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

As the tattered Great Xia dragon flag atop Youzhou city was torn down and replaced with a menacing black wolf-head banner, a blazing sun burst forth from the eastern horizon, showering its golden rays upon the vast, azure expanse east of Youzhou.

That wasn't a river, nor a lake, but the ocean in the truest sense.

Youzhou is known as the "key to the north" not only because it controls the passage to the Yanshan Mountains in the south and the grasslands beyond the Great Wall in the north, but also because it borders the Bohai Sea in the east and has the longest and most favorable coastline in the northern frontier of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Under its rule, there were several important ports and fishing and salt-producing towns, including "Haijin Town".

However, over the past century, the Great Xia Dynasty has focused on the inland areas, and the coastal areas have been relatively calm. In addition, the imperial court has intentionally or unintentionally suppressed the development of maritime power in the border towns. As a result, these valuable port resources have mostly been used as places for fishermen to go out to sea to fish and dry salt, or to conduct some sporadic near-shore trade. Their huge military and commercial potential has been deeply buried.

Only today, when the black banner of Hanyuan was planted on the city wall of Youzhou, and when the iron hooves of the Xuanjia cavalry crushed Gaowang's last resistance, did this sleeping azure territory truly reveal its unparalleled value to its new master.

"Your Highness! Great news! This is an incredibly joyous occasion!"

In Zhenbei City, at the Jingbei Prince's Mansion, when the urgent military report of the great victory in Youzhou, the capture of Gao Wang, and the pacification of the entire city arrived, even the usually composed Han Lie couldn't help but tremble in his voice, his beard shaking slightly with excitement.

He pointed to the detailed map of the eastern coast of Youzhou, which had been urgently drawn and submitted by the military staff and sent along with the military newspaper, his fingers turning white from the force.

"Look! Haijin Town! Chaohe Port! Pingzhou Bay! And these dozen or so other natural harbors of varying sizes where boats can dock!"

Han Lie's eyes gleamed. "The water is deep and the harbor is wide, with excellent shelter from the wind! Especially Haijin Town, where the Chaohe River and Yongding River flow into the sea, making water transport convenient and the hinterland vast. With a little construction, it can become an ice-free harbor! This is a treasure bestowed upon Hanyuan by heaven!"

Although Wang Dashan didn't know much about ports and shipping, seeing Han Lie's excitement and hearing that it was a "gateway to the sea," he immediately realized that this was a very important matter.

He slapped his thigh hard, his voice booming: "Damn it! That idiot Gao Wang, guarding such a golden rice bowl, all he knows is trading furs and livestock with those barbarians on the grasslands! He deserves to be ruined! Your Highness, now can we build our own big ships, go out to sea to fish... uh, no, I mean go out to sea to do business and fight pirates?"

Murong Xue stood to the side, a faint, relieved smile appearing on her usually aloof face.

Night Owl's operation in Youzhou was a complete success, even exceeding expectations. Not only did she capture the city, but she also obtained such an important strategic asset, which allowed her to relax a little.

She knew that the prince had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Xiao Chen took the military report and map and examined them carefully.

His expression remained calm, but deep within his eyes, a burning flame flickered—the excitement of finally seeing the possibility of fulfilling a long-suppressed desire and ambition.

His gaze lingered on the spot marked "Haijin Town," as if trying to see through the map the surging blue waves and the future where a thousand sails would compete.

"The estuary..." Xiao Chen repeated these three words in a low voice, each syllable seemingly carrying immense weight.

He put down the map, walked to the huge hanging map of the northern border, stretched out his finger, and slowly moved it eastward from the position representing Zhenbei City, across Youzhou where a small black flag had just been planted, and finally stopped in the blue area representing the boundless ocean.

"We have it."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the excited Han Lie, the thrilled Wang Dashan, and the gratified Murong Xue. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a resolute certainty, as if he had set the world in motion: "Our Hanyuan has finally gained its own outlet to the sea!"

There were no ecstatic shouts, no uncontrolled celebrations, but everyone in the secret room could feel the earth-shattering significance behind those words.

