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

The arrival and departure of the Canglang tribe's delegation was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. It not only further consolidated the alliance between Hanyuan and the grasslands politically, but also brought an unprecedented "horse rush" to Hanyuan in terms of economy and military.

As one of the core components of this tribute and trade, the Canglang tribe and the various grassland tribes that were subordinate to it sent more than 30,000 high-quality warhorses to Hanyuan in just one month.

Among them are the Hequ horse, which is tall and has amazing endurance; the Mobei horse, which has strong explosive power and is good at short-distance sprints; and the Canglang horse, which is carefully bred by various tribes of the grassland and adapted to the harsh environment of the north.

These 30,000 warhorses did not arrive haphazardly, but rather underwent rigorous selection and classification.

Approximately 10,000 first-class warhorses were directly incorporated into the Hanyuan Army's cavalry ranks to replace the old, weak, sick, and disabled, thus expanding the cavalry force.

Approximately 15,000 second-class horses were distributed to various military garrisons, transport teams, and post stations as military horse reserves and transport animal power.

Approximately 5,000 third-class horses, packhorses, and mares were sent to the newly built "Yinmachuan Military Horse Farm" for breeding and improving horse breeds.

The arrival of these 30,000 warhorses instantly gave Han Yuan Army a qualitative leap in mobility.

Yinmachuan Military Horse Farm, a vast grassland located a hundred miles north of Zhenbei City on the banks of the Baishui River, has become the busiest and most breathtaking place in the entire northern region.

Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight fall on the grasslands, tens of thousands of warhorses, like a flowing tide, surge out of their stables and gallop towards the lush pastures, driven by their herdsmen.

The sound of horses' hooves thundered, their neighs shook the heavens, and billowing dust blotted out the sun.

The spectacular sight thrilled all who witnessed it, and the generals, including Zhang Meng, who were in charge of receiving and managing the troops, had been beaming with uncontrollable joy for days.

"Your Highness, it's done! It's really done!"

Zhang Meng pointed to the endless herd of horses in front of him, his voice trembling with excitement, "With these 30,000 fine horses, plus our existing stock, the total number of warhorses in the Hanyuan Army has exceeded 50,000!"

Among them, there are more than 25,000 fine horses that can be assigned to front-line cavalry!

"This humble general dares to pledge that, given just three more months of training and integration, the Cold Abyss Iron Cavalry will truly become a mighty army capable of marching three hundred li a day, invincible in field battles, and raiding a thousand li!"

Standing on the high observation platform, Xiao Chen looked down at the galloping horses and felt equally excited.

In this era, the warhorse is synonymous with tanks, armored vehicles, and strategic mobile forces.

Fifty thousand warhorses mean that Han Yuan can build a standing elite cavalry force of more than 20,000 men, and even have one man with two or three horses, enabling long-distance raids, large-scale flanking maneuvers, and rapid assembly, giving him absolute initiative at both the strategic and tactical levels.

"Now that we have the horses, the next step is to figure out how to make the best use of them."

Xiao Chen withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Meng and the cavalry generals, his expression serious. "Fifty thousand horses consume an astronomical amount of fodder every day. Although the military horse farm has large pastures, relying solely on grazing is insufficient to support long-term, high-intensity combat. Stockpiling fodder, improving pasture, and establishing emergency food reserves are of paramount importance and cannot be neglected in the slightest."

"Understood, sir!"

Zhang Meng solemnly replied, "As Your Highness instructed, large hay sheds and silage pits have been built at various military horse farms and garrison points."

Before autumn, it is essential to stockpile enough fodder to feed 50,000 horses for six months.

In addition, the agricultural researchers at the Institute of Natural History are attempting to introduce a type of forage grass called 'alfalfa,' which is said to have high yields and good nutritional value. It has already been tested in experimental fields, and if successful, it will be widely promoted.

"very good."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Secondly, the standardization and large-scale production of horse harnesses and equipment must keep up. These 30,000 horses require 30,000 sets of saddles, stirrups, horseshoes, as well as matching bridles, reins, and horse armor. The Manufacturing Department is under great pressure. You must cooperate, prioritize quality, and be slower rather than shoddy."

