Chapter 408 King's Western Tour: Guarding the Southwest, the Third Honorable Noble!

The sun sets in the west, and the light is sparse. Everyone stands on the edge of the mountain, blowing the February wind, which is neither cold nor hot. It is easier to march in the tropical plateau, and the need for warmth is not high, so there is no need for too much baggage.

As far as Xiuluot can see, the sky is filled with light marching smoke. Even though more than half a month has passed, the team escorting the Tekos captives is still endless, winding out of the mountains in the southwest. And looking closely, the captives coming out of the mountains are getting thinner and thinner, obviously they have been marching for a long time.

The king pondered for a moment and spoke lightly.

"Ezepan, I once said that if you can get 100,000 people, you will be the first hero of the southern expedition! Now, how many people have you gathered?"

"Your Majesty, in the past month, the army has penetrated into the mountains to clean up the remnants of the Black Wolf General's sweep, and the capture is very rich!"

Ezepan saluted respectfully and reported in detail.

"Nearly 30,000 prisoners were captured in the Hand Snake Basin and have been escorted to the Apa Plain. These people include the entire Shield Tribe, the families of the Palm Family, and the mountain people of various tribes. About 20,000 people were captured in the mountain passages and valleys south of the Yeshan Village and have just been transported out of the mountains. The large group of prisoners now passing through Kanhe Village is basically this group. Further south, General Coca gathered 30,000 refugees on the 200-mile coast outside Palm Bay. Most of these people have arrived in the Hand Snake Basin. In a few days, they will leave the mountains!"

"Oh? So that's 80,000 Tekos mountain people? Slightly more than the captured people in the Northern Expedition!"

Xuluot smiled. The Tekos are a farming tribe in the valleys in the mountains. They are familiar with farming and have a much larger population than the nomadic Guakili people. Of course, the combat effectiveness of the Tekos tribal warriors is much worse than that of the dog race. He patted Ezpan's shoulder affectionately and said with a smile.

"Good! Very good! Unfortunately, it is still a little short of the small goal of 100,000 people. I was going to give you a generous reward."

"Ah! Your Majesty, there are still many tribesmen hiding and dispersing in the mountains and along the coast in the southwest. They are short of food and don't even have crops to grow, so it is impossible for them to stay in the mountains for a long time. At most, they will starve to death or surrender in one or two months. We have the tribute of food from the tribes of Colima, so we can bring them all back! By then, maybe we can get 90,000 or 100,000 people."

Hearing that the generous reward was about to pass by, Ezpan's eyes were a little red, and he spoke in a hurry.

The total number of tribes in the southwest Coalcoman is more than 100,000. After a series of sweeps, 80,000 people were looted, which was actually close to the limit. He was going to go to the tribes on the edge of the Colima Mountains in the west, and loot another 20,000 people to get the king's "small goal". But now, the tribes of Colima are submissive to the kingdom, sending noble ladies to accompany His Majesty, and providing a lot of food, but it is not easy to do it.

"Well, let's say 90,000 people, it shouldn't be 100,000."

Xuluot smiled and thought about the arrangements for the 90,000 Tekos mountain people. He leaned sideways, watching the red sun gradually setting in the west, holding the fate of tens of thousands of people in his hands.

"Before the southern expedition, there was a gap of 80,000 people for land and slaves granted for military merit. There were 20,000 rebels in Zicao City, 10,000 rebels in Apa City, and 10,000 rebels in the southern nobles who resisted the reform, which is 40,000 serfs. Then, another 40,000 serfs will be sent from the Tekos captives to completely fill the previous gap!"

Ezpan lowered his head and listened, his heart was shaken. Faced with the king's reduction of fiefdoms and reforms, one-fifth of the population of Zicao County, which was more than 200,000, rebelled, and 40,000 people were demoted to serfs. After this southern expedition, the old nobles in the south were completely eliminated.

"Well, 40,000 Tekos serfs. There are 30,000 captives in the Hand Snake Basin, most of whom are the backbone of the rebellious tribes, and 20,000 of them are demoted to serfs. The mountain passes and coastal refugees each provide 10,000 serfs. The remaining 50,000 people will be organized according to the northern flag team. With more than 4,000 people in a team, there will be 12 flag teams and dozens of villages, concentrated on the Apa Plain for reclamation!"

"I will obey your will, Your Majesty!"

"The kingdom will soon send priests to manage these flag team villages and spread the faith of the Lord God! Each flag team will send 250 men to form a 3,000-man Tekos tribal militia, absorbing experienced tribal warriors. Ezepan, after the southern expedition, you will lead the second spear corps to settle in the Apa Plain and guard the southwest for me! I will also temporarily hand over this Tekos tribal militia to you!"

