Afterward, warriors from 8 additional tribes joined the expeditionary force’s camp.

The tribes of those who had moved together with Ssang to New Frontier, as well as tribes friendly with them, had sent their warriors.

“Issue machetes to them as well. As a gesture of goodwill.”

“Yes, General.”

Following Lee Jing-ok’s order, machetes were also issued to the warriors from the newly joined tribes.

The native warriors, receiving the rugged yet sharp-edged machetes, had their eyes glistening.

Compared to the macuahuitls they had been using until then, the machetes were slightly shorter and heavier, but far superior in sharpness and durability.

“If only we had swords like these…”

The warriors who joined the expeditionary force stroked the machetes, muttering similar words.

All of them had experienced losing family members to the Mexica who had nestled in Mexico Tenochtitlan. (Note 1)

Therefore, their hatred toward the Mexica was beyond imagination.

And they were cooperating fully with the expeditionary force to vent this hatred.

“These foreigners can eliminate those Mexica bastards!”

Some of the natives who had escaped with Ssang returned to their tribes and told stories of the battle between the Mexica warriors and the imperial army.

The tribal people who heard that just a few hundred imperial soldiers had killed thousands of Mexica warriors initially thought it was an exaggeration.

However, as time passed, rumors coming from various places, and the suddenly diminished movements of the Mexica, became evidence that this was likely true.

Eventually, the tribal chiefs, shamans, and surviving warriors decided to ally with the Empire.

“Their advice is correct. We don’t know now, but it’s certain that those Mexica bastards will start causing trouble again before long. Let’s hide deeper.”

The tribes that heard the escapees’ words hid deeper into the jungle.

Though life would become more difficult, it was an unavoidable choice for survival and for the future.

And this proved to be a wise choice.

When the smallpox whirlwind was driving the Mexica and surrounding areas into tragedy, they were able to avoid that catastrophe.

***

The native warriors who joined the expeditionary force immediately sent messengers to their tribes after seeing the expedition’s armaments and numbers.

“These people are strong. And they are offering various forms of help. It is safer to join them.”

Hearing the warriors’ messages, the tribal chiefs led their tribal members to join the expeditionary force.

Upon receiving the report, Lee Jing-ok stroked his overgrown beard and showed a perplexed expression.

“It’s good that we have more people to help, but won’t there be problems with our marching speed?”

“It doesn’t seem like it will cause much hindrance. And there are even some advantages.”

When one of the staff officers responded that it was actually beneficial, Lee Jing-ok’s eyes brightened.

“Actually beneficial? Explain in more detail.”

“Considering our current force size, the addition of these people doesn’t significantly increase our numbers to the point of causing problems. That means there isn’t much impact on our movement speed.”

“Hmm, that’s true…”

Lee Jing-ok nodded at the staff officer’s words. Moving through the jungle without proper roads made fast movement impossible.

Even now, the expeditionary force’s column stretched out almost 5 li (about 2 km) long. Therefore, as the staff officer said, it was plausible that the addition of these tribal people wouldn’t cause significant problems.

“The advantage is the smallpox vaccination.”

“Smallpox vaccination?”

“After hearing about smallpox, the first thing Lieutenant Ssang and his companions requested was to vaccinate their tribal members.”

“That’s right.”

Lee Jing-ok nodded at the staff officer’s explanation.

***

When Ssang’s group first arrived in New Frontier, the first order Hyang gave after meeting them was to vaccinate them with cowpox.

Although confused and curious, Ssang’s group received the vaccinations.

“If we can gain their cooperation by getting this, we should get it.”

As time passed, when they returned and reported on the smallpox epidemic, the imperial people, who had become friendly with them, told Ssang and his companions:

“Well, well! You won’t have to worry about getting smallpox.”

“Smallpox?”

“That curse that those Mexica or whatever they’re called got. That’s smallpox. And you know what you got as soon as you came to New Frontier? That’s the medicine that prevents smallpox.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Since we started getting that, no one gets smallpox anymore.”

After hearing this, Ssang’s group immediately petitioned Lee Jing-ok.

“Please give our tribal brothers and sisters the cowpox vaccination too!”

Coincidentally, Lee Jing-ok, who was writing a report to Hyang after receiving updates, immediately accepted their petition.

***

“We would have had to go find their tribes to administer the smallpox vaccinations anyway. But since they came to us directly, it’s actually better. It saves us the trouble of searching for them throughout the jungle.”

Lee Jing-ok nodded at the staff officer’s words.

“I see. They say everything has its pros and cons, and there are indeed advantages. Well then, summon Lieutenant Ssang and his companions, inform them that we will vaccinate the tribal people, and tell them to assist. Since we can’t communicate, there could be unfortunate incidents if something goes wrong.”

“Yes, General!”

With Lee Jing-ok’s order, the military physicians and medics of the expeditionary force began to move busily.

Ssang’s group moved actively alongside the military physicians and medics.

“If you get this, you can prevent the curse that the Mexica have contracted!”

The tribal people, who had been anxious about the cowpox vaccination, eagerly extended their arms at Ssang’s group’s words.

“If it can prevent the curse, we must get it!”

“If this is the army that defeated the Mexica, their shamans and priests must be stronger than those of the Mexica! Since they are offering it, we should definitely take it!”

The military physicians who heard the natives’ words through Ssang’s group smiled wryly.

