A campfire burned in the plain great tent, its light reflected on the faces of grandfather and grandson, bringing a little warmth. Clear moonlight fell from the zenith, landing in their rather similar brows and eyes, leaving behind two touches of soft glow.
A moment later, the High Priest gathered his emotions and asked with a smile.
"Xolotl, my child. You've gathered so many people. Is there enough food?"
At this question, Xolotl's expression froze. But facing his grandfather, there was no need to hide anything. He pressed his lips together and said frankly.
"Grandfather, the army's food is indeed somewhat tight. Fortunately, when we took Shuigu City, we gained a large stockpile of grain. Cholula State is wealthy, and we plundered several more batches one after another. Together with what we demanded from Cholula City, it should roughly last until the autumn harvest. The kingdom's south is rushing to build double-hulled canoes to increase water transport. In another two or three months, when the captives are shipped back batch by batch and the kingdom's grain keeps arriving, there will be enough surplus."
At present, the grain carried in by the southern waterways was only barely enough for the consumption of tens of thousands of captives along the transfer route. And the military settlements along the Talsas River were all opening garrison farms. After the autumn harvest, things ought to improve a little.
"Mm. Before I came here, I had just issued a religious decree to send a batch of grain to the Southern Legion. About enough for twenty thousand men for a year."
Hearing this, joy showed on Xolotl's face. The High Priest smiled faintly and instructed him carefully.
"Xolotl, my child. For the Southern Legion to have fought its way here and completely swept clean southern Tlaxcalan already