After the meeting, everyone went to rest. The next morning, preparations were made to determine which person, family, or organization had obtained the white bison. When the moment came, everything unfolded as I had planned.
Neither the nobles, the major guilds, nor the religious temples had any hundred white bison. Instead, my father, Ahuízotl, the Huey Tlatoani, had 40 white bison moved to his place, while my two cousins and I each had 20. It was quite the revelation. Although everyone else left angry, I didn't feel like dealing with their complaints. Even my father was surprised by the event, but I wasn't going to explain or compensate anyone; everyone had agreed in the previous meeting.
After the division of the bison, I had to beg my father for almost a week to get at least a thousand of them. Initially, he refused, saying I was too young to need so many. But I told him it was better for me to start owning something. After talking to my mother for her help, I finally got them.
In the following months, there was an economic and social boom in the empire. The ideas and innovations brought by the bison opened a new direction for civilization. The white bison, considered divine gifts from the gods, were a privilege only the royal family could boast.
The population was estimated to be between 200,000 and 250,000 inhabitants. But with the bison, more food was produced, there was greater variety, and transportation became faster. The city, already the largest commercial center in Mesoamerica, grew even more.
The Aztecs, known for their ingenuity and adaptability, quickly realized the potential these giant animals offered. The idea of using bison as draft animals emerged. In a matter of weeks, after organizing and calming down from the excitement, carpenters, and blacksmiths worked together to design and build new types of carts and plows, adapted to be pulled by the powerful strength of the bison. This not only facilitated the transport of goods and materials in and out of the city but also accelerated trade with other regions.
The implementation of bison-drawn plows revolutionized agriculture in Tenochtitlan and its surroundings. Lands that once required intensive manual labor could now be plowed more quickly and efficiently. Fields expanded, and the production of maize, beans, and squash increased significantly. The abundance of food allowed not only for feeding a growing population but also for storing surpluses for times of scarcity.
The sale of bison to free people significantly reduced the effort previously required for planting and producing food. It also freed up labor for other activities, allowing people to spend more time on crafts and increase their income.
Each bison provided multiple benefits. Their nutrient-rich meat became an essential food source. The Aztecs developed methods for drying and preserving the meat, ensuring a constant supply, and creating new dishes to enrich their culinary repertoire. The thick hides of the bison were used to make clothing, shelter, and utensils. Bones and tendons were turned into tools, weapons, and ropes. Even bison dung was used as a natural fertilizer, further enriching the cultivated soils.
The arrival of the bison also had a profound impact on the social and economic structure of Tenochtitlan. Increased agricultural production and improved transportation led to a boom in trade. Merchants from distant lands flocked to the city, attracted by the abundance of products and the possibility of fruitful exchanges. The accumulated wealth was evident.
People from various regions came to settle in the city, and the population grew to an estimated range of 350,000 to 400,000 inhabitants.
Public works, such as the roads connecting the main cities of the empire, were improved and expanded, though not yet completed. The old roads were still functional, but much like in modern times, there were well-maintained, wide, and durable national highways for all purposes, while rural roads were narrow, dirt paths that required careful navigation to avoid falling into a ravine.
I even took advantage of the situation to create a mass public transportation system, using bison to provide affordable transportation services along routes designed to meet people's needs. This system was implemented in the city and its surrounding provinces, such as Citlaltepec, Petlacalco, Quauhtitlan, Chalco, Quahacan, Xocotitlan, and Atotonilco, among others. Although some guilds and wealthy individuals tried to imitate my system, they failed to replicate my success.
The secret to my success was difficult to copy. First, I spent 90 minutes of my life acquiring modern knowledge to resolve doubts and develop a complete plan.
Second, I used my spies, the ospreys. I spent a thousand years to obtain a hundred of them, with black plumage, capable of understanding and following my orders. The most challenging part was training each one to memorize specific information and communicate it to me when I touched their heads.
This helped me avoid conspiracies against me and secure compensation. Although no one knew how I obtained information and evidence, things were going well for me.
While enjoying the afternoon, having just turned three, I played with my pet, Hades, my xoloitzcuintle dog. We played fetch, a great source of entertainment in an era with limited activities. I had already asked about the main events of 1499, knowing it was now September, 11 months since the meeting, and the empire had taken a different path.
For instance, the Swabian War ended this month, and the Swiss gained independence.
In April, the University of Alcalá was authorized by the Pope in Rome.
On May 10, the first geographic maps by Florentine Amerigo Vespucci were published.
On May 18, Juan de la Cosa and Alonso de Ojeda set sail from Cádiz to the American continent, being the first Spaniards to reach the Leeward Islands (Netherlands Antilles) and explore the coasts of Guyana and Venezuela.
