Chapter 38 Chapter Thirty-Seven
"Do you think they can see us?" Jia Boye asked.
Sai Batian nodded: "I only believe what I see, other..."
Ever since he left the river bed and entered the mountainous area, Jia Boye kept turning his head, carefully looking behind the tree piles, in the grass and under the shadow of the sun-burned rocks, to see if they were hiding there.
A small detachment consisting of fifty soldiers and about ten horses, under the command of Su Tuo, received an order two days ago, asking them to follow several mountain guides to a village. According to the order, the village It was garrisoned by heavy troops of Indian kings.
The weeks spent in Tumbes, a strange world of oceans, rivers, beaches, mangroves and forests, made him doubt his dreams for no reason: the closer he was to the goal he pursued, the more he felt uneasy. Practical.Every day begins aimlessly, and life remains the same.They have long been used to not eating or drinking, and they have learned to solve their illnesses by themselves. They have also long been used to staring at the sea all day long, looking at the small black spots swaying with the waves in the distance, which are fishermen riding through the sea on special fishing horses. The sight, the Spaniards nicknamed them Garbo Judos.The ambiguous glances at women and the melancholy, confused and hostile eyes of the little boy have long been used to it.The unchanging life and endless waiting make people dull and groggy all day long.
When Pizarro ordered Su Tuo to lead a detachment across the mountains as an ambassador and enter the village that the guide said would take three days to reach, Pizarro called Jia Boye aside at the same time and handed him over to him. A task, the latter's heart was in turmoil.
"I want you to be by Suto's side," said the governor. "I want you to be with him, and you must promise me that he will not do anything to hurt me."
"Things that hurt you?" Jia Boye asked in surprise.
"Don't worry about it. I know what he is, and I understand human nature better. I know what to do to make him obey me. You follow him wherever he goes, watching everything he does. After that, report to me in detail, understand?"
"But what if I mess things up?"
The Governor gave a wicked smile.
"Our number is less than two hundred, Jia Boye. Although my elder brother Anando wants to eradicate Su Tuo and disagrees with me, I will never send a fool to go undercover. There will be no problem, I will Praying for you."
Jia Boye looked at Pizarro's face again, thinking how could this thin man have such unyielding energy?His eyes are always elusive, his beard is always meticulously trimmed.What is his plan?An official visit to the Indian king--the one named Alta Baliba or something like that--offering to him that he be willing to establish diplomatic relations with him?Jia Boye sighed: It's best to calm down now, don't think about it, or you will go crazy.
It has been two days since they set off. Along the way, the cliffs rose higher and higher, and finally they walked out of the mountain wall with two sentinels stationed beside the road, and the white rocks flanked the winding path. After the overgrown grassland, you escape into the mountain road that is neatly built of stone bricks, but gradually narrows.Whether walking in the lush forest, wandering by the mountain pass or exposed to the cloudless blue sky, Jia Boye always looks forward to seeing the peaceful plain next.But as far as the eye can see, there are layers of mountains that seem to be ready to engulf their small group of people.
He kept turning and questioning Sai Batian who was walking beside him.
"How many do you think they have?"
Sai Batian always smiled.
"I've already answered your question, Mr. Jia Boye!"
"I know: you won't believe it until you see it with your own eyes. But you always know it in your heart, don't you?"
"I'm more obstinate than that old nobleman. If they could manage to build a city like the one we've seen destroyed; if their capital was half as beautiful as the man described it..."
Jia Boye looked at Su Tuo's thick back. He was sitting firmly on the saddle, and from a distance the horse and man formed an inseparable one.
"What about him, do you think he knows better than we do?"
"He's the same as the governor, he pretends... Please believe me, his heart is beating non-stop, and his eyes are even more clever."
Eyes... Day and night... Jia Boye always wakes up from his dreams. He is convinced that someone is watching him, and that there is a pair of eyes hidden in the night, stubbornly trying to guess his mind and interpret his actions.It was a strange feeling, as if he was afraid of losing his life.If he asks himself, he will undoubtedly feel that such an action is too crazy. As the leader of tens of thousands of soldiers carrying javelins, bows and arrows, and spears, as long as he walks out of the mountain pass, and then gives an order, these soldiers will rush forward with smiles on their faces , surrounded the other party, and launched a terrifying massacre.But the eyes that watched him were tinged with sadness, even melancholy, and he thought it best to merge himself into the night of their blue eyes.
Early on the morning of the third day, they arrested two scouts.Despite the mediation of Philip Bilo, it is a pity that it is still impossible to know whether the other party really has bad intentions and what their real purpose is.Because rumors were flying all over the entourage, Su Tuo revived the morale of the task force.Everyone replaced the leather breastplates on their bodies with iron cloth shirts, while Jia Boye mechanically pressed his hands on the long swords on his body from time to time.
Obviously it's time to fight.
But whom to attack?
