The warm spring breeze comes from the ocean, bringing a moist and fresh breath, refreshing people. The sun shines on the calm Lake Patzcuaro, and bright waves emerge, like the smile of the gods. The lake surface is like a huge silver surface.
The mirror reflects the clouds in the sky and changes the unknown future.
In the sky, from time to time, groups of wild geese fly north, singing their flying songs, overlooking the quiet water town. The fertile fields along the lakeside are already covered with green weeds and unknown wild flowers. Rabbits are here
The deserted farmland is jumping around, and the birds are perching in the lonely villages. The tropical monsoon never stops. When the people disperse, new life comes quietly. It erases all traces of cruelty and paints a picture of natural lushness.
.This is the land in the lake in March, the vast fertile land promised by the gods.
Chihuaco, an old militiaman, stood on the tall city wall of Qincongcan, turning a blind eye to the scenery of the water town outside the city. He wore a warrior leather armor with a hummingbird pattern and a unique ring-shaped soft hat of the Talas people.
His sharp copper spear also showed some rare power. At this moment, with a ruthless expression on his face, he grabbed a middle-aged militiaman by the collar with his spare left hand and asked him repeatedly and sternly.
"How many people are there in the Mexican army in the north?"
"A lot, as much as corn in the field." The middle-aged militiaman said with a depressed spirit. His face was thin and yellow from hunger, and his body was covered with mud, like a prairie dog emerging from the field.
.
"How many reinforcements do you have from Chapala?"
"Many, many more than the pumpkin leaves in the field."
"Comparing you with the Mexicans, which one has more?"
This was a difficult question. The middle-aged militiaman stayed where he was, clasping his fingers and thinking for a while before speaking uncertainly.
"It seems... there are more of us? Our people have filled the wilderness, and there is still space among the Mexicans... Yes, there are many of us! When we scattered and fled, the Mexicans couldn't catch up at all.
Can hold on to the samurai master’s team!”
"Damn it! Then tell me, why did you lose the first battle and scatter like cowardly ducks?! You sent messages here every two days, calling for support, but in the end there was no trace of the capital.
Touch it!”
Chihuaco shouted loudly. There was a tremor in his voice, and the trembling was a deep fear. The fear turned into anger, and he fiercely pressed the middle-aged militiaman against the city wall, staring closely at him.
The middle-aged militiaman struggled like a teal duck and shouted in panic.
"The Chapala people are never afraid of dying in battle! We have walked for a long time and came from our hometown just to rescue you. But...it's just that the priests of the Mexica used divine magic to summon the gods to come and release a roaring
Thunder! How can mortals resist gods? Even the noble gods cannot resist... I saw Big Head running away first, so I followed him and ran away together!"
Hearing the words of the middle-aged militiaman, Chihuaco was startled and relaxed his hands slightly. He recalled the fire on Lake Yuriria and the explosion of the river mouth fortress, so he asked solemnly.
"The gods are coming...what does that thunder look like? Is it a smoking ball?"
The middle-aged militiaman gasped for breath. He did not dare to look directly into Chihuaco's eyes and tilted his head to answer.
"The militiamen in our village were at the outermost edge of the army, and they couldn't see very clearly. They seemed to be two tree-trunk-like evil beasts, which would roar loudly, and then thunder would fall on the army... Everyone was very scared, many of them
The samurai masters all knelt down...Then the Mexicans rushed up shouting the name of the god...Smoke? There was indeed a lot of smoke, ball? I don't know what ball..."
"A tree trunk-like evil beast...roaring...thundering...smoke..."
Chihuaco muttered in his mouth, trying to recall the scenes he had seen before, those longbow warriors who lit rockets, and the northern barbarians who threw balls. Then, his cloudy eyes became brighter, and he continued to ask fiercely.
"Does the mythical beast on the tree trunk need someone to command it? Then it will thunder?"
"It seems...there are indeed priests of strange gods, holding strange torches...terrifying evil gods!"
The middle-aged militiaman tried hard to recall, and the nightmare scene reappeared, and finally his body trembled violently.
