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

With the expansion of Han Yuan's controlled area and the growth of its population, how to effectively utilize the vast unclaimed wasteland to resettle the continuous influx of refugees and the increasing number of retired soldiers, while simultaneously boosting the morale of the army and consolidating border defenses, has become an urgent problem that Xiao Chen must solve.

While simple "work relief" and "military settlements" are effective, they lack long-term incentives and a sense of belonging.

Xiao Chen knew that land was the lifeblood of farmers and the ultimate reward that soldiers longed for.

Therefore, after careful consideration and repeated discussions with important civil and military officials such as Han Lie and Wang Dashan, Xiao Chen issued the "Order on Granting Land for Military Merits," which was a milestone in the history of Hanyuan.

On the day the edict was issued, the central square of Zhenbei City was packed with people. Xiao Chen personally read it aloud, and all the people stood solemnly to listen.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Prince of Jingbei hereby decrees:"

"The northern lands are vast and sparsely populated, with thousands of miles of wilderness waiting to be cultivated."

"This decree is hereby issued to reward those who have rendered meritorious service, to bring peace to the people, to secure the borders, and to strengthen the foundation of the nation."

"First, all soldiers of the Hanyuan Army, regardless of their background or branch of service, who have made meritorious contributions, shall be granted land in addition to gold, silver and noble titles."

"Second, all displaced people and those who have surrendered and wish to join the military or settle in border areas may also be granted land based on their population or their merit in reclaiming wasteland."

"Third, all the land granted shall be government land, exempt from taxes for three years, half tax for five years, and full tax after ten years. However, the land shall be cultivated by the grantee indefinitely and may be passed down to his or her descendants. Unless it is a serious crime of treason, the government shall not take it back."

"Fourth, the land to be allocated should be prioritized for the border areas and areas near military garrisons and outposts, so that people can both cultivate and defend their homes and country."

V. Land Allocation Standards:

"For each soldier who beheads a enemy, or whose merits are equal, he shall be granted ten mu of land."

"If a captain beheads three people, or accumulates merits to an equal degree, he shall be granted thirty mu of land."

"And so on, the higher the military rank and the greater the military achievements, the more land will be granted."

"Sixth, disabled veterans will be given priority in being allocated land, and will be exempt from taxes for life, with the government assisting in farming."

"7. The land of fallen soldiers shall be given to their families, who shall be exempted from taxes for twenty years, and the government shall support their orphans and widows."

"8. For every ten mu of wasteland reclaimed by displaced people, five mu of land will be granted to them, and they will be exempt from taxes for five years."

"Nine, the government will provide seeds, farming tools, and oxen to help them settle down on the land they are granted."

"10. Those who are granted land must be incorporated into the Baojia system (a system of local militia and village committees), cultivate the land during farming seasons, train during leisure time, and serve as soldiers in times of war to protect the territory and ensure the safety of the people."

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the entire hall was silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers.

The soldiers were moved to tears, the refugees saw hope for settling down and starting a business, and the people cheered for the prince's benevolent rule.

Laws are easy to promulgate, but difficult to enforce. The primary problem is to investigate wasteland and measure acreage.

Xiao Chen ordered that the Household Department take the lead, with the Works Department and the Military Department cooperating, to select capable clerks, military scouts, and surveying students from the Academy of Natural Sciences to form dozens of "field surveying teams" and send them to various parts of the northern border.

The surveying team carried standard measuring tools, drawing tools, and "fish scale books".

Upon arriving at a location, the land surveying team would first clear and survey unclaimed wasteland, divide the land into plots, and assess its grade. At the same time, they would register existing farmland, issue "land deeds," confirm ownership, and prevent powerful families from encroaching on the land and causing disputes.

This project was massive and complex, but it progressed rapidly thanks to strict procedures and efficient execution.

In just three months, the survey of the core areas surrounding Zhenbei City, including Panshibao, Heishan Town, and Qinghe Town, was completed. More than 500,000 mu of unclaimed wasteland were identified, and a detailed "fish scale map" was drawn, laying a solid foundation for the land grant.

While surveying the fields, the Military Affairs Department conducted a comprehensive review and statistical analysis of the military achievements of all soldiers.

From the initial suppression of bandits and defense of cities to later military exercises and border battles, every record of military merit was dug out and verified one by one to ensure fairness and impartiality.

The first list of 3,000 meritorious soldiers has been finalized. Among them are officers who have captured enemy generals and flags, ordinary soldiers who have fought bravely against the enemy, and even auxiliary personnel who have made outstanding contributions in logistics, engineering, medical and other positions.

The land grant ceremony was held in the "vast wasteland" outside Zhenbei City. This area had already been surveyed and divided, with tens of thousands of wooden signs marking the plot numbers and areas.

Xiao Chen personally presided over the ceremony. Three thousand soldiers, dressed in military uniforms and adorned with red ribbons, stood in neat rows. Behind them were their families, as well as tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians who came to watch the ceremony.

"Zhang Yong, commander of the Panshi Battalion, has beheaded five enemy soldiers and has been awarded fifty mu of land for his meritorious service!" the master of ceremonies announced loudly.

A man with a face full of scars stepped forward excitedly, knelt on one knee, and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!"

