The night was deep, and darkness filtered in from the window, making it difficult to breathe. The candlelight flickered, temporarily dispersing the darkness outside the side hall and bringing a little light.
The grandfather and grandson were wearing casual clothes and sitting close to each other. There was a faint smile on an old face, and a deep sadness on a young face. After being so quiet for a long time, the expressions of both of them gradually calmed down, hiding their surging emotions.
"Xulot, my child. I can see you grow up with my own eyes, and see your brave and decisive look...my heart is full of pride and joy."
High Priest Shuter looked calm and had a smile on his lips.
"Not long after, I will be able to see you get married and see you continue the family... It is really joyful and I have no regrets!"
Shulot pursed his lips, fell on the ground, and saluted his grandfather.
"Grandfather, the elder is dying of illness. You cannot fall... The religious reform cannot do without you. The great cause of the alliance still needs you to maintain it!"
"Ha ha!"
High Priest Shuter laughed loudly and even shed some tears. Then, he reached out his hand and gently touched his grandson's head.
"Xulot, my son, the great cause of the alliance depends on you..."
Then, the high priest looked solemn and straightened up. He spoke slowly, his words calm and deep, chilling.
"The list of rebels in the hands of Prince Totoki and the names of the nobles to be dealt with in Tlacopan were all drawn up by me myself."
"Ah! What?! Are you behind all this?..."
Hearing this, Shulot was shocked and let out a low voice in surprise, somewhat in disbelief.
"But, but!... The targets of the Tlacopan nobles' assassination plot are you and the king..."
"Xulot, my child, the human heart cannot stand the test, but the human heart can be induced."
The high priest nodded calmly and smiled lightly.
"The high priests and the royal family deprived the great nobles of Tlacopan of their autonomy, reduced a large amount of land and settlements, and also took back the religious rights of the priests. The local nobles and priests will naturally be dissatisfied. It was the hidden fire. Subsequently, the alliance reduced the garrison in Tlacopan, relaxed the management of the city-state, and ignored the frequent gatherings of nobles, and the flames gradually grew. Coupled with the intentional cooperation of the Prince of Tlacopan, the alliance secretly With Wei's secret temptation and Elder Wugel's hint, the flames grew stronger and stronger, developing into an assassination plot..."
"Prince Tlacopan, Alliance Secret Guards, Elder Ugel...all participated in this conspiracy, inducing this conspiracy..."
Shulot was stunned and felt a chill in his heart.
"So, from the beginning of the plot to the preparation of the assassination, the so-called rebellion of the Tlacopan nobles has always been controlled by the alliance?"
"Exactly. This assassination has always been under the control of the alliance. In fact, among this list, the only ones who are really prepared to send assassins to kill the venerable in a desperate fight are the three noble families with the most reductions in seals. "
The high priest smiled lightly, lowered his head slightly, and looked at his palms. He saw the bright red on his hands again.
"As for the dozen or so others, they just participated in the banquet and heard about it, but did not report it. They did not come to the high priests to report it immediately. This is still a serious crime. How to punish it depends on the needs of the alliance."
"Loss of crimes lead to big prisons..."
Shulot lowered his eyes slightly. The centralized reform of the Mexican Union, just like the inheritance of the Union's throne, is full of blood and fire. The royal center and the high priest have mastered the most powerful power, and they are ruthless, resolute and brutal in clearing all obstacles, which can even be said to be cruel.
"The fate of mortals is always determined by the Lord God in advance. Only the blessed ones can see it in advance."
The high priest's expression was a bit vicissitudes of life, but also a bit leisurely, as if he had seen through the fog of fate and everything became calm.
"My child, the Lord God shines on Lake Texcoco, spreading the most sacred light! Since the Reformation, the fate of the Tlacopan nobles has been doomed. They are destined to be the same as the nobles of Texcoco, I just lived five more years..."
Thinking of this, the high priest shook his head slightly, with a firm expression and an iron will.