On May 21, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain granted liberties to those traveling to America.
On November 17, Vicente Yáñez Pinzón left Palos de la Frontera with four caravels, eventually reaching Brazil.
When I learned that the Spanish now had the freedom to come with fewer restrictions, I became quite concerned, especially knowing that the man whose name was given to an entire continent for his cartographic efforts was already in America doing his work.
While there were many other events, I wasn't particularly interested in them, as they didn't affect the world as much as the Mexica Empire obtaining a hundred thousand bison. However, neighboring regions were affected, and I heard it was likely that the military expansion faction would send troops with bison to conquer more territory, though I disagreed with this.
One fundamental reason was that the empire had made many enemies. Guided by a few thousand Spaniards, these enemies formed a great coalition that led to the empire's defeat. This had to be avoided, but I still had no voice or vote in the matter.
Autumn brought a notable transformation in the Mexican Empire. Leaves fell, covering the roads with a golden mantle, and the cool air announced the arrival of a new season. Almost a year had passed since the introduction of football to the empire, and I wasn't willing to stop there; I wanted it to be widely practiced as it was an easy and fun form of entertainment.
I decided to promote football instead of literacy because football was easier and more enjoyable. Promoting literacy requires facilities for teaching, trained personnel, materials, and, most importantly, people. How could we take people away from food production to teach them to read and write without guaranteeing food first? Although bison would alleviate the situation, it wasn't yet the right time.
One day, in the majestic palace of Tenochtitlán, Ahuízotl addressed his council with a decision that would change the empire's cultural course. "The arrival of the bison marks the beginning of a new era," he declared, his voice resonating in the halls adorned with gold and jade. "I have decided to create a new army, composed of bison and warriors trained to ride and guide them for our future conquests."
The younger councilors applauded the decision, seeing in the new army an opportunity to unite the empire and its surroundings under one banner. However, not everyone shared their enthusiasm. In the darkest corners of the room, the old nobles, guardians of ancestral traditions, murmured among themselves. The army they were proud of had been the pillar of their identity for centuries. They found it unacceptable that it could be displaced by a new trend, fearing too many changes if they couldn't earn merits, as others with the bison likely would.
"Have we forgotten our roots?" asked one of the oldest nobles, his eyes filled with defiance. "The army is not a sport; it's a ceremony, a connection to our gods and our history. Promoting this ignores our traditions."
Anticipating the resistance, Ahuízotl approached the noble with an understanding look. "We are not seeking to replace the infantry but to enrich our legacy with new traditions. The bison can coexist with our past, and together, we can strengthen the unity of our empire."
In reality, the nobles didn't oppose the idea itself, but it was unacceptable not to earn merits, knowing that others with the bison would likely achieve more, leaving them behind.
While all this was happening, I decided to announce the official news. The Bisons de Tierra prepared for their tour, starting in Texcoco, followed by Tlaxcala, Cholula, and other prominent cities. News of their arrival spread quickly, and excitement grew in every corner of the empire.
This new sport piqued people's curiosity. In each city they visited, dozens of new balls were given away. For me, it was not costly. I even sponsored the construction of new stadiums with capacities of up to 20,000 spectators. I used the surplus bison, profits from chocolate sales, the bison bus, and ball sales to achieve this. I even invested in gold when funds were short, closely monitoring everything to ensure construction quality, scouting potential talents, and preventing embezzlement.
However, I was unaware that some very traditional nobles viewed my actions as quite dangerous. The tlachtli was the traditional and most important sport of the empire, and my actions, especially the tour and the construction of stadiums, angered them greatly. They decided to approach my cousin, Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, urging him to complain to Huey Tlatoani to reprimand me for my actions.
So, they decided to hold a council to debate.
My father was concerned about the situation, but he did not have the prejudice that the old nobles had, and he wanted it resolved quickly, as there were too many things to do. Therefore, he promised not to promote it and that everything that had happened was my actions.
Despite his assurances, the elder nobles remained skeptical. They believed that the focus on football and new constructions diverted attention and resources from more critical issues. Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, understanding their concerns, approached Ahuízotl with a proposal to balance the new and the old.
"My lord," Moctezuma began, "perhaps we can integrate football with our traditional tlachtli. We can organize events that celebrate both sports, promoting unity and respect for our heritage while adopting new forms of entertainment."
Ahuízotl thought it over carefully. "Very well," he replied. "We will organize grand festivals where both football and tlachtli will be played. This will honor our traditions and allow the new sport to flourish. We must ensure that our people see this as an enhancement of our culture, not a replacement."
The decision was well received by most.
So, although they scolded me, I also had to accept that the tlachtli was also on a trip promoting sports and unity, and in the future hold a sporting event together with the two sports.