"The terrible evil god!!...The big boss escaped, the leader of the village died, the villagers dispersed, and my son disappeared...I lost my way and escaped here...I want to go back
, I want to go home, my son!”
Hearing this, Chihuaco's eyes darkened. He completely let go of his hand and sighed involuntarily. The old militiaman looked towards his hometown outside the city. Birds were rising and falling in the village, but there was no smoke anymore.
Not far behind, the new nobleman Puap frowned and strode forward. He grabbed the mentally disturbed middle-aged militiaman and hit him in the back of the head with a half-handed palm. The militiaman's eyes suddenly turned white.
He fell to the ground limply, and the noisy voice finally disappeared.
"Old man Qi, why are you so meticulous? It's just annoying! If the incompetent Chapala people are defeated, they will be defeated. Look at the solid city wall under your feet. As long as we hold on here, can the Mexicans still fly in?
?”
Facing the samurai captain, Chihuaco immediately bowed his waist so that his pointed hat was lowered than the forked feathers on the opponent's head, which was the symbol of Tarasco's nobility.
"My dear noble lord, you are right! It's just that this matter is of great importance. The Mexicans always have new weapons that can change the outcome of the war..."
"What's the use of caring so much? Military and state affairs naturally have the supreme chief to worry about! As warriors, we only need to obey orders and take care of the things at hand!"
"Yes, yes... Noble sir, we all obey your orders!" The old militiaman smiled with wrinkles and replied respectfully.
Looking at the old militiaman who bowed his head and obeyed, "Gray Earth" Puap carelessly patted the other man on the head. Then, wearing the bright clothes of the hummingbird nobles, he glanced around the city until hundreds of people in the warrior team bowed their heads and saluted.
Cai Zhi nodded with satisfaction. Then, he called the samurai confidants behind him and asked loudly.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "What have the Turks barbarians done recently?"
The samurai confidant bowed his head and replied.
"Sir, the barbarians are quite honest. But kidnapping a few ordinary businessmen, kidnapping the women of more than a dozen civilian families, and then killing several people in tribal battles is not a big deal."
Puap nodded and replied casually.
"As long as no nobles are involved and some civilians die, it won't be a big deal. Anyway, the food in the city is not going to be distributed to them. These messy tribes have hatred for each other. It doesn't matter if they fight, but they don't want to kill anyone. They still have to suppress it.
Otherwise I won’t be able to explain to the chief!”
Hearing this, the confidant understood and complimented with a smile.
"That's right, I am a big shot who can speak in front of the chief!"
Puap laughed loudly and continued to speak proudly.
"Our Huitu family has been serving the Supreme Chief for generations, and we have been serving the Supreme Chief for five generations now!..."
At this moment, another trusted warrior came over in a hurry and spoke anxiously.
"Sir, the Tekos tribal militia heard about the defeat in the north and started making noise again! They put out a few representatives and demanded that they return to the west and return home!"
His enthusiasm was dampened, Puap's face darkened, and he let out a sneer.
"Stupid barbarian! After entering the city, you still want to escape. How can it be such a good thing? At this time of year, even the nobles can't leave!"
Then, the newly promoted noble shook the bronze spear in his hand, with a fierce light in his eyes.
"These barbarians still need to be dealt with. You follow me, pick two people who have no foundation and are making such a big fuss that they kill the flag directly! Well, the chief has ordered us to get some more drinks and cakes. Cotton women, go and lead the leaders.
Comfort yourself."
At this point, "Huitu" Puap made a loud "poof" sound and shouted in a low voice.
"Damn it, the nobles are honest, but the barbarians are making trouble in the capital. The world has really changed!"
The new noble kept talking, and the expression on his face changed. After what he had seen in the past few months, he finally understood. The unprecedented war had disrupted the world. Only the sharp weapons in his hands and the warriors following behind him were the foundation of his life!
As for the divine nobles and centuries-old bloodline, they are all mortal in the war and cannot escape a spear.
After thinking about this, Puap put on a smile and looked at the warriors behind him.
