Deep into April, the orioles sang over thousands of miles, and young green plants grew on the boundless fields, while bright blossoms bloomed over the plains of the lake regions. Returning travelers, upon seeing such picturesque spring landscapes, would forget the troubled times they lived in.
After the first rain fell, the pink cherry blossoms in the gentle river towns cracked a smile, welcoming the return of the victorious King. Plumes of black smoke rose from the military and civilian settlements during the slash-and-burn, and the songs of busyness rang loudly over the newly cultivated fields. The season for spring plowing had arrived, and the entire Kingdom of the Lake bustled with life amid the hardship.
Xiulote led the Imperial Guard Legion from the mouth of the Tarsas River northwards, stopping first in Kulamo City for a day. He instructed the veteran, Etalik, to focus manpower and resources and prioritize the development of the Rivermouth Black Rock Mountain iron mine. Then, he slightly detoured, stopping for a day at the Qinganbate mining area, where he summoned Necali, the Director of Mining and Metallurgy, to deploy skilled miners and craftsmen to assist with the mining and smelting of the Rivermouth iron ore.
Finally, the southern part of the Kingdom calmed down, with both the Prepetcha farmers integrated into the civilian settlements and the Tekos Tribe members integrated into the banner troops bustling for the busy spring plowing. This was the foremost event of the year, determining the subsistence of the coming year.
Ezpan dispatched an envoy to report back that thousands of southwestern tribes from the Coahuilco mountain region poured out, surrendering to the Royal Army on the Apa Plain. Having consumed their seed grain, they had no choice but to submit to the Kingdom if they wished to avoid starvation and be integrated into the banner troop villages.
It took Xiulote a month’s time to return to the Qinchongcan Capital from Rivermouth, seven hundred miles away. His first meeting was with Chief Minister Jatili, where amidst the astonishment and admiration of the Sage, he recounted the situation of the southern campaign and entrusted him with the Kingdom’s administration, because he was soon to embark on a journey to marry in the Lake Capital City of Tenochtitlan.
By the end of April, the King issued military orders to the various legions of the Kingdom. The First Spear Legion was to garrison in Rivermouth County, the Jingji Legion in the Capital Region, the Second Spear Legion in Apa County, and the Zicao Legion in Zicao County. The Guajili Legion was to return north to Rivermouth County to rest and be ready for another call to arms. The Imperial Guard Legion would accompany the King to the Alliance in early June.
After arranging everything, Xiulote finally settled his heart and began to prepare the gifts to take to the Alliance.
"The most precious gifts, the grandest celebration, the most unforgettable surprise for Alisa!..."
On the way back to the Capital City, he had pondered long, already forming a rough plan in his mind.
"First, the gifts for the Alliance, 20 boxes of jadeite, 20 boxes of obsidian, 20 boxes of bronze ware, 20 boxes of gold, 20 boxes of silver, 20 boxes of gemstones... Hmm, this time I won’t use Prepetcha gemstones, but traditional gemstones exchanged for Prepetcha gemstones."
In Central American culture, 20 is a auspicious number, corresponding to the days in a month of the Sun Calendar and symbolizing a sacred assembly. Meanwhile, 18 is the number of months in the Sun Calendar, symbolizing different aspects of divinity.
"Next, the noble gifts for the Royal Family, 18 pieces of purple clay pottery, 18 pieces of agarwood furniture, 18 boxes of fine cotton clothing, 18 boxes of feathered garments, 18 bundles of herbs and spices... every cherished luxury counted!"
Xiulote picked up his pen and ticked off items from the Kingdom’s inventory extensively, ensuring they were both precious and plentiful.
"Then, the tributes for the King, 365 sets of bronze-clad cloth armor, 365 bronze Qin swords, 500 longbows..."
Again, the annual number of days, 365, is also considered auspicious. Then, Xiulote paused for a moment, blinked, hesitated thinking of his grandfather’s hint, and still, he wrote it down.
"Add 36 Tiger Squat Cannons, 4 Divine Eagle Cannons!"
The Cannon Casting Bureau could cast 1 Divine Eagle Cannon and 10 Tiger Squat Cannons per month. With the stockpile of Tiger Squat Cannons increased by sixty to seventy during the half-year of the King’s southern campaign, parting with 36 was not too painful. What truly pained Xiulote was the Divine Eagle Cannons, as the successful casting rate of these 2-pound cannons was notoriously low.
"Finally, the gifts for Alisa! First, a travel album I personally painted recounting the sights from the Kingdom’s north to south; over a hundred varieties of exotic flowers and plants, collected from the northern wilderness and southern mountain regions; a fist-sized top-grade fire opal with sunset-like flames inside, a tribute from the Noble Chief of Colima. Ah, the Colima Mountain Region has always been one of the world’s most renowned places for precious opal production."
Opal is a vibrant gemstone, formed from solidified molten silica, akin to amber in some respects, but with even more stringent conditions for formation. Before its discovery in Australia, the world’s rarest opal sources were in the southwestern mountain regions of the Kingdom.
