Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

He established a strict military merit system, dividing priests into five levels and samurai into four, ascending in rank until eventually being promoted to military merit nobility. Each level had strict dress codes, social status, and land rights. Even the wealthiest commoners were not permitted to wear clothing that exceeded their status.

Xiulote felt that this resembled Duke Zhou's ritual and music system and was somewhat similar to the military merit ennoblement system of the Qin Dynasty.

Similarly, Trakel Er decreed that all boys of fifteen must undergo five years of compulsory military education, with the goal of training as many of them as possible into samurai and war priests. The remaining craftsmen, merchants, and peasants were at the bottom of society. For commoners, the only way to rise in society was to participate in war, obtain military merit, and capture prisoners.

Therefore, every Mexica person Xiulote met hoped their children would become samurai; it was a society with a national army.

After Trakel Er's social reforms, the Mexica nobility and succession to the throne were also determined by military merit, which was completely different from Duke Zhou's system of primogeniture. It infused a core of iron and blood but made the transfer of Mexica power even more brutal and bloody.

If the nobility's legitimate son could not demonstrate bravery on the battlefield, his right to inherit would be given to a brave illegitimate son. Likewise, every king initiated a "coronation war" to prove his war prowess. In the same vein, Tizoc would immediately lose favor with the people if he failed in war, and his kingship would become unstable. In contrast, the kingship Aweit gained through war was widely recognized by the samurai and nobility.

As Xiulote sorted through these deeds of Duke Zhou, he was actually organizing the foundations of the prosperity of the Aztec Empire.

Economically, they built canals and floating fields to complete the core agricultural area and increase the population.

Culturally, they confirmed the divine favor of their ethnic group, established national self-confidence, and united beliefs.

Religiously, they carried out religious reforms, providing internal motivation for war and national expansion.

Socially, they clarified the class system, established a militarized society, and promoted social advancement.

It was clear at a glance; this was a complete, well-adapted national system, all established by one person. To create such an undertaking required natural talent, a transmigrator, or someone who lived a long time.

It was only due to Trakel Er's reforms of the Mexica that their civilization gained the necessary conditions to become a powerful one. Had there been no outside interference, the unification of Central America was destined to be under the Aztec Empire!

Then, this civilization's system would further mature, and new ideas would emerge from internal conflicts. The nation would be rebuilt on a new economic foundation, akin to the reforms of the Warring States period and the Qin and Han dynasties.

Accompanying the change in thought was the advancement in technology, first entering a complete Bronze Age, then the difficult transition into the Iron Age. With the aid of metal tools, they would develop sailing technology, transforming the Caribbean Sea into a lake, and then expanding into North and South America. They would encounter the Inca and gain light transport llamas, domesticate the field-tilling bison of North America, until the ethnic group spanned the whole of America.

Xiulote shook his head, snapping out of his far-reaching thoughts. The news that Trakel Er was still alive truly shook him, as if he had seen a mythological figure step out of the pages of a book.

Lacking a response, the young Ahuehuete behind him continued to chirp discontentedly, a call that it was hungry.

Aweit stood up, looking at the peering young golden eagle with amusement.

He said with a faint smile, "What's this? A white turkey?"

"It's a three-month-old golden eagle. Found in the Divine Tree of Ahuehuete in the forest," Xiulote said, as he took out a prepared tender piece of meat and fed it to the young Ahuehuete, then pulled out a Tarasco-style clay gourd and carefully fed water to its beak. The little eagle obediently avoided shaking its head around.

"Oh, so it's a golden eagle. Eagles are the favorites of samurai," Aweit said, coming closer, trying to touch the young Ahuehuete. But the little eagle resisted by turning its head away and kept pecking at his hand with its soft beak.

"This little fellow… Golden eagles are indeed fierce by nature, and rare too," Aweit chuckled. "I recall that in the Capital City, there is an old samurai skilled in training buzzards. When we return to the Capital City, summon him to train it."

Xiulote nodded. Eagles indeed required specialized trainers to tame them for use in hunting. If the eagle was smart enough and trained for long enough, it could even recognize certain special things, such as large-scale armies or... ships at sea.

"Aweit, what should we do now? Could the immortal Trakel Er be harmful to you?" Xiulote asked with some concern.

"I have already sent Gillim to consult with our ancestors. For now, we'll station our troops here and wait for a reply, probably receiving an answer in ten days. Since the Capital has not cut off our supply of food and fodder, it seems there are no major issues," Aweit replied with a faint smile, some worry showing, but more a confidence of having the situation under control.

"The coronation war of Tizoc failed, and then I defeated and replaced him, all within the succession rules set by our ancestors. Besides, Tizoc is dead, and who else but me can truly take over the Alliance's kingship now? Could it rely on my older brother's seven-year-old son, Montezuma II?"

Hearing the name Montezuma II, Xiulote was briefly distracted. His thoughts surged, and he paused slightly in his actions.