Fifty miles northwest of Otter City, there is a newly built tribal camp. This camp is quite large and stretches high on the hill. The inside and outside are separated by two circles of wooden fences. An inherited red crow flag is flying in the camp.
As dusk approached, smoke rose and the camp was filled with noise. Red-haired hunters with bows on their backs, tribal warriors with spears, and elite militiamen with spears were all walking around the camp, preparing a simple and satisfying dinner. The chimney smoke was blowing, and figures were coming and going. A rough count revealed that there were four to five thousand soldiers. And such an army size is indeed a rare large tribe in the sparsely populated land of Huastec!
In the center of the camp, there is a large tent. Inside the tent, the furnishings were very simple, with weapons and leather armor hanging on all sides, some simple leather rugs on the floor, and a bonfire burning in the corner. The crackle of the bonfire, accompanied by a firm and powerful female voice, sounded in the tent.
"Dad, the Aztec warriors have gone north again! They are raiding the southwestern tribes, and they are probably sending troops from the area around Hilotepec City!"
Alan carried a big bow and stood straight in the tribe's tent. She looked at her father who was sitting cross-legged and said hurriedly.
"The warriors of Suiqiu City are scattered widely, plundering and capturing prisoners in various villages. Please give me two thousand tribal warriors! I can lead them to ambush the warriors of Hutou and defeat them all in the mountains, forests and swamps! "
"Yes. Alan, the scout has reported this news to me. The legions from Suiqiu City are heading north. Most of them are Otomi warriors who have surrendered to the Aztec Alliance, and a small number are Mexica warriors. Their number should be Over two thousand.”
Red Crow Chief Amosi looked calm and sat cross-legged on a soft deerskin. As several years passed, his expression became more and more calm, his eyes were stern and deep, and his face was cold and deep. At this moment, he was wearing the chief's wolf robe, wearing a red feather crown, and had a mountain-like power, which had already surpassed that of the great chief Chichika.
However, when he saw his daughter Alan, who had come back from more than ten miles away, he couldn't help but smile on his face and asked with a smile.
"Alan, my daughter! Didn't you take the Chippewana boy to the lake to hunt? Why did you become a scout collecting intelligence again?"
"Dad, I met a Huastec girl. Her tribe was wiped out, her father died, and she fled to the lake alone. I learned the news about the southwest from her mouth, and I also told her about it. The girl was brought back to the tribe.”
Alan pursed his lips, his eyes showing both anger and a hint of amusement. Then, she gritted her teeth and firmly proposed again.
"Dad, in the mountains and swamps, I can kill even thick-skinned tiger-headed warriors! Please give me a team of tribal warriors and let me go south to attack the Aztecs and rescue the plundered mountains. Between tribes.”
Hearing this, Amosi raised his eyebrows. He was silent for a while before speaking calmly.
"Alan, it is the custom of Suiqiu City to go north to sweep the mountains. They capture young men to replenish the city's population and slaves, and never cross the Otter River. The leader of Suiqiu City is the northern general of the Mexican Alliance, Ocelo Er. They are not enemies with our Red Crow tribe. On the contrary, the tribe is still a vassal of the alliance in name only."
"But, Dad. We tax and levy the villages on both sides of the Otter River. We also tell them that the Red Crow tribe is not an invader of the Huastec land, but a protector of the Huastec people! Now, the enemy is coming But we stood idly by and watched. How could the Huastec tribes on both sides of the river believe in us again?"
Alan looked resolute as he stared at the majestic father. Amosi stood up and looked at his daughter who was as tall as himself with deep eyes. After a moment, relief appeared on his face.
"Alan, my daughter. The divine heaven and earth and the ancestors are watching us together! You have become a true warrior, not afraid of powerful enemies, and have a firm and fearless warrior's heart!"
As he said that, Amosi stretched out his hand, took his daughter, and sat down at the table together. The two sat opposite each other. Chief Red Crow reached into his arms, took out a simple map, unfolded it in front of his daughter, and pointed.