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"

Ezepan was overjoyed. He will be the first legion commander in the entire kingdom to command more than 10,000 troops to guard the border for the kingdom!

Xuluote nodded. He looked around the wilderness. The Apa Plain was full of green vitality. The uncultivated soil was extremely fertile, and the rivers in the mountains brought a stable source of water. This was a land of abundance like Sichuan. As long as it was well managed, it would be the kingdom's logistical granary for conquering the world.

"Ezpan, the Apa Plain is surrounded by mountains and fertile fields for thousands of miles. I traveled all the way from the Apa City in the east of the plain to the Taotu Town (now Tepalcatepec) in the west, which is 150 miles from east to west. And from the Bohe Village area in the north of the plain (now Los Tazumbos) to the Caolin Village in the south, it is 130 miles from north to south. Roughly speaking, it is 8 million acres of fertile fields!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! The Apa Plain is indeed fertile and suitable for farming. There are lush forests and flocks of birds and animals. There are many rivers flowing down from the mountains, criss-crossing and connecting in all directions. They are natural artesian canals that can easily irrigate the coast. Gran The Rio Grada has abundant water throughout the year. It flows down from Los Pelillos in the mountains in the north and crosses the entire plain. In addition to the Rio Grande, there are also the Rio Ticuilucan and Rio Grada. Rio Buenavista, Rio Tepalcatepec.”

Ezpin replied respectfully. During the Tarasco era more than ten years ago, he had fought in the southwest for many years, conquering the Tecos people, and was very familiar with the terrain and environment here. At this moment, he was telling the details of the Appa Plain in front of the king.

"Taotu Town is the western boundary of the plain. It is located on the bank of Tao River. It is rich in clay and can produce high-quality painted pottery. And northwest of Taotu Town is the source of Tao River, Los Olives. There are strange fragrant trees standing around the lake. , rich in resin and frankincense, and furs and feathers are produced in various villages near the mountains.”

Shulot listened patiently. He became more and more convinced that Ezpin was the most suitable candidate to develop the Apa Plain and guard the southwest for him.

You know, the Apa Plain covers more than 3,000 square kilometers, which is about half the area of ​​the Chengdu Plain. Even in this era, the area of ​​the entire plain that can be reclaimed as farmland is more than 2,000 square kilometers. Calculated on the basis of 2,500 acres per square kilometer, there are 5 million acres of cultivated land here.

Including fallow, 5 million acres of land can be used to cultivate 2 million acres of milpa farmland. Based on the calculation of 10 acres of farmland and 4 acres of cultivated land, the entire plain can support at least 500,000 people! This is still based on the low productivity of this era. When metal farm tools and fertilizers are widely used, and these irrigated fields have sufficient water sources, the yield per mu will reach a new leap, supporting a doubled population!

After a long time, Ezpin finished his story. Shulot smiled and nodded.

"Ezpan, the land of the Apa Plain is fertile, but it has not been effectively developed in the past hundred years. Do you know why?"

"Your Highness, this was originally the land of the Tecos tribes. It was occupied by the Kingdom of Tarasco after repeated conquests. For decades, this place was located on the border and had been in constant war. The Prepecha and Tecos people attacked each other. , it was difficult for villages along the river to prosper. In the Tarasco era, the focus of southern reclamation was mainly on the cities of Apa and Curamo.”

Ezpin pondered for a while and tried his best to answer based on experience.

"In addition, the Apa Plain has fertile soil and abundant water, so there are many trees and lush weeds. Without sufficient manpower or metal tools, reclamation is not easy. And the long Glen River surges down, and there will be floods in the rainy season. Creating many tidal flats that are difficult to develop.”

"Yes, you are right."

Shulot laughed with satisfaction. Then, his smile faded and his expression became serious.

"Today, the Coalcoman mountainous area in the southwest has been pacified, and the Tecos tribe has disappeared in all likelihood. The Colima mountainous area in the west has surrendered and will not harass you again. If you lead the army to guard here, the Apa plain can be cultivated with peace of mind. Become a big granary in the heart of the kingdom! As for the bronze tools for cutting and the bronze farming tools, I will allocate them to you from the Northern Kingdom!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Ezpin knelt on the ground and saluted solemnly. Then he stood up and asked.

"Your Majesty, after the southwest expedition is completed, where will the border of the legion's settlement be?"

Hearing this, Shulot pondered for a moment, took the map from Bertard's hand, and drew the border that had been planned long ago.

"Ezpan, on the southwest border of the Apa Plain, set up three military garrison fortresses, and gradually built stone forts. The western important area is the clay town, which controls the access to the western mountains; the southwest important area is here. He Village was upgraded to Kanhe Town, where camps were built to guard the southwest mountain pass; the southern important area was Caolin Village, which was upgraded to Caolin Town to guard the southern mountain pass. In addition, troops were sent into the mountains every year to recruit surrender and gather the mountain residents!"

