In the meeting hall of Central Mountain City.
The atmosphere was tense as I addressed the group. "As I mentioned, murder is absolutely prohibited. The gods have placed us in this world to live according to their teachings, and we cannot allow anyone to end another's life. To address this issue, the laws will establish a series of measures, which will include some exceptions, as well as punishments and those responsible for administering them. However, since our people's customs vary by region, there is a possibility that, in the event of conflicts, someone may choose to resolve them according to our traditions. Therefore, this will also be considered in the legislation", I explained slowly.
Over the next half hour, I provided a series of examples involving each of them, anticipating some of the situations that might arise soon. As I continued with my presentation, I noticed how more people were beginning to understand the role these new laws would play and how they should strive to bring their territories into compliance with them. The proposed laws were clear and simple, focused on the reality of our society, but also allowed citizens considerable freedom. The areas to be regulated by these laws included:
Human Life >>> Punishments for murder, abuse, and rape; protection for the elderly and minors; and slavery would be prohibited, except in cases of war criminals or those convicted of serious crimes.
Private and Public Property >>> Regulations on property and land; punishments for theft, usurpation, and destruction of property.
Religion >>> Cultural freedom; punishments for blasphemy against any deity.
Civil Relations >>> Rules on marriages and unions; adoptions; and punishments for divorce or abandonment of the family.
Commerce >>> Establishment of standards, regulations, and oversight bodies; tariffs on imports and exports; taxes; commercial freedom; and the creation of state banks and minting offices.
Public Officials >>> Rules on the exercise of power; Punishments for treason, breach of rules, bribery, embezzlement, and corruption.
Religious Officials >>> Rules for the exercise of religion; punishments for betrayal of the gods, breach of rules, corruption, and embezzlement.
Military Officials >>> Rules on the use of military power; punishments for treason against the kingdom, breach of rules, embezzlement, and corruption.
"Is that clear?", I asked them at the end of my presentation, trying to make sure they understood.
"Yes!", they answered in unison. Though I couldn't help feeling they were doing this more out of an embarrassment to the other leaders than out of genuine understanding.
"In any case, a book containing the rules will be delivered for everyone to study carefully. In addition, a body charged with determining penalties will be established, composed of 'judges' appointed for each town, city, and metropolis. Each of these judges must have a thorough knowledge of the laws and act impartially in their decisions. Citizens will have the option of appealing to an office of higher jurisdiction. For example, a crime committed in a town can be tried there, and if any of those involved object, they can choose to take their case to the nearest city. This process can continue all the way to the apex of this new body, the Supreme Court, which will be the final court of appeal. This court will be made up of high-ranking judges, a group of priests, and some leaders from nearby towns." I took the time to explain these details, as it would be the first time something like this would be implemented at this time, and I wanted the structure to be as complete as possible from the start.
I also announced that this would be the last general meeting of leaders. Next time, a meeting will be held with the Chiefs, the city leaders, along with a group of town and village leaders selected from each district. They will also have to hold internal meetings to discuss and resolve their issues before the next general meeting, in order to address these issues more efficiently. Furthermore, if any leader wishes to have a special audience, they may request it at any time and a date will be assigned. I informed them about this new format during our meetings.
Finally, I shared a series of general guidelines by district for the kingdom's development in the coming year, in a solemn tone. "First, Lake Mountain City must focus on building new and larger ships for the exploration of this vast lake, which we will henceforth call the Eastern Ocean. Likewise, the enormous western lake will be called the Western Ocean", I said, turning my gaze to the Chieftain of the aforementioned city.
"Understood, young Chuta", he replied, as his district leaders nodded in agreement.
