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

The roar of the wool textile industry echoed across the northern lands, infusing the cold abyss with warmth and wealth.

In the shadows where sunlight cannot reach, another, more secretive and deadly net is quietly unfolding with unprecedented breadth and depth toward the heart of the Great Xia's power—the capital city—and all surrounding forces that might pose a threat to Han Yuan.

This is Xiao Chen's sharpest hidden blade, "Night Owl".

As Han Yuan's strength expanded and the world situation changed dramatically, Xiao Chen's need for intelligence was no longer limited to military movements, but extended to deeper and broader areas such as court struggles, palace secrets, economic lifelines, and the support or opposition of the people.

He gave Zhao Tie, the leader of the Night Owls, new instructions: "Weave a net across the world, penetrating every crevice. Not only must you see the enemy's blade, but you must also hear the enemy's heartbeat."

The capital city, the center of the Great Xia imperial power, was also the key target of Night Owl's infiltration.

In the past, the Night Owl's influence in the capital was relatively scattered, relying mainly on caravans and refugees to spread messages.

Now, Zhao Tie is personally overseeing the restructuring and upgrading of the intelligence network in the capital.

Top level: Core undercover agent.

Night Owl's top-tier "sleeper agents" have successfully infiltrated the inner circles of the Imperial Palace's Inner Palace, the Six Ministries, the Imperial Guard's high-ranking officials, and even the Prince Yong's and the Crown Prince's residences through methods such as bribery, coercion, and even "switching the prince for a cat." These individuals are secretive and remain dormant most of the time, only activating at crucial moments to transmit top-secret information.

Middle layer: Outpost network.

In and around the capital, more than thirty fixed intelligence outposts were established under the guise of restaurants, inns, pawnshops, carriage shops, and even brothels and casinos. These outposts served as intelligence relay stations, operational bases, and observation posts.

At the bottom: mobile informants. A large number of beggars, peddlers, porters, night watchmen, and even prostitutes, actors, fortune tellers, and other people from all walks of life were recruited as external informants. They may seem insignificant, but they are present in every corner of the capital, able to detect the slightest anomalies and rumors.

A three-tier architecture, with each layer progressively higher and isolated from the others, ensures that even if the lower layers are exposed, they are unlikely to affect the upper layers.

Every move in the city, from the emperor's meals to the private gatherings of court officials, and even the changing of guards' passwords, was under the surveillance of the Night Owl.

Of all the Night Owl's targets, the Imperial Palace is undoubtedly the toughest nut to crack.

The compound was surrounded by high walls and deep courtyards, heavily guarded, and the hierarchy among eunuchs and palace maids was strict, making it difficult for outsiders to infiltrate.

However, Xiao Chen's infiltration of the palace had a core mission that he absolutely had to complete—to rescue his mother, Madam Lin.

Lin Shi was imprisoned in the Cold Palace "Jingsi Garden" for many years. Although Xiao Chen ensured that she had enough to eat and wear through the secret care of Ye Xiao, rescuing her completely was always Xiao Chen's deepest concern and an important part of his plan to build up the capital.

After years of meticulous preparation, Night Owl's informants within the palace had finally developed to the point where they could carry out this "earth-shattering plan."

The head eunuch of Jingsi Garden and two maids responsible for delivering meals have been bribed by Night Owl and turned into inside agents.

Night Owl found a seriously ill woman outside the palace who was extremely similar to Lin in age, build, and appearance. After several months of "care" and "disguise," she became nine-tenths similar to Lin. This woman was destitute and willing to exchange her life for money to settle her family.

On the night of the Ghost Festival, the capital city was ablaze with lights, and the imperial palace was filled with the sounds of chanting and religious ceremonies.

At midnight, when the night is deep and quiet, the religious ceremony gradually comes to an end.

Inside the Jing Si Garden, the head eunuch, under the pretext of "exorcising evil spirits," redeployed the imperial guards who were on guard.

Two maids entered Lin's residence, quickly dressed her in maids' clothes, and drugged her into a temporary drowsy state.

Meanwhile, the substitute woman was dressed in Lin's old clothes and given a specially made "turtle breath powder." Her breathing was weak, and her face was sallow, as if she were seriously ill and dying.

Moments later, cries of "Fire!" suddenly rang out from Jing Si Garden. Flames erupted, and thick smoke billowed. In the chaos, several "palace maids" and "eunuchs" carried the "unconscious Lady Lin" out, shouting, "Her Majesty has fainted from fright! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

The imperial guards rushed to put out the fire and had no time to investigate. Taking advantage of the chaos, this group mingled with the firefighters and quickly disappeared into the night. They did not leave through the palace gates, but instead used a secret passageway in the artificial hill of the imperial garden that had been dug beforehand, leaving the palace unnoticed.

