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

Jinling, the Palace of the King of Wu.

In the warm pavilion, Xiao Rui and his strategist Gu Yong played chess again. The black and white pieces moved across the jade board, seemingly elegant, but in reality, it was full of hidden dangers, just like the current situation of the world.

"Is there some unusual activity on the King of Chu's side?" Xiao Rui asked casually, placing a white piece on the board.

Gu Yong picked up a black chess piece, pondered for a moment, and gently placed it down: "The scouts report that King Xiao Han of Chu has been frequently inspecting the defenses of Jiangling and Xiangyang recently, training his troops, and paying particular attention to his navy, the scale of which far exceeds what is needed for self-defense. Moreover, his correspondence with messengers from Shu and Jiaoguang is several times more frequent than before. What is even more suspicious is the frequent movement of grain and fodder within his territory, with most of it being concentrated on the northern border."

"Oh?"

Xiao Rui raised an eyebrow. "It seems my third brother can't sit still any longer. It's already remarkable that he's managed to hold back his fiery temper until now. Xiao Chen's ascension to the position of regent is like a thorn in his side; he's probably suffering more than anyone else."

"Your Highness is absolutely right."

Gu Yong nodded. "The King of Chu is brave and fierce, and he is unwilling to remain subservient to others for long. Now that Xiao Chen has gained power, how can he allow others to snore beside his bed? Moreover, Jingzhou borders Nanyang to the north, and is separated from Xiao Chen's newly acquired Guanzhong and Central Plains territories by the Han River and the Tongbai Mountains. The border is long and there are no natural defenses to rely on, so the pressure is the greatest. Given the King of Chu's temperament, it is not impossible for him to take the initiative to provoke a conflict, or even take a desperate gamble."

Xiao Rui's fingertips traced the smooth surface of a chess piece, his eyes gleaming. "Provoke? What can he possibly use to provoke? A direct attack on Xiao Chen? That's suicide. A sneak attack? Xiao Chen's rear is secure, Chen Dao is in control of Guanzhong, Han Lie manages the Central Plains, Wang Dashan is eyeing Heluo, and that woman Murong Xue is omnipresent... Where could he possibly launch a sneak attack?"

Gu Yong did not answer immediately, but slowly said, "The King of Chu may be reckless, but his strategists, such as Fan Zeng, are not without wisdom. A direct attack is not advisable, but a surprise attack may be possible. Xiao Chen has just pacified the north, and his focus must be on consolidating internal power and strengthening his rule. His rear, though seemingly stable, still harbors hidden worries."

"Hidden worries?"

"Does Your Highness remember Luoyang, the old capital of the Heluo region?"

Gu Yong lowered his voice, "Although it has been recaptured by General Wang Dashan of Xiao Chen, it has only been a short time. The powerful families and clans in the area are intricately connected with Guanzhong and Hebei, and their loyalty may not be complete. Moreover, Luoyang is bordered by Guanzhong to the west, the Central Plains to the east, and Bing and Ji to the north; it is truly a strategic location, a crucial point of attack from all sides. If this place is lost, Xiao Chen's east-west connections will be severed, and he will be unable to support himself from both ends. His newly pacified north will inevitably experience turmoil!"

A glint flashed in Xiao Rui's eyes: "You mean, the King of Chu might... launch a surprise attack on Luoyang?"

"Not just Luoyang."

Gu Yong's voice was even softer, "The scouts have reported that Wen Yang, a general under the King of Chu, has recently been frequently appearing in the Nanyang Basin and the Funiu Mountains area under the pretext of patrolling the border."

The terrain here is complex, with numerous trails. It is not a pipe dream to send elite troops, lightly armed and traversing the treacherous mountains, to launch a surprise attack on Luoyang.

Especially now that Xiao Chen's attention is focused on consolidating power in the north and Guanzhong, his defenses on the southern border, particularly the relatively peaceful Nanyang-Luoyang line bordering the King of Chu, may not be entirely impenetrable.

"What a brilliant surprise attack, catching the enemy off guard!"

Xiao Rui clapped his hands, but there was no smile in his eyes, only cold calculation. "If the King of Chu really dares to take this risky move, regardless of success or failure, it will completely enrage Xiao Chen. At that time, Xiao Chen will surely retaliate and march south to attack Chu. Whether the King of Chu can stop him or not, Jiangdong will have a chance to catch its breath, or even... a chance to snatch chestnuts from the fire."

"Your Highness has a profound and far-sighted vision."

Gu Yong lowered his head. "However, this plan is extremely risky. If the King of Chu wins, he will certainly severely damage Xiao Chen, but he himself will also suffer heavy losses and face Xiao Chen's relentless revenge. If he loses, the gates of Jingzhou will be wide open, and it will be in danger of being destroyed in an instant. Regardless of victory or defeat, the King of Chu will become Xiao Chen's primary target. As for Jiangdong, we can sit back and watch the tigers fight, accumulate strength, and wait for them to be exhausted..."

