"Balsas Rivermouth, three to four hundred li by sea route..."
Xiulote’s expression changed. Zicao County in the south was by the Balsas River, and about two hundred li southward was the rivermouth. This route was unexpectedly suitable! It was more convenient and easier than the southwest mountain road, and it spared the need to pacify Chapala compared to the northwest waterway... The King slowly nodded, his decision sealing the merchant’s fate.
"Merchant, what is your name?"
"Ah, Your Majesty, my Mexica name is Telali, ’earth’s soil’... I hail from the Tlapanec tribe of Xiwatelan, my father is the chieftain of a village on the plains, and I am the second son of my family..."
Hearing the King inquire, Telali breathed a sigh of relief, a dead man’s name is of no concern. He confessed everything earnestly.
"Telali, I offer you a chance to serve the great Alliance, the sacred Royal Family."
The King spoke indifferently. Telali’s eyes suddenly shone. The Tarasco Kingdom had perished, and the old backers had dramatically fallen. A merchant couldn’t exist without powerful backers, and serving the King of the Alliance directly was a dream for an ordinary merchant like him. His only worry was being utterly consumed... No, in the current situation, he had already been caught in the maws of a fierce beast.
"Ah, Your Majesty! Witnessed by the Chief Divine, I am willing to serve you unto death!"
Telali called out forcefully, even squeezing out tears in his eyes.
Xiulote remained unmoved. The merchant’s vows meant nothing; only interests and threats could truly be controlled. He looked towards the Scout Captain escorting the merchant.
"What about his companions?"
The Scout Captain paused, bowing respectfully as he replied.
"Your Highness, they have all been sent to the Divine Kingdom, as is customary."
"Hm, then return his and his companions’ belongings to him."
"By your command, Your Highness!"
Xiulote turned to Telali. Hearing the Scout Captain’s words, the merchant showed no sadness on his face, instead, a hint of joy peeked through, just as he had previously done in Ihuatzio City.
"Hm, very well, this one is a born guide. Colima, Tlapanec... there might even be unexpected gains."
Xiulote pondered calmly, then commanded in a deep voice.
"Telali, I will return all your belongings to you, and even add a hundred jin of bronze material!"
"Ah, this, thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty! I will surely serve you..."
Telali’s eyes flickered, hastily prostrating in gratitude.
"I have an order for yo u!"
The King cut off the merchant’s words, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.
"You are to take the water route to the west, to the Colima Mountain Region, and trade with the local Noble Chiefs. I will send a few Mexica Samurai to accompany you! Regarding the waterway markers and tribal conditions along the route, you must not conceal anything!"
"Ah, Your Majesty, this, this..."
Telali’s face showed fear. This kind of reconnaissance mission, if caught by any power, meant certain death.
"If you complete this task, you will be able to establish yourself in the Alliance, become one of the merchants sanctioned by the Royal Family, able to legally trade some of the Alliance-controlled goods. Even, in the near future, with the support of the Alliance, you might have the chance to return to your hometown and become a titled Noble Chief with real authority!"
Telali’s heartbeat sped up instantly. Then, the cold, commanding voice came from above once more.
"If you cannot complete this task... even if you flee to the ends of the earth, the Alliance’s Scout Team will deliver you to the place you ought to go!"
"Ah, Your Majesty! I am willing to serve you unto death!"
Xiulote nodded, the other finally making the expected choice. He left his final words and then turned and left.
"Ezpan, the rest is up to you!"
"I follow your will, my supreme Sun!"
Ezpan bowed respectfully, keeping his head low until the King disappeared from sight. Only then did he raise his head, looking towards Telali, who wore an expression of fear. The pace of the eras marched relentlessly forward; everyone had to make choices, including himself.