The bonfire flickered, and all around was silence, save for the sound of the Samurai patrolling. In a blink, it was deep into the night.
Xiulote quietly watched his friend’s contemplative face, patiently waiting. Great achievers strategize in secret chambers, downfall cos from negligence. True decisions of national importance are agreed upon within the core leadership of just a few people, then carried out by a dedicated team. A slight inclination at the center of power could determine the lives and deaths of thousands.
After a long while, Aweit’s face beca stern; an undeniable decision had been made:
"Deploy the legion, call for the surrender and rescue of Casal’s three thousand direct subordinates. Send envoys to negotiate with the pursuing Otapan army. Also, send an envoy to contact King Uncle Tizoc of Atotoztli, inform him of Tizoc’s death, and ask for his allegiance, promising his status remains unchanged.
I will connect with City-State commanders for a few days to foster relationships, then move the main army to the Xilotepec encampnt. There, I will gather the dispersed direct Samurai. Dissolve the City-State Warrior groups and thirty thousand Militia.
I will promise land, recruit volunteers from the remaining City-State Warriors, separate those directly under the Royal Family, assembling twelve thousand Samurai and fifteen thousand Militia to continue the blockade of Xilotepec City.
Send people to recall the boat brigade, leave several small boats for early warning along the Lerma River, and incidentally pick up lost Militia. The large contingent of the boat brigade should imdiately bypass Lake Texcoco, arriving swiftly at the riverside camp from Tampen River.
Once the boat brigade converges, I will lead over twenty thousand Samurai directly under the Royal Family southward, advancing by land and water, towards the Lake Capital City!"
Three people saluted and received the orders. The chaotic situation had been clarified. With the decision made, xica’s war machine was about to turn anew.
Aweit considered for a mont more. Then, he took Xiulote’s hand warmly and said.
"Xiulote, you just returned from the south having captured the king, and I had intended to let you rest for a couple of days. But on reflection, I need you to lead the army to the western encampnt. Your status is sufficient to summon Casal, and at the sa ti, represent in negotiations with the Otomi people."
The young man nodded firmly in agreent, a commander must mature in constant warfare. Low-intensity conflicts are indeed the best way to train such novice commanders.
"How many Warriors do you have now?"
"Eighty Tonsured Guards, one hundred and ten Longbow Guards, two hundred Holy City Jaguars, seven hundred Copper Spears Samurai, three thousand directly under the Royal Family," the young man calculated in his mind, down to the digits.
Aweit smiled.
"Leave the Tonsured Guard and the Copper Spears Samurai to . As the army converges, I need to strengthen the loyalty of the central forces. Teotihuacan’s three thousand Samurai are now yours. The original four thousand direct Samurai from the Xilotepec encampnt are also yours.
I want to keep Stanley here. Balda has already surrendered, so I assign him to you, as he is Casal’s deputy general, just right for the call to surrender Casal.
After the past two weeks of pressure, that monkey-like Kuluka has been subdued enough, now also yours. He has served as a commander in the large camp, you can let him manage these four thousand Samurai. Whether as a commander or as an adjutant is up to you to decide.
Also, we recently made so longbows, so the Longbow Guard is supplented back up to one hundred and fifty n. This gives you over ten thousand xica Warriors. Jiowar of the Otapan City-State has at most seven thousand Otomi Warriors, which should be enough for you to suppress him."
The young man loudly accepted the command, his joy tinged with trepidation.
This ti, he was actually to command over ten thousand Warriors! He knew his skills were not yet at that level, but with Bertade, Olosh, Kuluka, and Balda as seasoned generals to support him, managing the campaign was less of a concern. He would soon assign specific commanding officer positions, just keeping a few generals close, and then lead while learning on the job.
Acap’s face was filled with a joyful smile. Leading over ten thousand Warriors was far beyond a commander. Holy City Teotihuacan could muster at most five thousand Warriors. xica’s power center in the tri-cities of the capital, in that densely populated Lake Region, supported by the vast population were tens of thousands of Warriors.
Gillim’s solemn expression finally showed surprise.
He respectably saluted and advised: "Your Majesty, a thirteen-year-old legion commander leading over ten thousand troops, this has never happened before in the history of the Alliance!"
Aweit smiled and waved his hand: "Xiulote is a born strategist, not an ordinary young man. His recent southern victory also ensures that his prestige is sufficient to command respect. Besides, the main strategy this ti is to win by position, not to engage in fierce battles. Gillim, you need not worry!"
Seeing the king’s resolved decision, Gillim could only bow deeply in salute, saying no more.
"Xiulote, do you know who this Jiowar is that you will face?" Aweit smiled at the young man.
"Jiowar? Who is he?" The young man only knew of this man from what his father had told him.
"He was the commanding officer of the opposing Otapan legion during your first battle, when you followed as just a Priest. Just over a year has passed, and now it’s your turn to command the large army, to lead Casal and Balda to suppress Jiowar. How is that, haven’t I treated you well?"
Aweit reached up and gently touched the young man’s head, his eyes showing a rare tenderness, almost affectionate.
"Aweit, you’re really great!" The young man looked around, Acap and Gillim were slightly bowing their heads in thought, watching the flickering bonfire. He hesitated for a mont, then quickly embraced his dear friend, before resuming his formal posture.
Aweit smiled gently, showing a touch of satisfaction, then again assud the king’s seriousness.
"All is settled, let’s end today’s council here! Xiulote, make ti to see your father. Ti is pressing, as the army departs tomorrow."
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