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

The panic in the capital and the undercurrents in the court were temporarily diverted by the more urgent and fierce flood from the south.

Just as news of the upheaval in the north reached the capital, causing unease among the emperor and his ministers and prompting various factions to secretly discuss countermeasures overnight, a series of post horses adorned with red chicken feathers—symbols of the most urgent military situation—carried mud, blood, sweat, and despairing messages, rushing day and night from the southeast, south-central, and southwest, breaking through city gates and heading straight for the imperial city.

"Urgent dispatch! Jiangzhou, Huzhou, and Yuezhou prefectures have been hit by torrential rains for half a month, causing the Yangtze River and its tributaries to overflow their banks in over a hundred places! Millions of people have been submerged!"

"Urgent message! The Grand Canal has been cut off. Of the seventy-two granaries along the river, half are flooded and all stored grain is destroyed! Flood victims are everywhere, and there have been incidents of mobs looting grain and storming the prefectural government!"

"Urgent! The plague has begun to spread, and hundreds of thousands of refugees are surging northward along the official road. Prefectures and counties along the way are in dire need of assistance. We request the imperial court to quickly allocate funds and supplies and send troops to quell the outbreak!"

"Urgent report from the Prince of Nan'an and General Zhennan: Floods have triggered landslides, blocking vital roads; the southwestern barbarian tribes appear to be making unusual movements; the border is unstable!"

……

The bad news came like a flood bursting its banks, one wave higher than the next, instantly engulfing the dragon throne in the Zichen Palace.

Compared to the "distant" and still debatable threat in the north, the floods in several southern states brought an imminent and urgent survival crisis—the life and death of millions of disaster victims, the corruption of the imperial tax-paying areas, the severing of the canal transport lifeline, the collapse of social order, and even the possible popular uprisings, military mutinies, and even foreign invasions!

The courtiers, who had just been arguing and attacking each other over the matter in the north, were now completely dumbfounded.

Minister of Revenue Zhang Tingyu was pale as he held the reports from various regions urging for money and grain for disaster relief, his hands trembling like leaves in the wind.

The national treasury is empty. Last year, the military campaign in the north, the military pay in various places, the salaries of officials, and the expenses of the royal family were already stretched thin. Now, with this catastrophic flood, where can we find the money, the grain, and the manpower?

The Minister of War and the commanders of the Five Military Commissions were equally overwhelmed.

With disaster victims everywhere, the army is needed to maintain order and prevent uprisings; with the canal transport disrupted, the army is needed to dredge the waterways and protect the few remaining grain routes; and with unrest among the southwestern barbarian tribes, the army needs to strengthen its vigilance.

However, the army also needs to eat and pay its soldiers! Moreover, there are not many troops stationed in the south, and the elite troops are mostly stationed at the border and in the capital. Where can they be transferred?

With the threat from the north still looming overhead, should we really divert troops from the north to march south? Wouldn't that leave the northern gateway wide open to that "Prince Jingbei"?

Duke Zhu Yong of Chengguo almost jumped up during the court assembly: "Your Majesty! The most urgent matter is the floods and disaster victims in the south! Millions of lives have been lost, and the foundation of the state is unstable!"

"Regarding Xiao Chen's matter, although there were acts of disloyalty, he has not yet openly raised the banner of rebellion. Moreover, he is currently riding high on his victory, his military strength is at its peak, and he also has the advantage of receiving reparations and land from Northern Yan. It is not advisable to provoke him at this time. The priority should be appeasement and containment, and first addressing the urgent needs of the south!"

His words resonated with many people.

Compared to the floods in the south, Xiao Chen's problem, though serious, is ultimately a "chronic illness" and a "long-term concern."

Floods in the south, however, are an "acute illness," a "near fire," and if not handled properly, they can immediately become a catastrophic disaster, shaking the very foundation of the nation!

If the imperial court were to divert its attention, troops, and resources to deal with a northern prince who had just made a "great contribution" at this time, it would be courting its own destruction.

