“I see,” said Tizoc. “Place the decision leading to our retribution into their own hands. We acquit ourselves of the consequences because they chose their fate.”
“We can blame them for their own folly. It is a favorable situation for us—demonstrating our willingness to avoid any carnage.
Tizoc and Nezahualpilli understood each other. They were men of an intellectual bent who held similar interests on a variety of subjects. Both enjoyed reputations as master builders, although Tizoc’s projects expressed more of a religious proclivity and included such works as the Great Temple, the combat stone, and the giant calendar which would be part of the new temple’s fixtures, while Nezahualpilli’s were primarily civic in nature involving the construction of aquaducts, dams, and palaces. Both men enlarged their royal gardens and boasted of the abundant plantlife contained in them, and the bloom of a newly bred flower would have been a source of pleasure for either of them. Both enjoyed literature, poetry, and the arts, and in their leisure time often surrounded themselves with men and women of erudition which, in great measure, secluded them from the everyday mundane tasks of state administration. Yet there were differences between them, and of these the major one was that Nezahualpilli was the heir of a city-state which, through the efforts of his scholarly father, Nezahualcoyotl, had acquired renown throughout Anahuac for its learning, cultural refinement, and artistic achievement, while Tizoc was the inheritor of a city-state which was built on, and placed its greatest value on, military prowess. Tizoc may have envied Nezahualpilli.
Tizoc next scanned the hall seeking out anyone who wished to add to the subject at hand and, finding none, brought the issue to a conclusion. “Of the proposals offered,” he said, “how many favor Lord Ahuitzotl’s course?”
Approximately a third of the assembly voiced its agreement.
“And Lord Nezahualpilli’s?”
A resounding majority gave its consent. The Texcocan had won the day.
“I concur,” stated Tizoc. Even at this point, he could have rejected the measure, having that authority, but he was convinced it was the most effective approach to the problem. He called out to the ambassador of Toluca, “Tecolotl! Come forward!”
Tecolotl advanced through the ranks of delegates fully conscious of their contemptuous sneers and glares, and when he halted in front of the Revered Speaker, he felt his knees quivering.
“You heard the proceedings,” said Tizoc. “Have you anything to tell us on behalf of your lord that we might consider?”
“Great Lord,” began Tecolotl. “The venture my master Zozoltin has embarked upon is fixed. His intention is that Toluca be an autonomous state free from the obligations, duties, and tributes imposed by the Triple Alliance. Nothing I can say will detract from this course. He is as resolved in his purpose as you are in yours, Lord Tizoc.”
“Does Zozoltin speak for his subjects as well?”
“There is a consensus among our lords that he is pursuing the correct policy.”
His statement provoked an outburst of derision and anger from the floor, and Tizoc had to motion Cihuacoalt into restoring order with his staff.
“Hear me, Tecolotl,” continued Tizoc after attaining silence. “These are the words you will carry to Zozoltin. I direct that he and all the lords and ministers favoring his action denounce their cause and surrender themselves to us by declaring their intention to do so on the first day of the month Ochpaniztli. We give him forty days. You may inform him that we will grant many of them the fate of war captives—an honorable sacrificial death. Our advance parties will move out in a week or so, not to engage in hostilities but to keep watch on Toluca so that Zozoltin does not secure allies for himself. We shall move against him in force if we fail to hear from him. Should it come to this, his city will suffer accordingly, with its women and children enslaved, and its warriors slain. You are dismissed to begin your journey so that you may inform your master of our conditions.”
After rendering a respectful bow, a shaken Tecolotl walked out of the hall amidst shouts of anger, abusive remarks, and gestures of scorn. While a harrowing experience for him, the greater obstacle lay ahead. He had to bring unpleasant news to his master, and no minister could predict the reactions of an angry lord.
“If war is offered,” Tizoc said after Tecolotl had gone, “we must determine the contingents for it. Ahuitzotl, how large an army can the Tolucans field?”
“We estimate their strength at seven, perhaps as high as eight thousand, but no more.”
“Eight thousand! That’s more than I would have thought.”
“This assumes they will arm everyone of military age. We think these estimates are accurate and take into account the latest population figures we have on them.”
“How many shall we sent against them?”
“Our doctrines prescribe an invading force should be twice the strength of a defender’s. I see no reason to deviate from this.”
“Tecolotl spoke of a consensus behind Zozoltin. We may encounter stiff resistance.”
“Yes, but as Nezahualpilli pointed out, our alternative will create divisiveness among them—many will lack the resolve necessary for victory. Also we do not consider them as well trained or disciplined as our own warriors. Sixteen thousand will be enough.”
Tizoc remained skeptical and glanced at Nezahualpilli to see if the Texcocan agreed with the assessment. “That will require five thousand of your Acolhuas, Nezahualpilli,” he said. “Is that sufficient?”
“I believe so,” replied Nezahualpilli, “if our information is correct, although I contest the assertion about their being less trained or disciplined. They are surely expecting our attack, having set upon their foolish course, and must be passing their days in constant preparation for it.”
Ahuitzotl gave Nezahualpilli a scornful look. He did not appreciate being contradicted on military matters in which he regarded himself the expert. “Are you suggesting our surveillance is faulty?” he scowled.
“Not so,” Nezahualpilli answered, recognizing he had annoyed the commander and needed to cool his hot head. “I merely emphasize caution. The situation merits our best evaluation.”
“And you have it! You forget we also have strong motivations to impose our will on them. With this determination, not even an equal number of them can stand against us.”
“I assumed from the start that our forces will prevail.” Nezahualipilli replied.
“And Tlacopan?” Tizoc asked Chimalpopoca. “Do you agree with that allotment?”
“I do, Lord Tizoc,” declared Chimalpopoca with great confidence.
“Very well then. Five thousand from each of you. The remaining cities will be given their designated numbers by Lord Ahuitzotl as soon as he can determine an equitable allocation. As for the advance party, a force of one hundred from each alliance city will be adequate.”
With the general application of policy on Toluca decided, Tizoc next addressed his chief priests in order to acquire assurances that their proposed action met its most crucial test. “What say you priests?” he said. “Does our enterprise engage a consent from the gods?”
“They will be pleased enough, Lord,” affirmed the head priest, “if our oblations invoke their auspices. To make certain, we will offer appropriate sacrifices and conduct ourselves in submissive obedience to them,