Chuta's Mansion, meeting hall.
"What will happen to the cities we've built?", asked one of the leaders of one of the cities in the Mountain Pass district.
"Hmm… They'll still be there", I replied hesitantly. "I don't understand what their concern is?", I thought as I analyzed his question.
"That's great", he said, relieved, while the rest of those present also sighed and showed relieved expressions.
"Why did you ask?", I asked, confused.
"Um… Well… I was afraid of having to move to the cities again. My family loves the city we're living in; we've worked so hard to build it, and we live much better than before. We consider it our home, and I would feel very bad for my family and my people if they must leave the cities", he explained after some thought, while the rest of those present nodded, showing they felt the same way.
"Is that all?", I asked, surprised. "Hahaha… And I thought you didn't want to leave your positions as Chiefs or leaders", I commented after laughing a little.
"I don't think leaders worry about those things, Son of Heaven", Simte said in a sympathetic voice. "They care more about being of use to you, Son of Heaven, and to the Kingdom", he added after looking at the leaders, who nodded in agreement.
"Is that so?", I asked, looking around at those present for their reaction.
"That's right, young Chuta", one of them said.
"Until now, we've never received any instructions from you about how leaders should behave", explained the Chief of Valle Nuevo City. "Thanks to the laws passed at the last general meeting, we were able to get an idea of the things we shouldn't do, but we don't know what we can do to please you and the gods", he added.
"I see", I said as I listened to the rest of them commenting similarly.
"Leaders, no matter how many people they have at their disposal, must always look out for the well-being of their people. They can do good things or achieve average results, but never make decisions that harm the people", I told everyone in a serious tone. "They can even take certain benefits to further help their people. For example, I currently control many of the workshops that build key things for the functioning of the kingdom. With these, I get benefits that can go to help people in need or create new things that can make people's lives easier", I added.
"You should know that when we die, we can't take anything we earn in this world with us. Our riches stay here, our homes pass to our children, and the fields we work so hard to cultivate will be the sustenance of our descendants… So, how do the gods judge us? Where do we go after we die?", I asked rhetorically after raising the question of life after death. "The gods judge us by our actions… People who take care of their families, their neighbors, and their people will be able to live in a perfect world I call 'paradise,'" I said solemnly.
"The gods created that place for people who do good. They live there without problems, with abundant food, the place is warm, there are no storms or natural disasters, everyone lives happily, and most likely our ancestors are there, waiting for us to live our lives well, waiting for us to meet again", I said with a jubilant expression at their attention.
"However, the gods also punish those who harm others. These people will be sent to the void, where there is only darkness and evil. The place is dark, full of monsters that punish you, disasters abound, and it is impossible to get out", I added with a serious expression.
"Son of Heaven, will the people of our Kingdom be able to live in that paradise?", asked one of the chief priests of one of the Great Cities.
"Yes, they will", I replied confidently. "Our people have long lived at peace with our neighbors, and while we have had some disputes with other ethnic groups, the gods know they are earthly problems; it was never meant to wipe them out or kill them indiscriminately. This is also why it bothers me a little that we don't give those tribes a chance to come to their senses. If we fight with them without reason, the gods might criticize our actions as evil. On the other hand, if we only defend ourselves or counterattack, the gods will see it as an action protecting our people", I argued.
"I have another question, young Chuta", said one of the selected leaders from the Lake Mountain District.
"Go ahead", I said.
"How do we know we're doing a good job in your eyes?", he asked, referring to me. "For my part, I've done everything to help my family and my people, so I believe the gods will see my actions as kind and allow me to live in that paradise, bringing honor to my descendants. However, I'd like to know how to be a good leader in your eyes", he explained respectfully.
"Hmm… I've never thought about that", I said in a contemplative tone. "To be honest, so far, I haven't seen anyone I could criticize. You look out for the well-being of the people you are responsible for, even the priests throughout the kingdom, led by the High Priest, surprise me day after day with your devotion to the gods and how much you care for the people of the kingdom", I explained with a proud tone, while everyone's faces showed relief, including the priests present.
