Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The sun sets and the moon rises, and in the blink of an eye, another two days have passed. The round moon ascends to the middle of the sky, its light falling like water. The northern high mountains, the fortresses on the mountains, the southern long river, the boats on the river... and the sprawling Mexica army camps in between, all lie silent under the moonlit night, temporarily hiding the cruel slaughter and bloodshed in peace.

As the night deepens, Xiulote sits cross-legged in the main tent of the camp. Beside him is the Guard Commander Ecatl, who is responsible for grinding ink, but Nashu is nowhere to be seen.

"Such a strange little vixen! Two months ago, she was flirting in every possible way, but these past two months, she's been all sneaky and elusive..."

Xiulote glanced at the loyal and steadfast Guard Commander by his side, feeling inexplicably a bit of complaint.

Three months ago, after that night of "painting the world," he and Nashu had several playful indulgences, finding some pleasure in it. However, lately, Nashu seemed strange, often claiming she didn't feel well and going to bed early at night. Xiulote was somewhat indulgent towards her, worried she might be ill, and thus allowed her. However, this meant that at night, instead of a graceful red-sleeved figure grinding the ink, it was a strong samurai.

The samurai stood guarding solemnly, silent and still. The blood at the entrance of the main tent had already been cleaned away. During this time, in order to command the legion nearby, Xiulote didn't continue to reside in the comfortable temple, but took rest in the camp. At this moment, the high bright moon cast its light through the top of the tent, while the flickering bonfire in the corner illuminated the map and letter in the King's hand.

"My exalted Wolf King, the Guajili Legion listens entirely to you! We are in the forest of the East, persuading surrender from the fleeing Tlaxcala Tribes. We have been drilling through the forest all day, though it's exhausting, we've already gathered ten thousand, transporting them to Water Valley City in the South..."

Xiulote glanced at Black Wolf's scrawled letter, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He reached out to unfold the latest Kingdom Documents while also reviewing the reports from the two southern counties.

By February, the agricultural settlement camp in Water Valley City to the south had transferred out another forty thousand able-bodied men, leaving it nearly empty. In the camps stretching over ten miles, only one thousand young Mistec captives remained. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of the Lake at the Long River's lower reaches, after "swallowing" two hundred twenty thousand young and strong members of various tribes in a year, was experiencing a grain shortage and a period of adjustment. Before the autumn harvest, the two southern counties could no longer accommodate more immigrants or agricultural slaves.

According to Xiulote's directive, the two southern counties are currently crafting a large number of bronze and iron farming tools to prepare ahead for the crucial spring plowing three months later. Large copper deposits also exist to the north of Zicao County, all part of the extensive Qinganbate copper belt. These dispersed copper mines, being developed by the veteran general Etalik, are undergoing small-scale extraction and smelting nearby. Even with the risk of technology diffusion, bronze blast furnaces are being promoted in the southern craftsmen's institutes to maximize production capacity.

As for the iron ore of Black Rock Mountain, iron production has started in the blast furnaces. The amount of iron produced is substantial, but the quality is low, mostly used for crafting farming tools. The iron tools produced in the first year will be prioritized for the Mexica and Prepetcha villages, which are the Kingdom's pillars. The expensive bronze tools, as per tradition, will be managed by the Priest of the Chief Divine and lent out to devout villagers. Manure collected in the villages will likewise be distributed by the Priest.

Under the Kingdom's governance system, the sincerity of one's faith will have tangible benefits and considerations, promoting the spread of faith as swiftly as possible!

Currently, the two southern counties of the Kingdom are striving to maintain stability and diligently cultivate lake fields, prioritizing agriculture above all. Only after an autumn harvest with basic yields can the tens of thousands of transferred captive immigrants feel a bit more at ease. The grain produced in the two southern counties, post-harvest, should achieve self-sufficiency. Expanding for two more years will certainly result in explosive growth.

The fertile Apa Plain, in the Kingdom's strategy, is a land blessed by heaven, a land of fish and rice. When the development of the two southern counties is sufficiently prosperous, it will steadily provide large quantities of grain! This also means the Kingdom Legion's field of operation can rely on the Tarsas River to sweep across a thousand miles, east to west and beyond, reaching even further!

Thinking of this, Xiulote stretched out his fingers, tracing the western part of the world map. At this moment, a small fleet of the Kingdom, by his command, should already be setting off from the Tarsas River estuary at the burgeoning Trout Town, heading for the northern coast.

This fleet is not large, consisting of about thirty catamaran canoes and over four hundred people, half samurai and half sailors. They will once again travel along the path of the Kingdom's first recorded expedition. Their tasks are twofold: to scout the details of the Northern Ticos tribes, presenting gemstone gifts to the local chief, then landing to explore and prepare for future conquests. Secondly, to make contact with the distant northern Yaolem group, known for producing gold and copper, and the Yoeme Tribe, known for producing coal and gold, conducting limited trade.

"The Kingdom does not lack gold or copper, but quality anthracite coal..."

Thinking of the various minerals around Lower California Bay, Xiulote's eyes sparkled, silently swallowing hard. The Kingdom's craftsmen, after a trial burn of samples brought back by the old militia, were astounded by the quality of this coal!

This quality anthracite coal has excellent heat output and lacks the sulfur issues found in the Celestial Empire's coal mines, making it an excellent fuel for iron smelting. Since Black Rock Mountain iron ore is also by the sea, transportation by water is conveniently accessible. It's just the distance...