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

The furnaces of "Black Mountain Iron City" illuminated half the northern sky, injecting the rise of the Frost Abyss with the burning blood of steel.

Amidst the roaring workshops and bustling fields, another set of numbers was also stirring Xiao Chen's heartstrings: "population" and "military strength."

On this day, Han Lie, the chief clerk of the Household Registration Department, entered the main hall of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion with a radiant face, holding the latest "Hanyuan Population Register." His voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Your Highness, good news! As of yesterday, the registered population of Hanyuan has exceeded 30,000, with a total of 31,573 people!"

"Good!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he clapped his hands and laughed.

This number may seem small, but for a remote and once sparsely populated, harsh place, it represents a milestone leap.

"Even more encouraging," Han Lie continued, unfolding the file in his hand, "of these 30,000-plus people, able-bodied men account for 65%, totaling over 20,000. 70% are former refugees who have returned, and the number of new infants and school-age children has doubled compared to last year. Furthermore…"

He paused, then emphasized, "Those registered in the standing army number over five thousand, all of them strong and capable men!"

"Five thousand standing troops..."

Xiao Chen stood up and walked to the huge map of the northern border. He traced the territory controlled by Han Yuan with his finger. "Thirty thousand people and five thousand soldiers. This means that we are no longer a border town barely surviving, but a powerful lord who can protect ourselves and has the strength to advance."

These 30,000-plus people were not obtained through natural reproduction, but rather through "absorption".

Since Xiao Chen implemented the policy of "recruiting and pacifying refugees and distributing land," Hanyuan has become like a giant magnet, attracting suffering people from all directions.

War raged in the Central Plains, oppressive rule in Jiangnan, and conflicts on the grasslands... Countless displaced people, having lost their homes, dragged their families along, trekked across mountains and rivers, and flocked to the northern border, a land of hope rumored to offer "food to eat, land to cultivate, and the rule of law."

"Three years of tax exemption for land reclamation, and five and a half years of tax exemption"; "Displaced people who register their household registration will be given land and a place to live"; "Land will be awarded for military merit, and it will be hereditary." These tangible benefits are more attractive than any empty slogans.

The government established a "Migrant Resettlement Office," set up "porridge kitchens" and "medical clinics" on the border, verified identities, issued "travel permits," and organized caravans to escort migrants. After the migrants arrived, they were "provided with food according to the number of people, allocated land according to the number of adults, and lent oxen, farming tools, and seeds" to ensure that they could quickly settle down and establish a livelihood.

The implementation of the "Baojia system" and "village covenants and regulations" integrated the newly arrived migrants into the existing social system, breaking down regional barriers and accelerating integration. The migrants quickly discovered that here, as long as they were willing to work, they could live with dignity, and thus they were "eager to return home and devoted to the cause."

Population is the foundation, and the military is the fist.

A population of 30,000 supporting a standing army of 5,000 is an extremely high ratio, even implying a degree of "militarism."

However, under Xiao Chen's "elite troop policy" and "military settlement system," these 5,000 troops were not only pure consumers, but also producers and builders.

These five thousand men were the elite selected from tens of thousands of displaced young men and local youths through a rigorous screening process. They were young, strong, hardworking, and eager to make a name for themselves.

Unlike the previous "integration of soldiers and farmers", the Hanyuan Standing Army is "professionalized".

"A monthly salary of three bushels of grain, clothing for all four seasons, and compensation for injuries or deaths" ensured that they had no worries and could focus on training.

The training intensity was extremely high, with "a small exercise every three days, a large exercise every five days, and a martial arts demonstration every ten days," rain or shine.

In peacetime, the army is "30% for defense and 70% for farming".

In the "military garrison," the soldiers "cultivated and guarded the land," and of the grain they produced, "30% was used by themselves, 30% was handed over to the state, and 40% was reserved."

This not only alleviated the financial burden but also strengthened the soldiers' discipline and organization.

Relying on the "Black Mountain Iron City" and the "Workshop," this army of five thousand was fully armored, each armed with a "Black Mountain Steel Sword," with 30% equipped with crossbows, and more than half skilled in archery and horsemanship. Their equipment level was unparalleled in the northern border, rivaling even the imperial guards.

Thirty thousand people and five thousand elite soldiers—this number might be insignificant in the Central Plains, but in the Northern Territory, it is a decisive force capable of altering the balance of power.

Internally, it is sufficient to completely eliminate the remaining bandits within the territory, firmly control all towns, roads, and passes, effectively suppress any possible rebellion, and maintain social stability.

It was powerful enough to withstand attacks from Northern Yan or medium-sized tribes in the grasslands, deterring surrounding small forces from making rash moves, and forcing the court and Prince Yong to reassess Hanyuan's status, shifting from "disregarding" it to "valuing" it, and even "being wary" of it.

The growth in population and military strength brings not only an improvement in hard power, but also a qualitative change in soft power.

Thirty thousand people meant thirty thousand consumers and thirty thousand producers. The market prospered, commercial taxes soared, and "all industries flourished, and the city was bustling with activity."

With the increase in population, "outstanding talents emerged in large numbers." The enrollment scale of the Military Academy and Hanyuan Academy expanded, and "generals, managers, and craftsmen" emerged in a continuous stream.

With the social structure of "scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, and soldiers" each fulfilling their proper roles, "the elderly were cared for, the young were educated, and the able-bodied were employed," the social structure tended to be stable and mature.

The people lived in peace and prosperity, and their granaries were full; the army was in high spirits and eager for battle; and the officials were diligent and confident.

The entire Cold Abyss presents a prosperous and thriving atmosphere.

"Thirty thousand is just the beginning."

Xiao Chen stared at the yellow book in his hand, his gaze seemingly piercing through time and space. "Next year, we'll break 50,000; the year after, 100,000; and the year after that, 200,000!"

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan said in a deep voice, "With population growth comes military strength. I request permission to expand the army to eight thousand next year and establish a heavy infantry battalion and a scout cavalry battalion."

"Approved!" Xiao Chen waved his hand. "Not only should we expand the army, but we should also strengthen it."

"Old Master Han," Xiao Chen turned to Han Lie, "With population growth, food is fundamental. The 'military merit-based land grant' and 'migrant land reclamation' programs must be further strengthened. Agricultural tools produced in 'Black Mountain Iron City' should be prioritized and supplied to farmers at low prices. The 'New Agricultural Methods' of the 'Academy of Geography' should be vigorously promoted. I want to ensure that Han Yuan's granaries are always overflowing!"

"Yes!" the ministers responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Thirty thousand people, five thousand elite soldiers.

These figures signify that Hanyuan has completely shed its labels of "weak, poor, and marginalized," and has officially joined the ranks of the "powerful" powers in the North.

It is like a rising star; though its light is still faint, its momentum is strong and unstoppable.

The feudal lords of the world can no longer ignore the existence of this rising star in the north.