The Fall of the Golden Empire (Novel) (Volume 1) "Bloody Sunset" by Zhang Baotong
On the fourth day after the Battle of Chimborazo, the Inca King Huascar, 1,500 kilometers away, received news of the disastrous defeat of the Inca army. This news surprised him very much, because he had admired Chief Chamu's military ability in advance and thought that he had informed the world and declared Atahualpa a traitor. The Inca army was going to attack him. The entire kingdom All the people will abandon him. Therefore, he was full of confidence in this crusade. However, he ignored a very real problem, that is, the Quito army was much stronger than he imagined. When the southern army led by Chief Chamul defeated Atahualpa in the city of Tumebamba and captured Atahualpa alive, he seemed to feel that victory was in hand, and the Kingdom of Quito would soon be defeated and become part of his entire kingdom. .
However, the news that came later became increasingly bad. First, Atahualpa escaped from death row, and then the Quito army gathered 80,000 troops to counterattack. Until the disastrous defeat at the foot of Chimborazo Mountain, the entire main force was almost wiped out by the Quito people. Because the south has not fought a major war in the past hundred years, there have never been many troops around Cusco. If there were some troops in the past, they were all transferred to the north one after another by his father, Huayna Capac. A decisive battle with the Kingdom of Quito. After defeating the Kingdom of Quito, because the northern region has been uneasy and there have been rebellions and riots among the tribesmen from time to time, my father has always deployed the main army of the kingdom near Quito. The 40,000 troops led by Chief Chamul were the most powerful main force that Cusco could gather. Therefore, when the news came that Chief Chamul's 40,000-strong army was almost wiped out at the foot of Chimborazo Mountain, the entire capital city of Cusco was enveloped in an atmosphere of impending disaster and doom.
On one side, Quito's army was rapidly moving south, and on the other side, the defense of the capital city of Cusco was empty. Why didn’t this make the Inca King Huascar and the entire Cuzco people panic and worry?
In fact, the ignorance and ignorance of Huascar and his ministers about military and war can be seen from all series of things. In addition to the fact that it was extremely stupid to let Chief Chamul lead 40,000 people to attack the Kingdom of Quito, which had 100,000 elite troops, the Incas not only did not send more troops to give Chief Chamul any reinforcements, but also did not Recruit more troops or send troops from all provinces around Cusco to form a strong backup, or vigorously strengthen the defense of the capital city of Cusco. Moreover, on the march route from Cajamarca to Cusco, there are many peaks thousands of meters high. Some mountain roads go almost vertically to the top of the mountain. They are very dangerous. As long as hundreds of people are deployed to guard the passes, tens of thousands of people can be defeated. The army cannot cross. However, years of peace and tranquility have caused the Incas in Cusco to completely lose their sense of war. Not only did Chamul leave no one to set up an ambush on these mountaintops when he fled, but Huascar and his men did not think of sending troops to guard these places.
Cusco is known as the City of the Sun and is the center of the Incas. The sun is shining brightly here, the air is pure, and the mountain breeze blowing from the mountains fills the entire city with the smell of fresh grass. However, when the news spread that the southern army was wiped out by the Quito army, the atmosphere in the entire city immediately became gloomy, and the sunshine began to dim.
This morning, the Inca King Huascar came to the spacious and majestic Cusco Palace very early. The Royal Palace of Cusco was once the palace of more than a dozen Inca kings. Not only is the entire palace three to four times larger than the Palace of Quito, but the entire palace is covered with gold bricks on the floor and gold foil on the walls. Each hall and room is decorated with Full of all kinds of exquisite gold ornaments and items. Anyone who has entered the Royal Palace in Cusco will feel that it is much grander and more majestic than the Royal Palace in Quito in the northern capital.
The young king sat on the golden throne in the main hall, with a serious expression and a gloomy face. He did not even look at the more than thirty princes and ministers lying in front of him. He was extremely angry. The annihilation of the southern army not only made him lose face, but also made him feel terrified all day long. Seeing that Quito's army was marching day and night, heading south quickly, it would soon approach the capital city of Cusco. However, there were not many people to recruit and mobilize in the urban areas near Cusco.
After a long time, he said to Prince Barbara Palca, the auxiliary minister of the Inca Empire who was lying in front of him, "Prince Palca, I heard that Atahualpa sent two army commanders and 80,000 elite troops from Quito. Fighting all the way towards the capital city of Cusco, the country is facing a national crisis and the capital city is in crisis, what do you think we should do?"
Prince Palca said, "We must quickly send people to all provinces across the country to recruit soldiers, mobilize the army, and rush to Cusco to protect the capital and the king."
King Huascar thought for a while and said, "But there have been no wars in the southern provinces for many years. How can there be any army?"
Prince Palca said, "Inca law stipulates that all men aged fifteen to fifty must join the army. If we immediately send people to various provinces or neighboring counties to recruit soldiers, we can mobilize two or three soldiers in just three to five days." Ten thousand troops, if we mobilize soldiers recruited from other provinces, there will be at least more than 100,000, but time may be a little tight."
