Starting with Tlaxcaltec, the expedition force grew alarmingly large as natives bearing grudges against the Mexica joined their ranks.

“What’s our approximate scale so far?”

“Including the natives and expedition force, about sixty thousand.”

“When we first arrived at the beachhead, wasn’t it around thirty thousand? And when we broke through the jungle and set out again, it was about twenty thousand?”

“That’s correct. About forty thousand have newly joined us.”

“It’s good that we’ve grown larger, but…”

Lee Jing-ok stroked his thick beard, unable to hide his worry.

“We don’t have to worry about supplies, but everything else is problematic…”

Since Tlaxcaltec, a formidable power in its own right, had joined them, followed by other substantial tribes, supply issues weren’t a major concern.

Most of the tribes joining the expedition force brought their own food and weapons, alleviating worries about the most problematic aspects of logistics and armament.

***

The native warriors who joined in this manner cast envious eyes on the logging axes used by the expedition force and the surrendered tribal warriors who had joined earlier.

These were far superior blades compared to the macuahuitls they used.

The logging axes could split a wooden shield in half with a single swing and produce similar results when swung at people.

Their macuahuitls could achieve similar results against unshielded people, but the effort required was different. The logging axes could inflict deeper wounds with less force than macuahuitls.

The expedition force leadership, well aware through the example of the earlier surrendered tribes that natives greatly favored these logging axes, used them as political tools.

They presented logging axes to the commanders of newly joined native tribal warriors, starting with Tlaxcaltec, and to tribal leaders.

Those who received unused brand-new logging axes with freshly sharpened blades and leather scabbards—naturally adorned with beautiful patterns carved by skilled soldiers they had sought out—beamed with delight and expressed great gratitude.

What was interesting was how these logging axes presented by the expedition force became symbols of authority.

This was because they hadn’t just casually handed over the axes, but presented them with considerable ceremony along with carefully crafted scabbards.

The commanders who received logging axes showed them off to their subordinates, and the leaders behaved similarly.

“Behold! These foreigners have presented this to me as a mark of respect!”

***

The biggest problem facing the suddenly enlarged expedition force was friend-or-foe identification and confusion in the chain of command.

Among Mexica warriors, those who had captured prisoners wore cuextecatl—splendid full-body suits dyed red, yellow, blue, or green.

Those who had accumulated further merit to become jaguar or eagle warriors, or who had entered the officer ranks or cuachic, wore even more elaborate decorations on their backs.

However, warriors who had yet to achieve any military distinction wore only white quilted vests, short cloaks, and undergarments.

When first fighting Mexica warriors, this hadn’t been a major problem.

Most of the warriors from tribes that had surrendered wore only undergarments and went barefoot, and the expedition force had resolved the identification issue by supplying them with military uniforms from their supply stores.

But with the large-scale joining of natives, this became impossible.

Tlaxcaltec warriors, like Mexica low-ranking warriors, wore only white quilted vests, short cloaks, and undergarments. The only difference was the headbands and headdresses they wore.

“In simple one-on-one combat, headdresses alone would suffice for identification, but the problem is that we now have multiple forces mixed together. We can’t distinguish whether groups targeted by artillery wagons or cannons are allies or enemies.”

At Lee Jing-ok’s point, the commanders all nodded. Lee Jing-ok stroked his beard and continued.

“Command transmission is also a problem. We’ve been given command authority, but without a common language, it’s useless.”

This language problem had been a concern since the initial expedition planning stage.

But there was only one answer.

—Actively utilize the surrendered and their tribes.

Though the surrendered tribes were all different, they seemed to understand each other’s languages to some degree, leading to this decision.

—When the expedition force command issues orders, the surrendered would interpret and relay them.

—As more allied tribes joined, the surrendered would focus solely on interpretation while surrendered tribal warriors would serve as messengers.

This had been the initial plan. However, the actual scale of natives joining the expedition force far exceeded expectations.

As the scale grew much larger than anticipated, language problems became even more serious.

Though based on the same Nahuatl, each tribe spoke differently. Of course, since they shared a foundation, communication wasn’t entirely impossible. But understanding precise meanings correctly and quickly was impossible.

If mishandled, this situation of numerical and firepower superiority could lead not to easy victory but to narrow victory, stalemate, or even defeat.

“Of course, there’s no such thing as a draw in war. But unnecessarily prolonged warfare is unacceptable. Let’s think of a solution.”

At Lee Jing-ok’s order, staff officers and commanders wracked their brains.

“Playing dumb won’t help…”

“Armbands are the same. In close combat maybe, but you can’t see them in long-range artillery battles.”

“Still, armbands are necessary. We can’t completely avoid close combat.”

While various ideas were being exchanged, Kim Su-jik, one of the staff officers, stepped forward.

“What about using kkokma?”

“Kkokma?”

