The Fall of the Golden Empire (Novel) (Volume 1) "Bloody Sunset" by Zhang Baotong
Less than half an hour later, Haya came to report that four ministers had arrived and were waiting for him in the chamber. The inner meeting hall is the room where the king meets with the princes and ministers, and is right next to the government room.
The king followed Haya into the meeting room next door, and saw Prince Kiskis, Prince Ruminawi and Prince Gilabamba already prostrate with their foreheads on the ground, waiting for the king's arrival. Moreover, even the high priest Chalkuchma was among them. Normally, the king would discuss important military and political matters with only three ministers, but today he also invited the high priest Chalkuchma, so everyone had some ideas in mind. However, this kind of thought can only be hidden in the heart and cannot be expressed.
The King of Quito sat down on the golden seat and said to the four princes and ministers in front of him in a serious and worried tone, "Huascar will soon hold the coronation ceremony of King Inca, and he wants me to take Queen Anna to the library. Scott will participate. What do you think we should do?"
In this case, of course, Prince Kiskis should answer first. He is not only the auxiliary minister of the Kingdom of Quito, but also the commander of the Quito army. He has 20,000 to 30,000 elite soldiers stationed near the city of Quito. It can be said that one person is inferior to ten thousand people. Because of his personal relationship with Princess Palia, and the fact that the king gave him his beloved beauty, he was even more flattered and grateful. Only serving the princess and the prince mother and son with all their devotion was not enough in return. . Therefore, after hearing what the king said, he immediately replied, "The king can take Queen Anna with him. I am willing to lead an army of ten thousand people as the bodyguard of the king and queen."
Prince Luminawi was originally the biological uncle of Prince Huascar, but he had also been secretly bribed by Atahualpa with several beauties from the palace, and he also wanted to show his courtesy in front of King Atahualpa. To show loyalty to King Atahualpa. When he heard that Prince Quiskis wanted the king to take the queen to Cusco to attend Huascar's coronation ceremony, he immediately stopped him and said, "Your Majesty, you must not go to Cusco with an army of ten thousand people." , it will make Huascar think that the king is not going to attend the ceremony, but to capture Cusco."
The king then asked Prince Gilabamba, the steward of the Kingdom of Quito, "Prince Gilabamba, do you think we should go or not?" Gilabamba said, "In the presence of the humble minister, Huascar ascended the throne. It is a top-notch event for the whole country, and it is natural for the king to attend. Otherwise, King Huascar will definitely blame the king. Moreover, one must bring a generous gift to show the king's magnanimity."
The king did not respond to the words of the three ministers, and then said, "High Priest Chalkuchma, my uncle, what do you have in mind?"
Chalkuchma put his forehead on the ground and said in a very frightened and worried tone, "It stands to reason that the king must attend the coronation ceremony of King Huascar. However, I think it is best for the king not to attend. Participate in person.”
The king asked loudly, "Why don't you go and participate in person?"
The high priest said, "Because the king has just declared himself the king of the Kingdom of Quito in Quito, it will definitely stimulate Huascar and make Huascar think that the king has the ambition to become the king in Quito, especially when there are many people under the king." The most powerful army and the most skilled general in the empire. Huascar will definitely be wary and worried about this. Therefore, if the king goes there, he will most likely be imprisoned by Huascar." At this point , Chalkuchma added, "This is the worry and concern of a humble minister. Please consider it carefully and weigh it yourself."
Listening to Chalkuchma's words, Atahualpa kept nodding his head, and then said, "What my uncle said is very suitable for me." Then he said in an explanation tone, "Even if I am not the king of the Kingdom of Quito , Huascar will not let me go easily."
His words made the three ministers present feel incredible. They all looked at him with doubts and confusion. The king straightened his body on the chair and said in a serious tone, "You all know that this Kingdom of Quito was left to me by my father, not by Huascar. I I think he must be very annoyed and angry at what his father did. When my father was around, he was angry but helpless. But now that his father is gone, they will definitely vent their anger on me. So, if I go to Cusco for his coronation ceremony, who’s to say he won’t imprison and imprison me?”
Upon hearing this, Prince Ciskis immediately said to Atahualpa, "Since Huascar has such sinister intentions, the king can no longer go to Cusco in person to avoid being exposed to Huascar's conspiracy. .”
Luminawi and Prince Gilabamba also immediately changed their minds and firmly refused to let the king go to Cusco. In response, the king asked, "In your opinion, who should I send to Cusco to attend the ceremony on my behalf?"
Kiskis immediately replied, "This should be decided by the king."
But Chalkuchma said, "The high priest Litikaleba is not only old and virtuous, but also served as the teacher of Prince Huascar. I think he should be the most suitable candidate."
In the Inca Empire, the high priest of the palace was the highest-level lifelong clergy, responsible for the ceremonial affairs of the palace and the country, appointing and removing lower-level clergy across the country, and in charge of priest schools in various places. He had great positions and powers. Usually it is held by the king's brother.
Atahualpa thought for a moment and said with concern, "The high priest of Liticaleba is certainly suitable, but I am worried that he will collude with Huascar."
Chalkuchma immediately said, "If the king is worried about him, he can send a close spy to accompany him."
Atahualpa immediately nodded and said, "Then send the palace guard Usaka to accompany the high priest Liticaleba." The three ministers replied at the same time, "The king is wise."
Then, Atahualpa said in a tone of announcing an important decision, "When my father was alive, I served as the commander of the northern army and the general manager of the palace guard for my father. Now that my father is gone, I am already the leader of Quito." The king of the kingdom, therefore, the position of commander of the northern army is now held by my uncle, the high priest Chalkuchma, and the general manager of the palace guard is still in charge of me.
Chalkuchma hurriedly banged his forehead on the ground, shouting repeatedly, "Long live the king."
