Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 1934 1405: Long Knife Hu Nu, Divine Kutadai Port!

"Hoo!..."The candle flame flickered, illuminating the corner of a dream. The campfire crackled, its glow warming the spring tent. Zuwaro, holding a candle, lifted the heavy felt tent flap. The flame transformed into a vast snowfall, covering the entirety of Kutadai Island.

"Howl! Howl! Howl!..."

Samoyed and Kutadai dogs howled within the camp, seemingly startled by some disturbance, accompanied by the neighs of battle horses. The soft voices of women arose from the tent, in three different tones. Zuwaro smiled, turned back to let the women continue sleeping, yet was still assisted by gentle hands as he donned his fur coat and cloak.

"Zhuo, do you want us to accompany you?"...

"No need. I'll just patrol the camp. You continue sleeping."

"Then, shall we make some trout and mountain vegetable soup (Ohaw)? We'll keep it warm by the campfire, waiting for your return."

"Hmm... alright!"

Zuwaro nodded, bid farewell to his three Ainu wives, and ventured into the expansive Divine Kutadai Port. This port, located at the innermost part of Aniva Bay, had a major river to the north, connecting the entire southern part of the Great Island, the most suitable place for settlement, which would become the future site of the largest city on the island, Nan Sahalin.

Simply put, Divine Kutadai Port had a river to the north, a bay to the south, hills shielding the east and west, and further west lay vast marshlands. In Zuwaro's planning, the northern camp area was ideal for cultivating vast potato fields, extending into the inland valley. The southern side naturally served as the port and fishing grounds, with plans to establish a small shipyard.

The western marshes, tough to develop, were reserved as a tribal hunting ground, fenced off for a large horse-breeding field, with pens for cattle, and coops for chickens, ducks, and geese. Oh, and the training grounds for the Samurai were also planned for this area. The eastern hills were designated as the workshop district, with a blacksmith and carpentry workshop already set, and upcoming additions like pottery, lacquerware, and bamboo workshops would be built at more stabilized high grounds of the camp.

Thus, the camp population was organized according to these plans. Over a hundred Japanese farmers resided in the northern part of the camp, in newly built pit houses, unable to escape. Hmm, after several months of full meals, sometimes even tasting meat, they actually had no thoughts of escaping.

Over three hundred Ainu tribe members, including more than a hundred surrendered Ishikari prisoners, built rows of tribal huts near the port and fishing boats in the south, taking on various tasks, including fishing. Over forty Shengshu Jurchen tribe members resided in the western camp, engaged in daily hunting and leather work. Meanwhile, a hundred and fifty from the Kingdom's Main Force, comprising Kingdom's Warriors, Deer Clan Hunters, and Mountain Hunters, lived at the camp's center, ensuring the important Japanese Craftsmen stayed within sight.

Unquestionably, according to Kingdom tradition, a major town center always featured a Chief Divine's Temple, with a vast central plaza left around it. The simple warehouse pits at the plaza's sides would gradually be constructed into brick-and-mortar warehouses, the most crucial being the armory for weapons storage and the granary for food reserves.

"Chief Divine bless! Though it's just an empty camp now, it will surely become a true metropolis! The port at the southern edge of this large island will become the Kingdom's most critical foothold on the Western Sea Continent, guarding the entire Kutadai Island!..."

Surveying the snow-clad camp, Zuwaro felt a surge of boundless ambition. His meticulous planning aimed to develop this Divine Kutadai Port as the Kingdom's most vital core on the Western Sea Continent!

Surrounding the Divine Kutadai Port, there was no significant tribal threat, as it was near Ainu allies, the Japanese Tribes, and Forest Tribes, perfectly suited for north-south trade. The hinterland had a vast, potential-filled island interior. Compared to here, the northern Ice and Snow Island (Kamchatka Peninsula) seemed exceedingly cold, remote, and barren!

"It's only March now, and the freeze here will last until April... hmm, the freeze period is a month shorter than that surrounding Ice and Snow Island, indeed much warmer! The potatoes brought by the Kingdom, able to be planted in small quantities on Ice and Snow Island, should also be possible here! In the upcoming spring months of April and May, we must quickly sow the seeds. I wonder what kind of level these rice-growing Japanese farmers would have in growing potatoes?"...

Zuwaro walked to the northern river bank, kicked away the thick snow, revealing the dark soil. He had never seen such black soil before, but it indeed appeared quite fertile. Even the long grass growing here was extremely lush, particularly favored by horses!