"Yes! The blacksmith Ou from the Works Department has pledged to deliver the first batch of 10,000 sets of standard horse harness within two months. The forging process for horseshoes has been improved, greatly increasing efficiency."

Third, rider selection and training.

Xiao Chen looked at the cavalry recruits galloping nimbly on horseback, undergoing training. "A good horse deserves a good rider. The Military Academy must expand its cavalry program, selecting the best talents from the entire army, refugees, and even those who have surrendered from the grasslands. The training must be rigorous, practical, and bloody. I don't want herdsmen who can only ride horses; I want iron-blooded knights who can take the head of a general amidst a vast army!"

"We will obey Your Highness's command!" the generals replied in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Finally, tactics and organization.

Xiao Chen walked to the huge sand table. "Fifty thousand horses and more than twenty thousand cavalrymen can no longer be managed in the same crude way as before."

Scout battalions, scout battalions, archer battalions, assault cavalry battalions, and heavy cavalry battalions—each type of troop should be further refined, scientifically organized, and coordinated seamlessly.

I want to see the Frost Abyss Iron Cavalry capable of charging head-on like a storm, harassing from the flanks like phantoms, cutting off enemy supply lines on long-distance raids, and holding strategic passes as firmly as Mount Tai.

Multi-service integration and three-dimensional warfare—this is the future direction for cavalry development.

"Your Highness is truly insightful!"

Zhang Meng's eyes gleamed. The ideas proposed by the prince coincided with his own thoughts during this period, and were even more profound. "This humble general has drafted a new 'Cavalry Drill Manual' and 'Cavalry Tactics Outline,' which are awaiting the prince's approval."

"Okay, bring it over as soon as possible."

Xiao Chen patted Zhang Meng on the shoulder, "The Iron Cavalry of Hanyuan is now in your hands. Don't let me down, and don't let these 50,000 fine horses gather dust in the stable."

"This humble general will certainly live up to Your Highness's high expectations! I will definitely train a mighty cavalry that will dominate the world and be invincible!"

In the days that followed, the Yinmachuan Military Horse Farm and several surrounding training bases were completely transformed into a huge, noisy training ground.

Tens of thousands of cavalry and reserve cavalrymen trained day and night here, sweating profusely.

Equestrianism, spear fighting, mounted archery, long-distance raids, wilderness survival, squad coordination, large-scale mass charges, infantry and cavalry coordination, archer and cavalry suppression... the training subjects are numerous and rigorous.

Instructors from the military academy and highly paid equestrian experts hired from the grasslands mingled among the crowds, providing rigorous guidance.

The attrition rate is extremely high, but those who remain are all the elite, selected from hundreds.

Meanwhile, the workshops of the Industrial Construction Bureau kept their furnaces burning day and night, with the clanging and banging sounds never ceasing.

Large quantities of steel sabers, bows, saddles, and horseshoes were produced and transported to military camps.

Meanwhile, the artisans at the Gewu Institute were testing newly designed "four-wheeled horse-drawn carriages," "folding chevaux-de-frise," and even "horse-drawn crossbow supports" at the testing ground.

The entire Frozen Abyss seemed to enter a state of higher frequency of operation with the arrival of these 50,000 warhorses. Food, fodder, ironware, cloth, medicine... all kinds of supplies flowed into the military camp and horse farm like rivers flowing into the sea.

Caravans became busier, roads became busier, and workshops became more bustling.

Standing on the city wall of Zhenbei City, looking far north, one can almost hear the faint rumble of thunder coming from Yinma River, a hundred miles away.

That wasn't thunder; it was the sound of 50,000 iron cavalry hooves, the roar of Han Yuan gathering power, about to burst forth.

Warhorses surged like a tide, and iron cavalry formed a forest.

The blade of the Cold Abyss has been honed to an unparalleled sharpness, awaiting only a command to cleave through the gloom of this chaotic world and usher in a new era.