The Fall of the Golden Empire (Novel) (Volume 1) "Bloody Sunset" by Zhang Baotong
A few days after returning to the palace in Quito, Atahualpa received an announcement from Cusco to the entire empire, saying that Prince Atahualpa had violated the instructions of the late king and took the conquered northern territories and provinces as his own. , and expanded the army to prepare for war, waiting for rebellion, and ordered the world to attack him. Later, a spy came to report that Huascar had sent southern army commander Chamul to lead an army of 40,000 people to set off northward, heading towards the Kingdom of Quito, day and night.
Atahualpa immediately summoned the commanders to discuss countermeasures. Luminawidao, the commander of the central army, simply said, "The soldiers will stop him, and the water will cover him. Since he is coming to invade us, let's give them a show of strength, so that their 40,000-strong army will never come back."
Chiskis, the commander of Quito's army, said, "Old sir, I haven't fought in many years. If we don't fight anymore, the weapons in the warehouse will be embroidered and the soldiers won't know how to fight. Now, it's better for us. Soldiers finally have their place."
Gilabamba sighed and said, "Is Huascar possessed by evil spirits? You know that the southern army cannot fight, but you still insist on sending troops north to attack. Isn't this killing yourself with an egg against a stone?"
Chalkuchma said, "Huascar was the Inca king. He couldn't tolerate King Atahualpa betraying him, so he had to make an appearance to show to the world. Otherwise, he knew clearly that King Quito would not listen to him. If he hasn’t even responded to the orders given, then everyone in the world will laugh at him.”
King Atahualpa said to his ministers, "This battle between Huascar and I will be fought sooner or later. Since he wants to fight now, then I will accompany him. Regarding how to fight this battle and where Fighting, I discussed it with Commanders Chalkuchma and Ruminawi, and decided that the battlefield should be set outside Tumebamba. It is the intersection of the northern and southern provinces, and the boundary between the Kingdom of Quito and the Inca Kingdom. An important border town. We have strong defense zones and city defense fortresses there, with sufficient food and military supplies. At present, General Kutachka has recruited 20,000 soldiers, and I will bring another 40,000 elite troops to fight. Our 60,000 There is no reason for the troops to be invincible against the 40,000 tired troops they have traveled a long way. What do the commanders and princes think of this?"
The commanders and princes considered the king's words carefully for a while and all agreed. But Prince Quiskis said, "Chief Chamul is not an Inca prince, but a chief of the Conti Province. He was appointed by Huascar because he once led troops to quell the rebellion in the Lake Titicaca area. The commander of the southern army. However, he is a native of the province and has never fought any big or tough battles. He is not a great soldier. Therefore, I think there is no need for the king to personally lead the troops to deal with it. It is better for me to lead my 30,000 soldiers. The army went to deal with them. I guarantee that it won't take three or five days to capture Chief Chamul alive."
Charkuchma said, "The 20,000 soldiers newly recruited by General Kutachka are not very effective in combat. If Prince Kiskis leads an army of 30,000 to confront the 40,000 troops from the south, he will not be able to form a clear advantage, and , once Tumebamba is lost and the southern gate of Quito is opened, we can only urgently mobilize troops to the foot of Chimborazo Mountain, about 30 kilometers away from Riobamba City, for a life-and-death battle. This is really too risky, so in my opinion Seeing that, together with the 30,000 troops of Prince Kiskis and the 20,000 new troops of General Kutachka, I could easily deal with the 40,000 troops of the south with an overwhelming strength of 80,000 troops. Defeat the southern army. Then, pursue it vigorously and capture the city of Cusco in one fell swoop."
King Atahualpa shook his head and said, "Although Prince Kiskis and Prince Ruminawi each have 30,000 troops, the troops are stationed relatively scattered, and some are even far away, making it difficult to gather them quickly. , and it is reported that the southern army led by Chief Chamul is traveling day and night, and will arrive at the outskirts of Tumebamba in three days. Therefore, I want the two princes to mobilize 20,000 troops each as quickly as possible before dark tomorrow Assemble in the south of Quito and stand by. I will personally lead 40,000 soldiers from the Quito army and the central army to the outskirts of Tumebamba to set up defenses and stand ready. Prince Quischis and Prince Luminawi must continue to seize the time , concentrate all the troops in the south of Quito, waiting for my orders. And Chalkuchma's 30,000 troops must be ready to wait for work. After I defeat Chief Chamul's army, they will follow my orders all the way. A long-distance attack to the capital city of Cusco. With these 40,000 elite troops, plus General Kutachka’s 20,000 new troops, I will be able to give Chief Chamul Chief’s 40,000 southern troops a head-on attack.”
All the commanders said in unison, "Your Majesty is wise."
King Atahualpa said to the Governor of Gilabamba, “Since Huascar has sent Chief Chamul to lead the southern army to attack me, then we should also declare war on Cusco and let the citizens of the Kingdom of Quito We are all ready to fight against Cusco's army."
Prince Gilabamba said, "As ordered, I will immediately issue a proclamation to the whole country and declare a declaration of war against Cusco."
Originally, the commanders did not agree to let the king lead the army to conquer in person, but the king was stubborn and insisted on leading the army to conquer in person, because he had followed his father in the north and south since he was a child, and had long been accustomed to the military life of fighting thousands of miles against the wind. Not fighting made him feel idle and empty. Of course, the most important thing was that he wanted to personally lead the troops to Cusco, capture Huascar alive, and let the exiles see what Atahualpa could do. He cannot sit on the supreme throne of the Inca King and let the world know that Atahualpa is also a hero of the Inca Empire and can also become the king of the Inca Empire.
In addition, there is another reason why Prince Atahualpa personally led the army to the south, that is, he knew that the elite soldiers and generals of the Inca Empire were brought to Quito by his father. This army has been attacking cities and plundering territory all year round. Suppressing the rebellion and fighting non-stop, not only are they well-trained and extremely powerful, but their numbers and establishment are also constantly expanding. The number of elite soldiers can reach 70,000 or 80,000, and if they are all mobilized, they can reach as many as 100,000. The southern army left behind in Cusco usually only has 30,000 to 20,000 people. In addition, the southern side has been peaceful and peaceful for many years, and the army has been in a state of pampering and idleness. If a war really breaks out, It can be said to be vulnerable.
Therefore, King Atahualpa, who had been fighting bravely for many years, did not take his gentle and gentle brother Huascar seriously at all. Without even making much preparation, he was about to lead an army of 40,000 people all the way south, preparing for a decisive battle with the southern army led by Chief Chamul on the gentle plains outside Tumebamba City.
It has always been a very important event for the Inca Empire for the king to lead his army to an expedition. The ceremony for the expedition must be very grand, with virgins and princes lining up to see him off, and tens of thousands of citizens singing and dancing to send the king and his army to the big gate outside the city. On the way. However, the king's expedition was silent this time.
Please pay attention to Zhang Baotong's signed work "Poetic Emotions" documentary, short prose, life essays and short and medium stories, and is currently uploading "Elegy of Paradise" 39. Endless Sadness)
