The night is long, and I don’t realize it is already deep. The jungle is quiet and there are vaguely young birds. The bonfire gradually burned out, everyone's expressions changed, their thoughts fluctuated, and their hearts were focused on the East China Sea.
Ti Carlo lowered his eyebrows, bowed respectfully, and asked with a smile.
"Priest Thomas, the translator from Cuba, the nautical map to Cuba, and the location of the iron mine...are you satisfied with these three prices?"
Hearing this, Priest Tomat's eyes flashed and he took a deep look at Ti Carlo.
"Ti Carlo, you should know that His Highness values three things. Why didn't you tell His Highness personally when you were in Water Valley City? Your Highness will definitely reward you greatly. You can ask His Highness for what you want!"
Hearing this, Ti Carlo raised his eyes, smiled, and said nothing. Priest Thomas regards His Highness as a divinely inspired prophet and the supreme king. But in his heart, after all, he was a young boy who was once innocent, and he could not rely on him. But now, His Highness has become a ruthless king, and the king cannot be trusted by him.
"The bargaining chip in my hand can only be used once! ... There is a bloody feud with such a cunning opponent. How can I rely on the king's will and expect rewards from the superior?"
Tikalo's thoughts were wandering and he remained silent. Priest Tuomat looked at it for a moment, and he understood something in his heart. He shook his head secretly, looked solemn, and spoke again.
"Te Carlo. The Mayapan Kingdom has ruled the lowlands for more than two hundred years. Even if it is only the king of the Maya in name, even if it has been destroyed for many years... the heritage of the kingdom will definitely remain. There should be more in your hands. Yes, it’s a price you can pay!”
"Um..."
Tikalo lowered his head slightly, avoiding the bright eyes of Priest Tomat. Priest Thomas didn't let him go, and grabbed his arm.
"hiss!"
Tikalo's arm hurt, his eyelids twitched, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Priest Thomas, you!..."
"Hand it over!"
Priest Tomat stared into the eyes of the Mayan businessman with stern eyes and threatened him fiercely.
"Hand it over! The Lord God is witness! What you dedicate to God will definitely be returned in double proportion! What you dedicate to the kingdom will be returned to the remnants of Mayapan in double proportion!... How long has it been and you are still hesitating like this? ? The gambling game has begun! If you don’t even dare to put in all the bets, do you still want to leverage the huge Xiwu family? "
"I...this...Priest Thomas..."
Faced with the approaching Priest Tomat, Tikalo felt sweat on his forehead. Now it was his turn to feel the power of the priest and the majesty of the Lord God.
"You can only rely on the Kingdom! Not with that ridiculous calculation, but devote yourself wholeheartedly to serving the Kingdom and His Highness! You don't know His Highness's ambitions, and you don't know the greatness of God's revelation! But you must know that the Kingdom's Power and force!”
"Within a few years, Holy Eagle Marshal Bertard will come from the sea with thousands of elite warriors! And the Holy Eagle Warrior Commander is not only brave and good at fighting, but also wise. When the time comes, even the huge Xiwu The family is absolutely unable to resist the kingdom!..."
Speaking of this, Priest Tomat's eyes sharpened, like an eagle's eyes, straight into Ti Carlo's eyes and heart.
"The kingdom is so powerful that it can defeat the Xiwu family without the help of the remnants of Mayapan! Tikalo, if you don't invest enough bets now, by then, no matter who the land of Mayapan will be handed over to, it will be with you. It’s irrelevant! If you want to take back the land of your ancestors, this price is not enough, far from enough!”
"...the land of the ancestors, Mayapan...the stakes..."
Tikalo closed his eyes, but Priest Tomat's words kept echoing in his heart. After a while, he let out a long sigh.
"Hey! Priest Tomat, you are really like an obsidian dagger, extremely sharp and deeply rooted in people's hearts."
