Chapter 148: The Plan for the Western Expedition (Part 2)
The night was getting darker, and the bonfire in the main hall was a little small. A slight chill seeped in from the window, making people feel colder. If the intelligence officer felt something, he stepped forward and added some charcoal fire silently. Then the hall was filled with flames.
Swaying, flickering on and off.
The king looked at the huge wooden map, his fingers crossed the long river, and fell into long thoughts.
There are three major rivers in the Mexica world, connecting plateaus and valleys, connecting mountains and plains, and turning forests and rainforests into smooth roads. In fact, in this era when there are no livestock carts and mountain roads, rivers are the only large-scale transportation
Channels are the lifeblood of transportation that maintains a huge alliance of city-states.
Avitt's hand first caressed the north. The so-called war is nothing more than the control of mountains and rivers, and the soldiers' lives. For the Mexicans, war at the national level is primarily about mountains and rivers, climate, secondly about food transportation, and finally
The bravery and prowess of the legion.
The Leman River is the largest river in the world, flowing mightily from east to west, about two to three thousand miles long. The easternmost part of the river is connected to the capital city in the lake through an artificial canal that is dozens of miles long. Each of the canals in this canal
Every step is carved out with the lives of Tepanek people.
Then, the Leman River went west for more than two hundred miles, flowing through the city-states in western Mexica. Then the river continued west for more than three hundred miles, forming a natural border. To the north is the Otopan state of the Otomi people.
, and to the south is the northernmost state of Acambarro of the Tarascans. Here, the river branches off, passes through a narrow mouth, and goes southwest for dozens of miles, flowing into Lake Quiceo and penetrating deep into the Tarascans.
's hinterland.
Avitt's strong fingers stayed on Lake Quetseo for a long time. After a while, he slowly spoke.
"Gillim, the focus of the Northern Route Army should be here."
Gillim looked at the location of Lake Quetseo, which was connected to the river at the top and the plain at the bottom. It was in the heart of Tarasco, so he nodded to confirm.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Northern Route Army needs to first establish a foothold on the banks of the Leman River, then open up the mouth of the river and go all the way deep into Lake Quiceo. As long as it lands at the southernmost end of the lake, it will only be two hundred miles away from the Patzcuaro Lake area."
The king pondered for a moment, thoughtfully.
"Gillim, the north road relies on a large river and connects to the capital. It is convenient for food transportation and is actually more suitable for mobilizing the army than the south road."
Gillim bowed deeply. He had been prepared and explained carefully at this time.
"Your Majesty, the general plan has been agreed upon long ago, and it should not be changed easily... There are four difficulties on the north road.
First of all, the most difficult thing is to completely defeat Tarasco's navy. The Tarascans are people on the lake. They have militiamen who are good at water warfare and a large number of naval forces, which is not inferior to that of the Alliance. Except for
The main force of the navy in Lake Quetseo can also continue to recruit fleets from the Chapala Lake area in the west to quickly transport supporting warriors.
If these fleets are not eliminated, it will be impossible to establish a stable food channel. And how difficult it is to completely defeat the Tarascan navy! Although His Highness claims to invent gunpowder, there has been some progress recently. But
It is still unclear what effect this new weapon will have. We cannot let the progress of the war depend on uncertainty!"
Listening to the intelligence officer's reply, Avitt remained expressionless and continued to listen.
"Secondly, the second biggest difficulty is the fortress complex of the Kingdom of Tarasco. The Tarasco people are well aware of the importance of Lake Quiceo and built a huge stone fortress at the mouth of the narrow river of tens of meters to control the
The channel that chokes the mouth of the river. The mouth of the river is completely within the range of the fortress's bows and slings. The fortress must be conquered before it can continue to penetrate deeper.
On the south bank of the Leman River, there are also several stone fortresses and dozens of wooden camps, relying on each other for defense. According to the latest news, on the north bank of the Leman River, the Tarascans have occupied the wooden camps you built.
, began to reinforce with masonry. They were giving full play to the architectural effect of bronze tools.
Finally, even if the fortress group is conquered and we land on the south bank of Lake Quiceo and head south, there will still be a strong stone town, Fortress Huayamo, blocking Qin Congcan."
The king nodded slightly. He looked at the intelligence officer and waited calmly.
