The Fall of the Golden Empire (Novel) (Volume 1) "Bloody Sunset" by Zhang Baotong
After listening to the king tell the story of the eighth generation Inca King Viracocha, the smart and clever Princess Ina said, “Because this Inca king was treated roughly by his father when he was growing up, and even lost his favor, I thought of myself. After everything he had experienced, he warned his relatives how to educate their children so that they could become people with both moral integrity and talent. He said that parents are often the cause of their children's addiction and depravity, because they allow their children to develop bad habits from an early age. Some people educate their children They are always doting and affectionate, and because they are intoxicated with the beauty and sweetness of their children, they pamper them and let them do whatever they want, regardless of what they will encounter when they grow up in the future. There are also some people who raise their children too roughly and even at every turn. Punishing will also destroy the child. Because over-indulgence, the child will be squeamish and lazy physically and mentally; and excessive punishment, the child will become discouraged, lose the desire to learn, hate seeking knowledge and understanding, and it is impossible for a cautious person to make progress and go. Achieve a career worthy of a big man. The rules that should be followed in raising children are somewhere between the two. In this way, when they grow up, they can become physically strong, high-spirited, knowledgeable, witty and prudent talents. Wu is capable of doing the job. Look how well he speaks! He is truly an outstanding king."
The Inca King also said with deep emotion, "That's true. Otherwise, the later Inca royal family and princes and nobles would send their children to Inca schools from an early age and let teachers educate them. In schools, teachers not only teach them how to live They also taught them the Inca language and rope knotting, religious etiquette and the glorious achievements of their royal ancestors. When they were sixteen years old, they had to join the Inca noble warrior group and participate in various events with the noble children of similar ages. This kind of martial arts study and training, and then, you have to pass the most rigorous examination held by the Inca Palace. The examination is hosted by some elderly and famous Inca nobles. Those who take the examination are required to pass all the examinations and Show bravery in the competition. Only when you pass the exam does it mean that you have become a useful person."
Princess Ina continued, "I have seen such exams and competitions. The scenes were really worrying and disturbing. The exams and competitions included wrestling, boxing, and weapon fighting, as well as tests to test their speed and Endurance long-distance running. The young people who took the exam wore ordinary single clothes and pants, and were barefoot, fighting and competing with each other to the death. However, the exam lasted for five days. During these five days, they had to Starved, not allowed to eat, and slept on the bare ground at night. Due to exhaustion and hunger and cold, it became very dangerous when fighting with weapons. Although these weapons were not sharpened, they were still intertwined with each other. The fight is very fierce and can easily cause injuries and deaths. Therefore, those of us who are watching are always on tenterhooks."
The Inca King said, "As an Inca prince or a noble child, this kind of experience and examination is very necessary. Because without going through such studies and examinations, you cannot become a prince or nobleman with great talents and strategies, as well as both civil and military skills."
Yina said, "I believe your Majesty has also taken this kind of exam?"
The Inca king couldn't help but said proudly, "Of course I took it. It was in the central square of Cusco. I took the exam with more than 30 noble children. I was strong and brave at that time, except in the I failed to get first place in the long-distance running. In other exams and competitions, I easily defeated my opponents. So, when the king awarded us medals, we all knelt in front of the king and asked him to use a golden needle. Come and pierce our ears, so that we can wear big gold earrings symbolizing noble status in the future. When my father was piercing my ears, he excitedly said to me, 'As expected of my prince, well done.' Then , and gave me the yellow tassel of prince status. From then on, I became the heir to the throne of the Inca Empire, began to participate in various important meetings held by my father, and served as the commander of the southern troops of Cusco. The deputy commander began to follow a famous old commander of my father to conquer the neighboring countries."
Uga stared at the king with innocent eyes and said with infinite admiration, "The king is worthy of being a descendant of the Inca king. He is civilized, military, and brave."
The Inca King said, "This is the power given to me by the Sun God. Because I went to the Sun Temple to pray before the exam, hoping that the Sun God can give me strength to overcome all difficulties and opponents."
Uga immediately said, "I heard that the Temple of the Sun in Cusco is the most magnificent and famous temple in the Inca Empire. It contains the mummies of all Inca kings and queens."
The Inca King said, "Yes, the Cusco Sun Temple is called 'Coricancha', which means 'precious sacred place'. It occupies a large area of land and consists of a main building and several temples. It is very magnificent and was built by emperors of all dynasties with generous expenditures. It was all built with huge stones and surrounded by a thick wall. It can be said to be a treasury, with a huge gold plate embedded in the middle of the wall. The human face looks forward from the center of countless golden lights. These golden lights radiate in all directions. The gold plate is studded with emeralds and other precious stones. It is located in front of the east gate, and the rays of the rising sun shine directly on it, making it The entire hall is dazzling with golden light. Because in the minds of the Incas, 'gold is the tears of the sun god.' And in this sun temple, every part is shining with polished gold plates and The luster of the decorative lamps. Facing the golden statue of the Sun God, arranged on the right side of the hall are the mummies of the Inca kings of the past dynasties. They sit on chairs with gold seats. And arranged side by side on the left side are the The mummies of successive Inca queens. Twelve huge water bottles are placed on the floor of the hall, filled with corn kernels and incense stoves. The large water bottles containing water are introduced into the pipes and pipes of the building through underground channels. The water reservoirs irrigate the flowers, plants and plants in the garden outside the temple gate. But these flowers, plants and plants are all made of gold and silver, with bright colors and lifelike colors. Even the farm tools and water pipes used in the garden, especially in the garden The corns and water fountains are also made of gold and silver. The degree of exquisiteness and lifelikeness is really breathtaking and admirable. The garden is just like the Palace of Cusco, with gold and silver shining everywhere. Except for the Sun God Temple, and the Temple of the Moon, which is a temple of the moon dedicated to the mother of the Incas. On the main wall of the temple is a huge silver plate. The moon on the silver plate is painted with a woman’s face. On the plate All the decorations are made of silver, shining with the light of the moon. There are also three other temples, one dedicated to the sister of the sun god, the god of thunder and lightning, the minister in charge of revenge, and one dedicated to the rainbow. God's."
