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

Zhang Meng went to prepare the manpower.

Xiao Chen sat alone in the courtroom, staring blankly at the map. The flickering light of the oil lamp illuminated his young yet solemn face.

Five thousand shi of grain were stored at Dingbei Pass.

Zhou Yong, the garrison commander of Dingbei Pass, was a man of the Fourth Prince.

Forcibly seizing it is suicide.

How to outsmart them?

"Your Highness, Elder Han and General Zhao have arrived," Uncle Fu announced from outside the door.

"please."

Han Lie and Zhao Tie entered one after the other.

Han Lie still looked travel-worn, while Zhao Tie's leg injury hadn't fully healed, and he walked with a slight limp.

"You all know the situation."

Xiao Chen cut to the chase, "The five thousand shi of grain are at Dingbei Pass. Zhou Yong is Fourth Brother's man. We need to get them back, but we can't fight them head-on."

Han Lie sat down and stared at the map for a long time: "I've been to Dingbei Pass. The city walls are three zhang high, the garrison is three thousand strong, and they are well-equipped with bows and crossbows. It's easy to defend and difficult to attack. If we launch a direct assault, our numbers won't be enough to fill the moat."

"Therefore, we must outsmart them."

Xiao Chen said, "Zhang Meng suggested luring the tiger away from the mountain."

"How do we adjust it?" Zhao Tie asked.

"Zhou Yong is greedy and lustful." Xiao Chen tapped his fingers on the table. "We can set a trap to lure him out of seclusion."

Han Lie narrowed his eyes slightly: "What kind of scheme could lure a border general away from his post?"

"A honey trap." Xiao Chen slowly uttered three words.

Zhao Tie was taken aback: "Your Highness, where did we get a beauty?"

"If there's no real one, we can make a fake one."

Xiao Chen looked at Han Lie, "Old Han, you've been on the grasslands for many years, do you know what kind of thing could make someone like Zhou Yong risk everything to come out of seclusion and steal it?"

Han Lie pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up: "Yes. There is a kind of horse on the grassland called 'Snow-Treading Horse,' which is entirely black with snow-white hooves. It can travel a thousand miles a day and eight hundred miles at night. It is the best of the best horses, and it is extremely rare."

"Treading on snow?"

Xiao Chen recalled his mount, which also had this name. "Mine is that one."

"Your horse only has a similar coat color; there are no more than ten true Snowshoe horses in the entire world."

Han Lie said, "Zhou Yong is bad in many ways, but he loves horses. He owns more than a dozen fine horses, but none of them can compare to Taxue. If we could get any news about Taxue, he would definitely be tempted."

Xiao Chen's eyes lit up: "Then let's send him a message from Treading Snow."

"But we don't have any." Zhao Tie frowned.

"He doesn't have it, and neither do we."

Xiao Chen laughed, "But he doesn't know we don't."

Han Lie understood: "The prince means to spread false information, saying that we have the Snow-Treading Sword and are going to sell it. Zhou Yong will definitely send people to buy it or even steal it when he hears the news."

"right."

Xiao Chen nodded, "But he wouldn't dare come directly to Hanyuan. We can set the transaction location somewhere between Dingbei Pass and Hanyuan. As long as he comes out of the pass, we'll have a chance."

"What opportunity?"

"An opportunity to seize grain."

Xiao Chen pointed to the map and said, "The granary at Dingbei Pass is inside the pass, but Zhou Yong's private residence is three miles outside. He won't be taking many soldiers with him when he goes out to trade. We can split our forces into two groups, one to hold him off while the other sneaks into the pass and burns the granary."

"burn?"

Zhao Tie exclaimed in surprise, "Weren't we supposed to be robbing the grain?"

"We can't transport five thousand shi of grain."

Xiao Chen was frighteningly calm. "If it's burned down, no one will get anything. Besides, Zhou Yong will be held responsible for the burning of the granary. When the court investigates, even Fourth Brother won't be able to protect him."

