In early March, the warm spring breeze blew through the southern wilderness, and the growing vegetation revealed fresh green. It was the season of multiplication of birds and animals, and everything was full of vitality.
Shulot led 3,000 guards, and after patrolling the Apa Plain, returned to the Apa Military City in the east. At this point, the southern expedition came to an end. The land in the south had to be reorganized, and the closed Dingkou had to be resettled and assimilated.
.The hunting kestrel has its stomach temporarily full and is quietly saving energy for next year’s hunting.
Before Xiulote went south, there were about 210,000 people in Zicao County in the south, including more than 70,000 in the east, more than 60,000 in the center, and more than 70,000 in the west. After the reduction of seals and reforms and the punishment of rebellions, there were 40,000 rebels in Zicao County.
He went to Gyeonggi and was demoted to serfs. He conquered the Koalkoman tribes in the southwest and gathered a population of 90,000 people. Forty thousand of them also moved to Gyeonggi as serfs, and the remaining 50,000 stayed in the west to cultivate the Apa Plain. On the north bank of the Leman River
Each of the three Otomi states had one or two thousand nobles and officers who had been exiled.
According to this rough calculation, after the Southern Expedition, the population of Zicao County is about 220,000. With Curamo City as the center, the population in the east is more than 50,000, and in the central part is more than 50,000, totaling 110,000, mostly Prepecha.
With Apa City as the center, the Apa Plain in the west has a population of 110,000, half of which are Prepecha and Tecos ethnic groups.
On the way to the western patrol, Shulot had been thinking about the arrangements in the south.
The Apa Plain will be mainly used for farming, reclaiming wasteland, and recruiting Tekos mountain people. The Atoyak Lake area outside Curamo City will be mainly for foreign trade, and the shipbuilding industry will be developed. Both places will have one settlement.
A semi-off-the-job army of 8,000 men was in charge of Ezpan and the veteran Etalik respectively.
"The South is a vast area with different development priorities. The veteran Etalik has deep qualifications and is a family warrior in the Holy City. Ezpan is the example of Prepecha's demoted generals and will soon be promoted to the glorious nobility. The two of them are mutually exclusive.
No matter who is in charge, no one else will be convinced."
After thinking about it for a long time, Xiulote finally decided to divide Zicao County into two, with the western and eastern central counties being established respectively. Taking fifty miles east of Apa City as the boundary, Apa County was established to the west, with jurisdiction over 110,000 people.
Apa Military City is under the leadership of General Ezpan; to the east is Zicao County, which has jurisdiction over 110,000 people and is governed by Cullamo City. At the same time, the entrance to the sea of Tulsas in the south is directly under the jurisdiction of Eta.
Lick is in charge of the whole situation.
Because both of them hold heavy troops and have the power to levy taxes, the king created a new official position for this position, called County Yin, which was the same as the Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period. County Yin has the army in one hand and wealth in the other.
There is no restriction on the power of internal repression and external expansion, and only true confidants can take charge of it.
Xiulote made a decision, and the king's order was immediately sent to the south. Another county official, the monkey Kuruka from Hekou County in the north, also came with a messenger.
At the end of last year, Monkey dispatched 4,000 spear corps and recruited 4,000 canine men. With the cooperation of the Kingdom's navy, they marched westward along the Leman River. The 8,000 army took advantage of the Feather Legion's unpreparedness and robbed them.
They plundered the edges of Sacap State and the Chapala Lake area. The army plundered for three months, and returned with 20,000 people. Most of the strong dog-born soldiers gained a lot, and their military morale became more stable.
The Bayou Corps relied on the navy and used canine light troops, which moved very quickly. In order to prevent the kingdom from plundering, hundreds of canoes were dispatched from the Chapala Lake area to patrol along the Leman River. The kingdom's navy met with Chapala several times.
In the battle between the naval forces in the Pala Lake area, they relied on the numerical advantage of the catamaran canoes to steadily gain the upper hand and killed hundreds of enemies. When the galley warships were launched one after another, the naval forces' advantage would be further enhanced.
Expand. Everything is ready, and the time to conquer Lake Chapala is about to be ripe.
Benefiting from the plunder of the war, the number of Dingkou in the four counties of the kingdom increased. Hekou County increased by 20,000 people, totaling 230,000; Gyeonggi increased by 80,000 people, totaling 360,000; and Apa County and Shicao County each increased by 110,000.
The total population of the four counties is 810,000. The kingdom's heritage is growing day by day, but it just takes some time to integrate.
"Everyone in the kingdom is eager to fight, and they are happy when they hear about the war! Once the opening of military honors is opened, it means that if you fight, you will prosper, and if you don't fight, you will perish."
Thinking of this, Shulot was silent in thought. Not long ago, the veteran Etalik sent an envoy from Kuramo City with a letter, mainly saying two things.
One is that Black Wolf's three thousand people are resting in Culamo City, and there are many trophies that need to be transported to the north first, or converted into cocoa beans or cloth that are easy to carry. The other is that the population in Culamo City is empty. I heard that
The king came back from the conquest and gained a lot. He asked if there were any extra people to move to Culamo City?
