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

When Xiao Chen's Frost Abyss Iron Cavalry swept across Jingchu and reached the Han River, annexing and assimilating the vast Chu Kingdom with swift and decisive action, and intimidating the southern vassal states into trembling fear, the vast Central Plains, seemingly shrouded in the military might of the "Imperial Court" but actually still under the shadow of power transition and intimidation, did not usher in the expected peace. Instead, it fell into a quagmire of warlord infighting that was even more brutal and chaotic than before.

Xiao Chen, by holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, established his capital in the capital and looked down upon the world. The strength of his military force truly terrified all sides.

However, for a considerable period of time, his main focus and military strength were concentrated on integrating the newly acquired Guanzhong and Central Plains core areas, pacifying Xiliang, deterring and assimilating Jingchu, and maintaining a high-pressure stance against Jiangdong and Bashu.

For the numerous small and medium-sized separatist forces scattered throughout the Central Plains, which were relatively weak but had complex relationships, Xiao Chen adopted a strategy of temporarily setting them aside and focusing on deterrence and appeasement.

He needs time to digest his greater victories, and he also needs these "buffer zones" to exist temporarily to isolate him from direct conflict with major warlords such as Wu and Shu.

However, this strategy, in a power vacuum, gave rise to an even bloodier law of the jungle.

Originally, amidst the great upheaval of Xiao Chen's rise and Zhao Ni's downfall, many remaining forces in the Central Plains, such as Peng Chao, the governor of Xuzhou, Chen Guan, the governor of Yuzhou, Lü Qian, the governor of Yanzhou, Han Nian, the warlord of Qingzhou, and Shen Fang, a powerful figure in Huainan, either feared Xiao Chen's military might or were busy protecting themselves, and temporarily maintained a superficial peace. Some even submitted memorials to the capital to pledge allegiance and accept the "conferment" or "pacification" from the Regent's Palace.

But this tranquility is as fragile as a sheet of paper.

While the power of the capital city was undeniable, the emperor was far away and the capital was far away.

When Xiao Chen's attention and main force were drawn to Xiliang and Jingchu, the power balance in the Central Plains was completely shattered.

First, there is the fermentation of ambition and fear.

Seeing Xiao Chen's swift and decisive conquest of Jingchu, the warlords of the Central Plains finally understood: either become powerful enough to protect themselves or even resist, or be swallowed up sooner or later.

Faced with overwhelming force, any declaration of submission and tribute is nothing more than a delaying tactic.

How to become powerful? With external expansion suppressed by Xiao Chen, annexing the weaker neighboring countries and integrating internal resources became the only option.

Secondly, there is the competition for resources.

Years of war have left the Central Plains devastated, with a sharp decline in population and abandoned fields.

Limited food, population, and cities became the foundation for survival.

If you don't seize it, someone else will; if you're not strong enough, you'll be swallowed up by someone stronger.

The pressure to survive overwhelmed all morality and reason.

Finally, there was Shenjing's "tacit approval" or even "indulgence".

Does Xiao Chen need the Central Plains to be in chaos for a while? To some extent, yes.

A Central Plains that is divided, in conflict, and at the expense of each other is easier to deal with than a unified Central Plains that might unite to oppose it.

He can intervene as a "court" or "arbitrator," and at the right time, clean up the mess at the lowest possible cost.

Therefore, as long as the war does not spread to his core controlled areas and does not affect his grand strategy, his response to the chaos in the Central Plains is often "slow" or limited to "issuing edicts and reprimands" or "sending envoys to mediate." Mediation often fails because the parties do not trust each other and cannot reach an agreement on terms.

This attitude undoubtedly emboldened some feudal lords to take risks.

Thus, not long after Jingchu surrendered, the long-suppressed powder keg in the Central Plains was finally ignited by a single spark.

The trigger was Yuzhou.

Chen Guan, the governor of Yuzhou, was indecisive and had a weak army, but he occupied the heart of the Central Plains, a fertile land that had long been coveted by those around him.

