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

With popular support, a full treasury, and numerous workshops, Han Yuan's rise was laid with a solid economic and social foundation.

However, in times of chaos, all this prosperity and peace ultimately needs a strong, loyal, and efficient army to protect it.

With the expansion of the area controlled by Hanyuan, the surge in population, and the evolution of external threats, the original military system has gradually become inadequate.

The army has expanded in size, but its organization is chaotic; the number of branches of service has increased, but coordination is insufficient; equipment has improved, but tactics and methods have not been fully matched.

In light of this, after repeated discussions with key military leaders such as Wang Dashan, Zhang Meng, and Zhao Tie, as well as instructors from the Military Academy, and considering both practical experience and future strategic needs, Xiao Chen decided to carry out a comprehensive and in-depth reform of the Hanyuan Army.

The core of the reform is to establish a modern military system that is "combat-oriented, scientifically organized, coordinated across branches of service, highly efficient in command, and well-supported."

I. Separation of military ranks and positions, establishing a command system. The previous chaotic old military titles were abolished, and a clear three-level, nine-grade military rank system was established (soldier: private, corporal, elite soldier; non-commissioned officer: corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant; officer: second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, general), corresponding to command positions (squad leader, platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander, regimental commander, brigade commander, division commander, army commander), but also relatively independent.

Military rank represents seniority, merit, and benefits, while position level represents command authority. This ensures a clear command chain and that rewards, punishments, and promotions are based on evidence.

II. Establish the basic organizational structure of the "three-three system". The smallest tactical unit is the "squad" (10 people), three squads form a "platoon" (30 people), three platoons form a "company" (100 people, including the company headquarters), three companies form a "battalion" (300 people, including the battalion headquarters and directly subordinate units), and three battalions form a "regiment" (1000 people, including the regimental headquarters and directly subordinate units).

The units above the regimental level are organized into operational units such as "brigade" (3000 people), "division" (10000 people), and "army" (30000 people).

This organizational structure facilitates troop strength calculation, mission deployment, and logistical support, and possesses exceptional flexibility and resilience.

III. Specialization and integration of military branches.

Breaking away from the previous simple division of "infantry, cavalry, and archers," the military established infantry (divided into heavy infantry, light infantry, and mountain infantry), cavalry (divided into light cavalry, heavy cavalry, and scout cavalry), crossbowmen (divided into crossbowmen, longbowmen, and sharpshooters), engineers (responsible for building bridges, roads, fortifications, laying mines, and demolishing), supply troops (responsible for transportation, warehousing, and medical care), and special operations teams (composed of Night Owls and elite troops, performing special missions such as reconnaissance, infiltration, decapitation, and harassment).

In combat, depending on mission requirements, an infantry or cavalry unit is formed as the core, supplemented by other branches of the armed forces to create a combined arms combat group.

IV. Establish a system of "dual principal military and political officials".

Units at the company level and above shall have a "military commander" (responsible for combat command and training) and a "political propaganda commander" (responsible for ideological education, military discipline supervision, soldier welfare, and propaganda and mobilization).

Ensure that the army is not only strong in combat but also politically reliable, loyal to Han Yuan and the Prince, and knows for whom and why it fights.

Fifth, the logistics support system should be made independent and professional.

The "Supply Department" was established, which included bureaus for food, clothing, ordnance, transportation, and medical care, creating a complete logistics supply line from rear bases to front-line troops.

This ensures that military operations no longer rely on local requisition for supplies, but are instead supported by specialized logistics units, thereby enhancing mobile and sustained combat capabilities.

VI. Standardization of training and assessment.

A unified "Hanyuan Army Training Manual" was formulated to standardize the basic training, tactical training, physical fitness standards, and equipment operation of various branches of the armed forces.

The Military Academy was responsible for training officers and non-commissioned officers. It implemented strict, regular assessments, with results directly linked to promotions, pay, and rewards/punishments.

After the reform order was issued, the massive war machine of the Hanyuan Army began to undergo a complete overhaul and reorganization according to the new blueprint.

Wang Dashan was appointed "Commander-in-Chief of the Hanyuan Army," responsible for the reorganization and training of the entire army.

Zhang Meng was appointed "Inspector General of Cavalry," responsible for the integration and tactical innovation of all cavalry units.

In addition to being in charge of Night Owls, Zhao Tie also served as the "Special Operations Director," responsible for the formation and training of special forces.

The instructors and outstanding students of the military academy were sent to various military units to serve as junior officers or political propaganda officers, becoming the backbone of the reform.

The reorganization process was not without its challenges.

Old habits, factional interests, and unfamiliarity with and resistance to the new system all presented challenges.

However, with Xiao Chen's strong promotion and Wang Dashan and others' resolute implementation, the reform progressed steadily.

The originally mixed troops were split up and reorganized.

Veterans, new recruits, surrendered soldiers, and young refugees were reorganized and mixed together, breaking down the original regional and factional boundaries.

The equipment was centrally allocated and prioritized for the newly established "main force regiment".

New military flags, insignia, and uniforms began to be issued. Standardized maps and sand tables were displayed at command posts at all levels. Logistics convoys began loading and transporting goods according to the new standards.

On the training ground, the shouts, footsteps, and the sounds of weapons clashing became even more synchronized.

New tactical maneuvers, coordinated drills, and signal communication were repeatedly practiced under the strict supervision of the instructors.

During the nighttime "literacy classes" and "ideological lessons," the soldiers no longer just listened to gibberish, but began to truly think about the meaning beyond "being a soldier and getting food"—protecting their homeland and safeguarding this hard-won peace and hope.

Several months later, the initial results of the reform began to appear. The Han Yuan Army had undergone a complete transformation.

Although it will take time before they are fully integrated and reach peak combat effectiveness, the old army's lax, chaotic, and disorganized atmosphere has been swept away, replaced by a new atmosphere of strict discipline, high morale, tight organization, and excellent equipment.

A truly powerful army, with the rudiments of modern warfare, is quietly taking shape in the cold winds of the North.

It is not only a sharp sword in Han Yuan's hand, but also a new force in this chaotic world that is capable of changing the world's landscape.