Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 599 - Two Hundred Ninety-Five: Expedition in August
The rains of July fluttered down, soaking the lush fields and nurturing the early blossoming summer flowers. On the south bank of the Lerma River, the raindrops in the Lake Region were like cheerful bamboo flutes, melodies connecting from one to the next, forming a long line drawn by an ink brush, covering the entire canopy of the sky. On the north bank of the Lerma River, the downpour over the Mountain City was like heavy war drums, each beat falling into the ear, accompanied by the highland thunder, solemnizing the boundless land.
In the sparse wind and rain, envoys after envoy left Otapan Mountain City in all directions. Soon, Otomi Warriors and Militia from all over started to mobilize. Thousands of Warriors formed camps, converging into legions, and gradually gathered at the Mountain City; an even greater number of Militia took up Long Spears, shouldered food supplies, sustaining the army’s logistics.
With unrelenting rain, the ancestral lands of the Mountain City stood tall like a Divine Mountain. The Kingdom’s Wolf Banner and the Mountain City’s Bird Banner both fluttered atop the city walls, while the camp below was filled with boiling voices. Xiulote stood on the Watchtower, overlooking tens of thousands of troops, and felt a surge of pride swell in his chest.
The mobilization began in mid-July, and by the beginning of August, all the camps had completed their preparations. The Otomi people had assembled sixteen thousand Warriors and twenty-four thousand Militia, a total of forty thousand troops. Rivermouth Fortress’s First Spear Legion arrived at the end of July, bringing the number of the Kingdom’s Warriors to fourteen thousand.
The full mobilization of the Otomi people was immense and could not be concealed. Guajili Scouts hurried back and forth, repeatedly reporting the latest military information. Faced with the continuously gathering vast Allied Forces, the Canine Descendants’ large Tribes were panic-stricken and sent out envoys southward to seek peace with the Allied Forces.
Inside the palace of Otapan Mountain City, Xiulote summoned several envoys from the Canine Descendants’ great Tribes. The King lost interest upon hearing their similar terms, "nominal submission, but retaining land and wealth, maintaining tribal autonomy..." These were not far from what he had anticipated. These proud Canine Descendants were truly wild dogs, who would not submit like tamed house dogs until they had experienced a real war, a battle that would break their spines.
Soon, the legions of the various states arrived one after another. Fifty thousand troops marched mightily, filling the fields of the Mountain City and startling flocks of birds into the sky. The Northern expedition would travel at least four hundred miles, passing through barren highlands and withered villages. Given the Otomi’s food reserves, it was not possible for them all to march north.
In fact, the northern Guajili people were already scattered according to tribal distribution. They moved swiftly, and if they avoided battle, the heavy troops could not catch the moving main force of the Tribes.
Faced with scarce supplies along the way and the dispersion of the enemy, Xiulote and Jiowar discussed for a long time and finally set the strategy for the Northern campaign. The entire Allied Forces would split into three elite prongs, roughly forming a line, plowing through the Northern Land like a Step Plow.
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The left flank was made up of five thousand Warriors from Guamare State, three thousand Militia, led by the Great Chieftain Chalki as the Commander-in-Chief of the left flank; the right flank consisted of eight thousand Warriors from the Otapan State, with Jiowar as the Commander-in-Chief of the right flank; the vanguard of the middle flank comprised three thousand Warriors from Pamus State, two thousand Barbarian mercenaries from the Imperial Guard Legion, one thousand Temple Crossbowmen, and two thousand light-armed Archers from the First Spear Legion, led by Black Wolf Torc as the Vanguard Commander-in-Chief. The left, right, and middle vanguard, each was a fully-staffed Xiquipilli Legion of eight thousand troops. Each force was spaced fifty miles apart, moving quickly and providing mutual support.
Following them, the main body of the middle column was where Xiulote’s Royal Banner flew. Three thousand Armored Guards carrying Longbows and large crossbows, along with the artillery team, were positioned behind the three columns. Should any flank encounter heavy forces, the Armored main body would move out and strike like a Thunderbolt.
