Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 572 - 278 New Year’s Grand Ceremony, King’s Will_3
The following sacrificial rites were just like the past: grand and magnificent, bloody and resplendent, frenetic and unforgettable. The sacrificial ceremonies included the dueling of nobles, the tearful dances of young girls, impersonations of the Chief Divine, and the lake’s harvest tributes… The nobility and royal family of the Patzcuaro Lake region vanished in smoke as the old rulers went to the Divine Kingdom, also taking with them the old dreams of the Tarasco Kingdom.
The wide plaza erupted in waves of sound. There were the excited cheers of the nobility, the heroic roars of the Samurai, the sincere hymns of the commoners, and the terrified screams of foreigners. As the sun slowly dipped westward, casting a red glow in the sky, the ritual paused temporarily.
Aweit solemnly lifted the Divine Staff, and the Priests’ chants rang out just in time.
"The Sun God reveals his red smile. He is pleased with the noble sacrifices!... Now, envoys of the Alliance, pay tribute to the Monarch! All regions under heaven, present gifts to the Monarch!"
Guided by the Samurai, envoys from the Alliance states stepped forward to present this year’s tributes to the supreme King. As they reached the pyramid, a glance at the raised head of Quiyus invigorated their spirits, proud of the Alliance’s strength; a glimpse of the hanging head of Tepeiter filled them with fear, awestruck by the Monarch’s power.
Xiuxoke looked solemn, frozen like a statue. The noble envoys from various states of the Alliance walked past him with a gaze that was both reverent and distant. It was not until Balda from the Lake Fief passed by that he paused briefly to bow respectfully to the Deputy Head. Xiuxoke nodded gently in response.
Following the procession of envoys, Balda ascended the magnificent Great Pyramid. On the middle platform, he presented the tributes of the Lake Fief: a set of sturdy Bronze Medium Armor, a Bronze close-combat dagger, two Brass ceremonial vessels, two boxes of large gleaming pearls, and several ancient artifacts from the Royal Family of Tarasco. Then, an Eagle Warrior took out a thick scroll and handed it to the King’s trusted aide, which recorded the details of the large tributes.
Soon, Aweit on the pyramid unfurled the scroll. He just glanced over it briefly, and seeing the words "six thousand catties of bronze," he nodded with satisfaction. Thereupon, Balda prostrated on the ground, paying deep homage to the towering High Monarch, before turning back and retracing his steps.
The tributes from the states of the Alliance were the same as in previous years, categorized into exquisite tributes for the royal family and large tributes paid to the Alliance. Created not long ago, the Lake Fief was very short on food, timber, and stone. Thus, the Alliance’s demands centered around the widely-used copper from the Lake Region.
Then came the foreign envoys from regions under heaven. They, in various attires, arrived sequentially at the pyramid. A glance at the raised head of Quiyus stirred fear in their hearts, intimidated by the strength of the Alliance; and looking at the hanging head of Tepeiter, their fear turned to dread, horrified by the Mexica’s cruelty.
According to their relationship with the Alliance, first to present tributes were the loyal vassals, the Quyus and the Vastec. Followed by the disloyal vassal, the Mistec Alliance.
The Mistec envoy cautiously presented a large wooden plank. Aweit inspected it briefly and nodded slightly. The Mistec not only repaid the tributes overdue from the expedition but also offered additional generous amounts of rainforest feathers, dyes, spices, fruits, gold, and gemstones. With no expression on his face, the King raised the Divine Staff, and the relieved vassal prostrated and performed the ritual.
The Zapotecs and the Tlapanec did the same. For these disloyal vassals, Aweit had already taken note, although the time for reckoning had not yet come. It wasn’t until the Otapan envoy, representing the Otomi, presented the tributes and humbly paid homage that a faint smile appeared on the Monarch’s face, recalling his long-separated brother.
"Tizoc, my brother, the Otomi have now submitted to me..."
After the subjects, came the foreigners. First were the highly regarded people from the Cholula Holy City, followed by the seaside Totonacs.
"Descendants of the Gum people, Totonac Envoys, present themselves before the Monarch of Mexica, bearing the Gum people ancestor’s inherited Jade Ring! It is a Divine Object from a past Era!"
The clear chanting sounded high and loud. The High Priest, holding an ancient yellowed Jade Ring aloft, displayed it to all. Then, the Jade Ring was carefully packed into a silver box and stored in the temple as a treasure.
The Totonac people’s annual tributes were always ancient artifacts. They occupied the ruins of the Olmec civilization, where artifacts were plentiful, and occasionally sold them abroad. These kinds of tributes were beneficial and cost-effective for the Mexica Alliance to accept, compared to the tributes of vast quantities of gold, silver, cotton, spices, and food.
Moreover, even if the real ancient artifacts had run out, it would be entirely feasible to make new ones. Of course, facing the powerful Alliance, the Totonac people would not risk angering the King by offering fakes; everything they submitted was genuine.
This year’s grand ceremony was exceptionally elaborate, with envoys from foreign lands numbering in the hundreds, the most in history. Those who ascended the stage to offer tributes included Noble Chiefs from the northern and southern Tekos tribes, Chieftains from the Highland Canine Descendants, Clan Leaders from the eastern Rainforest, and even Mayan merchants acting as envoys!
The last to offer tributes were envoys from the eastern Tlaxcala people. This was also the first time in decades that Tlaxcala had sent an official Envoy to the Alliance. The Envoy, dressed similarly to the people of Mexica, bowed humbly. He presented precious tributes and then, with both hands, held up a wood plank covered in patterns. Aweit took it to examine, but it was a pictorial album requesting peace.
"Praise the Mexica War God! Offering treasures and noble ladies, offering the Tarasco princess, withdrawing border legions... bowing down to the ground seeking peace."
"Haha, all directions come to court, the supreme Monarch of all under heaven!"
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Aweit laughed heartily. At this moment, he was the supreme Monarch dominating all under heaven! The Mexica Alliance controlled a population of four million from various states and tributaries, in addition to nominally subjugating three million people from various tribes, all prospering under his rule! And he, Aweit, was indeed the Great Tlatoani, the lord of seven million people’s realm!
In the hearty laughter, the King stood atop the Great Temple, gazing at the setting sun. The sky and the ground before him were vast expanses of bright red, much like the Divine Kingdom of the mythical stories. As the embodiment of the Sun God, he looked down upon the "ant-like" masses below, once again lifting the Divine Staff high!
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Three cannon shots roared through the heavens, sending off the sun and making countless "ants" kneel and bow down, turning into waves at the feet of the King.
"I am the embodiment of the Chief Divine, I am the only Monarch, master of the sky, the land, and the lakes!"
Aweit shouted into the sky, his hand holding the Divine Staff high, his feet over the prostrate masses. His eyes contained two flames wishing to burn across all seas, consuming the entire world!
