Skit 2 -- City planning in 120 AD

　The young man, Pekele, had instructed his companions to build a channel by filling in the depression further upstream to bring water to the fields to the west. [Chief of Moon Pyramid] called him over and asked him about his plans for adding a second layer to the [Pyramid of the Moon]. Pekele replied that he was thinking about changing the orientation of the first layer.
　Then he drew a plan of the first layer, measuring 23m square in small scale, on the ground, and drew a line extending south, not due south but tilted slightly west. [Chief of Moon Pyramid] realized that this represented the current state. The young man drew a larger second layer, slightly tilted, to overlap the first layer. The southern front wall of this layer leaned even further west. He drew a diagonal line extending south from there, tilted even further west. He looked [Chief of Moon Pyramid] in the eye.
　[Chief of Moon Pyramid] smiled and said, "you can continue."
　The young man's hands drew pictures on the ground swiftly and without hesitation. The blueprints drawn on the ground spread out to the left, right, and bottom, so large that they could not be seen in one glance. As the drawings progressed, the head of the shrine began to realize that this would change in this way, that something new would be built, and this was related to that.

　Over the next few days, [Chief of Moon Pyramid] spoke privately with the young man, Pekele.

　A few days later, a hut was erected in front of the first tier of [Chief of Moon Pyramid], which he had built 20 years earlier.
　As time drew near, Pekere began to get nervous.
　"Is everything alright?" [Chief of Moon Pyramid] asked.
　"Will those people be angry?"
　[Chief of Moon Pyramid] paused.
　"The younger [Pre Cuidalela Chief] is a very clever man. He has pride, but he also sees what's going on around him. The older [Xalla Chief] can be difficult to get along with, but he understands what's being said. Your [Cerro Gordo Urban Plan] is quite convincing. Have confidence."
　The two men entered the hut.
　"Mr. [Xalla Chief]," [Chief of Moon Pyramid] said, looking at the older man's face. "Mr. [Pre Cuidalela Chief], both of you were very welcome."
　"I have no choice but to respond to your call," [Xalla Chief] said.
　"This is Pekele from my village. He's the central figure in building the irrigation canal."
　[Pre Cuidalela Chief] glanced at the young man.
　"Today, we'd like you to listen to our proposal. We can give you an answer later."
　[Chief of Moon Pyramid] paused, then began to speak in a relaxed tone.
　"Today, we are accepting many refugees, who are working in a variety of jobs. Our economy is thriving like never before. The wealth generated by the Pyramid of the Moon, Pre Cuidadela, and Xalla is enormous. Each of these has made it possible to construct magnificent buildings. At the same time, people are living haphazardly, and the sewage system doesn't work properly, so sanitation is a concern. Poor sanitation breeds disease, which reduces the population. The roads are winding and full of dead ends, making it difficult for people and goods to move smoothly.
　The population is approaching 70,000. I hear there are hardly any settlements of this size, even in the east. It's a number to be proud of, but the landscape remains that of a messy settlement. If we can create a city that inspires awe and reverence among residents and outsiders, it will also be of great strength to us.
　Water is important to us. Where do we feel water comes from? Cerro Gordo in the north. That's our symbol of water. Respecting it will fulfill our spirits."

　He paused for a moment.

　[Xalla Chief] spoke.
　"Is it a proposal to build a comprehensive water and sewer system in this valley, leading to the San Juan River?"
　"That's part of what we'll be discussing tonight. The foundation for the [Pyramid of the Moon] has been laid. [Xalla] has grown into a complex of temples. [Pre Cuidadela] has a large ball court. So far so good. But there's one thing the three of us have overlooked," he paused. "The psychological care of the refugees."
　"I don't quite understand what you mean," [Pre Cuidalela Chief] interjected. "We've accepted them and allowed them to continue their work. Is that not enough?"
　"Even now, they're terrified of an eruption."
　"Haha," [Pre Cuidalela Chief] laughed. "Are you suggesting we put a lid on Popocatepetl?"
　"Spiritually, it's something close to that."
　[Pre Cuidalela Chief]'s eyes urged him on.
　"From now on, if I continue to talk, it will get long-winded, so I will explain briefly. I'm sure you two will want to give your opinions along the way, but please listen to the end."
　Pekele took a deep breath and began.

　1. The main deity of our great settlement is water. To give it a direction toward its source, we will draw a straight line through the center of the central area of ​​the valley, from Cerro Gordo to the Pyramid of the Moon, through the Street of the Dead, to the Ple Ciudadela. This line will be 15.5 degrees southwest of true north. All roads, waterways, and sewers, as well as the outer walls of buildings, will be rebuilt to conform to this architectural axis.

　2. The volcano that most people are concerned about is Popocatepetl. It is not visible, but its 64m height means that its peak can be seen to the south. It would be picturesque to place a statue of the Old God of Fire, popular in Cuicuilco, there and pray to it. This building would be built between the Pyramid of the Moon and the the Pre Cuidadela. Let's call it "the Pyramid of the Sun."

　3. The Street of the Dead will connect five semi-underground plazas from the south of the Pyramid of the Sun to the San Juan River. They can be used as ball courts in the dry season and filled with water in the rainy season. The reason for the five plazas is that there is a huge difference in elevation. The Plaza of the Moon will also be low enough to hold water, and a waterway will run around the Pyramid of the Sun, lowering the Street of the Dead. Water will be drawn from the San Juan River to the main plaza of the pre Ciudadela, creating the illusion of a pristine ocean. By seizing every opportunity to use water to transform the city's appearance, it will be able to change with the seasons."

