and that of Tlacopan, led by its own ruler, Chimalpopoca. These were the cities which, along with Tenochtitlan, made up the Triple Alliance that dominated the empire. In addition, the remaining major cities of Anahuac—Azcapotzalco, Chalco, Coyoacan, Culhuacan, Ixtapalapa, Otombo, Tecpatepec, Tenayuca, and Tepeyac—had delegates in attendance. In all, the assembly represented the leading administrative and political centers which comprised the realm.
Tizoc motioned his hand to signal Cihuacoatl into commencing with the proceedings. After obtaining silence from the gathering by tapping his staff repeatedly on the floor, the minister called on a priest to recite the usual opening incantations, its purpose aimed at securing the necessary approval of the gods, for no action contemplated by men could proceed without their consent. This completed, the floor was ready to hear Tizoc’s words.
“We are met here to bring to a conclusion certain problems that remain unsolved for us,” he spoke out. “First, and most crucial, is the matter of Toluca. We have Tecolotl, the ambassador of Toluca, with us so that he might know what is decided here today. As you know, the Tolucans have taken it upon themselves to challenge our dominion over them and are refusing to consign further tributes to us. These are actions which we, if we are to retain any kind of credibility as a power, to say nothing of our standing with the gods, cannot ignore. Not only is this an affront to our authority, but it also extends a dangerous precedence to be emulated by our other subjugated states. That the Tolucans must be punished for their insolence is certain. The question is to what degree. Let us consider what responses should be directed against them. Clearly we can move our armies on them—that would be the easiest—but is this the wisest course to pursue?”
Answering first was Ahuitzotl. “There should be no doubt about what we will do. Toluca has presented us with what, by any account, must be seen as a serious threat—an insidious erosive influence which, while not that significant for one city, can rapidly accelerate into a viable large-scale insurrection. We are only as strong as the hold we keep over our individual states. I see this rebellion as nothing less than a well-calculated assault directed at our very foundations, and it is imperative for us to make the message clear that we will not stand idly by and watch subversive maneuvers disintegrate the bonds which hold the realm together. I say the punishment against the Tolucans must be severe.”
The nods and mumblings from the floor indicated that there was a general agreement to this.
“So what is your proposal?” asked Tizoc.
“To destroy them utterly. Devastate their city, destroy its army, and enslave its inhabitants, so that all who see and hear of this will have a permanent imprint of our fury lest they likewise contemplate to rise against us.”
Ahuitzotl, smirking with satisfaction, glanced toward Tecolotl and saw that the red-faced ambassador was visibly shaken.
Next to speak was Nezahualpilli. “Let Lord Ahuitzotl be reminded that one cannot collect tributes from the dead. We do not dispute that Toluca poses a threat to our dominance, but it must be recognized that the payment of tribute also supports our institutions and is equally important to us. Toluca has supplied us abundantly with these in the past. I agree Toluca must be made an example, but even in making examples, we can temper our vengeance with some common sense. Do not forget that the Tolucans have previously served us well as allies and, while their present conduct requires our castigation, this should mitigate against their outright slaughter. So let us do what is necessary, but no more. Let the Tolucans feel our punishment, but let it be inflicted upon them by an alternative that will be difficult, yet tolerable, for them to accept.”
Again murmerings suggested that many supported Nezahualpilli’s position. The Texcocan’s reputation was well demonstrated. Tizoc was favorably impressed; Ahuitzotl questioned his own course of action; Tecolotl breathed a little easier.
“What might that alternative be?” Tizoc inquired.
“We should demand that their ruler, and the nobles who stood behind his cause, surrender themselves into captivity to us, upon the choice of seeing their city taken. For them to submit to this would be a greater demonstration of our power than any army in the field.”
“And if they refuse? Would we then destroy them?”
“We would then have to, for your word must be kept. But let us be clear on the advantage this proposal offers. The Tolucans know full well they have offended us and are expecting our punshment. Whatever misgivings many of their lords may have had about their venture, they now believe it is too late for amends and are united against us. But with our proposition, they would again be confronted with a choice and their unity will falter. What previously involved them all now only pertains to a select few who will find themselves isolated from their subjects. Those who entered the scheme with reservations will find their apprehensions greatly eased. If they now choose to doom their city, we can exercise our punitive measures without constraint.”
“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
