The Good Berry: A Wild Rice Domestication TL

[PeterEzgo]

Chapter 39: The People of the South Wind​

The Wasioto basin [Nashville basin] was particularly hard hit by the disruptions of the 530s and 540s. The Yuchi people who inhabited the Wasioto Basin may have seen as much as a 50% drop in population (from either death or migration) in less than 20 years. After the volcanic clouds dissipated, the area slowly rebuilt.

When Opihale [Louisville, KY] had granted Mozacala land, they had given Mozcala land that had either been depopulated by the aftermath of the 536 AD volcanic eruptions or was undeveloped to begin with. Much of this land was south of the Ohiyo [Ohio] River, near the settlements of the Yuchi people. In fact, this is where the term Shawnee comes from. Shawnee translates as “the People of the South Wind” or “People from the South”.

As Mozcala grew, more and more uninhabited forest was transformed into farmland. This encroached on the traditional hunting lands of the Yuchi. The situation came to a head in the early 570s when a group of Yuchi noblemen visited Mozcala to make their displeasure known. They insulted the Shawnee and their religious practices. This enraged the then-King of Mozcala Keannekeuk. He quickly ordered the army to march against these insolent barbarians. This was the first time Mozcala would go to war.

This first conquest was successful. Too successful in a way. Keannekeuk captured a large number of Yuchi prisoners. This posed a problem. Mozist teachings banned human sacrifice but the captured soldiers were clearly not suitable as slaves. They refused to work and when forced to work they sabotaged what they could. All of them repeatedly tried to escape. Some of them demanded to be sacrificed as a matter of honor. A few even killed themselves rather than face the indignity of slavery.

One of the captured soldiers, a man by the name of Muccutay took a different approach. He did not resist his enslavement. Instead, Muccutay studied the Mozist religion and was persuaded of its truthfulness. He converted to Mozism and petitioned to be allowed to fight for Mozcala in the future.

Keannekeuk rejected this petition at first as he did not trust a slave to fight for him. However, his Keeper of the Seal, Eshkibagikoonzhe, was moved by Muccutay’s story. Eshkibagikoonzhe persuaded Keannekeuk to allow Muccutay to prove his worth. Keannekeuk sent Muccutay on a very dangerous mission to rescue a prisoner held by the Yuchi.

Yuchi Soldiers in War Paint1​

Muccutay braved many dangers but managed to rescue the prisoner, though he was gravely wounded in the attempt. Rather than let him die, Eshkibagikoonzhe ordered his personal healers be sent to Muccutay. In time, Muccutay would return to health. Muccutay would serve Mozcala loyally for many years. He was marked out from the other soldiers with a sun tattoo on his hand. In the future other Yuchi slave soldiers would also be given such tattoos.

It is unclear how much of this story (which is found in the Shaanii Aadizookaan) is truthful and how much of it was fabricated later. It certainly follows the format of a hero’s adventure but that does not mean it is false. It may simply be an embellishment of a real story. In any case, it serves as a way for the Shaanii Aadizookaan to explain the origin of the Yuchi slave soldiers.

The Shawnee conquest of the Wasioto Basin continued through the reigns of Keannekeuk, Memiskondinimaaganeshiinh and Mahomet. We will not discuss every campaign and battle recorded in the Shaanii Aadizookaan. Here are some highlights:

The Assembly of Equals would symbolically declare war on the Yuchi at the beginning of every year.

In 591 AD, the city of Hogohegii [Murfreesboro, TN] was captured. The city resisted for a long time and when it finally fell it was burned and looted by the Shawnee. The entire population of the city was taken as slaves and were to be force marched back to Mozcala. Many of the children were unable to keep up with the quick pace of the soldiers. Rather than slow down, the Shawnee commander instead ordered anyone unable to keep marching to be drowned in the nearby river. This river is now called the Papoose River [Stones River in Tennessee] for the many infants, called papoose by the Shawnee, who were drowned on that day.

Under Memiskondinimaaganeshiinh, a special group of Yuchi converts were made into a bodyguard for the emperor. They had no ties to the nobility or anyone except the king. Memiskondinimaaganeshiinh treated them well and lavished gifts on them. This made them fanatically loyal. Later kings would follow his example, slowly expanding the Yuchi forces until they made up the bulk of the royal armies.

