Chapter 1368: Chapter 1368
"France’s strong ambition towards Italy will continuously trigger wars in Europe! The ambitions of the French kings are not merely a few Northern Italian City-States, but the entire peninsula!... Therefore, the Italian Wars initiated by the French King Charles VIII will eventually draw all surrounding nations into it..."
"And after the passing of Charles VIII, the claims on Milan and Naples inherited by King Louis XII not only won’t end the Italian wars but will instead expand them! However, King Ferdinand II of Aragon also has claims on the Kingdom of Naples, and his irreconcilable conflicts with the two French kings must be resolved by forcing one side to abandon their claims!..."
"Therefore, the Italian war between France and the Kingdom of Aragon is inevitable! This will also drag the Kingdom of Castile into the quagmire of war! And this prolonged war will surpass everyone’s expectations and last for over half a century! The death of each French king will only be a temporary truce..."
The night was deep, and the open roof revealed a starry sky. Xiulote, sipping fruit wine, fell into a long contemplation. Seeing the engrossed Majesty, the other three did not disturb. Priest Mekate and Guard Commander Ecatl were sipping wine and conversing softly, while the old militia man Chiwaco kept drinking "Blind Majesty’s Sweet Wine," gazing at the stars in a daze.
"Under the protection of the Chief Divine! The nearby Italian war between France and Spain... is precisely the reason why the Kingdom of Spain’s official comprehensive colonization and invasion of the Americas will be postponed for more than half a century!"
Xiulote pursed his lips, savoring the sweet taste of golden pineapple wine. The European situation pondered in his mind would not seem unusual if it were any European noble’s idea.
But if any European noble learned that this was the thought of a heathen king from far across the sea, it would truly be chilling, even provoking shouts of ’demon’!"
"The first half of the twenty-year-long Italian War between France and Spain will end temporarily with Louis XII admitting defeat and abandoning the claim on the Kingdom of Naples. The primary reason for France’s defeat wasn’t that the army couldn’t fight, but rather the massive fiscal deficit left them no money to continue fighting!..."
"And when the French Kingdom has accumulated enough money, they will resume the war. The second act features the Knight King François, a more tenacious French king. He will repeatedly fight against Spain, throwing himself into the conflict, even neglecting his son! He will actively send fleets to the Americas and Asia, searching everywhere for heathen allies!..."
"Witnessed by the Chief Divine! The French Kingdom has no money to war with the Spaniards, but the Mexica Alliance certainly does! If only they could connect with the French and establish mutual trust... and the French stance towards heathens is indeed more pragmatic and flexible..."
Xiulote raised his head again, also looking at the vast starry sky. A confident smile appeared on his face, a confidence granted by knowledge beyond the times.
The upcoming Italian War will only be the first opportunity to weaken the Spaniards. Similar opportunities are almost innumerable in the original history. Because France and Spain are riven with numerous conflicts over territorial disputes, political economy, and attitudes toward the Holy See!
In the next two to three centuries, the number of wars between France and Spain, killing more Spanish armies, will likely exceed the total combined by other nations against Spain! And these conflicts are all opportunities to weaken Spanish sea power!
"A land power-centric France, even if it overwhelms Spain, won’t pose a significant threat to the Central American Empire. Because as a strong land power, the French Kingdom has virtually endless enemies on land and must focus on the continent! Even a powerful French Empire won’t fanatically colonize the New Continent of the Americas with national effort, like the sea power of the Spanish Empire does!..."
The night wind blew by, the stars above seemed to blink. Xiulote stared at the night sky, slowly lowering his eyes, returning from long thoughts and future diplomatic strategies. He looked again at the three people in front of the table, smiling and raising his glass.
"Praise the Chief Divine! Bless the Kingdom!"
"Praise the Chief Divine! Praise Your Majesty! Bless the Kingdom!..."
Although the others didn’t understand, seeing the smile on the king’s face, they also raised their glasses in celebration. After drinking this glass of fruit wine, Xiulote again looked at Priest Mekate, asking sternly.
"Mekate, I remember in the previous report, you mentioned... the conflict and clash between the fleet and the Maya army? You also killed a certain Prince Xi Wu? What’s the detail of the situation?..."
Hearing this question, the old militia Chiwaco first stiffened. He reached into his bosom, feeling the touch of the leather scroll, slightly relieved, and pursed his lips.