Peng Chao, the governor of Xuzhou, was brave and skilled in battle and had always been ambitious. Under the pretext that "bandits from Yuzhou have repeatedly invaded the border of Xuzhou", he suddenly sent troops to attack Pei State in Yuzhou.

Caught off guard, Chen Guan lost several cities in succession and urgently sought help from the imperial court, while also seeking assistance from Lü Qian, the governor of neighboring Yanzhou.

However, Peng Chao's surprise attack was like toppling the first domino.

Lu Qian, the governor of Yanzhou, was a man of great talent and ambition, and had long harbored the desire to annex neighboring regions and strengthen his own power.

When he received Chen Guan's plea for help, instead of immediately sending troops to assist him, he used "mediation" as a pretext to station troops on the border of Henan and Yanzhou, and watched the outcome unfold.

After Peng Chao and Chen Guan fought to a standstill, Lü Qian suddenly launched an attack under the pretext that "internal strife in Yuzhou has affected Yanzhou, and in order to protect the borders and people," not only "taking over" the cities occupied by some of Chen Guan's defeated troops, but also launching a counterattack and invading northern Xuzhou!

Peng Chao was greatly alarmed and hastily withdrew his troops from Yuzhou to reinforce the city, engaging in a fierce battle with Lü Qian in northern Xuzhou. Chen Guan's forces suffered heavy losses and he retreated to Qiao County, barely clinging to life.

Seeing the chaos in the north, Shen Fang of Huainan believed the time was ripe and wanted to get a share of the spoils.

He joined forces with Han Nian, the leader of the refugees in Qingzhou, to launch a pincer attack from the north and south. His attacking forces were tied up on Peng Chao's flank in northern Xuzhou, and he intended to seize the rich lands in southern Xuzhou.

Peng Chao was instantly caught in a desperate situation, surrounded by enemies on three sides!

To the north lay Lü Qian's formidable army, to the south the allied forces of Shen Fang and Han Nian, and internally, he was harassed by the remnants of Chen Guan's forces in Yuzhou. He was stretched thin, constantly on the run, and his territory was being nibbled away at.

But it's not over yet.

Jingzhou was newly annexed, but some powerful local strongmen and scattered soldiers who had originally been attached to Chu, located on the eastern edge of the former Chu state bordering Yu and Yang, took advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains to rise up, either to establish their own independent regimes or to plunder everywhere, further exacerbating the chaos.

Some even impersonated "former subordinates of the King of Chu" or "anti-Xiao righteous army" to take advantage of the chaos.

The Hanoi and Ha Dong areas, close to Xiao Chen's core region, are relatively peaceful, but some small warlords are expanding their power under the guise of "guarding against the Hu people" and "suppressing bandits," leading to constant friction between them.

Throughout the Central Plains, with the border area of ​​Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou at its core, the flames of war spread rapidly, affecting Qingzhou, Huainan, and even the border areas of Jingbei and Sili.

Yesterday's allies, today's enemies; by day they swear blood oaths, by night they plunder and pillage.

The situation spiraled out of control, degenerating into a chaotic melee devoid of morality and driven solely by the strength of the weak.

Imperial edicts and envoys' mediations were as worthless as waste paper in the face of warlords who were blinded by rage.

In order to survive and grow stronger, all parties will stop at nothing:

Extortion and levies: To sustain the war, the feudal lords frantically levied taxes, requisitioned grain, and conscripted soldiers. Fifteen-year-old boys and fifty-year-old men were all forcibly conscripted. The last grain of rice and the last piece of cloth stored in people's homes were seized to fund the army. It was common practice to collect taxes three or five years in advance.

Burning, killing, and looting: Wherever the army went, it was like locusts. After conquering a city, they would often let their troops plunder for three days, euphemistically calling it "rewards".

Villages that refused to submit were often massacred as a warning to others. Soldiers acted like bandits, and bandits impersonated government soldiers, making it impossible for the people to distinguish them, causing them immense suffering.

