The Imperial Army and the Aztecs faced off with the Imperial coastal beachhead at the center.
The Aztec warriors had surrounded the beachhead in a semicircle.
Imperial officers examined the Aztec warriors’ formation surrounding the beachhead, assessing its strengths and weaknesses.
“Don’t they look rather disorganized? They don’t seem to know much about warfare.”
At the junior officer’s remark, a seasoned senior officer shook his head.
“No. Look carefully—see those oddly dressed fellows interspersed throughout? They must be commanding the soldiers around them. It means they have a command structure.”
“Ah, I see.”
The veteran officer, pointing out the Eagle Warriors, Jaguar Warriors, and mid-ranking warriors positioned throughout the formation, smacked his lips lightly and continued.
“Hmm. Makes them perfect targets, though.”
The Eagle and Jaguar Warriors wore jumpsuit-like garments covering their entire bodies. They dressed in vibrantly dyed clothes that caught the eye and wore wooden eagle or jaguar heads on their heads. Below them in rank were mid-level warriors wearing cuextecatl.
These mid-ranking warriors wore tlahuitztli, a full-body suit similar to those of the Eagle and Jaguar Warriors, and conical hats of the same color as their clothing.
These mid-level warriors wore quilted full-body armor with butterfly-shaped decorations on their backs, corresponding to the number of captives they had taken.
Thanks to these flamboyant attires, the mid-ranking warriors and Eagle and Jaguar Warriors stood out at a glance among the lower-ranking warriors who wore only ordinary quilted vests.
“But don’t the soldiers seem spaced too far apart?”
“It must be because of their weapons. Those clubs with stone blades embedded in them seem to be their main weapons, and with that shape, they can only swing them. Thrusting is impossible. So they need that space to fight properly.”
The senior officers, mentioning the macuahuitl—the Aztec warriors’ main weapon—couldn’t hide their disappointment.
“The explosive shells might not be as effective as we’d like.”
“At least those flimsy quilted vests should be no match for our mounted firearms.”
***
While the Imperial junior and mid-ranking officers observed those surrounding them, the senior commanders near Admiral Ahn Sang-su were studying those around Montezuma I.
“Judging by their attire, the person in that palanquin must be either their king or someone of very high rank.”
“I agree. By the way, that unit gives me pause. They must be either royal guards or an elite unit.”
The unit identified by the senior commanders was the Aztec Empire’s elite unit called Cuachicqueh.
Those who captured more than five prisoners in battle could become officers or elite warriors called Cuachic.
And the Cuachicqueh was a unit composed of these Cuachic warriors.
Like the Jaguar and Eagle Warriors, they wore green-dyed tlahuitztli and decorations called xopilli attached to their backs.
As befitting a unit composed of elite warriors, the Cuachicqueh displayed impressively strict military discipline.
“Behind them, do you see? There are slings and bows.”
“That device attached to their spears is interesting. It probably increases the throwing distance. Judging by the slings, bows, and those spear devices, they have long-range projectile weapons too. They’re definitely more accustomed to large-scale battles than those we’ve seen in the New Frontier.”
“Slings… when I was young, I used to be quite good with those in neighborhood stone battles.”
The Imperial senior commanders’ voices remained quite composed as they observed the slings, bows, and atlatls—spear-throwers.
This was because they had something they firmly believed in.
“Still, they’ll just be targets before our mounted firearms, rifles, and explosive shells.”
“I concur.”
Admiral Ahn Sang-su smiled bitterly at the conversation behind him.
Are they just inevitable soldiers? Instead of thinking about peaceful dialogue, they’re already considering how to win a fight…
Admiral Ahn Sang-su soon shook his head at the bellicose dialogue around him.
I’m in no position to criticize. I’m the same.
He too had immediately assessed whether the current ammunition at the beachhead would be sufficient to handle the soldiers Montezuma I had brought. Not only that, his first thought upon spotting Montezuma I was the possibility of sniping him.
If we snipe him, we could immediately turn the tide…
***
The Aztecs were similarly gauging their opponents’ capabilities.
“What do you think?”
To Montezuma I’s question, the Tlacochcalcatl standing beside the palanquin answered. Wearing a grotesque helmet modeled after Cihuacoatl, the goddess with a skull face, the Tlacochcalcatl promptly replied:
“If you give the order, we will attack immediately and take them as sacrifices.”
“I’m concerned that they stand so boldly despite being vastly outnumbered by us.”
“It’s just bluster. There have never been enemies who didn’t fall to our warriors’ attacks. And even at this moment, prayers for our victory are being offered in Tenochtitlan.”
At the Tlacochcalcatl’s answer, Montezuma I looked around and muttered:
“And they desire battle more than anyone.”
At the Aztec warriors’ encampment, priests armed identically to the warriors were glaring at the foreigners.
Like the Aztec warriors, the priests’ attire changed depending on how many captives they had taken.
Competent priests who had captured six or more prisoners wore yellow or red-dyed tlahuitztli and coyote helmets on their heads.
“Tlatoani, please give the order. We will subdue them immediately.”
At the Tlacochcalcatl’s urging, Montezuma I looked at the other high-ranking officers—the Tlacateccatl, Huitznahuatl, and Ticocyahuacatl.
Seeing that they too had similar expressions, Montezuma I felt a headache coming on.
