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

The human heads were hung on the city gate tower for a whole day.

A cold wind blew by, and the frozen heads collided with each other, making a dull thud.

The townspeople initially gathered around to watch, but gradually dispersed. However, everyone who passed by would glance up, their eyes filled with a mixture of pleasure and fear.

Fear is justified.

Xiao Chen wanted this kind of fear—the fear of Scarface Liu, which had now been transferred to his knife.

But fear alone is not enough.

In the afternoon, he summoned more than thirty of the prisoners whose crimes were less serious to the front of the city lord's mansion.

These people knelt on the ground, trembling, thinking that the prince was going to renege on his promise and kill them.

"Get up, all of you," Xiao Chen said.

No one dared to make a move.

"I said, get up, all of you."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of authority.

More than thirty people stood up tremblingly, heads bowed, not daring to look at Xiao Chen.

"You followed Scarface Liu and did evil things, you harmed people."

Xiao Chen said slowly, "According to the law, he deserves to die."

Everyone's legs went weak, and they were about to kneel again.

"But I said I'd give you a chance to atone for your crimes."

Xiao Chen paused for a moment, then said, "Now, the opportunity has arrived."

He clapped his hands.

Uncle Fu, along with a few men, carried out several large boxes.

The box was opened, revealing captured weapons—knives, guns, bows, arrows, and several sets of leather armor.

"Each person shall receive a weapon and a suit of armor."

Xiao Chen said, "From today onwards, you will be incorporated into the city defense team and placed under the command of Wang Dashan. Those who perform meritorious service in defending the city will have their crimes reduced by one degree. Those who kill one enemy will have their crimes reduced by three degrees. Those who kill three enemy will have all their previous crimes forgiven and will be freed."

The crowd stirred.

Some people's eyes lit up, while others were still hesitant.

"Of course," Xiao Chen's voice turned cold, "Anyone who deserts in the face of battle, or who betrays the enemy, will be executed on the spot. If any one of you makes a mistake, the entire team will be held accountable."

Sitting together.

These two words sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"Now," Xiao Chen raised his voice, "those who are willing, step forward and receive your weapons. Those who are unwilling—"

He pointed to the city gate tower: "There are still seats there."

More than thirty people, not one of them retreated.

They lined up and silently received their weapons and leather armor.

Although it's old and worn, it's better than nothing.

"Wang Dashan".

"Your humble servant is here!"

"These men are yours. In two days, I need them to at least know how to hold a knife and how to defend the city."

"yes!"

Wang Dashan led these people to training.

Xiao Chen watched their retreating figures, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Your Highness," Zhao Tie approached, leaning on his wooden cane, "can these people... be trusted?"

"I can't trust him."

Xiao Chen stated frankly, "But we're short-staffed right now, so we have to use them. Besides—"

He paused for a moment: "Mix them with our veterans, one group of veterans leading one group of surrendered soldiers. They'll keep an eye on each other and check each other. If anyone wants to run away, or if anyone wants to rebel, they'll have to think twice."

Zhao Tie nodded: "That's the only way."

After dealing with the surrendered soldiers, Xiao Chen went to the city wall construction site.

After two days of mobilization, the number of people working on the wall has exceeded three hundred.

Although most of the people were elderly, weak, women and children, there was strength in numbers, and the city wall was being raised and reinforced at a visible speed.

Xiao Chen personally participated, moving stones, tamping soil, and mixing mud.

His hands were blistered and his shoulders were chafed raw by the carrying pole, but he didn't stop.

If even the prince is doing this, what can the people say? They're working even harder.

By evening, the section of the city wall from the South Gate to the East Gate was basically completed.

Although it is still an earthen wall, it is already two zhang high and one zhang thick.

A trench was dug outside the wall; although shallow, it still served as a barrier.

"At this rate, all four city walls will be closed by nightfall tomorrow," Wang Dashan said excitedly.

Xiao Chen shook his head: "Not enough."

"not enough?"

"Earthen walls cannot stop a cavalry charge."

Xiao Chen pointed to the city wall, "We need to add another chevaux-de-frise outside the wall, and the moat needs to be dug deeper. It would be best to fill it with water and freeze it into ice so that the horses can't get through."

"But we don't have that much timber..."

"dismantle."

Xiao Chen said, "All those dilapidated houses in the city that no one lives in have been demolished. The timber will be used to make barricades, and the bricks and stones will be used to reinforce the city walls."

Wang Dashan gasped, "Your Highness, this...this will offend people."

"The person is already dead, why be afraid of offending a ghost?"

Xiao Chen countered, "Those houses are just sitting empty anyway, we can demolish them and still use them. After we defeat Scarface Liu, I'll build them new ones."

