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

Li Chun stayed in Hanyuan for three days.

For the past three days, he has turned Hanyuan City upside down like a hunting dog that has caught the scent of blood.

We need to inspect the city walls, check the military camps, and even visit the homes of ordinary people.

The questions were even more difficult—where did the food come from? Where did the weapons come from? What were the identities of those veterans? Why were they so loyal to the Prince?

Xiao Chen accompanied him throughout, answering all his questions openly and honestly.

Grain? Scarface Liu's stolen goods, the spoils of Black Wind Village.

weapon? Same as above.

Veterans? They're all retired border troops with nowhere to go. I'll take them in and give them food.

Loyalty? Because I give them food, land to cultivate, and the ability to live like human beings.

Li Chun couldn't find any fault with it, but he always felt that something was off.

On the evening of the third day, he finally couldn't hold back and made his move at the welcoming banquet.

The banquet was held in the main hall of the city lord's mansion, and the dishes were simple—a pot of stewed meat, a few plates of wild vegetables, and a jar of cheap wine.

The only people accompanying them were Xiao Chen, Wang Dashan, Zhao Tie, and Han Lie, who had just returned.

"Your Highness," Li Chun took a sip of wine, his brow furrowing again—the wine was too poor, so astringent it stung his tongue—"I've observed these past few days that Han Yuan City, under Your Highness's rule, has indeed taken on a new look. However…"

He paused, then looked at Xiao Chen: "This humble official has heard that Your Highness has discovered coal and iron mines outside the city and is currently mining them?"

coming.

Xiao Chen sneered inwardly, but remained calm on the surface: "That is indeed the case. Hanyuan is bitterly cold; without coal for heating, the people would find it difficult to endure the winter. As for the iron mine, it is for making agricultural tools and reclaiming wasteland. Does Lord Li perhaps find this inappropriate?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Li Chun smiled and said, "However, according to the laws of the Great Xia Dynasty, mineral resources belong to the imperial court, and unauthorized mining is a serious crime."

"I am the Prince of Jingbei, and Hanyuan is my fiefdom."

Xiao Chen put down his wine cup. "I have the right to mine the minerals within my fiefdom. If Lord Li does not believe me, he can return to the capital and check the 'Law of the Feudal Princes'."

Li Chun choked.

He certainly knew about the "Law of the Feudal Princes"—feudal princes did have the right to mine mineral resources within their fiefdoms, and only needed to pay 30% of the mining tax to the imperial court.

He had intended to use the law to suppress Xiao Chen, but unexpectedly he was outmaneuvered instead.

"Your Highness is right."

He chuckled dryly twice. "Mining requires a lot of manpower. Where will Your Highness get so many people?"

"The people volunteered."

Xiao Chen said, "I promise that those who participate in the mining will be provided with daily meals and additional wages. The people of Hanyuan are poor, and they will naturally be willing to do so just to have food to eat."

"What about the weapons?"

Li Chun pressed on, "This humble official noticed that there are many newly forged swords and spears in the military camp. Why is that?"

"For self-defense."

Xiao Chen remained unfazed. "Hanyuan is located on the frontier, often frequented by bandits and brigands. If we have no weapons for self-defense, are we just going to let them plunder us?"

"But those weapons seem... a bit too many?" Li Chun said meaningfully.

"Is it a lot?"

Xiao Chen laughed. "The five hundred elite soldiers brought by Lord Li are each equipped with a sword, a spear, a bow, and thirty arrows. My three thousand commoners only have three hundred weapons, averaging one weapon for every ten people. Is that considered a lot?"

Li Chun was speechless again.

The five hundred soldiers he brought were indeed well-equipped.

In comparison, Han Yuan's weapons are simply pathetic.

Han Lie, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Lord Li is the Vice Minister of Rites, yet he is so knowledgeable about military affairs?"

Li Chun looked at Han Lie.

He had been watching this old man for a long time. Although he was dressed plainly, he had an extraordinary air about him, especially his eyes, which were as sharp as an eagle's.

"And this is...?"

"Han Lie, an advisor I have hired."

Xiao Chen explained, "I served in the border army for forty years and know the northern border like the back of my hand."

It turns out he was a veteran.

Li Chun felt somewhat relieved and smiled, "So it's General Han. My apologies. Although I work in the Ministry of Rites, I have read a few military books and know a little about them."

"Know a little bit?"

Han Lie scoffed, "Does Lord Li know how much silver is needed annually for a soldier in the Northern Border? How much fodder is needed for a warhorse? How many days' work does it take for a craftsman to make a bow and arrow?"

Li Chun couldn't answer.

"Lord Li doesn't know, so let me tell you."

