Aztec Eternals

The sun goes west, and the streamer sparsely shadows. Everyone stood on the edge of the mountain, blowing the February wind, neither cold nor hot. Marching on the tropical plateau is relatively easy, and the demand for warmth is not high, so there is no need for too much luggage.

As far as Shulot could see, a faint marching smoke rose from the sky. Even though more than half a month has passed, the team escorting the Terkos captives is still endless, meandering out from the mountains in the southwest. Looking carefully, the captives who came out of the mountain became thinner and thinner, and it was obvious that they had been marching for a long time.

The king pondered for a moment, then spoke lightly.

"Ezpan, I once said that if you can get 100,000 people, you will be the number one hero of the Southern Expedition! Now, how many people have you gathered?"

"Your Majesty, in the past month or so, the army has gone deep into the mountainous area to clean up the mess after General Heilang's mopping up, and they have captured a lot!"

Ezpan saluted respectfully and responded in detail.

"Nearly 30,000 captives were captured in the Hand Snake Basin, and they have been fully escorted to the Apa Plain. These people include the entire Shield tribe, the family members of the Palm family, and various mountain people. South of Yeshan Village, in the mountains About 20,000 people were arrested in the tunnels and valleys, and they have just been transported out of the mountains. The group of captives who are now passing through Kanhe Village is basically this group. Going further south, General Coca is on the beach two hundred miles away from Palm Bay. , Gathered 30,000 refugees before and after. Most of these people have arrived at the Hand Snake Basin. In a few days, they will come out of the mountain!"

"Oh? So, that's 80,000 Tekos mountain people? That's slightly more than Beizheng captured Dingkou!"

Shulot smiled. The Tekos are a farming tribe in the valleys of the mountains. They are familiar with the cultivation of the fields, and their population is much larger than that of the Guajili who are hunting. Of course, the combat effectiveness of Tekos tribe fighters is much worse than that of dog descendants. He patted Ezpan's shoulder affectionately, and said with a smile.

"Not bad! Very good! It's a pity that we are still a little short of the small goal of 100,000 people. I was going to give you a big reward."

"Ah! Your Majesty, there are still many tribal people hiding in the southwest mountains and along the seashore. They lack food, and they don't even have food to grow. It is impossible for them to stay in the mountains for a long time. Wait for a month or two at most, and these people will starve to death. , or we have to go out of the mountains and surrender. And we have the food tribute from the various tribes of Colima, and we can bring them all back! At that time, we may be able to gather nine or one hundred thousand people."

Hearing that the bounty was about to pass by, Ezpan's eyes turned red and he uttered a hasty voice.

There are a total of more than 100,000 people in the ministries of Southwest Coalcoman. After repeated raids, 80,000 people were looted, which is actually close to the limit. He originally planned to go to the border tribes of the Colima Mountains in the west, and plunder another 20,000 people to gather the "small target" of the king. But now, all the ministries of Colima submit to the kingdom, send noble ladies to accompany His Majesty, and provide a large amount of food, but it is not easy to do it.

"Well, let's count it as 90,000 people, and it should be less than 100,000."

Shulot smiled, thinking about the arrangement of the Ninety Thousand Tekos Mountain People. He turned sideways, watching the red sun gradually going west, holding the fate of tens of thousands of people in his hands.

"Before the Southern Expedition, there was a gap of 80,000 for military service granting land and slaves. There were 20,000 rebels in Zicao City, 10,000 rebels in Apa City, and a total of 10,000 rebels from the southern nobles who resisted the reform. This is 40,000 serfs. Then, 40,000 more serfs will be released from the Terkos captives to fill up the previous gap!"

Ezpan bowed his head and listened, his heart shaking. Faced with the king's reduction of feudal titles and reforms, the whole Zicao County had a population of more than 200,000, and one-fifth of them rebelled before and after, and 40,000 of them were demoted to serfs. After the southern expedition this time, the old nobles in the south were completely wiped out.

"Well, 40,000 Tekos serfs. There are 30,000 captives in the Hand Snake Basin, most of whom are the backbone of the big tribes who resisted. According to the northern flag team organization. With more than 4,000 people as a team, we will organize 12 flag teams and dozens of villages, and concentrate on the Apa Plain for reclamation!"

"Follow your will, Your Majesty!"

"The kingdom will soon send priests to manage these flag team villages and spread the belief of the Lord God! Each flag team sends out 250 men to form a 3,000-member Tekos tribal militia to absorb experienced tribal fighters. Ezpan, After the Southern Expedition, you will lead the Second Long Spear Corps to settle in the Apa Plain and guard the southwest for me! I will also temporarily entrust this Terkos tribe militia to your jurisdiction!"

