The young commander’s gaze fell once more upon the map inside the grand tent, landing on the mark for the city of Patzcuaro.
He watched the southern front, where the main legions of both sides were locked in battle. Armies of a hundred thousand had been slaughtering each other for months, star warriors falling like rain, nobility withering like flowers! More importantly, the Akanbaro State was situated in the mountainous forest area, naturally defensible but not affluent, completely reliant on the supply lines from the rear. At this very mont, the supply route starting from the city of Patzcuaro was the southern enemy’s lifeline!
Xiulote pondered for a mont; many thoughts flickered vaguely, yet they were disordered and difficult to resolve. He shook his head gently and looked again at the respectful and obedient Ezpan, gesturing him away.
"Ezpan, you may leave now. Drill those surrendered Tarasco troops well; form the second spear legion!"
The tent flaps opened and then closed, the crisp wind sweeping in, uplifting the spirits. Then, the young commander summoned a few trusted aides and instructed.
"Summon Legion Commander Olosh, Monkey Kuluka, the veteran Etalik, Black Wolf Torc, Royal Family Vice Legion Commander Balda, and Divine Blessing Legion Commander Natali. Tell them I wish to hold a small military deliberation, please have them co discreetly!"
The natural order of these nas reflected the young commander’s subconscious order of trust and confidence.
The trusted aides hurriedly took their leave to carry out the orders. Xiulote turned and gazed at the quietly burning red sandalwood. Unaware, a stick of incense was nearly burnt out, much like the Tarasco Kingdom rocked by storms, and the xica Northern Army whose montum was waning.
After only a short while, the teacher Olosh arrived first. He first looked around inside the tent, seeing no one else, he then embraced Xiulote, saying softly.
"Xiulote, you’ve been looking pale lately. Don’t overthink things, make sure you rest on ti! Otherwise, I will find you a couple of personal maids to look after you properly."
In the presence of his teacher, who had accompanied him since childhood, Xiulote seed much more relaxed. He sighed slightly, shedding his commander’s authority, and said with a laugh and shake of his head.
"Teacher, commanding armies and waging war is truly not easy! I feel as if I’m walking along the edge of a steep cliff, anxious and uneasy, constantly looking ahead and to the sides, for fear of a misstep. I’m like a monkey king, carrying a mountain on my back, bearing endless pressure on my shoulders, hardly able to sleep a mont. And with the myriad daily affairs, there’s not a mont of peace.
My father has already taken control of the rear for , guarding the fortress, maintaining contact with the allied forces behind us. He is also managing the distribution of the supplies, comforting the wounded, and awarding military honors. But so matters cannot be left to others; I always have to deal with various generals, examine the army’s situation. And with the uncertain state of the enemy, I need to guess at all tis, wary and cautious... It truly gives a headache!"
Hearing the young commander’s complaints, a relieved smile surfaced on Olosh’s concerned face. He quickly composed himself, solemnly praising him.
"Your Highness, commanding large armies is exactly like that! In the half year of campaigning and victories, you have grown into an excellent marshal! After this ordeal, when you manage your fief later, it will co much more easily! Xiulote, no matter what, your father and I will always stand by your side!"
Upon uttering the last sentence, the mighty Jaguar warrior for the first ti knelt on one knee, placing the young commander’s hand on his head.
Xiulote was taken aback briefly, then skillfully patted Olosh’s hair. He then hurriedly bent down to help the teacher up from the ground.
"Teacher..."
"Your Highness, the generals are not far behind, you should maintain your authority during the military deliberation."
Upon hearing this, Xiulote was silent for a mont, then nodded his head. He regained his composure and asked in a deep voice.
"Olosh, what is the current situation of the Holy City Legion?"
"The Holy City Legion currently has three thousand five hundred warriors, all absolutely loyal to you!"
The young commander nodded slightly, this was his absolute core lineage.
Then "Monkey" Kuluka was the second to arrive; as soon as he entered the tent, he respectfully prostrated himself on the ground. He was dressed in formal war clothes, his deanor becoming resolute and calm, with only his eyes still sparkling with an agile light.
"Honored sovereign, congratulations on yet another victory! I am ready to lay down my life for you at any ti!"
Xiulote smiled gently, speaking warmly.
"Rise, Monkey, no need for excessive formality. How is the Spear Legion faring?"
"The Spear Legion, eight thousand strong, has been conserving strength and biding ti, solely participating in sieges and blockades. The warriors frequently request to be deployed, eager to slay the enemy and gain rit!"
Xiulote nodded again. The carefully trained Spear Legion would test its actual combat effectiveness in open field battles; they were also his trusted loyalists. Thinking of this, he reassured in a soft voice.