"The Tekos captives must either move to Gyeonggi Province or develop the Apa Plain. Where is the excess population..."
After reading this, Shulot shook his head slightly and continued to read the letter.
Black Wolf returned from sweeping the mountainous area and brought back a thousand Tekos fishermen and hundreds of canoes. He also got a clear picture of the Tekos tribe in the southeast. There are 40,000 to 50,000 Tekos tribes near Haenyeo City. They rely on the small seaside town to defend themselves.
Only a few thousand warriors were fought. The purge of the Gyeonggi Army has been completed, and there are still 4,000 warriors left in Kuramo City. The newly formed Purple Grass Army also has 3,000 people, which is enough to suppress the local area.
Therefore, the black wolf Toltec and the veteran Etalik jointly requested orders.
"Your Majesty, four thousand Gyeonggi warriors and three thousand Guakili regiments will sail down the river in boats, enough to defeat Haenyeo Castle and plunder tens of thousands of people from Dingkou and return!"
Seeing such a request, Shulot was silent. As long as the navy can keep up with the food delivered by the navy, the seven thousand troops have a great chance of defeating Haenyeo City. However, the unrest in Zicao City has only been calmed down for three months, and the people's hearts are actually
Undecided. The spring plowing in May will begin soon. Even if tens of thousands of people are plundered, they will not be able to keep up with this year's plowing. They will have to provide food until next autumn harvest to be self-sufficient. In order to support the army, the spring plowing in Zicao County is very slow.
May be delayed...
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! After thinking about it for a long time, Shulot made a safer choice.
"Be prepared for spring plowing with peace of mind! Before the autumn harvest, troops are not allowed in Zicao County. The Gyeonggi Army will soon be transferred north to suppress the tens of thousands of serfs who have moved into Gyeonggi."
The king's messenger had just left, but the black wolf Toltec came personally from Kuramo City with his personal guards.
"Your Highness! I, the black wolf Toltec, lived up to his mission and went deep into the southwest mountainous area, burning food for 700 miles before returning!"
The two of them had not seen each other for half a year since the Southern Expedition. Toltec knelt down excitedly and reported back to the king with his head held high.
"Very good, very good! My black wolf, you fought well!"
Shulot smiled and was a little excited. He took a step forward and lifted Hei Lang from the ground. After being separated for several months, Hei Lang's body became a little thinner, but his whole person's energy and spirit were even better.
Looking at it at this time, the black wolf sword's eyebrows and stars are like an unsheathed bronze sword, sharp and dazzling.
The two of them talked for a while with smiles on their faces, and then Shulote straightened his face and gave serious instructions.
"However, my Black Wolf, as the commander of the legion, you still have to put your own safety first! You must not be so reckless when marching in the future! The entire Guakili legion is all dependent on the commander. As long as you are here, the legion will be
exist!"
"Witness the Lord God! Your Highness, this is a rare opportunity for a fighter! The hinterlands of the southwestern tribes are undefended, and their troops are very empty. There are also Tekos guards as guides. If you miss the opportunity, let the enemy be prepared or escape.
When we enter the mountains, we don’t know how long the conquest will last..."
"Um?!"
"Your Highness, I will listen to you and listen to you from now on!"
Seeing that His Highness was really serious, Black Wolf Toltec saluted repeatedly and responded respectfully. Then, Black Wolf's eyes flashed and he asked carefully.
"Your Highness, the conquest of Haenyeo Castle..."
"It's impossible before the autumn harvest!"
Shulot shook his head clearly. The people in the south were undecided, and tens of thousands of people were plundered, so the foundation of the kingdom was really unstable. Only after the flag corps was organized and established, the priests spread the faith, and the spring plowing and autumn harvest were successfully completed, could it be slightly stabilized.
"After the autumn harvest..."
"Toltec, you abandoned more than half of your legion and only brought 3,000 men to conquer. Don't you want the remaining 5,000 men?! Why don't you go to the camp outside the city and pacify the 5,000 Guakili legion!
"
"Uh... yes, yes! The more troops the better, of course. Isn't this not enough food? If you take eight thousand people into the mountains, they will definitely starve to death on the way. Otherwise, there are eight thousand people in hand.
, I can conquer Haenyeo Castle directly..."
"Um?"
"Your Highness, I'm going right away!..."
Looking at the back of the black wolf hurriedly leaving, Shulot's lips showed a smile. After a long period of hard work, he finally personally trained the first outstanding general, who was worthy of the task.
A few more days passed like this. Xiulote was sitting in the Apa Military City, appeasing the southern tribes, and gathering for banquets with Black Wolf and other generals from time to time. Until one day after the banquet, Toltec suddenly took out a few dark blue stones.
Show it in front of everyone.
"Your Highness, this is the strange sacred stone I obtained by killing the Tekos priest with Puap in the Tekos Sacred Mountain outside Trout Village!"
Hei Lang was half drunk and his face turned red. He smiled and put these sacred stones in his hands, then put his hands behind his back and rubbed them vigorously a few times.
"Your Highness, how many sacred stones do you think you have now?"
"Six dollars."