Gillim paused for a moment, composed his words, and spoke loudly.
"Third, we still need to consider the attitude of the Otomi people. Although the Otomi people have ceased war with the Alliance, are also hostile to the Tarascans, and may even be used by the Alliance to a certain extent... However, there is no
There is no doubt that the Otomi people are extremely hostile and wary of the Alliance!
Once the alliance's tens of thousands of main forces move to both sides of the Leman River and once again pose a huge threat to the city of Otopan, the Otomi people are likely to change their attitude again and join forces with the Tarascans. And when the alliance's main force is trapped on the south bank
In the castle complex, faced with the temptation of wiping out the main Mexica force in one battle, the Otomi might backstab the Alliance and cut off the food routes, leading to the failure of the Western Expedition.
Even if these threats are just speculation, the main force of the alliance cannot take such a huge risk. And as a king who has just inherited the throne, you must not fail in this accession war! Your brother failed because of this risk...
...It can be left to His Highness's partial teacher to take charge of it..."
Avitt's pupils shrank slightly. He lowered his eyes and reached out to hold the staff beside him.
Gillim bowed his head respectfully and saluted, even though the king was not looking at him, his movements were still meticulous.
"Your Majesty, the last point is the attitude of the two western states of the alliance. Trocan and Tepanica Pampang suffered a lot in the last war. Thousands of warriors were lost in the Otomi Mountains and Forests, and food was also destroyed.
A large number of recruits. I am afraid that the two countries will not fully support this western expedition...
Therefore, most of the food for the Northern Route Army will still have to be transported from the Texcoco Lake area, with nearly 500 miles of waterways along the way. The South Route Army will start from the nearby wealthy Lacchico state, where the food has been accumulated for several years, and can
Establish a grain road nearby. Before the opening of Sitacuaro State, the land transportation road was only more than a hundred miles. In comparison, the river transportation in the north is not advantageous."
The king finally nodded seriously. He paused for a moment and ordered in a deep voice.
"Gillim, inform Shulot of the above four points. Let him know the difficulties of the expedition and make preparations in advance."
The intelligence officer was stunned for a moment, then solemnly saluted and obeyed the order.
Then, Avitt's fingers left Lake Quetseo and headed west along the mighty Leman River, entering the sea at Jalix Coban, and beyond that was the boundless West Sea. He paused slightly, and there were only vague rumors outside the West Coast.
The small island is home to countless seabirds.
The king's eyes once again turned to the northeast of the capital, where was the third largest river in the world, the Tampen River.
The Tampen River flows from southwest to northeast, and is about a thousand miles long. Its starting point is the lake capital of Lake Texcoco, and slightly to the north is the connected Lake Haltokan. Then, the long river surges northward, passing through
The northern city-states of the Mexica people reach the northernmost state of Chilotepec, then turn northeast, pass through Metztitlan, and reach the edge of the plateau.
Next, the long river descends suddenly, flowing from the Mexica Plateau into the plains of the Huastec people, and finally merges into the East Sea at Cooksica Pampang. Beyond the East Sea, there is the myth of the Quetzalcoatl Islands, and further north, in the rumor
A forest of boundless white plagues.
The king stretched out his hand, placed it casually on the Huastec man's position, and asked calmly.
"How are the Huastecs doing?"
Gilliam thought for a moment and smiled.
"Herotepec has fallen, and all the nobles have offered sacrifices. General Ocelor took over as the city lord and sent troops to patrol the eastern border. The Huastecs were frightened and have paid this year's tribute in full. According to the instructions of the elders, the tribute
There were also dozens of 'cubs of huge horned four-legged beasts' among them."
Hearing this, Avitt suddenly became interested.
"The cubs of four-legged beasts? I heard that they can be as tall as a person and as long as a person and a half when they grow up? I heard Shulot tell stories about riding beasts. Can these giant beasts be ridden?"
Gillim first nodded in affirmation, then shook his head clearly.
"Indeed. Your Majesty, according to Huastek's trainer, these giant beasts can grow to great heights and run like thunder. But they are wild and difficult to tame, and no one can approach them unless they have been with them since they were young. Every spring, they
There is also an extremely violent estrus period. Even if we are domesticated since childhood, they will not regard us as their masters, only as partners, and will not obey orders..."
Upon hearing this, Avitt waved his hand.
