It was already afternoon outside the window. The slanted sunlight poured in from the window, illuminating the distinguished people in the room. Facing things beyond their understanding, the deep faces finally revealed their true emotions: some were surprised, some were thoughtful, and some were unhappy.
There was understanding, worry, and fear. Shulot looked at the expressions of everyone, with his back to the light of the sun, like an apostle stepping out of a myth.
Looking at the mysterious smoke and the young man in the sun, everyone was shocked and lost their minds for a moment.
After a while, Avitt spoke first, full of interest.
"Xulot, this burning salt, the nitrate in the earth, is very similar to the Talascan Stone of the Dead. How should it be used?"
The young man smiled confidently.
"Burning salt, earth, saltpeter, stone of the dead, sulfur, and charcoal powder can be used to make an epoch-making!... Hmm... fire potion, which can easily ignite ships on the water. Tarasco strategy is coming soon
, it can help us gain an advantage on the water!”
Halfway through the words, Shulot changed his mind. He was not yet sure of the explosive power of the original gunpowder and needed time to figure out the appropriate gunpowder formula, so he simply described the combustion-supporting effect of gunpowder.
"The potion in fire can burn on water? Shulot, is this really true?!"
Hearing this, Avitt looked serious and looked at the young man with bright eyes.
At the beginning of the new year, the council is already discussing the offensive route after the autumn harvest. The alliance is about to mobilize tens of thousands of warriors and militia to march westward to Tarasco and start a true divine war.
The defeat of last year's Otomi War is still fresh in our minds. The huge army needs an astonishing supply of food and grass, and a stable and efficient logistics transportation line must be established. In this era, convenient water transportation is the only option.
But unlike the Otomi, the Tarascos occupy the fishermen's land of Micancho. They have an equally large fleet, which has always been deeply feared by the Mexica Alliance. If they cannot obtain sufficient water warfare advantage
, suppressing the enemy's raiding fleet, and water supply lines would be out of the question.
Avitt's eyes became dark. He recalled the topography of the land of Mikancho. Between the north and south rivers, there was a large lake in the middle. The fertile core was the flat lakeside valley, and the solid periphery was the rolling mountains and hills.
A few years ago, he led his army to the west for the first time. Not long after traveling along the Balsas River, he encountered the fleet of the Tarascans. The Mexican navy and the enemy fought repeatedly, and the warriors and militiamen fell.
It's raining, but no one can gain a real advantage.
The army was forced to abandon the waterway and go ashore, and could only attack the Tarascans' eastern fortress group in the complex and narrow mountains. It was a long and bloody battle, with difficult logistics and dangerous terrain, and it was like a nightmare to think about it again.
Feeling the pressure in Avitt's eyes, Shulot nodded cautiously and explained seriously.
"Gunpowder can burn in water. The combustion of gunpowder does not require air. It produces a large amount of gas and high temperature when burning. The high-temperature expanding air can push away the water, providing space for continued burning..."
Avitt's eyes were confused for a moment. Fortunately, he was very smart and often chatted with the young man, so he could vaguely understand him.
On the other side, the three warrior ministers looked at each other at a loss as if they were listening to a book from heaven. They were doubtful and could only attribute it to the priest's magic.
The intelligence officer did not know when he returned to the corner. His perspective was different from that of ordinary people, and his gaze stayed on everyone's face. After just a brief observation, he was sure that Shulot was confident and was not lying. Then, he quietly observed
Each person's expression can infer the psychology of others, and then keep their character in mind.
After a while, Avitt was slightly happy and ordered in a deep voice.
"Xulot, my student, the gunpowder you mentioned was crucial in the war at Tarasco. If you can really develop a flame that burns in water, it will be the first achievement of this western expedition! What do you need?
?The alliance will do its best to support you!"
After finally hearing this promise, Shulot smiled slightly and saluted seriously.
"King, I need the large salt mine in the south of the capital until March to collect raw materials for making saltpetre. In addition, I need a spacious research and development center, because it involves burning, it is best to be far away from the city. I have many other ideas.
To try it, we need to set up a new craftsmanship center to specialize in researching useful new technologies."
"What! Big salt mine? That's..."
Hearing the key words, the royal nobleman Iskali finally reacted from his daze. He spoke hastily and glared at Hulot.
King Avit glanced over with an indifferent gaze, carrying a formidable pressure and a majesty that could not be offended. Iskali shut up instantly. He lowered his head, feeling angry in his heart.
Shulot didn't pay attention. The young man was calculating in his mind. He had gained a lot of enlightenment in the craftsman area recently, and there were quite a lot of planned scientific research projects.
The jade carving and printing, the mason's glass firing, must be experimented as soon as possible; the goldsmith's clay mold casting and the pottery's porcelain are temporarily put on hold; we must collect saltpeter from the saline-alkali land, improve the craftsmanship of soil saltpeter, and try to extract urine saltpeter.