Map of the Shawnee Empire circa 626 AD​

As Mozcala came to control more and more of the Wasioto basin, they began to appoint local governors to rule smaller areas. These men were given the title odaakewigimaa and ruled over parcels of land called aki. We will use the terms “prefect” and “prefecture” when referring to these concepts.

Prefects were were given large estates where slaves would grow food and cash crops. The more prestigious the post, the more slaves and land they were given. However, they were not given lands that they had any claim or connection to. Each prefect swore loyalty to Mozcala and had to give military aid whenever asked. If they didn’t they could be dismissed from their post or even executed for disloyalty. When a prefect died, their sons did not inherit their post. This made their position very precarious and dependent on loyalty to the King of Mozcala.

Even Yuchi soldiers who had served Mozcala could be given tracts of land. After they became too old to fight, they were settled in oshki’aki ruled over by eshpabid. We will use the terms “colonies” and “barons” when referring to these concepts.

Barons were chosen from among former Yuchi slave commanders. Those who settled in the colonies were bound to part time military service for their entire lives. Their sons would take up their duties after the original colonists died. In this way, Mozcala always had soldiers which it could call upon when needed.

The last Yuchi settlement was taken in 626 AD and the Assembly of Equals formally declared the war with the Yuchi won. The then-King of Mozcala, Mahomet, took the title Ba Wasioto, which translates as “Lord of the Wasioto”. This sort of title had typically been used by the Kings of city-states that built small empires centered on a river valley. So the King of Nepernine [Cincinnati] would conquer most of the Ohiyo basin and assume the title Ba Ohiyo. The title of Ba would prove the basis of the later imperial titles of the Shawnee.

Some of these things are also discussed in the Book of War, which was supposedly written by King Mahomet. We will discuss that book in a supplemental next week.


Characters

1. Muccutay- first captured Yuchi soldier to convert to Mozism; name means “black”
2. Keannekeuk- the nephew of Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh; an early ruler of Mozcala
3. Eshkibagikoonzhe- Keeper of the Seal for Keannekeuk; a government bureaucrat; inventor of the civil service exams
4. Memiskondinimaaganeshiinh- early ruler of Mozcala; name means “red shouldered bird”.
5. Mahomet- early ruler of Mozcala; writer of the Book of War.

Comments? Questions?




1Taken from: https://www.citizen-times.com/gcdn/...th=1200&disable=upscale&format=pjpg&auto=webp

 

[Johannes Parisiensis]

Prefects were were given large estates where slaves would grow food and cash crops. The more prestigious the post, the more slaves and land they were given. However, they were not given lands that they had any claim or connection to. Each prefect swore loyalty to Mozcala and had to give military aid whenever asked. If they didn’t they could be dismissed from their post or even executed for disloyalty. When a prefect died, their sons did not inherit their post. This made their position very precarious and dependent on loyalty to the King of Mozcala.

Sure, they aren't hereditary positions but could the local equivalent of the OTL 877 Kiersy-sur-Oise edict or the Sengoku period if central authority is weakened enough by a disastrous war or an economic crisis?

And it might be interesting if Mozist religious institutions such as temples and monasteries could end as prefects, if the king deems them more loyal, especially in corners where non-Mozists need converting.

Barons were chosen from among former Yuchi slave commanders. Those who settled in the colonies were bound to part time military service for their entire lives. Their sons would take up their duties after the original colonists died. In this way, Mozcala always had soldiers which it could call upon when needed.

Looks like the mamluks or the ministrales, people of servile status serving in the military. It might be a way to motivate slaves to be loyal, at least only while they provide enough opennings to serve as soldiers and that veterans are correctly rewarded, all under the overarching arms of a common faith. Much like my points on feudalism, could some of these slave-soldiers, if left unsatisfied, revolt against their masters and become the actual rulers of their domains?

 

[PeterEzgo]

Snip

Apparently, I need to be more subtle in the "set up" parts of my TL. Or I need to steal ideas from less obvious eras in history.

Put down the crystal ball and enjoy the ride.

 

[HyperMuscularDemon]

Great chapter! I presume that as time goes on, Native American kingdoms and empires will get larger and more advanced, right?

 

[PeterEzgo]

Great chapter!

Thanks!

