"Ezpan, you know my ambition... As a loyal Legion Commander of the Alliance, accepting bribes is permissible, but do not get too close to the former nobility of Tarasco... Your future is destined for great purposes!"
"Ah, Your Highness! I... I will go back now, return the nobility’s wealth, and dismiss the beauties from the south..."
"Very good! You need to have this understanding, but do not take action."
Xiulote watched for a moment and commanded in a faint tone.
Since taking control of the Lake Capital City, the former nobility of Tarasco had shown their most pliable posture, making efforts to forge ties with the upper echelons of the Kingdom and seeking opportunities for integration into the ruling class. Among them, the southern nobility, who retained their lands and wealth, were the most generous and proactive.
As a Surrendered General from Tarasco, and commanding a heavy troop, Ezpan naturally became a prime target for the southern nobility’s active courtship. Luxurious clothes, precious gems, spices, and beauties, they spared no effort to cater to his tastes. All of this was observed by the Kingdom’s intelligence officers, and some secretive information came from purposefully guided confessions by priests.
Though Ezpan had shown no signs of disloyalty, the King still felt the need to offer a slight admonition. This was a form of immediate reprimand and also long-term care, and an intelligent person, with just a little contemplation, could understand the implication.
The King gave a mild smile. He stepped forward, grasped the other’s hair, and his tone became slightly gentler.
"Ezpan, my loyal guard, you are a smart man, keep a watchful eye on the surrendered generals under you! As for the old nobility of the south... do not startle the snake."
"Your Highness, I will follow your command!"
Under the calm gaze of the King, Ezpan walked backwards for several steps before turning to leave. The sun had risen to the middle of the sky, his body drenched in sweat, but his heart felt like a heavy stone had been lifted.
"The newborn sun has risen to the middle of the sky, its light ever more brilliant, yet burning intensely!"
Ezpan looked up at the sky, heaved a sigh, then continued with his head bowed, going back to the busy coke refining site. The second batch of coke was being urgently refined.
The golden October passed in harvest, and the tranquil November arrived in sunshine. The tribute of the autumn harvest had just been collected, usually starting to be transported in mid-November. This year’s harvest was good, allowing the Kingdom’s farmers to finally take a breather. They enjoyed the hard-won peace, the safety free from wars, and the satisfaction brought by plentiful food.
In the leisurely times, religious ceremonies became the most important solace. Prayers and chants echoed continuously around the Lake Region, and the faith in the Chief Divine began to take root.
In the Qinganbate mining area, the flag of the Black Wolf still flew high. The samurai, craftsmen, miners, and food supplies supported by the Capital City had arrived, and the expansion of the mining area immediately began. A full two thousand elite members of the personal army were stationed in the main copper mining area, including five hundred clad in bronze medium armor, capable of suppressing any uprisings of fewer than ten thousand people. A large number of scouts were also deployed, monitoring the movements of troops within fifty miles.
There was a minor incident as well. At the edge of the copper mining area, scattered scout teams captured several snooping Tlapanec traders.
Usually, foreign traders caught in such a place, with unknown origins, would be treated as spies and executed on the spot. However, the leading trader shouted loudly, claiming he had seen His Majesty! After some discussion, the scouts spared his life for the moment and escorted him to the center of the mining area to see the exalted King.
"You say you’ve seen me?"
Xiulote looked expressionless, observing the pale-faced, slightly plump trader. He faintly felt the man looked familiar but could not remember him at once.
"Ah, yes, Your Highness... no, Your Majesty!"
The plump trader, looking nervous and sweaty, glanced fearfully at the guard Ezpan beside him, raised his left hand with only three fingers remaining, and responded carefully.
"Over half a year ago, in the eastern Ihuatzio City... I reported to you about the Mexica reinforcements!"
Xiulote then recalled. He glanced at Ezpan, who nodded affirmatively.
"Your Highness, this trader is quite cunning..."
Xiulote looked expressionless, coldly watching the trader on the ground.
"The Kingdom has already issued an order, banning Tlapanec traders. Your presence here, who assigned you?"
As the King spoke, Ezpan drew out his obsidian short dagger and forcefully pinned the trader to the ground, then grabbed his right hand.
"Ah, ah! Your Majesty, I was not assigned by any power... ah, don’t cut, don’t cut! I confess! The Kingdom banned copper mining trade, I came to the mining area to see if I could get some copper ore through old channels to sell to the west!"
Xiulote waved his hand, and Ezpan stopped his actions. The sharp edge of the obsidian blade was already pressing on the trader’s little finger, a faint line of blood seeping out from the tip, accompanied by the trader’s terrified low moans.
"The west? You mean the Colima Mountain Region?"
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty! The Colima tribes are close to the Tlapanec tribes, and there are often trade interactions between the tribes... I once sailed in a small boat to the western side of the Colima Mountain Region..."
"Hmm?...Colima...a small boat?"
Xiulote asked with a touch of emotion, authoritatively.
"Trader, have you sailed on the western Great Lake?"
"Yes, Your Majesty... I set out from Xiwatelan, traveling along the lakeshore toward the northwest. After passing the mouth of the Balsas River, continue for another three to four hundred miles, and there lies the Colima Mountain Region."