Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 546 - 266: Mine Improvement, Guidance of Divine Revelation_2

"At your command, Marshal! But with so many religious rituals, perhaps it would be good to arrange for two Priests at the mine? The miners likely don’t have the ability to communicate with the spirits."

Hearing this, Xiulote’s expression shifted as he laughed and said.

"Good! I will send several Priests there to oversee these important ceremonies. The miners are numerous, and indeed need Priests to guide their faith and soothe their spirits. With the Priests’ prayers, the miners will better overcome their fear of descending into the mines. Sometimes, what truly frightens you is nothing but fear itself..."

"Next, we need to construct labour-saving lifting systems at regular intervals in the mineshaft. Relying solely on miners to carry the ores is both slow and inefficient. A great deal of manpower is wasted in transportation."

As Xiulote spoke, he drew a picture of a water-drawing windlass.

"Build a windlass in the mine for transportation from below to above. The current mine depths of more than ten meters can be managed with a single windlass. As the mineshaft becomes deeper and longer, we will need to construct tiered windlasses, carrying the ores up level by level, to save manpower to the greatest extent."

Necali showed an expression of sudden understanding upon seeing this. He was of course familiar with the effort-saving nature of the windlass.

"Lastly, and most importantly, improvements must be made to the drainage system. Remember, balance the power of the gods of wind and rain, expel the moisture, and transform it into wind. The windlasses responsible for lifting the ores can also be fitted with water buckets for pumping water. In places where water accumulates in the mine, additional drainage wells can be constructed. Of course, I have another effective drainage tool for you..."

At this point, Xiulote paused. He recalled the hand-operated reciprocating pumps from future rural areas, also known as simple manual pumps or hand pumps. The principle of such a device is the reciprocating movement of the piston, which creates a vacuum to draw water, and then pushes it out from the outlet at the top. Applying the principle of the pump and using bamboo to make a similar water drawing device resulted in the "Bamboo Dragon."

Necali perked up and watched carefully. He observed as His Highness drew an irregular bamboo tube with an opening on one side at the top. Then he drew a fitting movable stick inside the bamboo tube, and finally, he sketched an odd hand crank. The entire drawing was primitive and abstract, like a sacred and mysterious Priestly symbol.

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"It’s roughly this shape."

Xiulote looked at his rough sketch and pursed his lips; his drawing skills certainly needed improvement.

"The nesting bamboo tube should be easy to make; the effort-saving hand crank is not necessary. The operation is very simple, just a push and a pull to draw the water. If there are any damages or leaks, they can be patched up with rubber from a soccer ball..."

"That’s all, reinforcement, ventilation, lighting, lifting, drainage, these five tasks—carry them out as I have instructed! Necali, there will be Priests to help you calm the people. What you need to do is improve the facilities and equipment, mine the rich veins deep underground, and strive to increase productivity! I’ll set a small goal for you, raise the average monthly output by half, to 6000 catties for a thousand people!"

"Ah, 6000 catties for a thousand people?... At your command, Marshal! Following your will, I am willing to give my life for you!"

Necali accepted the order loudly, bowing to the ground, as if he were receiving military orders on the battlefield.

Xiulote nodded in satisfaction and extended his hand to stroke the other’s hair again. The advantage of using loyal officers as managers was their ability to follow superior orders without hesitation. Their downside was a lack of specialized expertise and difficulty in independent thought.

"Hmm, upon return, I must summon Chalape to send two mining experts from the Metal Family to assist."

Xiulote’s mind raced as he looked towards the Head Warrior again. The mine’s facilities needed improvements, and the scale of the mining operations also had to be expanded further.

"Bertade, how many strong labourers can be supplied by the nearby villages?"

Bertade fell into thought; there were so many villages in the Lake Region that he could not recall at the moment. He fetched a rolled up atlas he carried with him, flipping through it as he read.

