Chapter 159 Lion City
"Kutaporn, aren't those people from Temasek from Southeast Asia? Or are they strangely dressed outsiders?"
“Your Excellency Bubatan, Kutabo swears with his life that those people were neither Southeast Asians nor Siamese.” Kutabo knelt on the ground, not daring to get up, even though Wilma had just pardoned him.
"Are they Indians from the west? What color are their hair and eyes?"
"Kutapo has never seen the Zhu people, but their eyes are all brown and black, and their hair is all black."
"Are they from Great Xia?" Wilmar stood up abruptly, asking with a mixture of surprise and delight.
“The Great Xia people…yes, the Great Xia people. They are all dressed in neat clothes and have very arrogant expressions, just like Prince Weilabumi. That’s right, they must be the Great Xia people.”
Kutabo finally woke up, wondering why he hadn't realized those people were from Great Xia.
“Tell me the whole story carefully.” Wilma sat down again and began to listen attentively to Kutapo’s account.
"It seems I can't handle Temasek on my own; I'll need to find a partner."
After hearing the story, Wilmar finally made up his mind. Many years ago, he had personally attacked Masjid and driven Parameswara to Malacca. He could do the same this time.
Surabaya is located in eastern Java, quite far from the wealthy kingdoms of India and Siam to the west. However, as the capital of Majapahit, it was a vast city with numerous houses, thanks to the efforts of its countless subjects.
Prince Wirabhumi was the son of King Ha'am Wulu of Majapahit, and his only son. However, the throne of Majapahit could be passed on to women, so Prince Wirabhumi was not King Ha'am Wulu's heir; his sister and brother-in-law were.
The old king was very fond of Wirabhumi and granted him East Java as his territory. The king's intention was to give him a foundation, so that at least after his death, this son could be the king of a vassal state that submitted to Majapahit.
But the king's move ignited something in Prince Wirabhumi that he shouldn't have—ambition. He outwardly obeyed his father's decision, but secretly began to cultivate his own faction, waiting for the right opportunity. Bubatan Wilma of Coconut City was his hidden pawn.
What do you think?
Prince Wilma handed the letter to his two trusted advisors, wanting to hear their opinions.
“Prince, we have no way of knowing how far Daxia is from the South Seas. We only know that it is still tens of thousands of miles from Siam to the capital of Daxia. So we do not know whether these people are from Daxia.”
The elderly strategist with white hair was very composed. He doubted whether the foreigners from Temasek were actually from Bactria, since no one from Bactria had ever visited Temasek before. All they knew about Bactria was from the Siamese, and the Bactrian goods they bought were also sold by the Siamese.
"Even if they are from Bactria, they are tens of thousands of miles away from Java. How many of them could they possibly send? How could they possibly stand against our tens of thousands of soldiers from Majapahit?"
Bramiden, in his prime, was the leader of the young elite under the prince and also his military commander. He was the one who most supported Wilma's decision. Taking over Temasek would not only bring a lot of wealth, but also greatly enhance Prince Wilma's prestige, which would be crucial for his future "great cause".
"In that case, let's gather the warriors! Also, send a letter to the wizard Kacha, asking him to bring people to help, and we'll give him a share afterward."
Prince Wirabhumi launched his first major military campaign since being crowned prince, taking the first step toward the throne.
"Taman the Wizard? Are you sure that person's name is Taman?"
Hidden in the mountains southeast of Sishui City lies a strange village inhabited by practitioners of witchcraft. Their master, the sorcerer Kacha, is currently receiving a distinguished guest. The prince's envoy has brought him a letter, and after reading it, Kacha, somewhat puzzled, inquires further about its contents.
"Respected Guru Kacha, that person is definitely named Taman. Do you know that person?"
“I do know a wizard named Taman, but he is very old and shouldn’t be in Temasek.”
"That's right, that Taman wizard is an old and dark-skinned wizard... Master Kacha and him... have some connection?"
"Heh! We have no friendship, but we do have some grudges. Tell your prince that I need three hundred young men, and the spoils from Temasek are also indispensable."
A bloodthirsty expression appeared on Kacha's face, and a flicker of excitement flickered in his eyes.
East Java is a vast territory divided into several regions, each governed by a "Bubatan." The prince's orders are smoothly transmitted through them to the next level, the "Kawadaran," each governed by a "Vadana." Each Kawadaran is further divided into several village alliances called Pakubuan, governed by an Akubu.
The lowest unit is the village, and each village is headed by a Bouut, who is the lowest-ranking administrative officer and has direct contact with the villagers.
The Manchurians have a well-established administrative structure, which is quite different from the loose alliance of the Turao people on Luzon Island. They already have the basic strength to contend for dominance over the surrounding islands.
A large number of young people left the village and embarked on the road to war under the leadership of experienced warriors. Java has always been a place of constant warfare between tribes. Although the villagers were lazy and loved to fight, they also created a large number of "warriors".
Prince Wirabmi's big move made Wiglama Varda, the husband of Princess Majapahit, the de facto ruler of East Java, very nervous. The three hundred ships were packed with people, and tens of thousands of warriors sailed westward from the north of East Java, with no one knowing where their destination was.
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