"Chief Secretary Han," Xiao Chen walked back to his desk, sat down, and his tone returned to its usual calmness, but his speaking speed was noticeably faster, "Immediately issue a proclamation to reassure the people in the name of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion and the Northern Border Protectorate."

From this day forward, the entire territory of Youzhou will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Northern Protectorate.

Former officials of Youzhou who wish to remain in their posts may, upon successful review, temporarily retain their original positions to atone for their crimes through meritorious service; those who remain obstinate and unrepentant will be severely punished without leniency.

Soldiers who are selected for the best will be incorporated into our army, while the rest will be given travel expenses and discharged to return to farming.

"We must restore order to Youzhou as soon as possible and stabilize the people's hearts."

"Yes!" Han Lie immediately suppressed his excitement and solemnly accepted the order.

"Send the order to Wang Dashan and the generals at the Youzhou front."

Xiao Chen continued, "The defenses of Youzhou shall be immediately taken over and reorganized according to the standards of my northern border. Gao Wang and his cronies shall be placed under strict guard and escorted back to Zhenbei City for trial."

Those who voluntarily surrendered and made contributions, such as Zhou Ting, were rewarded according to their merits and properly settled to appease their hearts.

Anyone who takes advantage of the situation to plunder or harass the people, whether from the former Youzhou army or our army, will be dealt with according to military law without exception!

"Yes, sir!" Wang Dashan straightened his back and answered loudly.

"Xue'er," Xiao Chen looked at Murong Xue, "Night Owl completed his mission in Youzhou exceptionally well."

But the workload will be even heavier from now on.

The newly annexed Youzhou is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and there are bound to be many spies and undercover agents from various factions.

You must immediately take over the Youzhou Night Owl branch. Internally, eliminate the remnants of Gao Wang and stabilize the situation; externally, closely monitor the reactions of all parties in the south, especially Shenjing, to our army's capture of Youzhou.

At the same time, we need to quickly ascertain the situation in all coastal ports and fishing villages, especially Haijin Town. I need the most detailed information there, including hydrology, tides, the current state of the port, surrounding forces, sea routes, and even the situation with pirates!

"I understand."

Murong Xue nodded solemnly, "The Youzhou Night Owl branch has been initially established and is operating at full capacity. The information on Haijin Town will be presented to His Highness within three days."

Xiao Chen nodded, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, his eyes flashing with a sharp, planned light: "The sea outlet... this is more than just a port; it's our gateway to a wider world, a way for Han Yuan to break free from geographical limitations!"

He stood up, walked to the map again, pointed to the location of Haijin Town, then looked west, across Youzhou, connecting to the northern border, and then east, pointing to the boundless blue.

"In the past, we were confined to the north. Although we had the advantage of the grasslands, we were ultimately just a small, isolated place. Heading south to the Central Plains was fraught with obstacles and logistical difficulties, making us vulnerable to setbacks. But with a sea outlet, everything will be completely different!"

His voice gradually became more impassioned, as if he were describing a grand blueprint to his closest comrade-in-arms:

"First, the advantage of maritime transport!"

From then on, our grain, military equipment, and goods could be transported safely and quickly to Youzhou, and even to any coastal strongholds in the future, via sea routes!

It greatly shortens supply lines, improves efficiency, and reduces costs!

Similarly, furs, medicinal herbs, and ores from the north could be transported by sea to the south, and even further overseas!

Third, strategic maneuver!

Our army will not only be able to march south from the Central Plains in the future, but also penetrate deep into enemy territory by sea! We will strike them by surprise!

Imagine, while those southern lords were still fighting tooth and nail on land, our elite troops suddenly appeared from the sea behind them…”

Fourth, the future is promising!

The ocean signifies endless possibilities. Are there fairy mountains overseas? I don't know.

But overseas, there are definitely resources we need, a broader market, and civilizations and technologies we have never encountered before!

"By controlling the ocean, we hold the key to future development!"