Han Lie gasped.

That's a ruthless move.

Burning the granary not only cut off Han Yuan's hopes but also Zhou Yong's escape route.

But Han Yuan had no hope for this batch of grain anyway, so he didn't care if it was burned.

Zhou Yong was different; losing the imperial relief grain was a capital offense.

"But what if..."

Zhao Tie hesitated, "What if Zhou Yong finds out we did it..."

"So he can't go back alive."

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, "Once he emerges from seclusion, I'll make sure he can never go back."

The courtroom was deathly silent.

The oil lamp crackled and popped.

After a long silence, Han Lie sighed, "Your Highness, your plan... is too risky. One wrong move and the whole thing will be lost."

"I know."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "But this is the only way right now. If we can't get the food back, Han Yuan won't last more than two months. Rather than sitting and waiting to die, we might as well take a gamble."

Zhao Tie gritted his teeth: "I will obey Your Highness! Whatever Your Highness says, I will do!"

Han Lie looked at Xiao Chen, then at Zhao Tie, and suddenly laughed: "I'm getting old, and I still have to risk my life with you young people. Fine, this old body will give it one more shot."

"Thank you, Elder Han." Xiao Chen bowed.

"Don't thank me yet."

Han Lie waved his hand, "The plan is good, but we need to think about the details. For example, how do we get the news about Ta Xue out? Zhou Yong isn't stupid; he won't fall for it easily."

"This matter depends on the White Deer Tribe."

Xiao Chen said, "Old Han, write a letter to Chief Batel and tell him that we found a Snow-Treading Horse on the grassland, but it was stolen by the Canglang tribe. Now the Canglang tribe wants to take it, so ask him if he wants it."

Han Lie's eyes lit up: "Using someone else to do the dirty work? Brilliant! Batel has a grudge against the Canglang tribe. Hearing this news, he'll definitely try to intercept them. And Zhou Yong has spies on the grasslands. Hearing that the Canglang tribe has Ta Xue making a move, he'll definitely be tempted."

"more than."

Xiao Chen added, "We also need to spread the word that this Snow-Treading Horse is the mount of Harbala, the young chieftain of the Canglang tribe. Harbala is short of money recently, so he wants to sell it."

"Why Harbala?"

"Because Zhou Yong had dealings with Halbala before."

Xiao Chen sneered, "Last autumn, Zhou Yong privately sold a batch of military equipment to the Canglang tribe, and the middleman was Harbala. The two have a relationship, and the other has something on him. When Zhou Yong heard that Harbala wanted to sell horses, he would definitely believe it."

Han Lie slammed his hand on the table in admiration: "Your Highness even knows this?"

"Zhang Meng told me."

Xiao Chen said, "He used to live in Beijing and had heard some things about Zhou Yong."

Zhao Tie was dumbfounded.

He hadn't expected that in just a few days, the prince had already figured things out so clearly.

"So how exactly does it work?" Han Lie asked.

"It's done in three steps."

Xiao Chen drew on the table, "The first step is for Old Man Han to write a letter to Batel and use him to spread the news."

The second step is to send someone to pretend to be from the Canglang tribe to contact Zhou Yong and arrange a time and place for the transaction.

Thirdly, Zhang Meng led his men to infiltrate Dingbei Pass, and once Zhou Yong emerged from the pass, they burned the granary.

"What about Zhou Yong?"

"I'll handle it myself."

Xiao Chen said, "I went to see him on the day of the transaction."

"No way!" Zhao Tie and Han Lie objected simultaneously.

"It's too dangerous! Zhou Yong is definitely accompanied by guards, Your Highness, you're all alone..."

"Not just one person."

Xiao Chen smiled. "Zhang Meng will have men lying in ambush around here. Besides, I have an ace up my sleeve."

"What trump card?"

Xiao Chen took out a jade pendant from his pocket.