Water conservancy collapsed, and farmland lay fallow: able-bodied men were conscripted, leaving no one to cultivate the land. Irrigation canals and dams were neglected due to war or deliberately destroyed to be used against the enemy, turning fertile fields into swamps or dry land. Scenes of barren land and countless corpses of the starved were commonplace across the Central Plains.

Plague ravaged the land: corpses lay unburied, polluting water sources; displaced people gathered in extremely unsanitary conditions, leading to large-scale outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, malaria, and other plagues. Often, after a major battle, the ensuing plague caused more deaths than those from the battle itself.

Cannibalism: In regions of extreme despair, the tragedies of exchanging children for food and dismembering human remains to cook are no longer just records in history books, but living realities. After tree bark, grass roots, and clay have been exhausted, even the last vestige of humanity has been completely shattered.

"Better to be a dog in times of peace than a human in times of chaos."

This ancient proverb, spoken repeatedly by the people of the Central Plains, is tinged with blood and tears.

They didn't know why there was a war, or what the governors, prefects, and generals were fighting over.

All they knew was that if they were still working in the fields today, they might be conscripted into the army and sent to their deaths tomorrow; if they still had a mouthful of food at home today, it might be looted by soldiers tomorrow; if their families were barely together today, they might be separated by death tomorrow.

In their despair, the yearning for stability and unity surged and converged in the hearts of countless people like subterranean fire.

"I heard that the regent in the north has exempted taxes, distributed land, killed corrupt officials, and quelled banditry in the capital..." Someone whispered among the refugees, passing on the news from who-knows-where.

"Yes, relatives in Guanzhong sent word that although life is still tough, at least we can survive and don't have to worry about losing our heads every day..."

"If only... if only the Regent's army could come and kill all those damned corrupt officials and warlords! Then we could finally have some peace and quiet..."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you crazy?!"

Similar conversations circulated quietly in refugee camps, dilapidated villages, and desperate families resorting to cannibalism.

Although their understanding of Xiao Chen mostly came from rumors, and although they had heard how brave and disciplined the Hanyuan Army was in battle, in contrast to the hellish reality before them, the "relative" stability in those rumors became the only glimmer of hope in their despair.

Some bold civilians even began to flee with their families, risking being robbed and killed by marauding soldiers and blocked at checkpoints, heading towards the supposedly more stable north, Guanzhong, and even the Jingbei region which had just been taken over by the "imperial court." They voted with their feet, expressing their desire for peace and unification.

News of the chaotic battles in the Central Plains naturally reached Shenjing as well.

Xiao Chen stood on the high pavilion of the Prince's Mansion, gazing southwards, listening to the reports from Han Lie and Murong Xue.

"Peng Chao of Xuzhou is besieged in Xiapi, under constant attack day and night by the allied forces of Lü Qian, Shen Fang, and Han Nian; the city is on the verge of falling. Chen Guan of Yuzhou has retreated to Qiao County, with only a few thousand remaining soldiers, living in constant fear. Lü Qian of Yanzhou, though victorious in successive battles, is surrounded by enemies and running out of supplies, showing signs of exhaustion. Han Nian of Qingzhou is increasingly at odds with Shen Fang, and they nearly come to blows over the spoils of war in Xuzhou. Shen Fang of Huainan has the greatest ambition, but his forces are weak, and he relies heavily on instigation and alliances..."

Murong Xue's voice was calm and composed as she recounted the chaotic situation in the Central Plains.

"The people were displaced, the dead lay piled up, and people even ate each other..."

Han Lie added, his tone somber, "Your Highness, the Central Plains are in such a state of decay; this is hardly a blessing for the nation. If this continues, thousands of miles of fertile land will turn to barren wasteland; of the millions of people, less than one in ten will survive!"

Xiao Chen remained silent for a long time.

He was not unaware of the tragic state of the Central Plains; in fact, to some extent, it was the result of his "tacit approval" or "exploitation."

But when he heard the specific details, especially the words "cannibalism," a barely perceptible ripple still crossed his usually calm eyes.

