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

The "monument erected by ten thousand people" reflects the will of the people, like crowning Hanyuan's rise with the most dazzling crown.

The grand ceremony that followed officially heralded the complete reshaping of the political landscape in the North.

Faced with absolute power, profound ties of interest, and unparalleled prestige, the Grassland Wolf Tribe, the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, and all the surrounding forces, large and small, finally lowered their proud heads and jointly venerated Xiao Chen as the "Common Lord of the Northern Territory."

This ceremony was not requested by Xiao Chen, but rather the only rational choice made by all parties after weighing the pros and cons and engaging in repeated negotiations.

The power of Han Yuan has rendered them incapable of resisting. Only by submitting can they survive and even share in the benefits of Han Yuan's rise.

In Zhenbei City, at the main hall of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion, banners obscured the sun, armored soldiers stood like a forest, and civil and military officials stood solemnly, creating a dignified and respectful atmosphere.

Outside the main hall, delegations from the grasslands, Northern Yan, the Western Regions, and even the peripheral forces of the Central Plains lined up in a long queue, holding official documents and tributes, and entered the hall in turn to pay homage.

Batu, the Khan of the Canglang tribe, personally led his eldest son Aguda and the leaders of various tribes to present the tribute of nine white coins and the "Golden Book of the Adoptive Father Khan," swearing: "The Canglang tribe will forever be a vassal of Hanyuan, and will regard the King of Jingbei as our father Khan. We will forever guard the northern border and come to court every year. If anyone breaks the oath, may we be punished by heaven and earth!" Batu also announced in public that his eldest son Aguda would stay in Zhenbei City to serve his adoptive father and receive the teachings of Hanyuan.

Although Murong Han, the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, did not arrive in person, he sent his most trusted younger brother as the chief envoy, presenting a thousand fine horses, ten thousand excellent bows, and countless rare medicinal herbs from Northern Yan. He also presented a "Letter of Eternal Alliance between Northern Yan and Han Yuan," promising: "Northern Yan is willing to divide its borders with Han Yuan, govern each other without aggression, exchange goods, and jointly defend against foreign aggression. Northern Yan's trade routes will be fully open to Han Yuan; Northern Yan's borders will never be fortified against Han Yuan."

This is tantamount to acknowledging Han Yuan's dominant position in the Northern Territory and abandoning any ambition to rival Han Yuan.

A joint delegation from thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions presented spices, gems, carpets, and Ferghana horses, requesting the reopening of the Silk Road and offering to honor Han Yuan as the "Guardian of the Silk Road" to ensure the safety of trade routes.

Dozens of fortified villages, mountain strongholds, and refugee leaders on the outskirts of the Central Plains also sent envoys to present household registers and maps, expressing their willingness to "abandon the Great Xia calendar, obey the orders of Han Yuan, pay taxes and tributes, and await orders."

Faced with the arrival of envoys from all nations, Xiao Chen did not feign reluctance but accepted it with equanimity.

He wore a black imperial robe with twelve symbols and a crown with nine tassels, ascended the high platform, received the homage, and promulgated the "Covenant of the North".

The alliance declared: "From this day forward, all tribes in the northern border, regardless of whether they are Han or non-Han, large or small, shall be vassals of my Hanyuan, under my protection, in accordance with my laws, and following my calendar."

"Han Yuan should be the ruler of the northern border, protecting the territory and its people, promoting commerce and trade, encouraging agriculture and sericulture, and emphasizing education."

"Those who break the alliance shall be punished together; those who violate our territory shall be executed together; those who aid us shall be honored together."

Subsequently, Xiao Chen announced that he had officially "established his own government and established an independent political structure."

The "Jingbei Prince's Mansion" was established in Zhenbei City, with "Six Offices" under it to manage the major military and political affairs of the northern border.

The reign title was changed to "Jing'an," a general amnesty was granted within the territory, and civil and military officials were rewarded.

This marked the formal transformation of Hanyuan from a local warlord into an independent kingdom, possessing a complete state apparatus and legal system.

"Lord of the North" is not just an empty title, but has real substance.

Taking this opportunity, Xiao Chen integrated the resources of the Northern Territory and established the "Northern Territory Alliance" system.

Military Alliance: Each vassal state shall, in accordance with the agreement, provide soldiers, warhorses, and provisions, and accept the unified command and training of Han Yuan.

Han Yuan promised to protect all vassal states from foreign invasion. No private warfare was permitted between the vassal states; disputes would be arbitrated by Han Yuan.

Economic integration: abolish tariff barriers between vassal states, unify weights and measures, and promote "Jingbei Tongbao" as the common currency.

Salt, iron, cloth, and tools from the Cold Abyss will be supplied to allied nations on a priority basis; minerals, furs, medicinal herbs, and livestock from allied nations will be sold to the Cold Abyss on a priority basis.

Cultural assimilation: Promote the use of Chinese characters and language in various vassal states, establish branches of Hanyuan Academy to teach Hanyuan law, arithmetic, and physics. Encourage the sons of nobles from allied states to study in Zhenbei City, and even to enter officialdom in Hanyuan.

Technology export: The Cold Abyss exports improved agricultural tools, medicine, and construction technology to its allies to a limited extent, thereby increasing their productivity and deepening their dependence.

This system firmly bound the northern tribes to the chariot of the Frost Abyss. They were no longer scattered sand, but were instead solidified into a rock by the Frost Abyss as its core.

The news that Xiao Chen had been honored as the "Lord of the Northern Territory" swept across the world like a Category 12 hurricane.

The Great Xia Dynasty was plunged into panic and chaos.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Prince of Yong's faction launched a massive attack on the Crown Prince, accusing him of "allowing the princes to grow too powerful, leading to the loss of the northern border," and demanding that the court send troops to "punish the rebels."

The Crown Prince's faction was speechless and unable to refute the news. Upon hearing the news, the old emperor's condition worsened, and he fell into a coma.

In the imperial court, endless arguments raged, yet no effective solution could be devised. The nominal rule of the Great Xia over the northern border came to a complete end.

The various warlords and powerful figures in Jiangnan and the Central Plains were shocked, and their thoughts varied.

Some feared the southward advance of Han Yuan's army and secretly made contact, attempting to form an alliance to protect themselves; others saw an opportunity for a change of dynasty and began to secretly contact Han Yuan to secure their own future; still others intensified their military buildup, trying to gain a share of the spoils in the chaotic world.

The world's fortunes were completely altered by the rise of Han Yuan.

After the ceremony, Xiao Chen stood on the city wall of Zhenbei City, looking down at the increasingly prosperous city below, and the vast northern land in the distance, which was now entirely under his control.

Behind him stood the civil and military officials and the mighty army of Hanyuan; before him lay prostrate envoys from all nations and submissive people.

"Your Highness, no, you should now be called 'Great King'."

Han Lie's voice trembled with excitement, "The Northern Border is unified, and all nations pay tribute—this is an unprecedented event! The foundation of Han Yuan is now established!"

Xiao Chen shook his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the distant south: "The Northern Ruler is just the beginning. This world is still vast and chaotic. We have a long road ahead of us."

But he knew in his heart that from this moment on, Hanyuan was no longer a remote border town, but a powerful force capable of conquering the world and vying for supremacy in the Central Plains.

The title of Lord of the North is a solid stepping stone for him to reach even greater heights of power, and the starting point for the Cold Abyss's struggle for supremacy.

The ruler of the North, whose power extends throughout the land, laid the foundation for an everlasting dynasty.