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

The smoke of war in Chang'an had not yet completely dissipated in the spring breeze of Guanzhong, and the bloodstains from the suicide of the false emperor Xiao Yu had not yet dried. An urgent secret report about the whereabouts of the "deposed emperor" Xiao Jie was delivered to Chen Dao, who had just pacified Chang'an and was in the process of cleaning up the aftermath. It was then sent to the capital by galloping horse at an even faster speed.

It turns out that on the eve of Chang'an's destruction, Zhao Chong, knowing that all was lost, secretly transferred Xiao Jie, whom he had already deposed and imprisoned in a secluded courtyard in the cold palace, to an inconspicuous mansion in Chang'an that had a secret connection with a certain aristocratic family that had already secretly pledged allegiance to Han Yuan. He left several trusted confidants to guard the mansion. His intentions were unclear; perhaps it was a bargaining chip for a last-ditch effort, or perhaps he wanted to take someone down with him if he failed.

When the guards saw Zhao Chong dead and Chang'an changed hands, they were terrified and wanted to kill Xiao Yan to silence him, but they were betrayed by a servant bribed by the aristocratic family.

Chen Dao dispatched troops to arrive in time, kill the guards, and rescue Xiao Jie, who was huddled in a corner of the woodshed and almost lost his mind in fear.

When the news reached the capital, it caused a stir in the court and among the people.

Xiao Jie, the child who once sat on the dragon throne, miraculously survived after being kidnapped by Zhao Chong, being deposed, and being placed under house arrest. He witnessed the bloodshed in Chang'an and the collapse of the false dynasty, and then fell into the hands of the Han Yuan Army.

His identity became extremely awkward and sensitive—he was not only the late emperor's biological son, but also a deposed emperor who was manipulated by powerful and treacherous officials and had no authority whatsoever, and moreover, the nephew of Xiao Chen, the Prince of Jingbei, who now held immense power and controlled almost the entire north.

What should we do with him?

There was much discussion in the imperial court.

Some "loyal ministers" and old party members wept as they submitted a memorial pleading with Prince Jingbei to "welcome back the Emperor and restore him to his throne to rectify the court." In their words, they seemed to have forgotten their silence when Zhao Chong held Xiao Yan hostage not long ago, and they also forgot who had rescued them from Zhao Chong's pseudo-court and from hunger and fear.

Most people remained silent, observing and speculating about the Prince of Jingbei's thoughts.

Welcome back Xiao Jie? Are we really going to return power to this terrified, powerless child? Wouldn't all the achievements of the Prince of Jingbei over the past six months—"purging the court of corrupt officials," pacifying Guanzhong, and fighting bloody battles—be for nothing? Or should we not welcome him back?

However, Xiao Yan was, after all, a descendant of the late emperor and a symbol of legitimacy. To openly abandon or harm him would damage his reputation for loyalty and righteousness and would likely draw criticism from the world.

The study of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion.

The charcoal fire burned quietly, dispelling the chill of early spring.

Xiao Chen put down Chen Dao's secret report and several earnest memorials urging him to ascend the throne or welcoming him, his face expressionless.

Han Lie, Wang Dashan, Murong Xue, and other core confidants stood silently to one side.

They all understood that Xiao Yan's existence was a political issue that had to be handled properly, and its symbolic significance far outweighed his personal life.

"Your Highness," Han Lie said cautiously, "Xiao Jie... although he is a deposed emperor, his status is special. Zhao Chong is dead, the false dynasty has been destroyed, and the world is watching how Your Highness will deal with him. If you bring him back, where will you place him? If you do not bring him back, or if you handle him improperly, it may give the likes of Wu and Chu in the south an excuse, and also make those in the world who are loyal to the old dynasty harbor resentment."

Wang Dashan snorted and said in a deep voice, "What good is a baby who's been scared silly? In my opinion, we should find a quiet courtyard in Chang'an to raise him, so he won't be an eyesore when he comes back."

Murong Xue's clear, cold voice rang out: "Keeping him in Chang'an is certainly convenient. However, his identity was, after all, that of a former 'Emperor.' Keeping him in Guanzhong could easily become a hidden danger, or he could be exploited by those with ulterior motives. Moreover, how will the people of the world view His Majesty? Will they be unable to tolerate a mere child, or will they be open-minded and unafraid of their former status?"