He spoke with absolute certainty.

Wang Dashan no longer hesitated: "Yes!"

The demolition began that very night.

The veterans led the surrendered soldiers, knocking on doors from house to house—and demolishing empty houses that were confirmed to be uninhabited.

If there are inhabited houses but they are dilapidated, leave them for now, but make a note of them and repair them after the war.

At first, some people objected, but when Xiao Chen promised that "every family will have a new house after the war reconstruction," the opposition gradually subsided.

After all, no matter how important a house is, it's not as important as life.

By noon the next day, a simple but effective barricade had been erected outside the city wall.

The trenches were also dug deeper, and water drawn from the Baishui River was poured in. It froze into ice overnight, making it extremely slippery.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the city was becoming increasingly tense.

The scouts sent out reported that a large number of people, at least two hundred, were gathering in the direction of Black Wind Stronghold.

There was also movement in the direction of the grasslands, with dust billowing and the number of cavalry unknown, but definitely no less than three hundred.

Scarface Liu and the grassland cavalry are coming.

"Your Highness, how many men do we have left to fight?" Zhao Tie asked.

Xiao Chen calculated: "120 veterans, 37 surrendered soldiers, and 150 newly trained militiamen, totaling... 307 people."

"How long can the city walls hold out?"

"If it's just Scarface Liu's two hundred bandits, they can hold out for three to five days without a problem," Xiao Chen said. "But if you add five hundred cavalry from the grasslands..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

It can't be held.

"We must divide and conquer."

Xiao Chen walked to the map. "We can't let them combine their forces."

"How do we divide it?"

Xiao Chen's finger moved across the map: "Scarface Liu came from Black Wind Stronghold, taking the road to the Western Mountains. The grassland cavalry came from the north, taking the road to the White Water River. The two armies will meet at the fork in the road ten miles north of the city."

He paused, then said, "What we need to do is take down one of them before they can regroup."

Which route should we take?

"Scarface Liu".

Xiao Chen said decisively, "The grassland cavalry are highly mobile, and we'd be at a disadvantage in a head-on confrontation. But Scarface Liu's bandits are a rabble, easy to defeat. And—"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "Killing Scarface Liu and seizing the grain and weapons will replenish our supplies. The steppe cavalry might retreat if they see the situation is unfavorable."

"But we only have three hundred men. If we split our forces out, what will happen to the city?"

"Do not divide your forces."

Xiao Chen said, "I'll personally lead the team there."

"What?!" Zhao Tie and Wang Dashan exclaimed at the same time.

"Your Highness, this is too risky!"

"You are the lord of this city; you cannot leave the city lightly!"

Xiao Chen waved his hand: "It is precisely because I am the city lord that I must go. This battle concerns the survival of Hanyuan. If I do not go, the morale of the army will be unstable."

He looked at Wang Dashan: "You pick fifty of the best veterans, and take twenty surrendered soldiers with you—choose those who have performed well and whose families are still in the city. Tonight at midnight, come with me out of the city."

"Your Highness..."

"That's an order."

Wang Dashan gritted his teeth: "Yes!"

That night, at midnight.

The south gate of Hanyuan City quietly opened a crack, and more than seventy people filed out.

Everyone was dressed in dark clothes, their faces were smeared with charcoal ash, and their weapons were wrapped in cloth to prevent them from reflecting light.

Xiao Chen rode on the snow-covered horse, also disguised.

He glanced back at Hanyuan City—the city walls appeared exceptionally tall under the moonlight, and the figures of patrolling people could be vaguely seen on the city walls.

"Go." He gave the reins a jerk.

More than seventy people, like a group of ghosts, disappeared into the night.

Their destination was a birch forest at the foot of Xishan Mountain—a necessary route for Scarface Liu to reach Hanyuan.

It was still dark when we arrived at the woods.

Xiao Chen told everyone to hide and rest, while he led Wang Dashan to the roadside to observe the terrain.

The road was narrow, with steep slopes on both sides, covered with birch trees.

This is a perfect spot for an ambush.

"Dig a pit here and set a tripwire."

Xiao Chen gave a low order: "Archers, lie in ambush on the slope and wait for my command. Swordsmen and shieldmen, hide in the bushes on both sides of the road. Once the enemy is ambushed, attack immediately."

"Your Highness, what about you?" Wang Dashan asked.

"I'm leading the swordsmen and shieldmen."

Xiao Chen said, "To catch the thief, you must first catch the king. I want to capture Scarface Liu myself."

Wang Dashan wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Xiao Chen's resolute expression, he had no choice but to give up.

