Continuous drizzle sprinkled from the sky, wet the high-erected flag, and fell on the solid bluestone fortress. The bluestone had been washed away and had become smooth and difficult to climb. The raindrops meandered downwards, and then merged into the rushing water.
Man River, passing by boats on the river.
In front of the river mouth fortress of Tarasco, a hundred meters away, five or six Mexican boats were swaying and spying. This was a routine daily reconnaissance by the northern enemy, and the defenders of the fortress had long been accustomed to it.
Shulot stood on his own bow and carefully observed the shape of the river mouth fortress.
Since he was investigating in person, of course he couldn't carry the commander's flag or ride in a big boat. The young commander wore simple civilian warrior uniforms, carried his usual Mexica long bow, and wore an obsidian dagger that never left his body. He was like
An ordinary young warrior energetically accompanied the boat for reconnaissance. Behind him, a tall warrior captain also carried a long bow and stood steadily in the center of the boat.
Shulot looked at it for a long time, and his expression gradually became serious. He straightened his arm, crossed his thumb, and gestured with his fingers for a while, then frowned deeply.
The height of the city wall of the Hekou Fortress is an astonishing six meters. At this height, the defenders' rolling stones and bows and arrows are extremely lethal. Judging from the number of defenders lined up side by side, the width of the top of the fortress wall is also five or six meters.
The width at the bottom is at least eight or nine meters. The outside of the fortress is covered with bricks, and the top is exposed with a bluestone base. The thick walls are carved with deep and complex yellow patterns, revealing traces of ancient vicissitudes.
Xiulote briefly recognized it. This was a mysterious symbol carved by the priest of Tarasco, which represented the blessing of the Mother Earth Goddess Kweravaperi, implying the use of the power of the earth to strengthen this vital fortress. Look.
Since then, the Kingdom of Tarasco has been operating a fortress at the mouth of the river for a long time and attaches great importance to its defense.
The young commander thought for a moment, and then he whispered an order to the warrior commander behind him.
"Half a circle around the fortress along the Leman River, I want to see the specific terrain!"
Bertard nodded slightly without saluting to avoid exposing Hulot's identity. Soon, five or six small boats set up their oars and surrounded the fortress like swimming fish.
After looking back and forth twice, Shulot took a breath of cold air. Although he had already heard about it from the scouts, seeing the terrain with his own eyes still made him feel cold. The Hekou Fortress is surrounded by rivers on three sides and faces the ground on one side. It is really easy to defend but difficult to defend.
attack.
To the north of the fortress is the broad Leman River, and to the west is Lake Quetseo. The estuary channel between the river and the lake is only thirty to forty meters wide and hundreds of meters long, which is completely within the attack range of the fortress head. The fortress has no north
There is a water gate in the west, which is connected to Lake Quiceo. The defenders can attack from here at any time and cut off the channels of the river and lake.
The east side of the fortress is land on the river bank, but there is a natural moat, which is also five or six meters wide. Similarly, in order to facilitate defense, the fortress does not have an east gate, but only a vaguely visible south gate to facilitate the passage of large groups of warriors. At the south gate
In addition, there are two circles of wooden fences used for blocking, both of which are within the range of long-range strikes at the top of the city.
The young commander silently calculated in his mind. The Hekou Fortress is two to three miles east to west and two to three miles north to south. The area is about two square kilometers. It is actually a small city. This kind of military city can station ten or twenty thousand people. Relying on the natural terrain and acquired fortresses,
It is really difficult to capture. If we storm the city by force, we don’t know how many casualties there will be.
Shulot raised his head again and observed the city head carefully. The city walls were piled with logs and stones, and tall watchtowers were erected. There were also thick shields on the top of the wall to protect the shooting archers. The remaining militiamen were armed with bronze spears.
, the hedgehogs gathered in a group and were looking at the Mexica boats on the river.
"Although the Tarascans only have ordinary single bows, they have a large number of armor-piercing copper arrows, which can kill leather-armored warriors at a distance of twenty meters."
Shulot thought secretly, with a heavy heart. He looked at the flags flying at the top of the city. On one side was the divine flag of the sun, moon and stars, on the other side was the "Ukuscha" flag symbolizing the royal family, that is, the eagle flag with outstretched wings. Finally,
One side is the flag of the local nobles, and the family crest is "Ospai", which is a green crocodile.
The meaning of these flags is that the local "crocodile" nobles actually control the fortress here under the dual jurisdiction of gods and kings.
"The king's flag can be planted on the fiefdom of the border nobles. It seems that the degree of centralization of the Kingdom of Tarasco is indeed higher than that of the Mexican Federation. If a powerful crocodile can be used as the family crest, the person who entrusts this place must be a
A true nobleman."
Shulot looked at the flag and analyzed it for a while, and then observed the solid fortress again. He looked at it for a moment, thoughtfully, and many classic battle examples flashed through his mind. Finally, the young commander turned his head and said to the warrior captain.
