October brought the harvest completion, and the Kingdom swiftly marshaled its forces. Qinchongcan City was buzzing with tumult as the horns of war sounded.
The Guajili Legion marched southward from Rivermouth County, covering a hundred miles each day, and reached the military camps outside the Capital City in just two days. The Jingji Legion had 20,000 troops moving southward, stationed to the south of Ihuatzio City. The Jingji Legion under Olosh was ready and could strike at any moment. Within the King’s Imperial Guard Legion, an Artillery Camp had been formally incorporated, which currently comprised five hundred gunners, ten Divine Eagle Cannons, and thirty Tiger Squat Cannons. The necessary gunpowder and projectiles were being urgently supplied and would soon be replenished.
As the early sun rose, smoke from cooking fires wafted through the air. The prayer to the Chief Divine resounded in the Capital City, as though the Divine Kingdom had descended to the mortal realm. This was morning prayer, held before the start of breakfast. The sound of prayer, like a grand symphony, drifted into the Palace of Wind, reaching Xiulote’s ears and lifting his spirits with a smile.
"Praise the Chief Divine! After years of hardship, the faith in the Chief Divine has finally stabilized in the Capital City."
Following this, the King continued to look down, studying the sandy terrain map in front of him. Although roughly crafted, the map of the southern territory of the Kingdom was very intuitive. The map marked towns, villages, and convenient roads, including those in Zicao County and the southwestern mountain areas.
Around the sand map, three Legion Commanders were gathered: Bertade, Olosh, and Toltec. Meanwhile, Ezpan from the Second Spear Legion had been constantly stationed at the southernmost part of Jingji, ever vigilant toward the nobles of the south. The group had been discussing through the night and were now somewhat exhausted. Servant girls then brought sour-sweet honey floral tea and sticky purple figs as refreshments to alleviate fatigue.
At that moment, a trusted aide came from outside the great hall and reported with a bow.
"Your Majesty, the Chief Minister, Sage Jatili, requests an audience!"
Hearing this, Xiulote was a bit surprised. He glanced at the sky; the sun had just risen, so why so early?
"Quickly, invite the Sage into the hall!"
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The trusted aide was about to leave when the King changed his mind.
"No, I shall personally greet him at the hall’s entrance!"
Having been on a northern campaign for two years, the prosperity and harmony of the Capital City, the Lake Region, and the entire Kingdom, were all thanks to the governance of Sage Jatili and the Preaching Priesthood. In other words, the Preaching Priesthood was effectively managing the Kingdom as "Civil Officials," and the Chief Minister was essentially the Kingdom’s "Prime Minister." Although their power had been significantly diminished in the Kingdom’s military system, their roles were irreplaceable.
After all, Xiulote couldn’t expect the military nobles to manage the whole country well. Neither did he wish to entrust the state governance to military commanders.
Outside the great hall, Jatili appeared stern, holding the Sage’s staff and draped in the robe of the Chief Priest. His meticulous and ethereal demeanor commanded immediate respect. Upon seeing the King approaching briskly, he solemnly bowed in salutation.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"
"Respected Sage, the day has just dawned, and here you are."
Xiulote said warmly, smiling.
"I have yet to break my fast; why not join me for breakfast in the palace?"
"Your Majesty, I request a private audience with you!"
"Ah! A private audience?"
Xiulote was somewhat surprised. He pondered briefly, guessing the other’s intent, and found it somewhat troublesome. In the entire Kingdom, probably only Chief Jatili and the Preaching Priesthood were cautious about the war.
On one hand, many elites from Prepetcha had joined the Kingdom’s Preaching Priesthood, maintaining connections with nobles across the south, and their resolution in dealing with the south was not firm. On the other hand, launching a war would consume substantial financial and material resources, leading to further strengthening of the military nobles’ power. A war within the Kingdom would also severely reduce trade taxes. Many foreign merchants in the Capital City had already sensed the impending conflict and left the Kingdom early. All of this was detrimental to the governance by "Civil Officials"...
"Indeed. I request a private audience with you!"
Jatili waited a moment, then knelt on the ground, making his request once more.
"Very well, as the Sage wishes!"
Xiulote quickly stepped forward to help the Chief Minister to his feet. Then, as he led the Sage into the hall, he instructed.
"Olosh, Toltec, you may return to the legion to prepare. Bertade, you stand guard outside the hall!"
The Head Warrior hesitated, glancing at the stern-faced Sage, then headed outside. The two other Legion Commanders also took their leave. The surrounding trusted aides dispersed, and soon only two were left in the great hall.
Jatili knelt on a hide mat, giving the occasion a solemn air. Xiulote also felt compelled to kneel opposite him.
After a few moments, the Sage calmly inquired.
"Your Majesty, do you intend to lead the army southward?"
The King responded frankly.
"What is your intent?"
"To rectify the south."
"The south is part of the Kingdom. Why must you mobilize such a large army and even summon the fierce Canine Descendants Legion?"
Xiulote replied gravely.
"This is a matter of great military and state importance; it cannot be avoided."
"Your Majesty, please heed my words: You are acting too hastily."
Jatili bowed and spoke earnestly.
"The Kingdom has just begun to stabilize after the northern campaign, which was a massive drain. Accommodating the Canine Descendants, rewarding military achievements, the treasury is already depleted. You have also formed new legions and produced new weapons... with a population of 700,000 supporting a standing army of 30,000, the treasury is entirely reliant on trade. And yet, merchants from every country come from the south; worried about the conflict, they have started to leave the kingdom, and trade tax revenues have plummeted..."
"... The southern nobles have become fearful; they are now conscripting samurai and able-bodied men, hoarding grain and fortifying strongholds. They had no intention of rebelling, so why force them into war? If the war drags on and delays next year’s spring plowing... I fear the foundations of the Kingdom may be shaken, and collapse could be imminent!..."