King Huascar said to the princes who had their faces on the ground in front of him, "The capital is in danger, and all the princes and ministers will be killed and exterminated. Therefore, you must try your best to protect the capital." Cuzco, protect ourselves. I order all the princes and chiefs to rush back to their respective provinces immediately and bring the recruited soldiers to Cusco as quickly as possible to protect the safety of the capital."
The princes and princes responded in unison, "As you command, my supreme king."
In fact, what the Inca king should do most at this time is to immediately mobilize an army of tens of thousands, or even thousands, to strengthen defenses along the banks of the Apurimac River and the ferry. The Apurimac River is the last dangerous barrier to defend the capital of Cusco. The river bank is steep and the water is fast. There is only a small bridge made of rattan on the river that can only pass one person. If this small bridge is defended or burned, tens of thousands of Quito's troops will be blocked on the north bank. At the same time, a patrol team was posted on the shallow bank of the river to prevent the Quito army from crossing the river on rafts. In this way, Quito's 80,000 troops can be blocked on the other side of the river, and the Inca can be bought for at least a week or even two or three weeks. As long as they can buy two or three weeks, the princes can continuously mobilize troops from other provinces around Cusco to form an absolute advantage over the Quito army. If the Inca could mobilize an army of 100,000 or 200,000 people, they could defeat Quito's army.
This young Inca king had been living in the peaceful capital of Cusco since he was a child. He didn't know much about war at all. He only wanted to quickly recruit and mobilize troops from other provinces, but he didn't want the distant water to be able to save the near thirst for a while. We must first strengthen our defense to buy more time. Listening to the responses of the princes and ministers, King Huascar was still a little worried, and said, "The large provinces and regions must bring me at least 30,000 people, and the small provinces and regions must bring me at least 20,000 people. The nearby provinces and regions The troops must be brought to me within three days, the central provinces and regions must bring me the troops within five days, and the remote provinces and regions must bring them to me within seven days. Whoever comes earlier will get more credit. , I will reward you heavily.”
Huascar himself knew that it was simply impossible to recruit the troops and bring them to Cusco within three to five days. Even if you recruit troops from provinces and regions near the city of Cusco and bring them to Cusco, it will take at least a week. However, if you recruit troops from farther away and bring them to Cusco, it will not take two to three weeks or ten days and a half. , it is simply too late. However, he was anxious and didn't care so much.
But the princes still responded in unison, "As you command, my great king."
The Inca King said in a serious tone, "Time is urgent, you should rush to the provinces now."
The princes said, "Yes, my great king."
After King Inca finished speaking, he was supported by the concubines and left the palace hall. The princes then got up from the ground and dispersed in all directions.
Within two days, Chaschi came to report that 80,000 Quito elite soldiers had arrived at the ferry of the Apurimac River and were marching towards Cusco in a mighty manner. When Huascar heard the news, he suddenly panicked. Because the speed of Quito's advance has greatly exceeded his expectations, and the Apurimac River is only one hundred and thirty kilometers away from Cusco. If Quito crosses the Apurimac River, it only takes a day and a half to reach the city of Cusco.
At this critical moment, the young King Inka hurriedly called Karasibi, the most famous and trusted wizard in the palace, to discuss countermeasures. Whenever the Incas have doubts or difficulties, they always like to call wizards for divination, and they are also very superstitious about this. This was also the tragedy of the Incas, because their intelligence was not enough to solve many very simple problems. In fact, the consequences of many things can be seen clearly with just a single action, and there is no need to seek help from a wizard at all. Moreover, are the wizard's predictions accurate and worthy of trust? I am afraid that the Incas were also very ignorant about this issue, because they regarded divination as the secret of all things in the world. But what is very strange is why they did not send wizards as commanders of their armies.
The Calaxibi wizard entered the palace hall of Cusco, and was led by the guards of Emperor Huascar to the meeting hall of the Inca Emperor. The meeting hall is a very large room that can accommodate nearly a thousand people. The entire wall and floor are paved with regular gold strips and gold bricks. Under the sunlight, the room is filled with dazzling golden light.
The young, handsome, gentle Emperor Huascar was sitting on a very large solid gold chair. Prince Barbara Palca, the auxiliary minister of the Inca Empire, Prince Cucabala, the general manager of the Cusco Palace, and Quechu, the commander of the Cusco army. Chamul, the chief of the sub-tribe, and other important officials of the king were all prostrate on the ground listening to the order.
Perhaps due to too much worry or lack of sleep in recent days, Huascar looked very tired. He coughed twice, and then said to the Calasibi wizard who was lying on the ground, "Did you know that Quito's 80,000-strong army is heading towards the capital city of Cusco and is about to cross the Apurimac River? Want to fight to the death with my Inca Empire."
Wizard Calasibi said, "I have heard about it, but I have never heard that the Quitos came so quickly. It seems that the entire Cusco people are preparing to flee in the past few days. Many nobles and civilians looked panicked, with The gold and silver treasures and their families, wives and children fled to other places."