As dawn approached, everything was ready.

More than seventy people, like seventy stones, lay silently in ambush in the woods.

Xiao Chen lay prone behind a bush, his body covered with dry grass.

He gripped the "Frost Abyss" blade, his eyes fixed on the path he had come from.

Time passed little by little.

The sun rose and shone on the snow, reflecting a blinding light.

The sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.

coming.

Xiao Chen held his breath.

First, a dozen or so bandits, who were scouting ahead, rode slowly towards us on horseback.

They were very cautious, observing the woods on both sides as they walked.

But Xiao Chen's men were well hidden and were not discovered.

After the scouts passed by, the main force arrived.

About two hundred people were walking around in a chaotic manner.

Some rode horses, some walked, and their weapons were varied—knives, guns, clubs, and even farm tools.

In the middle of the procession, on a tall, imposing horse, sat a man with a scar on his face.

Scarface Liu.

Xiao Chen had seen him before and recognized him at a glance—the scar, running diagonally from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth, looked like a centipede.

The group is getting closer.

One hundred steps, fifty steps, thirty steps...

"Release!" Xiao Chen shouted in a low voice.

The tripwire was suddenly pulled up!

The first few horses were caught off guard and tripped, causing the bandits on them to fall and become disoriented.

The line behind immediately descended into chaos.

"There's an ambush!"

"Retreat now!"

"Don't panic! Stay calm!"

Scarface Liu shouted loudly, but it was too late.

Arrows rained down from the slope!

Although there weren't many arrows, at such close range and from a high vantage point, their destructive power was astonishing.

More than a dozen bandits fell to the ground, wounded by arrows, screaming in agony.

"kill!"

Xiao Chen was the first to rush out.

He pounced on Scarface Liu like a cheetah.

Treading on the snow was fast; in just a few breaths, he reached Scarface Liu.

Scarface Liu reacted quickly, drawing his sword and slashing.

His sword was a demon-head sword, thick and heavy, with a powerful and weighty force.

Xiao Chen dared not take the blow head-on, dodged to the side, and slashed at the horse's leg with his backhand.

The snow-treading dog was well-trained and cooperated with its owner, stopping abruptly and turning around to avoid the blade.

Scarface Liu missed his target with his slash, losing his balance. Xiao Chen seized the opportunity and thrust his blade towards his ribs.

Scarface Liu, after all, was a ruthless bandit who had been living on the edge for many years. In the critical moment, he pulled hard on the reins, and his horse reared up, using its body to block the knife.

The knife pierced the horse's belly, and blood gushed out. The horse neighed in agony and collapsed, throwing Scarface Liu off as well.

"Protect our leader!" The surrounding bandits surged forward.

But Wang Dashan and his men also arrived.

Seventy to two hundred, a numerical disadvantage, but they had the advantage of surprise attack and terrain. Moreover, the veterans were all seasoned veterans, ruthless and deadly in every move.

The surrendered soldiers fought desperately to survive.

In an instant, shouts of killing, screams of agony, and the clash of weapons filled the air.

Xiao Chen ignored everything else; his eyes were only on Scarface Liu.

Scarface Liu got up from the ground, his face covered in blood—horse blood had splattered all over him.

He glared at Xiao Chen, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Prince Xiao?"

"Exactly." Xiao Chen stood with his sword in hand.

"Fine! Fine!" Scarface Liu grinned maliciously. "Kill you, and Han Yuan will be mine!"

He lunged forward, brandishing his knife.

The two fought on one side.

Scarface Liu's dagger was heavy and powerful, each strike accompanied by a whistling sound.

Xiao Chen was agile, his swordsmanship was cunning, and he specialized in attacking vital points.

The two exchanged blows, going back and forth for over a dozen moves in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Chen gradually lost ground.

He was not as strong as his opponent, nor as skilled with his sword, and relied entirely on his fierce determination to keep going.

Several more wounds appeared on his body; although they were not deep, they bled profusely.

"Kid, surrender!"

Scarface Liu laughed wildly, "Kneel down and kowtow three times, and I'll leave you with a whole corpse!"

Xiao Chen didn't answer, gritting his teeth and enduring it.

Just then, the sound of horns came from afar.

Desolate and long, it is the bugle call of the grassland cavalry!

Scarface Liu perked up: "Did you hear that? Our friends from the grasslands are here! You're finished!"

Xiao Chen's heart sank.

The steppe cavalry arrived faster than he had anticipated.

If they don't leave now, once the cavalry arrives, none of the seventy men will escape.

But with Scarface Liu right in front of him, is all his efforts going to be in vain?

No.