The mountain road was suddenly interrupted, replaced by a pile of rocks, and people and horses were struggling at every step.Screams, roars of horses, and panting were heard endlessly. Everyone's coat was soaked and their foreheads were covered with sweat.It was as if an invisible hand was operating behind the scenes, pushing away the stones like the autumn wind sweeping the fallen leaves.
Only Su Tuo was walking alone.He was riding—a very special sight, because the two really became one, and even the gray iron shirt he was wearing matched the riding robe—and he walked at a steady pace, as if his feet were sticky. On the ground, there is no mistake.
Jia Boye followed closely and finally caught up with him at the mountain pass, but he was so tired that he was out of breath.
"Here we are." Su Tuo said calmly.
Jia Boye didn't answer.Su Tuo looked at him puzzled.
"Don't tell me this is also one of your jobs." He asked flatly. "I suppose your task will be to monitor my conduct."
Jia Boye avoided his gaze, turned his back, and exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't understand what you want to say, Captain Su Tuo."
"Forget it," Su Tuo smiled, "Don't lie, or you will have a bad conscience. I have always admired you, boy, not just because you once saved my life."
Jia Boye blushed, not knowing what to say.
"But don't worry," Su Tuo said almost happily, "You must not feel any pressure."
The top of the mountain finally opened up into a prairie.The air is fresh and cool, and a few acacia bushes are swaying in the breeze.A group of sheep called Yamas didn't care about their appearance, and kept their heads down, grazing intently.
The prairie a little further away is dotted with yellow spots, revealing that hundreds of tents have recently camped here.In the middle of these abandoned makeshift shelters, there are still some unburned flames.Jia Boye's heartbeat almost stopped.
"Not a single person," Su Tuo said, "everyone is gone."
"Where are you going?"
Su Tuo didn't answer.After the other teammates arrived and witnessed the scene in front of them, they slowly crossed the grassland.The accompanying alpacas raised their heads, like rows of sentries with moist eyes and gentle eyes, carefully staring at these tents.Jia Boye watched all directions, listened to all directions, and was cautious.He was always worried that the enemy army would roar down from the sky and attack them.However, apart from the sound of the wind, the surrounding area was peaceful and serene, and it seemed impossible for the enemy army to appear.
As they passed through the barracks, Jia Boye picked up a charred black ball from a fire that was still warm, took it to his nose and sniffed it.
"It's potatoes," said a very personal voice from behind.
He turned and saw Filipino, the one of the two translators he hated.
"What is this?"
"A thing that grows on the ground and they eat it by roasting it."
"Is it tasty?"
"Of course! How can it be bad?"
Jia Boye didn't speak.Really, he just didn't hit it off with Filibilo.The translator's appearance can be divided into two parts for criticism: the lower part has a delicious mouth with thick lips; the upper part only sees a pair of small eyes that wander around and look here and there.No matter when and where, Filibilo always looks at people with this kind of eyes, as if he is afraid of being wanted, or on the contrary, he is watching others.So it was impossible to catch his eyes, and because of this, people often questioned what he translated.
Jia Boye followed behind Su Tuo.Around the fire there are still some new footprints that escaped in a hurry, as well as some daily necessities, several wooden and pottery containers, several altars, and even several boxes of food.Su Tuo turned around and asked him.
"What do you think?"
"We only arrested their scouts, not everyone."
Su Tuo no longer tensed his face.Jia Boye finally couldn't help showing kindness to the person under his watch, because the latter knew he was under watch, but he didn't take any revenge against the watcher.
"Which side, in your judgment, is more afraid? They or us?"
"We're not afraid at all, Captain."
"I think so."
As they reached the end of the tent area, the two men spotted a bird in the sky.Its body was larger than eagles and albatrosses, and it looked like a dark cloud whistling in the blue sky.It circled over their heads, then flew lower and lower.They looked up to appreciate its heroic appearance.After that, Su Tuo looked away from it for a while, and looked at the three big trees standing in the middle of the grassland in front of them.
"My God!" he said.
Even Jia Boye couldn't help screaming.
After leaving the grassland, the mountain road climbs up again, reaching a natural platform with a bird's-eye view of the valley.Here, they saw the houses in the city for the first time, all with thatched roofs and loess walls.
Everyone was silent, afraid of falling into another trap.
Everyone was impressed by the bodies of the three Indians hanging upside down and swaying in the wind.Because their eyeballs are hollowed out, it is hard not to remind people of several ridiculous questions: who took their eyeballs, was it a human or a bird?Also, were they alive when their eyeballs were taken out, or had they died for a long time?
All knights instinctively clamped their legs together and readjusted their sitting positions.There was a clanging sound of weapons colliding in the air, as well as a treacherous and restless sigh.And—Jia Boye was surprised to find that—there was even a thrill of excitement mixed in it.
Although this place is not as devastated as the whole city of Tumbes, the remnants of the war are still clearly visible.Part of the walls in the city collapsed, the houses were half destroyed, and the roofs were burned, but the signs of life did not disappear.At the entrance of the city gate, there stands a large building, which is majestic and impressive.Su Tuo motioned for everyone to move forward.