"No," Xiao Rui interrupted him, a strange smile on his face, "We should not only sit idly by, but also add fuel to the fire if necessary. Pass down the order to secretly increase trade with the King of Chu, especially in arms and provisions, and the prices can be 'preferential'. In addition, have our people on the King of Chu's side leak some information, such as... the strength and weakness of the Luoyang garrison, and the movement of Xiao Chen's main force to move north to Yunzhong to consolidate the border defenses... Remember, do it subtly."

Gu Yong understood immediately: "Your Highness is brilliant. This is a plan to use one tiger to devour another, to add fuel to the fire. Whether the King of Chu is a tiger or a wolf, this fire will eventually start."

Jingzhou, the Chu King's Palace.

Xiao Han's irritability grew day by day.

The news of Xiao Chen's ascension to the position of regent was like a poisonous thorn stuck in his heart.

He was proud of his bravery and resentful of being subordinate to others, especially his seventh brother, who was insignificant and even somewhat timid in the capital, but now stood above him and gave orders.

"How frustrating! Absolutely fucking frustrating!"

Xiao Han kicked over the table and roared, "We spend all day fortifying the city defenses and training the troops, but all we can do is watch that brat Xiao Chen swagger around in the north! I won't swallow this!"

The strategist Fan Zeng earnestly advised, "Your Highness, please calm your anger! A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan! Xiao Chen's power is too great to be defeated by force. The only option is to bide your time, accumulate strength, and wait for the opportune moment!"

"Endure! Endure! Until how long? Until Xiao Chen unifies the north, leads a million-strong army south, and crushes us all?"

Xiao Han's eyes were bloodshot. "Fan Zeng, you always say we have to wait for an opportunity, but where is it? Xiao Chen has just pacified Guanzhong, and the northern prefectures have recently submitted. His main force is either in the capital or on the border defending against the barbarians. The defenses around Luoyang and Nanyang must be weak! Isn't this a golden opportunity?"

Fan Zeng was shocked: "Your Highness! Absolutely not! Although Luoyang is a strategic location, Wang Dashan is also a veteran general. How can we be unprepared? Moreover, it is too risky for an isolated army to penetrate deep behind enemy lines! If we lose it, Jingzhou will be in grave danger!"

"High risk, high reward!"

Xiao Han suddenly turned around, staring at the location of Luoyang on the map, his eyes flashing with a gambler's madness. "If we can take Luoyang in one fell swoop, we can cut off Xiao Chen's east-west communication and shake up his newly pacified Central Plains!"

At that time, the world will surely be shaken. Will those two-faced warlords, such as Wu and Shu, still sit idly by? They might even rise up in response!

Even if they don't move, I hold the mighty city of Luoyang and, with the momentum of a great victory, Xiao Chen will have to pay a heavy price if he wants to take it back!

At the very least, this will prevent him from looking south for several years! This is our opportunity!

"But Your Highness..."

"No buts!"

Xiao Han waved his hand to interrupt, already energized by his own "grand plan." "If Xiao Chen could launch a surprise attack on the capital, why can't I launch a surprise attack on Luoyang? He can defeat the strong with the weak; are the brave warriors of Jingchu under my command cowards? Wen Yang!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

A burly, sharp-eyed general stepped forward; it was none other than Wen Yang, the top general under the King of Chu.

"I hereby appoint you as the vanguard, with 15,000 elite infantry and cavalry, mostly equipped with bows and crossbows, and lightly armed."

We will set off in three days, hiding during the day and moving at night, bypassing the important town of Nanyang, taking the Funiu Mountain trails, and launching a surprise attack on Luoyang!

"I will personally lead an army of 50,000 to support you. Once you capture Luoyang or draw away Wang Dashan's main force, I will march north to meet you, sweep through Nanyang, and join forces with you in Luoyang!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Wen Yang clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes showing no fear, only a burning fighting spirit.

He was an extremely audacious man, and this kind of surprise attack was exactly what he wanted.

"Your Highness!" Fan Zeng wanted to persuade him again.

"Mr. Fan, there's no need for further explanation!"

Xiao Han's mind was made up. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If we sit and wait for Xiao Chen to unify the north, we will only be waiting to die! We might as well take the initiative and fight for our future! You stay in Jiangling, guard our family property for me, and prepare provisions while we await good news!"

Fan Zeng watched Xiao Han's resolute back and Wen Yang's eager expression, and sighed inwardly, knowing that further persuasion would be useless.

This prince is brave, but he lacks the composure to assess the situation and has more of a gambling mentality.

Whether this journey will lead to victory or utter ruin is truly unpredictable.

He could only pray silently and intensify the defenses of Jiangling and Xiangyang in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Several days later, Wen Yang led 15,000 elite troops from Jingchu and quietly left the camp.

Instead of taking the official road, they ventured into the vast mountains of Funiu Mountain, trekking northward along secret paths known only to hunters and herbalists.

To conceal their movements, they abandoned most of their baggage, carrying only ten days' worth of dry rations and necessary weaponry. Their horses were tethered, their mouths gagged, and their bells removed, like a treacherous viper, silently slithering toward their prey.

Almost at the same time as Wen Yang set off, several cryptic letters, which were vague but implied that "Luoyang's defenses were lax" and "Xiao Chen's main force was being transferred north," were delivered to Xiao Han's desk through special channels.