Tikalo smiled bitterly. He opened his eyes, looked into the other person's eyes, and sighed. After a while, the Mayan merchant also looked solemn and replied in a deep voice.
"As witnessed by the Lord God, we will risk everything! Priest Thomas, when going to Cuba this time, the fleet can bring the flag and uniform of Mayapan and borrow the reputation of the kingdom. Although fifty years have passed, the local Of the tribes, there must still be people who remember the former kingdom, especially the tribes in the west. And the Xishan tribe that once surrendered to Mayapan will also provide convenience for the Kingdom of the Lake to gain a foothold in Cuba!"
"Oh? Borrowing the reputation of Mayapan Kingdom? To facilitate the initial mutual trust and foothold?"
Hearing this, Priest Tomat's expression changed. He looked at the unique "big" family pattern on Ti Carlo and Tiakim, and nodded slowly.
"Very good! What else?"
"..."
Ti Carlo lowered his eyes, was silent for a while, and then answered.
"The Kingdom of Mayapan organized a fleet and conducted long voyages. In addition to going east to Cuba, we also explored along the coast all the way south. Starting from the highland Maya, near Copan, and then going south, it is the long and winding south coastal..."
“First came the Chʼortiʼ (modern-day Honduras), who were rich in jade and pepper, then the Niahuac (Nicaragua region), who produced spices, and then the Cueva people in the jungle, who produced pottery. , that is, the area around Panama)...and finally the Chibcha people (Chibcha (now northern Colombia) who possess gold."
Having said this, Ti Carlo paused slightly. This route happened a hundred years ago. Among the remaining Mayapan tribes, only some records and charts are left. The translators of each section and the sailors familiar with the route have long been gone. However, in front of Priest Tomat, he still had to show his confidence.
"Dear Priest Tuomat, I know His Highness's ambition! He will definitely care about the information about this route. When our fleet returns to the kingdom, I will bring the nautical chart inherited by the Cocom royal family and explain it to His Highness personally. !”
Hearing this, Priest Thomas was silent. The Cuban nautical map in his hand is extremely abstract, and the recorded text is also the Mayan script unique to the Cocom family. If there is no one who knows the inheritance to explain it, it will be like a blank slate. And the chart to the south must be the same.
"Very good! Tikalo, you have proved your worth and changed your destiny...anything else?"
"...have!"
Tikalo gritted his teeth and spoke harshly. This time, he was really like a gambler, putting all his bets and leaving his fate to the kingdom.
"We also have several old shipwrights passed down from the Kingdom period, who are familiar with the making of sails and the reinforcement of the hull. The kingdom's long ships use almost the best ship materials, but there are still many shortcomings in the hull. Sea-going ships After all, unlike inland river boats, they have to withstand wind and waves. The shape and angle of the sails should also have an impact on the speed of the boat... I don’t know the details, but the boats of the Mayan merchant fleet are much cheaper than the ships of the kingdom. , the speed is even faster.”
Speaking of this, Ti Carlo's eyes flickered. He arranged for Mayan merchant ships to follow the kingdom's fleet all the way. Many arrangements along the way were made by local acquaintances, who would spread the word to the fleet behind...
"good very good!"
Priest Thomas was very satisfied. He stared with red eyes and leaned forward, like a greedy big tomato, holding down the poor bald caterpillar and squeezing it to its heart's content.
"What else? Take it out!"
"...Each Mayan tribe has mastered the technology of beekeeping and produces honey. However, the bee species of each tribe are good and bad, and the honey produced is also of different quality...I heard that His Highness likes honey..."
Bidige
Tikalo was covered in sweat, looked at the tomato priest who was almost pressing on him, and forced a smile.
"The Cocom royal family has inherited the best bee species and masters unique beekeeping technology. The tribe can dedicate the best bee species and bee slaves to His Highness! You know, the Kapoor family has asked for it several times, None of us gave..."
"Oh? Beekeeping technology, the best bee species and bee slaves!"