"Bertard, let's get closer and take a closer look at Watergate!..."
The boy's voice drifted in the wind and gradually became inaudible until he reached the top of the river mouth fortress. Under the three fluttering flags and among the surrounding warriors, two Tarascan nobles in battle uniforms sat cross-legged on a cotton blanket.
Discussions are ongoing.
"General Cucuna, the main force of the Mexica navy has left, and the kingdom's navy has been assembled. It's time to send out a large army to teach the enemies on the north coast a lesson!"
A majestic round-faced nobleman spoke loudly, with a majestic and commanding expression as he spoke. He was surrounded by a delicate bronze necklace and wore a dark gray crocodile leather hat inlaid with purple copper. He could tell at a glance that he was of noble status.
.
"Dear Commander of the Russian Regiment, now is indeed a good opportunity for the navy to dispatch. However, the mobilization of the legion is insufficient, and the southern camp has just been ambushed by the Mexicans, and they have lost 700 warriors and 3,000 militiamen... I'm afraid
It is difficult to send a large army to the north."
General Kukuna lowered his head slightly and greeted the round-faced nobleman. He looked respectful, was not tall, was dressed relatively plainly, and had a conspicuous aquiline nose. Or, in the eyes of the Prepecha people, it was called a "turkey nose."
”.
Yes, in the Prepecha language, the word "Kukuna" means turkey, just like "Ospa" means crocodile. In this era, the names of nobles often came from animals,
Ancestors, myths or gods, they often have corresponding responsibilities. The name "Ospai" means the inheritance of the navy, while "Kukuna" is obviously just the commander of a militia group or low-level warriors.
It is worth mentioning that in the Nahua language, the name for turkey is "cocolo", which is very similar to the Prepecha language "kucuna". This pronunciation similarity proves that the Mexica
In fact, they have very similar ancestral origins with the Prepecha people, and they should both come from migrating dogs in the far northwest.
In the Yucatan Mayan language, the name for turkey is "Urum" or "Das", which is completely different from the Mexica tribes.
Hearing General "Turkey"'s words, the round-faced nobleman glared at him dissatisfied and shouted loudly.
"Those nobles in the southern fortress are all land turtles who cannot survive in the wild. They only dare to hide behind the camp and let the ferocious Mexica people wreak havoc and plunder the people of the kingdom! The river mouth fortress is controlled by my navy, so it should be
Have the courage to attack and bite like a crocodile!"
"Cucuna, you lacked the courage to fight, so you lost the wooden fort on the north bank so quickly, without even setting a fire to destroy the wooden fort, allowing the Mexica to easily gain a foothold!
Fortunately, you still have three hundred warriors and thousands of militiamen, so you still have a chance to make up for your mistakes."
After hearing the instructions from the leader of the Russian faction, Kukuna lowered his head and remained silent.
"I have gathered 20,000 militia sailors, 3,000 elite warriors, plus more than 2,000 warriors from the southern fort, and can raid the three wooden forts on the north bank at any time. As long as His Majesty Suangua's Royal Capital Army arrives,
Or if support from the Lake Chapala area arrives, we can cross the river and go north to completely drive the Mexica people from the north!"
Hearing this, Kukuna was shocked. He finally admonished.
"Dear leader of the Ospai, Your Majesty will give you three thousand warriors and tens of thousands of militiamen, so that you can firmly guard the river mouth fortress. It controls the passage of Lake Quetseo and also protects the hinterland of the kingdom along the lake.
You must not make any mistakes!”
"Mexicans have always been good at fighting, and their infantry is strong and elite. Now, they have a powerful bow that can kill warriors more than a hundred meters away. The rapid fall of the wooden fortress on the north shore was precisely because of these large bows.
Caused by the bow!"
The round-faced nobleman originally looked disdainful, but after hearing this, he became interested.
"Cucuna, I heard the warriors say it, but I don't believe it. Now you say the same thing... Do the Mexicans really have a big bow that can shoot from a hundred meters away and penetrate the warriors' leather armor?
What does that look like?”
Kukuna tried to remember and described intermittently.
"A very big and long bow, like a curved wooden pick. It is estimated to be two meters long and can be stretched to one meter... When the big bow shoots, the arrows are like meteors, as fast as lightning, and it is unstoppable... Russia
Send a regiment leader. With these longbows for defense, although the three wooden forts on the north bank are short, they cannot be broken by 20,000 or 30,000 people!"
Ospie shook his head and chuckled, picked up the tequila wine on the cotton blanket and drank it in a big gulp. He ignored Kukuna's nonsense and only regarded it as an excuse for the loser.
Kukuna was worried, but his words could not convince the legion commander. He looked around, and his eyes were suddenly attracted by five or six small boats on the river. He watched these small boats rowing closer and closer until they were only five meters away from the water gate on the west side.
