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

The darkness before dawn is the deepest, but as the first pale ray of morning light struggles to pierce the thick smoke enveloping the capital, the outline of this ancient city gradually becomes clear in the eyes of the soldiers of the Hanyuan Army, and appears increasingly dilapidated and desolate.

The sounds of construction and commands that could be faintly heard yesterday had completely ceased by midnight.

Instead, there were sporadic cries and chaotic running sounds in the city, as well as new fires that broke out in some blocks, clearly different from the official arson of the previous day—the violence and looting born of despair and chaos.

However, when the main force of the Hanyuan Army, led by Han Lie and Chen Dao, surged towards the capital like a black iron torrent, the expected resistance did not occur.

Instead, what they saw was the wide-open city gate, weapons scattered all over the ground, a few scattered guards and low-ranking officials kneeling on both sides of the city gate, trembling, and further away, countless complex gazes cast from the gate openings and from behind the broken crenellations of the city wall, a mixture of fear, bewilderment, despair, and a faint glimmer of hope.

The tall and majestic city walls still stand, but the dragon flags that symbolized the imperial power of the Great Liang Dynasty have long since disappeared from the city towers. Only a few battle flags, charred black by smoke, hang listlessly.

Part of the city gate tower still bears traces of burning, and the air is filled with charred wood, ashes, and some other indescribable sense of decay.

Zhao Chong and his "Western Tour" team not only took away the emperor, some high-ranking officials, and almost all the wealth they could carry, but also completely drained the capital city of its last remaining vitality and ruling order.

What remained was an empty shell, burned by fire, engulfed by panic, and utterly abandoned.

"General, it seems that Zhao has completely escaped, leaving behind not even a proper rearguard."

Chen Dao rode up to Han Lie's side, looked at the open city gate and the vague scene of chaos inside the city, and said in a deep voice.

Han Lie sat upright on his horse, his black cloak fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. His cold gaze swept across the city walls, over the surrendered soldiers kneeling on the ground, and finally landed on the few plumes of smoke still rising from within the city. He slowly said, "The traitors are cowards, abandoning the capital and fleeing, leaving the people to suffer. Issue the order: Enter the city!"

"The General has ordered—enter the city!"

"All troops, listen to my command! Maintain formation and advance into the city at a slow pace!"

"The scout battalion should conduct advance reconnaissance and secure all gates and key passages!"

"The law enforcement team will follow closely. Anyone who dares to cause trouble or rob the people will be executed on the spot!"

The orders were issued in a strict and orderly manner, with each level carrying out its commands.

The black torrent began to move slowly. The first to enter the city were the elite scout cavalry. Like a black whirlwind, they quickly took control of several main city gates and the main roads leading to the palace and treasury.

Immediately afterwards, heavily armed infantry phalanxes, with orderly and heavy steps, passed through the tall city gate and entered the streets of Shenjing.

Step, step, step...

The sound of synchronized footsteps, mixed with the clanging of nail plates rubbing together, echoed through the empty yet chaotic streets.

This voice, carrying a cold, unquestionable sense of order, instantly overwhelmed the scattered cries and noise within the city.

Many of the fleeing soldiers and thugs who were taking advantage of the chaos to loot were terrified when they saw the black armored figures advancing like a wall and felt the overwhelming murderous aura. They dropped their valuables and fled in panic, or simply collapsed to the ground.

The Han Yuan Army has extremely strict military discipline.

Before entering the city, Han Lie had already reiterated Xiao Chen's strict order: enter the city peacefully and do not commit any offenses.

At this time, the cavalry of the law enforcement team patrolled the sides and rear of the column, their eyes sharp as lightning. If they saw any soldier daring to leave the column or slightly disturb the people, they would immediately step forward to stop them. Those whose circumstances were slightly serious would be dragged out of the column on the spot and publicly executed at the street corner!

The bloody human head was hung high as a warning to others.

This ruthless and iron-fisted approach quickly intimidated the entire army and made the panicked people of Shenjing feel something completely different amidst their extreme fear—order, a cold but effective order.

With the main force entering the city, subsequent measures to reassure the people were quickly implemented.

