Alliance Secrets, Books, and Documents

The sun at the zenith shone down, falling on the bark-paper document. The writing on it was clearly visible, and the details of the alliance entered his eyes.

"The northern city-states total 410,000 people. The northwestern Xilotepec State (abbreviated as Xipek State) has 130,000 people, the northern Metztitlan State (abbreviated as Metlan State) has 80,000 people, and the northeastern Atotonilco (abbreviated as Alke State) has 200,000 people."

Xolotl reread it once more and gave his assessment in a low voice.

"The Alliance's northern city-states generally have smaller populations. They are all military city-states on the frontier."

"The northern fields are somewhat barren, and the states have been through war after war, so their populations are not abundant. But the three northern states face relatively heavy military pressure and depend on supplies from the Alliance center, so they have always been quite loyal."

The high priest smiled calmly. He knew every corner of the Alliance like the back of his hand.

"Xolotl, my child. Northern Metlan State is the place you passed through when you returned from your first captive-taking. It has only 80,000 people, governed by the local glory nobles, and farther north it borders the Huastec."

Hearing this, Xolotl nodded and sank into memory. He still remembered Metlan City, which he had passed through after his first captive-taking. In its central market, he had also met Tikalo, the Maya merchant of noble birth.

"The northwestern Xipek State was taken during the campaign against the Otomi People. It is managed by a royal noble, the Northern General Ocelotl. Xipek State is an important northern stronghold. It lies near a tributary of the Tampico River, with rich soil and water, a vast area, and many fertile fields. In the era of the Otomi People, it had a full 300,000 people. It