Priest Mekate pondered for a moment, without looking at Chiwaco, he truthfully reported back to the king.
"Respected Your Majesty! It is ... The Maya Lands, once the mighty Mayapan Kingdom, has fragmented into many clan territories... Among them is a powerful inland clan located around the former capital city of the Mayapan Kingdom, called ’Xiu’! The Xiu Family controls this land... and between the Xiu Family and the remnants of the Mayan Royalty, namely the Kokom Family, there exists an unresolvable blood feud!..."
Priest Mekate narrated fluently, recounting the explorations that had transpired, detailing everything factually to the King. He neither exaggerated nor showed partiality, merely describing the events, their course, and outcomes, leaving everything for Your Majesty to judge...
"Hmm? The plot of Mayan merchant Tikalo? He is a descendant of the Kokom Family, intentionally instigating animosity between the fleet and the Xiu Family?! And this round of slaughter was all provoked by him!..."
"Oh! He is also the uncle of the Kokom Clan Leader? As an apology, he has had the Kokom Clan Leader convert to the Chief Divine and handed over sea charts to Cuba and Chibcha... Also sent two children of the Mayapan Royalty as hostages to the kingdom? Hmm... Where is he! Go summon him over!"
"What! The Totonac people of Hidden Serpent City ambushed the fleet and captured Mayan merchant Tikalo, rendering his fate unknown!..."
Listening to this, Xiulote gradually furrowed his brows, even abruptly standing up! He first gritted his teeth, his heart aflame with anger, yet unsure where to vent. Then, he recalled that long-headed Mayan merchant, an old cunning acquaintance he had known since childhood, his anger turned a circle and was gradually suppressed.
"Damn! This dim-witted fool who thinks he’s smart! I promised him that I would support him to become the ruler of city-states in the Maya Lands! Yet he refuses to trust my promise, instead exhausting his mind, doing such self-destructive deeds!... Damn! If he were in front of me, I’d definitely cover his face with pineapples again and give him fifty lashes!"
Xiulote’s face was as cold as frost as he angrily cursed a few lines. Though filled with fury, his tone severe, he did not mention the word "kill." Subsequently, he recalled the road to Cuba had yet another obstacle, furrowed his brows slightly, and cursed again angrily.
"Damn! If the Xiu Family obediently stayed in the jungle, I wouldn’t bother with them! But if they dare to obstruct the kingdom’s route... then the kingdom may have to, like the Toltecs five hundred years ago, wage war on the Mayans once more!"
"As for the Totonac warriors of Hidden Serpent City... they are but dried bones in the grave! My Black Wolf will go forth for me and pounce them down! And this route to Cuba, the kingdom must open it up!... Anyone who dares block it will be destroyed by the kingdom’s legions!"
Having spoken, Xiulote lifted his ceramic cup, downing it in one gulp. That broken rainforest terrain of the Maya jungle, shattered clan chieftain kingdoms, and the ancient, enduring cultural traditions of the Maya tribes, each tribe venerating the divine bloodline’s rigid order... make conquest and ruling by external forces extremely arduous! Historically, the Maya tribes resisted the Spaniards for hundreds of years, hiding deep within the jungle...
However, though conquering the Maya Lands is difficult, defeating the Mayan armies, causing a clan to decline, or allowing another to rise... is not challenging for the militarily strong kingdom!
"The Maya Lands, the Xiu Family obstructing the kingdom, the Kokom Family converting to the Chief Divine... Tikalo, oh Tikalo! Such an elaborate schemer you are! Truly sacrificing for the family’s sake!"
Thinking of this, Xiulote shook his head with emotion. He carefully weighed the gains and losses, thought about the Kokom Family, and the value they held as the former Mayapan Royalty, then solemnly spoke.
"Select an escort... hmm... and also a few tutors to take care of those two Maya children, teach them the Mexica Language!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novｅlfire.net
"Hmm... as for the arrangements for these two children... maintain a low profile for now..."
Xiulote nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and only then, amidst Priest Mekate’s surprised and confused gaze, calmly made a decision.
"May the Chief Divine bless! When the long Eastern expedition ends... I will bring these two children, return to the capital of the alliance, Tloquiditlan!... Regarding their presence, the respected Avit the God King will surely be very pleased!"