Xiao Chen's gaze slowly swept over the golden seal of the Prince of Jingbei on the table, and seemed to penetrate the wall to see a wider horizon.

He spoke slowly, his voice calm, yet carrying an undeniable resolve:

"Xiao Jie is a descendant of the late emperor and my brother. He was young and ignorant, and was manipulated by treacherous officials, suffering greatly. He is truly pitiful."

He paused, his tone turning cold, "However, the ills of the dynasty did not appear overnight; the weight of the imperial regalia is not something a child can bear."

Zhao Chong's misrule and the usurpation of power by the false dynasty plunged the country into chaos, leaving the people in dire straits. All of this was caused by the collapse of the social order and the weakness of the ruler and the strength of the ministers.

What the Great Liang Dynasty needs today is not a symbolic, young ruler who needs support, but a strong leader who can set things right and restore order.

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the newly green branches in the courtyard, and continued, "Xiao Jie, we must welcome him back."

Not only should they be welcomed, but they should be welcomed back with the honors due to a prince, in a grand and dignified manner.

I want the whole world to see that I, Xiao Chen, have not forgotten my relatives and cherish my flesh and blood, and have no intention of harming the bloodline of the late emperor.

Furthermore, they must see that a child manipulated by powerful and treacherous officials and repeatedly deposed and reinstated, even if he returns to the capital, is merely a leisurely member of the imperial family who needs to be properly settled and allowed to live out his days in peace, and is by no means the emperor who can command the world and rule the universe.

A glint flashed in Han Lie's eyes: "His intention is to welcome him without establishing him, to fawn upon him without showing him respect. To welcome him back to the capital with the highest honors will demonstrate benevolence and appease the hearts of the old party."

However, at the same time, they never mentioned returning power to him, nor allowed him to participate in any court affairs, keeping him in a position of privilege and eliminating any potential political value he could be exploited. In this way, they both preserved his legitimacy and prevented future troubles.

"Exactly."

Xiao Chen nodded, "Send an order to Chen Dao to send reliable troops with the regalia of a prince to escort Xiao Jie back to the capital."

Safety must be ensured along the way, and sufficient courtesy must be given, but the area must be closely guarded, and communication with outsiders and acceptance of worship are strictly prohibited.

After arriving in Beijing, he was settled in the former Prince Wei's residence, which was renamed Prince An's residence, meaning "to live in peace and tranquility".

The supplies were provided according to the highest standards for princes, and reliable palace servants and eunuchs were assigned to attend to them.

However, he may not leave the residence without an imperial edict, nor may he receive officials from outside the capital. The guards within the residence shall all be trusted confidants from the north.

"Among those who were originally serving him, except for a few who were truly innocent and loyal, all the spies and confidants planted by Zhao Chong were eliminated. The official statement was that His Majesty was unwell and had just experienced a turbulent journey, so he needed to recuperate and would not see any guests for the time being."

"At the same time," Xiao Chen turned around, his gaze sharp.

"In the name of the King and the Marshal's Office for the Expedition against the Rebels, I hereby issue a proclamation to reassure the people and a letter to the royal family and officials."

The traitor Zhao has been executed, the false dynasty has been destroyed, and the deposed emperor Xiao Jie has returned to the capital in disgrace. This is truly a blessing from our ancestors and a good thing for all people.

However, the affairs of the state are fraught with difficulties, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Your Majesty is young and has suffered excessive shock, so it is not appropriate for you to continue to worry about state affairs. You should focus on resting and recuperating.

The affairs of the court will, for the time being, be handled jointly by this prince and the other officials, upholding the principles of securing peace and stability for the nation and allowing the people to rest and recuperate, until His Majesty is healthy and of age.

These words were spoken in a grand and impeccable manner.

This not only demonstrated the "benevolence" of welcoming back Xiao Jie, but also clarified the current situation of Xiao Yan's "quiet recuperation" and non-interference in court affairs, and pushed the future "return of power" to a "day of healthy adulthood" that was far away. In fact, it was an indefinite postponement.

The statement that "the affairs of the court shall be temporarily handled jointly by me and the gentlemen" further cloaks Xiao Chen's absolute power in the guise of "having no other choice" and "overcoming difficulties together."