"Since you can't ride them, let's put them in the zoo. Send someone to tame them first, and then try to see if they can be tamed. By the way, send someone to take Alyssa to see these novel cubs. She should like them. Let me know again
Shulot. I remember that he was very interested in this kind of beast and called it a 'bison'."
The intelligence officer saluted as expected. The king continued to touch the map and think about the world.
In the Huastec people's Cuxicapampang state, the Tampon River converges with another tributary flowing down from the mountains. And going against this tributary to the west, you can reach Coahuila, where the highland canine people gather.
.
"What are the movements of the canine people in the north?" Avitt first looked at the state of Coahuila, which has a large number of canine people. Then, he moved his eyes south, and below him was the state of Pamus of the Otomi people.
"It's past mid-February and the weather is dry and cold. The dry season has been long and the rainy season has not yet arrived. The northern desert is full of barrenness and yellowness. The Chichimec descendants lack food and are migrating southward in waves. During last year's war, the Austrians
The Tomis suffered heavy casualties, and the state of Parmus was burned to scorched earth and was in the midst of a great famine. At this time, all the warriors of the Otomi retreated to defend the city. The Chichimec canine descendants could not find food and would continue to fight.
Continue south."
Looking south from the state of Palmos, it is the northern border of the state of Chilotepec and the northernmost part actually controlled by the Mexican Federation.
The king frowned and thought seriously. On the banks of the Leman River, the brave dog descendants who were not afraid of death left a deep impression on him.
"Gillim, send a message to Ocelor. The Alliance allows him to recruit warriors from the Otomi people. At the same time, order him to go north in time to sweep away the canine descendants from the south to prevent them from gathering too much. If there are any canine tribes willing to obey,
It can also be brought into the alliance and used as a precursor during the Western Expedition."
Having said this, Avitt smiled lightly.
"Since the Tarascans can recruit canines as consumables in war, the more prosperous alliance can naturally do the same. As for the specific number of canines recruited, when Shulot goes north, let him communicate with Ocelot himself.
.”
"Your Majesty, please let His Highness and the Northern Commander meet privately..."
Gilliam hesitated to speak.
Avitt glanced at the intelligence officer lightly and waved his hand.
"It doesn't matter. Including Texcoco's changes, Ocelot only has 6,000 men. What's more, with the high priest here, they will definitely gather in private even without the king's order..."
The king stopped and said nothing more. Then, he pointed his finger southward again, measuring the Tulsas River in the south inch by inch.
The Tulsas River in the south of the Union is the second largest river in the world. It meanders from east to west and is two thousand miles long. Its easternmost point originates from the Tlaxcala state of the Tlaxcala people, where it is irrigated.
Out of the fertile mountain valleys. The king's finger stabbed there hard, as if stabbing into the heart of the Tlaxcala Alliance.
"How are the people of Tlaxcala doing lately?" Sen Han's voice came, carrying the killing intent of Mexica people from generation to generation.
"King, since you came to the throne, the Tlaxcalan army has withdrawn from the border and gradually disbanded. At least until the autumn harvest, they will not gather in large numbers. However, when the main force of the alliance marches westward, the Tlaxcalan people
It’s hard to stay calm for long.”
The king nodded slightly and then gave the order in a deep voice.
"The Kingdom of Tarasco is connected to the Union State of Atotonilco in the north, and to the South of Vaztepec State. During the Western Expedition, neither city-state in these two places can mobilize troops, and they need to be appropriately strengthened.
.
The main force of the alliance will take the south route, and the food route is also in the south. The Wactepec State is especially important, and at least five thousand more warriors will be needed. At the same time, we must also be on guard against the Tlaxcala navy and prevent them from going along the Tulsa route.
We headed south along the Si River, bypassing the Vactepec State and landing there.”
Gilliam nodded seriously, these are all things that should be done.
Then, Avitt looked around Tlaxcala, thinking about all the forces he could use.
"Are the Totonacs to the east of the Tlaxcalans willing to join the alliance and send troops to fight against the Tlaxcalans?"
"The Totonacs are weak and cunning tits. They only chirp and scream, but never take action."
“What about the vassal Mixtecs to the south?”
"The Mixtecs are watchful deer, only guarding their homeland. They are rich and harmless, both to the Alliance and the Tlaxcalans."
