Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1665 - 1187: The Waves of the Caribbean Sea, the Serpent Mother’s "Enlightenment

"Respected Serpent Mother, Great Chief, the grain-collecting Samurai of the Mexica, and the Chief Divine Priest of Snake City executed four squad leaders today and put to death dozens of civilians! Among them, one leader was an old acquaintance of our Golden Bay tribe..."

"Oh? On what charges were they executed? Was it just?"

"Ah! Three were for insufficient quantity of grain transported, one for overdue grain transportation, all according to some law..."

"That explains it. The Seaside Alliance previously issued the 'Kingdom Divine War Law'… In non-war times, if the grain transport is overdue or insufficient, they are whipped thirty to eighty times and strictly ordered to make up the quota. Those who offend three times are beheaded… During wartime, if the grain transport is overdue or insufficient, the leader is beheaded, and one out of every five civilians and able-bodied men is executed. The remaining are given a deadline to make up the shortfall, and if repeated, the entire team is executed..."

In the luxurious palace of Golden Bay City, Serpent Mother Miyava smiled at the corner of her mouth, elegantly kneeling before a black long table. The table was made of the black wood loved by Xiulote, exuding a natural insect-repelling fragrance. As for the gentle smile of Serpent Mother, it was not for the tribal confidant Sand Snake, standing with his head bowed two steps away, but for her quietly sitting daughter, the two-year-old Xiulight Snake.

"Light Snake, did you hear?"

"Mother, I… heard it. But I… don't understand..."

The little Light Snake, wearing a smaller feather crown, blinked her eyes, nodding gently. She didn't speak much, and her clear eyes carried a hint of bewilderment, but she sat compliantly, unlike ordinary children who would cry and make a fuss.

"It's okay if you don't understand, just listen. You will understand later." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Serpent Mother Miyava smiled maternally, touching Light Snake's tender cheek. Then, as she turned her head to look at the waiting confidant Sand Snake, her gaze instantly turned cold.

"Sand Snake, who instigated you to come to me? Was it the few remaining old ones in the tribe or the old priests who didn't study at the Priest Academy of Snake City? Who exactly? I want their names..."

"Ah! Respected Serpent Mother, no… no one instigated me!"

Hearing the murderous intent in the Serpent Mother's words, Sand Snake couldn't help but shiver. He cautiously raised his head for a glance, then lowered it heavily, swearing an oath.

"Chief Divine witnesses! Ancestors witness!… It's… several leaders from Golden Bay who found me, weeping a little… I truly felt a bit of pity!… These Mexica Warriors, enfeoffed at the Seaside, usually act tyrannically, occupying good land by the river, demanding agricultural slaves was one thing… but now, they seize the opportunity of war, arbitrarily beheading nobility and leaders in the name of some Divine War law!… And those Chief Divine Priests who inspect the grain, though they're from the tribe, don't show any leniency or sympathy..."

"Ha! Sand Snake, when driving the agricultural slaves, I didn't see you so soft-hearted?… I certainly gave you instructions in advance: prepare more stored grain and sell it to those transporting the grain!… I already left an opportunity for these either foolish or cunning, or clumsy or unfortunate leaders to remedy by spending money. And I did allow you old acquaintances following me to have a mouthful of meat soup at this time…"

Speaking of this, Serpent Mother Miyava squinted her eyes, lightly measuring the fearful Sand Snake for a moment, calmly said.

"Chief Divine witnesses! With the grand army now on an expedition to the Maya, maintaining logistics and supplies is crucial for the life and death of the eight thousand Seaside Warriors! Leaders and civilians who didn't complete grain transport, executing them is just that, just over a hundred heads no more! Such negligible costs are of no importance compared to the grand eastern expedition!..."

"Furthermore… strict laws and adherence to discipline in peacetime, prioritizing warfare during wartime, from the Divine Descendant to commoners, all must obey, which is precisely the strength of the Mexica!… And these are also the costs our defeated Totonac tribes need to pay, need to fully learn and emulate!..."

"As long as the Totonac Alliance can grow stronger, not to mention a hundred heads, even if a hundred nobility die, hacking a thousand civilians, it is all negligible!... "

"... Yes… Serpent Mother…"

Hearing these cold and ruthless words, confidant Sand Snake trembled slightly. He lowered his head, gritting his teeth not daring to speak, yet hesitating without retreating. After a while, he summoned the courage, persuading in a low voice.

"Honorable Serpent Mother… The Mexica grand army is on an expedition to the Maya, but only enfeoffed two to three thousand warriors in the Alliance, yet still so arrogant and brutal, arbitrarily slaughtering the noble Seaside tribes! And they conscript so many Seaside warriors, consuming grain ship after ship… But what does this have to do with our Totonac Alliance? We get absolutely no benefit!… Acting so wantonly, if they return victorious from the Maya, won't they ignore us Totonac people even more?… Maybe even consider further controlling the Seaside, threatening you and the Goddess…"

"Hmm?! These words? Who taught you?!…"

Upon hearing this, Serpent Mother narrowed her eyes, meticulously examining the confidant Sand Snake who had an expression of fearless resolve. After a brief moment, she suddenly smiled and said.

"Sand Snake, you are loyal, but not very smart huh! Someone incited you to come, whispering in my ear, but you still think it's your loyal idea… it seems, after the Mexica army's eastern expedition, those old ones who lost power and the old priests who lost influence in the tribe are not willing to stay quiet, all rushing to court death!…"