Han Lie counted on his fingers, "A soldier in the Northern Frontier requires twelve taels of silver, six shi of rice, and twenty jin of salt per year. A warhorse needs ten jin of hay and three jin of beans per day. A bow and arrow set requires ten days' work from a skilled craftsman. May I ask, Lord Li, how many men can His Highness equip with these three hundred weapons? How many battles can they fight?"

Li Chun's forehead was sweating.

This old man is not easy to deal with.

"General Han is right."

He forced a smile and said, "I was overthinking it."

The banquet ended unhappily.

Li Chun returned to the post station, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.

The seventh brother was too calm, too calm for a sixteen-year-old boy.

And that Han Lie, he's clearly a cunning old fox.

Hanyuan City may look dilapidated, but it is well-organized. Although the people are poor, there is a light in their eyes.

This is hardly the demeanor of a prince banished to the countryside! He's clearly a shrewd and ambitious tycoon!

No, we must return to the capital as soon as possible and inform the Fourth Prince.

The next morning, Li Chun took his leave.

Xiao Chen personally escorted him to the city gate, showing impeccable manners.

"Lord Li, you must be tired from your journey. I will not see you off any further."

He cupped his hands and said, "Go back and send my regards to the Emperor. Tell him that I am doing well in the Northern Frontier and that the Emperor need not worry."

"Definitely, definitely." Li Chunqian smiled, got into the carriage, and left.

As he watched the convoy disappear into the distance, the smile on Xiao Chen's face gradually faded.

"Your Highness, Li Chun will definitely exaggerate things when he gets back," Wang Dashan said worriedly.

"Let him be."

Xiao Chen turned and returned to the city, saying, "When soldiers come, generals will meet them."

"But those five hundred elite soldiers..."

"That's a good thing."

Xiao Chen said, "Five hundred elite soldiers, given away for free. Zhang Meng wants to spy on me? Let him spy on me then. Perfect, we can use him to train our soldiers."

Wang Dashan was taken aback, then understood, his eyes lighting up: "Your Highness means..."

"The soldiers Zhang Meng brought are all elite troops from the capital, well-trained. Let our men learn from them how to form ranks, how to drill, and how to use bows and crossbows." Xiao Chen paused, "As for Zhang Meng himself... Zhao Tie."

"Your humble servant is here." Zhao Tie came over leaning on his wooden cane—his leg injury had healed considerably, and he could walk slowly now.

"Have someone keep an eye on Jin Meng. I need to know who he met, what he said, and what he did."

"yes!"

After dealing with these matters, Xiao Chen went to the farmland outside the city.

Spring plowing has begun, and people are busy in the fields.

Although the land was barren and the tools were rudimentary, everyone's face was filled with hope.

Xiao Chen walked to the edge of a field, squatted down, and grabbed a handful of soil.

The soil is dark brown, very hard, and clump-like.

This kind of soil won't yield good harvests for ordinary crops.

"Your Highness," an old farmer approached and bowed timidly, "this land... is difficult to cultivate."

Xiao Chen recognized him. His surname was Chen. He was among the first group of refugees to come to Xiao Chen's aid. Because he knew how to farm, he was appointed as the agricultural manager.

"Uncle Chen, what should we plant in this field?" Xiao Chen asked.

"Plant frost-covered wheat."

Uncle Chen said, "Only wheat can survive frost. Planting other crops is a waste of seeds."

Frosty wheat.

Xiao Chen recalled what Han Lie had said—the land of Hanyuan is barren, but the frost-resistant wheat can survive the winter under the snow.

What is the yield of frost-damaged wheat per acre?

"In a good year, one mu can yield one and a half shi. In a bad year, seven or eight dou."

Uncle Chen sighed, "Even so, we still need the heavens to be kind. If there's heavy snow in winter and the seedlings freeze to death, we'll have no harvest at all."

One and a half shi, which, according to current measurements, is about 180 jin.

That's too little; barely enough for one person to eat for a year.

There are more than 3,000 people in Hanyuan now. Even if all the land is planted with frost wheat, the harvest will not be enough to feed them.

We must find a way to increase yields, or find new crops.

Xiao Chen got up and walked along the ridge of the field.

Some weeds grew on the ridges of the fields, withered and yellow, swaying in the spring breeze.

He suddenly remembered the agricultural knowledge he had learned in his previous life—crop rotation, intercropping, fertilization…

"Uncle Chen," he asked, "what was planted on this land before?"

"I've tried planting millet and beans, but they didn't grow well."

Uncle Chen said, "Only frost-covered wheat can survive."

Have you tried fertilizing?

"Fertilize?"