"Mountain Pass City will concentrate on developing new farmland and improving existing settlements. They must also work to facilitate a peaceful rapprochement with the Zenú", I continued, noticing the Chieftain nodding seriously. "By the way, the rest of the neighboring districts must offer support in whatever they need", I advised them, and they nodded in agreement. "New Valley City will need to oversee the nearby access routes to the Central and Western Mountain ranges, as settlements will begin to emerge on the other side of the Central Mountain range, and new farmland will open up in this emerging area. Likewise, Central Mountain City will exercise similar control over the territories bordering its district. All of this will be supported by the new towns that have joined our kingdom", I commented, looking around at everyone present, including the kingdom's new leaders, who had previously led neighboring towns.
"We will follow your guidance, young Chuta", they replied.
"Finally, Mountains Crossing City will have the important task of uniting the peoples of the southern mountain range through treaties and negotiations. These are people who have already begun friendly talks with us, but the final step remains for them to decide to join us. They must also try to find trade routes with the people who call themselves 'Sons of the Sun.' They have tried to form a kingdom like ours, but they have enough internal conflicts that prevent them from reuniting. So, we will use this moment of superiority to establish friendly relations with the leaders closest to us", I informed the Chief. "Districts not in danger of war must mobilize 30 percent of their military forces, along with supplies, to be stationed in the Mountains Crossing City district, with the exception of the armed forces under construction, which will only serve as troop transport and logistics", I added.
"We understand, young Chuta", everyone said when they saw that I had finished my orders for them.
"Any questions?", I asked.
"Young Chuta, should we use our military force to unite the villages of the southern mountain range?", asked the Chief of Mountains Crossing City.
"I don't want anything to be misunderstood", I clarified before explaining the reason for the military mobilization. "The reason the military is mobilizing is for deterrence, so that the people see how strong our kingdom is, and as a testing exercise", I explained to everyone.
"So, the plan to annex the villages of the southern mountain range doesn't have a specific timeframe?", the same Chief asked again.
"No… The truth is, we're in no rush to annex them. We could even wait a couple of years, and with all the children born each year, we could form a kingdom much larger than what we could achieve by uniting all the villages in the region", I explained after some thought. "My wish is for all those peoples to understand that their gods and ours are no different; the only difference is our culture and language. The gods placed us in this world many years ago, in different parts of the world. We developed different cultures, but our origins are the same. Furthermore, I would like more people to be part of the kingdom to bring them happiness and glory", I continued my explanation like a veteran political orator of the future.
"Blessed be the wise Chuta", "Thanks be to the Gods", said some of those present.
"With this, we will conclude the last general meeting. I hope that next year you can proudly show me your progress, that more people will join us, and that we can show the gods the greatness of the Suaza Kingdom", I said, looking at everyone with a look of hope.
Two hours later.
"Son of Heaven, the chiefs will come soon", said Simte in the meeting room of my new home.
"Okay", I said, continuing to look at the map. "Do you want some mate?", I offered, pointing to a container on the living room table. It was made of metal on the inside and wood on the outside and contained a mixture of herbs and a little honey with hot water.
"I'll have some", the High Priest agreed, sipping gently from a metal straw. "It feels very warm and sweet", he said, his face smug.
"I call it mate, well, actually, the container is called a mate. It's a series of herbs, very good for your health, steeped in water with a little honey to sweeten the mixture", I explained.
"I hope to have some of this for the temple", he asked calmly.
"You will have it, and in large quantities. I owe you this, after all", I said after reflecting a bit on the help the priests have given me all these years.
"Young Chuta, we have arrived", the Chiefs announced as they entered the hall.
"Let's begin this meeting that will define the future of our people", I told them as they sat down in the available chairs at the table.
"The future?", they all said with slight shock.
"Yes", I affirmed, looking at them seriously. "We will accompany the expansion of our kingdom with progress", I said, showing a broad smile.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta (the main character) defines the aspects that will be included in the laws.
Also, a stage of cultural development will begin that will allow Chuta to have more talents to help him.
Unnecessary fact of the day: the only form of education available at that time was to become an apprentice priest. Those who were actually chosen by the priests themselves to be taught the knowledge of rituals and gods. Although they also learned from their parents or family members.
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]