"But if you want me to give you some pointers on how to be a good leader… I can do that", I offered after some thought.
"Please", they said, standing at attention, waiting for my response.
"First, continue the same way you've been doing, seeking the well-being of the people above personal gain. Second, create opportunities for your people to prosper, listen to the suggestions of wise people, and analyze the problems you face from different perspectives. Third, remember that you are people too. You can make mistakes, and the gods won't judge you for such small ones. But what you must do after making a mistake is correct your mistakes and make sure they don't happen again. Finally, in addition to being leaders, you are also parents or grandparents; you have families to take care of. Don't neglect your loved ones to do all the work alone. Gathering with a group of people to advise you and help you with some of the things you don't know how to do", I explained point by point.
"We understand", they all said, analyzing my words.
"To end this unexpected topic, I'll give you some guidelines. They'll be general. I won't tell you what to do in your own territories, but rather you should make your own decisions. If you have any problems that can't be solved, you can consult me", I said, ending the previous discussion.
"First, I'd like to show you a map of what I think the Kingdom will look like in a few years", I told them, unveiling a painting Nyia had made. Everyone stared at it in surprise. The details, every brushstroke, seemed as if a person were looking down on everything from heaven. "The Kingdom will be divided into 10 large areas called regions, each of which will have a city called the capital, which will be the seat of command for that region. In this capital, the leader will be called the governor, and he will have the power to organize the region's resources as he sees fit. The governor will have an administrative building in the city called the Governor's Office, which will be staffed by specialized personnel in various offices, such as the Construction Office, the Trade Office, the Mining Office, among others. The chieftains, leaders of cities, towns, or villages, must have a representative in this governor's office, who will make up the Governor's Council and assist the governor with decision-making", I explained in detail.
"In this region, which will be called the Central Region", I said, pointing a wooden pointer at the location of said region. "There will be a place called Government House, where the annual meetings will be held, just as we have been doing, except this time the Governors, Chiefs, and some leaders elected by region must be present", I continued, explaining the kingdom's political system.
"In the case of the Priests, the division will be similar", I commented, looking at the priests present. "The High Priest will be the ultimate expression of devotion and will have a large basilica capable of holding thousands of people, in the same city where the Government House will be located. The priests of the regional capitals will be called cardinals, while the priests of the large cities will be called bishops. These latter two divisions will be required to build a place of worship called a cathedral. In the case of cities, they will continue to be called Priests, who will be required to build parishes for the faithful. In the case of priests of towns and villages, they will be called deacons and will be required to build chapels", I explained, while the priests' faces filled with emotion over these new titles and the places of worship to the gods.
"Finally, one of the most important aspects… The warriors", I said emphatically, drawing everyone's attention. "From now on, everything related to the military force will be called the army. The person primarily responsible for the army will be the General of the Army, who will have a separate building called the Command Office, also located in the city of Government House", I began to explain the army's hierarchical system.
"The army forces will be divided into two areas: land forces and armed forces", I continued explaining seriously. "The land forces will be led by a General, who will be commanded by colonels stationed in the regiments of the regional capitals. The colonel of each capital will command majors stationed in the regiments of the larger cities. These mayors will command the captains stationed in the cities, who in turn will command the lieutenants stationed in the towns", I said, looking at the leaders. "In addition, there will be minor divisions within each regiment, which will be reported to each hierarchical level of the army", I said, finishing the explanation of the ground forces.
"Now I will explain one of the most important elements of our future", I said with an emotion that was difficult to hide.
"Exploration", I said ecstatically.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
In this chapter, Chuta (the main character) talks about the regions on the map from the previous chapter. The regions have the same purpose as duchies in Europe, which is to control those who govern with laws, taxes, and religion.
Unnecessary fact of the day: One of the main routes used by the Christian kingdoms, or what we know today as Spain, uses a river that runs through Colombia. It's precisely an area close to where the Muiscas lived, who in my novel have transformed into the Suaza Kingdom.
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]