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

The promulgation and implementation of the "Order for Military Settlement and Border Defense" acted as a powerful catalyst on the somewhat barren land of the north.

However, the harvest and satisfaction it brings are not achieved overnight; they require time to ferment and sweat to cultivate.

Just as the foundations for the five newly established garrisons were laid and the military households had sown the seeds of their first season of hope, another, even more turbulent torrent of food rushed into Hanyuan's system almost unexpectedly.

This torrent came from the south, from that turbulent land of Jiangnan, which had been ravaged by war, famine, and the purges by the Yong King.

The merchant caravan that Xiao Chen sent to Jiangnan, secretly protected by Night Owl, operated under various pretexts. Its original main purpose was to purchase salt, iron, cloth, and medicinal herbs, as well as to gather intelligence, especially clues about the "Lin family's old case." However, the situation in Jiangnan was far more chaotic than expected.

After Yu Qian's defeat and death, his remaining forces scattered. Although the Prince of Yong's power was great, his control was mainly concentrated in a few large cities and transportation hubs, and his control over the vast countryside and remote counties was limited.

Local tyrants, defeated soldiers, bandits, and even small warlords who rose up in the chaos each carved out their own territories, attacked each other, and order was completely lost.

In addition, in order to raise military funds and eliminate dissidents, Prince Yong imposed heavy taxes and levies, leaving many places deserted and fields barren.

But Jiangnan is, after all, a land of fish and rice, and its fundamental characteristics remain.

Many small and medium-sized landlords and wealthy households managed to preserve some of their grain reserves during the war, but faced the predicament of having grain but nowhere to sell it and silver but nowhere to spend it.

Local order collapsed, and major grain transactions almost came to a standstill. Meanwhile, the relatively stable surrounding areas were either self-sufficient in food or faced great risks due to long distances.

In times of chaos, food is both a hard currency and a death warrant; hoarding too much can easily attract covetousness and disaster.

Just then, a caravan from Hanyuan appeared. They carried high-quality ironware, steel knives, furs, medicinal herbs, and... rock-hard gold and silver, all special products of the Northern Territory.

More importantly, they seemed to have connections to safely transport large quantities of grain out of Jiangnan and into the north.

For many landlords and merchants in Jiangnan who were eager to convert their stored grain into cash and exchange it for weapons or hard currency, this was nothing short of a lifeline.

Thus, a grain trade far exceeding expectations was quietly concluded against the backdrop of undercurrents in Jiangnan.

Under the cover of Night Owl's secret network and some local "collaborators," Han Yuan's caravans ventured deep into the heart of Jiangnan, frantically buying up grain at prices far lower than during peacetime, but still profitable.

Rice, wheat, beans... cartloads and boatloads of goods were transported northwards through various clandestine channels, disguised as other cargo, or even by nighttime waterways and treacherous paths, bypassing the checkpoints of the Yongwang forces and the exploitation by separatist armed groups along the way, with difficulty but determination.

Initially, it was just a small-scale trial, but the number increased rapidly afterward.

Han Yuan's secret warehouses in Jiangnan were almost full, forcing them to temporarily rent or even purchase more warehouses. The pressure on transportation increased sharply, and Night Owl used almost all available covert routes and connections.

The risks were also increasing. Several transport teams were looted, resulting in the loss of some food and manpower. However, overall, this "food lifeline" forged with gold, silver, and courage stubbornly continued to operate, driven by huge profits and with a tight organization.

When the first batch of more than 50,000 shi of grain from Jiangnan, after overcoming numerous hardships, finally arrived at the newly built giant official granary in Zhenbei New City through secret channels, the entire Hanyuan leadership was shocked.

This is just the beginning; several times more grain is on its way or has already been contracted!

Grain, a massive amount of grain, like a golden tide, instantly filled the already strained granaries of Hanyuan due to the population explosion.

The newly built, fireproof and moisture-proof giant grain silos, reinforced with "stone mud" concrete, were filled at an astonishing rate.

Han Lie, along with the clerks of the Civil Affairs Department, worked day and night to count, store, and register the items. The abacus beads clicked loudly, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Your Highness! It's overflowing! The official granaries, the reserve granaries, and even some of the temporarily requisitioned sturdy civilian houses are all packed to the brim!"

Holding the latest inventory list, Han Lie's voice trembled with excitement, "Grain from Jiangnan is still arriving in droves! At this rate, by the summer harvest, our grain reserves will be enough to feed the current military and civilians... for two years! Or even longer!"

Two years! This number filled everyone present, including Xiao Chen, with a heavy sense of security and a touch of unbelievable elation.

With such abundant reserves, Han Yuan will possess unparalleled strategic confidence.

It can support a larger army, wage longer wars, cope with more severe famines, and attract more refugees... Food is the strongest fist and the most stable foundation in chaotic times!

"Good! Good! Good!" Xiao Chen said three times, his eyes gleaming.

He never expected that the caravan sent to Jiangnan would bring such a huge surprise, in addition to gathering intelligence and purchasing supplies.

This was both a result of Prince Yong's perverse policies in Jiangnan, which led to economic collapse, and a reward for Han Yuan's seizing of opportunities and willingness to take risks.

"Get to work on a few things immediately."

Xiao Chen quickly calmed down and issued the order: "First, strictly inspect the quality of the transported grain, store it in separate warehouses, and take precautions against insects and moisture."

Second, starting immediately, the standards for military rations and work-for-relief rations will be appropriately increased so that soldiers and civilians can eat their fill and have the energy to train and work.

Third, utilize this batch of grain to establish "price-stabilizing warehouses" in and around Zhenbei New Town, and sell it at a fixed price when grain prices fluctuate, thereby stabilizing the market and benefiting the people.

Fourth, using this as capital, continue to expand trade with Jiangnan, not only for grain, but also to absorb as many artisans, literate scholars, and even... experienced farmers who have fled from Jiangnan as possible.

"Your Highness, should we postpone the purchase? Too much grain in stock is a burden, and if the situation in Jiangnan changes, this route may be cut off," Zhao Tie reminded him.

"No, while Prince Yong is preoccupied and Jiangnan is in chaos, we should seize as much as we can!"

Xiao Chen decisively said, "We're not afraid of having too much grain, we're only afraid of not having enough. In the future, we'll have to support even more people. As for the risks, we should increase Night Owl's investment in Jiangnan to ensure the safety of the routes. If necessary... we can appropriately support some local forces that are at odds with Prince Yong and ask them to do us a favor."

He walked to the huge map of the North and traced the blue lines representing the Whitewater River and the newly built water network with his finger: "With this food, our water network, roads, new cities, military settlements... all our plans can be pushed forward more boldly and quickly!"

Order all military garrisons and outposts to focus on land reclamation and double their food rations! Tell the builders of Zhenbei City that there is plenty of food, but they must build the city walls quickly and solidly!

Tell the students of the Military Academy and the Institute of Physics to focus on their studies and research; Han Yuan will not let any talented person go hungry!

A full granary brings not only physical satisfaction but also peace of mind and a strong sense of confidence for the future.

With its near-unlimited fuel replenishment, the massive machine that is Hanyuan will undoubtedly roar toward its predetermined goal at unprecedented power and at full speed.

The flames of war and chaos in Jiangnan unexpectedly became abundant nourishment for the new forces in the North.

The game of chess in this chaotic world is becoming increasingly unpredictable and intriguing.