Half an hour later, the fire was extinguished. The commander of the Imperial Guards checked on "Lady Lin" and found her barely breathing, seemingly due to extreme fright. He did not suspect anything and simply ordered the imperial physician to treat her. The physician took her pulse and found it to be weak and beyond saving. He prescribed some sedatives and then took his leave.

Three days later, "Mr. Lin" "passed away" at "Jingsi Garden".

The head eunuch reported that the person had died of fright. The Imperial Household Department sent people to examine the body and found that the person's face was swollen, which was no different from Lin's usual appearance. Moreover, everyone in the palace knew that Lin was frail and sickly, so they did not investigate further and allowed her to be buried with the rites due to a concubine.

An empty coffin was transported out of the palace and buried in the chaotic graveyard of the Western Hills.

Meanwhile, the real Lin family members, escorted by Night Owl's elite troops, were already traveling day and night in a horse-drawn carriage disguised as a coal truck, speeding northward.

Ten days later, in the secret chamber of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion in Zhenbei City.

Looking at the woman before him, whose face was haggard but whose eyes had regained their luster, Xiao Chen knelt down and kowtowed heavily: "Mother! Your unfilial son, Xiao Chen, pays his respects to Mother! I have caused you suffering!"

With trembling hands, Madam Lin stroked Xiao Chen's face, tears streaming down her face: "Chen'er... is it really you? I thought... I would never see you again in this life..."

The mother and son embraced and wept bitterly, releasing years of pent-up grievances, fear, and longing. The surrounding guards and maids all shed tears.

After a long silence, Xiao Chen stopped crying and said in a deep voice, "Mother, from this day forward, you will no longer have to live in fear, no longer be bullied. This is my home, and it is also your home. I swear to you, I will make those who have hurt and humiliated you pay tenfold, a hundredfold price!"

Looking at her son's resolute face, at the impregnable Prince's mansion, and at the bustling streets outside the window, Madam Lin was filled with mixed emotions.

She knew that her son was no longer the child who needed her protection, but a powerful ruler who commanded a large army in the north and could shake the world.

"Okay, okay... Mother believes you."

Lin nodded with tears in her eyes, "As long as you are well, I am at ease."

Rescuing the Lin family was the culmination of Night Owl's operation in the capital, but it was not the end.

Using this as a breakthrough, Night Owl's power and influence in the capital city expanded rapidly.

By rescuing Lin, Night Owl gained crucial leverage over the head eunuch and others, forcing them to completely side with Han Yuan and become Night Owl's high-ranking spies within the palace.

Using evidence of cheating in the imperial examinations, corruption, and even moral failings, he controlled a group of low- and mid-level officials in the Six Ministries and obtained state secrets.

He spread rumors, sowed discord, created conflicts, and intensified infighting among the various factions, including the Prince of Yong, the Crown Prince, and the Duke of Zhao.

By controlling grain shops, money shops, and pawnshops in the capital, they could influence prices, create panic, and disrupt the imperial economy.

The tentacles of the Night Owl not only reached the capital, but also extended to all important powers in Jiangnan, the Central Plains, Xiliang, and Beiyan.

Caravans, refugees, monks, opera troupes, and even famous courtesans and itinerant doctors could all be informants for the Night Owl.

Deep beneath the city walls of Zhenbei, lies the Night Owl Commander.

The lights here are bright, burning day and night. Secret reports from all directions arrive here continuously, via carrier pigeons, fast horses, and even secret passages disguised as merchant caravans.

Intelligence analysts sifted through, compared, analyzed, and assessed this scattered information, creating maps of power distribution, interpersonal relationships, military deployments, and economic flows.

Every morning, Xiao Chen would receive a "Brief Report on Public Opinion Across the Land," which was dozens of pages long and detailed the major events, important matters, and secrets that had occurred across the land the previous day.

Relying on this "Night Owl's Web," Xiao Chen, though far away in the northern border, had a thorough understanding of the world's situation.

He could predict the enemy's movements, exploit the enemy's contradictions, and seize fleeting opportunities.

"Strategizing within the command tent and winning battles a thousand miles away" is no longer just an empty phrase, but a real ability that Night Owl has bestowed upon Xiao Chen.

Looking at the huge "Map of the World Intelligence Network" on the wall, covered with dense symbols, Xiao Chen said to Zhao Tie, "The net is woven. Now, it's time for us to close it."

Zhao Tie solemnly replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Night Owl is ready to clear all obstacles for Your Highness at any time."

The owl weaves its web, capturing the entire world.

This net is Han Yuan's eyes, Han Yuan's ears, and even more so, the invisible blade Han Yuan uses to pierce the enemy's heart.

Rescuing the Lin family is the most dazzling, yet also the most terrifying, jewel in this web.