Ezpan respectfully replied. More than a decade ago, during the Tarasco Era, he had fought in the southwest for many years, conquering the Tekos people, and was extrely familiar with the local terrain and environnt. At this mont, he stood before the king and recounted the details of the Apa Plain one by one.
"Tepalcatepec is on the western edge of the plain, located on the banks of the Bo River, rich in clay and capable of producing high-quality colored pottery. To the northwest of Tepalcatepec is the source of the Bo River, Olive Lake (Los Olives). Around the lake stand fragrant, peculiar forests, abundant in tree resin and frankincense. The villages near the mountain areas all produce furs and feathers..."
Xiulote listened patiently. He beca increasingly convinced that Ezpan was the best choice to develop the Apa Plain and guard the southwest.
It must be known that the Apa Plain covers more than 3,000 square kiloters, nearly half the area of the Chengdu Plain. Even in this era, the total arable land on the plain could exceed 2,000 square kiloters. Based on an estimation of 2,500 Alliance small acres per square kiloter, there would be 5 million acres of cultivable land here.
Including fallow land, 5 million acres could cultivate 2 million acres of milpa farmland. And with each person cultivating 10 acres and farming 4 acres, the entire plain could at least support a population of 500,000! This was still based on the lower productivity of this era. When tal farming tools and fertilizers would be widely used, the output per acre of these well-irrigated lands would leap dramatically, supporting a population many tis larger!
After a while, once Ezpan had finished speaking, Xiulote nodded with a smile.
"Ezpan, the Apa Plain is fertile, but for the past hundred years, it has not been effectively developed. Do you know why?"
"Your Highness, this area was originally the land of the various Tekos tribes, and it was taken over after being repeatedly conquered by the Tarasco Kingdom. For decades, it has been on the border and has been continuously plagued by wars. The Prepetcha people and the Tekos people have been killing each other, making it difficult for the riverside villages to prosper. Moreover, during the Tarasco Era, the main focus of developnt to the south was on Apa City and Kulamo City."
Ezpan pondered for a mont and, based on his experience, tried his best to answer.
"Additionally, the Apa Plain has fertile soil and ample water sources, hence the forests are dense and the weeds are lush. Without a significant labor force or tal tools, cultivation is not easy. And the fierce flow of the Gran River brings floods in the rainy season, creating many undeveloped beaches and marshes."
"Quite right, you have spoken well."
Xiulote laughed heartily with satisfaction, then his smile vanished, and he beca serious.
"Now that the southwest Coahuayana Mountain Region has been subdued, eight or nine out of ten Tekos tribes are gone. The submissive submission of the western Colima Mountain Region also ans they won’t be causing any more disturbances. With you leading the legion to guard here, the Apa Plain can be peacefully cultivated, becoming a great granary for the kingdom’s hinterland! As for the bronze tools for cutting and the bronze farming implents for tilling, I will have them dispatched to you from the Northern Kingdom!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Ezpan knelt to the ground and solemnly saluted. Then he stood up and asked,
"Your Majesty, after the southwest conquest is over, where should the legion’s border colonies be located?"
Upon hearing this, Xiulote pondered for a mont, then took a map from Bertade’s hands and drew the boundaries that had already been planned.
"Ezpan, the southwestern boundary of the Apa Plain will be established with three military strongholds, and stone forts should be gradually constructed. The western stronghold is Tepalcatepec, controlling the passages to the western mountain region; the southwest stronghold is here, Can River Village, will be promoted to Can River Town, where an encampnt will be built to guard the southwest mountain pass; the southern stronghold will be Grass Forest Village, promoted to Grass Forest Town, holding the southern mountain pass. Additionally, troops should be dispatched into the mountains yearly to subdue and gather the mountain people!"
Ezpan thought for a mont and respectfully nodded. Once the three military towns were established, they would control all the major mountain passes, fully encompassing the Apa Plain.
"As for the northern boundary of the plain, it will be set sixty li northwest of Bo River Village, at Snake Bone Village (El Hueso) by the northern mountain pass. Here, a military town will be established to guard against the Chapala Lake Region!"