Shulot was slightly drunk and guessed with a smile. He just took a glance and counted the number of dark blue stones.
"Haha! No, it's a piece!"
Hei Lang laughed loudly. He brought his hands from behind to the front and slowly unfolded them. All the sacred stones were gathered together to form a large dark blue stone.
"Your Highness, these sacred stones are very interesting! The priest of Tekos said that the sacred stones are endowed with divinity and have twin souls of male and female, living at both ends of the sacred stones... I present them to you as a gift! From now on, take a look
When you see this sacred stone, you will be reminded of my military exploits..."
"Likes attract, opposites repel? Is this, is this, a magnet?!"
Shulot was stunned, and his eyes suddenly became clear. He suddenly stood up and reached out his hand eagerly.
"Show it to me!"
Hei Lang was a little surprised. He looked at His Highness' extremely serious face, and he suddenly woke up from the wine. He felt a little uneasy and said carefully.
"Your Highness...these are the creations of the evil god, and they may indeed offend the Lord God. I didn't mean to..."
"Bring it!"
Black Wolf obeyed and stepped forward. Shulot took the "divine stones" and checked them repeatedly in his hands. These "divine stones" were dark blue in color and had strong magnetism. Their mutual attraction and repulsion were stronger than those offered by Mayan merchants.
The Cuban "black gemstones" are even stronger, they are indeed magnets! In other words, they are natural magnetite.
"Hei Lang, where did you get these magnetite ores?"
Shulot watched for a moment, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and asked in a deep voice.
"Uh? Magnetite?"
Hei Lang pondered this difficult word curiously. It seemed that His Highness was very concerned about these sacred stones.
"Your Highness, the sacred stone is in the Tekos sacred mountain to the west of Trout Village. There is a low hill there, but there is a mountain god, which can attract thunder and lightning in the rainy season... The location is west of the mouth of the Talsas River, about sixty meters
inside."
"Magnet mine? Magnet mine near the river mouth and coast?"
Shulot's expression changed, and the joy on his face could no longer be suppressed.
“It’s really the Lord God’s blessing!”
The king held the "sacred stone", whispered a prayer, and fell into thinking. After a moment, he made up his mind and looked at the warrior captain beside him.
"Bertard, I want to go to the mouth of the Talsas River and see it myself!"
"Ah?! Your Highness, it's nearly four hundred miles away from Apa City..."
Bertard's face lost its calmness. According to the original plan, His Highness would stay in Apa City for one month. When the south settled down in April, he would lead the Guards Corps back to the capital to preside over spring plowing. Thinking of this, the warrior commander
cautioned cautiously.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Your Highness, spring plowing is about to begin. Now that we are sending out a large army to go deep into the southern seaport, we may consume too much food..."
"No need for a large army! There is no hostile army on the southern coast, and I will not attack Haenyeo City for the time being. This matter is very important. I will leave the royal flag in Apa City, take only two thousand loyal personal guards, and take a low-key boat to go south, personally
Go to the sacred mountain and check it out for yourself. I will return within a month."
Shulot looked firm and made a decision.
If the so-called "Sacred Mountain" is really a magnet mine, the kingdom's southern strategy will have to be completely adjusted. The significance of an iron mine to the kingdom in the lake, and even the entire world, cannot be overemphasized. This is the development of Mesoamerican civilization.
The key is the shackles that transcend the times and the key to completing the "thrilling leap" in the development of productivity!
Ever since he came to this era, Shulot has been looking for iron ore, and he has been looking for it for too long.
The Colima Mountains are too far away to conquer, and the iron ore buried underground is too deep. Under the constraints of practical conditions, Xiulote accepted the obedience of the Colima chief and maintained peace with the various tribes of Colima. But in
There has always been some reluctance and regret in the heart of the king. Until this moment, when the news of the southern magnet mine came, the excitement and expectation in his heart could no longer be suppressed, and turned into the determination and motivation to go south!
"...Okay. I will follow your will, Your Highness. I will make arrangements as soon as possible!"
Seeing His Highness's expression, Bertard knew that the king had made up his mind and could not be dissuaded. At this time, heading south to the mouth of the river, although the journey was long, there was indeed not much risk, but he had to make good arrangements and preparations.
Shulot nodded with satisfaction and looked at the surprised Hei Lang again. He smiled gently and held Hei Lang's arm.
"Toltec, my black wolf. I am very satisfied with your gift! The main god protects the kingdom and brings divine enlightenment. If the 'sacred mountain' is as I expected... you will also be rewarded!
"
"Ah? A big reward?"
Hei Lang was startled and blinked his eyes. His Highness was true to his word. If he said it was a heavy reward, it would definitely not be light. But the big reward was given because of a few strange "divine stones"?... He was a little confused.
, but still fell to the ground respectfully.
"Your Highness, you are the wolf king blessed by the Lord God! I, the black wolf Toltec, will never let the wolf king down!"
"Haha, the Lord God bless you! Black Wolf, my beloved general, you are favored by fate!"
The king laughs loudly, feeling happy like the spring breeze blowing on his face and birds flying.
This chapter has been completed!