Led by junior officers, squads of soldiers began to extinguish the still-burning fires, disperse the looters taking advantage of the chaos, gather the scattered weapons, and gather the bewildered fleeing soldiers and yamen runners under their care.

There were also dedicated clerks, under the protection of soldiers, who posted pre-prepared notices to reassure the public at major street intersections.

The proclamation was issued in the name of Prince Jingbei and Grand Marshal Xiao Chen, and was concise and to the point:

"The royal army entered the city only to punish the treacherous and wicked Zhao Chong, to cleanse the court of corrupt officials, and to secure the country; it had nothing to do with the common people."

From this day forward, all military personnel and civilians in the city should continue with their duties and not panic.

Anyone who dares to take advantage of the chaos to loot, commit adultery, murder, or arson, whether military or civilian, will be executed without mercy once verified!

The government opened its granaries to provide relief to the poor and needy, thus alleviating their dire straits.

All former government officials and generals who are willing to submit may report to their former government offices and await employment; they will not be punished in any way.

However, anyone who harbors Zhao's traitorous associates or plots treason will be severely punished!

The contents of the notice spread rapidly among the bewildered people as the soldiers read it aloud and the literate people passed it on by word of mouth.

"It has nothing to do with the common people," "Let each do their own thing," "Open the granaries and distribute grain," "Don't hold past mistakes against us"... These words, like a glimmer of light in the darkness, gave desperate people a glimmer of hope to survive.

Especially when squads of soldiers actually escorted grain carts and set up soup kitchens at several designated locations in the city, distributing thin porridge to the poor people with pale faces, the real food and the promise of "no killing" quickly dispelled the resistance and fear in many people's hearts.

"The soldiers of the Prince of Jingbei... really don't loot?"

"They're serving porridge again? Good heavens, I haven't had a proper meal in three days..."

"The notice says that former officials can still be employed as long as they report for duty?"

"It seems to be true. Wang, the clerk from East Street, went to the yamen just now, trembling with fear. I heard that everything was fine, and he even told me to go home and wait..."

Whispers spread among the people queuing for porridge. A hint of life began to appear on their numb faces. Their gazes toward the black-clad soldiers changed from pure fear to something more complex, filled with inquiry, and even a trace of... expectation.

At the same time, the takeover of key urban departments is proceeding in an orderly manner.

Han Lie took command in the temporary central command tent, while Chen Dao personally led the team straight to the palace and several key treasuries.

The palace, the former center of power in the empire, now stands wide open, a scene of utter devastation.

Zhao Chong had already looted all the valuable gold and silver utensils, jewelry, and calligraphy and paintings. The heavy furniture and curtains that he couldn't take with him were torn to shreds. Porcelain shards and papers were scattered on the ground. Many palaces still showed signs of burning, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt and dust.

Occasionally, a few old eunuchs and palace maids who hadn't had time to escape or had nowhere to go huddled in a corner, looking at the black-armored soldiers who had broken in with terrified eyes.

Chen Dao ordered all palace gates sealed off, troops stationed to guard them, the remaining items inventoried and recorded, and strict prohibition against any damage. He had little reverence for the palace itself, which symbolized imperial power, but he was well aware of its symbolic significance and knew it had to be properly protected.

The real focus is on the treasury.

Although Zhao Chong carried out a frenzied destruction and burning before leaving, there were many treasuries in the capital city, including granaries, silver treasuries, armories, and supply depots. He could not possibly burn them all in a short time, especially those warehouses that were hidden deep underground or had sturdy structures.

When Chen Dao led his men to the largest warehouse, although some of the outer warehouses were still smoking, the core area was mostly saved because the guards had fled in time and the Han Yuan Army had put out a swift rescue!

Upon opening the warehouse door, one finds mountains of grain piled up inside. Although some of it is scorched by smoke and fire, most of it is still edible.

A rough estimate suggests that there are hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain! This is undoubtedly great news, not only enough to solve part of the army's food supply problem, but also to support large-scale relief efforts and stabilize public morale.

Other treasuries and armories suffered similar losses, but a large amount of assets remained.

In particular, the armory was piled high with armor, weapons, bows and arrows that could not be moved or destroyed in time. Although many of them were old, they were still valuable resources after some repair. A considerable amount of strategic materials such as cloth, leather, and metal were also captured.

