Aztec Eternals

August is the heyday of the rainy season. The gods opened the passage between the Tianhe and the human world, and the pouring rain poured down from the sky.

From the Great Temple in Lake Texcoco to the House of Winds by Lake Patzcuaro, the vast land is full of wind and rain. The soft soil was full of rainwater, and the bluestone walls were slippery. All battles became difficult, so they stopped slowly.

The sky was full of wind and rain, and Shulot, dressed in plain robes, stood on the watchtower of the wooden castle camp, looking towards the east of the Leman River. He is waiting for the returning fleet. As far as the eye can see, the rain curtain is connected into one piece, and the river water not far away is rising one after another, and the water surface is wider. The big river was so rough that it ran westward all the way.

Heavy rain limited visibility. The young commander stood there for an unknown amount of time, until the first faint black spot appeared in front of his eyes, followed by the second, and the third. Hundreds of boats came down the river, and warriors who densely covered the bows of the boats came in the rain. He finally smiled and hurried down from the watchtower.

Soon, the wharf on the river bank was ready, the huge fleet docked slowly, and the warriors went ashore one after another.

Shulot has already put on the majestic commander's uniform, surrounded by the guards, to welcome the new army.

Holding a spear in hand, Anatri jumped off the magnificent boat. She strode up to the young commander-in-chief, bowed her head and saluted earnestly.

"Your Highness, one thousand temple guards, three thousand royal warriors, four thousand Holy City Legion, and 20,000 people's food for three months have arrived on time!"

Shulot returned the salute solemnly.

"Annatri, the rain is so heavy, you have worked hard all the way! It is not easy for the warriors to march in the rain for several days. The wooden castle has prepared a banquet, dry clothes and barracks. The reinforcements will go now Take a break, and the sailors can also take turns ashore!"

Afterwards, Shulot took two steps forward and walked towards the commanders of the reinforcements. He first exchanged salutes with the honorable aristocrat Tepopolo. The young commander glanced at Tepopolo curiously. Even though the weather was so hot and humid, the other party still wore a wet leather cap tightly covering his forehead.

"Your Highness, I suffered a slight injury on my forehead, please forgive me for not taking off my hat to salute."

Tepopolo explained with some embarrassment.

The young commander nodded and did not ask in detail in front of everyone. Tepopolo breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Shulot looked not far away. His father Xiu Suoke was smiling, with gentle eyes. In the smile is the joy that I haven't seen for a long time, and in the eyes is the calm and deep concern.

The two looked at each other for a moment, suppressing their excitement, while bowing their heads in salute. Then, Shulot and teacher Olosh also bowed to each other. Looking at the majestic young man, Olosh grinned, his expression full of joy and relief.

The welcome banquet is formal and simple. There was no grand singing and dancing at the banquet, and the generals did not drink recklessly. Roast venison, roast rabbit meat, corn cakes, black bean puree, several cups of freshly made cocoa drinks are prepared in the camp, and finally there is a delicious fish soup made from freshly caught fish.

Xiulot secretly guided. The fresh fish is boiled with boiling water, and then added with clean fine salt and jalapeno peppers to dispel the cold. Afterwards, the fish soup is simmered in clay pots for a long time, until the clear soup is thick and white, the bones and flesh are separated, and the aroma is tangy.

Everyone drank a bowl of fish soup, only to feel that it was delicious, and they were sweating all over. Everyone praised the chef's craftsmanship for a few words, and then got to the point. The reinforcements from various ministries reported the detailed situation of the army, and Bertard described the garrison of the wooden fort in the north, and the general strength of the Tarascos in the south. In the end, Xiuluo decided on the following strategy, and the various departments were stationed separately, guarding the camp, and patiently waiting for the arrival of the fighter.

When dusk fell, the banquet ended, and the generals returned to their camps. As the head of the navy, Anatry will return to the big boat to rest. She followed the tradition of her ancestors, rarely left the fleet, and did not contact the major nobles of the alliance.

Shulot thought for a moment, a smile appeared on his face. He ordered Bertard to send the head of the navy. During the banquet just now, he had heard Anatri's rhetoric, and also knew the origin of the scar on Tepopolo's head, so he vaguely had an idea.

After receiving the military order from the commander in chief, the vicissitudes of life of the samurai stared at the young man speechlessly for a moment before bowing his head and accepting the order.

Stepping out of the big tent, the sky was full of wind and rain. Anatri stood upright, tilted his head slightly, and looked at the samurai commander with interest. After a while, she saluted briefly, and then asked loudly.