The Incas continued, "Cuzco is a sacred place, revered not only because it is the seat of the Incas, but also of all the gods of the various peoples who dominate the empire. It is blessed by the sun The city that God loves. The worship of the Sun God in this city is very grand. Grand celebrations are held here every summer solstice, winter solstice, spring equinox and autumnal equinox. The summer solstice is when the sun approaches the southernmost point of its orbit. Then he turns back, as if to use his appearance to warm the hearts of his people. Therefore, during this festival, nobles from different regions of the country will flock to the city of Cusco to participate in a grand celebration. On the summer solstice Upon arrival, the Inca king and his entire court, followed by the entire city's residents, gathered in the square before dawn to welcome the rising sun. They wore their best clothes and competed with each other to dazzle with the gems and gems they wore. Decoration. The attendants held large umbrella-like covers for them made of gorgeous feathers and fabrics, so that the square and the streets leading to the square were completely shrouded in colorful and gorgeous ceilings. They were excitedly waiting for the arrival of their Holy Spirit. Appeared. Until the sun first appeared, illuminating the towers and tall buildings of the capital, a burst of warm cheers broke out from the crowd of tens of thousands, and the celebratory songs and musical instruments suddenly resounded throughout the square. When the sun When the golden light rose from the east mountain and shone all its light on the people in the square, the cheers would get louder and louder. The Inca king used a huge gold bottle and began to offer wine to this great god. After he tasted the wine himself After that, he distributed the wine made from corn and agave to his royal relatives. After the ceremony, the huge people marched towards the Coricancha Temple singing songs. On the altar of the Temple of the Sun A sacrifice of animals will be held. Many llamas will be killed in this activity. The virgins of the Sun God will use the llama meat and cornmeal to knead a delicious bread or cake and put it on the royal banquet. The host The banqueting Inca king toasted these upper-class nobles with glasses of corn wine. Then the whole day's revelry continued with music and dancing until the end of the night. Although the sacrifices ended on the first day, these entertainment activities But it lasts for several days.”
Uga listened fascinated and said, "After listening to what the king said, I feel that Cusco is really a magical and beautiful city. When should I have the opportunity, I must go there to have a good look?"
The Incas looked deeply to the south and couldn't help but sigh, "You should go there and have a good look. Every spring, every road and every wall in Cusco is considered A divine miracle. For an Inca, it would be a lifelong regret if he had not been to Cusco.”
Wuga nodded and said coquettishly to the king, "Your Majesty, you said that you would take my sister and me to the city of Cusco. When we get to the city of Cusco, we can go to see the magnificent sun. The temple and the temple of Viracocha where the gods are efficacious.”
When the king saw that his two beloved concubines were listening to his story so seriously, he was very happy. He hugged his two beloved concubines and said, "When we return to the capital of Cusco, I will personally take you to see many gods." Temples and palaces, I will tell you many myths and stories."
But Wuga snorted and said reproachfully, "But, I don't know when the king can take us to the capital city of Cusco?"
The king thought thoughtfully and said, "When Prince Ninan recovers from his illness, we will return to the capital next spring."
Uga immediately clapped her hands and said happily, "That's great."
The three of them talked and laughed, and drank a few more glasses of wine. The king felt that his body was a little hot, so he took off his red velvet skirt, took off the long-haired feather crown on his head, jumped naked from the boat into the water, swam in the water, and sprinkled water on his two beloved concubines. The two beloved concubines used their sleeves to cover the splashing water while letting out silver bell-like laughter and exaggerated screams at the top of their lungs.
After only swimming for a short while, the king felt a little tired and asked his two concubines to pull him onto the boat. As soon as the king got on the boat, he didn't even bother to let his concubine wipe off the water droplets on her body, and immediately lay down on the purple felt on the boat, breathing heavily. Seeing that the king was so tired, the gentle and sensible Yina wiped the water on the king's face and body with gauze and said to the king, "The king usually won't get on the boat until he swims three to five miles. But. But Today I only swam less than half a mile, and I am panting from exhaustion. This is not like the strong king he usually is!"
The king gasped and said, "Yeah, I feel something is wrong too. I usually swim three to five miles, just like walking on flat ground, but today I just swam for a while and I felt so tired. Maybe it's because I'm getting old. , I’m exhausted.”
Yina said, "Your Majesty can still eat two plates of rice and two big pig's trotters in one meal. How can you say you are old?"
Uga also said, "That is, the Inca King will never grow old."
The king smiled and said, "The Inca king is also a human being, and he will also get old, sick and die."
Yina quickly covered the king's mouth with her hand and said in a reproachful tone, "The king is not allowed to say such unlucky words."
The Inca King Huayna Capac lay quietly on the purple velvet felt in the boat for a while with his eyes dazzled. He felt that his physical strength had recovered somewhat, but he still felt a little sleepy and his body was a little hot. Feeling weak. When the two beloved concubines saw that he had his eyes closed and seemed to be sleeping, they covered him with a piece of felt and asked Haya, who was rowing the oar, to turn the bow and return to the shore.
