"Hmm? The Red Crow Chieftain, Amoxtli..."
Xiulote was sowhat surprised. The Chieftain of the Red Crow Tribe had such insight... He asked in a deep voice.
"How did the Alliance respond?"
"They are just scattered Canine Descendants Tribes. What qualifications do they have to beco subjects of the Alliance?"
The High Priest spoke calmly, with the confidence of the xica dominion over the lands.
"General Osellor from the North suggested dispatching the xica legion to quell the newly arrived Canine Descendants. After central deliberation with the Royal Family and the High Priesthood, it was decided to halt for now and not to engage... The eastern expedition is about to begin, leaving this Canine Tribe to exert pressure on the Vastec people poses no harm to the Alliance."
"Hmm, indeed. Then let them be for now!"
Xiulote agreed, feeling a sense of appreciation in his heart.
"To have migrated all the way from the northern wilderness and finally established themselves in the northeastern plains and jungle... The Red Crow Tribe is indeed fortunate!"
The two spoke no more, and Xiulote continued to review the Alliance’s confidential matters.
To the east of the Lake Capital City, there were no enfeoffed city-states, only towering and inaccessible mountains that completely separated the xican Valley from the Tlaxcala Valley. If the Tlaxcala Valley could be conquered, it would count as the Alliance’s eastern city-state.
Apart from the western, southern, and northern city-states, the Alliance also had several more distant territories.
"The Land of Jontal, with a total population of 200,000, and approximately 1-2 million acres of milpa."
"Further south from the southern city-states, along the Tarsas River, lies the Land of Jontal, with a population of 200,000. This area is vast and sparsely populated, with many mudflats and marshes along the river. The Land of Jontal falls under the jurisdiction of the Alliance, with so erging small xica city-states, currently in a state of autonomy by great nobility and tribal leaders... The High Priesthood has sent many priests to facilitate the conversion of the Jontal tribespeople in this area."
The High Priest explained calmly.
"Xiulote, my child. The lower reaches of the Tarsas River are your southern fief, the middle reaches are the Land of Jontal, and further upstream, a hundred to two hundred miles past the Mistec Alliance, you’ll reach the source, the fertile and prosperous core valley of Tlaxcala..."
Xiulote solemnly nodded. He had long contemplated that the Tarsas River was the key to the southern campaign.
"As long as the southern army can gain the upper hand in naval battles, advancing upstream along the Tarsas River, attacking along the way, we can penetrate deep into the heart of the Tlaxcalans!"
The High Priest slightly raised his eyebrows and gently shook his head.
"My child, do not take risks! The upper reaches of the Tarsas River are very narrow, with many river fortresses obstructing the way, and you must pass through Mistec territory... The southern army should advance steadily, both by land and water."
Xiulote’s eyes flickered, pondering in silence. Having led many campaigns, he had a sophisticated understanding of warfare. Conquering strong fortresses on land was evidently a prolonged and arduous task, with uncertain delays and imnse consumption of food supplies. But advancing by water, striking directly at the enemy’s core, and ending the war in one decisive battle was an irresistible temptation for any commander.
"My child. In this campaign, there is no need to rush. It’s best to advance gradually. The core of Tlaxcala also has many fortresses. If the army recklessly advances along the water route and is stalled under a fortress, it will be very dangerous."
The High Priest’s expression remained unchanged, his voice turning somber.
"Even if we conquer the Four States of Tlaxcala and utterly annihilate the Tlaxcalans, this prosperous Eastern Valley will be incorporated directly into the Royal domain or enfeoffed to other princes... The Kingdom of the Lake lacks population; during your eastern expedition, you may seize and transport many people back to your fief. The priests in the Land of Jontal will cooperate as much as possible."
As he spoke to this point, a faint sense of nostalgia appeared in the High Priest’s eyes. He extended his hand and gently caressed Xiulote’s face, his voice fading to a whisper.
"My child, when you march into the Tlaxcala Valley, and with King Aweit, eliminate the Alliance’s fifty-year-old nesis... I will... pray for you..."
"Hmm? Grandfather, what did you say?"
"...I said, rember, always be wary of the Mistec people, no matter how submissive they appear!"
A vague unease flashed through Xiulote’s mind. He looked at his grandfather’s calm face and respectfully nodded.
"Yes, I will abide by your counsel. I will not act rashly in these eastern campaigns!"
The High Priest smiled kindly, withdrew his withered hand, and said no more. Xiulote turned to the last page of the docunts and read softly.