The three columns of the expedition amounted to around twenty-seven thousand troops. Marching north for at least four hundred miles, this was the limit that the supply lines could support. The remaining twenty thousand plus Otomi Militia were managed by the old Priest Olte, responsible for maintaining the lengthy logistics line. The Otomi’s food supply was insufficient, with a large quantity of food still needing to be transported north from Rivermouth Fortress. And the crucial safety of the supply lines was entrusted by the King to the Monkey, Kuluka.
"Monkey, you will lead the six thousand Spear Legion and station near the Mountain City. If the Canine Descendants harass, threatening the supply route, you must drive them away. As the army marches north, the stability of the supply line must be ensured."
Atop the city walls, Xiulote wore a serious expression, issuing orders solemnly.
"Your Highness, I will exert all my effort to secure the army’s supply lines!"
The Monkey’s keen eyes showed determination as he knelt with both knees and bowed deeply.
"Good! The supply must precede the troops. This Northern expedition will cover vast distances, and it’s possible the Canine Descendants will retreat northwards, making it uncertain how long the campaign will last. I am concerned that Rivermouth County’s food reserves will not suffice, so I have requested assistance from the Alliance. King Aweit has replied with a promise that he will send a batch of supplies monthly to the Wooden Fort on the North Coast of the Lerma River from its upper reaches, but it requires equivalent goods in exchange from the Kingdom."
"Monkey, I will give you some ’gemstones’, cotton fabric, and copper ware. Based on the amount of food the Alliance delivers, you will pay the transport officials. Hmm, you can give a few extra gemstones as appropriate for grease. The Divine Revelation Place will soon deliver one thousand sets of Medium Armor. You may equip five hundred of them in the army. As for the remaining five hundred, I have already agreed to give them to the King in exchange for the title of Prince Jiowar. These Copper Armors, you must personally hand them to the Alliance’s Envoy!"
"At your command, Your Highness!"
The monkey prostrated himself again. Xiulote smiled, stepped forward, and personally helped Kuluka to his feet. Then, the king lowered his voice and whispered in the other’s ear.
"Monkey, to prevent any mishap, the Jingji Legion has already moved north and is now stationed at the edge of Cuitzeo Lake. If anything happens to the mountain city, if Olte the Priest dies, or if the northern campaign fails and the Otomi people conspire with the Canine Descendants... then you must immediately contact Anna’s Naval Forces and transport the Jingji Legion to the North Coast of Lerma River, coordinating from within and without to seize the mountain city directly!"
"Ah, Your Highness? Seize the mountain city?!"
On hearing this, the monkey’s pupils constricted, and he clenched his fists silently,
"In all things, we must consider the worst outcome first, contemplate defeat, and then seek victory. Monkey, you needn’t worry; these situations are unlikely to occur. It’s just a strategy set in advance just in case."
Xiulote smiled faintly and patted Kuluka on the shoulder. He looked into the monkey’s expressive eyes and finally said.
"Monkey, you have the bearing of a great general, always able to make the most appropriate response in critical situations. You are also one of those I trust the most. I leave my rear guard to you!"
"Your Highness, I am willing to die for you!"
Kuluka’s expression was one of agitation. He knelt down again, prostrating himself fully in a ritual salute.
This time, Xiulote did not help him up again. He turned around, faced the tens of thousands of troops below the city, raised the Divine Staff in his hand, and pointed towards the wilderness in the north.
"In the name of the Chief Divine! Extinguish the Canine Descendants, reclaim the old lands! By Royal Decree, the army marches!"
"Roar!"
With the king’s commanding wave of the Divine Staff, a sky full of cheers erupted outside the city! Whether Mexica or Otomi, whether samurai or militia, tens of thousands of warriors released a boiling battle cry all at once!
The shouts were initially chaotic, like the erratic rain of summer. But amidst the frantic cheers of the Otomi, the boiling roar quickly converged into a formidable title that became like rolling thunder in the distance.
"God of Death!... Great Chief!... God of Death Great Chief!!..."
"Thud, thud, thud!"
The fierce war drums sounded across the fields! Amidst the sparse rain, tens of thousands of elite warriors turned north, making the damp earth tremble with their steps. Nearly thirty thousand warriors of the northern expedition set off promptly, like a surging torrent, as well as a wild wind from the north. Eager to march in August, swift as the wind. The three divisions and four detachments advanced as sharp as an arrow, destroying all the Canine Descendant tribes along the way!