"There is no need to be anxious; the opportunity to join battle will co very soon!"
Soon after, the grizzled Etalik, with a fierce expression, stepped firmly into the tent and knelt to pay his respects.
"Honored Your Highness, your radiance shines upon us like the rising sun in the sky! Your wisdom guides us like the sparkling, brilliant erald! I am your cobblestone, paving the way for you!"
Xiulote smiled gently. He asked.
"Etalik, your work has always been reliable. How are things at the Rivermouth Fortress? How many are left in the Temple Guards?"
"The Temple Guards still have fifteen hundred warriors, among them five hundred Stirrup Crossbown, ready for battle at any ti!"
Xiulote smiled with satisfaction. In several sieges, the elite Temple Guards had perford exceedingly well. The Stirrup Crossbown could shoot from great ranges, effectively suppressing the defenders on the battlents, while the Temple Warriors excelled in fierce combat, often being the first to breach the Rivermouth Fortress. These zealous Religious Knights were adept at ferocious attacks, often fighting to the death, which resulted in significant losses to their own.
Then, the young commander pondered for a mont before asking slowly.
"How are the Chichica Canine Descendants faring?"
The old warrior Etalik’s expression remained unchanged, but his tone was much softer.
"Your Highness, after two sieges and multiple vanguard assaults, the Chichica Canine Descendants, who have always been at the very front of the assault, utilizing the unpredictably powerful Clay Tribulus... now, of the four thousand Canine Descendants, only fifteen hundred remain, their morale has plumted. Even with my best efforts to console them, providing food, water, and Priest’s potions, the chieftains are full of complaints. The casualties among the lower ranks of the Tribal Warriors are also grave and hard to contain... The Canine Descendants can no longer be used in the tough battles, only as a Defending Army at the fortresses!"
Hearing this, Xiulote nodded slowly. Even if Canine Descendants were fearless in battle and in awe of the gods, they were still ordinary Tribal Warriors. Given such casualties, they indeed could not be relied upon anymore. He thought for a mont and then issued a loud order.
"Then let the Canine Descendants stay and help defend the Huayamo Fortress! Etalik, I appreciate your hard work. Continue to coax the chieftains and soothe the hearts of the Canine Warriors."
Etalik bowed respectfully and then stood by Xiulote’s side.
Xiulote fell into contemplation. He was calculating the defensive situations of several fortresses. After the capture of the Rivermouth Fortress, the wooden forts on the north bank of the Lerma River seed insignificant and were no longer pivotal points on the supply route. Thus, he reassigned the resting Royal Warriors, taking away all the new weapons with him. Then, he handed these wooden forts, along with the land on the north bank of the Lerma River, over to the Ottopan Warriors led by Jiowar.
The three thousand Ottopan Warriors, after going through campaigns, were reduced to fifteen hundred, and they too were unfit for further use. Handing the northern wooden forts over to Jiowar to garrison was a consolation to the Otomi people. The territory on the North Coast was inconsequential for the larger strategy, and it was temporarily returned to Otapan City-State to solidify the alliance between them. These apparent concessions in the alliance could also help Jiowar establish prestige within the City-States.
Now, the Rivermouth Fortress had beco the new core stronghold, the storage center for all provisions. Xiulote once again requested his father to step in, have him garrison there, and command the Western City-State Legions, as well as the Royal Warriors led by Tepopolo.
The Western City-States had dispatched five thousand City-State Warriors, and about four thousand were left. These private troops of the nobility from various states could not be relied upon for large-scale field battles or sieges, but they were more than capable of defending and excelling in plundering. Stationed at the Rivermouth Fortress, the City-State Warriors would occasionally raid the hinterlands of the Akanbaro State in the East, flattening the noble manors in the area. They also kept up continuous pressure on the remnants of the Tarasco forces to the north, looking for their weaknesses, ready to coordinate with the main forces of Huayamo and crush the enemy at once!
In the naval battle at Lake Yuriria, the three thousand Royal Warriors led by Tepopolo were assigned to the front line, suffering the most casualties. Even after rest and recovery at the wooden forts, this legion was now left with only fifteen hundred warriors. The young commander thus continued to have him stationed at the Rivermouth Fortress as one of the garrison forces.
As Xiulote pondered, he lit so new red sandalwood incense. The rich aroma entered his nostrils, bringing layers of sensation, just like his fluctuating moods. In the heart of the young commander, each troop had a clear assessnt. Loyalty, closeness, combat effectiveness, equipnt, numbers, fighting style, characteristics... even the strategy of deploynt, all were crystal clear!
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