In the meeting building, I spoke:
"I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that I have prepared a map the same size as that of each government office in the major cities, a gift specially made by me in recognition of your excellent work", I reported with satisfaction about my gift.
"Thank you very much, SuaChie Chuta!", five voices responded in unison, including that of the Chief on the stage.
I continued: "Regarding the construction of settlements, relocating people could be considered to begin the construction of some towns that connect our territory. However, we also need to establish safe routes, even during the winter. I call on all Chiefs and leaders who have territory in the mountain range to please identify these paths to create more access routes and facilitate the expansion of our territory. I assume many of you already know some of them", I expressed playfully.
"It is as you say", murmured some voices in the room.
"Is there anything else?", the priest asked the Chief of Central Mountain City again.
"That is all", he replied as he left the stage.
We spent the next two hours listening to the other chiefs' reports, along with their requests and suggestions. Two city leaders, three town leaders, and five village leaders were also given the opportunity to present their concerns, just as the Chiefs did.
The other Chiefs shared similar progress, although with different economic approaches depending on each area and its proximity to the original territory.
The district corresponding to Mountain Crossing City, located in the southernmost part of our kingdom, reported significant growth in the extraction and production of various metals, such as gold, copper, and silver, among others. In addition, they identified new passes to the south through the mountain range and received messengers from the western mountain range, who came in search of better trade relations.
Although their food production had not increased significantly, some forests near the river had been cleared, allowing them to expand the area devoted to crops for the following year. The number of people entering advanced studies increased, albeit at a smaller rate. Their improvements in civil infrastructure were similar, although more focused on the creation of new boat-building workshops, aimed at boosting trade across the river.
In the New Valley City district, significant progress was made in food production. Furthermore, progress was reported in connecting the eastern mountains, in line with what the first Cacique proposed, which would facilitate the union of the people who wished to join our kingdom. Their development in civil infrastructure included the construction of irrigation canals, the opening of new fields, and the development of ports along the river for the transport of crops.
In contrast, the City of Mountain Pass district reported less notable progress, given that it had been built from scratch from the beginning, as had the settlements that comprised it. However, its agricultural production capacity is expected to surpass that of New Valley City in the near future, thanks to its strategic location. Furthermore, they received representatives from the northwestern peoples, known as Zenú, who had a considerable population. These emissaries sought to establish trade relations like those of other peoples, offering a large amount of gold in exchange for products.
Finally, the Lake Mountain City district reported significant progress in the exploration of its coasts. They are enthusiastic about the vessels and the new fishing techniques I have taught them. Their requests focus on food preservation methods, with the goal of sending seafood to the interior of the territory for trade and offerings to the gods.
As for the other leaders of cities, towns, and villages, they reported progress on a smaller scale, focusing on population growth, improved living conditions, and requests for access to the 'divine knowledge' taught in schools.
"Very well, we will now take a break. In the afternoon, we will continue with the instructions for all the leaders", announced the priest in charge of leading the meeting. "We have a special lunch prepared for everyone", he added.
We headed to the back of the building, where there was a large dining room. There, there was a main table for the leaders, along with several communal tables for the rest of the guests. Gathered at the main table were the Chiefs who had presented their progress at the previous meeting, the Head Priest, priests from the major cities, a group of teachers from the Central Mountain City, and some novice priests.
Regarding the communal tables, it was decided that those attending would share the meal with people from other districts, thus fostering coexistence among different villages and strengthening relationships between the leaders. Also present during lunch were the priests accompanying the leaders, representatives of the new villages that had joined the kingdom, and collaborators who helped organize the meeting.
"These meals are exceptional, worthy of divine knowledge", declared the Chief of the Lake Mountain City as he sampled some of the dishes that adorned the table.
"I can imagine everything young Chuta could create with the new ingredients we could bring from the coast", commented the Chief of Crossing Mountains City. "Son of Heaven, would it be possible for you to send me some special dishes when you have access to these new ingredients?", the Chief respectfully requested.
"I think you're a great fan of the dishes of the future", I mused as I observed his expectant expression. "No problem, everyone can enjoy these dishes if they wish", I replied without hesitation.
"Great!", he exclaimed, visibly pleased with my answer.
"What is your particular favorite dish?", I asked curiously.
"The potato chips you've created are incredible. I can't stop eating them", he affirmed, grabbing some from the nearest plate and bringing them to his mouth. "And this white liquor is excellent; it has a different flavor than chicha, much smoother and more refreshing", he added after taking a long drink from his glass full of rice liquor.
"It's a relief to know you enjoy what we've prepared for you", I said, noticing everyone's reaction like the Chief. No one seemed to miss the delicacies; everyone had their own tastes, but everyone enjoyed themselves eagerly, even a couple of dessert aficionados.
An hour later.
"We will continue with the meeting", announced the priest leading it, looking at the participants, who were all smiling with satisfaction at the banquet. "Now, the Son of Heaven will begin to communicate some things", he added.
"First, I want to express how happy I am with your progress. This feeling doesn't come solely from the fact that this is the result of my orders, but I feel it when I see children playing with more joy and health, mothers welcoming new members into their families without fear of hunger or death, men working more efficiently, soldiers in our army armed with new resources, and the elderly living more comfortably and happily, hoping to enjoy more years to witness the great heights we will reach as a people. It fills me with joy to see the people of Suaza becoming a beacon for other peoples, to be the paradise they longed for and to welcome them with open arms. May they be part of our community and know the greatness of the Gods", I expressed with emotion, inspired somewhat by the speeches I had heard from future politicians.
Clap... Clap, clap... Clap, clap, clap... Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Everyone was deeply moved by my speech; A reverent silence fell over the room. The kingdom's leaders were stunned, the priests held back tears, and the envoys from the other villages exchanged longing glances. It was then that Simte began to clap, a gesture he had watched me perform since I was a baby. At the time, he didn't know its meaning yet, but now he understood its true purpose. Soon, the others joined in, and the sound of applause grew into a thunderous roar, overflowing with suppressed emotions and expressing their joy. "Thank you for believing in me. I hope you will continue to do so that we can achieve even greater things", I said in a grateful tone once the roar of applause subsided.
"First and foremost, I am pleased to announce that, starting today, we will establish a set of rules, which we will call laws. These will exist to guide everyone's conduct, protect our people, and punish those who violate these provisions. They will also be aligned with the rules of coexistence we already have and with the teachings the gods have given us on how we should act in this world", I introduced the concept of laws to everyone.
"Laws?", some of those present asked curiously.
"Let me give you an example", I continued, noticing the doubts on their faces. "Before this new era began for our people, many conflicts were resolved in the most extreme way: death. Although some of those disagreements were resolved peacefully, there were those who chose to settle their disputes through duels that culminated in the loss of lives. However, from now on, no one will fall in combat without justifiable cause", I stated firmly. "The only way a member of our people can die is from old age, accident, illness, or in a war defending our land. Only then can we find ourselves with the gods at the moment of our death. I concluded, adopting a solemn tone that resonated in the hearts of everyone present.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta (the main character) continues with the meeting, and as I mentioned before, any meetings or information the leaders need to share will be briefly described. I don't want to bother anyone with uninteresting chapters.
Unnecessary fact of the day: pre-colonial ethnic groups have some social similarities. One of them is that men with power could have multiple partners (haha, legal harem). There is a record of a Taino Chief who had 30 partners.
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]