The harvest month of October passed with the fragrance of corn. From the Lake Kingdom in the west to the Mexican Union in the center, millions of villagers showed joyful smiles on their faces. After a year of busy work, now I can finally relax a little. It’s not easy!
In the land of Tlaxcala in the east, in the fields with lush grass, the warriors of the Alliance and the Kingdom also showed excitement. They were gearing up, waiting for the upcoming battle, and were full of rewards after victory.
The mobilization for the eastward expedition has spread throughout the army. The clarion call of war has arrived as scheduled, the November wind is filled with chills, and a new conquest is about to begin!
The camp outside Tree Snake City is busy, and all kinds of supplies are ready. Envoys from the Black Wolf Toltec also came several times to inquire about His Highness’s marching arrangements.
In fact, according to Shulot's original plan, he would lead his troops eastward after harvesting new grain in mid-October. But three things delayed his plan. The first thing was that Naxiu's late delivery was two weeks later than expected. The second thing was the arrival of a new batch of gunpowder at the end of October. As for the third thing.
“King Avit’s decree has finally arrived!”
Shulot opened a volume of edicts and saw Avitt's royal seal at a glance. Then, he read the contents of the edict carefully and remained silent.
The centralization reforms of the Mexica Federation are still advancing, and the legal system is as crude as that of the prairie tribes. This edict in name is more like a letter from Avitt. It is very short and contains only two important sentences.
"The incarnation of the Sun God, King Avit, allows Prince Shulot's request to conquer the rebels of Totonak!"
"In the name of the God King! After defeating the rebels, the land of Totonac will be entrusted to the fiefdom of Prince Xiuhua. Until the prince reaches adulthood at the age of fifteen, it will be managed by the royal center."
These two decrees, one agreeing to send troops and the other promising enfeoffment, were both within Shulot's expectation. According to the current situation, it is impossible for Avitt to refuse his request to conquer the east. The so-called central management of the fiefdom by the royal family is actually an agreement that has been secretly reached between Shulot and Avitt. Several ports along the coast belong to the Lake Kingdom and retain sea routes to the East China Sea. Most of the inland hinterland belongs to the center of the alliance and is transferred to the alliance's nobles and royal family members.
"It's just the cold tone of this edict? God King Avit. Prince Shulot?"
Shulot was lost in thought and remained silent. He thought for a while and then took out the first letter Avitt wrote to him after returning to the royal capital when he led his army to siege the city last year. The letter began with:
"Xulot, as the supreme king, I agree with your idea of centralizing power in the alliance! The king should clearly respect the leaders of the states in every detail, and gradually take back all the powers in their territories!"
Shulot pursed his lips and read the reply again, feeling Avitt's ambition and aspirations at that time. Afterwards, he searched in silence for a while and found out the letter Avitt wrote to him nearly three years ago, urging him to go to the royal capital to marry Alyssa.
"Haha! Shulot, my student, my son-in-law! Come quickly and prepare for the ceremony. Alyssa's wedding must be glorious to all nations!"
Shulot read all three letters, then put them away silently, lowering his head and thinking in silence.
After ascending to the throne of God King, King Avit became more and more reserved and his thoughts became more and more unpredictable. Even as the student who was once the closest and knew him best, it is difficult to grasp the king's mind anymore.
"King Avit, he is obviously dissatisfied with my request for this title."
After pondering for a long time, Shulot raised his head and spoke calmly. He looked calm, but his heart felt heavy. Avite is further centralizing reforms, strengthening the theocratic kingship, and establishing the supreme status and majesty of the divine king. And he is also constantly making conquests, expanding the power of the kingdom, and enhancing his prestige. Although this kind of contradiction between the king and the king can be eased through various methods and past friendships, it has gradually emerged and is difficult to resolve. cover.
Like this time, he had a reason to ask for a title for Xiuhua and control the coastal routes. But in the eyes of King Avit, and in the eyes of the great nobles of the alliance, no matter whether this approach is intentional or not, it cannot change the meaning of challenging the supreme royal power.
Shulot lowered his eyes and thought for a long time before raising his head. Then, he looked at the captain of the guard, Ekart, and asked.
"The secret guard of the kingdom in the capital city in the lake, is there any news about the king?"
"Master, in the past two years, Chief Intelligence Officer Gillim has reorganized the palace guards. A large number of warriors from common people, foreign countries and even foreign races have been promoted and have successively replaced the palace guards from the great nobles and royal families. Our branch of the Holy City , no one is guarding the palace anymore. And the king’s messages are becoming less and less in the capital.”
Eckart, the captain of the guard, looked troubled. He thought for a while, then cautiously spoke, mentioning another thing.
"Although there is no message from the king, there are more rumors in the capital city in the lake. And there seem to be some songs in the alliance states."
"Hmm, rumors?"
Hearing this, Shulot frowned and his expression became solemn.
"What kind of rumors? Tell me carefully."
The captain of the guard, Ecate, nodded, took out two new letters from his arms, and preached word for word.
"The rumor in the capital is that after the king received your request for a title, he was so furious in the palace that he even threw the inherited magic staff on the ground!"
"."
Shulot frowned, thought carefully for a while, and then shook his head.
"It's unbelievable! Even if Avitt is unhappy, he will not throw the inherited divine staff on the ground. The divine staff represents royal power. He wants to establish the supreme royal power and will never make such a derogatory move!"
Hearing this, the captain of the guard, Ekart, nodded in agreement. He then brought up the rumors circulating among the states of the alliance.
"This rumor from various states was actually circulated in the capital at first. However, the chief intelligence officer of the capital took severe action and killed a group of people to suppress the rumor."
"Well, what is it?"
".It is a song, just like the prophecy left by the priests after communicating with the gods."
"Read it to me!"
Eckart, the captain of the guard, carefully glanced at His Highness, who was serious, and then sang softly in a priest's tone.
"The night has fallen, and the morning star has fallen. The immortal sun has set, and the high sun has risen! Lift your heads, O people of the Lord God! Two suns in the sky! Which one is brighter? Which one sets first? Two The sun is rising in the sky!"
"Snapped!"
A sudden snapping sound erupted in the big tent. Eckart fell silent, but saw Hulot slamming his hand on the table with murderous intent in his eyes and his face turning red.
(End of chapter)