"...plus a 60-carat pigeon-blood ruby, from the Mistec traders; a pair of crystalline Jade bracelets, contributions from the Mayan merchants... Haha, girls should like these sparkling jewels. Oh yes, and two uniquely unparalleled surprises of the new era!"
Thinking of a girl as airy as a cloud, Xiulote wore a genuine smile. These gifts would be priceless in future ages, but for the King of the Kingdom of the Lake, they weren’t considered particularly precious. What the King truly cared about were two new era surprises that required his personal involvement in their creation. After marking for a while, he set down his pen and paper and, accompanied by a few trusted aides, headed towards the Divinity University.
The Divinity University, located in the palace district of the Capital City, was transformed from a Tarasco Noble’s mansion and wasn’t far from the Palace of Wind. The Priest University had been established alongside the Kingdom of the Lake three years prior. By now, the first batch of rapidly trained Preaching Priests had graduated and were deployed to various villages and communities. The subsequent two batches of students were required to study for over three years and were distributed among different priestly branches.
Compared to when it was first established, the size of the university had expanded significantly. Each year, the number of students enrolled was around two hundred. These people came from a wide range of sources: forty percent were progeny of various levels of nobility and priests, thirty percent from samurai families, twenty percent were merchants and commoners, and ten percent were descendants of noble chiefs from the Otomi states. Now, at the King’s request, descendants of noble chiefs from the Tekos tribes also came to receive education from the kingdom.
In the eyes of the citizens of the capital city, this Divine Might University was truly a heavenly path. By entering the university, it meant one had the status of a reserve priest and thus leaped into the ruling class’s reserves.
The King came to the Divine Might University with a simple entourage consisting of several Imperial Guards. The university’s Vice Chancellor, Third Level High Priest Bravo, had been waiting for a long time.
"Chief Divine bless! Divine Revelation Supreme High Priest, the highest of all priests, King, Bravo greets you!"
Bravo’s demeanor was serious, and he reverently bowed. His personality was not naturally so solemn, but currently, in the critical position of Vice Chancellor of the Divine Might University, he was envied and scrutinized by many high-level priests and had to be cautiously prudent and self-disciplined.
"Chief Divine bless! High Priest Bravo, are the Divine Revelation priests and senior craftsmen all ready?"
"They are ready, Supreme High Priest. The two experimental sites are right over there."
Bravo nodded with a smile and pointed towards the vast grounds behind the university.
"According to your earlier instructions, the priests and craftsmen have been busy for half a month. Both experimental sites, the materials and specimens are all fully prepared."
The King took a brief look and nodded with a smile.
"Gather the students of the Divine Revelation Institute; I want to conduct a public experiment and talk to them about the Principles of Nature of the Chief Divine. Students from other institutes can also listen in."
"By your decree, Supreme High Priest."
Bravo bowed deeply, immediately directing several apprentice priests that followed to pass on the message.
The Divine Might University unitedly trained apprentice priests for the kingdom, following the hierarchical system of the priesthood in the kingdom: the Scriptural Institute, which studied astronomy, doctrine, scriptures, and ceremonies; the Court of History Institute, learning myths, epics, history, and literature; the Preaching Institute, studying administration, preaching, confession, and rites; the War Institute, learning about herbs, medicine, combat, and sacrifice; and the Divine Revelation Institute, studying equipment, construction, mysterious reactions, and the Principles of Nature.
Being simplistically understood as a theology college, a humanities-historical college, an administrative college, a military college, and a science and engineering college. And the subjects that were offered to all institutes were literacy, basic doctrines, and practical mathematics.
As the apprentice priests spread the word, all of Divine Might University began to bustle. Students gathered from all parts of the university, eager to see the revered figure of the Priest King and to hear the teachings of Divine Revelation. If they could leave some impression before the throne, that would be best of all.
The Tekos girl, Yilian, flickered her eyes and ran swiftly, accompanied by two escorts. She wore her hair in a ponytail and was dressed in a white apprentice’s robe, holding a Book of Ama Colley in her hands.
Yilian had just joined the university, entering the most mysterious Divine Revelation Institute. As the daughter of a Great Chief of Tekos, the other few institutes held little meaning for her. Only the strange creations of the Divine Revelation Institute were truly intriguing and possessed endless might.
"And, the lessons are personally taught only by the Great Chief God of Death in the Divine Revelation Institute!"
Yilian smiled brilliantly, showing a spirit like that of a mother leopard.
"I must master the most powerful mystical force in the Northern Kingdom!"
With that thought, the Tekos girl quickened her pace towards the mysterious site in the campus. Over the past half month, the site had often witnessed loud sounds, brilliant lights, and flying oddities. Guards patrolled closely around the area, prohibiting any close inspection. For her, the secrets within scratched at her heart like a cat’s claws, both curious and awestruck.