Han Lie and the others were sincerely convinced: "Your Highness is thoughtful and considerate, and has done everything in his power. As such, no one in the world has anything to say."

Thus, an imperial edict issued in the name of "Prince Jingbei, Grand Marshal of the Expedition, and Commander-in-Chief of the Court" was sent to Chang'an by express courier. Upon receiving the edict, Chen Dao dared not delay and immediately began preparations.

One month later.

On the eastern outskirts of Shenjing, along the official road, banners fluttered and armored soldiers stood in rows.

Although it wasn't a full imperial procession, its scale and ceremonial regalia far exceeded those of an ordinary prince.

A large and sturdy carriage, adorned with the prince's insignia, slowly approached, escorted by thousands of elite cavalrymen of the Hanyuan Army, their armor gleaming and expressions solemn.

The carriage curtains were drawn low, making it difficult for outsiders to see what was happening inside.

The roadsides were packed with onlookers from the capital, as well as civil and military officials who had been "required" to come and greet them.

The people pointed and whispered among themselves, their curiosity outweighing their awe.

The officials had mixed expressions. Some looked sad, as if they were reminiscing about the "legitimate" dynasty. Others kept their eyes down, not daring to show any emotion. Most of them were just numbly going through the motions of "welcoming the emperor".

Everyone knows that this so-called "welcoming back the emperor" is nothing more than a formality. The real center of power has long been the Prince of Jingbei's residence.

The carriage stopped in front of the makeshift canopy. Han Lie, representing Xiao Chen, led the officials forward to "welcome the emperor" according to protocol.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and two eunuchs carefully helped a pale-faced, evasive-eyed, and thin child dressed in princely attire down from the carriage.

It was none other than the deposed Emperor Xiao Jie. He looked younger than his actual age, as if a gust of wind could blow him over. Faced with the dark mass of people and the grim atmosphere, he appeared extremely panicked and almost shrank back into the carriage, barely managing to stand up only with the support of the eunuchs.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome His Highness Prince An back to the capital! Long live Your Highness!"

Han Lie led the way, and everyone bowed in unison, their voices in unison, but little genuine enthusiasm could be heard.

Xiao Yan opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. He just gripped the eunuch's arm tighter and his body trembled slightly.

After a simple ceremony, Xiao Yan was helped back onto the carriage and, under heavy guard, was sent to the "Prince An's Mansion," which had been prepared in advance and located in the southeast corner of Shenjing.

The Prince's Mansion was surrounded by high walls and deep courtyards, and was heavily guarded.

After entering the mansion, the gates were tightly closed, and no further news came out.

Only the excessive expense list and the notice that "His Highness Prince An needs to recuperate and will not receive any guests" indicate that a "prince" of special status lives inside.

Xiao Jie's "return to the capital" was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating a few ripples in the silent court before quickly returning to calm.

The "Imperial Edict to the Imperial Clan and Officials" issued by the Jingbei Prince's Mansion was widely copied and its contents were repeatedly interpreted.

Intelligent people understood the subtext: the deposed emperor has returned, but times have changed.

The old dynasty, which required the title of "emperor" to issue orders, has become a thing of the past with the downfall of Zhao Chong and the fall of Chang'an.

In the capital city today, in the world today, there is only one true ruler—Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen.

Xiao Jie's existence was merely a symbol, an ornament, a political vase used to demonstrate the new master's benevolence and legitimacy.

The structure of the imperial court remained the same, and officials still attended court every day to handle various official documents, but everyone knew in their hearts that the so-called "imperial court" had long lost its prestige and existed in name only.

The real decision-making, military power, financial power, and personnel appointments all originated from the Jingbei Prince's Mansion.

The dragon throne in the Zichen Palace may one day have a new master, but it will never be that terrified child who lives in seclusion in the Prince An's Mansion.

The new ruler, though not yet formally enthroned, had already firmly grasped supreme power in his hands with his unparalleled strength and meticulous methods.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the tall lintel of the Prince An's Mansion in gold, reflecting the increasingly strong atmosphere of both solemnity and vitality in the capital city, a atmosphere belonging to the new era.

The old era came to an end in an extremely dignified yet thorough manner with the young emperor's "return to the capital".

And a new era is slowly unfolding its most crucial chapter amidst everyone's waiting, speculation, and anticipation.