03-03-2020, 10:28 AM
Tlālacuetztla, April 2001
The Palace of Flowers, and the entire Imperial capital, were draped in decorations and pomp. A new Emperor had just taken the Obsidian Throne, and Xiomera was honoring the new ruler.
The long-ruling Emperor, Xolōtl, had passed away a month prior, and the Mandate of Huītzilōpōchtli had been handed down to the victor of the Great Selection. Topilpopoca, Xiomera’s highest-ranking General, had just outwitted, out-bribed, out-cajoled and out-threatened his way to power. He slowly ran his hands over the arms of the Obsidian Throne, as if trying to convince himself that it was finally his, before slowly sitting down in the most powerful chair in Xiomera.
Topilpopoca sighed. It had been a long and difficult rise to power, first in the ranks of the Imperial Army, and now to Emperor. But he had succeeded. And now, he would have a chance to rule Xiomera as he wanted. Xolōtl had been extremely old-fashioned and, in Topilpopoca’s view, shortsighted. Times were changing, and Xiomera was also changing, in ways not seen since the rapid industrialization of Camaxtica’s early reign. The world was changing as well - becoming more advanced and technological. There were fortunes to be made, and a future to be seized. Topilpopoca was determined to make sure that the Xiomeran Empire took full advantage of both.
“That chair looks good on you. Or, perhaps, it’s the other way around,” a soft voice echoed in the Throne Room, interrupting the Emperor’s dreaming. Topilpopoca smiled at the sight of who had walked into the room, extending his hands. Yauhmi took his hands in hers. “I rather think you’re beautifying this room more than a rough-hewn soldier,” he replied.
Yauhmi chuckled, seating herself in the chair reserved for the Emperor’s spouse next to the Obsidian Throne. “So....what do you plan to do first?” she asked.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead, just yet. But judging from the look on your face, it seems like you already have a suggestion for me,” Topilpopoca replied. Yauhmi nodded, her expression turning serious. “I think we should revisit the Rural Development Initiatives that Xolōtl rejected last year,” she said.
“The rural initiatives?” Topilpopoca said, surprised. “I am not opposed to the idea....but, admittedly, not enthusiastic about it either. It seems like a lot to invest in marginal areas of the Empire - and in places and people that aren’t our biggest fans, for that matter.”
“True, on both counts. But how do we change that narrative? Xolōtl’s approach to these areas, especially in places like the Necatli region, was to send in more police and more soldiers to make the people there comply. We can do better than that. Keeping a foot planted on the necks of the people in those areas hasn’t exactly worked, has it? If we make investments in those areas - schools, hospitals, infrastructure - we can show people in those areas that the Empire cares about them. In the long term, that will accomplish a great deal more than Xolōtl’s heavy-handedness ever did. Winning over people to your cause is much more effective at getting them to support you than the application of mere force.”
Topilpopoca chuckled. “I don’t disagree with you. I just wasn’t aware that I married a closet reformist thirty years ago,” he said in a teasing tone.
Yauhmi gave him a slight swat on the shoulder. “I have always believed that doing the right thing bears its own rewards, you know that. You’ve always said that one of your goals was to make Xiomera more productive and stronger economically. If the rural areas of Xiomera continue to lag behind, we’ll never achieve that goal. They will be a millstone around our necks. But investing in these areas, and the people there, will help the entire Empire in the long term. It will bring about a healthier and better educated workforce, which will lead to greater productivity and economic strength. If it serves a social purpose while doing so, so much the better, I would argue.”
Topilpopoca sighed. “The powers that be weren’t enthusiastic about these initiatives when they were first proposed, as I recall.”
Yauhmi snorted. “You weren’t Emperor then. You are the ‘powers that be’, now. If you say you want these initiatives done, they’ll get done.”
“That is true, isn’t it....” Topilpopoca mused, as if feeling that power for the first time. “I will enact these initiatives on one condition, madam Empress. You will be the one to lead the initiatives.”
Yauhmi’s expression took on a look of surprise. “That is not the role most people would expect me to fill.”