In order to convince the three ministers of his decision, Atahualpa added, "The high priest Chalkuchma was originally my maternal grandfather, the legitimate son of the former King of Quito and the commander of the army. He once led the army to fight against The army of the Inca Empire led by my father fought long-term resistance and desperate battles. It was only because the army of the Empire had a clear advantage in numbers that it achieved the final victory. High Priest of Chalkuchma After the surrender of the Kingdom of Quito, although he left the army and served as the high priest of the palace all year round, he has always been known by the Quito people as an undefeated commander and a military wizard. Therefore, now I declare that I will take over the northern part of the country that I used to command. The army is led by the high priest Chalkuchma, and I think he will make many contributions to the Kingdom of Quito's surprise victory in future battles."
Chalkuchma burst into tears of gratitude again and said, "Your Majesty has given such kindness to me, and I will never be able to repay you in full even if I go through life and death."
At this time, Haya had brought the high priest of the palace, High Priest Litika Leba, to the inner chamber of the meeting. Priest Letikaleba entered the house, fell to the ground in a hurry, and bowed to the king, saying, "Leticaleba, the high priest of the palace, pays homage to the King of Quito."
Atahualpa asked in a concerned tone, "The high priest is highly respected. Is he sixty years old?"
Litikaleba replied, "Sixty to three."
The young high priest of the great dynasty looked at him carefully for a while and then asked, "How is the high priest's health recently?"
The high priest said, "Thanks to the king, it's not so bad."
Atahualpa nodded and said, "Prince Huascar is about to ascend the throne of the Inca Empire. The enthronement ceremony will be held in Cusco in a few days. I should have gone with Queen Anna to congratulate him, but , I have been physically and mentally exhausted recently, suffering from dizziness and diarrhea. I have not been well for more than 20 days. I cannot go to Cusco in person to attend the coronation ceremony of Prince Huascar. Therefore, I have sent you to take Usaka and others to leave early tomorrow morning. Cusco.”
Liticaleba was startled. He felt that the coronation ceremony of King Inca was the most important event in the world, and King Quita should attend and celebrate it in person. Why would the King make excuses to refuse, and instead he, the high priest of the palace, would go to attend? He wanted to persuade the king that Xiao was so powerful that the king could bring Queen Anna Yama to celebrate in person, but he knew that King Atahualpa had actually discussed it with other ministers, so it was not easy to reason. After admonishing him hard, he had no choice but to reply, "I obey my orders."
Atahualpa added, "You can choose a few of the most precious gifts from around the palace and bring them to Prince Huascar."
Riti Kaleba replied, "As you command, my supreme king."
At this time, Haya came to report, "Your Majesty, the Ibay envoy from Cusco is waiting for an audience outside the palace."
The king asked, "Is Usaka coming?"
Haya said, "Usaka is accompanying the Ibayi envoy."
The king nodded and said to the high priest Litikaleba, "Okay, make good preparations and set off for Cusco tomorrow morning with the Cusco envoy Yibai and the Usaka guard." After saying that, he got down from the chair and left the meeting hall.
The palace apartment is a deep courtyard located outside the main entrance of the palace. It is specially used to receive princes and envoys who come to the Quito palace from afar. The apartment has more than 20 rooms, which are very luxurious and elegant. The reception staff are all beautiful women selected from the folk and palace ladies.
However, King Atahualpa did not go to the palace apartment after coming out of the chamber. And returned to his bedroom. He pretended to be sick and asked his two beloved concubines, Yina and Wuga, to take care of him. Then, Haya was ordered to go to the palace apartment to inform Usaka to bring the Cusco envoy Yibai to see him.
After a while, the palace guard Usaka brought Huascar's envoy Yibai into the king's bedroom. Originally, outsiders were not allowed to enter the king's bedroom, not even the queen could come in casually. But in order to convince the Yibai envoy that the king was really ill, King Atahualpa could only use this method to deceive the envoy from Cusco.
Cusco's envoy Yibai entered the king's chamber in fear. When he saw King Quida lying on the bed, he hurriedly knelt down and saluted. However, King Quida waved his hand and asked him to sit on the chair in front of the bed.
King Atahualpa looked very polite and asked the envoy, "I think the envoy from Yibai came all the way day and night. He was very tired. I wonder if he can rest well in his apartment?"
Messenger Yibai immediately said, "College Usaka accompanied me throughout the whole process and made arrangements personally, which made me feel very happy."
King Quito said, "Just be happy." Then he asked, "How is my brother, King Huascar, always good?"
The envoy of Yibayi said, "King Huascar is close to the government and loves the people. Not only does he take care of palace affairs every day, but he also often goes to people's homes for inspections and private visits. Therefore, he is always busy, but everything is fine with him."
King Quito chatted with the envoy from Cusco for a while, and then said in a very apologetic and regretful tone, "My brother Huascar's coronation ceremony is a great event celebrated by everyone. I should have gone to attend it anyway and wish him well." To celebrate, I also wanted to chat with him about my daily life and learn his strategies for governing the country. However, I suffer from a strange disease, headaches and diarrhea. I have been bedridden for more than ten days and have not recovered yet. Therefore, I cannot go to Cusco to participate. My brother, King Huascar’s coronation ceremony. Please go back and explain more to my brother.”
Messenger Yibai said, "Don't worry, your Majesty, I will definitely help you explain it clearly to King Huascar."
Having said this, King Atahualpa said to Usaka, the palace guard who was standing behind the messenger of Yibai, "In order to express my gratitude to the messenger of Yibai, please take the messenger of Yibai to choose in the apartment. A beautiful young woman was given to him as a gift."
After hearing this, the messenger of Yibai quickly threw himself on the ground and thanked the king profusely.
