CHAPTER 1178: CHAPTER 739: THE SECOND KINGDOM EXPEDITION, THE BEGINNING OF ESTABLISHMENT

The red sun rises, casting great light, and the river flows underwater, pouring into a vast ocean. The torrential Moa River, from the upper reaches of the Red Soil Clan, flows down through the Moa nickel belt with faintly reddish nickel sand, converging with the Caribbean Sea. After a night of celebration, the faint red bloodstains by the sea also dissipated almost completely.

Over two hundred headless bodies of the Siguayu, drifted away with the tide, disappearing into the vast sea. Only the sharks, drawn by the scent, were still searching for traces of the fierce battle.

The Kingdom Fleet stayed with the Red Soil Clan for four or five more days. The Kingdom’s Warriors, along with the local Taino Militia, searched the surrounding mountain forests, capturing dozens of Siguayu stragglers who had escaped into the woods. Including those captured in naval battles, there were as many as eighty Siguayu captives.

The trial of the Siguayu captives by the Kingdom Fleet was straightforward. The tribal warriors with red hair, skilled in battle and posing potential resistance, were all executed. The tribespeople with blue hair were individually tested by the Priests to swear a blood oath of conversion to the Almighty. Those who resisted were also executed.

After two rounds of processing, the fleet gained fifty "voluntarily" converted Siguayu able-bodied men. Added to this were the fifty or so Taino laborers who were rescued and "willingly" joined, amounting to over a hundred capable laborers.

Most of these Taino laborers had been held captive by the Siguayu for several months and were quite docile to survive. The majority hailed from small tribes within two to three hundred miles, already homeless after being raided by the Siguayu. Faced with the invitation of the formidable Longboat Tribe, they were genuinely willing to join. A few remaining individuals came from the more eastern Marine Tribe and still had family and relatives. However, they dared not request to return out of fear of the fleet’s power.

"Yes, the Great Marine Tribe two hundred miles to the east also has two or three thousand tribespeople... it would be wise to plan ahead and include them in the mission plans..."

Priest Tomate quietly took note and comforted all the newly joined Taino able-bodied men. Then, the priests, half coaxing and half threatening, had all able-bodied men swear a blood oath and engrave emblems, performing a sacred conversion ceremony. Thus, this expedition resulted in converting a hundred individuals from the Red Soil Clan and another hundred among the newly joined tribespeople. Overall, the mission gained two hundred new "followers" of the Chief Divine, marking significant progress in the spreading of beliefs!

The conquest concluded with plentiful gains. Before leaving the Red Soil Clan, Priest Tomate harbored some worries. He felt that the Red Soil Clan’s faith was not yet solid and wanted to leave behind some personnel. But the number of people the fleet could leave in Cuba was too few. For this, he approached the seasoned Militia man Chiwaco, discussing whether some loyal Prepetcha Warriors could be left from the two hundred people meant to return.

"Huh? Leave a few dozen people in the Red Soil Clan? ... Hmm..."

The old Militia man showed signs of difficulty. But after hearing Priest Tomate’s reasoning, a glint appeared in his eyes, revealing a thought.

"Honorable Priest Tomate, farmers build fences and keep turkeys inside, even raising dogs, to guard against thieving foxes and wolves."

"Hmm?"

Hearing the familiar analogy, Priest Tomate blinked. Knowing this was the old Militia man’s speaking habit, he listened patiently.

"Actually, if foxes and wolves are constantly howling outside, the timid turkeys won’t dare fly over the fence. The worry is that if the foxes and wolves keep quiet, the turkeys, being forgetful and bold, might forget in a few days..."

"Hmm? Captain Chiwaco, you mean..."

"Ahem! Perhaps you could... pile the Siguayu heads into a Jingguan, erecting it outside the villages of the Red Soil Clan. Then plant the Emblem of the Chief Divine, forbidding them to clean it..."

Chiwaco lowered his eyes and lightly spoke two sentences. Priest Tomate’s eyes lit up, suddenly enlightened.

"Good! Great idea! Truly hitting two rabbits with one stick! It displays the Chief Divine’s majesty while cutting off any retreat for the Taino, preventing hesitation..."

