Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 556 - 272: Priest University, Majestic Lake Light
December’s long winds came from the north, bringing the chill from the highlands. The fields far and wide had already been harvested, leaving only large swathes of half-cut corn stalks and the weeds that finally sprouted in the fields. The majestic Qinchongcan City also emerged from its solemn silence and began to bustle and clamor.
The New Year was approaching, and prayer rituals were held continuously throughout the city, with the scent of burning pine resin wafting between neighborhoods. Merchants brought celebratory goods from all around—spices from the forests, agricultural produce from the fields, wild goods from the mountains, fish and shellfish from the lake, and various practical handicrafts.
The most popular among these were the curtains depicting the mythology of the Chief Divine. Following tradition, the Mexica nobility hung these divine curtains from the tops of their houses. Beneath these curtains, they hung two bunches of fresh flowers in homage to the gods and burned incense at scheduled times each day for prayer. The Prepetcha nobility imitated them, filled both with awe of the Supreme Chief Divine and submission to the Divine Church King.
As the Priesthood from the Alliance came from the west, Xiulote suddenly had an abundance of literate talents. He urgently needed to assign these culturally adept priests. The King then gathered the Priesthood within the Palace of Wind, reviewed the several hundred priests who had come from the west, and discussed carefully with Mawilo who led them. Ugus had already taken up temporary residence in the Temple at the House of Wind. True to the agreement, he did not intervene in the management of the priests.
Xiulote, holding the Divine Staff, sat on his high throne. He looked at the group of young people in Feather Crown Ceremonial Dress and then caught sight of another familiar, weathered face. The King smiled and nodded; the other party bowed respectfully and cautiously. Then the King turned his gaze to Mawilo in front of him.
"Supreme High Priest Mawilo, the priest delegation supported by the Alliance is much younger than I anticipated..."
"Yes, Your Highness. At least 60% of the priests sent to the Lake Capital City district are junior priests fresh from priest school for just two years, not even past their early twenties. Moreover, over 90% of them are of commoner background... All the young commoner priests from the Capital City are here."
Mawilo nodded solemnly and then smiled slightly.
"Your Highness, in the two years of religious reform, many commoner children were admitted into priest schools, and many commoner priests emerged prominently. Gradually, there arose some dissatisfaction and disputes among the upper and lower ranks... The establishment of new districts was a significant matter, and the Elder Priests discussed for a long time who should be transferred. Travelling thousands of miles to the unfamiliar towns and villages of Prepetcha’s Lake Capital City to oversee the religious affairs of the new districts is neither stable nor easy..."
"So, the final decision of the discussion was to prioritize sending young, junior, commonly-born priests?"
Xiulote pondered for a moment, not quite displeased. Young commoner priests were more energetic and easier to control, making them suitable grassroot managers. They had high potential for molding, merely requiring time to develop. In fact, such a choice was beneficial for both parties. The King thought for a moment and then asked in a low voice.
"Religious reform... within the Priesthood... commoner and noble priests, Holy City and Capital City priests... what is the current situation?"
Mawilo’s expression turned serious. He withheld nothing, replying in an equally low voice.
"With the further implementation of religious reform, the powers of various levels within the Priesthood are expanding. To vie for important positions, there has been some accumulation of dissatisfaction among the factions... But as long as the elders live another day, as long as the High Priest can still manage affairs, as long as the external expansion continues... the Divine Church Priesthood remains a united and strong entity, standing firm like the Chief Divine’s Snake Mountain!"
Xiulote nodded. He thought for a moment, then instructed Mawilo.
"Supreme High Priest Mawilo, you are my trusted and loyal elder, and only you can bear the most critical positions within the Priesthood! I plan to divide the priestly duties of the fief into different departments...
The High Priest of Scriptures is responsible for astronomy, religious law, and rituals, holding the highest status, which I plan to entrust to Supreme High Priest Ugus... The Director of History speaks of history, integrates various parts, requires the influence among the people of Prepetcha, which I have already entrusted to Supreme High Priest Jatili... The Director of Preaching engages in central administration, overseeing national faith dissemination and local community management. This position is the most important, bearing the heaviest responsibility... I intend to entrust it to you!"
At this, Mawilo was invigorated. Over these days, he had already gained a preliminary understanding of the ecclesiastical authority in the fief. The Director of Preaching held the most significant administrative authority, essentially being the head of all departments! Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, devoutly chanting.
"The light of the Chief Divine bathes the earth, and the sky of blood bears the Divine Eagle soaring!... Your Highness, you carry the Divinity left by the Sun God on earth; I am willing to die for you!"
"Very good! I entrust you with the lower levels of the Palace of Wind as the administrative center for the Preaching Priests!"
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Xiulote solemnly nodded, reached out to touch Mawilo’s hair, and then helped him stand with both hands. As for the remaining War Priests and Divine Revelation Priests, he would temporarily lead and command them personally, selecting assistants to help manage. The conversation between the two became even more cordial, the King continued to ask.