"Thank you for your reuse, Your Majesty!"

Ezpan was overjoyed. He will be the first legion commander in the entire kingdom to command more than 10,000 troops, guarding the frontier for the kingdom!

Xiuluo nodded. He looked around the field, and the Apa Plain was full of green life. The uncultivated soil is extremely fertile, and the rivers in the mountains bring a stable water source. This is a land of abundance like Bashu. As long as it is managed well, it will be the logistics granary for the kingdom to conquer the world.

"Ezpan, the Apa plain is surrounded by mountains, fertile and wild. I traveled all the way, from around the city of Apa in the east of the plain to the clay town (now Tepalcatepec) in the west, 150 miles from east to west. And from Bobo in the north of the plain The area around Hecun (now Los Tazumbos) is 130 miles from north to south to Caolin Village in the south. Roughly speaking, it is 8 million mu of fertile fields!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! The Apa Plain is indeed fertile and suitable for farming. The forests are lush here, and there are many birds and animals. Many rivers flow down from the mountains, intersecting and connecting the four directions. They are natural artesian channels that can easily irrigate the coast. Gran The river (Rio Grada) has sufficient water throughout the year. It flows down from the Los pelillos in the northern mountains and crosses the entire plain. It is the largest river. In addition to the Gran River, there are also the Kan River (Rio Ticuilucan), Bo (Rio Buenavista), Tao (Rio Tepalcatepec).”

Ezpan replied respectfully. In the Tarasco era more than ten years ago, he had fought in the southwest for many years against the Tekos, and he was very familiar with the terrain and environment here. At this moment, he was in front of the king, telling the details of the Apa Plain one by one.

"Taotu Town is the western boundary of the plain. It is located on the bank of the Tao River. It is rich in clay and can produce high-quality painted pottery. To the northwest of Taotu Town is the source of the Tao River, Olive Lake (Los olives). Along the lake, there are strange fragrant trees. , rich in resin and frankincense. Every village near the mountains produces fur and feathers.”

Xiulot listened patiently. He became more and more convinced that Ezpan was the most suitable candidate to develop the Apa Plain for him and guard the southwest.

You must know that the Apa Plain covers more than 3,000 square kilometers, which is about half of the area of ​​the Chengdu Plain. Even in this era, the area of ​​the entire plain that can be reclaimed as farmland is more than 2,000 square kilometers. Calculated on the basis of 2,500 small acres per square kilometer, there are 5 million acres of arable land here.

Counting fallow, 5 million mu of land can be cultivated with 2 million mu of Milpa farmland. Based on 10 acres of dictation field and 4 acres of cultivation, the entire plain can support at least 500,000 people! This is still based on the low productivity of this era. When metal farm tools and fertilizers are widely used, these water sources are sufficient to irrigate the land, and the yield per mu will have a new leap, feeding a doubled population!

After a long time, Ezpan finished speaking. Shulot nodded with a smile.

"Ezpan, the Apa Plain is fertile, but it has not been effectively developed in the past hundred years. Do you know the reason?"

"Your Highness, this was originally the land of various tribes of Tekos, but it was occupied by the Tarasco Kingdom after repeated conquests. For decades, this place is located on the border, and there have been endless wars. The Prepeca people and the Tekos people fought and killed each other. , the villages along the river are difficult to prosper. In the Tarasco era, the focus of southern reclamation was mainly in the cities of Apa and Kuramo.”

Ezpan pondered for a while, and tried to answer based on experience.

"In addition, the Apa Plain has fertile soil and sufficient water sources, so there are many trees and lush weeds. If there is not enough manpower or metal tools, it is not easy to cultivate. And the long Gran River surges down, and there will be floods in the rainy season. Create a lot of tidal flats that are difficult to develop."

"Yes, you are quite right."

Xiulot laughed with satisfaction. Then, he stopped smiling and looked serious.

"Nowadays, the Coalcomman Mountains in the southwest have been pacified, and the Tekos tribes have been ten to nine. The Colima Mountains in the west have surrendered and will not come to harass again. You lead the legion to guard here, and the Apa Plain can be cultivated with peace of mind. Become a big granary in the hinterland of the kingdom! As for the bronze tools for cutting and the bronze farming tools for farming, I will transfer them to you from the northern kingdom!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Ezpan fell to his knees and saluted solemnly. Then he got up and asked.

"Your Majesty, after the Southwest Conquest is over, where will the legion's border be settled?"

Hearing this, Shulot pondered for a moment, took the map from Bertard, and drew the boundary that had been planned long ago.

