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

The shock of the crossbow formation demonstration had not yet dissipated, and although the Northern Yan envoy Wanyan Hong verbally yielded, he harbored a deep resentment in his heart.

In his view, Han Yuan was merely relying on his strange skills and tricks; if it came to the fundamentals of riding and archery, the grassland warriors were the best in the world.

Especially the warhorses, which were the pride of Northern Yan and their totem.

Wanyan Hong was unwilling to return in such a humiliating manner; he wanted to get revenge on horseback.

On this day, he led his delegation before Xiao Chen, feigning respect as he bowed and said, "Your Highness, your army's crossbows are indeed formidable, but our Northern Yan is founded on horseback archery; skill on horseback is our true ability. I have brought three 'Wind-Chasing Steeds' with me, the personal horses of our Northern Yan Khan, capable of traveling a thousand li by day and eight hundred li by night. I wonder if Han Yuan has any fine steeds that dare to challenge them?"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The generals of Hanyuan looked grim. The warhorses of Northern Yan were indeed the best in the world. Although Hanyuan also had a horse farm, its foundation was weak and it would be difficult to surpass them in a short period of time.

Xiao Chen remained calm, a playful smile even appearing at the corner of his lips: "Oh? Traveling a thousand miles a day? I'd like to see that for myself."

He turned to Zhang Meng beside him and said, "Go and bring over those few newly tamed little guys from our Black Wind Horse Ranch to play with our distinguished guests from Northern Yan."

Half an hour later, the training ground was bustling with noise.

On the Northern Yan side, three tall, magnificent horses were led into the arena.

These three horses were entirely chestnut-red with glossy coats. They stood six feet tall at the shoulders, with long, powerful limbs. Heavy white breaths billowed from their nostrils, and their gazes were full of spirit.

It is indeed a divine steed, one in a million.

"What a fine horse!" Even the generals of Hanyuan had to admit.

Wanyan Hong said smugly, "Your Highness, please look. This is the Crimson Dragon Steed of my Northern Yan, a descendant of the Heavenly Horse. Only a brave warrior can ride it."

However, when Han Yuan's horse was led out, everyone's attention was drawn to it.

Those were three magnificent horses, their coats jet black as satin, with only their four hooves snow-white.

Although they are slightly smaller than the Northern Yan horse, they are more symmetrical, with smooth muscle lines like a cheetah, long necks, high heads, and eyes that reveal a wildness and intelligence.

Most remarkably, when they run, their four hooves fly as if they are treading on dark clouds, with the faint sound of wind and thunder.

"This is..." Wanyan Hong's expression changed slightly. He had never seen this horse before.

"This is my Cold Abyss Black Wind Steed."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "It is a hybrid of the Akhal-Teke horse from the Western Regions and the king of wild horses from the grasslands, and then tamed using secret methods."

"A Ferghana horse?"

Wanyan Hong was startled, then sneered, "Hmph, so what if it has the bloodline of the Ferghana horse? It's just a bastard, how can it compare to my purebred Crimson Dragon Steed?"

"Whether we can compete or not," Xiao Chen's gaze turned cold, "we'll only know after we run it."

"The first round is a speed contest!"

Wanyan Hong gritted his teeth and said, "The first to arrive on the ten-mile straight road wins!"

Each side sent out a rider. The one from Northern Yan was a burly centurion, while the one from Han Yuan was a small, thin boy who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old. His name was "Amu," and he was an orphan who had surrendered from the grasslands.

"Haha, is Han Yuan out of options? Sending a nobody?" the Northern Yan delegation chuckled.

"Enough talk, bring it on!" Amu rode on the black steed, his eyes sharp and fearless.

"Begin!" The command flag was waved.

"Hilary—" The two horses galloped off like arrows released from a bow.

At the start, the Red Dragon Steed, with its long legs and great strength, held a slight advantage, leading by half a horse length. The Northern Yan centurion turned back and grinned maliciously: "Kid, go home and nurse!"

Amu ignored him, lowered his body, and gently patted the horse's neck: "Black Cloud, speed up!"

As if understanding its master's words, the Black Wind Steed suddenly increased the speed of its hooves, catching up like a black lightning bolt in an instant. After five miles, it was now running neck and neck with the Crimson Dragon Steed.

"Impossible!" The Northern Yan centurion exclaimed in shock, frantically whipping the horse's rump.

The Crimson Dragon Steed felt the pain and increased its speed, but the Black Wind Steed seemed to be handling the situation with ease, even having the energy to glance at its opponent with a hint of... contempt in its eyes?

In the final stretch, Amu let out a clear shout, and the Black Wind Steed suddenly burst forth, like a black whirlwind, leaving the Red Dragon Steed far behind.

"Han Yuan wins!" the referee shouted.

"The second event is an endurance test!" Wanyan Hong's face was ashen. "Run thirty li (approximately 15 kilometers) carrying a hundred jin (approximately 50 kg) of weight!"

This was the forte of the Northern Yan horses. However, the result was once again astonishing. Han Yuan's Black Wind Steed, carrying a heavy load, still moved swiftly, while Northern Yan's Crimson Dragon Steed foamed at the mouth and its speed greatly decreased after running twenty miles. Han Yuan won again.