Snake Bone Village at the northern mountain pass was almost the northernmost territory of Zicao County, virtually at the sa latitude as the Apachigan mining area. The terrain there is undulating, rainfall is not plentiful, and there are large sandy areas that will produce grapes in later generations. However, over two hundred more li north of Snake Bone Village lies the vast Chapala Great Lake. When the ti cos to conquer the northwest and subdue the Chapala Lake Region, a detouring expedition can be launched from here.
Xiulote looked towards the north. An eagle soared in the distant sky, its desire to hunt never ceasing. After a southern campaign, there would likely be a shortfall of twenty to thirty thousand agricultural slaves in achievents granted. The kingdom’s military machine never stops, and after this year’s autumn harvest, there would surely be a new war!
"Your Majesty, if the four military cities are the boundaries, how should the fertile Snake Basin be handled?"
Ezpan pondered for a mont, then cautiously inquired.
After contemplating for a while, Xiulote considered the Hand Snake Basin’s isolated position in the deep mountains, the difficult logistics, and the high maintenance costs. It was also very close to the various Tribes of Colima, and should there be any unexpected developnts... After so ti, the King finally made a decision.
"The borders of the Kingdom shall, for now, stop at the Apa Plain. Only when you have cultivated the Apa Plain well, ensuring a surplus of food and population, and the villages and farmlands are dense, can we expand into the mountains once more. Leave this basin unoccupied for now. Just set up a few outposts and leave so personnel, to attract Surrendered Mountain Tribes! Ezpan, when you’re gathering the Tribes, be careful to maintain relations with the various Tribes of Colima!"
"I will follow Your Majesty’s will!"
"Good. Once you’ve dealt with the captives and arranged the cultivation of the Apa Plain... this unforgettable southern campaign should co to an end."
Xiulote’s expression was solemn. He fell silent, gazing at the western sky. It was not until the red sun shone through the Kan River that he looked towards Legion Commander Ezpan.
"Ezpan, the Rabbit Moon has arrived, the last month of the 260-day sacred year. The old cycle is about to end, and a new one is about to begin."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Rabbit Moon is the month of sacrifice, the month of courage, and also the month of endings. The Chief Divine bears witness! I wish to offer my loyalty to you, fighting with fearless courage on your behalf!"
Ezpan suppressed the excitent in his heart. He raised his left hand, which only had four fingers, and swore allegiance to the King.
Xiulote nodded slowly. He murmured to himself, yet loud enough for Ezpan to hear.
"In the ancient myths, the cycle of ti is endless. The Primordial God awakens in the month of endings, dividing the world into dreams and reality, and leaving behind seeds of connection. When people fall asleep in spring, the world of dreams awakens within..."
Although he did not understand the King’s sentint, Ezpan still listened silently. It was an unprecedented closeness that made the image of the King co alive.
"Ezpan, I have a dream of an Empire in my heart. I know what it looks like, vivid in every detail, constantly urging forward, always telling where to go!..."
"Your Majesty, wherever you go, I will follow loyally!"
"Very well, then let us set out together! The ti of mortals is ultimately fleeting, and we do not have much left..."
As he spoke, the King paused, his gaze bright as fla, locked onto the once Surrendered General.
"Ezpan, cultivate the Apa Plain, establish military towns and checkpoints, spread the teachings of the Divine Church, and pacify the spirits of the Tribes. You must reduce reckless martial prowess, focus on food production, and aim to pacify Fire River City... I entrust you with all the affairs of the Kingdom’s southwest!"
"Your Majesty, thank you for your trust! The Chief Divine bears witness, I shall exert my utmost effort for you, loyal until death!"
"Good! Ezpan, I trust your loyalty. Develop the southwestern plains well for ; it shall be the Kingdom’s great rear."
After a pause for reflection, Xiulote made a decision. Although they had not reached the minor goal of gathering a population of a hundred thousand, Ezpan’s achievents were already worthy of significant reward.
"Once I return to the Capital City, I will confer honors and rewards. Ezpan, you are the third honored noble of the entire Kingdom, after Bertade and Olosh!"
"Ah! Your Majesty! You are my only sun, my only light! May the gods protect our King, forever ablaze!"
The red sun set in the west, covering the Apa Plain. Both the sky and the plain were red, just like the blazing fire that ignited in the southwest land and sky.
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