They walked along a magnificent main wall, and there were several gates on the wall. Jia Boye recognized their shapes at a glance: they were wider at the bottom, narrowed as they went up, and the lintels at the top were usually carved with animal shapes, such as Cheetah or viper etc.
The sounds from the inner courtyard were completely devoid of threat: either the screams of a child playing, or the scolding of a mother berating her child.Occasionally, a figure flashed by the corner of the wall, but they always panicked and ran away immediately.
Philippilo walked beside Su Ta with his head held high, like the captain of the task force.His eyes are never idle for a moment, spying around.
The road terminated in a heavy wall, neatly built and durable, with a large gate in the centre.Through the gate they came to a great square, at the end of which was a pyramid with a flattened top: the flattened part just formed a platform, accessible by steps.Su Tuo raised his arms high to signal his subordinates to stop advancing.A small group of people stood on the platform, silhouetted like black dots by the afterglow of the setting sun from behind.
"Jia Boye!" Su Tuo shouted.
Jia Boye responded and rode the horse to his side.
"You and Filipino, walk over there on foot and bring me the mayor! Do you remember, we are his friends."
"Do you think they have weapons on them?"
"Leave it to you to find out."
Jia Boye was about to jump off his horse.
"Take it easy, can't you, take it slow...you can't leave me alone, and I can't leave you alone. If something happens, call 'Saint Jacob'"
Jia Boye handed over the horse to Sai Batian to take care of it.He felt uncomfortable all over, and his steps were not sure at all.Filibilo tried to speed up his pace to catch up with him, but Jia Boye suddenly stretched out his arm and blocked the Indian's chest. The latter was surprised and couldn't help but backed away, feeling a sense of fear spontaneously.
"Stand back," Jia Boye whispered, "walk behind me!"
The floor of the square is covered with a layer of loess, reminiscent of the grains of sand on a beach.Every time they stepped, there was the rustling sound of thousands of small shells being crushed.There is a fountain in the center of the square, which is exactly the same shape as the pyramid at the end: the water spouts from a groove and flows down beautifully carved steps. "Beasts, monkey grandchildren, just like what Anando said," Jia Boye suddenly remembered, "It's strange, they still know the art of stone carving!"
When he got to the pyramid, Philippi Luo deliberately kept a distance from Jia Boye.There was no need to look back, he had already calculated in his mind the safe distance between him and Su Tuo, the cavalry and the long sword protection along the way.He took each step slowly so as not to pant from exhaustion.
After reaching the top of the tower, Jia Boye was blinded by the direct sunlight, because someone had blocked the sunlight for him when he walked up the stairs just now.Strangely, he felt a sudden light in his heart.Suddenly he remembered something said by the young monk who had been imprisoned with him in Toledo—what was his name?Bartholomew!
"You never know what's going to happen until they put torture instruments or burning coals in front of you..."
Yes, until now people can know the true face of their own destiny!
He no longer has anything to fear.
The man standing before him was well dressed, though oddly dressed.A colorful rope is wrapped around his head, and a few bright feathers are stuck on the rope; he is wearing a red and black robe that hangs down to his knees: a pair of cats are painted on the upper body, which looks like two A big cat with a curled tail, piercing eyes and a menacing mouth; on its feet is a pair of finely woven leather sandals.
"We are the diplomatic mission of King Charles V," Jia Boye said proudly. "We come from the other side of the ocean, and we bear the goodwill of His Majesty, the will of God, and the declaration of peace and love he promised..."
Filibilo's voice sounded behind him, his rough voice was harsh.
"What the hell is he translating?" Jia Boye thought to himself.
After that, there was a silence.
Finally, the man on the opposite side said a few words hastily, his voice was low and deep, which made Jia Boye uneasy.
"what did he say?"
"He said he was expecting your presence."
The man with the two cats painted on his chest—whom, Felipeiro explained to them, he was respectfully called Juhaka, which means patriarch—was extremely friendly and cordial.He ordered the Spaniards to be entertained at the palace, and asked the servants of the palace to prepare them a sumptuous meal, including corn, jerky and pancakes.Only when facing horses does he appear inhuman because of his fear, so he always tries to stay as far away as possible.
Despite the protests—disturbed by repeated promises of finding El Dorado—Suto ordered his troops, in groups of six, to search all the houses in the city; , theft or murder shall be severely punished.
The buildings in the palace consisted of an atrium and a row of wing rooms surrounded by a square.As soon as night fell, the torch was lit to illuminate the four walls. The walls were hung with cloth curtains of the same material as the patriarch's wing. Some of the curtains were painted with geometric squares, and the other part had patterns of flowers, birds, insects and animals.
As night entered, the temperature plummeted.The servants lowered their heads and brought them blankets woven of fine wool, which were surprisingly effective in keeping them warm.
Su Tuo, Jia Boye, Philip Biluo and Ju Haka were alone in a room.
Ju Haka's expression remained unchanged.He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but he hesitated to speak.
After that, he slowly narrowed his eyes until they became a line, and the lines on his face were pulled into a ball.
He burst into tears.
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