Chapter 1369: Chapter 1369
"Praise the Chief Divine! Your Majesty, this is... um... a letter that Priest Tomate asked me to... deliver to you! Actually, Puap, though sometimes a bit foolish and deceived by the cunning bald fox... he is loyal to the Kingdom and willing to risk his life to fight for you!..."
Everyone in the grand hall drank and talked freely, gradually getting somewhat drunk. After Priest Mekate finished recounting the fleet’s encounters in the Maya, Old Militia Chiwaco licked his lips, judging the timing to be about right. He took out a crumpled leather scroll from his chest, nervously handing it to Xiulote, with a smile on his aged face, speaking good words for Puap who stayed in Cuba.
"The Chief Divine protects! Praise Your Majesty, salute the King of Divine Revelation! The fleet has found the prophesied rich iron ore belt and established Iron Bay Town. As for the conversion and control of the various Taíno divisions in Cuba, Captain Chiwaco and I have come up with some plans... In short, the Kingdom will establish itself in Cuba through four identities: protector of the Taíno people, organizer of maritime trade, arbitrator for the various Taíno divisions, and spreader of the Chief Divine’s light, gradually establishing actual governance!"
Xiulote unfolded the parchment and upon seeing this narrative, his eyes immediately brightened. In fact, this kind of governance approach is not limited to Cuba Island; it also has many reference points for future governance in the Maya Lands!
"Your Majesty, the arrangements for Cuba are roughly as such... As for Captain Grey Dust Puap... he led the charge against the Maya military formations with archery, then killed Prince Xi Wu... Although he was incited by Tikalo and acted impulsively, his courage in battle makes him the foremost among the fleet’s warriors!... The Kingdom’s Warriors hold him in great respect and conviction... He has realized his mistake and is willing to station on Cuba Snake Island to guard the frontier against the invasion of white-skinned demons for the Kingdom... I plead Your Majesty to give him a chance to redeem his crimes by meritorious deeds!..."
The parchment letter is not long, soaked by waves and heavy rain, the handwriting not clear, with some traces of blood from the aftermath of fighting even smudging it. Xiulote read Priest Tomate’s letter carefully, then looked at the bloodstain on the edge of the parchment, contemplating silently.
"Grey Dust Puap... the Xiu Family of Maya... the Kokom Family of Tikalo... Hmm..."
As a King, Xiulote’s view on this matter differs from the fleet members’. The so-called powerful chieftainship of the Maya Xiu Clan is, in his eyes, just an ordinary enemy destined to be conquered!
The faith of the King concerns people’s hearts and cannot be easily violated. For Tikalo, he has always made real promises! He will not abandon Tikalo and previously made promises due to the slight strength of the Xiu Family, nor would he establish friendly relations with them.
In fact, Xiulote has long-term plans for the conquest and governance of Maya, and the most crucial part of it is to establish local vassals who convert to the Chief Divine, rely on the Alliance and the Kingdom, and intermarry with the Mexican Royal Family!
Such vassals should be like the Mayapan Royalty, having divine blood and titles recognized by the Mayans, to reduce resistance from the Maya Tribes. However, these vassals must never be like those powerful local nobles, really having the potential to consolidate the Maya Tribes!... Thus, under such puppet vassal governance, merging bloodlines of the Mexican Royal Family and Maya Divine Descendant through marriage, while using religion and epic narratives to assimilate the Maya tribes on one hand, and using military force to eradicate other Maya Divine Descendants on the other, spending several generations... thoroughly integrating the Maya Tribes into the various fiefs of the Mexican cultural sphere!
Therefore, the stronger the Xiu Family is, the less likely they are to be selected by the Kingdom! And such a conflict is merely an early rehearsal. Grey Dust Puap’s mistake is not as significant as imagined by others...
"If punishing one could deter the armies, let it be done; if rewarding one could bring joy to the masses, let it be done... Grey Dust Puap, impulsive and aggressive, if he returns to the Kingdom and his fault becomes known among the legion... he should naturally be punished, flogged, stripped of his rank, exiled, or even executed... addressed severely to intimidate all military forces!..."
"But since he stays in Cuba, it’s considered exile in people’s minds. The fault does not appear, instead evoking sympathy... The Kingdom’s Warriors in Cuba respect and trust him... For the sake of Cuba’s morale, let’s align with what the people think, give a little reprimand, and let him be!"
With a moment of contemplation, Xiulote made a decision. He glanced at Chiwaco, who looked nervous, and then at Mekate, who respectfully lowered his head, smiled slightly, and calmly ordered.
"I am aware of Grey Dust Puap’s mistake! Although he acted impulsively and killed Prince Xi Wu, in the battle, decisions need to be made instantaneously, it’s difficult to be thorough... Moreover, he participated in the fleet’s voyage, facing difficulties courageously, and has also achieved a lot... Hence, let him guard Cuba for ten years, defending against the white-skinned demons, to atone for the Kingdom with merits!"
"...guard Cuba for ten years..."
Upon hearing such a Royal Decree, Old Militia Chiwaco opened his mouth, unsure whether to feel fortunate or sorrowful for Puap. But considering Old Pu’s carefree nature, serving in Cuba for ten years, he might have many children by then, nothing much to be sad about... Thinking of this, Old Militia Chiwaco promptly bowed his head and kneeled in gratitude to His Majesty.
"Praise the Chief Divine! Praise Your Majesty!... On behalf of Puap, I thank you for your mercy!..."
"Haha! Chiwaco, you are not at fault. Rise up! Come, drink another cup with me!..."
The moon ascended to the mid-sky, its gentle light shining through the open rooftop, easing and soothing everyone. They drank and laughed, cup after cup.
Old Militia Chiwaco settled an old concern, gaining a new worry, and drank carefree. Having been a militia with little opportunity to drink when young, he never developed a high tolerance for alcohol. Quickly, he fell drunk on the seat, alternating between crying and laughing, calling for his daughter and then his son.
"Luwei! Father can’t come back, I won’t see you!... Chipawa! If I had known, I would have left some clothes for you to bury in the grave!... This sightless... wow!... um..."
Priest Mekate swiftly covered Chiwaco’s mouth.
"Your Majesty, Captain Chi has had too much to drink, allow me to escort him back to rest!..."
"No worries! Ecatl, arrange for two trusted aides to let him sleep in the side room over there. Haha! Mekate, come! Tonight, let’s drink a few more cups together in joy!..."
"...Yes, Your Majesty!"
"As commanded, Family Head!"
Ecatl promptly stood up to make arrangements. Soon, only Xiulote and Mekate were left in the grand hall. Xiulote, feeling joyous at heart, drank quite a bit, also feeling a bit tipsy. However, Mekate, appearing to have drunk quite a lot, had actually been controlling his intake, keeping himself sober. He glanced at the empty grand hall, pondered for a moment, and then solemnly kneeled on the ground, bowed deeply to Xiulote, performing a formal salute.
"Your Majesty! I have some experiences from this voyage... wishing to report to you privately!"
"Hmm? Report privately?"
Xiulote was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood. He nodded slightly, smiled, and said. The rıghtful source is novel·fıre·net
"Very well! Mekate, do you have any private requests? For this successful expedition, should you wish to pursue any position, speak to me directly!..."
"Ahem! With the Chief Divine as my witness! Your Majesty, I have three matters to report... two of which relate to Captain Chiwaco... and the last may be... concerning you. I plead for your pardon!..."