"Take an immediate inventory! Register the items! Deploy heavy troops to guard the area!"

Suppressing his excitement, Chen Dao gave orders repeatedly.

These spoils are crucial for the Han Yuan army's long expedition and for the future governance of Shenjing.

While the army was taking control of the city and inventorying the treasury, another, more subtle task was also underway—receiving the officials.

The "officials" here do not refer to the high-ranking officials and nobles who followed Zhao Chong in his westward escape, but rather to a large number of middle and lower-level officials, clerks, runners, and so on in various government offices.

They are the "parts" that keep a vast imperial capital running, humble yet indispensable.

Zhao Chong could take the emperor hostage and escape, and he could burn down the treasury, but he could not take away or destroy all of these numerous and scattered "parts".

The proclamation issued by Han Yuan's army after entering the city clearly stated that former officials who were willing to submit would be "laid off without reprisal," which gave these bewildered and helpless people a glimmer of hope.

Starting the next day, people dressed in old-fashioned official robes and clerk's uniforms began to arrive tremblingly at the gates of the government offices where they had previously worked.

They were greeted by civilian officers arranged by Han Yuan Army and a small number of clerks familiar with government affairs brought from the north.

There were no reprimands, no insults, just simple registration, questioning, verification of identity, former duties, and... attitudes toward Zhao Chong and his cronies, and views on the current situation.

The question is simple and direct, yet it contains a hidden meaning.

Most officials wisely condemned Zhao Chong for bringing disaster to the country and its people, expressed their hope that the Prince of Jingbei would "set things right," and stated their willingness to "abandon darkness and embrace light" and "submit to the new dynasty."

After registering, they were told to "go home and wait for further instructions."

But at least they survived and saw the possibility of continuing to work for the government.

This mild and conditional acceptance policy acted as a reassurance, quickly stabilizing the morale of the lower-level bureaucratic system in Shenjing and laying the foundation for taking over city management in the future.

Of course, there were also a few die-hards, or officials who were too closely involved with Zhao Chong, who either hid or tried to evade detection, but were quickly exposed by Han Yuan Army's purposeful screening and the still active "spies" who reported them, and were naturally severely punished.

However, this was only a very small minority. Most middle and lower-level officials chose to cooperate when faced with survival and reality.

In just a few days, Shenjing, the imperial capital that was still weeping in fire and chaos yesterday, miraculously stabilized under the strong intervention of the black-armored soldiers and strict military discipline.

Basic order was restored on the streets, shops gradually reopened while people waited and saw, the people who received relief grain no longer looked pale and sickly, and although the government offices were deserted, some people had begun to clean and work.

The atmosphere of earth-shaking change is still strong, but the collapsed order is being replaced by a new and more powerful one.

When the black banner symbolizing Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen, slowly rose above the capital city, replacing the imperial dragon banner of the past, and fluttered in the cold winter wind, countless people on and below the city looked up in awe.

That flag was a symbol of conquest, the beginning of a new era.

But for the people of Shenjing who had just experienced abandonment, burning, and chaos, this banner brought at least order and hope for survival.

Many people may not fully understand what this means, but they at least know that the Duke of Zhao who set fire to the city and fled, and his court, are now a thing of the past.

The new ruler, in an unexpected and almost "peaceful" manner, took over this ancient capital without bloodshed.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the land. The various feudal lords and factions were once again deeply shaken.

Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen, not only defeated the imperial army with overwhelming force, and not only gathered the "Anti-Rebel" alliance, but now he has entered the capital without bloodshed and taken control of this imperial capital with unparalleled symbolic significance!

What does this mean? It means that the rule of the Great Liang Dynasty in the north and in the central government has effectively come to an end.

This means that Xiao Chen, the vassal king who rose from the northern frontier, has transformed from a powerful challenger into a de facto ruler of the north, and even... a candidate for the new ruler of the world.

Panic, awe, calculation, and loyalty... a more complex mix of emotions churned in the hearts of the southern lords.

Although Xiao Chen had not personally arrived in the capital, his invisible deterrent power, along with the black banner fluttering atop the capital, had already covered every corner of this vast land.

The real storm may have only just begun to brew.