Chapter 90 Admonition and Holy Water

The wind and the moon are only short-lived harbors, and the life of a warrior is always about iron fire and fighting, and as a ruler, strategy and reform are also added.

Xiulot quietly accompanied Alyssa for two hours, feeling the inner peace and joy. Then a messenger came in a hurry and asked him to attend an important meeting. He waved goodbye to the princess and went to the solemn hall. This time, with a serious face and steady steps, he was able to observe the characteristics of Montezuma Palace.

The Montezuma Palace does not occupy a large area, and the furnishings are quite simple and atmospheric. The palaces along the way are decorated with black stripes, red roofs, and thick stone tools, similar to the style of the Qin and Han Dynasties. From this we can also see the personal characteristics of Montezuma I.

When they arrived at the main hall, all the generals sat around, with a blazing fire pit in the middle and open air vents all around. Candles were also not widely available due to lack of oil. The bonfire outlined a large number of shadows, freezing the solemn expressions of the warriors.

Seeing Shulot who rushed over, all the generals smiled heartily. Avit, who was the chairman, beckoned and asked Shulot to sit under him. He performed a solemn etiquette and formally sat in the second seat. This gathering of teenagers and girls virtually clarified Shulot's identity, and from then on he was the official heir of the Avette military and political group.

Shulot saw Akap again. He set off from Teotihuacan, and actually arrived two days earlier, waiting in the capital ahead of time. Acap first smiled at Shulot, and then solemnly bowed to Avit to report.

"The high priest has sent a messenger to the elder. Once the situation changes, he himself will come from the capital at any time. The same is true for the Teotihuacan legion. The high priest judges that this time the enthronement ceremony will not produce anything Big problem. The High Priest will also take the initiative to seek reconciliation with the King."

Avette nodded, Kechar's performance today also proved this point.

Gilliam then saluted and said: "Since the elder is interfering in politics again, it is not suitable to do anything to Kechar now. According to the elder's current physical condition, this interference in politics will not last long, and it will take a long time later. The current first The first priority is to send envoys to request the city-states and forces to send representatives to pay tribute and participate in the enthronement ceremony."

Next, Gilliam and Avit discussed the specific list of city-states and tributes. Aka pulled Shulot, and he leaned closer to listen to his grandfather's private message.

"Sholot, the High Priest is not worried about King Avit, but he is very worried about you." Akap's expression was a bit serious.

Shulot listened attentively.

"The high priest asked me to tell you the following words. He said that the elder's thoughts have never been predictable, but his will almost never changes, and his emotional indifference is almost non-existent. The only thing that can be sure is that his decision-making is affirmative. It starts from the overall situation of the league, and is biased towards the Tenochtitlan family. What can move him is only the overall situation of the league, the future of his life's career!"

Having said that, Akap looked around, obviously what he said next made him a little uneasy.

"In the eyes of the elders, the gods are the supreme tool!"

After saying this blasphemous sentence, Akap silently prayed for the forgiveness of the gods. He was surprised to find that Shulot's expression remained unchanged.

"The most important thing to watch out for in the capital is the chief priest, Kechar. The high priest knows Kechar very well. He is a master of pharmacy, and he was an outstanding warrior when he was young. He once used a dagger soaked in snake venom to kill a rival city-state. Elder. The scepter he carries all year round can actually be disassembled, and the outside is inlaid with copper blocks, which can be used for hitting. The inside is used by the southern jungle tribes. It is a hollow weapon that can blow out wooden thorns. Dead frog poison. So be sure to wear leather armor when you're near Kechar."

The chief priest's scepter is actually a blow dart? Xiulot didn't see it at all.

"However, apart from using it once when I was young, the chief priest seldom took action himself. The high priest said, don't drink cocoa from the capital, let alone eat things that the chief priest has touched. Although he doesn't know the reason, many The enemies of the Great Temple died suddenly after drinking cocoa, even though the other people who dined with them had no symptoms of poisoning."

Xiulot was terrified. It seemed that the capital city was not as peaceful and beautiful as it appeared on the surface.

"Finally, the high priest has sent an envoy to the elder and sent a message. Based on the past, the elder should have a private interview with you."

At this point, Akap had already sat down, imitating the tone of the high priest.

"Sholot, I know that you have a lot of ideas and insights beyond ordinary people. You don't have to worry about talking to the elders. You can speak out as much as you want. Especially your proposal for the alliance, if the elders approve and adopt it, they will immediately plan it. Execute! This is an opportunity!"

Xiuluo nodded, thanked Akap, and then fell into thinking.

The following meeting was a bit of a stalemate. Avette arranged different tasks for the generals, stationed in different areas, and prepared to let them take over the four major arsenals of the capital, and then met with military representatives from the four regions of the capital. He will gradually take over the management authority of each community and control the taxation and military mobilization at the grassroots level. As for the fiefdoms and private armies of the great nobles, they can only temporarily win over and recognize their autonomy.

In the words of the Japanese Warring States Period, it is "territory security and blocking".

When the night was dark, the important dignitaries of the capital dispersed, and all the generals also left one after another. Only Avit, Shulot, Gilliam, and Akap remained in the hall. Everyone chatted while waiting for the arrival of the chief priest.

