Chapter 243: The Roots of Dominion, Directly Governed Villages

The July rains fell softly, so warm and unhurried. A fine mist moistened everything: lush plants flourished in the mountains, birds chirped joyfully in the forests, and new sprouts dotted the fields with green—all bustled with the vitality of early summer.

Xiulote, draped in his thatched raincoat, stood quietly in the rain by the shore of Lake Patzcuaro.

He looked up at the overcast sky. The pitter-patter of raindrops formed intermittent lines, drifting onto the cloud-enshrouded mountains and then flowing down to form streams in the valleys. He turned his gaze toward the stream at the base of the mountain. The clear brook flowed gently, nourishing the burgeoning shrubs along its path and the freshly tilled farmland.

The young King's eyes moved across the orderly fields before finally settling on the village by the lakeshore.

"Let's go, let's take a look over there."