As the sun dipped below the horizon and dusk approached, the hustle and bustle of the capital city gradually ceased, and a group of people set off on their way home. Along the journey, they were surrounded by Samurai, and passersby paid their respects, while Xiulote’s thoughts fluttered about.
The Craftsman district was located in the northeast of the capital city, crisscrossed by channels of water. In Mexica society, the status of craftsmen was actually higher than that of merchants and farmers. They stayed away from wars, lived relatively prosperous lives, and their community was filled with order. Feather craftsmen with exquisite skills would be sought after by all of the nobility and could even be exempt from paying tribute and performing corvée labor.
Xiulote walked alongside the babbling channels, the delicate shadows of wick grass and flowers swaying before his eyes, melodies from clay flutes and conch shells playing by his ears, and the scent of corn and black beans wafting into his nose.
A smile gradually appeared on the young man’s face.
"Samurai and craftsmen are the most solid foundation of the Empire’s pyramid, as well as the source of power for the war machine."
Soon, everyone returned to the High Priest’s Mansion. Xiulote went to bow and report to his grandfather.
In the great hall, the burning bonfire illuminated the surrounding murals, casting the vague and towering figures of the gods, with the Guardian God looking down upon the earth’s creatures from within the light. The High Priest Xutel, in casual attire, had already returned from the Temple. He dismissed everyone with authority and then smiled gently, patting the young man’s head.
"My child, you have been quite tired recently, it’s good to take some time to relax. The Church is on the right track. You can walk around and explore the capital city and its surroundings, or visit the nearby Divine Mountain and Holy Lake. But make sure you bring enough escorts!"
Afterward, the High Priest turned to Bertade, the weathered Head Warrior nodded. The High Priest continued with further instructions.
"With the will of God at its core, the basic legal framework has been established. The new laws will incorporate existing customary articles, and the specific details will be gradually filled in. After the New Year, laws suppressing the interests of merchants will be implemented first, followed by laws governing the behavior of commoners, and finally laws that restrict the powers of the nobility. The Divine Church’s laws are executed internally, nobles can suggest, but have no control."
Priests from villages throughout the Texcoco Lake District would come to the capital city after the New Year to understand the will of God. They would ’jointly manage’ the villages with the nobles. To ensure the cooperation and friendliness of the nobles, the Temple Guards were expanding and being assembled, and the Royal Family’s warriors would also gather after the New Year."
At this point, the High Priest smiled gently, viewing life with a calm indifference.
"My child, just like that interesting saying you mentioned before, ’kill the turkey to make the monkey listen.’ The Council of Twelve Priests had already selected a few high-ranking sacrifices from Tlacopan. Prince Totoquihuatzin understood and nodded in agreement."
These sacrifices had numerous allocated villages on the west bank of Lake Texcoco. They withheld Alliance tributes, disregarding the priests as irrelevant. Once the Noble Law is enacted, the Temple Guards would act under the guidance of the local priests."
"Child, your identity is special! Do not go to the villages of the Tlacopan City-State on the west bank before the weeds are rooted out."
Xiulote nodded calmly. He suddenly remembered Bravo, an intelligent middle-aged Priest he had met in the village of Tlacopan. The young man casually mentioned this to his grandfather, making a recommendation. The High Priest nodded slightly, simply making a note of the name.
"The compilation of religious texts is still ongoing, and the fundamental doctrines will take a long time to perfect. The ten commandments of King Mushi Law you mentioned last time are very good, they just need to be modified and supplemented. The Priesthood has decided to add these to the mythology as a covenant of the Guardian God’s promise to the Mexica, to be called ’The Twelve Teachings of the Lake Island.’"
At this point, the High Priest pondered for a moment. He recited in the ancient tone of a Priest.
"First, there is only one God, God is omnipotent. Second, all other gods are subordinate gods, later to become saints, gradually phasing out idols. Third, the name of God is supreme, not to be invoked in vain. To swear by God’s name, one must comply. Fourth, pray to God. Three rituals daily, one rest every ten days, a grand ritual. At least once in a lifetime, attend the Holy Temple."
"Fifth, honor your parents, obey the priests. Sixth, no killing, but sacrifices may be made for God, participating in wars for God. Seventh, no adultery, restrain desires. Eighth, no stealing, theft is a crime equal to cowardice. Ninth, no false witness, be honest and trustworthy, confess regularly. Tenth, do not covet others’, devote wholeheartedly to the deities."
Xiulote nodded, these were all things as they should be.
In Polytheism, gods are merely helpers to humans, beings with extraordinary powers worthy of reverence. Deities have concrete images, flaws, and desires. People can also ignore, fear, or hate the deities because essentially, humans and gods are considered equals. This is a personal freedom of belief.
In Monotheism, however, God becomes an ultimate authority. He lays down laws and morals, unquestionable, guiding people’s lives. People devotedly love Him, following His Church. This is an organized collective belief.
This is the essential difference between Polytheism and Monotheism. Polytheism is loose and free, while Monotheism is organized and structured, making a substantial difference in the fighting capabilities between the two types of churches and their followers.
In Monotheism, God is the highest authority, distant, sacred, and untouchable. Thus, no idols are established, elevating the one God to the highest conceptual deity. And the Priesthood, as the only link between God and man, naturally becomes a clerical class authorized by the deity, taking hold of supreme church authority and vast interests, forming a powerful organization!