"Brothers, after you finish cleaning up the barbarians, come with me to the logistics camp to get your things! Until then, let's all have fun and enjoy ourselves!"
The warriors who followed laughed loudly and promised loudly. They clenched the weapons in their hands as if they held everything they desired.
"Old man Qi, are you going?"
Puap turned to ask Chihuaco.
"Noble sir, I will stay and guard the city wall. I will also take care of my daughter when I return..."
The old militiaman laughed along with him, and the wrinkles on his face turned into a flower.
"Then you just guard the wall and watch what's going on outside the city... You old idiot, last time we went to Lehe together, everyone else got a good-looking girl, but you got a little girl!"
Puap smiled and patted Chihuaco on the shoulder, rudely but with a touch of kindness. Then, he smiled and asked the other six people who had been recruited. The turbaned Vesti shook his head, and the bachelor Yayuli said cheerfully.
Agree, half of the others stayed at the top of the city, and the other half followed quickly.
Puap did have some intentions of wooing these seven-man militiamen.
These people have all seen blood and experienced wars, and they are obviously different from the strong men brought from the city. They are extremely united, and for some reason, they are all dominated by old men with unremarkable appearance. In fact, he has personally weighed it, and these militiamen are scattered.
Individual martial arts skills are only average. But once they form a spear formation, they are quite powerful and can fight with real samurai. Among the 100 warriors under his command, there are only more than 30 that can fight.
There was a lack of warriors in the capital at this time, as were most of the new squads.
As the sun set in the west, Puap held his head high and led the crowd away. The laughter of the warriors spread far away, and the civilians along the way retreated. Even the houses of the nobles were quiet. The old militiamen stood silently at the top of the city.
It was not until dusk fell and the replacement militiamen arrived that he returned to his residence in the city with the remaining three militiamen.
Along the way, the bustling capital city showed a bit of desolation. There were few markets and sparsely populated areas. Only the craftsmen who made weapons worked day and night, and the sound of "ding-dong-dang-dang" was carried far away by the wind. Under the setting sun, the sacred "House of Wind" pyramid
Casting a deep black shadow, the magnificent "Palace of Winds" glowed with blood-colored light.
Chihuaco looked for a moment, then lowered his head and walked straight to the civilian area in the south of the city. Except for the priest's temple, the king's palace, and the noble residences, most of the civilians only lived in simple thatched huts, even ordinary warriors.
When passing by a large house, the old militiaman took a few more glances, and there were vague figures of several women inside. This was the stone house that Captain Puap had recently acquired. There were many people in and out of the compound, and he often called everyone
Went to a party to drink. The original owner seemed to be a large spice merchant. Now he has been executed for collaborating with the enemy, and all his property has been confiscated to replenish military supplies.
Chihuaco was a little envious in his heart. It didn't matter if the house looked good, the key was that it was sturdy and spacious. If there was such a big house, everyone could live together and take care of each other, so that they could feel more at ease. He continued to walk in a hurry, and finally
When they arrived at a large hut, they said goodbye to two militiamen with a smile. Only Weziti followed him with his head down.
This is the new house in the capital. It was bought with the help of the captain, and it is also the home that Chihuaco carefully cared for. It was dark in the hut, and the old militiaman called out twice before hearing the movement in the corner. Then, he stepped forward and
Holding a torch and taking a photo, it was my daughter huddled in the corner.
"Luwei, daddy calls you, why don't you respond?"
Little Reed lowered her head, hugged her legs, and huddled in the haystack in the corner of the room. She was only thirteen years old, oh, she was already fourteen after the Chinese New Year, but she was still a little bit small. At this moment, the girl was being grassed
The pile covered most of it, only a small head was exposed, like a thin reed. In fact, the old militiamen were only in their early forties when they were said to be old. It was just that the country people were exposed to the wind and sun and worked hard all year round, which made them look particularly old.
That’s all.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Seeing that Luwei remained silent, Chihuaco sighed. He stepped forward and touched his daughter's head affectionately. The girl shivered all over and shrank in fear.
, raised her eyes to see her father's face clearly, and then relaxed a little. Then she lowered her head again and buried it in her lap, still not speaking.
