Central Mountain City, Kingdom Ministry, Amphitheater.
The amphitheater fell silent. They looked at each other, at me, and at Michuá, searching for information. Everyone was surprised by my decision, as this was the first time I had taken the authority to remove someone as leader of a city. Some were already thinking about finding information about what Michuá did wrong so they wouldn't make the same mistake.
"At the end of your term as governor of the Northeast Region, you can choose to remain governor or continue with your new position, which will be communicated to you after the petitions", I suggested, maintaining a formal tone.
"Thank you very much for the opportunity, Son of Heaven, but I will continue with the position of General." He rejected the position of governor of that region to remain governor after the two years.
"He said it... He doesn't know how to keep secrets, now the surprise is ruined", I thought, slapping my forehead as I looked at the rest of those present at the meeting. "I respect your decision", I said, a little annoyed, though I hid it with a shallow smile.
"Eastern Region", I announced, looking at Chuquy, who was still shocked by the appointment.
"Thank you, young Chuta, for the appointment, although I don't think I deserve it", she said humbly. "My requests are incentives for population movement, the formation of new domestic industries, the establishment of artificial reservoirs, and crop improvement, using crops from tropical zones", Chuquy explained neatly without hesitation.
"You can't control a little", I thought resignedly as I looked at her, annoyed, to which she simply turned her head, avoiding my gaze.
"First, the only way we'll find out if she's fit for her position will be after these two years as governor. I hope Bachué will guide you", I said in a formal tone. "As for your requests, while they are very specific, we must proceed step by step. First, we will improve the fields and agriculture, then we will implement artificial reservoirs. At the same time, we will encourage families to move to this new land, and when we can finally determine that they can sustain an industry, I will present ideas to you", I explained, complimenting their ideas but ordering them reasonably.
"As for the things you don't know", I said, looking at the Governors and the rest of the people present. "You can ask your new ministers for advice or knowledge you acquired at Simte Academy. Also, you could sign up for classes in your respective territories… Remember, knowledge is very important", I suggested to everyone, hoping they wouldn't get stuck with the basic knowledge they possessed.
"Thank you, young Chuta", they all said in unison.
"It seems I underestimated the importance of 'knowledge of the gods' to them", I thought, surprised. "Well, now that we're done with the requests… Do you have any questions?", I asked, but there were no answers.
"Now we'll move on to the final part of this first Kingdom meeting… The orders that will guide us for this coming year", I explained solemnly.
"First, for the Central Regions, I need you to encourage population movement", I began to present. "As you know, with the help of the knowledge of the gods, we have increased food production and decreased deaths from disease or the punishment of the gods. At the same time, we asked families not to be afraid of having more children, and in these last five years, we have quintupled the number of births per family, which is leading to overpopulation in the central area of the kingdom", I explained proudly, but with a touch of concern at the same time.
"What I need is for you to encourage population movement to the other territories of the kingdom", I stated my first order. "You can do this by promising large amounts of land and assistance in the construction of new homes. Also, with free deliveries of tools and tax reductions", I suggested to the Governors of the Central Regions.
"For the Northwest Region… I need you to help the ancient Zenú peoples progress rapidly, and at the same time establish ports and shipyards in that area. Additionally, you need to promote health education among the people, so they can grow up healthy and have more children", I said concisely.
"For the North and Northeast Regions… I need you to expand by sea and land respectively", I explained to the two governors. "The northern region will build the ports and shipyards you have requested. I will also instruct the Navy to establish a navigation academy in the Suaza Gulf. Meanwhile, the northeast region must establish military towns and cities, as requested by the governor. Furthermore, both territories must work on population growth and improving healthcare", I added, pointing to each region on the map.
"Finally, the Eastern Region must work on opening fields and using the knowledge of the Gods to improve the land. And then we will follow up with the governor's requests. In addition, you must also consider the health and population growth, just like the other regions", I said, looking at Chuquy.
I spoke nonstop while everyone processed my words. This year's orders were less striking than the previous ones, as the establishment of the government and the rapid growth of the kingdom's original cities served as a reference for the new territories.
