Chapter 1363: Chapter 1363

"Chiwaco, are you sure that this cassava can produce over 500 pounds per mu after six months of planting?!"

"Uh... Your Majesty... not six months, it’s not a crop, it’s um... a little tree! You have to let it grow for about ten months first, until the small tree forms, then it will develop full roots! Then, when you see its roots shining, hard and white when cut open... that’s when they’re fully grown! When you want to eat it, dig it up as you go... you can’t store it! It’ll rot in a few days if you leave it..."

In the tropical seaside of November, it’s still warm and hot. The temperature is around twenty degrees Celsius, with six or seven days of rain each month, lying between tropical rainforest climate and tropical monsoon climate, it’s a very pleasant season.

And on the lush seaside plains, the ancient Golden Bay City stands quietly, with no more bloodshed and warfare in sight. All over the city-state are patrolling Samurai holding spears, Priests coming and going, and Craftsmen making equipment. Their movements are centered around the Chief Divine’s Temple in the city. Inside the temple, behind the newly sculpted idol of the Chief Divine, remnants of the Feathered Serpent murals can still be faintly seen, yet to be completely covered by the Chief Divine’s murals.

Outside the ancient city-state are neatly reclaimed farmlands. The mounds of cornstalks, the pumpkin vines not yet cleared, are the traces of an abundant October harvest. In the villages of the garrison, the Camp Commanders of the Kingdom, along with the Totonac people’s Assistant Priests, cooperated in leading the fieldwork. They swung wooden sticks, blew Bone Whistles, urging tens of thousands of Totonac Tribespeople to plant a season of fertile beans on the harvested fields.

Both inside and outside the city, this vibrant scene signifies that the various Tribes around Golden Bay City have emerged from two years of continuous conflict. Now, centered around Golden Bay City, the four hundred miles of conquered Seaside Lands have been reintegrated under the Kingdom’s banner, forming the early shape of a Seaside Tribal Alliance. The overseer of the entire Seaside Alliance is within the vast City Lord’s Mansion, once the Divine Descendant’s Palace of Golden Bay City.

At this moment, Xiulote is in the backyard of the City Lord’s Mansion. He is dressed in work-friendly shorts, squatting in the newly reclaimed cassava field in the backyard. Beside him, also squatting by the field, is the old militia Chiwaco in similar attire.

"Your Majesty! The more than 500 pounds are the estimate of the Tomato Priest, which means an acre of cassava yields as much as three to four acres of flatland. Actually, this Taino people’s cassava has never been harvested all at once... As I said, it can’t be stored! It spoils a few days after harvesting, so just let it grow in the field, dig and eat as needed. It can keep growing for many years, as long as you don’t dig up all its roots!"

The old militia Chiwaco pointed at the cassava, smiling, spitting as he spoke, splashing Xiulote’s face. But Xiulote didn’t mind. He just concentrated on looking at the thick, short cassava stems thrust into the mounds of earth, observing the new shoots they sprouted, filled with excitement and joy.

"Bless the Chief Divine! I didn’t expect that in this era, cassava yields could already be so high! And such a high-yield crop could be planted throughout the entire Kingdom of the Lake and the Mexica Alliance’s territories, feeding millions of villagers!... Haha! Praise the Chief Divine!"

Xiulote’s eyes were bright, contemplating for a moment, he asked again.

"Chiwaco, I remember you said cassava’s skin is poisonous and needs to be soaked in water to detoxify before eating?"

"Yes! That’s right! Your Majesty, I only mentioned it once, and you remembered it, such a good... um...!"

The old militia Chiwaco paused, his eyes flickered, quickly changing the subject.

"Oh! The cassava skin is poisonous, there’s also some in the stems, can’t be eaten directly. People, birds, beasts, insects, if they eat it directly, they’ll die... That’s what’s great about it! No fear of pests or wild animals, because insects and birds and beasts don’t dare to eat it..."

"... So, after digging up the mature cassava roots, you must peel them, then cut them into pieces. Then throw the cut pieces into water, and soak them overnight! After that, you must boil them, cook the cassava pieces until soft... then they’re safe to eat! It’s fragrant, sticky, oh! Much better than pumpkins and beans!"

The old militia licked his dry lips, full of a simple and unpretentious longing in his eyes. And Xiulote squatted beside him, showing the same desire on his face. The two squatted side by side, dreaming together for a while, until a bright figure approached, holding two water jars, walking lightly.

"Your Highness, it’s very sunny, have some water!"

The Snake Woman Miyava smiled sweetly, bowing to the King. She was draped in a loose-fitting white robe, yet it still couldn’t hide the obvious bulge of her belly. And looking at her gentle smile now, exuding a maternal glow, she seemed like a completely different person.

"Hmm? Miyava, why are you here? Didn’t I tell you to rest in the palace?" Follow current novᴇls on NoveIＦire.net

Xiulote frowned, becoming stern. Calculating the time, Miyava was already five months pregnant. However, she had been practicing dance and martial arts since childhood, with excellent physical flexibility and health, showing no severe pregnancy symptoms. And she, taking advantage of the affection given during pregnancy, often clung to Xiulote, occasionally teasing him subtly, even sneaking a playful bite like a snake, much to Xiulote’s frustration, but leaving him somewhat helpless.

"Yes, Your Highness, I’ve already rested. I saw how much you valued this field, maybe I can help in some way..."

The Snake Woman Miyava gently opened her red lips, blinking her eyes. She handed the king a ceramic jar of water, then with a smile, handed one to Chiwaco. The old militia shivered, took the jar, only dared to take a sip, then stopped.

"Oh Chief Divine! Such blindness... the water is sweet!"

"Never mind! Since you’re here, let’s listen together! This field grows Cuba’s cassava, the entire Totonaq Coast is the ideal place for it. And one acre of cassava can feed as many people as three to four acres of cropland, without needing complex field management..."

With that, Xiulote pondered for a moment, solemnly instructing to Miyava.

"With the Chief Divine’s witness! Miyava, in the years to come, your most important task is to plant cassava, promote cassava, expand the cassava planting area! This is extremely important, even more so than conquering the inland tribes! I entrust it to you, you must do it well... do you understand?"

"Uh?... Your Highness... you’re asking me... to farm?"

The Snake Woman Miyava stood stunned for a moment, with watery eyes showing a bit of grievance, even tearing up. But Xiulote knew she was pretending, so he pinched the woman’s cheeks with strength, in her charming gaze, issued a stern order.

"Miyava, food is the foundation of all tribes, and also the reliance of the Seaside Alliance to unite hearts, establish permanent and semi-permanent corps, to conquer and expand everywhere! Before I leave the Seaside, I will personally hand this power to you, just like I’ve given it to your Assistant Priests in the garrison!"

"And after I leave, you will be one of the three leaders of the Seaside Alliance, in charge of civil affairs. Don’t think about the Warrior Corps, and don’t think about the Priests’ Congregation! Your power belongs only to the Tribal Militia! In fact, this power is much larger than you think, do you understand?!"