Ezpin thought for a moment and nodded respectfully. After the establishment of the three military towns, they controlled the major mountain passes and completely surrounded the Apa Plain.

"As for the northern boundary of the plain, it is located at the Snake Bone Village (El Hueso) at the northern mountain pass, sixty miles northwest of Bohe Village. Build a military town here to guard against the Lake Chapala area!"

Snake Bone Village at the northern mountain pass is almost the northernmost boundary of Zicao County and is almost at the same latitude as the Qinganbat Mining Area. The terrain there is undulating, the rainfall is not abundant, and there are large areas of sandy land, which later produced grapes. However, more than two hundred miles further north from Snake Bone Village is the vast Chapala Lake. When we conquer the northwest and conquer the Chapala Lake area, we can launch a partial army from here.

Shulot looked to the north. The eagle flies in the sky, its desire to hunt never stops. After a southern expedition, it is estimated that there will be a gap of 20,000 to 30,000 serfs. The kingdom's military machine never stops. After this year's autumn harvest, there will definitely be a new war!

"Your Majesty, the four military cities are the border. What should we do with the rich Hand Snake Basin?"

Ezpin thought for a moment and asked cautiously.

Shulot thought for a while. The Hand Snake Basin is isolated in the mountains, making logistics difficult and maintenance costs high. It was also very close to the tribes of Colima. Once something changed, it would take a while before the king made a decision.

"The border of the kingdom temporarily stops at the Apa Plain. Only when you cultivate the Apa Plain, with sufficient food and population, and dense villages and farmland, can you expand into the mountains again. This basin will be vacant for now. Just set up a few outposts and leave some people to surrender the tribes in the mountains! Ezepan, when gathering the tribes, pay attention to maintaining relations with the tribes of Colima!"

"I obey your will, Your Majesty!"

"Well. After dealing with the captives and arranging the reclamation of the Apa Plain, this unforgettable southern expedition should end here."

Xuluot looked solemn, thinking silently, and staring at the western sky. After a long time, until the red sun shone through the Kan River, he looked at the legion commander Ezepan.

"Ezepan, the Rabbit Month has arrived. This is the last month of the 260-day sacred year. The old cycle is about to end and the new cycle is about to begin."

"Yes, Your Majesty. The Rabbit Month is the month of sacrifice, the month of courage, and the month of the end. The Lord God is witnessing! I am willing to dedicate my loyalty to you and fight for you with fearless courage!"

Ezepan suppressed the excitement in his heart. He raised his left hand with only four fingers and swore to the king.

Xuluot nodded slowly. He whispered to himself, but let Ezepan hear it.

"In ancient mythology, the cycle of time is endless. The original god woke up in the last month, divided the world into dreams and reality, and left the seeds of connection. When people fall asleep in spring, the world of dreams will wake up in their hearts"

Although he did not understand the king's feelings, Ezepan still listened silently. This was an unprecedented closeness, making the image of the king come alive.

"Ezepan, I have a fantasy of an empire in my heart. I know what it looks like, everything is vivid, it has been spurring me forward, and it keeps telling me where to go!"

"Your Majesty, no matter where you go, I will follow you loyally!"

"Very good, then let's go together! After all, the time of mortals is short, and we don't have much time left."

Speaking of this, the king paused, his eyes as bright as flames, staring at the former surrendered general.

"Ezepan, reclaim the Apa Plain, set up military checkpoints, spread the Lord God's teachings, and appease the people of the tribe. You should do less unnecessary killing, focus on food production, and appease the Fire River City. I will leave all the affairs of the southwest of the kingdom to you!"

"Your Majesty, thank you for your trust! The Lord God is my witness, I will do my best for you and be loyal until I die!"

"Okay! Ezepan, I trust your loyalty. Develop the southwest plain for me, this will be the rear of the kingdom."

Xuluot pondered for a moment and made a decision. Although the small goal of gathering 100,000 people was not achieved, Ezpan's achievements and qualifications are already worthy of a heavy reward.

"I will reward you based on your merits when I return to the capital. Ezpan, you are the third glorious noble of the entire kingdom, following Bertard and Olosh!"

"Ah! Your Majesty! You are my only sun, my only light! God bless my king, and burn forever!"

The red sun sets in the west, shining on the Apa Plain. The sky and the fields are all red, just like the blazing fire, burning in the southwest.

It's finished. I checked a lot of data for this chapter, and attached a latest map of the southwest. Just wait for the review. Thank you for your support!