Hearing this, Priest Tomat touched his chin, thoughtfully.
Maya's beekeeping technology has always been mastered by the divine nobles of various tribes and has never been leaked to the outside world. They will have bee slaves who will serve for generations, passing on and cultivating bee seeds from generation to generation. These bee slaves have no personal freedom and will be sacrificed to death when they are too old to work. And if this technology can be brought back to the kingdom to steadily produce fresh, high-quality honey... it may please His Highness.
"Not bad! Also..."
"No more! No more!"
Mayan businessman Tikalo shook his head desperately and pushed Priest Tomat away. He gasped, sweating profusely, and regret immediately arose in his heart.
"No! How can I hand over the last secrets of the Cocom family to the kingdom..."
"No! You must still have it!"
Priest Tomat narrowed his eyes and shouted harshly, with a power that could not be disobeyed.
"The Cocom family has a necessary price to pay to ensure the kingdom's trust!"
"Huh? What?"
"Hand over your direct descendants of the gods and go to the Kingdom of the Lake to receive training from the Kingdom!"
Priest Tomat raised the corners of his mouth and pointed at the young god Tiakin.
"I don't want what's yours, I want what's his!"
"Ah! Ah this..."
Tikalo was anxious and didn't know how to argue. He knew that this was asking for protons, but there were only a dozen members of the Cocom family left. As for the direct descendants of gods, there are very few...
"...Well...the little prince is still young, and the little princess is only two or three years old...can you wait a few more years..."
"Uncle, what does Priest Thomas want?"
Seeing this scene, the young god-born Tiajin could no longer bear it and asked.
"he wants..."
Tikalo's face was full of bitterness and he responded in a low voice.
"I want the future of the Cocom family...the direct descendant of the Serpent God..."
"..."
The young god lowered his head and bit his lip tightly until it was bitten and his mouth was filled with blood. He smelled his own blood, thinking about the blood of his ancestors, the blood of today's enemies, and many more...
Under the silent gaze of everyone, Tiakin stretched out his hand and shook the sun amulet that Priest Tomat put on him around his neck. He closed his eyes again and felt the majesty of the Lord God on his forehead. After a moment, he finally raised his head and said firmly.
"Okay! I'll give it!... When the Kingdom's fleet returns, I will send both the eldest son and the youngest daughter to the Kingdom!"
The night is getting darker and darker, and the stars are twinkling in the sky. The sea breeze blows through the jungle, causing the leaves to whimper. And this sea breeze blew on Ti Carlo's body, giving him a bit of chill and warmth. In a daze, he boarded the longboat and looked at Tiakin under the boat, but he only saw his nephew's resolute and mature face.
"I am old...and he...grew up...The Last Sun of Mayapan..."
"Quick! Quick! Put on the spears given to us by the Nava Kingdom and put on the captured Xiwu armor. We must leave quickly!..."
Tiakin had no time for sentimentality. His eyes were flashing with ambition, and his face was full of high morale. He urged again and again, commanding more than 300 tribal warriors, carrying 600 bronze spears, 100 bronze axes, and 20 pairs of leather armor supported by priest Tuomat. This investment from the kingdom is exactly the same as what was given to the Puton tribe.
"We won this battle and gained a lot! Not only did we kill the princes of the Xiu family, but we also killed more than 300 of the most elite Xiu warriors. More importantly, the tribe gained the support of the Kingdom of Nava in the west! etc. Returning to the tribe, my prestige and reputation..."
Thinking of this, the young divine descendant felt excited. He thought for a moment and gave the order again.
"Quick! Take the head of Xiu Prince Xiu Tuer! The Nahua people don't want it, just bring it back to the tribe to boost everyone's morale! After so many years, the tribe needs good news so much!..."
"Blessed by the Serpent God! I obey you, dear sun!"
"No, it's the Lord God's blessing!"