"Before we end the meeting, I would like to notify you of a few things", I said aloud.
"First, as I said before, each territory will have regiments with their respective officers or generals in charge. The governors will oversee the administration of the territory, and the army will oversee internal and external security. Both must work together to ensure security is implemented in each territory", I explained. "In turn, the first General of the Kingdom will be Governor Michuá. As he said before, he will be Governor for only two years, and then he will continue to hold this position as General of the Kingdom", I added, as the rest of the governors, who had been confused by Michuá's earlier comments, realized that this was what I had meant.
"On the other hand, the kingdom's bank, which until now has operated only in the main cities, will expand to more cities and new territories of the kingdom", I explained proudly. "Now we will begin to encourage the use of coins as a form of trade, and the bank, in addition to its functions as a minter and currency exchange office, will also offer deposit, credit, and investment options. You can discuss all of this with your ministers", I added, as most looked at me in confusion.
"Also, we will work to complete the first annexations of island territories this year, as explorations and new ships will begin to launch this year and next", I explained enthusiastically to everyone. "As for sports", I began, surprising everyone. "We'll start by creating the first annual festivals for each sport. These will be held on a rotating basis in each of the regional capitals. There will be prizes for the winners, and each region will have to prepare a team to represent them", I added with a smile, seeing the governors' enthusiasm.
"It seems I've neglected entertainment in the rest of the territories", I thought, remembering that only the main cities in the central region had competitions or events like these.
"Now for the most important thing", I began, speaking in a serious tone. "We will establish general and specific ceremonial rituals for each territory. I need us to remind the people that we are one people, and that the gods accompany us if we worship them and fulfill their wishes. The priests must begin creating a calendar of worship for the gods to establish the ceremonies. Additionally, they must inform the inhabitants of each territory that the tallest building in the kingdom will be built on the central mountain to worship all the gods", I explained in a ceremonial tone, while the priests present were excited by the announcement.
"By the way, after this meeting, the priests will have a meeting with High Priest Simte to appoint Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests", I commented, smiling at the reaction of the priests present at the meeting.
"That is all for today's meeting. I hope to hear good news from your territories throughout this year", I commented, as everyone stood up straight with one hand on their chest. "Thank you very much, young Chuta." "Thank you very much, Son of Heaven", everyone in the room said, bowing slightly in my direction.
Two hours later, in the meeting hall of Chuta's Mansion.
"How was the meeting with the kingdom's priests?", I asked Simte.
"Everything went well, Son of Heaven", Simte replied. "Everyone was very excited about the kingdom's new ceremonies, and the priests from the other villages are also very grateful to you for never forgetting their gods", Simte said, smiling.
"Our gods", I corrected him in a friendly tone.
"That's true", he replied. "With these ceremonies, there will be no more internal separations… We must listen to the messages the gods have given to the other peoples", Simte added in a solemn tone as he looked skyward.
"What will the main ceremony be?", I asked, changing the subject.
"We want to pay tribute to the Sun and the Moon", Simte began to explain. "We will depart at dawn on the first day from a parish near the Snowy Mountains in the western range, and we will stop in the capital of the South-Central Region. We will hold night prayers in the capital's cathedral and then depart for the Basilica of this city for a final ceremony at dusk on the second day", Simte added with a big smile.
"It seems like a very long pilgrimage", I commented casually. "What is the reason for this route? Is it really necessary to make it two days?", I asked, confused.
"The reason for this route is so we can cross the river that gave life to our Kingdom. As for the duration, it's so that both the Sun God and the Moon God can see us twice as devout. We'll depart at dawn on the first day with the Sun God's blessing, and we'll arrive at the basilica to pray at night on the second day with the Moon's blessing", he explained, raising his hands and closing his eyes.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta continues with the meetings, and we're beginning to get a clearer picture of what the kingdom is and what path it will follow.
Unnecessary fact of the day: the greatest civilizations of the time lasted a considerable time fighting against European kingdoms. However, the one that lasted the longest, and whose battles are recorded, were the Mapuches in southern South America. Battles against the Chileans and Argentinians, already independent at that time, are reported until the 19th century.]