It was customary for the Tlatoani, the emperor, to personally lead campaigns whenever the Aztecs waged war. And Montezuma I had been enthusiastically commanding foreign expeditions all this time.
As a result, the warriors believed that Montezuma’s personal presence meant war.
Warriors, who could gain opportunities to rise to higher social strata by capturing prisoners on the battlefield, were currently hoping for war.
If I hesitate here, the warriors will not remain loyal. However…
Since seeing the dagger previously, Montezuma I had found it difficult to commit to war.
I have no choice…
Keenly feeling that he was backed into a corner, Montezuma I issued an order.
“Let’s start with provocation first.”
“Yes, sir!”
***
“Wooooo~!”
Receiving orders through messengers, the Aztec warriors began to provoke the Imperial army stationed at the beachhead.
Starting with loud jeers, the Aztec warriors provoked the Imperial army with all sorts of insults, curses, and mocking gestures.
But surprisingly, the effect was minimal.
“What are they doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? They’re trying to provoke us.”
Though unable to understand the words, the Imperial soldiers instinctively recognized the provocation from the gestures. However, the Imperial forces, especially those from the homeland, merely smirked or looked incredulous at the Aztec warriors’ provocations.
“They’re trying to provoke us here? This is something you’d see in a neighborhood stone fight.”
To the Imperial army, hardened through battles with Ming, provocation was foolish.
If you want to fight, you should start with shells and bullets as soon as you see the enemy. Why waste time with provocations?
This was the homeland Imperial army’s mindset.
Instead, it was the New Frontier-born Imperial soldiers who became agitated. They were accustomed to tribal warfare where provocations were common right before battle.
“These damn motherfuckers!”
“Hey, control yourself! Get a grip!”
“Where on earth did you learn such strange dialect?”
The homeland soldiers had to break into a sweat to restrain their New Frontier counterparts who were about to pull their triggers.
“What are you doing when orders haven’t been given yet! Do you want a pay cut? No, would you prefer a demotion instead?”
At the nearby commander’s scolding, the New Frontier soldiers immediately came to their senses. Now more devoted to capitalism than anyone, pay cuts and demotions were worse than death to these New Frontier soldiers.
“N-no, sir! We’re sorry, sir!”
“Where on earth did you learn such dialect!”
***
Meanwhile, Montezuma I’s expression grew even more serious as he observed the Imperial army’s reaction from his palanquin.
There was a reaction to the warriors’ provocations. But it was less than expected and quickly subsided.
This means not only the high-ranking warriors but even the low-ranking ones don’t get easily excited. This has become troublesome.
Through past experience, Montezuma I knew well that enemies who remain calm without being easily provoked were the most dangerous.
“Hmm…”
Having confirmed once again that their opponents were not to be taken lightly, Montezuma I looked at the high-ranking officers around him.
Seeing that even the experienced senior officers’ expressions had turned serious, Montezuma I firmed his resolve.
“Prepare my escort. I will meet them personally.”
“Tlatoani! It’s dangerous!”
“It cannot be allowed!”
Though all the officers around him tried to dissuade him, Montezuma I was resolute.
“I must go! Prepare my escort!”
At Montezuma I’s firm command, the officers prepared the honor guard.
Shortly after, the Aztec lines parted left and right as the palanquin carrying Montezuma I came forward.
Under the strict escort of the Cuachicqueh, the palanquin carrying Montezuma I slowly moved toward the beachhead.
“Their leader is moving, so I should go out too.”
“We’ll prepare your honor guard!”
Seeing Montezuma I’s movement, Admiral Ahn Sang-su also left the beachhead surrounded by his honor guard.
Montezuma I and Admiral Ahn Sang-su met in the middle ground between the two sides.
Alighting from his palanquin, Montezuma I raised his hand to his chest, introducing himself.
“I am Montezuma, the Tlatoani of the great Aztec.”
Though they couldn’t understand each other’s language, Admiral Ahn Sang-su understood the meaning through gestures and replied with his hand on his chest:
“Admiral Ahn Sang-su of the Great Han Federal Empire.”
Aztec, Tlatoani, Montezuma.
Great Han Federal Empire? Navy Admiral, Ahn Sang-su?
As they faced each other silently, analyzing each other’s intentions, Admiral Ahn Sang-su unsheathed the general’s sword at his waist and extended it.
As Admiral Ahn Sang-su offered the sword, Montezuma I ordered a nearby warrior to receive it.
Shing.
“Oh!”
Drawing the sword from its scabbard, Montezuma I exclaimed in admiration at the well-crafted general’s sword.
He offered a weapon? And judging by their reactions so far, they don’t intend to fight. But I can’t completely trust them.
Montezuma I desperately racked his brain.
In a way, this is the heart of enemy territory. I need to draw the enemy to our side. So…
Montezuma I raised his hand, pointing to himself and Admiral Ahn Sang-su, then pointed in the direction of the capital.
“You and I, together to Tenochtitlan.”
Seeing Montezuma I’s gestures, Admiral Ahn Sang-su nodded and replied:
“I will go with you.”
Having reached an agreement through gestures, both sides returned to their respective camps.
Returning to the beachhead, Admiral Ahn Sang-su ordered his subordinates:
“We’ll move together with them. Prepare the soldiers. Contact the fleet and tell them to send forces to guard the beachhead.”
“Yes, sir!”