“We’re not shamans but physicians…”

“Well, those who have just become physicians are treated like inexperienced shamans, so perhaps it’s not entirely incorrect?”

Whether it was because the words “can prevent the curse” were effective, the tribal people and warriors willingly received the vaccinations, and the military physicians were able to complete the vaccinations faster than expected.

***

The expeditionary force moved slowly but steadily through the jungle toward Tenochtitlan.

After safely crossing the mountain range that stood between the beachhead and Tenochtitlan, the expeditionary force began to gradually increase its pace.

As the expeditionary force that had overcome the biggest hurdle gradually increased its speed, the soldiers and native warriors at the vanguard became even more tense.

“From now on, remember that you can encounter those damned bastards at any time. Don’t forget that if you’re even slightly distracted, your lives will be lost.”

“Yes, sir.”

The soldiers responded with tense expressions to the commanders’ words.

As they approached the Mexica domain, the movement of the vanguard also changed slightly.

The most capable and experienced native warriors moved in pairs or trios, about 20 zhang (about 60 meters) and 10 zhang ahead of the vanguard.

The mission of those at the very front was to immediately retreat and alert the unit if they spotted enemies.

The mission of those positioned 10 zhang behind them was to immediately inform the main force if the presence of those at the very front disappeared.

Before crossing the mountain range, they had placed scouts about 10 zhang ahead, but now they had thickened it into two layers.

Behind this double-layered scout line were those assigned as the vanguard of the vanguard.

Their mission was to pioneer a path using machetes, axes, and saws.

Right behind them were soldiers with light battle carts and muskets, guarding all directions.

If enemies broke through the scout line and launched a surprise attack, those pioneering the path at the front would immediately lie down or retreat, and those waiting behind would block the attacking enemies.

And behind them was the main body of the vanguard. Their mission was to organize and expand the pioneered path to allow the main force in the rear to move properly, and to be deployed as reinforcements immediately if a battle broke out at the front.

***

As they were getting closer and closer to Tenochtitlan, the first battle finally began.

“Huh?”

“What?”

The expeditionary soldiers who were busy pioneering a path stopped their work when they saw native warriors who had been on scout duty running back.

“Is it already time for rotation…”

“Why…”

The expeditionary soldiers, who were considerably more relaxed compared to when they had just crossed the mountain range, expressed doubts, but only for a moment.

Realizing what the urgent expressions of the approaching native warriors meant, the soldiers immediately stopped what they were doing and turned around.

“Enemy!”

“Enemy!”

At the shouts of the returning soldiers, those waiting behind quickly scattered in all directions to find cover.

At the same time, the returning soldiers found their weapons from the carts placed behind and hid behind cover.

“It’s good to see that all the intense training has paid off.”

Superintendent Ahn Hyeok, who had been watching his subordinates quickly prepare for battle with a pleased expression, soon composed himself and ordered his subordinate.

“Send a messenger. Tell them ‘Enemy encountered, battle preparations complete.'”

“Yes, sir.”

A moment later, a messenger paired with a native ran toward the rear.

Glancing at the retreating figure of the hurrying messenger, Superintendent Ahn shouted to his subordinates taking cover all around.

“Keep your eyes wide open and watch all directions carefully! One mistake and you’ll get stabbed in the side!”

After shouting this, Superintendent Ahn drew the pistol from his waist, gripped it, and put a whistle to his lips.

According to imperial doctrine, firing was prohibited until the commander blew the whistle or gave verbal orders.

***

While the vanguard of the expeditionary force was preparing for battle, Mexica warriors were also preparing for battle in the jungle on the opposite side.

This battle was unexpected for the Mexica warriors as well.

Shortly after the expeditionary force established a beachhead, the Mexica also discovered the landing of the expeditionary force.

However, by the time they discovered the expeditionary force’s landing and prepared troops, the rainy season had begun.

While Tenochtitlan was in a highland area and thus barely affected by the rainy season, the area where the expeditionary force’s beachhead was located was strongly affected by the rainy season.

If they were to depart immediately, it seemed certain that they would lose more troops during the journey than in actual combat.

Therefore, the Mexica waited for the rainy season to pass.

And near the end of the rainy season, the Mexica, having reassembled their soldiers, entered the jungle.

The problem was that the Mexica, having been defeated once by the Empire, had gathered an unprecedented large army.

They also faced the same problems the expeditionary force had experienced.

In their previous battles, they could receive supplies at various points along the route by ordering nearby colonial cities and merchants. They also mobilized slaves and apprentice warriors for transporting supplies.

Thanks to this, the Mexica army could travel light and move quickly.

However, the jungle was an area where intermediate supply was impossible. Therefore, the Mexica had to mobilize more slaves and apprentice warriors than usual.

As a result, the size of the unit became several times larger.

Additionally, the level of tools used was also a problem. Cutting tools made of stone and bronze were at a level that couldn’t be fairly compared with the iron tools used by the Empire.

Therefore, the Mexica ended up encountering the expeditionary force within their own domain.

***

Original Author’s Notes: As I continued to research while writing, I found that “Aztec” is a name given by later Western historians. The Aztecs themselves called themselves Mexica. Hence, I’m changing the terminology.

As an aside, I’m struggling with this terminology.

It seems there’s no definitive answer.

Some places say Mexica, others say Mexica…

Montezuma, Motejuma, Moctezuma….

It’s difficult. It’s giving me a headache….