Government House, Central City.
The meeting room of the Government House buzzed with a constant and sustained murmur. The crucial information provided by the colonel would not only expand the kingdom's current worldview but could also severely alter the Kingdom's stability.
One of the main reasons everything has gone so well until now is that we advance quickly, orderly, and methodically, so that no one is left behind in progress. This is achieved by uniting the surrounding towns, offering them generous conditions, and fully accepting all cultures.
However, all of this was also due to a truly very important factor. Progress had granted us a technological superiority remarkably greater than that of other known kingdoms and empires. But with this impactful news, that superiority would no longer be an exclusive benefit of the kingdom, nor a competitive advantage.
"Apparently, they assumed the white men also arrived by boat... If only they knew that the world we know would only grow and expand from now on," I reflected, satisfied by the intensely concentrated gazes of those present.
Military leaders, influential merchants, and key ministers moved with palpable energy, actively debating the future of the kingdom.
"Chewa," began the Minister of the People, a robust man with hands calloused by long years of field work. "What is the actual capacity of our current settlements in North Quyca? And, how territorial are the local inhabitants for even deeper expansion? We need to know if we can move more people there."
Chewa, one of the prominent leaders of the Suaza Chamber of Commerce, stood up and pointed to the map behind me. "Minister, our chamber of commerce has managed to establish truly solid relationships. The Penascolas and Apalachee are receptive, but yes, their sense of land is remarkably strong. Expansion must always be gradual, based on trade and lasting bonds of friendship, not on mere force."
The Minister of Commerce, a man of numbers and trade routes, intervened with great enthusiasm.
"Then, Chewa, we must actively promote these settlements also in the Guanza Quyca region. The potential is truly immense, with new routes and new resources to discover... Has the chamber of commerce considered establishing private settlements in Guanza Quyca, perhaps?"
"No, Minister. We had a meeting a very short time ago, and we decided to expand the number of ports, but this time heading south, to support the strategic control initiative of the Strait of Sun and Moon. This was communicated to Young Chuta and the generals a short time ago," Chewa commented, looking at me intently, seeking my confirmation, to which I, for my part, nodded.
"However," he continued, turning directly to the minister. "We will have an emergency meeting very soon as a result of this new information, and we will discuss this important matter in detail. Unfortunately, we lack enough ships and more manpower to establish new settlements, so we can only support with the necessary supplies, and perhaps assist in the migration plan of nearby neighboring kingdoms."
The room fell into a deep silence for a minute. Everyone seemed to reflect on Chewa's willingness to help the Kingdom without fail. Furthermore, it seemed evident that the merchants would increasingly gain prominence within the kingdom.
"It is clearly evident on their faces that Chewa is much more important now," I thought.
General Michuá, of the army, stood up with determination and struck his chest, immediately attracting the attention of all present.
"To effectively protect these valuable resources and our own people, I propose establishing permanent regiments, not just the current temporary detachments, in both North Quyca and Guanza Quyca. Our soldiers must thoroughly know the terrain, fully adapt to the climate, and peacefully coexist with the local inhabitants. Long-term security requires a constant and lasting presence."
General Sagua nodded with remarkable firmness. "We need them to fully integrate, to be a clear symbol of protection, not of mere invasion. A fixed period of relocation will allow them to put down deep roots and fully understand the people."
Murmurs again filled the entire room. Everyone seemed to accept the proposal immediately. This was because it felt much more opportune and pertinent now with the new information provided by the colonel.
"It is a very good idea, indeed... We had already discussed in the previous meeting that permanent regiments would only be stationed in a couple more years, but as General Michuá said, we must protect our people and also our valuable resources," I commented, fully supporting the idea.
"Furthermore," I continued with a visibly prouder tone. "The stability of the initial regions is already fully demonstrated, and the regions that have been under the kingdom's influence for more than a year are advancing with remarkable speed, so the regiments will be reassigned and, thus, we will free up personnel to support future territorial expansions."
"How exactly will the regiments be reassigned, Young Chuta?" the Minister of Security asked with interest.
"We will follow the zone division currently used by the generals, although with a slight but important difference," I began to propose. "The first zone will be the northwest, which will encompass the regions of northwest, central north, west, southwest, and the Federal Region of the Rising Sun Islands. This zone will have North Quyca and Central Quyca under its extensive area of influence, in addition to the regions already cited, so its main strength will be the naval protection of its entire area of influence."
"On the other hand," I continued explaining. "The southeast zone, for its part, will encompass the regions of; north, central south, northeast, east, southeast, and south. This area will have Guanza Quyca and our South Quyca under its considerable area of influence, in addition to the regions already mentioned previously. Therefore, its main strong point will be the terrestrial dominance of South Quyca, as well as a solid naval dominance, for the Guanza Quyca region."
Upon hearing my proposal, there was considerable support, and also some initial doubts that were resolved.
The main doubt of those present was who would be responsible for security if the regiments ceased to operate effectively. The proposals for this point were quite varied, but the final consensus was to maintain these regiments as support units responsible for general security, and as important training centers for new recruits.
On the other hand, the strategic location of the navy and army regiments for these new zones was actively debated. The proposals were truly very accurate, and a decision was made very quickly.