“Of course not. I imagine most people expect you to fill a chair next to me, look pretty, and smile for the cameras. To be a purely ornamental Empress while I do the actual work. Most people are idiots,” Topilpopoca said. “I know what you’re capable of. You have just the right mix of compassion and pragmatism to make these programs happen. You’re also an excellent speaker, so you can sell these initiatives in a way that would not be believeable coming from me. And you have the knowledge and the intelligence to grasp the complexities of these initiatives, and make them work. Of course, I suppose I could find someone else to lead this effort if you prefer. Did you want to just be my female sidekick on the sidelines?”
“Hah!” Yauhmi barked, her expression genuinely offended by the suggestion that she would prefer to be a chair-filling sidekick, which made Topilpopoca roar with laughter. “See, that attitude is precisely why you’re the one to take on this role.” His expression took on a more thoughtful look. “Being Emperor is not going to be easy. And I am not perfect, nor truly omnipotent, despite what the rituals claim. I could use a strong Empress at my side to take this on with me. These initiatives would be the beginning. Once you have that experience, who knows what you could do?”
Yauhmi slowly nodded, after a moment. “I guess, like you, I have to start somewhere. Very well. You handle the mess here in Tlālacuetztla and in the other cities, I’ll fix the rural areas. We’ll meet in the middle.”
—
Over the next several years, the Rural Development Initiatives would transform Xiomera’s rural areas. New schools, hospitals and clinics would greatly improve the lives of rural Xiomerans. New infrastructure - electricity, roads, highways and Internet access - would vault them into the modern era, letting them catch up to Xiomera’s sprawling cities. And people in rural areas, seeing the Empress work tirelessly to help them, would come to revere Yauhmi as an almost parental figure.
—
Tlālacuetztla, 2020
“Your Majesty?”
The soft voice broke through Yauhmi’s thoughts. “We have the numbers on the new social programs to be offered in the cities and other urban areas. Did you still want to go over them?” Namacamina, the new Secretary of Support, asked.
“Yes, yes, of course. Please excuse me. I was just thinking about something,” the Empress said. “Just a daydream about the first person who believed in me.” The Empress gestured for Namacamina to continue.
The new Secretary mentally chuckled to herself. Daydreams, hmm? Must be nice. She fired up her presentation on the AV system in the conference room, as the Empress looked on expectantly.
The Palace of Flowers, and the entire Imperial capital, were draped in decorations and pomp. A new Emperor had just taken the Obsidian Throne, and Xiomera was honoring the new ruler.
The long-ruling Emperor, Xolōtl, had passed away a month prior, and the Mandate of Huītzilōpōchtli had been handed down to the victor of the Great Selection. Topilpopoca, Xiomera’s highest-ranking General, had just outwitted, out-bribed, out-cajoled and out-threatened his way to power. He slowly ran his hands over the arms of the Obsidian Throne, as if trying to convince himself that it was finally his, before slowly sitting down in the most powerful chair in Xiomera.
Topilpopoca sighed. It had been a long and difficult rise to power, first in the ranks of the Imperial Army, and now to Emperor. But he had succeeded. And now, he would have a chance to rule Xiomera as he wanted. Xolōtl had been extremely old-fashioned and, in Topilpopoca’s view, shortsighted. Times were changing, and Xiomera was also changing, in ways not seen since the rapid industrialization of Camaxtica’s early reign. The world was changing as well - becoming more advanced and technological. There were fortunes to be made, and a future to be seized. Topilpopoca was determined to make sure that the Xiomeran Empire took full advantage of both.
“That chair looks good on you. Or, perhaps, it’s the other way around,” a soft voice echoed in the Throne Room, interrupting the Emperor’s dreaming. Topilpopoca smiled at the sight of who had walked into the room, extending his hands. Yauhmi took his hands in hers. “I rather think you’re beautifying this room more than a rough-hewn soldier,” he replied.
Yauhmi chuckled, seating herself in the chair reserved for the Emperor’s spouse next to the Obsidian Throne. “So....what do you plan to do first?” she asked.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead, just yet. But judging from the look on your face, it seems like you already have a suggestion for me,” Topilpopoca replied. Yauhmi nodded, her expression turning serious. “I think we should revisit the Rural Development Initiatives that Xolōtl rejected last year,” she said.
