Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 582 - 282 The First Kingdom Army Reform_3

Necali’s heart churned as he maintained a solemn demeanor in his salute.

"Your Highness, I wish to be your wings, to live for your will!"

"Excellent! Armed with the War Club, fight for me and serve the Alliance. The light of the Chief Divine will shine upon you!"

Xiulote in turn grasped the hair of the three men, offering a few words of serious encouragement.

Within the Jingji Legion, half were Mexica Samurai and half were Prepetcha warriors. The Prepetcha warriors were selected from the Surrendered Army and divided into the Oorta and Puap factions. The Sky warriors came from the Chapala Lake Region, and the Qinchongcan warriors from around the Capital City, unfamiliar with each other. The design and arrangement of this legion inherently included a certain balance.

"Royal Decree: Establish the Kingdom’s First Pike Legion, totaling 8000 men. Under its command are 6000 Pike Warriors and 2000 Militia Archers. The legion commander is the hereditary Nnobility, Kuluka! The legion’s flag features the Spear and Crocodile!"

In the Mexica calendar, the days from one to twenty are represented by different symbols, with one symbolized by the Crocodile, and two by the Wind.

Kuluka, sharp-eyed yet maintaining a calm expression, carefully received the legion commander’s scepter and sword, bowing deeply again.

"Your Highness, I will serve you unto death."

Xiulote smiled and nodded, grasping Kuluka’s hair.

"Kuluka, the First Pike Legion is now fully staffed. You and I together will head to Rivermouth County in the north, and then station there to guard against the Northern Canine Descendants and the Western Chapala Lake Region."

"Your Highness, I will guard the north!"

"Not only to guard, but also to take the initiative to attack, pillaging people. Hm, on the way north, I will discuss this with you in detail."

"At your command!"

Xiulote, satisfied, patted the other’s shoulder.

The First Pike Legion had formerly been the Mexica Pike Legion, actually composed of elite Militia promoted from warriors. During the western campaign, many of the Pike Legion fell, hence two units of Prepetcha archers were included. These Militia Archers, chosen through selection, were adept in archery, and high in morale. Armed with Long Wooden Bows or Long Bamboo Bows, they were agile, able to effectively complement the Pike formations.

The First Pike Legion would be headquartered in the north. Kuluka, as the commander and in charge of local military and administrative matters, was the first major official, indicating the King’s favor.

"Royal Decree: Establish the Kingdom’s Second Pike Legion, totaling 8000 men. Under its command are 6000 elite Pike Militia and 2000 Militia Archers. The legion commander is the hereditary nobility, Ezpan! The legion’s flag features the Spear and Wind!"

Ezpan’s eyes shone with delight as he approached reverently. He accepted the legion commander’s scepter and long sword, looking at them gleamingly before prostrating deeply in grand reverence.

"Your Highness, you are my only sun, the light that holds my life!"

Xiulote laughed heartily. He commanded loudly,

"Ezpan, the Second Pike Legion primarily comprises Militia from the western Surrendered Army. You must intensify their training, properly reorganize them! The Priest’s teaching is a top priority, and the legion’s fields will also be allocated. Your station will be in the southern part of the Patzcuaro Lake region, always mindful of the surrounding situation!"

"Your Highness, at your will! The Second Pike Legion has completed its selection. Their loyalty to you will be as unbreakable as mine, like rock. I will watch over the south!"

Ezpan remained prostrate as he responded, respectfully not raising his head until he had finished speaking, then he backed away. Seeing the scepter in Ezpan’s hands, the other commanders felt some envy. Black Wolf pursed his lips disdainfully and looked up, deliberately avoiding the sight.

The Second Pike Legion was also selected from the garrisoned Surrendered Army. Due to the Kingdom’s severe fiscal pressures, both Pike Legions were unable to be fully professional; they owned garrison lands and farmed during the busy agricultural season to stockpile provisions for campaigns, training in their downtime in preparation for war.

Xiulote gripped the Divine Staff, looking around the circle. The commanders bowed their heads. Shortly after, the King tapped the stone floor with the end of the Divine Staff. The crisp ding-dong sound marked the end of the military council.

"Return to your camps, enhance your training, prepare your troops for war!"

"At your command!"

Soon, the commanders saluted and dispersed, leaving only the armored King alone in the grand hall, deep in thought.

After the military restructuring, the Kingdom’s forces amounted to four field legions: the Imperial Guards, the Jingji, the First Pike, and the Second Pike, totaling thirty thousand soldiers. This included fourteen thousand Mexica Samurai, fourteen thousand Prepetcha warriors, and two thousand Tribesmen.

This proportion of troops emerged from a consideration of balance. As the relocated populace gradually aligned with allegiance, local-born soldiers from the Lake Region would increase, eventually far surpassing the limited number of Mexica Samurai.

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In sum, this restructuring removed thirty-five thousand Tarasco Surrendered Army from the campaigning forces, easing the financial burden on the Lake Region.

The thirty thousand garrisoned troops would arrange for family marriages over the years, integrating the trained strong men into regular civilian villages to serve as a professional logistical corps during large-scale wars. Meanwhile, the five thousand mining conscripts would gradually transition to a permanent garrison in the southwest mining districts, replaced by incoming slaves. Apart from the four field legions, weapons were distributed to each village and civilian post to establish Militia at a fixed population ratio.

Thinking this, Xiulote lifted his head, looking toward the distant horizon.

"With a population of over six hundred thousand supporting thirty thousand combat-ready troops... Even with the excessive profits from copper and glass, and the grain from the military and civilian tilled lands, it still won’t last long. Ha ha, such relentless militarism, external conquest is imperative!"

The King’s laughing voice scattered in the long wind, soon fading into silence. The flickering firelight, embodying a burning will, merged into the deep night.

A few days later, as February drew to a close, bearing a hint of warmth in the northern wind, the Imperial Guard Legion and the First Pike Legion set out from the Capital City toward Rivermouth County. Black Wolf’s Royal Banner waved high, more than ten thousand Warrior Leaf Armors clanged. The great army advanced mightily, against the highland’s northbound breeze, boldly moving north.