The young emperor was silent for a while and said, "The situation is very serious. The empire has reached a moment of life and death. Please tell me, who will win and who will lose in this life-and-death battle? And where should this battle be conducted more advantageously?" ?”
The wizard thought for a while and asked, "I wonder how many troops we can have in Cusco?"
The king said, "I heard that 80,000 troops have arrived in Quito. I have already mobilized and mobilized an army of almost 80,000 troops."
The wizard said, "To win this battle, the king should have at least one hundred thousand people."
The king seemed a little embarrassed, but he still said, "We have almost finished recruiting men of suitable age in nearby provinces and counties. If we want to recruit, we can only recruit from other provinces and counties. I wonder if we can make it in time."
The wizard said, "Although the Quitos are approaching the city of Cusco, as long as we can resist it, it will be no problem to hold on for three to five days. I think as long as we act faster, maybe we can transfer or recruit more in three to five days." Twenty to thirty thousand people.”
The king thought for a moment, sighed silently, and said, "Chincha Province is the largest province in the Inca Empire, and the soldiers are also the most brave and capable of fighting. However, now Quito's army has blocked the road leading there. Moreover, Kolya Province is hundreds of kilometers away, and there is no time to mobilize. Therefore, these are the only troops that can be mobilized to the capital city of Cusco."
The wizard said, "Atahuallpa's troops are all brave and skilled soldiers, while our soldiers in Cusco are almost all new recruits who have not fought much. If we don't have an absolute advantage in numbers, the capital may not be able to defend it. "
The Inca King also felt that what the wizard said was reasonable, so he said to Chief Chamul, who had just retreated from the foot of Chimborazo Mountain, "Chief Chamul."
Chamul replied, "Your Majesty is here."
The king said, "You immediately go to the nearest province to recruit another 30,000 to 20,000 soldiers for me, and bring them over quickly. There must be no mistake."
Chamul replied, "Yes, my great king."
The king asked the wizard again, "Quita's army has traveled a long way. I think our army should wait for the work and attack them before they have a stable foothold. Where do you think this place should be?"
The wizard calculated for a while and said, "We should choose the Quipapan Plain. Because Cusco is surrounded by rolling mountains, but the terrain here is flat, allowing the armies of both sides to deploy." He also said, "I think it was here that the ancestor Viracocha fought a decisive battle with the rebellious Chanka people and quelled the rebellion."
Chief Chamul interjected, "The noble Inca King, in my humble opinion, the army should be stationed on the west bank of the Apurimac River, so that the river bank can be used as a natural barrier to block the invasion of Quito. If you can persist, Within three to five days, reinforcements would come in a steady stream."
However, Huascar obviously did not want to listen to Chief Chamu's words and shouted loudly, "Shut up, what I want is not to stop him, but to destroy him. If we wait a few more days, the 20,000 troops from Quito will be gone." They will be here soon." As he spoke, he asked Prince Barbara Palca, the assistant minister, "How many chiefs from provinces and regions have come with their troops now?"
Prince Barbara Palca said, "Only a few chiefs from nearby provinces came with some soldiers, while armies from most provinces are on their way to Cusco. Some provinces are recruiting soldiers."
Huascar sighed softly and said, "You immediately mobilize all the royal palaces and Inca clans. As long as they are men, they must take up arms and prepare to join the war."
The assistant minister said, "Yes, my great king."
Then, Huascar said, "You immediately move your troops to the plains of Quipapan, where I will have a life-and-death battle with Atahualpa. Since ancestor Viracocha can quell the rebellion of the Chanka people there, Then I can put down Atahualpa's rebellion there too."
Prince Barbara Palca replied, "Yes, my wise king."
The Calaxibi wizard then said to the Inca King, "My supreme king, in order to ensure that the Cusco army will win the battle, I have a very important request."
Huascar said, "Please speak."
The wizard said, "Please, Your Majesty, gather all the statues of gods within a hundred miles of Cusco to the place where the army will fight, and hold a large-scale sacrifice to bless the victory of Cusco's army."
The king was very happy when he heard this, and said to the Calasibi wizard, "Pass on my decree and ask the priests to move all the idols within a hundred miles of Cusco to the plains of Quipaipan before tomorrow afternoon." At that place, I will hold the largest sacrifice in the history of the Inca Empire."
The wizard said, "Yes, my great king."
Having said this, the young king waved his hand and asked everyone to leave, leaving only Prince Cucabala, the general manager in charge of military supplies and property in Cusco. The king asked the steward, "How is the property being stored and transported?"
The steward said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I have secretly organized llama transportation for seven days and seven nights, and the gold items transported have filled the underground passages of Vilcabamba Castle."
The king asked again, "How many people know about this?"
The manager said, "Except for the more than twenty porters, you and I are the only two people who know about it."
The king said in an emphatic tone, "Where are the transporters?"
The steward said, "After they finished carrying the gold objects, they all swore allegiance to the king and jumped from the castle into the river valley hundreds of meters below."
The king nodded with satisfaction and said, "The war is about to begin. Just in case, you take some people to Vilcabamba Castle and wait for my call at any time. You are not allowed to come out without my call."
The steward replied, "Yes, my lord."