He thought of the heads hanging on the city walls, the starving people, and the women and children sold to the grasslands.

No refunds.

Even if it means death, we cannot back down.

A resolute glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes.

He suddenly changed tactics, no longer dodging, but charging towards Scarface Liu's knife.

Scarface Liu was taken aback, then grinned maliciously: "You're asking for death!"

The demon-headed sword slashed down.

Xiao Chen neither blocked nor dodged, but simply turned slightly to the side, letting the blade graz his shoulder—the skin was torn open, the bone was visible.

At the same time, his knife pierced Scarface Liu's chest.

Scarface Liu stared wide-eyed at the knife in his chest, then looked at Xiao Chen in disbelief.

"You..." He tried to say something, but blood gushed from his mouth, and he couldn't say anything.

Xiao Chen drew his knife, and Scarface Liu collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"My eldest brother is dead!"

"Run!"

Upon seeing their leader dead, the bandits were thrown into chaos and scattered in all directions.

"Withdraw!" Xiao Chen ordered hoarsely.

Wang Dashan led his men in a fighting retreat, and they soon retreated into the woods.

In the distance, the figures of steppe cavalry could already be vaguely seen, a dark mass of at least three or four hundred riders.

"Let's go!" Xiao Chen mounted his horse.

More than seventy people, wounded and carrying captured weapons, quickly disappeared into the depths of the woods.

Behind them, the grassland cavalry arrived at the battlefield, only to find corpses strewn across the ground and Scarface Liu's unseeing face.

The cavalry leader, Harbala, the young chieftain of the Canglang tribe, looked at Scarface Liu's corpse and then at the direction of Hanyuan City, his face grim.

"Young chieftain, should we pursue them or not?" a cavalryman asked.

Harbala shook his head: "They've already entered the woods; we can't catch them."

He dismounted, walked to Scarface Liu's corpse, and kicked it.

"waste."

He spat, "Can't even handle a kid."

"So... shall we still fight Cold Abyss?"

Harbala gazed at the distant city of Hanyuan.

The city wall has been built; although it is rudimentary, it has taken shape.

There were many figures on the city wall, clearly indicating that preparations were underway.

He brought cavalry, skilled in field battles but not in siege warfare.

Moreover, it is winter now, there is a shortage of fodder, the warhorses are losing weight, and the losses during the siege will be great.

More importantly, Scarface Liu is dead, and the inside man is gone.

A direct assault on a well-prepared city would be a losing proposition.

"Withdraw." He mounted his horse.

"withdraw?"

"Let's talk about it when spring comes."

Harbala gave the reins a tug. "Han Yuan can't escape. We'll deal with them when the grass grows and the horses are fat."

The steppe cavalry came quickly and left quickly.

When Xiao Chen led his men back to Hanyuan City, a scout reported that the grassland cavalry had already retreated.

On the city wall, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Chen dared not be careless.

He ordered heightened security and took stock of the spoils of war.

In this battle, forty-seven enemy soldiers were killed, thirty-three were captured, and more than one hundred weapons and more than twenty horses were seized.

On our side, eleven were killed and twenty-three were wounded, seven of whom were seriously wounded.

The cost was high, but it was worth it.

Because Scarface Liu is dead.

The biggest cancer in Hanyuan City has been removed.

Xiao Chen stood on the city wall, looking out of the city.

The snow started falling again, gradually covering the traces of the battlefield.

But some things cannot be covered by snow.

For example, people's hearts.

For example, this city finally has hope of survival.

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan approached and asked in a low voice, "What should we do with those prisoners?"

Xiao Chen was silent for a moment: "Those who are willing to stay will be incorporated into the militia. Those who are unwilling will be driven out of the city and left to fend for themselves."

"The corpse of Scarface Liu..."

"Hang it up."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "Hang it on the city gate tower, to keep company with those heads. Let everyone see the consequences of evil deeds."

"Yes."

Wang Dashan turned to leave, but Xiao Chen called him back.

"etc."

"Is there anything else you require, Your Highness?"

Xiao Chen gazed at the distant grassland, where Harbala's cavalry had disappeared on the horizon.

"Send someone to the grasslands."

He said, "Send a message to Batel, the chieftain of the White Deer tribe. Tell him that Scarface Liu is dead. I have avenged his son."

Wang Dashan was taken aback: "Your Highness intends to..."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Xiao Chen said, "There are more than just the Canglang tribe on the grasslands."

He turned around and walked down the city wall.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, quickly covering the bloodstains, the corpses, and the small town that had just experienced a bloody battle.

But in the heart of everyone in Hanyuan City, a fire was ignited.

A flame called hope.