February on the coast was mild and warm, with neither too much rain nor too little, and the fields were full of life. Outside Hidden Snake City, the beans planted in autumn and spring were almost at harvest time. And at the river mouth dozens of miles east of the city-state, the cassava fields expanded last year had already grown lush and green, their stalks rising tall, ready to be expanded again very soon.
"Main God be witness! Planting one season of beans on the coast at the end of autumn can add some nutrients to the fields, more or less. And if we could get warm-loving soybeans, they could fix even more nutrients in the soil, suit late-autumn planting better, and even yield oil after harvest... What a pity..."
Beside the bean fields, the villagers of the civilian settlements carried grass baskets on their backs and held wooden and stone farm tools, weeding among the fields and occasionally offering a prayer to the Main God. The coastal climate was warm and humid; February already felt like spring on the plateau. In the Olmec Ancient Holy City, that soul-shaking festival had already passed a month ago. The Totonac tribes around Hidden Snake City had all heard the news of the "miracle" in the holy city, and began reverently chanting the divine name of the Main God. And amid those devout prayers, Xolotl also led the Imperial Guard Legion back to Hidden Snake City, the important stronghold in the eastern coastlands.
"Your Highness, while you were away, I made up a shell dance myself... Could you take a look for me?..."
"Hmm? Li Yu, February on the coast may not be cold, but it still isn't good to wear so little. Besides, wearing only shiny shells has rubbed you red... Cough!