Han Lie and Wang Dashan were deeply moved. They had followed Xiao Chen for many years and knew the prince’s great talent and strategy, but they were still shocked to hear him explain the strategic significance of seizing the sea so clearly and profoundly.

This is not just a military victory; it has clearly opened a door to infinite possibilities for the future of Hanyuan!

"Of course," Xiao Chen changed the subject, his tone becoming calm and pragmatic again, "You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time."

Our primary task at present is to thoroughly digest Youzhou and firmly control it.

Harbor construction, fleet building, and naval formation are all long-term and arduous tasks that require a massive investment of human, material, and financial resources.

"Chief Secretary Han, immediately set about selecting officials and craftsmen skilled in construction, water conservancy, and engineering from the northern border to establish the 'Haijin Construction Bureau,' directly under the Prince's Palace."

The primary task is to expand the port and build docks, warehouses, forts, and barracks for the garrison, based on the existing infrastructure of Haijin Town.

At the same time, recruit fishermen and boatmen familiar with the water, and collect all boats along the coast, regardless of size, and gather them together.

"Commander Wang, select soldiers from the Xuanjia Army and the border army who are skilled in swimming, bold and meticulous, and loyal and reliable, to form the first battalion of the 'Jinghai Navy'."

The scale doesn't need to be large, but it must be high-quality. If there are no warships, use fishing boats and merchant ships for training!

If you have no naval combat experience, then go and learn to fight in coastal waters, get familiar with the wind and waves, and practice boat handling, boarding, and shooting!

We must assemble the backbone of a navy capable of going to sea and fighting in the shortest possible time!

"Furthermore," a cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, "a notice should be issued to all coastal areas, especially to fishing villages and salt fields that rely on the sea for their livelihood."

From this day forward, all livelihoods along the coast will be under the protection of the Prince of Jingbei's Mansion. However, anyone who dares to collude with pirates or wreak havoc on the local area will be executed without mercy!

Meanwhile, a bounty is offered to recruit guides familiar with sea routes and knowledgeable about pirate activities. Regardless of background, anyone who can be of use will be richly rewarded!

One command after another came clearly and decisively from Xiao Chen's mouth.

Taking Youzhou and gaining access to the sea is only the first step.

To maximize the strategic benefits of this step, and to truly transform this blue sky into wings for soaring through the cold abyss, requires more meticulous planning and unremitting efforts.

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen added, looking south, "issue a manifesto in my name."

It is said that Gao Wang, the governor of Youzhou, does not think of serving the country, mistreats the soldiers and civilians, colludes with foreign invaders, and intends to surrender the city to the enemy. Our soldiers of Hanyuan are filled with righteous indignation. In order to protect the peace of the northern border and to save the people of Youzhou from suffering, we have no choice but to raise an army to punish the disloyal!

Now that Gao Wang has been captured and Youzhou is pacified, we should naturally protect the borders and people, and restore order. We hope all parties will be informed.

Wang Dashan scratched his head: "Your Highness, this proclamation... will anyone believe it?"

Xiao Chen smiled faintly: "Whether you believe it or not is not important."

The important thing is that we have provided an explanation. As for those people in the south, it doesn't matter whether they believe we are "raising a righteous army" or "taking advantage of the chaos."

They are currently preoccupied with their own problems and have neither the time nor the ability to provoke us over Youzhou, which they have already lost. What we need is this time to consolidate our control over Youzhou and build a seaport.

He sat back down in the main seat, his fingers lightly tracing the map marked with Haijin Town on the table, as if he could feel the salty sea breeze and hear the surging tide.

"Pass down the order: reward the entire army at the Youzhou front! All soldiers who participated in the battle will receive a double reward for each merit they achieve! Those who are killed or wounded will be given preferential treatment!"

"Tell every citizen of the North," Xiao Chen's voice, once again steady and powerful, resonated throughout the secret chamber, seemingly echoing across the North, a land poised for rebirth, "Youzhou, return home. And our journey in the Cold Abyss..."

His gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, cross mountains and rivers, and reach the boundless blue depths.

"This is just the beginning. Ahead lies the vast universe."