"Respected Legion Commander Espai, now is indeed a good opportunity for the Naval Forces to make a move. However, the legion’s mobilization is insufficient, and the southern camp was just lured into an ambush by the Mexica people, losing seven hundred Samurais and three thousand Militia... I’m afraid it would be difficult to deploy a large army to move north."
General Kukuna slightly bowed his head in salute to the round-faced nobility. He was respectful in demeanor, not very tall, dressed quite plainly, with a notably hooked nose, or what the Prepetcha people would call a "turkey nose."
Yes, in the Prepetcha language, the word "Kukuna" means turkey, just as "Espai" means crocodile. In this era, the names of nobility often came from animals, ancestors, myths, or spirits, and they often carried corresponding responsibilities. The name "Espai" signifies the legacy of the Naval Forces, while "Kukuna" clearly represents only the commander of Militia or lower-ranking Samurais.
It’s worth noting that in the Nava language, a turkey is called "Keke Lou," very similar to "Kukuna" in the Prepetcha language. This similarity in pronunciation proves that the Mexica and the Prepetcha people actually have very similar ancestral origins, likely both from migratory Canine Descendants from the far northwest.
Meanwhile, in the Yucatan Maya language, a turkey is called "Wulum" or "Das," completely different from that among the Mexica groups.
Hearing General Kukuna’s words, the round-faced nobility glared at him discontentedly and reprimanded loudly.
"The nobility of the southern fortresses are nothing but land turtles inept at field battles. They only dare hide behind the camp, letting the fierce Mexica people rampage, looting the citizens of the kingdom! The Rivermouth fortress controlled by my Naval Forces should possess the courage of a crocodile to attack ferociously!"
"Kukuna, it is exactly your lack of courage in battle that caused you to lose the Wooden Fort on the North Coast so quickly, without even setting fire to burn down the fort, easily giving the Mexica people a foothold! Fortunately, you still have three hundred Samurais and a thousand Militia and a chance to make amends."
Hearing the rebuke from Legion Commander Espai, Kukuna bowed his head, silent.
"I have gathered twenty thousand Militia sailors, three thousand elite Samurais, and another two thousand from the southern fortresses, ready to raid the three Wooden Forts on the North Coast at any moment. And just as the Capital City army of King Su’angua arrives, or support from the Chapala Lake Region, we can cross the river northward, completely driving the Mexica people out of the north!"
Hearing this, Kukuna turned pale with shock. He finally advised.
"Respected Legion Commander Espai, His Majesty gave you three thousand Samurais and tens of thousands of Militia to firmly hold the Rivermouth fortress. This place controls the pathway to Cuitzeo Lake and also protects the hinterland of the kingdom along the lake; it must not be lost!"
"The Mexica people are always good at fighting, with strong and elite infantry. Now, they have acquired a kind of powerful Greatbow that can kill a Samurai from over a hundred meters away. The quick fall of the Wooden Forts on the North Coast is precisely because of these Greatbows!"
The round-faced nobility initially looked disdainful, but upon hearing this, he became intrigued instead.
"Kukuna, I’ve heard similar accounts from returning Samurais but didn’t believe them. Now you’re saying the same... the Mexica people really have a kind of Greatbow that can shoot from a hundred meters away and penetrate Leather Armor? What does it look like?"
Kukuna tried to recall, haltingly describing.
"A very large, long bow, like a curved wooden stick, probably two meters long, drawn to about one meter... When the Greatbow shoots, the arrows fly like meteors, fast as lightning, unstoppable... Legion Commander Espai, with these Longbows in defense, the three Wooden Forts on the North Coast, though low, are absolutely not something that twenty or thirty thousand men can conquer!"
Legion Commander Espai shook his head with a light laugh, picked up the tequila rice wine from the cotton blanket, and drank it down. He did not pay heed to Kukuna’s absurd words, treating them just as a loser’s excuse.
Filled with concern, Kukuna looked around hesitantly, his gaze suddenly drawn by five or six small boats on the river. He watched as these boats approached closer and closer, until they were only about fifty meters from the western water gate. Several Samurais on the boats, risking being shot by arrows, were inspecting the details of the fortress.
Upon closer observation, General Kukuna’s attention was captured by the leading tall Samurai. The Samurai stood solemnly with an imposing demeanor, a Greatbow of the Mexica people right behind him, and the young Samurai standing before him also had a Greatbow. The six surrounding guards each had the rarely seen Greatbows in hand as well.
Kukuna urgently shouted.
"Legion Commander Espai! Look, that’s the Mexica people’s scouting fleet!"
Legion Commander Espai glanced briefly, nonchalantly responded.
"The Mexica people’s scouting fleet comes here every day, only five or six boats each time. Kukuna, as a Samurai, you should learn to stay calm... don’t speak, listen to me!"
The round-faced nobility mused, his face showing a trace of seriousness.
"Kukuna, I just had an idea. You’ve been stationed in the north for several months, without conflict with the Otomi people, creating a sort of tacit understanding. So, you go on a mission to Otapan City, offering them food or bronze weapons from the kingdom. I only need the Otomi people to quickly send troops, joining the kingdom in a pincer attack against the Mexica people! Once we recover the Wooden Forts on the North Coast, we can also return them, with both nations henceforth bound by the Lerma River!"
Kukuna’s face stiffened, disregarding the matter of the Greatbows, he exclaimed in surprise.
"Legion Commander Espai, without the King’s permission, how dare I negotiate giving up the land on the north of the Lerma River!"