Chapter 1041: The Persian Lion
High Priests like Stone Eagle were the ones who truly held the power of discourse among the Indian tribes.
They allowed Western missionaries to preach only because they knew that the tenets of Catholicism were so far removed from the Indian way of life that they could never achieve widespread acceptance.
For instance, the Heaven that all Europeans yearned for sounded like a bizarre and desolate place to an Indian—no dense forests, no herds of bison to hunt, and not even any tobacco to smoke! Who would want to go there after they died?
Consequently, as long as the missionaries didn't provide money or guns, the Indians would immediately bid farewell to their God.
However, the Indian Gospel that Vignier had just described was entirely different.
Stone Eagle was certain that his people would embrace the contents of this book.
Even the Holy Communion distributed during Mass had been replaced with corn cakes, pine needle tea, and tobacco leaves!
Stone Eagle knew all too well that the scattered, uninteresting, and loophole-ridden myths of the Indians were no match for the logically consistent and narratively compelling religious system of Catholicism.
Once Vignier began his mission, it would take six months at most before religious authority fell into the hands of these white men.
However, Vignier did not seem surprised by his reaction. The Crown Prince had already warned him that such a situation might arise.
"Please, do not be so quick to refuse," Vignier said with a smile, not taking back the Gospel. "I can promise you that I and my men will only be responsible for preaching. All matters regarding baptisms, confessions, funerals, and Mass within the tribe will be managed by you or other priests."
"Furthermore, a large tribe like the Creek Confederacy will likely require a Cardinal High Priest to oversee everything. You are undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for that role."
Stone Eagle's eyes narrowed instantly.
The temptation was significant. He realized that the degree of brainwashing this Indian Gospel could achieve surpassed their ancient myths a hundredfold.
If he could become a Cardinal High Priest, he could use religious appeal alone to draw in all the small Indian tribes from Florida to Tennessee, bringing them into the confederacy.
Tribes like the Coweta and Cusseta could also be more tightly integrated into the Creek Confederacy. If everyone worshipped the same totem—this Jesus—they would inevitably become more united.
Indeed, as a shrewd old priest, he keenly perceived Joseph's purpose in sending Vignier and the others to compile this "Improved Bible."
Indian myths and legends were far too disorganized; the gods of two neighboring tribes were often different, and totems varied from house to house.
In a situation where cultural beliefs were incompatible, tribes could only form temporary alliances. Once the immediate crisis passed, they would immediately go their separate ways.
At the same time, the Americans could exploit these tribal differences to sow discord.
With the Indian Gospel, however, the myths of all tribes could achieve a "Great Unification," and those barriers would vanish.
By establishing a church system managed by the Indians themselves and implementing a hierarchical structure for the various tribes, the strength of the Indian people could be integrated in the shortest time possible.
Establishing an administrative system quickly was difficult, but a religious system was much simpler.
Moreover, in Indian tribes where the entire population was illiterate, the efficiency of religious rule might even be higher.
Stone Eagle looked at Vignier and asked cautiously, "So, who appoints the High Priest? Your church?"
The latter immediately shook his head. "No, no. They are elected from within your own tribe, including all Cardinal High Priests, ordinary priests, and Deacons."
"You only need to report the selection of the Cardinal High Priest to the Roman Curia for confirmation. Rest assured, the Holy See will not place any obstacles in your path."
"Furthermore, you certainly won't lose out by honoring the Holy See, as they frequently provide financial aid to various dioceses."
Stone Eagle stared at Vignier for a long moment before finally nodding. "I will gather the High Priests of the other tribes to discuss this matter."
...
On the eastern shore of the Black Sea.
In the region of Transcaucasia.
A Persian official dressed in a silk beige robe and a white turban bowed piously toward the grand figure standing in the sunlight. "Great Shah, the foolish and stubborn Erekle II has once again refused to acknowledge you as his master. However, he is willing to offer..."
Agha Mohammad, seated firmly upon his warhorse, drew a saber encrusted with various gemstones from his waist and interrupted him. "Then let them pay the price for their choice."
He pointed his saber toward the city of Tbilisi, faintly visible in the distance, and said calmly, "Order Abul Jalili to launch the attack."
"Yes, Shah!"
As Agha Mohammad's command was issued, the surrounding Persian army surged forward like a giant beast.
Over two thousand armored Turkmen heavy cavalry lined up in ten neat square formations and began to advance slowly toward the Krtsanisi hills south of Tbilisi.
On their flanks, three thousand Turkic light cavalry were responsible for cover.
Following closely behind were over ten thousand Mazandaran musketeers equipped with heavy matchlock muskets.
This was merely Agha Mohammad's vanguard.
He commanded a Persian army of nearly forty thousand. Before this, he had already swept through Ardalan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, expanding the empire's western borders to the southern side of the Caucasus Mountains.
Georgia was the last country south of the Caucasus and the final objective of his expedition.
Once this place was occupied, Persia would gain an outlet to the Black Sea, allowing for maritime trade with Europe to the west.
They could also use Georgia as a base to continue encroaching on Ottoman territory to the west.
Agha Mohammad raised his telescope to observe his magnificent army. The heavy cavalry at the front were already closing in on the Georgian soldiers, and a cold smile played at the corners of his mouth.
He had given the Georgians a chance to become his vassals, but Erekle II had decided to be the Tsar's servant instead.
Then he would crush them.
A thunderous roar echoed from the front as the heavy cavalry launched their charge.
Agha Mohammad turned to his messenger and said, "Tell Jalili that after entering Tbilisi, he is to kill every man there and pile their eyeballs outside the city gates. The women and children are all to be sold as slaves."
"Yes, Great Shah."
The armor worn by the Turkmen heavy cavalry could not effectively stop the Georgian bullets, yet they maintained the rhythm of their charge, seemingly oblivious to their comrades being shot and falling from their horses.
This was because, according to Agha Mohammad's military law, any soldier who showed even a moment's hesitation during an attack would be executed immediately, and their family would be held accountable.
It was through such harsh military discipline that the Persian army was nearly invincible in Central Asia.
In just over ten minutes, the two leading heavy cavalry formations cut through the Georgian defensive line like a spear.
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