The old militiaman looked at his daughter with a rare tenderness on his face. This was his biological daughter. He found it with great difficulty from the logistics camp, but was almost given to the brutal Tekos barbarians. The old militiaman was full of fear.
, he knew the fate of those women.
"Luwei, Luwei, I only have you now, and you only have me... Your brother was part of the second batch of militiamen recruited, and had already gone to the southeast front. The village chief who harmed you was part of the third batch of militiamen, and he also joined the army.
The battlefield, I guess, has already gotten cold. There was a fourth batch a few months ago... You are my last hope."
Chihuaco murmured softly, feeling sad in his heart. I heard from the warriors in the capital that the southeastern front line was extremely cruel. Even the nobles died like weeds, and the consumed militiamen could not be replenished at all. It was out of reach, and my son had never experienced it.
The battle formation was probably hopeless. But he didn't see the body, but he still had a thought. And the daughter he finally found in front of him was his only sustenance.
The old militiaman touched his daughter's thin face again, feeling very distressed. He took out the corn tortilla he had given out in the morning from his arms and handed it to Luwei. One corner of the pancake was missing and there were a few teeth marks on it. He only gnawed it in the morning.
After two families, most of it was saved for my daughter. Following the samurai captain, I still had a stable source of food, unlike the common people in the city who now had difficulty buying even a piece of food.
Reed took the pancake and her eyes shone with light. The girl took a few bites with great effort, and then let out an anxious whine. The cold thick pancake was too hard and she had too little strength, so she couldn't chew it at all.
Chihuaco sighed again. He took the pancake back, lit a bonfire, and boiled a pot of hot water. Then, he carefully soaked the pancake until it was soft, tasted it and it was not hot, and then handed it to the pottery bowl.
daughter.
Lu Wei watched her father busy in a daze. Then, her eyes shone again, and she lowered her head to nibble the pancake carefully, like a little hamster. The old militiaman looked at his daughter with a smile on his face. The turbaned girl
Wezti took two steps away and watched the old militiaman looking at his daughter. He remained silent, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
After a long time, until the reeds were finished and retracted into the haystack again, the old militiaman poured a bowl of hot water and drank the remaining residue. Then, he turned around and asked seriously.
"Silly wood, your mother-in-law and child are still not found?"
Wezti shook his head sadly.
"Uncle, I can't find it."
Chihuaco looked at Weezti for a while and asked softly.
"The noble master asked you to get a girl, why don't you want to?"
Weziti stood quietly for a moment before shaking his head again.
"Uncle, I don't want to. I, I'm afraid of losing it again."
The old militiaman lowered his eyes and sighed deeply again. He looked at his daughter in the haystack, then at Weziti, who was standing blankly, and said after a long time.
"Silly wood, you have lost your mother-in-law, and I have lost my son, so let's just live together! You can also help me take care of Reed."
Weziti was silent for a while, without saying anything. He just nodded vigorously. After a while, he asked.
"Uncle, we have been defeated and the Mexicans are coming. What will we do in the future?"
The old militiaman turned around, took off his leather armor, and hung up his pointed hat. Then, he held the spear that never left his body at an angle and spoke slowly.
"Take one step and see one step. Uncle, I will eventually find a way for you and Reed to survive!"
As he spoke, he looked at the towering Wind Palace through the holes in the hut, with a strange look in his eyes.
In the center of the royal capital, the majestic Palace of Winds is still as majestic as in the sky, overlooking everything on the ground. The wind is blowing in the capital, and the war situation is dangerous. The civilians are in danger, the tribal militia are making noises, and the warriors are uneasy.
They held their own troops and held their own, the nobles stopped singing and dancing, only the priests continued to sing all night long and pray more and more deeply.
Chief Minister Zinzini stood on the top of the palace with his hands behind his back, gazing at the swaying capital city, like a divine messenger commanding the world. The wind blew up, blowing the old man's white hair and brushing his old face. Chief Minister
Feeling the coldness of the night wind, I didn't speak for a long time, like a solidified sculpture.
