Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1802 - 1293: Gold Divine Might, the First Great Tribe

The Northern Coast of Ainu Maoxili stretches crookedly for a thousand miles. Across the entire coastline, from the low grass, needle-like pine forests, to the icy thawing marshlands, every inch bears the marks of harsh cold. Heading further south from the coast, towering mountains abruptly rise, blocking the cold currents moving south from the north, and offer mysterious valley imaginations.

"Chief Divine bears witness! Indeed, there are no major tribes on the Northern Coast of this Great Island! According to local claims, truly powerful Ainu Great Tribe, or even Tribal Alliances, are behind the mountains, all in the warmer South!..."

Zuwaro stood at the ship's prow, gazing at the cliffs of the coast, imagining the sights behind the mountains.

Since leaving the "Fish-Skin Tribe," the fleet traveled along the coast from the Southeast heading Northwest, sailing a full eight hundred miles. Along the way, the rising smoke was visible, and occasionally, they encountered small fishing boats of the Ainu People. They also docked six or seven times, visiting quite a few small tribes of one or two hundred people.

The attitudes of these tribes ranged from wary hostility to wary friendliness. Smaller tribes were terrified by so many elite warriors and directly surrendered... From their behaviors, Zuwaro's judgment became clearer: tribal disputes on this Great Island are numerous, no less than the Mountain Part and Rokube on the Peninsula. However, among these tribes, it seems there are unwritten rules and habits; unlike the nomadic tribes in the North, they avoid brutal slaughter and complete conquest... allowing for surrender, subjugation, tribute, or joining a Tribal Alliance.

"Among the Ainu tribes, there are loose yet existent ties!… The features of these ties could be viewed as kinship, but more commonly recognized should be the shared 'stories,' and comprehendible 'Thunderbolt Divine Might'! To quickly build mutual trust with the Ainu, we must first rely on these 'Thunderbolt Divine Might' ties, earn the acknowledgment of their 'same clan,' and then advance from Subordinate God to Chief Divine…"

In the navigation records, Zuwaro wrote this evaluation. Subsequently, for every tribe visited, he would gift a one-jin weight Golden Amulet in the name of "Ocean and Thunderbolt Divine Might," as a representative of the Northern "Thousand Island Thunderbolt Divine Might Great Tribe," proclaiming "the protection of Divine Might" and "tribal friendship"! Later, he wouldn't stay long or ask for any return gifts but would leave elegantly with his fleet amidst amazement, doubt, contemplation, and awe.

"Chief Divine bears witness! Merely a one-jin weight Gold Talisman can achieve such effects!… It seems, unlike the Peninsula tribes, gold has considerable practical value to these Ainu! They must have stable 'trade' or 'tribute' exchanges with more southern Great Tribes, and the southernmost Wa People!…"

During this 800-mile voyage, Zuwaro had given out only a dozen Golden Amulets, yet already spread "Ocean and Thunderbolt Divine Might," or Chief Divine's name, among the tribes.

In his view, this "Gold Talisman promoting Divine Name" business couldn't be more advantageous! After all, for this southward exploration and trade, the flagship "Great Snow Wolf" carried a full 500 Gold Talismans, weighing 500 jin, which converts to merely seven or eight thousand taels by East Asian measurement standards!

To him, flinging out a dozen Gold Talismans was insignificant. It's akin to fish bait tossed into a pond, releasing alluring fragrance to attract the "big fish" from an uncertain southern location northward.

Of course, at this moment he's unaware, his diplomatic strategy of "gifting Gold Talismans at meetings" has also induced an unforeseen consequence. The Ainu favor referring to the "Northern Thousand Islands Guardian Chief Divine" as the "Golden Thunderbolt Divine Might," rather than any "Mighty Ocean and Thunderbolt Divine Might"…

"Chief Divine's shield! The Northern Coast of the Great Island is soon reaching its end! Going further north from here is what the Ainu call 'Birch Tai,' the 'Rivermouth Divine Might's territory'! Hmm… let me check the map in Your Majesty's prophecy! 'Birch Tai' should be another peninsula, connected north to a broader continent!… And from here further south, is Maoshili Island's southern part…"

"Zu! Zu! We've arrived, we've arrived!" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Zuwaro was contemplating when Thousand Island Shell suddenly hugged his arm, excitedly pointing ahead. He looked up; a grand-scale tribal campsite, a true Ainu Great Village, suddenly appeared on the western coast!