　4. Immigrants from the Oaxaca Valley have begun to settle in the west. They are making their own uniquely designed pottery from local soil and are establishing trade. If the government were to officially approve collective housing and workshops for immigrants from various regions and build the buildings, it would be possible for people from all over Mesoamerica to migrate to the area. This would bring in more taxes for the government.

　5. All buildings will be styled in the Talud Tablero style, but the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, which are expected to be huge, will not be able to support their own weight with that construction method. The same will be true for the temple in the Pre Cuidadela, if it is to be made huge.

　6. The diagonal flow of the San Juan River could be diverted in the northeast, lowered to the south, and turned west just before the pre Cuidadela, reducing the number of bridges that would need to be built, and those that were built could be at an angle of 15.5 degrees or even perpendicular.

　7. The Great Compound, which is currently a scattered collection of shops on the ground, will be renovated and made into a single market for wide-area trade. For example, 10% of the goods brought in will be charged as an entrance fee, and 20% of the amount traded in barter will be required as a payment. For management purposes, a Council Market Department will be placed in a Superimposed buildings. Guards will also be deployed.

　8. This leaves the city with three landmarks: "The Pyramid of the Moon," "the Pyramid of the Sun" along the Avenue of the Dead, and "the pre Cuidadela," Pekere pauses. "The Cuidadela can also face north and occupy the southern end of the street."

　9. These three buildings and the rest of the city will attract the attention of both locals and visitors. As this is the city of the gods of water and fire, pilgrimages will be made. Kings from far away will bring tributes and take home pottery from this city as souvenirs. Business will be thriving.

　Pekele closed his mouth.
　[Xalla Chief] asked, "My lord, [Chief of Moon Pyramid], was this young man the one who came up with the idea?"
　"Not the whole story, but the framework was his idea."
　"And you were convinced, weren't you?"
　"Yes."
　"Do you have the financial means to build such a city?"
　"We currently have the labor of 70,000 people, each working in turn, and the financial resources accumulated in the Council."
　[Xalla Chief] asked again.
　"Did you say the [Pyramid of the Sun] is 64 meters high? If so, how many meters will the base be?"
　"200 meters. It can be built with sun-dried bricks."
　"Such a massive structure shouldn't exist among the Maya today. I've heard that it once stood deep in the mountains—"
　"I intend to ask [Xalla] to manage it."
　[Xalla Chief]'s mouth dropped open.
　"I have a question," continued [Chief of the Pre-Cuidadela]. "If we are to draw a road at a 15.5-degree angle from the [Pyramid of the Moon], wouldn't it get caught on my building number 5? You've already checked that, haven't you, young man?"
　Pekele replied briefly. "Yes, it would."
　"And on top of that, you're saying we should demolish the [Pre-Cuidadela] and build a facade facing north?"
　[Chief of Moon Pyramid] said.
　"Not only will yours be rebuilt, [Chief of the Pre-Cuidadela]; my temple/residence will also be rebuilt and become the [Temple of the Feathered Shell], and the [Xalla] temple complex will also need to be reoriented. The same goes for all the other council members' buildings. At the same time, the council will allocate materials and labor to divide the immigrants' houses and workplaces into a grid. This will make it easier to develop water and sewage systems. [Street of the Dead] will run straight from the [pre Cudadela] north, toward Cerro Gordo, with the central temple/residences lined on both sides, and [Pyramid of the Sun] will rise to the right as a place of prayer to mentally seal the volcano. At the northern end, a grand stage will be completed, overlooking [Pyramid of the Moon], which will resemble the silhouette of Cerro Gordo behind it,"
　[Chief of the Pre-Cuidadela] said. "Will it be completed tomorrow or the day aftert tomorrow?"
　"It's all about planning. We must first get the approval of the council. We shouldn't start on any of the details until all the plans are decided. I predict that after the deaths of these three, perhaps several generations from now, the grand construction work will begin."
　[Chief of the Pre-Cuidadela] thought for a moment, then said, "I would like to meet here again at a later date. Is that okay?"

　Four days later, [Chief of the Pre-Cuidadela] proposed the following:

　1. If the city appears unified, it will be able to exert more pressure on other areas.

　2. The construction costs of the Cuidadela will be funded from the council budget, equal to the cost of the second and subsequent expansions of the Pyramid of the Moon and the construction of a new concept called the Pyramid of the Sun. Furthermore, we will not be relocated to the southern end of the Street of the Dead, and it will not be built facing north. The design will also be left to our discretion.

　3. Establish a general construction office. It would be sufficient to have one person from each of our three districts and one person recommended by the council members. Otherwise, it would be difficult to gain understanding and provide labor.。

　4. The Council will have various districts, large and small, with warrior groups to guard the trading parties of each trade group at all times. In times of emergency, they will unite and dispatch a combined army to hostile external forces.

　He realized that these were not suggestions, but absolute conditions. If any one of these were rejected, [Chief of the Pre-Cuidadela] would not agree with the entire plan, and the Cerro Gordo concept would never see the light of day.
　[Chief of Moon Pyramid] waited for [Xalla Chief]'s opinion.
　"Interesting. That's worth a try."