"The will of the people," he began slowly, his voice low and deep, "after this calamity, the people of the Central Plains should yearn for stability, for peace, and for unification."

He turned around, his gaze sharp and resolute once more: "The chaos must end. The feudal lords have shed enough blood, and the people have suffered enough. It is time for the court, and for me, to clean up this mess, to give the people an explanation, and to bring peace to the land."

"Pass on the order." Xiao Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable decisiveness.

"First, in the name of the imperial court, a proclamation to punish the rebels and pacify the people was issued. It enumerated the crimes of Peng Chao, Lü Qian, Chen Guan, Shen Fang, Han Nian and others who held military power, attacked each other, abused the people, and caused chaos in the Central Plains."

The court declared that it had originally intended to appease the people, but the rebellious elements showed no remorse and instead intensified their actions, causing chaos and suffering in the Central Plains. Now, to relieve the people's suffering and restore order, it is imperative to raise an army to punish the disobedient, quell the chaos, and stabilize the Central Plains!

"Secondly, Chen Dao was appointed General Who Pacifies the East, overseeing military affairs in Jingzhou and southern Yuzhou. He was to lead troops from Xiangyang and Jiangling northward to Yuzhou, employing both suppression and appeasement tactics. His primary objective was to pacify Yuzhou and rescue Qiao County (not to save him personally, but to save the people of Qiao County. At the same time, to intimidate Huainan).

"Third, appoint Wang Dashan as General Who Guards the North, overseeing military affairs in Sili and Yanzhou. He will lead troops from Luoyang and Hanoi eastward to Yanzhou, heading straight for Lü Qian's stronghold! Lü Qian is the most ambitious and has the strongest fighting force; he must be the focus of our attack, and we must achieve a swift victory! Tell Wang Dashan not to be concerned with the gains or losses of a single city or place, but to fight a war of annihilation, to destroy Lü Qian's main force!"

"Fourth, issue a proclamation to the loyal and righteous men and soldiers and civilians in Qingzhou and Xuzhou: those who abandon darkness and turn to light will be pardoned; those who capture and kill the ringleaders will be richly rewarded. The court will only punish the ringleaders and will not question those who were coerced."

"Fifth, I order the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to urgently allocate grain, medicine, and clothing to accompany the army. Upon recapturing each territory, immediately open granaries to distribute food, provide relief to disaster victims, bury the dead, prevent plague, recruit refugees, and restore production. What I desire is not only land, but also the hearts of the people! I want the people of the Central Plains to know who truly brings them peace!"

Han Lie and Murong Xue perked up and bowed simultaneously: "Your Highness is wise! This is an act of righteous indignation and punishing the guilty, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people!"

Xiao Chen walked to the window, gazing at the overcast sky that seemed to echo with the wails of the Central Plains, and slowly said:

"The Central Plains are in chaos, and the people are suffering terribly, which is truly lamentable. However, every misfortune has its blessing. After this great turmoil, the people yearn for stability and unity, like a parched land longing for rain. My military expedition at this time is not for conquest, but for salvation. With swift and decisive measures, I will sweep away the villains; with benevolent governance and virtuous rule, I will comfort the people. In this way, the Central Plains can be stabilized, and the hearts of the people will be won over."

His eyes gleamed with a cold, confident light: "Send the order: the army prepares. Ten days from now, we will march on the Central Plains. This time, I will end this chaotic world once and for all!"

In Xiao Chen's eyes, the catastrophe in the Central Plains was both a tragedy and an opportunity.

The infighting among the feudal lords exhausted their last bit of life force and the last bit of patience of the people.

When the black banners of the Hanyuan Army reappeared on the Central Plains, accompanied by shouts of "Punish the rebels and bring peace to the people," what awaited them was not only resistance, but also the humble yet fervent hopes of countless people struggling to survive in despair.

The unified wheels, amidst the chaos of blood and fire, crushed countless bones and were about to enter their final tracks.

The suffering of the people of the Central Plains will also see an end under stronger military force and orderly governance—although this hope will also need to be forged with blood and fire.