"Zu! This is the western end's Great Tribe! The Cold Swamp Tribe among Bei Yu Various Factions!"

"Beiyu Cold Swamp Tribe? Ah! Bei Yu?"

"Yes, yes! Zu! This Great Tribe shares the same Bei Yu heritage with my tribe, with ancient blood ties!"

Thousand Island Shell was leaping, like a faraway-grown fledgling returned to a warm nest in dreams. Her eyes curved into smiling crescents, her face full of anticipation and hope.

"The Chief Divine's thunderbolt shield! This is what father spoke of, the Bei Yu Various Factions... they are our relatives, sure to hospitably welcome us. Perhaps, some even know my father, know my grandparents who I've never met!"

However, Thousand Island Shell's beautiful imagination seemed to be a bubble by the sea, quickly bursting under the relentless sun. When the kingdom's fleet appeared in the Cold Swamp Tribe's view, the tribal fishermen directly blew piercing Bone Whistles, sounding the enemy alert! Subsequently, the entire thousands-strong Great Tribe tensely mobilized!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Where are the enemies from?"

"Enemies appearing from the sea on large ships!..."

"Ah! It must be the Wa People! Surely vicious Wa People snuck up on us!"

"How could it be? Aren't the Wa People's forces in the South? Aren't they at the Hanbin Faction, demanding this year's tribute? How could they suddenly bypass the south and appear behind us?"

"It must be Shikari Faction! Shikari Faction colluded with the Wa People, sent troops together to attack us!... Shikari Faction has always encroached our hunting grounds, mingled with Wa People. Their sharp iron weapons were all traded from Wa People!"

"Don't bother guessing! No tribe has such large ships!... Only Wa People do, it must be Wa People!"

"Quick! Grab Iron Spear, Stone Spear, grab Wooden Bow! All able-bodied men, take up weapons! Drive away greedy Wa People!"

When Zuwaro arrived with three large ships, 150 elite warriors, at the Cold Swamp Tribe's fishing port, the sight before him left him flabbergasted. Led by dozens of tribal warriors, as many as 500 able-bodied Ainu Tribespeople shouldered various Long Spears, gathering in the port like a swarm. Over a hundred Ainu Wooden Bows made from purple cedar were all nocked with Bone Arrows, collectively aimed at them!

"Fish Owl, Orca, and Black Bear, jointly guarding the cold marsh!… Oh, Wa People on the longships, leave the ancient land of our Cold Swamp Tribe! Otherwise, you'll suffer the curse of Guardian Spirits!…"

An Ainu Great Chieftain, clad in bear skin, emerged from the assembled warriors and able-bodied men. He drew a deep breath, roared loudly with a bear-like voice.

"Guardian Spirit shelters us! Cold Swamp Tribe absolutely won't offer tribute to you! Leave here! Or fight us to the bitter end!"

The Ainu Great Chieftain, menacingly imposing, facial expression strong and unyielding. He eyed the scale of Samurai on the three longships, seeing more than seventy Armored Warriors and roughly equal number of Bow Hunters. After taking in all this, his expression subtly paused, his voice faltered before it rang out strongly again.

"Of course! Ancestor's Thunderbolt Divine Might bears witness! Cold Swamp Tribe is a benevolent tribe, protected by benevolent Thunderbolt Divine Might! Thus, we also welcome equal friends, equal trading friends!"

Note: The Easter egg chapter includes a chart of the Ainu factions' situation. Also available in the group.