The Grand Tutor also stepped forward, trembling: "Your Majesty, what Duke Zhu said is absolutely right. Although Xiao Chen is suspected of acting arbitrarily, his defeat of Northern Yan was meritorious to the country and virtuous to the border people."

The most urgent task for the imperial court is to provide relief to the disaster victims in Jinan and stabilize the overall situation.

As for Xiao Chen, it would be better to... better to issue an edict to commend his merits, reaffirm his title of Prince of Jingbei, and... also to posthumously recognize his requests, such as opening markets and paying tribute, in order to show the court's leniency, appease his mind, and put him at ease for the time being.

Once the situation in the south is settled and the court has recovered, we can proceed with our plans gradually.

This is a typical example of the "delaying" and "soothing" tactics.

By issuing a mere empty commendation and recognizing the fait accompli, they aimed to appease Xiao Chen and buy the court precious time to focus on dealing with the crisis in the south.

Although it was frustrating, and it was tantamount to acknowledging Xiao Chen's separatist status in the Northern Territory, it was the most pragmatic, and perhaps only, option at the moment.

Emperor Jinglong sat on the dragon throne, feeling a splitting headache and a tightness in his chest, as if he were about to vomit.

Before the "tiger" in the north could devise a countermeasure, the "water" in the south came crashing down.

He felt that he, as emperor, was like a boatman sitting on a leaky, sinking ship, frantically trying to plug the holes but not knowing which one to plug first.

"Drafting an imperial edict..."

He spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse and weak, "Instruct the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to immediately coordinate disaster relief efforts in the south, and do everything in their power to allocate funds and grain... Yes, we can use the imperial treasury... 100,000 taels."

He ordered the governors of Jiang, Hu, and Yue prefectures to open granaries, distribute grain, appease the disaster victims, strictly prevent the spread of plague, and suppress any uprisings on the spot.

He ordered the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner to spare no expense in dredging the waterways and restoring the canal transport system.

"The Prince of Nan'an and the General of Zhennan are hereby ordered to strictly guard the border and deter the barbarian tribes..."

He paused, as if using all his strength, before continuing, "As for the northern border... Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen, repelled Northern Yan and preserved the territory, a meritorious deed for the nation... The Grand Secretariat is hereby ordered to draft an edict to commend his merits, awarding him... a certain amount of gold and silk, and reaffirming his title of Prince Jingbei. Regarding the terms he negotiated with Northern Yan... to ensure peace on the border, he is permitted... to act as he sees fit. I hope he will treat the border people well and not fail my expectations."

These words practically tacitly granted Xiao Chen complete control over the Northern Territory.

"Take it easy"—what a vague and helpless phrase.

This means that the imperial court is, in effect, neither able nor able to interfere in matters in the northern border region.

As long as Xiao Chen doesn't openly rebel, the imperial court will have no choice but to accept all his actions in the northern border and even "reward" him.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Most of the court officials, especially those who were worried that the court would be caught in a dilemma between the north and the south, breathed a sigh of relief and shouted in unison.

At least, the biggest crisis at hand has a direction for dealing with it, and the most intractable hidden danger has been temporarily "pacified," although the price is that the court loses face and the northern border is completely out of control.

Only a few officials who were concerned about national affairs or had old grudges against Xiao Chen showed worried expressions and hesitated to speak.

But they also know that, for now, this might be the least bad option.

After all, the imperial court really had no money, no food, and no soldiers to deal with both the waters in the south and the "tiger" in the north at the same time.

The court assembly in the Zichen Hall ended in a heavy, oppressive, yet helpless atmosphere.

The floods in the south, like a sudden tsunami, shattered the already fragile balance of the imperial court and scattered the little determination and strength they had just gathered to deal with the changes in the northern border.