“The rural initiatives?” Topilpopoca said, surprised. “I am not opposed to the idea....but, admittedly, not enthusiastic about it either. It seems like a lot to invest in marginal areas of the Empire - and in places and people that aren’t our biggest fans, for that matter.”
“True, on both counts. But how do we change that narrative? Xolōtl’s approach to these areas, especially in places like the Necatli region, was to send in more police and more soldiers to make the people there comply. We can do better than that. Keeping a foot planted on the necks of the people in those areas hasn’t exactly worked, has it? If we make investments in those areas - schools, hospitals, infrastructure - we can show people in those areas that the Empire cares about them. In the long term, that will accomplish a great deal more than Xolōtl’s heavy-handedness ever did. Winning over people to your cause is much more effective at getting them to support you than the application of mere force.”
Topilpopoca chuckled. “I don’t disagree with you. I just wasn’t aware that I married a closet reformist thirty years ago,” he said in a teasing tone.
Yauhmi gave him a slight swat on the shoulder. “I have always believed that doing the right thing bears its own rewards, you know that. You’ve always said that one of your goals was to make Xiomera more productive and stronger economically. If the rural areas of Xiomera continue to lag behind, we’ll never achieve that goal. They will be a millstone around our necks. But investing in these areas, and the people there, will help the entire Empire in the long term. It will bring about a healthier and better educated workforce, which will lead to greater productivity and economic strength. If it serves a social purpose while doing so, so much the better, I would argue.”
Topilpopoca sighed. “The powers that be weren’t enthusiastic about these initiatives when they were first proposed, as I recall.”
Yauhmi snorted. “You weren’t Emperor then. You are the ‘powers that be’, now. If you say you want these initiatives done, they’ll get done.”
“That is true, isn’t it....” Topilpopoca mused, as if feeling that power for the first time. “I will enact these initiatives on one condition, madam Empress. You will be the one to lead the initiatives.”
Yauhmi’s expression took on a look of surprise. “That is not the role most people would expect me to fill.”
“Of course not. I imagine most people expect you to fill a chair next to me, look pretty, and smile for the cameras. To be a purely ornamental Empress while I do the actual work. Most people are idiots,” Topilpopoca said. “I know what you’re capable of. You have just the right mix of compassion and pragmatism to make these programs happen. You’re also an excellent speaker, so you can sell these initiatives in a way that would not be believeable coming from me. And you have the knowledge and the intelligence to grasp the complexities of these initiatives, and make them work. Of course, I suppose I could find someone else to lead this effort if you prefer. Did you want to just be my female sidekick on the sidelines?”
“Hah!” Yauhmi barked, her expression genuinely offended by the suggestion that she would prefer to be a chair-filling sidekick, which made Topilpopoca roar with laughter. “See, that attitude is precisely why you’re the one to take on this role.” His expression took on a more thoughtful look. “Being Emperor is not going to be easy. And I am not perfect, nor truly omnipotent, despite what the rituals claim. I could use a strong Empress at my side to take this on with me. These initiatives would be the beginning. Once you have that experience, who knows what you could do?”
Yauhmi slowly nodded, after a moment. “I guess, like you, I have to start somewhere. Very well. You handle the mess here in Tlālacuetztla and in the other cities, I’ll fix the rural areas. We’ll meet in the middle.”
—
Over the next several years, the Rural Development Initiatives would transform Xiomera’s rural areas. New schools, hospitals and clinics would greatly improve the lives of rural Xiomerans. New infrastructure - electricity, roads, highways and Internet access - would vault them into the modern era, letting them catch up to Xiomera’s sprawling cities. And people in rural areas, seeing the Empress work tirelessly to help them, would come to revere Yauhmi as an almost parental figure.
—
Tlālacuetztla, 2020
“Your Majesty?”
The soft voice broke through Yauhmi’s thoughts. “We have the numbers on the new social programs to be offered in the cities and other urban areas. Did you still want to go over them?” Namacamina, the new Secretary of Support, asked.
“Yes, yes, of course. Please excuse me. I was just thinking about something,” the Empress said. “Just a daydream about the first person who believed in me.” The Empress gestured for Namacamina to continue.
The new Secretary mentally chuckled to herself. Daydreams, hmm? Must be nice. She fired up her presentation on the AV system in the conference room, as the Empress looked on expectantly.
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