Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 605 - 301: Chieftains

"Ivican, you can go down now! Scouting all the way must have been tiring, go to the warehouse and receive two bags of pumpkins."

"Yes, Chieftain. Oh, thank you for your bounty!"

Ivican grinned from ear to ear. He looked up at the solemn hall where three tribal leaders sat cross-legged, then bowed with a clenched fist, respectfully saluting the Red Fox Chieftain. The Red Fox Chieftain waved his hand, and the red-haired scout obediently turned and left.

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This year, the Red Fox Chieftain Otuwa was in his early forties and was no longer considered young among the short-lived Canine Descendants. Time had taken the strength from his muscles and etched lines onto his face. He wore a wolf fur robe, with high cheekbones and slightly tilted eyes that were sharply piercing. At first glance, he looked like a fox in wolf’s skin.

This place had once been the most solemn Temple in the Otomi City-State of the Valley. Now it served as the Guajili’s council hall. Inside, the sculpture of the Primordial God was damaged and broken, the surrounding murals stained with congealed blood, and dozens of tanned hides were spread across the floor.

The Red Fox Chieftain sat on the soft hides, opposite the other two large tribal leaders. Mizili, the Red Cat Chieftain, was tall and thin with narrow eyes. Keka, the Red Frog Chieftain, was slightly plump with fierce eyes. The three of them, wearing wolf fur robes and seated together, emitted an intense jungle aura.

"The Aztecs have stopped eighty miles to the south, just as a few days ago, motionless. According to the scouts’ report, they are transporting grain northward and sending the strong captives caught within the tribes southward, possibly to sacrifice them before the gods!"

Otuwa spoke indifferently. The Red Fox Tribe had a century-long heritage and was very familiar with the southern tribes, owning special paintings that narrate the history of the Cactus Tribe.

"Damned Cactus Tribe, ferocious Jaguars, destined to be torn into pieces by packs of wolves!"

Upon hearing this, Keka’s eyes widened as he vehemently cursed.

"Otuwa, Mizili, the Cactus Tribe’s camp is not too far. We can gather five hundred red-haired warriors from our three tribes, along with some ordinary tribal scouts, and give them a night raid!"

Hearing this proposition, Otuwa and Mizili exchanged glances, then gently shook their heads. Night raids were a task for the elite, and regardless of the outcome, most were sure to not return. Red-haired warriors were the ruling core of the tribes, and even combined, the three tribes had no more than a thousand red-haired warriors—who could not be recklessly squandered.

"Keka, don’t rush! The Aztec’s camp is heavily guarded and has many patrols and tiger-headed scouts at night. We’ll discuss the night raid later. I’ve already arranged for six or seven flexible ordinary tribes to move hundreds of miles south and harass their grain route! These days they haven’t moved north immediately, presumably because of the harassment!"

Otuwa looked at the angry Red Frog Chieftain and soothed him with a smile.

"Recently, all tribes have been mobilizing warriors and reinforcing the fortress at both the eastern and western valley mouths. We have the geographical advantage, just need to hold for one month, until everyone has gathered their harvest. After that, whether we fight or flee, we’ll be much more at ease!"

Mizili nodded in agreement. He pondered for a moment, then asked in a low voice.

"Otuwa, has there been any response from the envoy sent south? What did the Great Chief of the Aztecs say to our offer of peace?"

"Mizili, you think of surrendering! I should take your head..."

"Keka, shut up, this is just a tactic to buy time!"

Otuwa roared coldly, and Keka glared, finally keeping his mouth shut. Then, the Red Fox Chieftain, frowning, continued.

"The Great Chief of the Aztecs did not want to see our envoy. It was only after the envoy bribed the chief’s trusted aide with many precious feathers and gemstones that we learned it was Chichika the Great Chief’s letter that was too arrogant and provoked the Great Chief!"

"What? The Red Dog Tribe is the Red Dog Tribe, and we are us. Although the eight tribes formed some kind of alliance, it’s just a sham... Otuwa, hurry and let the envoy clarify, it’s not like our three tribes and the five Red Dog tribes are in cahoots!"

Hearing Mizili’s words, Otuwa was momentarily speechless. After a while, he shook his head and sighed.

"During negotiations, everyone tends to exaggerate their strengths; nobody pulls the rug out from under each other! In my opinion, this is just an excuse. The Aztec Great Chief is having it all too easy and underestimates us Guajili people!"

"We must show them what we’re capable of! Otuwa, let’s mobilize our tribes and gather ten thousand men. Call on the five Red Dog tribes to gather another ten thousand warriors! With twenty thousand men attacking from both front and rear, we’ll first shred those Otomi dogs on the right flank!"

Keka couldn’t help but speak up again. Known for his bravery on the wilderness battlefields, he had an innate sense for warfare. Hearing this suggestion, Otuwa was taken aback and actually found it somewhat feasible. However, a moment later, the Red Fox Chieftain shook his head.

"It’s not that easy! I did indeed send an envoy to Chichika for reinforcements, but I’m not sure if they will come or how many will come. Besides, the Aztec forces are still watching us from the central road, and it’s not so easy to move ten thousand men."

"Then let’s select five thousand tribal warriors and leave the rest to defend the valley! The elite five thousand will take a detour from the northwest. With the speed of our Canine Descendants, who are skilled in quick strikes, it’s a good strategy! The Cactus Tribe is extremely arrogant, splitting their army into three routes, each two days’ march apart. If we time it well and coordinate with Chichika, we can eliminate those Otomi dogs on the east road in just one day! Afterwards, we’ll let Chichika harass the Cactus Tribe in the middle and cut off their supply line..."

Keka continued with his strategic plan, growing more excited as he spoke, his loud voice echoing in the hall like the croaking of frogs in summer. The other two chieftains, however, pursed their lips and remained silent.

After a while, once he had tired of talking, Otuwa finally spoke indifferently.

"Keka, your plan is good, but there’s a problem... how can you make Chichika do as you say?"

"We can send an envoy, explain it to him, even plan it together!"

"But even if Chichika agrees, can you trust him? If we send troops to attack the enemies on the eastern route and Chichika doesn’t show up, what then? If the Aztec forces from the central route arrive in time, we’ll be caught in a pincer attack, and then we’re all done for!"

"Ah, Chichika’s leader..."

Keka opened his mouth to say something, but Mizili interrupted him.

"I don’t trust Chichika! We must keep the tribe’s fate in our own hands, not hand it over to someone else!"

"The Red Cat Chieftain speaks sense. Keka, if everyone mistrusts each other, your plan of a large collaborative force is just hot air, noisy and foul!"

Otuwa made a crude joke, and Mizili burst out laughing. Keka, somewhat embarrassed and angered, shouted back.

"So this won’t work, and that won’t work either. Then you tell me, what should we do? Should we just sit here and wait to get beaten up?"

Hearing Keka’s question, the Red Fox Chieftain’s mind worked rapidly, but a gentle smile appeared on his face. He affectionately patted Keka on the shoulder.

"Keka, forget all these plans! With all these tribes here, we can mobilize over ten thousand men to properly defend the valley! The Red Frog Tribe is the best at fighting, and you’re the strongest among us three, so I’m relying on you to arrange the defense of the valley!"

Keka paused, then slowly nodded, a smile spreading across his face.