In the sky and on earth, the night in the royal capital was full of silence, except for the singing of sacrifices. After a while, there was suddenly some noise in a corner of the capital. The faint sound came along the night wind, and the indifferent chief spoke majestically.
"Where is the headquarters of the Tekos tribe?"
"Yes, Chief." The guard behind him bowed and replied.
"What happened?"
"Puapu of the Gray Earth Family recently dealt with the noisy Tekos militia. Now, he has taken the drinking woman and is appeasing the tribal leaders."
"Yes." The chief looked calm and nodded. Then he changed the topic.
"Hearing the news of the defeat in the north, how are the priests and nobles in the city doing?"
"The low-level priests held ceremonies day and night. The high-level priests met in secret several times without any inappropriate thoughts. The elders summoned the temple guards to secure the priest temple next to the pyramid. The nobles all fell silent, and recently
Nothing happened."
"The Mexicans launched a divine war, and the priests and elders had no way out. Although they have a shallow vision, there is no need to worry at this time. Let the monitoring personnel focus on the nobles, especially the big nobles with many private soldiers! These cunning wolves are
For those who are not well-raised, as long as the Mexicans promise lands and titles, their loyalty will drift away like fallen leaves. If necessary, they can be dealt with decisively!"
"Yes, chief!" The guard bowed his head and obeyed without hesitation.
Zinzini looked to the north. Under the light of the bright moon, the flat wilderness extended to the north, which was an unknown danger.
"How many of Chapala's remaining soldiers have been gathered?" The chief's voice was a little hoarse.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "There were less than a thousand militiamen. The Mexicans sent jaguar warriors to drive them away, and most of the broken legions fled to the west."
Zinzini clenched the magic staff in his hand and gritted his teeth.
"Damn it! The crocodile is brave and foolhardy, and its feathers are flashy. They should all be sacrificed to the gods! One of them impulsively advanced, the other fled cowardly, and together they ruined the north of the kingdom!"
Hearing the chief's anger, the guards behind him lowered their heads and did not dare to make a sound.
"Have the remnant soldiers made it clear what the God-given weapons used by the Mexica are? I know the combat power of the Chapala Legion. An army of 30,000 people should not be so vulnerable."
The chief minister looked solemn and asked seriously.
"It seemed to be a wooden beast several meters long. It could roar, emit smoke, and emit thunder. The Chapala Army suddenly encountered this weapon, and its morale was greatly affected. The morale of the warriors was shaken, and the Mexicans took the opportunity to charge and broke into the center.
Army. Then, Marshal Feather of the center army fled first, and then the army completely collapsed."
The guard explained in a low voice, not daring to add any personal opinions.
Zinzini frowned and pondered for a long time. New weapons of the Mexicans emerged one after another, changing the situation of the battle time and time again. He had no clue and could only sigh softly.
"His Royal Highness Mexica from the north is not very young, but he is a formidable opponent!... Has he sent the king's envoy?"
"Yes, chief."
"Send one more envoy to ask the king to be careful of the Mexica's new weapons. Once the king's army returns, they must travel lightly and quickly, and do not stay on the way!"
"As you command, chief!"
The chief minister turned around and looked into the distance to the southeast. Under the stars at night, the undulating mountains were looming, like creeping giant beasts, silent and chilling in the wind.
"Has the situation around Patzcuaro improved?"
After a while, Zinzini asked again, his voice low and hoarse.
"Chief, there are not enough warriors on patrol. The team transporting food is the same as before..."
The chief minister closed his eyes and said nothing. After a moment, he sighed deeply.
"Take one step and see one step. As long as the king retreats in time, we still have hope. The night is long and we are waiting for the dawn!"
Afterwards, there were no more words, only darkness. The night wind was strong, passing through the top floor of the Palace of Winds, ringing the rapid wind chimes. The sound of the copper bells was sad and distant, floating in the vast night. The night songs were mournful, wandering in the garden.
There were swaying sacrificial bonfires in the pavilions, and they disappeared into the huts of the military camp. The clouds dispersed in the night sky, and where the stars fell, it was the wind blowing in the capital.