Xiao Chen personally handed him the land deed and the land grant plaque, encouraging him, "Cultivate the land well, protect your home and country, and bring honor to your ancestors!"

"Yes! This humble general swears to serve Your Highness to the death and forever guard the northern frontier!"

"Li Ergou, a scout in the reconnaissance battalion, has discovered enemy activity three times, and has been awarded fifteen mu of land for his accumulated merits!"

"Wang Laowu, a sergeant in the engineering battalion, has repaired three bridges and been awarded twenty mu of farmland for his meritorious service!"

"The Zhao family, widow of a fallen soldier, is granted thirty mu of land as a form of compensation and exempted from taxes for twenty years!"

One by one, names were called out, and land deeds were issued. The soldiers held those thin pieces of paper, yet they felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. This was not just land, but also glory, dignity, hope, and the future. Many tough men, holding their deeds, knelt on the ground, wailing and weeping, repeatedly kowtowing to Xiao Chen and the heavens.

The news of military merit awarding land spread like wildfire throughout the northern border, and even reached the Central Plains and Jiangnan. Countless refugees struggling on the brink of death, countless impoverished farmers yearning for land, and countless veterans homeless after their discharge all flocked to the cold abyss with their families.

"Go to the Cold Abyss! There's land to cultivate! Food to eat! A way to survive!"

In just one month, more than 50,000 refugees poured into the Cold Abyss. Xiao Chen ordered the establishment of the "Refugee Resettlement Office" and "Refugee Reception Points" at the border, providing soup kitchens, medical tents, identity verification, and skill registration.

Those who wish to join the military will be assigned to military garrisons and reclaimed wasteland while undergoing training, and will enjoy the benefits of land grants for military merits.

Those willing to serve the people were incorporated into civilian settlements and given land according to their population, or they were organized into reclamation teams to collectively reclaim wasteland and were given land according to their labor.

The wasteland instantly erupted in activity. Thousands upon thousands of refugees, under the guidance of the government, divided up plots of land, cleared weeds, leveled the land, and dug irrigation ditches. Improved farming tools, high-quality seeds, and loaned oxen provided by the government arrived in a steady stream.

"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!" The shouts rose and fell, awakening the slumbering wasteland that had been dormant for thousands of years with countless hardworking hands, turning over the fertile black soil.

Although it was hard work, everyone's face was filled with hopeful smiles. They knew that as long as they were willing to work hard, this land would be the foundation for their livelihood and that of their descendants.

The land granted was mostly located near the border and military garrisons. These newly reclaimed areas were not only farmland, but also an invisible line of defense.

Xiao Chen ordered the implementation of the "Baojia Joint Defense" system in the land-granting areas. Ten households formed a Jia, and ten Jia formed a Bao. During the off-season for farming, retired military officers or military instructors organized training sessions to practice martial arts and become familiar with flag signals. Each Bao established a beacon tower and sentry post, and in case of enemy activity, fire was used as a signal to provide mutual support.

These "military households" and "garrison households" displayed an extremely tenacious fighting spirit in order to protect their land and homes. They were both farmers and soldiers, "civilians in peacetime and soldiers in wartime, combining military service with farming, cultivating the land and defending the land."

This greatly reduced the defensive pressure on the standing army, transforming Hanyuan's border defense from a simple "linear defense" to a "surface defense," making it more stable and solid.

The "Order on Granting Land to Those Who Contribute to Military Merits" has already yielded remarkable results in just six months.

More than 300,000 mu of wasteland were reclaimed, and the sown area reached 200,000 mu that year. It is estimated that the autumn harvest will yield 500,000 shi of grain.

It absorbed more than 80,000 refugees, bringing the total population of Hanyuan to over 150,000, most of whom were young and able-bodied laborers.

The army's morale was high, its combat effectiveness was enhanced, desertion disappeared, and there were even instances of soldiers volunteering for battle.

The border areas are densely populated and have strengthened defenses, deterring enemy forces from easily invading the border.

Although taxes were initially waived, commerce and handicrafts flourished due to population growth, leading to a significant increase in tax revenue.

More importantly, the people's hearts were won over, and the foundation of the nation was established. With land, the people possessed permanent property, which gave them the fundamental motivation to protect their homes and be loyal to the regime.

The foundation of Hanyuan's rule shifted from simple military conquest to a deep social and economic foundation.

Standing on the ridge of the newly reclaimed land, Xiao Chen looked at the busy farmers in the distance and smelled the fragrance of the soil in the air, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Those who have constant assets have constant minds.

He said to Han Lie beside him, "Let the people own the land, let them live and work in peace and prosperity on this land, and multiply and thrive. This is the greatest benevolent governance and the strongest national defense."

Han Lie wholeheartedly agreed: "Your Highness is wise. Granting land to those who perform military merits is a triple win: it rewards military achievements, settles displaced people, and strengthens the border. The foundation of Hanyuan is thus solidified."

The granting of land based on military merit was not only a successful land reform, but also a crucial step in Hanyuan's transformation from a military group to a mature state power.

This signifies that Hanyuan is no longer relying solely on swords and spears, but has begun to build a stable, prosperous, and sustainable social structure, laying the most solid material and popular foundation for its future struggle for supremacy.