Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The complexities of resettling displaced people were like a giant net, covering every corner of Hanyuan. The shantytowns were bustling day and night, steam rose from the soup kitchens, long queues formed in front of the registration points, and work shouts echoed across the construction sites.

The officials, soldiers, and even the original inhabitants of Hanyuan were all working at full speed, like wound-up springs, trying their best to absorb the tens of thousands of people who were surging in.

However, amidst this hustle and bustle, Xiao Chen's gaze had already turned to a more distant place—the army.

The surrender of Panshibao, Heishan Town, and Qinghe Town brought with them more than 300 soldiers with some combat experience.

Among this massive wave of refugees, preliminary screening revealed that there were no fewer than three thousand people, including defeated soldiers from various armies and local militias in the Jiangnan region, as well as young men who had lost their families and homes due to the war and were willing to join the army! This does not include ordinary refugees who are strong and capable and suitable for training.

While the rapid expansion of the military population in a short period of time is certainly a good thing, it also brings hidden dangers.

The new recruits varied in quality, came from diverse backgrounds, had differing ideologies, and lacked a sense of belonging to Hanyuan.

The existing number of veteran soldiers in the Hanyuan Army is no longer sufficient to effectively lead and integrate so many new recruits.

There is a severe shortage of junior and middle-ranking officers, especially those who understand basic combat tactics, are literate, and have experience in leading troops.

The old model of relying on senior generals like Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng to teach by example and veterans to mentor new recruits can no longer meet the current needs.

An army without a soul, lacking organization, and lacking officers, no matter how large its numbers, is nothing more than a rabble.

"A systematic and efficient officer training system must be established."

In the study, Xiao Chen addressed Wang Dashan, Zhang Meng, Zhao Tie, and other core military figures with unwavering resolve, saying, "We can't rely solely on desperate efforts on the battlefield to select the best candidates; that's too slow and too costly. We need to plan ahead and cultivate our own talent."

"Does Your Highness mean... to set up a school that teaches people how to fight, like a regular school?" Wang Dashan asked thoughtfully.

"Exactly!"

Xiao Chen nodded, "It will be named 'Military Academy'! It will not only teach fighting, but also the way of a general, loyalty, discipline, literacy, arithmetic, and geography!"

He walked to a newly drawn simplified map of the northern border and gestured with his hand, saying, "Look at our current territory: it extends east to the Qinghe River, west to the Black Mountain, south to the Panshi Mountains, and north to the grasslands. If we want to advance in the future, whether it's heading south to the Central Plains, west to the border, or consolidating the northern frontier, we need a large number of capable, loyal, and reliable officers. The Military Academy is here to cultivate such seeds for my Hanyuan!"

Zhang Meng's eyes lit up: "Your Highness, this is excellent! My few somewhat talented squad leaders are good at teaching new recruits, but if you ask them to lead a battalion into battle, they'd be completely lost. If there's a place where they can learn properly, they'll definitely become capable!"

"How exactly should we do it?" Zhao Tie was more concerned with practical implementation.

Xiao Chen already had a plan in mind: "The location of the military academy will be on the west side of the inner city, an expansion and renovation of the original garrison training ground. The first batch of students will be divided into two categories."

One type is the "Officer Accelerated Training Program," which selects veterans or junior officers from the existing army who are brave in combat, have a certain prestige, and are literate, aged between twenty and thirty, with a tentative number of one hundred.

The three-month semester focuses on basic combat command, military discipline, terrain identification, simple fortification construction, and... loyalty education.

"The other type is the 'Youth Martial Arts Class,' which selects students aged fourteen to eighteen from Hanyuan Academy students, children of martyrs and meritorious soldiers, and even intelligent and martial-loving teenagers among the refugees. The number of students is tentatively set at fifty."

The term of study is indefinite and may last for several years, involving systematic learning of culture, military strategy, martial arts, and horsemanship, cultivating both literary and military skills, and being carefully nurtured as future officers.

"What about the teaching staff?" Wang Dashan asked, getting to the crucial point.

People who can teach military strategy and battle formations are not as easy to find as literacy teachers.

"The rest of us will take turns teaching."

Xiao Chen looked at Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng, "You teach practical combat experience, horseback archery, and military drills."

For Old Man Han's side, we can invite a few old gentlemen to teach them to read, do arithmetic, and study geography.