"There cannot be such a group of alienated nobles in the capital, occupying land and Dingkou, threatening the capital city in the lake at all times! The high priests and the royal center do not want them to exist. So now that the time is ripe, the royal center and the high priests If they are strong enough, they should be wiped out.”
"The so-called reform is to use the bones of the old nobles to pave a new path. The only chance of survival for the Tlacopan nobles is to participate in the Western Expedition and enfeoff the country, or actively request to change the title. Prince Totoki is very smart, and has always Cooperating with the alliance, the alliance is also willing to leave a benchmark...and when the nobles who are aware of current affairs have left, the remaining stubborn and conservative people will all be sacrificed to the Lord God~"
"...The fate of mortals has already been determined."
Hearing these familiar words, Shulot felt something in his heart. He lowered his head slightly, listening to his grandfather's narration, savoring the apparent cruelty of the political struggle, but unable to understand the vicissitudes hidden in his grandfather's words.
"Xulot, my child. The alliance has been secretly controlling the conspiracy of the Tlacopan nobles, and there is no threat. The reason why I asked Prince Totoki to come to report at this time is just to let you gain new experience. The right to interpret the meaning is just unobtrusive.”
The high priest smiled gently and shook his grandson's hand.
"I already know the divine scriptures you taught at Divinity University. The mysteries of the gods encompass all things in the world and have the power to create. This is a path I have never imagined, and I have never seen. I don't know where it leads. But I believe that you understand in your heart. The road is always walked by people, but I am just a little worried about trying it at this time..."
After saying this, the high priest paused. His eyes were gentle, looking at his grandson's young and resolute face, he smiled confidently.
"However, my child, you might as well say it now. Since I am the high priest and hold great power, I can help you deal with the beginning and end in advance, and reduce some trouble in the future... The foundation of the kingdom in the lake is not deep, you still If you have any needs, just tell me! I will solve it for you..."
Shulot lowered his eyes, warm emotions surging in his chest like a tide. He held his grandfather's hand and was silent for a long time before speaking in a deep voice.
"Grandfather, the kingdom in the lake has been conquering all over the world. It has developed very quickly and has gathered tribesmen of all ethnic groups. I need more Mexica people to enrich the kingdom and balance the different ethnic groups..."
"In addition, the kingdom has newly resettled 90,000 Tekos tribesmen, and after the autumn harvest, the army will be mobilized for a distant eastern expedition. I need food support from the alliance to fill the kingdom's warehouse and reduce the pressure on food..."
"The kingdom's copper mine output is increasing rapidly. The mined copper is added with tin and cast into bronze weapons, armor, agricultural tools, and tools. The tin ore mainly comes from the southern city-states of the Alliance, and Qiongtar further south. The southern city-states of the alliance are not easy to interfere with. I want to obtain some tin mines in the land of Qiongtar along the river... "The kingdom's gem trade is an important source of wealth. It is best to further promote the various ministries." The city-state expanded and opened up independent trade routes to the wealthy south. This trade route also follows the Talsas River and passes through the land of Jontar..."
"The kingdom is in the ascendant and needs more talents to fill everywhere. What it needs most is priests who understand writing, can do basic calculations, and have devout beliefs. Secondly, they are senior craftsmen who are proficient in a certain production and can lead apprentices. By the way, there are also We need experienced water control masters who can design canals, as well as professional farmers who are familiar with the construction of Chinampa..."
"Population, food, tin mines, trade routes, talents..."
Shulot said a lot in one breath. In this cruel world, he has long been accustomed to facing all difficulties independently, and only his grandfather can make him rely on him.
High Priest Shuter nodded calmly, with a gentle smile on his face. He lowered his old face and thought deeply, recalling the situation in various parts of the alliance. After a while, he raised his head and promised calmly and forcefully.
"Xulot, my child. Whatever you need, I will solve it for you!"
