Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

In the storm, Bertade stood silently. He calmly waited for a long time as the heavy rain soaked both of their clothes. It wasn't until nightfall that the Head Warrior, looking at the Samurai's resolute expression, finally opened his mouth with reluctance.

"Fine!"

As darkness fell, a bonfire was lit inside the Commander's wooden hut. By the flickering firelight, Xiulote crossed his legs and sat opposite his father, engaging in an earnest conversation.

"Father, have your injuries healed?"

Xiuxoke smiled and nodded, patting his chest.

"They've been healed for a while now. I am ready to charge into battle and fight for half a day at any moment. Over the past six months, hearing that you encountered danger in the Capital City several times, I often thought of going there to find you. But your grandfather wouldn't allow it. He wanted me to take control of the Brigade and make any necessary preparations..."

Xiuxoke briefly touched on the subject without going into details about the preparations. Then, looking at the handsome and resolute young man, he smiled contentedly and patted his son on the shoulder.

"I heard that you have done many great things, and I was somewhat skeptical at first. But seeing you today and observing your behavior, I truly believe it. Within these past six months, you really have grown a lot! You are now capable of commanding a large army, facing the slaughter of blood and fire... The heavy responsibility and future of our family now rest on your shoulders!"

On the final note, Xiuxoke felt a wave of emotion, inexplicably. He was very pleased to see his son's rapid growth, but always couldn't help wondering if he was getting old.

Xiulote listened quietly, a genuine smile on his face. After a long pause, he spoke softly.

"Father, I don't have experience in commanding large-scale battles. For this western expedition, I am planning to appoint you as the Marshal of the Northern Route Army, to exert control over the divisions and handle the specifics of military affairs."

Xiuxoke was taken aback. Stirred slightly, he thought for a moment but then shook his head firmly.

"Xiulote, I will definitely assist you in this western expedition. Being the Marshal would help to establish prestige and win the hearts of the troops. Still, it is better for you to take up this position yourself! I can act as the Deputy Marshal, if the expedition is successful, the honor will be yours, and if, by any chance, we fail, I will bear the responsibility... My son, my future is already set, but yours has limitless possibilities!"

Hearing his father's sincere words, the young man fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Having established the hierarchy of command, the two of them discussed the specifics of military deployment and the arrangement of the various camps.

After adjustments, the trusted central army was positioned in the main fortress. The central army consisted of four thousand Holy City Warriors, two thousand Temple Guards, as well as the Longbow trusted aide camp and the Jaguar Warrior Brigade, totaling about seven thousand men. Next, both the left and right armies were comprised of three thousand Royal Family's direct Samurai and an additional thousand Longbow Warriors, led respectively by Balda and Tepopolo, stationed in the left and right fortresses. The rear army consisted of three thousand City-State Warriors from the west, spread out in outer camps, also responsible for surveillance patrols. As for logistics and provisions, the majority were stored in the main fortress, with each smaller fortress only distributing a month's worth of supplies.

Xiulote pulled out a wooden map, bringing up the latest military information.

"Father, I plan to bypass the fortress defense line along the southern shore. I've learned from captives of the previous ambush that the southern fortresses have been well-established over the years; their defenses are strong, terrain complicated, and they support each other. Stone Forts and Wooden Forts house local Nobility and Militia."

"Determined to protect their property, their will to fight is very strong; they even took the initiative to fight once, driving off raiding Samurai squads. Now, they have chosen to defend their positions and are mobilizing able-bodied men into the city. To break through so many fortresses one by one is unwise, and we do not have the manpower."

Xiuxoke looked at the pattern on the map, mentally constructing the situation in the southern front. After a while, he nodded in agreement.

"So, you are preparing to head south from Lake Cuitzeo? Then the Rivermouth Fortress in the south will be the biggest obstacle to your journey south."

Xiulote smiled confidently.

"Indeed, I already have a general plan for the siege. According to the latest intelligence, the main force of the Tarasco Naval Forces has moved downstream to the west, going to meet reinforcements from the Chapala Lake Region. This round trip will span hundreds, even thousands of miles, plus troop assembly, and there will be nearly a month's time when the Rivermouth Fortress will be in a relatively weakened state."

At that point, Xiulote hesitated a bit.