The northwest zone would have its navy regiment in the Northwest Region and its army regiment in the Central North Region. On the other hand, the southeast zone would have its navy regiment in the North Region, and its army regiment in the East Region.
"The proposals were quite precise and opportune," I thought with relief. "The only bad thing is that Chuquy will have a lot of arduous work... Although she might decide not to run to continue being Governor at the end of this year."
The discussion about the military zones had ended, but someone had something else to announce to those present.
The Director of the Department of External Links stood up, and with a remarkably serene voice announced: "We have received a formal request for union to the kingdom from several diverse Chibcha communities inhabiting the Central Quyca region."
The comments and discussions again took the form of a lively debate.
There were some who did not see much true importance in controlling that entire extensive area, while others, with a marked expansionist zeal, wanted to accept the proposal immediately.
"I propose that this territory be placed under the direct supervision of Governor Xiua, of the Northwest Region. His experience with the northern cultures and his geographical proximity makes him ideal for the task," I said, immediately attracting everyone's attention.
Xiua, Nyia's father, was an extremely capable man and had proven it a long time ago. However, the Minister of the People frowned with concern.
"Young Chuta, Central Quyca is a complex labyrinth of mountains and dense, impregnable jungles. Our explorers report that establishing direct roads from the Northwest Region is, for the moment, totally impossible."
Other people thought the same and began to propose some new ideas. However, this time it seemed impossible to reach a point where the kingdom would not sacrifice valuable resources and at the same time have full and total control over those peoples.
"What if we establish an autonomous region? Something similar to the existing islands," proposed army General Michuá.
"It's a very good and timely idea," I commented in support.
"The army colonel of the Northwest Region is someone accustomed to both the climate and with direct contact with those cultures... He could lead it successfully, establishing a semi-military government until we find a more permanent form," commented army General Sagua, supporting his colleague's idea.
After an intense and deep debate about viability and the strictly necessary autonomy, the creation of an autonomous region was agreed upon as proposed by the generals, although with some conditions regarding the gradual and progressive acceptance of the peoples to the north until reaching the Mayan territory. In addition, this new autonomous region was also included under the influence of the already established northwest military zone.
Finally, the conversation eventually turned to the proposal for the creation of an Immigration Office.
"We need a system to optimally and efficiently locate volunteers who may arrive from other kingdoms, and those who decide to move freely within our own," proposed the Minister of External Links.
General Michuá intervened, his tone grave and markedly authoritative.
"And that office must operate jointly with the army. Security is absolutely paramount. We cannot allow people with hidden motives, possible spies, or dangerous saboteurs to infiltrate. Every volunteer must be thoroughly examined; their loyalty must be fully confirmed."
I nodded seriously, fully supporting the idea.
"Exactly. Trust is absolutely vital, but prudence is our most effective armor. This office will be a fundamental pillar of our future, ensuring that our kingdom not only grows, but does so in a totally secure and deeply loyal way."
The discussion of the immigration office was quick and with quite similar opinions. Security was an imperative obligation, and we could under no circumstances allow other kingdoms to destabilize us internally from within.
"Well, today's extraordinary meeting is finally coming to an end, and we only have one last and important thing to do," I commented with a slightly mysterious tone, while everyone looked at me curiously and visibly confused.
"This year, the new and competent governors of the regions will finally and definitively be elected," I announced with a firm tone. "As you well know, in previous years we have had continuous and constant expansion and the formation of the last large regions of South Quyca was very recent, but now the situation is now completely different."
"Therefore, now is a good and opportune moment to formalize the first major election of governors of the kingdom. However, I want to remind you that the position is always chosen based on the merits and proven capabilities of each person," I warned with a solemn and serious tone, or as serious as I could with my vocal cords still developing.
"Young Chuta, will there be re-elections as you mentioned earlier?" a minister asked.
"That's right, indeed," I affirmed. "As we had previously determined. Whenever the most suitable and best candidate is chosen, re-election is fully permitted. Progress can only come from the hands of the most capable individuals, and only they will be able to guide us to face this still uncertain future."
The news was met with varied and diverse reactions.
A large significant portion of those present realized that I placed great importance on these newly arrived 'white' men. And that my concern and the various proposals I had given were to face these new dangers in the best possible way.
Another part was confident that we would undoubtedly emerge victorious against any potential challenge, even these people who could have a potentially similar strength to ours.
And finally, there were the most perceptive of all, who clearly remembered my previous warnings from previous years, and also the prophecy that had accompanied my birth.
Their previously respectful gazes were now laden with a hint of deep reverence and growing admiration.
"I just hope they don't invent a new and grand celebration in my name," I thought with some resignation.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Guess who wrote an 'entire' meeting in a single chapter again?
Clearly me, hahaha.
The meeting continues, and the information the colonel gave generated new discussions about the future of the kingdom. From now on, the sense of urgency will improve their internal cooperation and also the entire kingdom's efforts toward a single goal.
Unnecessary Fact of the Day: At the end of the 15th century, trans-Saharan trade began to intensify, with routes connecting North Africa with the Sahel empires (Songhai, Kanem-Bornu), exchanging gold, salt, slaves, and manufactured goods.
By the way, there is a map of what the Suaza Kingdom would have known before the two expeditions (Eastern Ocean and South Quyca)
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future. (Chapter 71)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis. (Chapter 18)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 4)
You can find them on my profile.]