"Bothard, I haven't seen you in January. I just heard that you killed forty Tarasco warriors in the first battle, and you were named the Holy Eagle Warrior Commander by His Royal Highness, and you also triggered the manifestation of the sun god. Now, It is rumored in the army that you are the number one warrior of the Northern Route Army. I wonder when you will be free, can you compete with me?"

The warrior commander looked at Anatri quietly. He didn't speak, just returned a salute.

Anatri frowned slightly. After thinking for a while, she strode towards the fleet by the river. The samurai commander was one position behind, but also followed steadily. The female warrior secretly observed the opponent's footsteps and listened to the rhythm of breathing. Then, she sped up and ran like a cheetah on the soft soil, quickly leaving the wooden castle behind.

Berthard still walked steadily, breathed undisturbed, and always kept a distance of one body.

Anatri observed for a moment, then suddenly stopped and stood still.

"You have to compete with me, otherwise I will stand here and not leave!"

In the wind and rain, Bertard stood silently. He waited peacefully for a long time, and the heavy rain soaked both of their clothes. Until the night was dark, the samurai chief watched the female samurai's firm expression, and finally spoke helplessly.

"good!"

As darkness fell, a bonfire was lit in the commander's cabin. In the light of the fire, Shulot crossed his legs and sat opposite his father, talking closely.

"Father, are your injuries healed?"

Xiu Suoke nodded with a smile, and patted his chest.

"It's been better for a long time. Now I can go to the battle at any time and fight for half a day. In the past six months, I heard that you were in danger several times in the capital, so I often wanted to go to the capital to find you. It's just that your grandfather didn't allow me to hold the legion and do it." ready for anything”

Xiu Suoke mentioned it lightly, without mentioning the content of the preparation in detail. Then, he looked at the handsome and resolute boy, smiled with satisfaction, and patted his son on the shoulder.

"I heard that you have done a lot of great things, and I didn't believe it at first. But when I saw you today and watched your words and deeds, I really believed it. In the past six months, you have indeed grown a lot! You have been able to command an army and face blood. The responsibility and future of the Fighting with Huo clan are now on your shoulders!"

When it came to the last sentence, Xiusoke was inexplicably moved. Seeing his son's rapid growth, while feeling relieved, he couldn't help wondering if he was getting old.

Xiulot listened quietly, with a genuine smile on his face. After a while, he spoke softly.

"Father, I have no experience in commanding large-scale battles. For this western expedition, I plan to let you serve as the marshal of the Northern Route Army, coercing and controlling all ministries, and mastering specific military affairs."

Xiusock was taken aback for a moment. He was a little tempted, thought for a while, and shook his head firmly.

"Sholot, I will definitely assist you in this Western Expedition. Being a Marshal helps build prestige and win over the troops of all ministries. You should take this position yourself! I can serve as the Deputy Marshal. If this expedition If you succeed, the honor will be on you, if you fail, the responsibility will be on me my son, my future has been determined, but your future has infinite possibilities!"

Hearing his father's sincere words, the boy was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

After deciding on the primary and secondary division of labor, the two discussed the specific military deployment and the arrangement of each camp.

After the adjustment, the trusted Chinese army lived in the main fort in the middle. The Chinese army includes 4,000 holy city warriors, 2,000 temple guards, as well as the Longbow Guard Battalion and the Jaguar Squadron, totaling about 7,000 people. Then, the left and right armies each consisted of 3,000 warriors directly under the royal family, plus 1,000 longbow warriors, led by Barda and Tepopolo respectively, stationed in the left and right castles. The last rear army consisted of 3,000 western city-state warriors, who were scattered in the outer camps and were also responsible for security and patrolling. As for the food and grass for logistics, most of them are stored in the main fort, and the sub-forts only distribute one month's food.

Xiulot took out the wooden map and brought up the latest military situation.

"Father, I'm going to bypass the defense line of the forts on the south bank. I learned from the captives in the last ambush that the forts in the south have been in operation for many years. Great and small nobles and militia."

"In order to defend their property, they are very determined to fight. They even took the initiative to fight once to drive away the harassing and sabotaging samurai squad. Now, they have chosen to defend their base and mobilize young men to enter the city. With so many fortresses, it is not wise to break through one by one , we don’t have enough troops.”

Xiusock looked at the patterns on the map and constructed the situation on the southern front in his mind. After a while, he nodded in agreement.

"So, you are going to go down from Lake Quetzeao? Then the southern river mouth fortress will be the biggest pass for you to go south."

Shulot smiled confidently.