"Father, our reinforcements have already arrived, and we temporarily have the advantage in numbers. I am now hesitant over whether to seize this opportunity to send troops southward and quickly take the Rivermouth Fortress by storm. If we can capture the Rivermouth Fortress before the autumn harvest mobilization, the situation will turn sharply, and the path ahead will suddenly become wide open!"

Xiuxoke looked surprised, incredulously staring at the young man.

"How can such a solid fortress be breached by an army in a month? How confident are you?"

Xiulote smiled, answering cautiously.

"I invented a new type of weapon, very powerful... About a fifty percent chance, if the enemy is unprepared, that it can blast open wooden doors and allow the samurai to pour in!"

Xiuxoke thought for a while. He then examined the map and the troop deployments in detail and asked,

"Xiulote, have you ever actually used this weapon in previous wars?"

Xiulote fell silent momentarily, then shook his head.

Xiuxoke understood. He patted his son on the shoulder again, advising him,

"My son, in real warfare, a commander must always consider the worst case scenario and leave room for all possibilities. Various unexpected coincidences always happen, and they often bring about the worst results. When you have an advantage, you should further expand your advantage, suppressing the enemy from the front. Taking a risky gamble usually is only the last resort when at a disadvantage and desperate."

"Venturing south with our main force before dealing with the Tarasco fleet, getting involved in an uncertain siege, is a reckless choice. Once the enemy forces converge and reinforcements arrive, and the naval forces threaten the rear, the army might face destruction."

Hearing his father's teachings, Xiulote thought for a moment and nodded.

"A truly skilled great general always plans before a battle, not seeking an epic victory of coming back from the brink of death. They always manage the situation, defeating an enemy already destined to lose with a position ensured to win."

At those words, Xiuxoke savored the moment and then laughed in approval.

"Where did my son hear such profound principles of commanding troops? Indeed, those are brilliant words."

After that, Xiuxoke continued pointing at the map, gesturing towards the north,

"Xiulote, the first priority of the army is to manage the situation and take the initiative. Your original plan was actually quite good. Seizing the opportunity while the Tarasco fleet is absent, we must first remove the unstable elements behind us, dragging the Otomi into the water! Once the army heads south, we can't leave our weak rear to the untrustworthy Otomi."

Xiulote nodded in agreement, smiling slightly.

"Father, great minds think alike! Our forces finally have the advantage. As soon as the heavy rains let up, I'll lead troops north, forcing the Otomi to make a choice, to fight alongside us against the Tarascans!"

Xiuxoke nodded with a smile. Then, remembering his own experiences and that critical strike during the battle of the two kings, he reminded his son with a serious expression,

"Xiulote, if the Otomi agree to send troops, just to be safe, don't integrate their forces with the Northern Route Army!"

Xiulote was slightly startled and asked,

"What does Father think we should do?"

Xiuxoke moved his finger forward, pointing to the west side of the Lerma River, to the Sakapu State of Tarasco,

"Right here. If the Otomi sincerely cooperate with the Alliance, they're also unlikely to go to the southern defenses and bang their heads against a rock, losing precious warriors. Sakapu State is directly across from the Otomi Guamare State, situated between the Chapala Lake Region and the southern defense line. There shouldn't be many Tarasco defending forces here, and the towns are also rather prosperous. Deploying a contingent here would not only draw troops from the southern line but also attract the attention of Chapala reinforcements."

Looking at the map, Xiulote's eyes lit up,

"Excellent! The Tarasco's Otomi mercenaries come from here. In the southern forests, there are small Otomi tribes as well, which have ties to the Otomi in the north. Emphasizing an attack here as a condition for negotiations makes it easier for the Otomi to agree!"

With that, the two men looked at each other and laughed heartily, in full agreement.

The campfire flickered, and a warm breeze brought relaxation to the body and mind. Father and son conversed long into the night, with many old memories surfacing. Unbeknownst to them, outside, the first light of dawn was already breaking.

Early the next day, a team of envoys hastened from the main fortress, bringing the Commander-in-Chief's latest demands to the Capital City in the north.

The rain continued, and another week passed in the blink of an eye. The Otomi, at last, sent an envoy in response. The parties agreed that their leaders would meet in person, formally setting negotiations in the woods between the Capital City of Otapan and the north coast's Wooden Fort.