"The mountainous Vite State, directly under the Alliance, with a population of 150,000, and 500,000-1,000,000 acres of milpa. The Xitaqualo State, enfeoffed to Prince Iskali, with a population of 70,000, and approximately 500,000 acres of milpa. The Akanbaro State, enfeoffed to Prince Tepopolo, with a population of 100,000, milpa not specified. The Three States of the Kingdom of the Lake, enfeoffed to His Highness Xiulote, with a population of 700,000-800,000, milpa not specified..."
These figures needed no explanation from the High Priest, as Xiulote was well-acquainted with them.
The mountainous Vite State is located south of the Tarsas River, southeast of Zicao County, and is the copper mining area directly under the Alliance. To exploit the copper mines, the Alliance has relocated 20,000-30,000 miners and their families here, and the area has developed rapidly in recent years.
The Xitaqualo State is nominally the fief of Prince Iskali, located southeast of the Kingdom of the Lake, with fortified clusters arduously attacked by the Southern Army. Prince Iskali is a royal noble, loyal, and closely connected to the royal central authority. The Royal Family and the High Priesthood directly dispatched royal advisors and preaching priests to manage the fief for Prince Iskali, with data on the fief ticulously detailed, almost akin to direct control.
The Akanbaro State is the fief of Prince Tepopolo, located northeast of the Kingdom of the Lake, south of the Lerma River. It is also a small military city-state. Tepopolo
"The mountainous Vite State, directly under the Alliance, with a population of 150,000, and 500,000-1,000,000 acres of milpa. The Xitaqualo State, enfeoffed to Prince Iskali, with a population of 70,000, and approximately 500,000 acres of milpa. The Akanbaro State, enfeoffed to Prince Tepopolo, with a population of 100,000, milpa not specified. The Three States of the Kingdom of the Lake, enfeoffed to His Highness Xiulote, with a population of 700,000-800,000, milpa not specified..."
These figures needed no explanation from the High Priest, as Xiulote was well-acquainted with them.
The mountainous Vite State is located south of the Tarsas River, southeast of Zicao County, and is the copper mining area directly under the Alliance. To exploit the copper mines, the Alliance has relocated 20,000-30,000 miners and their families here, and the area has developed rapidly in recent years.
The Xitaqualo State is nominally the fief of Prince Iskali, located southeast of the Kingdom of the Lake, with fortified clusters arduously attacked by the Southern Army. Prince Iskali is a royal noble, loyal, and closely connected to the royal central authority. The Royal Family and the High Priesthood directly dispatched royal advisors and preaching priests to manage the fief for Prince Iskali, with data on the fief ticulously detailed, almost akin to direct control.
The Akanbaro State is the fief of Prince Tepopolo, located northeast of the Kingdom of the Lake, south of the Lerma River. It is also a small military city-state. Tepopolo
"The mountainous Vite State, directly under the Alliance, with a population of 150,000, and 500,000-1,000,000 acres of milpa. The Xitaqualo State, enfeoffed to Prince Iskali, with a population of 70,000, and approximately 500,000 acres of milpa. The Akanbaro State, enfeoffed to Prince Tepopolo, with a population of 100,000, milpa not specified. The Three States of the Kingdom of the Lake, enfeoffed to His Highness Xiulote, with a population of 700,000-800,000, milpa not specified..."
These figures needed no explanation from the High Priest, as Xiulote was well-acquainted with them.
The mountainous Vite State is located south of the Tarsas River, southeast of Zicao County, and is the copper mining area directly under the Alliance. To exploit the copper mines, the Alliance has relocated 20,000-30,000 miners and their families here, and the area has developed rapidly in recent years.
The Xitaqualo State is nominally the fief of Prince Iskali, located southeast of the Kingdom of the Lake, with fortified clusters arduously attacked by the Southern Army. Prince Iskali is a royal noble, loyal, and closely connected to the royal central authority. The Royal Family and the High Priesthood directly dispatched royal advisors and preaching priests to manage the fief for Prince Iskali, with data on the fief ticulously detailed, almost akin to direct control.
The Akanbaro State is the fief of Prince Tepopolo, located northeast of the Kingdom of the Lake, south of the Lerma River. It is also a small military city-state. Tepopolo
"The mountainous Vite State, directly under the Alliance, with a population of 150,000, and 500,000-1,000,000 acres of milpa. The Xitaqualo State, enfeoffed to Prince Iskali, with a population of 70,000, and approximately 500,000 acres of milpa. The Akanbaro State, enfeoffed to Prince Tepopolo, with a population of 100,000, milpa not specified. The Three States of the Kingdom of the Lake, enfeoffed to His Highness Xiulote, with a population of 700,000-800,000, milpa not specified..."
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