I presume that as time goes on, Native American kingdoms and empires will get larger and more advanced, right?

Its like waves at a beach going up with the tide. In and out but always higher than before.

 

[PeterEzgo]

Supplemental: The Book of War

Success in war cannot be bought, borrowed or stolen. Its only price is blood. – The Book of War​

Mahomet’s most famous act was to author the mazina'igan nandobani, often translated as “the Book of War”. At least, he is the one traditionally credited with writing it. The Book of War is split into multiple sections which all have stylistic differences and sometimes repeat information. Because of this, many modern historians believe that the Book of War is really a compilation of multiple works written by different authors at different times. One or more of these works may or may not have been written by Mahomet. In any case, his famed military prowess would have lent credibility to such a work.

Despite the disputes over its authorship, the Book of War is considered a classic in military and Minisian literature. Alongside other works, such as Sun Tzu’s Art of War or the Strategikon of Maurice, the Book of War has been used for centuries as an introduction to warfare and tactics. It is still required reading at the National Military Academy of England and many other service academies throughout the world.

The book is formatted as a series of questions and answers. The question is usually the sort of question an office cadet would ask. The answer is given in character as Emperor Mahomet. Often it gives seemingly simple or obvious advice. But many of these seemingly obvious bits of advice are not followed even by those who should know better.

For example, the book details the decimal organizational structure of the Shawnee army. An officer led ten men, another rank up led 100 men, and another rank up 1000 and so on until you reached the King who commanded the entire army. It details how much food, water, and other supplies was needed for each unit. It gives instructions on how to set up a supply train. If that fails, it gives suggestions on how and when to scavenge for food.

A copy of the mazina'igan nandobani written on koha [river-cane] [1]​

The Book of War also gives advice on how to use different weapons. Several answers focus on the signature weapon for Shawnee officers: a copper halberd. One answer even gives tips for how to fight on skis in winter.

Throughout the book, there is an emphasis on the officer being a good moral example for his troops. A good commander, just like a good king, makes just rulings and follows his own laws. He keeps his word. However it also says that you should not feel bound by agreements with foreigners and barbarians.

Many answers deal with how to choose lower level officers. “Care not for the skills or position of a man’s father or clan. Care only for the results he can bring.” In fact, the early Shawnee army was famous for its meritorious promotions.

The Book of War has various strategies for motivating your warriors. “Some want land, some want women, some want power. Give each what he desires and not what the other wants.” It talks about dividing the loot of victory so that most of the wealth goes to the common warriors and not the leaders or officers. That way, you buy the loyalty of the common man. Also, only use people for what they are good at. Don’t make someone do something they struggle with unless you absolutely have to.

The book of also suggests that you should glorify warriors in everyday life so that common people yearn to become warriors and so increase the pool of available soldiers. You should reward those that have performed particularly brave actions.

It also gives more general, strategic advice. You should move quickly at first in order to take advantage of surprise. Once your enemy knows you are there, you should be more deliberate in your actions. Choose a battlefield that exaggerates your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. And so on.

Be fierce against those that resist and kind to those that surrender. A city that surrenders should be allowed to continue much as before, with no plundering and as little disorder as possible. A city that resists should be sacked and burned. Much of its people should be sold into slavery to the cities who had already surrendered. This makes the neighboring cities richer and gives them a lesson about rebellion.

While it has much practical advice, the Book of War also includes several sections on divination. It considers prophecies and omens to be as important to the outcome of a battle as the decisions of the commander. Today we would consider this wrong but at the time it was considered sage advice.

Next time, we will discuss the Rosary River Valley [Snake River Valley] and the domestication of the Woolly Goat [Rocky Mountain Goat].


[1] Taken from: https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1op6WLFXXXXafaXXXq6xXFXXXq.jpg_640x640Q90.jpg_.webp Actually it is Chinese bamboo slips

Comments? Questions?

 

[Johannes Parisiensis]

Looks like scholarship about military matters advanced enough for military manuals to be written.

Looks like they're creating a military education system, maybe with cadets being attached to military units to watch senior officers at work (said senior officers using this manual to help them to teach their students). It also tells how much military activity is the region undergoing.

And maybe this socratic system of students being taught by professionals is also used in other fields such as medicine, religion and public administration, before the birth of more formal institutions once these fields are too complex to be taught by other than full-time teachers.

