"Respected Serpent Mother, Great Chief, the grain-collecting Samurai of the xica, and the Chief Divine Priest of Snake City executed four squad leaders today and put to death dozens of civilians! Among them, one leader was an old acquaintance of our Golden Bay tribe..."
"Oh? On what charges were they executed? Was it just?"
"Ah! Three were for insufficient quantity of grain transported, one for overdue grain transportation, all according to so law..."
"That explains it. The Seaside Alliance previously issued the 'Kingdom Divine War Law'… In non-war tis, if the grain transport is overdue or insufficient, they are whipped thirty to eighty tis and strictly ordered to make up the quota. Those who offend three tis are beheaded… During warti, if the grain transport is overdue or insufficient, the leader is beheaded, and one out of every five civilians and able-bodied n is executed. The remaining are given a deadline to make up the shortfall, and if repeated, the entire team is executed..."
In the luxurious palace of Golden Bay City, Serpent Mother Miyava smiled at the corner of her mouth, elegantly kneeling before a black long table. The table was made of the black wood loved by Xiulote, exuding a natural insect-repelling fragrance. As for the gentle smile of Serpent Mother, it was not for the tribal confidant Sand Snake, standing with his head bowed two steps away, but for her quietly sitting daughter, the two-year-old Xiulight Snake.
"Light Snake, did you hear?"
"Mother, I… heard it. But I… don't understand..."
The little Light Snake, wearing a smaller feather crown, blinked her eyes, nodding gently. She didn't speak much, and her clear eyes carried a hint of bewildernt, but she sat compliantly, unlike ordinary children who would cry and make a fuss.
"It's okay if you don't understand, just listen. You will understand later."
Serpent Mother Miyava smiled maternally, touching Light Snake's tender cheek. Then, as she turned her head to look at the waiting confidant Sand Snake, her gaze instantly turned cold.
"Sand Snake, who instigated you to co to ? Was it the few remaining old ones in the tribe or the old priests who didn't study at the Priest Academy of Snake City? Who exactly? I want their nas..."
"Ah! Respected Serpent Mother, no… no one instigated !"
Hearing the murderous intent in the Serpent Mother's words, Sand Snake couldn't help but shiver. He cautiously raised his head for a glance, then lowered it heavily, swearing an oath.
"Chief Divine witnesses! Ancestors witness!… It's… several leaders from Golden Bay who found , weeping a little… I truly felt a bit of pity!… These xica Warriors, enfeoffed at the Seaside, usually act tyrannically, occupying good land by the river, demanding agricultural slaves was one thing… but now, they seize the opportunity of war, arbitrarily beheading nobility and leaders in the na of so Divine War law!… And those Chief Divine Priests who inspect the grain, though they're from the tribe, don't show any leniency or sympathy..."
"Ha! Sand Snake, when driving the agricultural slaves, I didn't see you so soft-hearted?… I certainly gave you instructions in advance: prepare more stored grain and sell it to those transporting the grain!… I already left an opportunity for these either foolish or cunning, or clumsy or unfortunate leaders to redy by spending money. And I did allow you old acquaintances following to have a mouthful of at soup at this ti…"
Speaking of this, Serpent Mother Miyava squinted her eyes, lightly asuring the fearful Sand Snake for a mont, calmly said.
"Chief Divine witnesses! With the grand army now on an expedition to the Maya, maintaining logistics and supplies is crucial for the life and death of the eight thousand Seaside Warriors! Leaders and civilians who didn't complete grain transport, executing them is just that, just over a hundred heads no more! Such negligible costs are of no importance compared to the grand eastern expedition!..."
"Furthermore… strict laws and adherence to discipline in peaceti, prioritizing warfare during warti, from the Divine Descendant to commoners, all must obey, which is precisely the strength of the xica!… And these are also the costs our defeated Totonac tribes need to pay, need to fully learn and emulate!..."
"As long as the Totonac Alliance can grow stronger, not to ntion a hundred heads, even if a hundred nobility die, hacking a thousand civilians, it is all negligible!... "
"... Yes… Serpent Mother…"
Hearing these cold and ruthless words, confidant Sand Snake trembled slightly. He lowered his head, gritting his teeth not daring to speak, yet hesitating without retreating. After a while, he summoned the courage, persuading in a low voice.
"Honorable Serpent Mother… The xica grand army is on an expedition to the Maya, but only enfeoffed two to three thousand warriors in the Alliance, yet still so arrogant and brutal, arbitrarily slaughtering the noble Seaside tribes! And they conscript so many Seaside warriors, consuming grain ship after ship… But what does this have to do with our Totonac Alliance? We get absolutely no benefit!… Acting so wantonly, if they return victorious from the Maya, won't they ignore us Totonac people even more?… Maybe even consider further controlling the Seaside, threatening you and the Goddess…"
"Hmm?! These words? Who taught you?!…"
Upon hearing this, Serpent Mother narrowed her eyes, ticulously examining the confidant Sand Snake who had an expression of fearless resolve. After a brief mont, she suddenly smiled and said.
"Sand Snake, you are loyal, but not very smart huh! Soone incited you to co, whispering in my ear, but you still think it's your loyal idea… it seems, after the xica army's eastern expedition, those old ones who lost power and the old priests who lost influence in the tribe are not willing to stay quiet, all rushing to court death!…"
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