royal family's elder, his childhood teacher, and now his father-in-law, King Avit.
"Dear King, I haven't seen you for three years, but you are still like the sun, shining brightly on the entire alliance!"
On the gold and stone throne, Avitt wore formal royal attire and held a topaz scepter in his hand. He was calm, didn't speak, and didn't have any expression. He just stared calmly at Shulot under the throne. There was a certain scrutiny in that calm gaze, as if he was examining the changes and changes in the young man over the long years.
Three years passed by, and Shulot was already nineteen. With adequate nutrition and exercise, he has obviously grown much taller, perhaps even taller than Avitt himself. In his memory, the delicate and gentle young man gradually faded away and turned into a brave and confident young man.
Avit held the throne high and said nothing. Shulot knelt on the ground respectfully, motionless. The king and the prince looked at each other calmly, silently, but they seemed to be telling a lot. Shulot's heart is full of
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