When the imperial court issued an official edict to commend the Prince of Jingbei and tacitly allow him to "act expediently" in the northern border, as well as a secret order to transfer some of the northern garrison troops and funds to the south for disaster relief, they left the capital as quickly as possible and were transmitted to the north and south respectively. No one knew whether this was a wise move to temporarily alleviate the crisis or the beginning of a foolish act of drinking poison to quench thirst.

But for Xiao Chen, far away in Zhenbei City, when the imperial edict from the capital, filled with compromise, helplessness, and a sense of "control," and the intelligence that the southern floods were tying up the court's resources, were placed on his desk almost simultaneously through Night Owl's channels, he knew—

A precious, unexpected, and once-in-a-lifetime strategic respite has arrived.

The imperial court was firmly tied down by the floods in the south, and at least until the summer harvest next year and the effects of the floods subsided, or even longer, it was neither able nor willing to take any substantial action on the northern border.

This gave Xiao Chen at least a year, or even longer, of golden time to develop.

He can settle down and integrate the newly acquired land and population without worrying about the court's suspicion or potential military pressure.

He can calmly reorganize the army, develop military equipment, and build a stronger military force.

He can carry out sweeping domestic reforms and implement new policies without being overly concerned about the court's reaction or obstruction.

He could continue to infiltrate and control the northern trade routes, accumulating wealth without worrying about the court's economic blockade.

He could even use this opportunity to further strengthen ties with Northern Yan and even more distant forces, expanding Han Yuan's influence.

"Floods are raging in the south, and the court is powerless to look north..." Xiao Chen put down the intelligence report and the subtly worded imperial edict in his hand, walked to the window, looked at the bustling construction scene outside Zhenbei City, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

This is truly a golden opportunity.

The great floods in the south destroyed farmland, submerged granaries, and also eroded the last vestige of the imperial court's will and ability to intervene in the northern border.

He could take this opportunity to completely solidify the Northern Territory and strengthen the foundation of the Cold Abyss.

"Pass down the order," Xiao Chen turned to Han Lie, who was standing solemnly to the side, and said, "The imperial court's commendation is a grace from the court."

We, the people of Hanyuan, are deeply grateful and submit this memorial to express our gratitude, with words of utmost respect and humility. At the same time, we inform the entire region of the suffering caused by the floods in the south and the displacement of the people.

Although Hanyuan is located on the frontier, it should still be compassionate towards the people's hardships. I hereby order the Revenue Department to allocate... 5,000 shi of aged grain and 3,000 bolts of coarse cloth from the treasury, to be "presented" to the court in the name of the Prince of Jingbei, to help the court provide relief to the disaster victims.

Furthermore, orders were issued to all border checkpoints to accept and resettle disaster victims arriving from the south, and to treat those who wish to settle there equally.

"Yes!" Han Lie's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood Xiao Chen's intention.

Submitting a memorial of thanks to the emperor was a gesture of respect to the court, a way of putting on a show. Offering money and grain was a demonstration of "loyalty and obedience," a way of occupying the moral high ground.

Accepting disaster victims, on the other hand, is a real way of undermining the imperial court and strengthening its own power.

The prince's move not only gained him substantial benefits but also gave the court a way to save face.

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen's voice was calm yet powerful, "announce to the entire army and the entire territory that the imperial court is looking south, and our northern border is temporarily free from external threats."

This is a golden opportunity to strengthen our military, improve our internal governance, and accumulate strength. Everyone should fulfill their duties and remain in their positions, seizing this divinely granted moment to elevate our Hanyuan to a higher level!

"I will obey the king's command!"

The floods in the south became Xiao Chen's best cover and strongest shield.

During this period when the imperial court is overwhelmed and has no time to spare, the increasingly sophisticated machine of Hanyuan will quietly operate with higher efficiency and faster speed, accumulating power sufficient to change the future landscape of the world.

When the imperial court finally emerged from the mire of floods and looked back at the north, they would find that the borderland they had once ignored or even abandoned had grown into a solid foundation that they could no longer shake.