"Hilotepec Suiqiu City is more than 600 miles southwest of Otter City. They are the northernmost city-state in the Mexica Alliance and have been occupied by the Mexica for less than ten years. This city-state controls There are about 150,000 people and 5,000 warriors. Their leader, Jaguar Ocelot, is now in his prime and is not a mediocre leader. He constantly sends troops to the north, demanding submission from the northern tribes, and also expands Sui Qiu. city’s influence.”
"Dad, even if there are five thousand warriors in Suiqiu City, it is impossible for them to mobilize all, regardless of their nests. The most they can send here is two to three thousand. And if we, the Red Crow Tribe, mobilize in a big way, but A legion of eight thousand men can be dispatched!
Alan stretched out his hand, a few hundred miles to the southwest, in the mountains and forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental, a little heavier.
"Right here! This undulating mountain range and hills are full of lush forests. I was born here. The army in mountain forest warfare is dispersed and pays more attention to flexibility and marching. It is the home ground of our Red Crow tribe. And the Mexica's Samurai, in this mountain forest, you can't take advantage of the battle!"
"Similarly, if we send troops for the Huastecs, we can gain their support. The tribesmen in each tribe can be our eyes and help us inform us. The Mexica people have no scruples and spread out widely, just like each other. Defeat! Father, please give me two thousand soldiers! I am sure that like hunting, this Suiqiu City army will continue to lose blood and become weaker and weaker, until they are buried in the vast mountains and forests without any return!"
Hearing Alan's detailed tactical ideas, Amosi touched his chin, feeling a little surprised. He smiled and praised his daughter sincerely.
"Alan, you are indeed capable enough to command an army of two thousand people! When I was your age, I did not have such knowledge. It seems that it is time to release you and lead a group of tribal warriors to gain more experience. One or two, also accumulate some prestige in the tribe!"
Hearing this, Alan's energy surged, and his face showed joy.
"Dad, do you agree to send troops south to destroy this army in Suiqiu City?"
"No, I don't agree."
Amosi's smile faded and he shook his head affirmatively. Then, he looked at Alan's big disappointed eyes and explained patiently.
"Alan, if the tribe sends out troops, it can indeed wipe out these two or three thousand warriors. And if it mobilizes in a large scale, it is also possible to defeat the army mobilized by Suiqiu City in the mountains and forests. But, what next?"
"Then? Hmm."
Alan pursed his lips and thought for a while, then his bright eyes dimmed.
"Dad, are you worried that the king of the Aztecs will send an army north to attack the tribe?"
"Exactly! Behind Suiqiu City is the Mexica Alliance. And two or three warriors, or even five or six thousand warriors, to the king of the alliance, are just a feather on the wings of an eagle!"
Speaking of this, Amosi sighed quietly. Although he stayed in the northeasternmost part of the world, he was always paying attention to the situation on the southern plateau.
"Zukata comes from the Kingdom of Tarasco and once told us about the situation on the southern plateau. Ten years ago, various factions in the world were at odds with each other. The Mexica Alliance, the Kingdom of Tarasco, and the Tlaxcala Alliance were all on the plateau. A powerful tribe. However, today, the Mexica people have wiped out the two major kingdoms and alliances, and they have become a dominant family! And in the entire Mexica Plateau, and even the entire southern world, there is no force that can stop them from attacking various tribes. Conquest!"
"Evil Aztecs!"
Alan gritted his teeth, touched the long bow on his back, cursed bitterly, and then changed his words.
"Most people evil Aztec tribe!"
"Alan, the expansion of the tribe cannot be said to be evil, it can only be said to be strong or weak. This is just the law of the jungle, the weak eat the strong. Today, in this vast mountain forest in the south, a powerful king is about to be determined! Well, maybe two . No, there’s still one in the end. Haha!”
Amosi said a few words, which made him laugh. After a few breaths, he looked solemn, stretched out his finger, and pointed again at the northeast of the map.
"Old Chief Kakaro once said that the future of the tribe lies in the east and the north! We, the Red Crow Tribe, migrated from the wilderness across the mountains. This is the coast of the sea, the farthest point that can be reached in the east. However, This is not enough to the north. Tribes come from the north, bringing news about the northern continent. The northern continent is vast, covered with Gobi, grasslands and forests. It is really an endless land!"