Uncle Chen looked confused. "What is fertilization?"

Xiao Chen understood.

Farmers in this era did not know how to fertilize scientifically and relied entirely on the fertility of the soil itself.

After a few years of cultivation, the soil's fertility is depleted, and it becomes barren.

"It's just spreading manure and wood ash on the ground."

Xiao Chen explained, "It can make the land more fertile, and the crops will grow better."

Uncle Chen's eyes lit up: "This... I've heard of it. It seems someone did it in the previous dynasty, but after the war, no one knew how to do it anymore."

"From today onwards, let's do it this way."

Xiao Chen said, "We'll collect all the excrement from the city and the ashes from the stoves, and transport them to the fields. We'll also dig up some river mud, dry it, and spread it on the ground."

"Will it work?" Uncle Chen asked, half believing and half doubting.

"Give it a try."

Xiao Chen said, "How will you know if you don't try?"

He continued walking along the ridge of the field, when suddenly he stopped.

In the corner of the field ridge, a clump of wild grass grew.

The grass leaves are slender, the stems are tough, and the ears of grass have already formed. The ears are pale yellow, small, but plump.

He had never seen this kind of grass before.

"Uncle Chen, what kind of grass is this?"

Uncle Chen came over to take a look: "This is called 'dry weed,' a wild grass that livestock don't like to eat."

"Is it edible?"

"People can eat it, but it doesn't taste good; it's rough on the throat."

Uncle Chen said, "During famine years, some people used it to stave off hunger, but eating too much of it made them unable to defecate."

Xiao Chen squatted down, picked a spike, rubbed it open, and inside were tiny seeds.

He put it in his mouth and chewed it—it was hard, but it did taste like starch.

"Is this grass drought-resistant?"

"Endurance! Of course it's endurance!"

Uncle Chen said, "This thing, if you dig up its roots, dry it in the sun for three days, and then bury it in the soil, it can still survive. It won't freeze to death in winter, nor will it die from drought in summer, but it won't grow crops, it'll only grow weeds."

It is drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and has a strong vitality.

Xiao Chen's heart stirred.

"Uncle Chen, is this kind of grass plentiful in the fields?"

"There are so many, they're everywhere. It's impossible to get rid of them all, they're so annoying."

"From now on, don't remove it."

Xiao Chen stood up. "Have people collect the seeds of this grass, the more the better."

Uncle Chen was stunned: "Your Highness, what do you need this for? You can't eat it..."

"Just because you can't eat it now doesn't mean you can't eat it in the future."

Xiao Chen's eyes gleamed. "This kind of grass is drought-resistant and cold-resistant. If it can be cultivated, even if the yield is only one shi per mu, it can save countless lives."

Uncle Chen seemed to understand but didn't quite, yet he nodded nonetheless: "Alright, I'll have someone collect them."

Upon returning to the city lord's mansion, Xiao Chen immediately summoned Han Lie.

"Old Han, have you ever seen this kind of grass?" He handed the ear of barnyard grass to Han Lie.

Han Lie took it, examined it carefully, and smelled it. He nodded, "I've seen it before; it's abundant on the grasslands. The herders call it 'longevity grass' because it never dies. What, Your Highness, are you interested in this grass?"

"Do you think this grass can be cultivated into food?" Xiao Chen asked.

Han Lie pondered for a moment: "Difficult. The seeds are too small, the shells are hard, and they don't taste good. Moreover, the yield is low; you can't harvest much from one acre."

"But it is drought-resistant and cold-resistant."

Xiao Chen said, "In this place called Hanyuan, winters are long, summers are short, and there is little rain. Other crops won't work, but this kind of grass might."

Han Lie stared at Xiao Chen for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "Does Your Highness wish to emulate Shennong and taste hundreds of herbs?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Xiao Chen smiled as well, "But if Han Yuan wants to survive, he has to find a way to survive. Frost wheat yields are low and not enough to eat. Coal and iron ore are not safe to eat. Therefore, we must find new sources of food."

"Your Highness is very kind."

Han Lie said solemnly, "Since Your Highness wishes to do it, I will accompany you. I have lived on the grasslands for decades and know a few old herdsmen who know the most about these wild grasses. I will write to ask if anyone knows how to plant them."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Han."

"Don't thank me yet."

Han Lie waved his hand, "Whether it succeeds or not depends on fate."

In the days that followed, Xiao Chen handled government affairs while keeping an eye on two other matters.

First, spring plowing.

Under Chen Bo's leadership, the people began to fertilize the fields—although they were skeptical, they did as the prince instructed.

Manure, wood ash, and river mud were transported to the fields, and the originally compacted soil gradually softened.