Tiakin corrected seriously. If the Serpent God cannot bring power, then he will believe in a more powerful god. Only with enough strength can we take revenge and regain the land of our ancestors, no matter what the cost!
"Very good! God bless you!"
Priest Thomas nodded with satisfaction. Tiakin's words were actually repeated in Nahua language with his accent. He pondered for a moment, then asked Puap again to bring a set of bronze armor and a scripture, and gave them to Tiakin. This is the first Mayan chief and priest to convert to the main god. It is also a precious fire that cannot be lost easily.
"Tiakin! Put on this! This is the blessing of the Lord God. It will protect you and stand tall on the battlefield!"
Tiakin took the bronze armor doubtfully, stretched out his hand to touch it, and then stabbed it with a dagger, ecstasy quickly appeared on his face. He lowered his head and prayed sincerely to the priest Thomas and to the powerful Lord God.
"Praise the Lord Huitzilopochtli! She is in the highest position, rules over all things, and is omnipotent!"
"Good! Excellent!"
Priest Tomat stretched out his hand, rubbed Tiakin's divine head lovingly, and said the last blessing.
"The Lord God will bless you who are pious! Under the light of the Lord God and under your leadership, the Cocom family will rise again, in the name of God!"
The longship raised its sails, and the fleet was ready to set sail again under the moonlight. Mayan businessman Tikalo looked towards the shore, watching his nephew Tiakin gradually disappear, and his heart suddenly became entangled. He came to the side of the ship and shouted to the shore.
"Akin! Xiu Tuer is dead. Next, Xiu Pan will go crazy! Remember, take the tribe with you to move again, to the hinterland of the Kapoor clan! Don't directly confront the Xiwu family! ... Did you hear that? ?”
Tikalo's shouts echoed along the seashore and fell on the ears of the Mayapan warriors. Everyone raised their heads together and watched the lonely god leave in the Nava people's ship, like a sacrifice to the gods. Tiakin looked at it blankly, nodded blankly, and his eyes became inexplicably moist.
"Uncle...I know..."
Nephew Tiakin’s voice was very small, but Tikalo seemed to hear it. He stood on the side of the ship with a smile on his lips, watching the tribe disappear from his eyes and become him alone again. The lonely old Mayan turtle swims among the fierce Nahua crocodiles, always smiling confidently but fearful in his heart. Who else can understand him?
Mayan businessman Tikalo lowered his eyes and sighed in his heart. A confident smile appeared on his face, and when he turned around, he saw another wise "old turtle". The old militiaman Chihuaco was two steps away, holding a spear, and was leading several sailors holding spears, looking at him with a half-smile.
"Ah? Dear Captain Chihuaco, what do you want from me..."
"Get him!"
The sailors swarmed up and pushed Tikalo, who was caught off guard, to the ground. Then, a few ropes were tied up, firmly, like tying up a wild deer.
"Go! Lock him in the cabin below deck!"
Chihuaco, the old militiaman, had deep eyes and a stern expression. He looked at the two teenagers beside him and ordered in a deep voice.
"Dark Snake, Didi, keep an eye on him! He is not allowed to have contact with anyone before arriving in Cuba!"
"Yes! Captain daddy!"
The two nodded in agreement, with some excitement on their faces. This was the first time they had taken on important responsibilities. The old militiaman nodded with a smile, rubbed their heads, and was about to leave. After taking a few steps, he remembered something again and turned around to give instructions.
"That's right! This hairless fox is the best at talking. Pull a piece of cotton cloth and put it in his mouth. Also take two balls of cotton and put them in your ears. Don't allow him to speak except when eating!"
"It's up to you, Captain Daddy!"
The boys' crisp responses floated on the flagship and dispersed into the waves behind the ship. The stars are brilliant, reflected in the mighty sea. The waves rise and roll up the stars. And the fleet set off leisurely, along the dreamy galaxy, leaving the deep jungle, leaving the devil's tail, and disappeared under the moonlight in the east.