Action followed thought, and the Kingdom Warriors, with practiced ease, took half a day to build a sturdy Jingguan of stones and skulls outside the Red Soil Clan’s village. Over two hundred blue-haired, red-haired, and purple-haired heads were arranged in turn, glaring fiercely with menacing faces, stacking up to the height of a person, leaving a daunting impression!

"Ah? Priest Tomate, this! ... What does this mean?"

With great enthusiasm, Priest Tomate, along with a few warriors, personally erected a two-meter-tall Emblem of the Chief Divine in front of the Jingguan. He then solemnly instructed, speaking gravely.

"This is the Chief Divine’s protection and a memorial of battle honors! The Chief Divine’s glory envelops the villages of the Red Soil Clan, and any Siguayu raider daring to encroach will face beheading! Red Stone Chief, you must safeguard the Emblem of the Chief Divine; it is the Chief Divine who grants Divine Power, sheltering the faithful of the Red Soil Clan. Any slight damage will surely invite Divine Punishment!"

Hearing Priest Tomate’s words, most of the newly converted Taino believers showed joy on their faces. Ordinary Taino villagers felt both surprise and fear, yet pride and happiness. Meanwhile, the Red Soil Chief and several Tribe Chiefs appeared somewhat uneasy. Unlike the ordinary villagers, they understood the situation’s gravity.

The Siguayu raiders had visited twice before, seeing the village’s determined resistance, and they did not exert much effort to attack to minimize casualties. At most, they plundered some goods and food, capturing a few scattered villagers who fled. But with this Jingguan erected, it was set on a course of non-stop hostility between the Red Soil Clan and the Siguayu!

"Uh... Priest Tomate... this Jingguan..."

"This is the Chief Divine’s majesty! With Divine Might present, you cannot doubt it! Remember, you too are now a believer of the Chief Divine, among the first Tribe Chiefs to convert. Warriors of the Kingdom will continue to come from the Highland, bringing more and stronger Forces. Know that Divine grace and punishment are never empty words!"

"Red Soil Chief, as the foremost example of conversion, your faith must be steadfast!"

Priest Tomate’s expression turned stern, preaching a few serious words. The Red Soil Chief silently pondered for a long time, reluctantly sighing and reluctantly nodding. He knew that henceforth, the Red Earth Tribe had no choice but to move closer to the Longboat Tribe and the Supreme Main God...

Upon completion, seven Kingdom Longships set sail, filled with food, taking along over twenty seized Siguayu canoes, along with over a hundred newly joined able-bodied men, embarking on the return journey. Three days later, they arrived at the village of the Mayari Great Tribe, returning the weary Water Chief, and participated in a grand victory celebration banquet!

In the Mayali Region, the Kingdom Fleet stayed another eight or nine days. The Kingdom Priests were busy spreading their teachings and converting followers. The warriors and sailors were occupied in recruiting the village’s able-bodied men and women. Meanwhile, the newly joined able-bodied men were engaged in preparing food, harvesting a batch of cassava, soaking it in water to detoxify, and also securing some plantable cassava stalks.

Back in the village, the Water Chief secluded himself in the chieftain’s wooden house, using the excuse of processing crocodile skins, and remained dispirited for several days. It was only after multiple visits from Priest Tomate that he finally came to terms, or rather, accepted his fate, officially wearing the Sun Amulet symbolizing the Chief Divine.

"Alas! Praise the Chief Divine!," May the Mayali Region truly receive the Chief Divine’s protection, the safeguarding of our Tribe lengthen..."

Subsequently, the good-natured Water Chief regained some of his spirits, leading the village hunters in becoming busy here and there, in preparation for the upcoming establishment of Iron Bay Town!

"Alright! Praise the Chief Divine! May the strength and blessings be with us..."

The next day, the seven Kingdom Longships, filled with supplies, along with a great fleet of small canoes, set sail forty miles eastward, reaching the lower course of the Mayari Iron Mine at the confluence of the bay and river. With four hundred crew members, over a hundred new laborers, the desolate bay thrummed with activity, brought to life.

Priest Tomate then unfolded a small hand-drawn map, and the groups busily set out to establish the Kingdom’s first settlement in Cuba, "Bay of Iron"—Iron Bay Town!