More than ten meters away. Several warriors on the boat, risking being shot by bows and arrows, were spying on the details of the fortress.
General Turkey observed carefully and was attracted by the tall warrior leading the way. The warrior looked majestic and stood solemnly. Behind him was a Mexica longbow. The young warrior standing in front of him also had a longbow.
.The six surrounding guards also have rare longbows in their hands.
Kukuna shouted eagerly.
"Commander of the Russian team! Look, that's the Mexican reconnaissance fleet!"
Osipai glanced at it and said casually.
"Mexican reconnaissance fleets come every day, only five or six at a time. Cucuna, as a warrior, you should learn to be calm and composed... don't speak, listen to me!"
The round-faced nobleman pondered, with a serious look on his face.
"Kukuna, I just had an idea. You have been stationed in the north for several months, and you have not disturbed each other with the Otomi people, so you have some tacit understanding. In this way, when you go on a mission to Otopan City, no matter whether it is food or copper,
Weapons and the kingdom can be promised to them. I just want the Otomi people to send troops quickly and attack the Mexica together with the kingdom! By the way, after the wooden fort on the north bank is recovered, they can also be returned to them, and the two countries will be able to control each other from now on.
The Man River is the boundary!”
Kukuna's face froze. He didn't care to talk about the long bow and said in surprise.
"Commander of the Russian delegation, how dare I give up the land on the north bank of the Leman River during negotiations without His Majesty's permission!"
Ospie shook his head, his tone was calm, with a touch of sarcasm.
"Cucuna, you have proven with your own record that the wooden fortress on the north bank cannot be defended. The kingdom's control there is just a waste of troops. What's more, the top priority now is to defeat the Mexica forward.
, to prevent the enemies from gathering in greater numbers! As for the promise made at this time, of course we have to wait until the war is over before deciding whether to honor it or not."
Kukuna thought about this proposal and felt that it was somewhat feasible. The regiment commander's willingness to send troops seemed to become more and more determined. He felt anxious, pointed at the Mexica boat in front of the water gate, and shouted loudly.
"Commander, look, that's the Mexica longbow!"
Ospai was slightly startled. He turned his head, glanced sharply, and carefully observed the Mexica boat. The round-faced nobleman's eyes passed over the young man looking at the bow of the boat, and stayed on the tall and calm vicissitudes of the warrior, and then continued
Look at the huge long bow behind him.
"Is there really such a big bow?! I don't know how powerful it is!"
According to the height of the warrior and the length of the boat, Ospai gestured with his fingers. Then he looked at the most conspicuous vicissitudes of warrior, his eyes gleaming.
"This warrior has a calm figure. He can stand motionless while standing on a rocking ship. He must be a warrior with strong martial arts skills! He is dressed in civilian clothes and has no family crest. He does not seem to be a noble. He can be surrendered. He has leather armor and a big bow. He is well-equipped and has a calm momentum.
, I guess he is a samurai battalion commander with civilian background!"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The round-faced noble showed warlike excitement. His majestic body suddenly stood up and strode away, leaving behind a majestic and casual command.
"Kukuna, guard the water gate. I'll be back as soon as I go! I haven't been in battle for several months. Today I have to stretch my muscles and catch this samurai back. I just want to ask what the situation is on the north bank and see what this longbow is.
What power!"
Bertard stood solemnly in the middle of the boat. He carefully guarded Lake Quetseo and the Leman River, and was wary of the Tarasco fleet that might appear in the distance. As long as the enemy's navy approached within two miles, he would
He returned with His Highness without hesitation.
Shulot looked at the top of the fortress. A round-faced warrior suddenly stood up, looked down for a moment, and then disappeared. The young commander didn't pay attention and continued to observe the water gate more than fifty meters away.
The water gate is quite large in shape, with a width of seven to eight meters and a height of about three to four meters. Below it is a water channel that is also seven or eight meters wide, allowing two three-meter-wide canoes to go out side by side. The water channel extends all the way, and it is not clear.
Wherever we reach the fortress, we don’t know how the internal defense is. This water gate is really a wide marching passage...
While Shulot was thinking, the sound of "creaking" wood was suddenly heard in his ears. The young commander was stunned. The water gate that had been closed all day suddenly opened in front of him! Hundreds of enemies rushed in on boats.
Out. The warriors of Taras waved their weapons and looked murderous.
The first dozen or so small boats came in like arrows and came into sight in the blink of an eye. They were fully loaded with two sailors and six warriors, and their shining bronze spears had been raised, ready to stab. Followed by two parallel large boats.
Each boat carried ten sailors and thirty warriors. One of the large boats was particularly gorgeous, with a high platform decorated with crocodile heads built on it. A majestic round-faced warrior was sitting on the top, pointing a spear flag in his hand.
His Royal Highness's boat ride.
Bertard was shocked. He reacted the fastest and pushed His Highness into the boat. He turned around and shouted urgently to the rowing guards.