Kkokma had long been attached to soldiers’ winter hats, military officers’ battle caps, and helmets for friend-or-foe identification and rank verification.

This tradition continued in the Imperial Army, with kkokma attached to Imperial Army steel helmets and military caps, and Imperial Navy dress caps. However, as gunpowder weapons became common, the kkokma on steel helmets became small, simple black tassel decorations. But kkokma on military caps and dress caps reached the height of extravagance.

“Kkokma… It’s not bad, but…”

While Lee Jing-ok and many commanders nodded thoughtfully, some raised objections.

“It’s a good method, but kkokma would also be hard to see properly at a distance. And obtaining feathers for kkokma wouldn’t be easy. Look at those natives outside. There are many tribes that came wearing only headbands because they don’t even have feathered headdresses.”

“Naturally, feathers would be problematic. That’s why I thought of something else.”

Kim Su-jik explained his concept for kkokma.

—Make a ring-shaped hoop from light, elastic branches, then attach a handle. The ring size should be about the size of a human head.

—Wrap and dye cloth around the ring.

—Insert the handle of this dyed kkokma into the back of the headstrings the natives wear.

“…We’ll dye them with readily available dyes here, then divide the native groups based on these colors. Since the kkokma are large, they’ll be visible from far away, and they’ll be clearly distinguishable from above. If they can be clearly identified from above, command will also become easier.”

After hearing Kim Su-jik’s explanation, all the commanders shouted in unison.

“That’s the perfect solution!”

Thus, the native warriors who joined the expedition force came to wear large kkokma on the backs of their heads.

***

The expedition force command divided the joined natives into four large groups.

The largest number, ten thousand Tlaxcaltec warriors, were split into two groups of five thousand each, while other tribes were combined into two groups.

These four groups wore kkokma dyed green, red, yellow, and blue respectively.

“They’re definitely visible at a glance!”

Having organized the natives, the expedition force trained them to move in response to drum signals.

Based on the drum signals used by Tlaxcaltec warriors, who could be considered the core of the native forces, the expedition force created four signals.

Forward, retreat, turn left and advance, turn right and advance.

“If they just listen and move according to these, there won’t be any trouble.”

As Lee Jing-ok said, the native warriors soon became accustomed to the drum signals.

Once the native warriors began moving in unison to the drum beats, Lee Jing-ok again summoned his subordinate commanders.

“Now let’s go mess them up.”

“Yes, General!”

***

Ten days later, the expedition force and native allied army arrived at Tenochtitlan.

“As expected, they’re waiting.”

Mounted on his horse and surveying the front with a telescope, Lee Jing-ok muttered calmly.

To defend Tenochtitlan, situated within Lake Texcoco, countless Mexica warriors had formed a defensive line and were waiting for the expedition force.

After confirming the Mexica warriors preparing for battle in their defensive positions, Lee Jing-ok ordered his subordinates.

“Today is not good for battle. The day is already far advanced, and the soldiers are tired. Since there’s still distance from the enemy’s stronghold, we’ll camp here tonight.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, there will definitely be a night raid. Prepare for it properly.”

“Yes, General.”

Following Lee Jing-ok’s orders, the allied army built their encampment while preparing for night raids.

After pitching tents and eating dinner, the allied army divided their forces to alternate between rest and vigilance.

However, the anticipated night raid that everyone expected did not occur.

The Mexica warriors were not in a position to launch night raids either.

***

Akon, who had escaped through the expedition force’s crossfire by the skin of his teeth, returned to Tenochtitlan with all his might.

After stopping to raid nearby villages when hungry during his journey, Akon reported the defeat to Montezuma and other leaders.

“Defeated?”

“We lost! The strategy was good, but…”

Akon desperately made excuses to save his own life.

“The greatest responsibility for defeat lies with Atrucutli! His poor command prevented our forces from creating an opportunity to attack!”

Trying to shift blame to Atrucutli, who was clearly dead since he hadn’t arrived yet, Akon desperately made excuses.

“The strategy was indeed good…”

“That’s right.”

Whether his excuses worked, Montezuma and other nobles, along with the priests, asked Akon no further questions about responsibility.

“Then, what do you think we should do going forward?”

To Montezuma’s question, Akon immediately responded.

“Negotiation.”

“Negotiation?”

“Yes. The weapons these foreigners possess are more powerful than ours. We must acknowledge this. However, they must travel far to get here. A prolonged war would be difficult for them. Just once! If we win properly just once, then negotiate!”

Montezuma accepted Akon’s opinion and prepared for a final battle.

And Akon was again appointed as the commander to lead that battle.

“I’ll give you one more chance, the last one.”

At Montezuma’s warning, Akon gritted his teeth and answered.

“I’ll do my best!”

‘Defeat means death!’

Whether becoming a sacrifice with his heart ripped out, or dying to the expedition force, the price of defeat was death.