"Speaking of which, the camp currently has five Jurchen stallions and twelve pregnant Japanese mares...the horse breeders must be patient in tending to them, ensuring the horse herd multiplies successfully! And the breeding pair of water buffalo, I heard, can reproduce in ten months but only produce one calf at a time... reproduction is still too slow, we'll need to bring in more cattle this year!"

Having checked the northern riverbank, Zuwaro moved to the western horse paddock. Breeding horses was tough work. The over ten pregnant mares all resided individually in another corral, managed by the horse-breeding Ema family and over ten Ainu apprentices around the clock. Meanwhile, the warriors from the Shengshu Jurchen Tribe were gently calming the four neighing, restless battle horses... wait! Four horses?!

"Hu Nu! And the horse?! Where's the most magnificent warhorse, why is it gone?..."

Upon hearing the question in Jurchen Language, Hu Nu stood up, revealing his towering physique of almost two meters and over 200 pounds. He lowered his head, looking down at Zuwaro, feeling that his posture seemed off, he squatted down, aligning himself with Zuwaro.

"Chieftain... Female Chief Henü just rode off with that stallion! She took a bow and falcon, intending to compete in hunting with Female Chief Suona, to see who is more courageous and valiant! Female Chief Suona also took a bow, and four large dogs and a sled... Those four white dogs are very large, making the stallions quite alert, some are nervous and neighing..."

"What?! Henü is going to compete with Suona in hunting? Riding and hunting in such thick snow? Why doesn't she use a sled?..."

"Chieftain... Female Chief Henü said that the big dogs in the camp were all trained by Female Chief Suona, so she won't use them!... She wants to train dogs herself, until then, she'll ride the horse!..."

"... Such a stubborn and competitive woman!..."

Zuwaro's forehead broke into a sweat, momentarily speechless. Henü and Suona are both valiant female hunters, one from the Maha Tribe of the Shengshu Jurchen, the other from the Mountain Part of Kamchatka. They are his "wings," only this pair of "wings" is extraordinarily strong. Any one of them could easily overpower him, truly a "hanging beating."

And since arriving at the camp of Kutadai Port, the two women have been competing for the position of "boss," for the title of "First Mother Tiger," from end of the year to the beginning, without establishing supremacy. Moreover, neither wanted to share a tent with the other, resulting in them each moving out to live in separate tents, which instantly relieved Zuwaro greatly.

Maha Henü is a skilled horse-riding hunter, while Musuona is skilled in dog training and hunting. Their archery is similar, but Henü's strength is noticeably greater, capable of drawing a 130-140 pound heavy bow, whereas Suona can only draw 110-120 pounds. As for Zuwaro, well, he generally does not participate in the competitions...

However, when it comes to hunting, Suona with the aid of hunting dogs has an advantage over Henü. After all, human sense of smell can't compare with dogs. But Henü evidently doesn't believe this, insisting on surpassing Suona in hunting, hence she frequently goes out...

"Chief Divine! Is there even a need to compete? Tigers can't compare to these two... Aye! Both are mother tigers, insisting on determining superiority..."

Zuwaro grumbled inwardly but didn't express it in front of Hu Nu. Henü's bravery and ability to fight, being of the same clan, might have an even higher standing among these Jurchen Warriors than himself.

If he said anything, it might reach Henü's ears by night. Then, that woman would certainly storm over, drive off gentle Shell, White Fir, and Spring, and ride him all night... Hiss!...

"Chief Divine protect! Don't let any real tiger appear and harm my wife..."

After pondering for a while, Zuwaro sighed, bowed down, and prayed for a moment. Then, looking at the sturdy Hu Nu, he amiably patted his shoulder, laughing.

"Let's go! Hu Nu! Walk with me east to the Blacksmith's shop! These days, Tie Zhu forged a few big swords... just right to pick one for you! Always carrying a long-handled Stone Hammer, though it packs a punch when hitting, it doesn't look imposing!"

"Chieftain, giving me a big sword?... How big? Can it kill a tiger in one swing?"

Hu Nu blinked his eyes, somewhat puzzled. Due to lacking iron, the Shengshu Jurchen Tribes rarely use big swords. Instead, various Bones and Stone Hammers are more common, not easily damaged, and easily replaceable.

"Haha! A regular long knife is about half your height! There's also a long-handled Big Long Sword, which is as tall as you, nearly two meters, only you can wield it!"

"Chief Divine witness! Hu Nu, you carry such a long knife, and I'll equip you with a three-layer Heavy Armor... the astonishing might, the fierce and invincible long knife sweeping... When we trade with the Japanese in the south at spring, surely they'll look upon us with awe, dare not to have any other thoughts! Haha!"