"Ezpan, the southwest border of the Apa Plain, set up three important military bases, and gradually build stone fortresses. The western important area is Taotu Town, which controls the access to the western mountainous area; the southwest important area is here. He Village was upgraded to Kanhe Town, built camps, and guarded the southwestern mountain pass; the southern point was Caolin Village, upgraded to Caolin Town, and guarded the southern mountain pass. In addition, troops are sent into the mountain every year to recruit and recruit the mountain people!"

Ezpan thought for a moment, then nodded respectfully. After the establishment of the three military towns, they controlled the large mountain passes and completely surrounded the Apa Plain.

"As for the northern boundary of the plain, it is located sixty miles northwest of Bohe Village, at El Hueso in the northern mountain pass. Build a military town here to guard against the Chapala Lake area!"

Shegu Village in the northern mountain pass is almost the northernmost border of Zicao County, almost at the same latitude as the Qinganbat mining area. The terrain there is undulating, the rainfall is not abundant, and there are large areas of sandy land. Later generations will produce grapes. However, more than two hundred miles north of Snakebone Village is the vast Chapala Lake. When conquering the northwest and conquering the Chapala Lake area, you can go all the way from here.

Shulot looked north. The eagle flies in the sky, and its desire to hunt never stops. After a southern expedition, it is estimated that there will be a gap of 20,000 to 30,000 serfs. The kingdom's military machine never stops, and after this year's autumn harvest, there will definitely be new wars!

"Your Majesty, the four military cities are the border, so what should we do with the affluent Hand Snake Basin?"

Ezpan thought for a while and asked cautiously.

Shulot pondered for a while. The Hand Snake Basin is isolated in the deep mountains, the logistics are not easy, and the maintenance cost is high. It is very close to the various tribes of Kolima. Once there is a change, the king will make a decision after a while.

"The kingdom's border temporarily stops at the Apa Plain. Only after you have reclaimed the Apa Plain, with sufficient food and population, and dense villages and farmland, can you expand into the mountains again. This basin should be free first. Just set up a few Set up an outpost and leave some manpower to recruit the tribes in the mountains! Ezpan, when gathering the tribes, pay attention to maintaining the relationship with the tribes of Colima!"

"Follow your will, Your Majesty!"

"Well. After dealing with the captives, arrange for the reclamation of the Apa Plain. This unforgettable southern expedition should come to an end here."

Xiulot looked solemn and thoughtful, staring at the western sky. After a long time, he didn't look at Legion Commander Ezpan until the red sun reflected over the Kan River.

"Ezpan, the Moon of the Rabbit has arrived, the last month of the 260-day holy year. The old cycle is coming to an 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 the month of the end. The Lord God bears witness! I would like to dedicate my loyalty to you and fight for you with fearless courage!"

Ezpan suppressed the excitement in his heart. He raised his left hand with only four fingers, and swore to the king.

Shulot nodded slowly. He whispered to himself, but within Ezpan's ear.

"In ancient mythology, the cycle of time is endless. The original god woke up at the end of the moon, split the world into dream and reality, and left the seeds of connection. When people fall asleep in the spring, the dream The world will wake up in my heart"

Although he didn't understand the king's emotion, Ezpan still listened silently. This is an unprecedented intimacy that makes the image of the king come alive.

"Ezpan, I have a dream of an empire in my heart. I know what it looks like, everything is so vivid, it keeps pushing me forward, and it keeps telling me where to go!"

"Your Majesty, no matter where you go, I will follow you faithfully!"

"Very good, let's go on the road together! After all, the time of ordinary people is short, and our time is not much."

Speaking of this, the king paused, his eyes were as bright as flames, staring at the former general.

"Ezpan, reclaim the Apa Plain, set up military checkpoints, spread the teachings of the main god, and appease the people of the tribe. You need to do less unnecessary killing, focus on food production, and focus on appeasing Fire River City. The southwestern affairs of the kingdom, we I'll leave it all to you!"

"Your Majesty, thank you for your trust! The Lord God bears witness, I will do my best for you and be loyal until death!"

"Okay! Ezpan, I trust your loyalty. Develop the southwest plain for me, and this will be the rear of the kingdom."

Shulot pondered for a moment and made a decision. Although the small goal of gathering a population of 100,000 people had not been achieved, Ezpan's achievements and qualifications were already worthy of great rewards.

"When I return to the capital, I will reward you according to your merits. Ezpan, you are the entire kingdom. After Bertard and Olosh, you are the third honorable nobleman!"

"Ah! Your Majesty! You are my only sun, my only light! God bless my king, burn forever!"

The red sun sets in the west, covering the Apa Plain. Both the sky and the field are red, just like a fiery fire, ignited in the southwest world.

I'm done. This chapter has checked a lot of data and attached a latest map of the Southwest. Just wait for the review. Thank you for your support!