Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"The fiefs of Chinampa and villages owned by the two Princes could support a private army of six thousand, but in reality, it was four thousand Samurai. Plus, the market taxes from the two cities should be able to additionally support another thousand. After this internal purge, only the last thousand of the private army would remain under the control of the Prince of Tlacopan."

"Similarly, the lands of the Great Nobility could support nearly seventeen thousand Samurai. However, the Great Nobility also need substantial wealth to maintain their noble lifestyles. Their private armies add up to about ten thousand, equivalent to the Royal Family's military force, and they can also mobilize militia from the villages they own. As the military forces are distributed among different families, the Royal Family tries to win over part of the Great Nobility to suppress the entire group, ensuring their military forces follow the King's command."

"The lands of the Priests could support up to six thousand Samurai, but the Priests themselves need a large amount of wealth to sustain their lives and faith, and many donations are unaccounted for. Currently, the Temple Guards number only two thousand and are not easily deployed. They would only send out guards to protect the War Priests during alliance wars."

"The lands of the Lesser Nobility could support ten thousand Samurai, and the actual number of Samurai is also ten thousand. This includes two thousand elite Noble Battle Groups, who are better equipped. Meanwhile, the commoner Samurai of Chinampa could support six thousand Samurai. Typically, they reduce their own compensation and, with the help of their community families, make an effort to support additional younger Samurai."

As Gillim analyzed, the stratified powers of the Capital region gradually became clear in Xiulote's mind. He gained a deeper understanding of Mexica society."

Xiulote then organized his thoughts and summed up the land and manpower of each class in Mexica."

"The Royal Family owns close to thirty percent of the land, with about 35% influence. They have the authority to levy market taxes and distribute Alliance tributes. Specific allocations are in the hands of different ranks of the Royal Family, with the King having the decisive power. The Royal Family firmly controls a military force of twelve thousand."

Xiulote looked at Gillim, who nodded in confirmation."

"The Princes have ten percent of the land, with 10% influence. After the major purging, it's all temporarily attributed to the Royal Family, awaiting subsequent distribution. The same Princes have four thousand vassal Samurai awaiting distribution from the Royal Family. The Prince of Tlacopan also has one thousand private troops."

Gillim slightly smiled, "The elder's action was quick, precise, and ruthless, controlling the two Princes in a day and a night. They had absolutely no time to react, nor could they rally military forces to launch a rebellion."

Xiulote also expressed admiration with a sigh. Then, he slightly frowned."

"The Great Nobility owns nearly thirty percent of the land, with about 25% influence. But they completely evade taxes, even siphoning off market taxes, participating in the distribution of Alliance tributes. The Great Nobility are nearly autonomous, passed down through generations, maintaining private armies and taking on disciples. They are inextricably linked with the nation and will send troops to participate in Alliance wars. Their military force of private armies is about ten thousand."

Gillim's expression turned solemn, and he slowly began to speak."

"Although the Great Nobility are the pillars of the nation, their power should be suppressed as much as possible. The Alliance's control over the Great Nobility is really too weak! Outside the lake region of the three capitals and Four States, the influence of the Royal Family is minimal. In the other Seven States, the Great Nobility have replaced the Royal Family as the actual rulers of the City-States. Across the entire Alliance, their influence constitutes at least forty percent."

Xiulote paused briefly and then nodded slowly. In fact, in Teotihuacan, his own family was the largest comprising of Priests and Great Nobility.

"Priests only own ten percent of the land, and with the addition of religion, their influence is around 15 percent. Likewise, the priestly class is exempt from paying taxes and enjoys generous treatment. But the priestly layer is an important force in maintaining the Alliance. They have their reach in every village and community within the Alliance, forming the basis of national control over the Alliance, equivalent to officials at all levels."

According to the rules, the priestly class does not have legitimate inheritance rights. Lower priests must strictly adhere to the rules and are not allowed to marry. The military force controlled by the priests includes two thousand well-equipped and high-spirited Temple Guards."

Gillim first nodded, acknowledging that the priestly class is the most important network of maintenance among the City-States of the Alliance. Then he smiled slightly, looking at Xiulote. Marriage inheritance among high priests was exceedingly common.

Xiulote's face turned slightly red, and he continued his analysis.

"Militia nobility control fifteen percent of the land, and their influence is reduced, about 10 percent. They cannot pass on their titles by inheritance, so they can be better controlled and commanded by the King. They can provide ten thousand Samurai. Peasant Samurai own ten percent of the Chinampa. Some of the Samurai come from villages near the Lake Region. They have the least influence and say, estimated at only 5 percent. They can provide eleven thousand Samurai."

Bertade, who had been listening for a while, then calmly interjected.

"The life of a peasant Samurai is extremely difficult. The Samurai need to engage in labor and go out hunting to earn income to support future generations of family Samurai. Although they are slightly inferior in Martial Arts and have simpler equipment, they possess a stronger determination to fight and a strong will to change the future, making them a truly reliable force."

Xiulote nodded seriously in agreement. Most of his followers were from peasant Samurai backgrounds. They were brave in battle, not afraid of death, and possessed higher loyalty. In everyday conversations, the young man could feel their desire for victory and reward; these peasant landlords were indeed the future of historical development!

In total of the Capital's three City-States, the Royal Family had twelve thousand, the Prince five thousand, the Great Nobility ten thousand, the Priests two thousand, the lesser nobility ten thousand, and the peasant Samurai eleven thousand, all adding up to fifty thousand Samurai directly belonging to the King of the Four States! This was the core military force of the Mexica, the absolute power governing the States.

As Xiulote looked out over the vast Lake Texcoco, at the endless floating gardens on the lake, tumultuous thoughts welled up in him. Land was everything in Mexica society; controlling the land also meant controlling the Mexica. The strength of every social class was dependent on the land, and thus, the struggles between them would inevitably revolve fiercely around land.

The young man's thoughts soared towards the future and beyond.

"The current Mexica society is ruled jointly by the King, the royal family, and the Great Nobility. They intermarry among each other, with the powerful ones on top."

"But the future development of the era is to establish a real mature state, the separation of the Royal Family from the Government, the weakening of the Great Nobility class, the strengthening of the Priestly class, and the rise of the Militia Nobility and Peasant Samurai! Once metal tools become widespread and the productive forces increase again, the economic foundation for reform as per Shang Yang will mature, and a new era will also begin."

At this thought, the recent memories of the Blood-colored Temple flashed through his mind. He sighed deeply.

"Perhaps, there might be better ways to reduce the cost of future reforms."