 

[twovultures]

I like that the manual focuses on supplies. I do wonder how different the question of supplies is when you have red deer as your traction animal, as opposed to oxen or mules.

 

[Quinkana]

Next time, we will discuss the Rosary River Valley [Snake River Valley] and the domestication of the Woolly Goat [Rocky Mountain Goat].

Ooh this will be interesting, with how the animals of America are brought to use in these societies, it will probably help with marginal farmers with land that they can't cultivate.

Development of the military is good too. Learning how to fight against other ppl I'd always important in these societies, even if we won't get wapiti riders the societal innovation would be good for the Americans when colonisation comes by.

 

[PeterEzgo]

I like that the manual focuses on supplies. I do wonder how different the question of supplies is when you have red deer as your traction animal, as opposed to oxen or mules.

Its the Wapiti Elk, not the red deer. And its a lot more difficult, as you might expect. Although most supplies are going to be transported over water, not overland.

 

[Quinkana]

Its the Wapiti Elk, not the red deer. And its a lot more difficult, as you might expect. Although most supplies are going to be transported over water, not overland.

Considering that your civ really focuses on water I think it makes sense.

I do think wapiti would do better than you think tho, we do have pictures of people riding them, and putting a person's worth of stuff onto the back of a wapiti would make logistics better than what the natives had to deal with in otl, not to mention travois still being somewhat of a force multiplier.

So while it may not be something that's used by the settled ppls in the lowlands, I could defo see highlanders using it to do sieges and supply forces in ways the lowlanders think would be impossible and wreck them at least once or twice.

 

[HyperMuscularDemon]

Good chapter! I am glad you updated your timeline.

 

[TeluguKhan]

the National Military Academy of England

Ah so england still exists, is it as the British Empire or just England

So while it may not be something that's used by the settled ppls in the lowlands, I could defo see highlanders using it to do sieges and supply forces in ways the lowlanders think would be impossible and wreck them at least once or twice.

I can imagine the Plains Indians using the elk much like they use horses today, hell they could become the Mongols of NA

 

[Quinkana]

I can imagine the Plains Indians using the elk much like they use horses today, hell they could become the Mongols of NA

I could see this happening, but riding itself is hard to figure out. The main problem is that the elk nomads may conquer the farmers due to having more soldiers at hand...

 

[TeluguKhan]

I could see this happening, but riding itself is hard to figure out. The main problem is that the elk nomads may conquer the farmers due to having more soldiers at hand...

just like Chingis Khan with the Jin or Kublai with the Song, an empire from the Rockies to the Mississippi, and the frozen wastes to the Gulf

 

[PeterEzgo]

Ah so england still exists, is it as the British Empire or just England

That is definitely a "Read and Find Out" question. But I will say that every word of the phrase "National Military Academy of England" was carefully chosen.

I can imagine the Plains Indians using the elk much like they use horses today, hell they could become the Mongols of NA

Riding on the back of an elk, especially at any kind of speed, is quite difficult. They don't have a strong enough back to keep a person on for long periods of time and their antlers will poke at you every time they move their head.

 

[Quinkana]

Riding on the back of an elk, especially at any kind of speed, is quite difficult. They don't have a strong enough back to keep a person on for long periods of time and their antlers will poke at you every time they move their head.

Assuming that their antlers are clipped or otherwise reduced in riding animals, and that they take proper breaks the maneuverability of any sort of cavalry would still make them very hard to deal with. Even dragoon type tactics would disorient anyone who's used to fighting infantry.

 

[TeluguKhan]

Riding on the back of an elk, especially at any kind of speed, is quite difficult. They don't have a strong enough back to keep a person on for long periods of time and their antlers will poke at you every time they move their head.

I suppose that it a stronger back and smaller antlers can be bred over time

 

[ChucK Y]

Assuming that their antlers are clipped or otherwise reduced in riding animals, and that they take proper breaks the maneuverability of any sort of cavalry would still make them very hard to deal with. Even dragoon type tactics would disorient anyone who's used to fighting infantry.

Chariots may dominate the battlefield until a more robust breed is developed.

 

[Quinkana]

Chariots may dominate the battlefield until a more robust breed is developed.

Thing is we don't have wheels so travois is the only option.