Second, collect barnyard grass seeds.

The elderly, children, and even women all went to the fields to collect the materials.

Although it's unclear what the prince wants this stuff for, he said he'd exchange one pound of seeds for one pound of grain.

This is a good deal.

Xiao Chen wasn't idle either, dealing with Zhang Meng's five hundred elite soldiers.

He instructed Wang Dashan to lead the veterans to "spar" with the new recruits.

They called it a friendly exchange, but it was really just them learning from each other.

The new recruits' formations, drills, and tactics were all up to the standards of the Imperial Guards of the capital, far superior to those of Han Yuan and his unorthodox methods.

Zhang Meng was initially wary, but he couldn't resist the good treatment Xiao Chen offered—meat at every meal, a monthly salary, and medical care if he was injured.

Moreover, Xiao Chen treated him with great courtesy, consulting him on everything and treating him as one of his own.

As time went on, Zhang Meng also lowered his guard.

They even felt that the seventh prince wasn't as bad as the rumors suggested; at least he was sincere and considerate of his soldiers.

Little did he know that Wang Dashan and his men had already learned most of the training methods he had brought.

A month later, spring plowing ended.

Three thousand acres of land were all planted with frost-covered wheat.

Although the people were still skeptical after the fertilizer was applied to the fields, at least the seedlings were growing stronger than in previous years.

They also collected over a thousand kilograms of barnyard grass seeds, which were piled up in the warehouse like a small mountain.

Han Lie's letter has also arrived.

An old herdsman on the grassland said that if barnyard grass is planted in sandy soil and watered more, the seeds will be larger.

But it's only a little big; it's difficult to use it as food.

Xiao Chen refused to give up.

He set aside ten acres of land specifically for planting barnyard grass.

According to the old herdsmen, the soil is sandy, so water it frequently and take good care of it.

Everyone thought he was crazy—why didn't he plant crops on perfectly good land, but instead planted weeds?

But Xiao Chen persisted.

He knew that in this era and in this place, to survive, one could not play by the rules.

Frost-covered wheat is a safety net, while dry barnyard grass is a gamble on the future.

If Han Yuan wins the gamble, he'll have another chance to survive.

Even if you lose the bet, it's just a waste of ten acres of land.

He can afford to gamble.

Spring goes and summer comes.

The wheat is growing well, a lush green expanse that is pleasing to the eye.

The barnyard grass also sprouted, but it was sparse and not nearly as abundant as the frost-covered wheat.

Xiao Chen goes to the field every day to check on the seedlings, seeing them as a sign of hope.

That day, he was checking on the seedlings in the field when Wang Dashan rushed over.

"Your Highness, news has arrived from the capital."

Xiao Chen patted the dirt off his hands: "Speak."

"After Li Chun returned to the capital, he spoke highly of you to His Majesty."

Wang Dashan lowered his voice and said, "They said you are strict in governing the army, love the people like your own children, and have managed Hanyuan very well. His Majesty was very pleased to hear this and said he would reward you handsomely."

"Oh?"

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "What was Fourth Brother's reaction?"

The Fourth Prince's expression immediately turned sour.

Wang Dashan said, "It is said that after the court session, he summoned Li Chun and gave him a scolding."

Xiao Chen smiled.

The angrier Fourth Brother gets, the more afraid he is.

He was afraid that his younger brother would gain a foothold in the North.

"Furthermore," Wang Dashan continued, "His Majesty has decreed that the Ministry of Revenue allocate 5,000 shi of grain and 3,000 taels of silver as relief funds for the people of Hanyuan. The decree has already left the capital and will arrive soon."

Five thousand shi of grain and three thousand taels of silver.

For Han Yuan right now, this is a timely help.

But Xiao Chen knew that this charcoal would not be easy to obtain.

"Pass down the order," he said, "that when the grain and silver arrive, they should all be stored away. Not a single grain of rice or a single coin should be touched."

"Your Highness is worried about..."

"I'm not worried about anything."

Xiao Chen looked south, towards the capital. "I just want to know how much sand is in these five thousand shi of grain, and how much of this three thousand taels of silver is fake."

Wang Dashan felt a chill run down his spine.

"Also," Xiao Chen turned around, looking at the lush green wheat seedlings in the field, "tell everyone that not a single grain of food can be wasted before the autumn harvest. We must rely on ourselves to survive."

"yes!"

Wang Dashan accepted the order and left.

Xiao Chen squatted down and stroked a stalk of frost-covered wheat.

The wheat seedlings are tender, but very resilient.

Just like this city, and these people.

Although weak, although difficult.

But they are all trying to live.

Strive to grow towards the sunlight.