Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1569 - 1109: The Kingdom’s First Horse Ranch on the Northern Coast’s Great Whale Island

"Witness of the Chief Divine! This four-legged beast called 'horse' actually has human-like emotions, human-like joys and sorrows!... I've never seen such intelligent, gigantic beasts like humans... This truly is a Divine Beast that carries divinity!"

"Huh? Sir? What are you saying?... Horse, like a human?... Uh! With heaven as witness! Villagers survive on leaves and roots, yet no horse is as precious as this?... However, you're right, these horses do have a mind of their own. A fine horse, indeed, is like the heir of the Martial Family... They require careful tending, responding to their whims!... If the lord of the Martial Family gets angry, he'll draw his sword and cut down villagers like grass. But if a horse gets angry, it will... refuse to eat grass, get sick, and die right before you!"

"Hmm... Ichiro, what you said is correct! Horses are indeed divine creatures that require tender care, preventing them from falling ill... See how it tilts its head and gazes at you with curiosity, just like... a curious Spirit Deer!"

"Huh? Priest, is it tilting its head and squinting at you?... Uh... this is because... it still isn't familiar with you, so it remains cautious... You are a respected Shrine Priest, it absolutely wouldn't dare... uh... disrespect and underestimate you..."

The sea breeze gently blew past the flickering campfire. Three Mongolian horses were tied securely to a pine tree, occasionally drinking from the clear stream and nibbling on the fresh green grass. Meanwhile, everyone gathered around, cooking potatoes and salted fish soup while carefully observing the condition of the three horses.

Sukeichiro, the horse breeder, sat cautiously beside Miki the Scholar, gesturing continuously as he explained the condition of the Jurchen Stallions. Though they spoke different languages, with efforts made by Translator Watanabe to amend misunderstandings, their conversation continued with some confusion. Afterward, Miki the Scholar rubbed his chin and asked the most pressing question.

"Ichiro, did you say the horses can't continue the voyage?"

"Huh? Horses? Can't board the ship, sail? ... Yes! Priest, this Da Bai has journeyed across the sea for a month and is becoming weak and restless. It's not only physically deteriorating, but its emotions are quite unbearable too, it needs to rest ashore... The ship is cramped, filthy, and shaky, causing it to kick and whinny, even biting my hand... Humans might endure such conditions, but horses can't! They need running fields, fresh grass and water!"

"Look, on the shores here, it doesn't stamp its hooves or cry out. Notice how it sways its tail and clings close to two mares, indicating a better mood! It likes it here..."

Upon saying this, Sukeichiro chuckled earnestly. Having raised horses for over a decade, he could clearly discern their emotions. Horses express their feelings more straightforward than humans, displaying joy or displeasure through slight gestures, even through their gaze.

"Blessed by the Chief Divine! Sir! Da Bai has once had a severe illness, barely recovering its intestines... Now it's like a tight bowstring, stretched to its limit on the seas! ... If it continues this voyage and falls ill again... there's no saying if it would pull through..."

"Hmm, I understand now! Ichiro, on this ship, you are the most knowledgeable about horse care. According to your assessment, if these horses need to come ashore, how long should they recover here?"

"Uh? Recover? ... Perhaps... at least... ideally... stay ashore summer and autumn? After all, they need months to get accustomed to the new pasture and stables before gradually thriving... But come winter, the chill becomes severe... making it unsuitable for shipping again!"

"What? Witness of the Chief Divine! Ichiro, are you suggesting the horses stay ashore for half a year or more?"

"Uh... yes, Priest!... Ideally, find a nearby pasture to build stables for them... Summer is also their mating season, their emotions naturally restless... Humans can endure it, but horses can't!"

"What did you say? Find a nearby site for horse breeding?"

Upon hearing this, Miki the Scholar frowned; it completely deviated from his initial plans. These four-legged 'horses' indeed were more delicate than anticipated!

Given the situation, it seems impossible to take them directly to the Kingdom of the Lake. Moreover, the Kingdom of the Lake is positioned so far south, with such scorching summer temperatures that even humans need time to adjust, let alone such fragile horses... Thus, a port must be sought, where the Kingdom's Warriors and the Tribes can meticulously care for them!

"Hmm... Ichiro, did you say these horses are currently in mating season? How could you tell?"

"Huh? Sir! Look, those two mares often raise their tails to show themselves to Da Bai. Da Bai feels disinterested, ignores them, yet they keep sniffing around Da Bai, even urinating near him, attempting to lure him in..."

Sukeichiro scratched his head and gazed at the three horses nearby. He explained these intricate horse-rearing details as if listing his most familiar household objects.

"I see! Their actions during mating, aren't too different from those of deer or lynxes!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Sir, precisely, 'horse deer' indeed are kin! You're so astute; you'll soon discern a horse's thoughts just by raising them for two years!"

"Ahem! Sukeichiro, don't speak nonsense before the sir!"

Translator Watanabe Masumi cleared his throat deliberately, filtering Sukeichiro's remarks. Yet Miki the Scholar didn't mind much, intently observing those three "tall horses" and falling into deep thought. Only after a while did he solemnly look into Sukeichiro's eyes and inquire.

"Sukeichiro, take a look around. With grass like this, rivers like this, and such chilly climate, will these three horses adapt?"

"Huh? The grass and climate here? Sir, let me taste it!"

Upon the inquiry, Sukeichiro immediately knelt, plucking some grass stalks, tasting their tender, sweet flavor. He then sipped from the nearby clear stream and even tasted the slightly moist yet not sticky soil, responding with joy. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Blessed by the Chief Divine! Priest, the grass here is excellent, tender and long, the river water clear and slightly sweet, all suitable for horses! Even this shore soil is semi-moist sandy, avoiding sticky residue, conducive for horse hooves walking... Plus, such barren and cool coastlines appear uninhabited, a benefit for horses!... Horses prefer coldness; cooler is better, far more than heat! Notably, those two short-legged snow horses are particularly cold resistant!"

"Suited to this soil and water, they favor chilly climates over warm ones? Hmm... let me think..."

After pondering for a while, Miki the Scholar seriously spoke.

"Witness of the Chief Divine! Given this situation, let's find a nearby location for these three hard-earned good horses to rest and rejuvenate!"

"Yes, the nearest port from here is the kingdom's Great Whale Port! It's on Great Whale Island, just a one or two-day sea journey, allowing the horses to settle completely!"

"Blessed by the Chief Divine! The climate on Great Whale Island is slightly warmer than here, with winter barely bringing over four months of frost. Plus, the whole island lies a hundred miles across the strait, with no fierce beasts, no wolf packs, or bear packs, minimizing risks of horse escape..."

"More importantly, there's no more than two hundred Sugpiaq Tribe members on the island. The kingdom's more than two hundred people at the port camp constitute the island's strongest force, capable of controlling the entire island!"

At this point, Miki the Scholar finally made up his mind, exuding the decisive demeanor of an exploration Deputy Captain!

"Guided by the Chief Divine! The horses from the Divine Revelation Continent won't end with just these three, nor will it be this only shipment! These horses can't endure a long voyage and love coldness; therefore, Divine Revelation Archipelago's eastern Great Whale Island shall be designated as a specific horse breeding ground!"

"And as for you, Ichiro! Witness of the Chief Divine! You are the best and only horse breeder aboard the ship... Once at the upcoming Great Whale Port, you'll stay and specialize in horse-rearing!... I'll allocate several smart apprentices and a few tribal wives to cater to your needs... You shall settle at Great Whale Port, diligently breeding horses for the kingdom! And if you rear them well, the kingdom's rewards will be plentiful!"