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

Thirty li north of Dingbei Pass, wild foxes gather.

This place was originally just a seasonal market on the edge of the grassland and beside the trade route. Every summer and autumn, merchants from the north and south would stop here briefly to exchange furs, salt, and tea. It was a small and chaotic market.

But ever since the news spread that Northern Yan had ceded Dingbei Pass and opened the border market, especially after Han Yuan and Northern Yan officially signed a peace treaty with the clauses on "establishing government-run border markets," "protecting merchants," and "fair trade" being clearly published, Wild Fox Market, which was originally an inconspicuous little market, became noisy, crowded, and extremely popular almost overnight.

The winter wind had not yet completely lost its chill, but inside and outside the simple earthen enclosure of Wild Fox Village, a scene of bustling activity had already taken place.

Caravans of horse-drawn carriages, camels, and mules, laden with all sorts of goods, converged from the south, the north, and even the more distant western regions, raising clouds of dust and creating a cacophony of voices. The air was thick with the mingled smells of livestock, spices, the pungent odor of furs, and the bitterness of brewed tea.

The market was roughly divided into north and south sections by a newly built low wall. The south section, closer to the side controlled by Han Yuan, was noticeably more orderly.

The warehouses were uniformly planned and built with logs and rammed earth. Although simple, they were neatly arranged and hung with wooden signs that read "Hanyuan Official Store - Leather, Salt and Iron", "Zhang's Warehouse - Southern Tea and Northern Goods", and "Zhao's Carriage and Horse Shop".

The road was even paved with gravel. Although it was still muddy, it was much better than the muddy puddles in the North District, which were simply trampled by people and animals.

The Han Yuan tax collectors, dressed in dark gray uniforms, and a small squad of sharp-eyed Han Yuan patrolmen with waist knives slung over their shoulders, moved around the market from time to time, maintaining basic order and mediating some minor disputes.

The northern district, closer to the side controlled by the Northern Yan, appears much more chaotic.

Tents, yurts, and makeshift shacks were crammed together haphazardly, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, arguing, and livestock neighing in various accents filled the air.

Several men dressed in Northern Yan fur robes and carrying curved swords, resembling tax officials, were arguing loudly with a Han Chinese merchant over several carts of fur goods, seemingly demanding extra "standard fees."

The Han merchant's face flushed red, but he dared not retaliate. He could only force a smile, clutching his money bag until his knuckles turned white.

Inside a relatively spacious and clean warehouse in the southern district, bearing the sign "Longchang," a middle-aged man dressed in a blue brocade robe and wearing a fox fur hat, looking like a wealthy merchant, was holding a steaming bowl of tea and observing the hustle and bustle and chaos of the northern district through the open window.

His name was Zhou Wenqian. His public identity was that of a traveling merchant from the Daxia River East Circuit, mainly dealing in tea, silk, and porcelain, and also dealing in furs and medicinal herbs. In Yehuji, he was one of the wealthiest, most well-stocked, and most reputable merchants.

Only a very few people knew that Zhou Wenqian had another identity—one of the key figures in Night Owl's intelligence network and underground operations along the northern trade routes, particularly targeting the Northern Yan trade network. His caravans, his associates, and even some of the small and medium-sized businesses he partnered with constituted an important part of Night Owl's reach along the northern trade routes.

"Master," a lean, shop-like man strode in and whispered, "Old Hatu's men from the north have arrived, bringing thirty fine white fox pelts, along with a list of iron pots, salt, and tea that their chieftain wants to exchange. As is customary, they've been placed in our tent, so those tax thugs from Northern Yan won't see them."

Zhou Wenqian nodded, took a sip of tea, and kept his gaze fixed on the view outside the window: "How was the price negotiated?"

"According to market prices, it's 30% higher than what the Northern Yan people paid. In addition, Old Hatu also revealed that Murong Han's tribe has recently been buying up large quantities of arrowheads and pig iron of unknown origin, but in huge quantities. Some of his men saw unfamiliar caravans transporting goods towards Murong Han's main camp at night."

"Murong Han..." A glint of light flashed in Zhou Wenqian's eyes.

This Left Wise King of Northern Yan nominally shared power with Yuwen Hu, but in reality, they were locked in a fierce power struggle, secretly recruiting soldiers and stockpiling supplies—no surprise whatsoever.

"Write this down. Send this message, along with Old Hatu's lead, back to Zhenbei City as a top-tier confidential report to Lord Liu. Tell Old Hatu that the information he provided was very useful, and that he should receive an additional 10% of the tea bricks as a reward for this transaction. Also, ask him if he has any connections to obtain samples of the newly minted silver coins from the Northern Yan royal court."

"Yes, boss." The waiter replied and was about to turn around when Zhou Wenqian called him back.

"Wait a minute. Is Manager Li from Shengyuan in the south arriving tomorrow?"

"Yes, sir. Manager Li has pledged a batch of fine cloth, porcelain, and medicinal herbs from Jiangnan, saying he wants to try to open a trade route to the Western Regions through our channels. He's willing to give up 20% of the profits, just to be on the safe side."

"Hmm," Zhou Wenqian put down his teacup, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "We can accept Manager Li's goods. But tell him that if he wants to go far, he has to abide by our rules. The tax checkpoints, guards, warehouses, and guides along the way must all be people we designate. We'll take 30% of the profits. If he agrees, bring him to see me tomorrow."