"The third round is a test of agility!" Wanyan Hong was almost hysterical. "Cross the obstacles and capture the flag!"

The arena was equipped with obstacles such as barricades, moats, and low walls. The Northern Yan riders, relying on their superb horsemanship, charged left and right.

However, Han Yuan's Black Wind Steed was even better. It was not only fast, but also very intelligent. It could avoid obstacles automatically without much command from the rider. In fact, when it made a sharp turn, it pushed off the ground with all four hooves and made a drifting motion of almost ninety degrees, easily snatching the red flag.

"Three battles, three victories! Han Yuan, a complete triumph!"

"No! I refuse to accept this!"

Wanyan Hong completely lost his composure. "This is cheating! You must have drugged the horses!"

"presumptuous!"

Xiao Chen's face darkened. "Wanyan Hong, can't you accept defeat?"

"Unless...unless my Horse King personally takes the field!" Wanyan Hong pointed to a giant horse behind him covered with a black cloth.

That was his trump card, a true wild horse king, not yet fully tamed.

"Fine," Xiao Chen said coldly, "but if you lose again, your Northern Yan delegation will crawl out of Zhenbei City on your knees!"

"Okay!" Wanyan Hong agreed, his eyes red.

The black cloth was lifted, and a giant horse, larger than an ordinary red steed and with a mane as wild as a lion's mane, rushed out. It kept neighing and trying to break free of its reins.

"Go!" Wanyan Hong mounted his horse himself and cracked his whip.

The horse king charged out wildly, heading straight for Amu's black steed. It intended to crush its opponent to death!

"Shameless!" Han Yuan's generals roared in anger.

Amu remained calm and gently tugged the reins. Instead of retreating, Black Wind Steed advanced, sidestepping the charge of Horse King, and at the same time, its hind legs kicked out hard, striking Horse King squarely in the abdomen with a "bang".

"Hissing—" The horse king roared in pain, stood up on its hind legs, and slammed Wanyan Hong down hard.

Black Wind Steed, having gained the upper hand, charged up to the Horse King, raised its head and neighed, its voice filled with the majesty and oppression of a king.

The once arrogant Northern Yan horse king trembled all over, its front knees buckled, and it knelt down with a thud, lowering its proud head.

Horses have always been ruled by the strong. The Black Wind Steed's bloodline and aura completely overwhelmed the Northern Yan Horse King.

"No...impossible..." Wanyan Hong fell and was bruised and swollen. He looked at the kneeling Horse King, completely distraught.

"Wanyan Hong," Xiao Chen stepped down from the platform and stood before him, "do you have anything else to say?"

"This humble official...this humble official admits defeat..." Wanyan Hong's face was ashen as he knelt down and kowtowed.

"Since you admit defeat, then keep your promise."

Xiao Chen said coldly, "Guards, escort the Northern Yan delegation out of the city. Remember, they must crawl out on their knees."

"Yes!" The soldiers of Hanyuan were like wolves and tigers, forcing the wailing Northern Yan delegation to crawl on their knees all the way out of Zhenbei City, utterly humiliated.

Xiao Chen walked up to the black steed and gently stroked its mane. The steed nuzzled his hand affectionately.

"Good horse!"

Xiao Chen exclaimed in praise, "Today you have crushed the tribute horses of Northern Yan and displayed the might of my Han Yuan army. I bestow upon you the name—Ta Yan!"

"Hee-hee-hee-hee!" "Ta-Yan" raised its head and neighed, its voice shaking the surrounding fields.

"Pass on the order," Xiao Chen said to Zhang Meng, "'Black Wind Steed' is officially commissioned into the army, with priority given to scouts and light cavalry. Increase breeding efforts; I aim to possess ten thousand 'Swallow Steeds' within three years!"

"Yes!" Zhang Meng replied excitedly. With this divine steed, the Cold Abyss cavalry would be even more formidable!

Following the horse racing incident, Hanyuan's horse administration entered a period of rapid development.

They imported large numbers of Akhal-Teke horses, Ferghana horses, and wild horses from the grasslands, and crossbred them with local fine horses.

Establish a "horse registration" system to record the pedigree, height, weight, and performance of each horse, and select the best of the best.

Prepare "horse feed" (soybean cake, bran, bone meal, and salt) to ensure nutrition.

The Veterinary Department was established to study the prevention and treatment of equine diseases, which greatly reduced the mortality rate of horses.

In just one year, the number of horses in the Hanyuan Army exceeded 20,000, and their quality improved significantly.

The fighting strength of the Hanyuan cavalry is no less than that of the elite cavalry of Northern Yan.

Standing atop the Black Wind Horse Ranch, Xiao Chen gazed upon the magnificent sight of thousands of horses galloping below, his heart filled with boundless pride.

"Wang Dashan," he said to Wang Dashan beside him.

"In the past, Han Yuan lacked horses and could only fight cavalry on foot. Today, we not only have powerful crossbows, but also divine steeds."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Wang Dashan said, "With such a powerful army, crushing Northern Yan in the future is just around the corner!"

"good."

Xiao Chen nodded, "But this is just the beginning. We will make the sound of 'Treading Swallow's' hooves resound throughout the entire world!"