"Where is the religious holy city of Cholula? The Tarascans are complete believers in the gods. In this western expedition, we Mexicans will engage in a battle of gods. The gods witness that tribes with the same belief should not interfere
God's war."
Hearing this, Gillim's eyes lit up. He thought for a moment and nodded seriously.
"Your Majesty, you can give it a try. The Alliance's religious reform is currently limited to the Lake District, and the priests in the Holy City of Cholula have not been affected. The priesthood has always maintained contact with them, and the noble priesthood is also open to them. Yes.
Send envoys and give generous gifts so that the priests of the Holy City can temporarily prevent the Tlaxcala Alliance from sending troops, at least for a few months."
Avitt nodded and made his decision.
"Then let the elder priest Akap go. He has outstanding appearance, is gentle and polite to others. Now he is the successor of the former chief priest. He has a distinguished status and is suitable for diplomacy! The Totonak and Mist people
We also sent envoys there to at least make the people of Tlaxcala more fearful."
Gillim nodded respectfully and wrote it down silently.
The king's finger continued to move, as the Talsas River turned south, passed through the state of Yowaltepec, where the Mixtecs were prosperous, and then turned west. Then, the river followed the southern part of the Mexica city-states.
boundary, passing through the sparse Qiongtar people gathering place in the mountains, and flowing through Weitamo State, which has a large copper vein.
Avitt stared at the copper mine sign in Wetamau State for a long time, looking westward and extending along the river again. The Tulsas River passed through the Apatchingan State in the Lake District, leaving many lakes there. Finally, the river
It turns southwest again and merges into the boundless West Sea from Coalcoman State.
The king's finger rested on the westernmost mouth of the sea, thinking carefully.
"This is the tribal alliance of the Tekos people in the south?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. From here to the Colima State in the west, there are at least 300,000 conquered Tecos tribes. These southern Tecos have been vassals of the Kingdom of Tarasco for more than ten years or more.
For a long time. Compared with the alliance, the Kingdom of Tarasco has always been... indulgent and weak in its treatment of vassals, and even made a blood alliance with the local leader and became a brother.
Therefore, in the event of an emergency, the Kingdom of Tarasco is estimated to be able to recruit 10,000 Tekos warriors from here, as well as more tribal militias. Until the descendants of Tarasco are cut off, these Tekos warriors will be difficult to shake.
"
Gilliam used his words carefully.
Avitt thought deeply and shook his head slightly.
"No matter what the effect is, send a team of envoys there. Even if you can't persuade the local leaders, you still have to get a glimpse of the local human geography. Shulot keeps mentioning Colima State over and over again!"
Avitt smiled softly, and the memory made his eyes soften a little. Then, he stretched out his hand and repeatedly traced the distance between the Talsas River and the capital in the lake, looking for the distance in his memory. This is the only big river that does not connect the capital.
After a long while, the king sighed in his heart.
"The closest point between the Tulsas River and Lake Texcoco should be only more than 300 miles away. If a canal is dug to connect the two places...the alliance can quickly mobilize its troops, and the main naval force can also move from Texcoco
If you go south of the lake... you can also go upstream from the south and attack the southern part of the Tlaxcala..."
Blood color appeared in the king's eyes again. In this era, to dig a canal more than 300 miles long would mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and take more than ten years. And if there were bronze tools, maybe as long as
Hundreds of thousands of people died...The effect of this canal was to allow the Alliance to firmly control the entire South!
After a long time, Avitt recovered from the vast and cruel prospect. He stood up and looked at Gillim who was standing there.
"Gillim, you go down. Tomorrow go to the craftsman's area to check and count the number of longbows produced. Then go to Xuelot and tell him all the important information and plans."
Upon hearing this, the intelligence officer bowed to the ground and saluted. Then, he stood up solemnly, carefully took the wooden board covered with intelligence, bowed and stepped back.
In front of the independent window of Avitt, you can see the bright moon hanging high. It is when the stars are shining brightly, and I don’t know who else is looking up at the sky. Perhaps, that person is also looking forward to taking advantage of the wind, flying out of the crowded jungle, and looking down at the common people among the mountains in the west.
.
After standing in silence for a long time, the king whispered quietly.
"Very good. The days passed will never come back. The king should be alone and drink the supreme wine...bitter and long!"