"Your Highness, within a radius of over twenty miles, there are seven to eight civilian settlements with a total population of more than fifteen thousand. If the autumn tribute from the villages is transported to the mining site nearby, it can supply three to four thousand able-bodied laborers. The mountain roads over this distance are rough, and we’ll also need to conscript laborers from the villages to transport the grain."

Xiulote pondered for a moment before giving his orders.

"Conscript the tribute tax and labor from nearby villages to support the Qinganbate mining operation! Liaise with village Priests and reduce some of the tribute. Also, draw two thousand from the rested troops of the Surrendered Army from the southern route to rush to the mining area. By the end of October, the mine should have three thousand workers digging, and by the end of December, the production of copper materials in the mining area needs to be tripled... Necali, do you have the confidence?"

"By your command, Marshal! The capacity of the main mine is limited, improvements are needed, and there are several smaller mines around, all of which I will develop!"

Necali responded loudly, then, whispering, said,

"Marshal, mining has always been seen as a perilous profession, and miners are very lowly regarded. The Surrendered Army soldiers have wielded weapons, formed ranks, and some even have blood on their hands. Forcing them into mining might be difficult to manage. These people not only pose a risk of rebellion but also have the capability...could they be replaced with more easily commanded slaves?"

Hearing this, Xiulote thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"Necali, you are right, but the people of the Fief have already established settlements, I don’t have any slaves to give you. Hmm, there will be Alliance officers and Priests in the Surrendered Army to help pacify them... wait a few more months, when the legions are dispatched, the captured Canine Descendants from the north will all be sent here!"

The King thought again about the organizational level of the Surrendered Army, which might also include some skilled Samurai, indeed a significant risk.

"Here’s what we’ll do, I will give you two more squadrons, four hundred Samurai! Six hundred Samurai to oversee three thousand miners, which is just the limit that nearby villages can supply... Necali, do well! From today, I promote you to Warrior Camp Chief, and all these people will be under your command!"

"Thank you, Marshal! I am honored to be your wings!..."

Necali was overjoyed and once again prostrated himself to accept the command. The King also revealed a smile. The two of them as if in agreement, finalized the rules and requirements for the mining camp.

The sun was setting in the west, leaving golden-red afterglow upon the undulating mountains. Wispy smoke rose from the mountains, faintly intertwining with the crimson afterglow, like ribbons of dancing spirits. Unknowingly, it was already time for dinner.

Bertade had no time to admire the magnificent sunset scenery. He was vigilantly watching the gathering miners who were starting to make fires and prepare their meal. Soon, thick cooking smoke rose from a corner of the rear camp. The smoke was dense, as if they were preparing meals for three to four thousand people, according to Samurais’ common sense.

The Head Warrior furrowed his brow. He informed his Highness with a word and then drew his War Club, leading more than ten trusted aides to investigate. Over a hundred Cooks were busy in the rear camp, preparing fragrant corn cakes for the Samurai and enough grains for the miners. A few guarding Samurais were also supervising by the side.

Bertade did a brief inspection. To ensure safety, His Highness’s food was all brought from the Royal Palace by the trusted aides, and these cakes were mainly provided to some of the accompanying Personal Army. He watched for a moment, nodded his head, and then his attention was caught by the cooking stoves.

"You there, what is this?"

The Head Warrior asked with some curiosity. Under the stove was not burning firewood but black stones, and the flames were vigorous, producing particularly heavy smoke. The Cook in front of him was continuously adding this kind of fuel.

Facing the question, the Cook stepped back, bowing reverently to the ground. The flames from the Black Stone rose with thick smoke, which already blackened his face.

"Great Master, this is what we dug up... the solidified blood of Demons from underground, containing the ’dead fire’ of the Underworld... Though seen as unclean by the Priests, it still burns... Great Master."

Hearing this, Bertade took a piece of Black Stone and examined it closely in his hand. The stone was somewhat soft, and when slightly squeezed, pieces crumbled off. His hand quickly became stained black by the Black Stone. The Head Warrior frowned and, holding the Black Stone, went to the King touched by Divine Revelation.