The source of the information was unclear, but the content made Xiao Han even more convinced of his judgment, believing that this was "heaven helping me," and urged Wen Yang to speed up the process.

However, neither Xiao Han nor Wen Yang knew that their movements had not been completely hidden from everyone's eyes.

Almost at the very beginning of the Chu army's unusual movements, some vague intelligence began to converge on the north through Murong Xue's ubiquitous "Listening" organization and the "unintentional" leaks by certain "interested individuals".

Shenjing, the Regent's Palace.

Murong Xue presented Xiao Chen with an urgent secret report: "Your Highness, according to an urgent report from the Jingzhou station, Prince Xiao Han of Chu has been frequently mobilizing troops and supplies recently. The whereabouts of his general Wen Yang and 15,000 elite soldiers are unknown."

Meanwhile, in the Jiangling and Xiangyang areas, the Chu king's main forces also showed signs of gathering, seemingly indicating a large-scale military operation.

Furthermore, trade in military equipment and grain between Jinling and Chu has recently surged, and prices are unusually "favorable."

Xiao Chen looked at the secret report, his face showing no anger, but rather a knowing sneer: "Finally... someone couldn't hold back anymore. Xiao Han, with his mere bravado, was indeed easily provoked. King Wu, what a brilliant move to use someone else to do your dirty work."

Han Lie frowned and asked, "Where does the King of Chu intend to attack? Nanyang? Or... directly Luoyang?"

Xiao Chen walked to the huge sand table, his finger tracing the mountains and rivers between Jingzhou and Luoyang, finally stopping at the Funiu Mountains: "Nanyang has a large army, making a direct assault difficult. Xiao Han, though brave, is not entirely brainless. If he's going to make a move, he'll seek surprise and speed. Crossing the Funiu Mountains, launching a surprise attack on Luoyang, cutting off our east-west communication, shaking the Central Plains... that sounds like his style. Moreover, someone 'just in time' handed him the pillow of 'Luoyang's emptiness'."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dashan's leopard-like eyes widened: "He dares! Your Highness, let me return to Luoyang! I'll make sure this scoundrel never leaves!"

Chen Dao also said in a deep voice, "If the Chu army dares to venture deep into enemy territory alone, it will be the perfect opportunity to annihilate their elite forces. We can order the garrison in Luoyang to feign laxity, lure the enemy deep into our territory, and then launch an ambush to surround and annihilate them. At the same time, we should send a strong force out of Wuguan Pass to strike directly at Nanyang, threatening their rear and launching a pincer attack with the garrison in Luoyang!"

Xiao Chen's gaze was icy as he stared at the undulating area on the sand table that symbolized the Funiu Mountains. He slowly said, "Xiao Han betrayed the alliance and launched a brazen attack, courting death. Very well, I was just looking for an excuse to look south, and he's delivered himself to my doorstep. In this battle, we must not only annihilate this isolated army, but also seize the opportunity to take Nanyang and advance to the Han River! Let the world see what the fate is for those who betray me and provoke border conflicts!"

"Han Lie, draft the order!"

"Order Wang Dashan to immediately and secretly return to Luoyang to command the armies of Luoyang and Nanyang. The defenses of Luoyang should be relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside, luring the enemy to attack. Once their troops are at the city gates, they will be trapped, and we will then gather them together and annihilate them! We must ensure their complete annihilation; not a single one should escape!"

"Yes, sir!" Wang Dashan clasped his hands excitedly.

"Order Chen Dao to lead 30,000 elite Hanyuan troops out of Wuguan Pass, hiding by day and moving at night, to stealthily approach Nanyang. When Wen Yang's troops are besieged under the walls of Luoyang and the main force of the King of Chu is heading north to provide support, launch a surprise attack on Nanyang, cutting off their retreat, and join forces with Wang Dashan's troops to attack the main force of the King of Chu from both sides!"

"Yes, sir!" A cold glint flashed in Chen Dao's eyes.

"Order Murong Xue to monitor the Chu army's movements with all her might, especially the whereabouts of Wen Yang's troops, and make sure to ascertain their exact location and route! At the same time, closely monitor the reactions of Wu and Shu!"

"yes!"

Orders were issued from the Regent's Palace, like invisible threads, slowly turning the gears of war.

An invisible net is slowly spreading out, silently, toward the "venomous snake" that thought it was hiding but had actually exposed its tracks, and the ferocious "tiger" behind it.

King Xiao Han of Chu thought he had seized a golden opportunity to turn the tide, but little did he know that he was stepping into a carefully laid death trap.

Meanwhile, King Xiao Rui of Wu was sitting in his warm pavilion in Jinling, sipping fragrant tea and waiting for good news from the north about the "two tigers fighting." Little did he know how the storm he had stirred up would ultimately backfire on him.

In the southern sky, dark clouds began to gather, and the faint sound of thunder could be heard.

A storm, fueled by ambition, suspicion, and scheming, is about to erupt fiercely beneath the walls of Luoyang and along the banks of the Han River.

The outcome of this storm will profoundly influence the future course of the world.