; Use charcoal, sulfur, and earth salt to develop primitive gunpowder and explore more powerful formulas.
By the way, when the first batch of copper mines from Mayan traders arrives from southern Tarasco, they will need to make copper spears and train spearmen. You can also use bronze armor pieces to make simple and effective cloth armor. Now high-quality spears
The supply of troops has not yet been secured, and the thousands of miners we are interested in...
Thinking of this, Shulot opened his mouth and wanted to ask Avitt for gold and stone miners.
The king happened to turn his head, his eyes full of forlornness yet to be closed. The young man felt a chill in his heart, and his intuition told him that now was not the time to speak. He waited calmly.
Avitt pondered for a moment and his expression calmed down. Then he smiled slightly and made a promise to the young man.
"Xulot, the big salt mine is left to you. If you lack property and manpower, come to me directly to apply. If you have any new creations or inventions, please come to me and report at any time. Prince Texcoco's Palace in the East
After being confiscated by the royal family, it has been idle to this day. The area there is spacious and there are many houses, and it will be given to you as a new craftsmanship center. You can also use the old craftsmanship center site, anyway, you often go to Kuaud...
"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Shulot nodded in agreement, and then was slightly stunned. Avitt seemed to know his whereabouts well.
"There are two small islands in the salt water area outside the southeastern embankment. Chinampa cannot be planted. They can be used as sites for your burning experiments. I will ask the Marine Corps to cooperate with you. Remember, the flame burning in the water is the focus of your research.
You must make usable weapons!”
Having said this, Avitt took two steps closer, covering Hulot's figure and blocking the sight of the ministers. He gently touched the young man's head and whispered.
"The Western Expedition after the Autumn Harvest is my coronation war. You stand with me and don't let me make the same mistake as Tisok!"
Shulot raised his head in surprise and looked into Avitt's eyes, savoring the true emotion of this moment.
The two people's eyes met, and memories of the past came to mind. Avitt thought of the boy's rescue during the decisive battle, and Shulot thought of the hearty banquet after the victory... The two were silent for a moment, looked at each other and smiled in understanding,
It's like going back to the past again.
"Avit, I will always stand with you." The young man promised, in the name of his ancestors.
Avitt smiled gently. When he turned around and faced everyone, he was already a majestic king.
The following meetings were somewhat uneventful, mostly involving the government affairs of the capital, negotiations between tribes and city-states, and the collection of New Year's tributes.
The ministers alternately reported on military and political affairs, and nobles from outside were called in from time to time. The king made decisions quickly and decisively. Avit was already familiar with the king's work, and the complicated government affairs were handled in his hands like a smooth flow. Occasionally,
Gilliam will provide detailed proposals and additions.
The elders have let go of the affairs of the alliance, and it is now the king's responsibility.
After the New Year sacrifices, the elder will live in seclusion again, no longer interfering with the operation of the capital, and will only implement the religious reform behind the scenes. His body can no longer support the high-intensity work, and now he is just trying to live a few more years and establish enough influence under the king.
In front of authority, the entire alliance is suppressed.
This year's New Year's Eve ceremony was held much later than in previous years. The priests discussed new regulations and prepared many changes.
Shulot was sitting next to Avitt, quietly watching the busyness of the power center. He was constantly learning, thinking about the principles and angles of how everyone dealt with problems, keeping in mind the values of the tribal era, and analyzing decision-making cases that convinced everyone.
This is a brand new field. One day, young people will also need to face the same difficulties and challenges. No one can be born as a king, and the king needs to go through a long road of growth. Fortunately, under the guidance of the elders, the king's
The door has been opened to him.
When the sun set, the king's palace was filled with sunset. The nobles in the outer hall dispersed and joined each other in groups to participate in the banquet. Iskali and Tepopolo also saluted and said goodbye to the king, and walked out of the government palace side by side.
Avitt continued to be busy, thinking about priorities. The king's power did not fall from the sky, but came from the decision-making in every political matter.
Shulot watched the backs of Iskali and Tepopolo leaving hand in hand. He felt a little uneasy. The young man thought for a long time and finally discovered the source of the uneasiness. Then he suddenly realized.
"The royal family and the nobles are the power of the royal family, but they are not separated from the great nobles, but are closely connected! Different classes are never distinct, but are intertwined and dynamically connected. The great nobles are not monolithic, but divided into different categories.
Overall. Therefore, the reforms aimed at the great nobility must not be too radical, but must attack a group of noble enemies, win over a group of partners, and neutralize a group of bystanders."
After thinking about this, Shulot smiled, and the words of ancient and modern philosophers came to mind.
"The so-called governance lies in how to make our enemies fewer and fewer and make our friends more and more...Governing a big country is like cooking small dishes, not in a hurry, not in a hurry, and in the right way."
Not far away, Gillim watched silently, analyzing the changes in the young man's expression. This time, he frowned slightly, secretly confused.