"Ah?! The prophecy of old chief Kakaro, the East and the North"
Hearing this, Alan lowered his eyes slightly, memories appearing on his face. After a while, she opened her eyes and looked at her father.
"Dad, do you want to move north? But we have only settled here for a few years. And the divine disasters in the north are also terrible!"
"Yes. The ancestors have witnessed that I intend to let the tribe continue to move north."
Amosi was wearing a wolf robe and looked in the direction of the north. Then, he smiled confidently, moved his finger on the map, and explained to his daughter in detail.
"Alan, my daughter. This coastal north is different from the wasteland north. It has rich water and soil, and the climate is quite warm. You see, Otter City is here, and there is a lagoon to the east, and it is dozens of miles away. It is the endless East China Sea. And fifty miles to the northwest from Otter City is the new camp at our feet. Our Red Crow tribe has placed five thousand tribal warriors who are good at fighting here just to continuously attack the south."
"The Huastec tribes are weak and can continuously provide the tribe with food, food and wealth. Their leader is Otter City, but it has been completely suppressed by the tribe's warriors in the city. Within two to three hundred miles, Otter City Only half of the tribes that can be controlled are left in the south and east. The Huastec tribes in the west and north have surrendered to the tribe, farmed for us, paid taxes, and accepted our protection."
Hearing this, Alan blinked and said in a deep voice.
"Dad, we promised to protect them! The tribe has also sent out troops before to attack the warriors of Suiqiu City. You said that we should regard the land of Huastek as our foundation and treat each tribe as our tribe. Establish a foothold here. Then little by little, we will replace Otter City and take control of this Huastec land."
"Yes! Alan, you remember correctly. This was indeed my original plan. But now, the world's situation has undergone tremendous changes. We have to climb the tall trees and see further."
Amosi nodded, with a hint of sadness on his face.
"In just a few years, the Mexican Alliance will completely occupy the plateau. Their leader is greedy for the world, and their chief is also brave and good at fighting. Now, this trend of dominating the world is unstoppable. Zuka and I Ta has talked many times that as long as there is no inherited division within the Mexica people, the south will be unified in the hands of a powerful tribe that has never been seen before. And after they unify the south, the land of Huastec will definitely not be able to maintain substantial independence."
"The Aztecs are about to unify the world"
Alan lowered his eyes, not knowing what to say. She touched the dagger at her waist, feeling the wolf head pattern that she had touched countless times, and the three mysterious graphic characters on it, feeling a little depressed for no reason.
"Dad, does that mean we have no chance to go to the Aztec land, defeat them, and capture their nobles?"
"Yes. At least for now, we must avoid conflict with them. That's why I will send an envoy to offer a tribute to the King of Mexica in the capital city of the lake to express nominal surrender."
Amosi looked a little emotional.
"If it were just a threat from the south, with the help of the six hundred miles of mountains and forests, the tribe could actually maintain it here. After all, the land of Huastek is rich. If a city-state is established here and settled down, the life of the tribe will be much better. . However, our city of Palms upstream is firmly in the hands of the Mexica Lake Kingdom. They can swim downstream and threaten the tribal camps downstream."
"They sent envoys to give us weapons and leather armor, and also sent two thousand warriors from Chief Red Cat to encourage us to capture Otter City. Then, they will use another sum of more weapons and armor, Come in exchange for this coastal Huastec city-state.”
Hearing this, Alan raised his head, looked at Chief Red Crow whose expression changed, and asked in surprise.
"Dad, regarding the proposal of the Mexica people in the lake, didn't you say that we should delay it for a few years and not be in a hurry to capture Otter City, but instead plan slowly?"
"Exactly! For the Red Crow Tribe, it is better to keep the weak Otter City in the hands of the Huastecs than to be occupied by the fierce Mexica people. Therefore, no matter how the Red Cat Chief urges me, I will not be in a hurry Siege the city.”
Amosi nodded firmly in affirmation. He looked deeply at Otter City, which was in a superior location, and sighed softly in his heart. Then, his fingers moved north, tracing along the hills and rivers, and finally landed on a vast lake.
"Alan, I have made a decision and continue to move north! The real foundation of the Red Crow Tribe, the nest where we are based, will be built here!"