"Yes!" The waiter understood immediately.

These "designated" tax collectors, guards, warehouses, and guides are all naturally connected to Night Owl, or are simply forces surrounding Night Owl.

Taking 30% of the profits may seem expensive, but it ensures safety and smooth passage from Yehuji to the Western Regions and even further afield.

For merchants from afar who are unfamiliar with the area and are carrying heavy loads, this "toll" and "insurance fee" are often very worthwhile.

This is Han Yuan's "secret control" over the northern trade routes.

On the surface, the treaty stipulated "open markets and fair trade," which protected merchants, established government-run warehouses, and provided a relatively fair trading environment and basic security.

This in itself has already attracted a large number of merchants from both the north and south who crave a stable and secure trading environment.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, with Night Owl at its core, a vast and intricate network was woven through "white gloves" like Zhou Wenqian.

This network is primarily an intelligence network. Caravans serve as natural mobile outposts and intelligence stations.

By controlling or influencing major merchants, warehouses, carriage shops, and even tax collectors on key trade routes, Night Owl was able to obtain a constant stream of clues about prices, the flow of goods, the preferences of nobles, the movements of tribes, and even the mobilization of troops within Northern Yan.

For example, the information provided by Old Hatu about Murong Han hoarding ironware likely means that this Left Wise King is preparing for some kind of military action.

Secondly, there is the resource control network. The Hanyuan government controls the import and export of key resources such as salt, iron, tea, and cloth.

Through agents like Zhou Wenqian, it is possible to secretly influence the circulation and price of these strategic materials within the territory of Northern Yan.

For example, when necessary, the price of salt and iron supplied to certain unfriendly tribes or regions can be slightly increased, or their supply can be restricted.

They could also use trade channels to import some "special goods" into Northern Yan, such as processed, easily traceable luxury goods, or... certain inconspicuous but crucial small parts, to lay the groundwork for future actions.

Secondly, there was the influence of finance and currency. The treaty stipulated that the currency or equivalent approved by Hanyuan should be used in the trade, which was actually a gradual promotion of the silver and copper coins minted by Hanyuan, squeezing out the inferior and chaotic currency of Northern Yan.

Wealthy merchants like Zhou Wenqian would prioritize, or even exclusively accept, the "Jingbei Tongbao" coins from Hanyuan in their transactions, thus indirectly enhancing the credibility and circulation of Hanyuan's currency. Collecting samples of newly minted silver coins from Northern Yan was for the purpose of analyzing their fineness and craftsmanship, preparing for a potential currency war.

Finally, and most directly, is the binding of interests and the penetration of influence.

By providing a safe, efficient, and relatively fair trade environment, by taking a cut in the form of "protection fees," and by sharing profits through cooperation, Han Yuan has bound more and more merchants, whether from Northern Yan, Great Xia, or the Western Regions, to its own chariot of interests.

For their own benefit, these merchants would spontaneously maintain the stability of this trade route, exclude those who disrupt it, and indirectly serve Han Yuan's policies.

Like Manager Li of "Shengyuan", once he accepted Zhou Wenqian's conditions, he became not only Hanyuan's customer, but also a stakeholder and a "collaborator" in a certain sense on this business route.

Controlling trade routes means controlling the channels through which goods, information, wealth, and influence flow.

Wild Fox Collection is just one example.

Similar scenes were playing out along the main trade routes leading to the Northern Yan royal court, in strategic locations leading to the Western Regions, and in towns and cities of all sizes within the Han Yuan controlled area.

The tentacles of the Cold Abyss are silently infiltrating, extending, and entangling itself through trade.

Unlike an army, it is not outwardly aggressive, but it is equally resilient and powerful. In a subtle way, it erodes the economic lifeline of Northern Yan, shapes the trade rules of the northern border, and directs more and more resources, information and people's hearts toward the young and ambitious ruler of Zhenbei City.

Zhou Wenqian looked out the window.

The Han merchant in the northern district seemed to have finally reached a compromise with the Northern Yan tax official, and handed over another small bag of money with a pained expression.

Meanwhile, in the southern district, another of his men was smiling as he led a merchant from the Western Regions toward a warehouse with a sign that read "Hanyuan Official Store." There, they found salt and ironware of more consistent quality and at fairer prices, and there was an extra discount for paying with Jingbei Tongbao coins.

Take your time, there's no rush.

A faint smile appeared on Zhou Wenqian's lips as he picked up the slightly cooled tea and drank it all in one gulp.

The tea has the unique roughness and bitterness of the grassland, but after swallowing it, there is a sweet aftertaste.

He knew that what the prince wanted was not a temporary monopoly, but a subtle and gradual control.

When the nobles of Northern Yan discovered that the sources and prices of their beloved Jiangnan silk, urgently needed medicinal herbs, and even the finest iron for forging weapons were increasingly influenced by their southern neighbor; when the nomads on the grasslands became accustomed to using Han Yuan's currency to buy salt and tea, and using caravans designated by Han Yuan to transport furs; when all merchants who wanted to make a living peacefully on this land were forced to abide by the explicit or implicit rules set by Han Yuan…

So, who is the true owner of this land?

The covert control of trade routes is a war without gunpowder, and a conquest that is more enduring and profound than swords and spears.

Han Yuan, however, has quietly gained the upper hand in this war.