"That's true. I already have a rough siege plan. According to the latest information, the main force of the Tarasco navy in the south has already set off to the west and downstream to meet the reinforcements in the Chapala Lake area. This back and forth counts Hundreds of thousands of miles, plus the gathering of troops, there will be nearly a month in the middle, and the Hekou Fortress will be in a relatively weak state."

Having said that, Xiulot hesitated.

"Father, our reinforcements have arrived, and our troops are temporarily superior. What I am hesitating now is whether to take this opportunity to send troops south and quickly attack the Hekou Fortress. If we can take the Hekou Fortress before the autumn harvest mobilization, the situation will suddenly change." One turn, and the future suddenly opens up!"

Xiu Suoke was a little surprised, and looked at the boy in disbelief.

"How can the army break through such a strong fortress within a month? How sure are you?"

Xiulot smiled and answered cautiously.

"I invented a new type of weapon. It's very powerful. I'm sure about half of it. If the enemy is not prepared, it can blow open the wooden door and let the warriors take the opportunity to rush in!"

Xiusoke thought for a while. He carefully checked the map and the distribution of troops, and asked.

"Sholot, have you actually used this weapon in previous wars?"

Xiulot was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

So Suk understood. He patted his son on the shoulder again, admonishing him.

"My son, in actual wars, commanders always have to consider the worst situation and leave room for everything. All kinds of unexpected accidents will always happen, and they often bring the worst results. When you When you have an advantage, you should further expand your advantage and suppress the enemy from the front. Taking a risky gamble is often only a last resort when you are at a disadvantage.”

"Before solving Tarasco's fleet, the main force ventured south and fell into an uncertain siege battle. This is a risky choice. Once the enemy's forces gather, reinforcements arrive, and the navy threatens the rear, the army will have Possibility of death."

Hearing his father's instruction, Xiulot thought for a moment and nodded.

"The generals who are really good at fighting always put their plans before the war, and they will not have an epic victory after death. They always manage the situation and defeat the defeated enemy with the momentum of victory."

Hearing this, Xiu Suoke tasted it for a while, and laughed in agreement.

"Where did my son hear about the method of using troops? It is indeed a brilliant and good advice."

Afterwards, Xiusoke continued to point to the map with his finger, pointing to the north.

"Sholot, the first priority of the army is to manage the situation and take the initiative. Your original plan is actually very good. Taking advantage of the opportunity of Tarasco's departure, you must first eliminate the unstable factors in the rear and take the Austrian The Otomi people are pulled into the water! Once the army goes south, we cannot leave the weak retreat to the untrustworthy Otomi people."

Xiulot nodded in agreement and smiled slightly.

"Father, the hero sees the same thing! Now our forces are finally superior. When the heavy rain subsides, I will lead my troops north and force the Otomi to make a choice, and fight with us against the Tarascos!"

Xiusoke nodded with a smile. Afterwards, he thought of his own experience, the crucial blow in the battle of the two kings, so he reminded with a serious expression.

"Sholot, if the Otomi agree to send troops, just in case, don't mix their army with the Northern Army!"

Shulot was slightly taken aback, and asked aloud.

"What does father think he should do?"

Shuthok moved his finger forward, farther west of the Leman River, and pointed at Sakapu in Tarasco.

"It's here. If the Otomi people sincerely cooperate with the alliance, they will certainly not take the initiative to touch hard rocks on the southern defense line and damage precious warriors. Sakapu State and Otomi Guamare State are opposite each other. Between the Lake Chapala area and the south coast defense line. There should not be many Tarasco defenders here, and the towns are quite rich. Putting an army here can mobilize the strength of the southern line on the one hand, and on the other hand Attract the attention of Chapala's reinforcements."

Shulot looked at the map, his eyes lit up.

"That's right! Tarasco's Otomi mercenaries came from here. In the mountains and forests on the south bank, there are also small tribes of Otomi people, which are involved with the Otomi people in the north. Attack here as a request for negotiation, Easier for the Otomi to accept!"

Speaking of this, the two looked at each other and laughed, completely reaching a consensus.

The swaying bonfire and the warm wind blowing bring relaxation to the body and mind. The father and son had long conversations at night, and many old things came to mind. Before I knew it, it was dawn outside the house.

In the early morning of the second day, a group of envoys left the main castle in a hurry, and headed for Ottopan City in the north with the commander's latest request.

The heavy rain continued, and another week passed in a blink of an eye. The Otomi finally sent messengers to reply. The two parties agreed that their respective leaders would come in person and formally negotiate in the forest between Ottopan City and the wooden castle on the north shore.

Note: After publishing yesterday, I wrote for another hour and added eight or nine hundred words. Book friends who read before one o'clock in the morning can refresh the previous chapter. Thanks, please support!