"Your Highness, if you take an interest in any merchandise, you may simply request it directly from the foreign merchants. Acting overtly might let the news leak and damage your reputation. After all, you are destined to inherit leadership of the Alliance! Ordinary members of the Great Nobility cannot compare with you."
Xiulote was slightly startled. His thoughts whirled, considering the implications—were the Great Nobility intercepting foreign merchants? He looked towards the Inspector Judge, who bowed his head in acknowledgment but said nothing further.
Xiulote pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded to the Inspector Judge. With the latter’s respectful send-off, he left the Capital City’s grand market. As he walked, he considered what he had seen and remembered past discussions, forming ideas that flickered through his mind and turned into solid suggestions.
By the time he reached the Priestly Temple, it was noon. The Elder Priests, having aged, were somewhat fatigued after discussing and setting religious laws all morning. Now, they were snacking and sipping on cocoa and light wine, chatting about the daily trivialities of life in the Capital City.
An Elder Priest from the Capital City indulgently smoked a divine herb, the air filled with the relaxing scent of tobacco and spices. The other Capital City Elders were accustomed to this, but the Holy City Elders slightly frowned. Xiulote looked at his grandfather. Recognizing a trace of hidden dissatisfaction on his face and recalling his teachings from the Holy City, Xiulote felt certain.
Upon seeing Xiulote, the Elders all smiled and greeted him, and Xiulote, smiling, bowed his head in return, creating a warm atmosphere.
He then moved to sit next to his grandfather. His grandfather stroked the young man’s head and smiled faintly. Next to him, separated by a distance, was Acap, who smiled and nodded at the young man, strategically positioned between the Priest Elders of both the Capital and Holy Cities.
Xiulote first questioned his grandfather.
"Esteemed High Priest, how did this morning’s discussion on religious laws progress?"
"My child, this morning, everyone discussed the daily conduct norms for the Royal Family, Nobility, Samurai, and common folk—regulating which behaviors are to be encouraged, which are to be left unchecked, and which are strictly forbidden.
Your last suggestion was excellent. To conserve life and wealth, a strict prohibition on high-stake gambling will be enacted for everyone below the Great Nobility. Samurai and commoners are not allowed to participate in any gambling or games involving life, except for duels witnessed by the Chief Divine."
Xutel smiled and nodded, his gaze gentle upon the youth.
"My child, do you have any suggestions you’d like to convey?"
Xiulote thought for a moment, bowed solemnly to his grandfather. This gesture caught the attention of the other Elders, who all watched intently. Xutel also straightened up, responding with solemnity.
Xiulote then slowly began:
"Esteemed High Priest, I propose a reform of trade laws.
Firstly, unification of market regulations. Establish written trade laws, appoint Referee Judges knowledgeable in these laws to mediate trade disputes.
Secondly, management of currency and measurements. Integrate the existing cocoa, cotton cloth, and gold and silver, establishing proper exchange rates, and appoint managers for currency exchange. Aim to standardize units of length, weight, and volume.
Thirdly, management of market prices. Establish benchmark price signs in the market, marked with pictures and text, assign personnel daily to explain these to farmers and commoners, providing basic price references for goods. Keep abreast of merchants’ pricing, and control it when necessary!
Fourth, strategic resource control. Officially manage the outflow of salt, cotton cloth, and armaments, stockpile copper and tin used in Bronze weaponry, and leather for Leather Armor. Deploy a significant workforce to oversee the market, and when necessary, enforce compulsory acquisition of essential materials!
Fifth, control of luxury goods. Purify customs, prohibit commonfolk and ordinary Samurai from spending wealth on expensive luxuries. Increase trade taxes, not restricting the use of luxuries by the Nnobility and Priests, but tax luxury goods.
Sixth, control of divine herbs. While helpful in treating diseases, they can also be addictive and rob vitality. Samurai and Priests must adhere strictly to discipline and avoid divine herbs unless absolutely necessary.
Seventh, management of foreign merchants. Pursue foreign spies, prevent merchants from approaching military sites. Abolish the autonomy granted to foreign merchant groups, demanding they supply the Alliance with needed strategic resources. Ensure their safety in Mexica’s City-States, deploying military forces when necessary to combat ’bandits’ along their routes!"
Having stated his seven proposals, Xiulote bowed deeply in solemn reverence. The room fell silent, the Elders’ faces solemn, their expressions stunned.
Majestically seated at the head, High Priest Xutel watched the youth before him, his expression grave and thoughtful, his demeanor calm and reflective. At last, he offered an almost imperceptible smile.