Another quarter of an hour later, the chief priest, Kechar, came slowly.

Kechar was wearing a plain penance priest robe tonight, and he still had the slender staff in his hand. Of course, Shulot now knew that it was a weapon suitable for both near and far. Behind him was a woman in black with her head bowed. She seemed to be quite young. There was a small clay pot in her arms. In the back is also an ascetic priest. He is half bowed, carrying a rather large wooden basket, which looks quite heavy.

Ascetic priest is a special profession. They would cut their own skin and cheeks, offer their blood to the gods, and even engage in a degree of self-mutilation. These priests have a strong tolerance for pain, live a simple life, and are often proficient in martial arts. They will regularly go to various villages and even cities to parade and hold sacrificial ceremonies. They are very revered by villagers and city-state citizens everywhere, and they are an important force for the great temple to influence the territories not directly under it.

With a gentle smile on his face, Kechar paid homage as soon as he entered the door, begging the king to forgive him for being late. This time, there were no surrounding warriors from the capital, and he performed the highest etiquette of prostration. The woman and the priest behind him also fell to the ground.

Avit gave a slight signal, and Gilliam immediately stepped forward, returned the same salute, and lifted Kechar up. One of the two was always smiling, and the other was serious all the time, but in Xiulot's view, they were extremely harmonious.

Kechar looked around everyone with a smile, nodded and saluted one by one, without the posture of a high priest, which made people very friendly. Then he gave instructions to the woman next to him, and took the pot from her arms. The woman raised her head, revealing a charming and pitiful face.

Kechar was always paying attention to Avit's expression, seeing the instant change in his eyes, he smiled inwardly. Then he stepped forward, took out a delicate stone vase from the clay pot, and dedicated it to Avit.

"Your Highness, this is the holy water that Elder Wugel and I prepared together for you. It is the medium of communication between the gods and the world, and it is the joy bestowed by the gods. Just a small cup will make people feel refreshed and worries will be swept away. Sky, like flying in the clouds! Please accept this kindness. Please taste it too!"

Kechar had a sincere smile on his face. He took out a small clay cup, poured a cup first, and drank it himself. In just a few seconds, his eyes were bright and his face was full of smiles. Then he took out four small cups and wanted to pour them to the other people sitting there.

Arvit glanced at Gilliam. Gilliam immediately understood, he respectfully took the holy water in Kechar's hand, and thanked him again and again. Then he took Kechar on his arm and asked him to sit down near Avet, and the two accompanying people followed behind. Then he naturally ordered the guards to bring wine, food and new clay cups. The scene was quite lively for a while.

Shulot thought for a while, did Kechar mention Ugel? He and Akap looked at each other, and the other side nodded in confirmation. The two of them understood: It seems that the plan to replace the chief priest with Ugel has long been seen clearly, and it is difficult to continue to implement it. Maybe even Ugel himself was subdued by the chief priest. The two sighed secretly.

New earthenware cups containing holy water were delivered soon, and Gilliam saluted first, then drank for Avit. But for a moment, this always meticulous intelligence officer was also in high spirits, with a smile on his face. He then stood there in a daze for a few seconds before restraining the smile on his face with strong self-control. Then he looked at the pottery cup in his hand, fearing it like a tiger.

Avet naturally did not drink the holy water, he just greeted the chief priest with a smile. Just after listening to his grandfather's warning, even though he was curious, Shulot didn't dare to drink it, so he used his age and body as an excuse, "Don't be greedy for the short-term joy of the gods."

Kechar sighed slightly. He was about to test Shulot's resistance to the holy water, so as to decide how much poison he should give to ensure that he would not die in the future. However, there are many opportunities ahead. As he thought about it, his smile became more cordial.

Next up is Acap. He drank it in one gulp, and after only two or three breaths, his face was filled with an uncontrollable smile, his face was rosy, and he was almost flying. He turned from a jade-like gentleman into a free and easy madman, and even sang prayer songs slightly.

Xiulot was vigilant and put the holy water on the forbidden list. In addition to the fact that Acap's resistance was too low in his first attempt, the holy water must contain an unknown central nervous system stimulant. And what is accompanied by high excitement must be more or less addictive.

The woman in black behind Kechar secretly looked at Acap, her eyes lingering on Acap's gentle appearance. Listening to the beautiful singing of that handsome man, she suddenly forgot about the gathering in the hall. Until a sentence that had been prepared for a long time exploded into her heart like a thunderbolt.

".This is my granddaughter Kepana. She is eighteen years old this year. She has not been married yet, and she is still studying in Kalmycak. She has always admired His Majesty's majesty and demeanor. She is so knowledgeable and so old that she has the audacity to ask His Majesty. Take her in, bring her with you and teach her from time to time.”

Kechar looked at Avet with a smile. When such words came out of his mouth, they were not abrupt and presumptuous. On the contrary, they made people feel that they should be taken for granted, and they were naturally in line with etiquette.

Let me explain, the content of this book is mainly military, politics, trade, colonization, reform, class struggle, international war, diplomacy in Europe, America and Asia, customs and customs of various countries, and will not write too much in terms of emotion. (Well, I mainly tried it yesterday and found that I can’t write without experience.) Thank you for your support and suggestions!