"Mawilo, have the new priests completed their studies of scripture and religious laws?"NN
"After two years of study, all priests can proficiently master the fundamental scriptures from the Book of Ama Colley, recite important chapters, write simplified pseudonyms, and understand basic arithmetic. They all qualify as village priests. About 30% can proficiently use proper and pseudonyms for documentation, understanding simple arithmetic calculations. These priests can take on more important town management roles, responsible for tax collection and business records..."
"Very good! Then dispatch them to various military and civilian settlements, filling the gaps in the governance roots of the Kingdom. It’s necessary to supplement the central hub of the Kingdom with a batch of middle to low-level clerks... How well have they learned the Prepetcha language?"
Xiulote nodded in satisfaction, the Alliance Priests were able to fill the gaps of low-level officials and enhance the propagation of faith among the Prepetcha people.
"After training, they were able to speak some simple Prepetcha and conduct everyday conversations. After staying in the Land of the Lake for a while, their language skills improved naturally."
"Hmm, I will arrange manpower to train them on their monthly days off... you see, who is more suitable to be sent to the northern highland to spread the faith among the Canine Descendants?"
"The highland is harsh, we need to choose those with the best health..."
The two discussed the missionary matters of the Fief and surrounding areas, and identified the leader of the missionaries going to the northern Canine Descendants. Their conversation gradually ceased.
The King shifted his gaze and gestured to the Priests standing quietly not far away. An old acquaintance cautiously approached and knelt down to salute.
"Respected Supreme High Priest, the exalted King Priest of Tlacopan, Bravo salutes you! Your radiance is like the sunshine after rain, breathing life into the earth and bringing warmth to all people!"
"Very good, Bravo. Long time no see, and you have been doing well these past two years, with a rapid promotion," said Xiulote, looking at the other’s new Third Level Priest attire, expressing a touch of emotion with a smile. When he first met Bravo, he was just an ordinary village priest. Now, just two years later, he had broken through the ceiling of common priesthood and ascended as a central pillar of Third Level High Priest.
"Your Highness, I am but a humble corn stalk. I always remember that it is the High Priest who provides me with dew, but it is you who provide me with sunlight!"
Bravo bowed his head in praise. Before coming to the Land of the Lake, he had just been promoted to Third Level High Priest by the High Priest. The stagnation of his early life and these soaring two years made him realize the source of his fortunes.
Xiulote touched the other’s hair. He had a favorable impression of this middle-aged Priest. Bravo was down-to-earth, good at learning, and adept at communication. The King pondered for a moment and then made a decision.
"Bravo, I heard from the commander of the Divine Blessing Legion, Natali, that you did very well in Xilotepec City. The Otomi Warriors are very fond of you... I plan to establish an advanced Priest school, the Calmecac, in the Capital City, located in a former manor of a Tarasco Prince. The school will be responsible for teaching common priest knowledge, battle formations, literature and poetry, herbs and plants, mineral smelting, mathematical calculations... and some mythology and natural laws that I have personally compiled and summarized."
"I will personally serve as the headmaster of this advanced school, providing guidance on the outline. However, the specific teaching affairs need a practical vice-principal... Bravo, would you like to be the vice-principal of Calmecac?"
"Ah! Your Highness, I am willing to give my all for you, to expend my last drop of blood to spread the light of the Chief Divine!"
Bravo was overjoyed. He immediately prostrated himself again, deeply bowing in acceptance of the command. Such a managerial position in a high school represented an accumulation of influence and also embodied a bright and promising future.
"Very well!"
Xiulote smiled. He chose such a versatile commoner Priest to manage the school, with many comprehensive considerations.
Unlike the Calmecac in the Capital City, this new Priest school in Qinchongcan would follow the will of the King, teach many innovative subjects, and nurture seeds of science. Some knowledge and ideas would inevitably conflict with traditional beliefs, so there was no need for a traditional Priest with legacy to manage it.
Similarly, the King valued talent and only promoted the worthy. As the Kingdom expanded, the talents cultivated by the school would gradually fill bureaucratic positions with more cultural and professional skills. The school’s manager would gradually amass prestige and wield greater influence. To balance power, there was no need here for a profoundly respected High Priest.
In a moment, a myriad of thoughts flashed through his mind. The King smiled gently and carefully advised,
"Bravo, the school will be open to most citizens of the Fief, selecting excellent students from age-appropriate youths. You must focus on guiding the thoughts of the Prepetcha students... maintaining balance between commoner and nobility offspring... treating students from all backgrounds equally, maintaining their unity... and you yourself must also diligently learn new knowledge and continually progress!"
Bravo nodded repeatedly, memorizing each word of the King. Only after the King finished speaking did he cautiously raise his head to ask.
"Your Highness, what should the newly established Calmecac in the Capital City be named?"
Xiulote fell silent. Countless memories flashed through his mind, and after a while, he smiled with profound meaning.
"On the shores of the Great Lake, spreading the faith of the Chief Divine, seeking the truths of the world, also exploring the broader things of the Great Lake... Let’s call it the Majestic University, the Majestic Lake Light!"