Zhao Tie, pick a few experienced spies from Night Owl and teach them reconnaissance, infiltration, and intelligence identification.

I personally taught the essentials of military strategy, analyzed battle examples, and... the responsibilities and duties of a general.

He paused, then added, "In addition, we also need to compile teaching materials."

We have meticulously recorded and analyzed the gains and losses of all our battles since the formation of the Hanyuan Army, such as defending cities, fighting on the grasslands, suppressing bandits in Heifeng Village, and even the recent handling of refugees and maintaining order in resettlement areas, and compiled them into a booklet.

Commonly used military orders, flags, and battle formations were drawn into diagrams. The terrain, climate, and hydrological characteristics of the northern border and even the known Central Plains, Jiangnan, and grasslands were compiled into texts. These were the initial teaching materials of the Military Academy.

Everyone listened with great excitement. This was by no means a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a massive plan for the long-term and systematic cultivation of military talent.

"Your Highness, the person in charge of this Military Academy..." Wang Dashan looked at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen smiled slightly: "I will personally serve as the hall master. Wang Dashan, you will serve as the chief instructor, responsible for daily drills and military affairs instruction."

Zhang Meng, you will serve as the Deputy Chief Instructor, specializing in horsemanship, archery, charging, and field training. Zhao Tie, you will concurrently serve as the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Instructor.

As for Old Man Han, I'll have him recommend a suitable tutor. The selection process for the first cohort of students begins immediately! The Martial Arts Academy must be officially open and open for classes in ten days!

"Yes, ma'am!" the three replied in unison, their eyes filled with enthusiasm.

The order was given and acted upon swiftly and decisively.

The drill ground on the west side of the inner city was immediately designated as a military restricted area, and craftsmen moved in to begin renovating the school buildings, dormitories, canteen, archery range, and horse farm.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the entire army.

The selection process for the officer training program is particularly competitive.

Soldiers in each battalion, especially those ambitious veterans and junior officers, saw this as an excellent opportunity for them to rise above their station.

There was an enthusiastic response to the applications, and after preliminary cultural tests, physical fitness assessments, combat skills competitions, and recommendations from higher authorities, one hundred places were quickly determined.

Among them were fierce soldiers who had surrendered to the Panshi Camp, veterans of the Hanyuan Army, and even several former minor leaders of the Jiangnan defeated soldiers who had performed outstandingly in the resettlement of refugees and were recommended for their contributions.

The selection process for the Junior Martial Arts Training Class places more emphasis on potential.

Fifty young men from Hanyuan Academy, including strong and martial arts-loving teenagers, orphans of military martyrs, children of meritorious soldiers, and a few well-educated, clean-born, and physically strong teenagers from among the refugees, gradually arrived after undergoing rigorous cultural assessments, physical fitness tests, and background checks.

Ten days later, the snow cleared up.

On the west side of the inner city, at the entrance of a new courtyard that is somewhat simple but solemn, hangs a plaque with gold lettering on a black background—"Hanyuan Martial Arts Academy".

Xiao Chen personally presided over a brief but solemn opening ceremony.

There were no formalities, only a solemn oath taken by all trainees before a newly embroidered "Black Wolf Banner," symbolizing the Hanyuan Army:

"With utmost sincerity, I enter this martial arts hall. I will respect my teachers and value the Way, diligently study and practice. Loyalty and courage are my soul, discipline is as iron. One day, when I take up arms, I will surely defend my homeland, serve the Prince faithfully, and be willing to die a thousand deaths!"

The oath echoed powerfully in the chilly air. Those 150 faces, some young, some weathered, were filled with longing for the future and unwavering faith.

Standing on the stage, Xiao Chen looked at these "seeds" that were about to be shaped, his heart filled with excitement.

He knew that from this moment on, the soul of the Hanyuan Army would no longer rely solely on a few generals, but would begin to take root and grow systematically.

These students in the martial arts academy today, who may appear somewhat green or rough, may become future generals who command thousands of troops and conquer all directions, forming the strongest core of the Cold Abyss Iron Cavalry.

In times of chaos and war, the strong reign supreme. True strength begins with nurturing talent and establishing sound systems.

Thus, the first cornerstone of the Hanyuan Martial Arts Academy was laid.