The jade pendant is bluish-green, carved with dragon patterns, and gleams with a warm light under the lamp.

"This is..." Han Lie had never seen this jade pendant before.

"It was a gift from my father when I was born."

Xiao Chen stroked the jade pendant. "Each prince has one; it's a symbol of his status. When Zhou Yong sees this jade pendant, he'll believe I'm here on behalf of Halbala—because only princes can use dragon-patterned jade pendants."

Zhao Tie was still worried: "But what if he makes a move..."

"He won't."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "He wants the horse, not my life. If he kills me, he won't get the horse and will only get himself into trouble. He's not that stupid."

The plan is set.

Over the next three days, Hanyuan City appeared calm on the surface, but preparations were being made intensively behind the scenes.

Han Lie wrote to Batel in the steppe language, and the messenger was one of Han Lie's old subordinates from the steppe, so he was absolutely reliable.

Zhang Meng selected thirty elite veterans, all of whom were scouts and skilled in infiltration, night raids, and arson.

They repeatedly rehearsed the steps for burning the granary, planning clearly where to enter and exit, and how to deal with guards.

Xiao Chen then prepared his attire for meeting Zhou Yong.

The grassland people's fur robe, scimitar, and jade pendant.

He practiced the mannerisms and accent of the nomads in front of the mirror—fortunately, he had learned some nomadic language when he was in the palace, and although he wasn't fluent, it should be enough to fool Zhou Yong.

On the evening of the third day, Han Lie's messenger returned.

"Chief Batel has replied."

Han Lie handed the letter to Xiao Chen. "He said the news has been spread. He also sent a gift."

"What gift?"

Han Lie clapped his hands, and two guards carried in a wooden box.

Inside, there was an exquisite set of grassland attire—a robe sewn from white deerskin, a vest trimmed with silver, and a leather hat inlaid with jewels.

"Chief Batel said, if you're going to pretend to be a steppe noble, you have to do it right."

Han Lie smiled and said, "This outfit is what he wore when he was young, and he's always been reluctant to wear it. Now he's giving it to Your Highness to lend you a helping hand."

Xiao Chen stroked the soft deerskin, feeling deeply moved.

He remembered this favor from Batel.

"When is the trading day scheduled?" he asked.

"Five days later, on the night of the full moon."

Han Lie said, "The location is at Wild Wolf Slope, twenty miles outside Dingbei Pass. The terrain there is open, suitable for horse racing and also for ambushes."

"Okay." Xiao Chen nodded. "In five days."

The fifth day, the night of the full moon.

Xiao Chen put on the grassland attire, wore a jade pendant, and a curved sword at his waist. He rode his snow-covered horse and led ten veterans dressed as grassland guards out of the city towards Wild Wolf Slope.

Zhang Meng led thirty men on a detour to infiltrate the vicinity of Dingbei Pass and wait for a signal.

Zhao Tie and Han Lie stayed behind in Hanyuan as a precaution.

The night is like water.

Wolf Slope appeared exceptionally empty under the moonlight.

The wind rustled through the withered grass, making a sound like the whisper of a wild beast.

Xiao Chen reined in his horse and looked at the sky.

It's midnight.

Zhou Yong hasn't arrived yet.

"Your Highness, could this be a trap?" an old soldier asked in a low voice.

"Wait," Xiao Chen said, uttering only one word.

Another half hour passed.

The sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.

A group of about fifty riders came from the direction of Dingbei Pass, carrying torches, like a fire dragon.

coming.

Xiao Chen took a deep breath and urged his horse forward.

The two teams met at the top of the hill.

The leader of the opposing force was a general in his forties, with a burly build and a full beard; he was Zhou Yong, the garrison commander of Dingbei Pass.

He sized up Xiao Chen, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes—this grassland nobleman was too young, and… his demeanor didn’t quite resemble that of a grassland person.

"Are you the one sent by Harbala?" Zhou Yong asked, his voice rough and forceful.

"Exactly."

Xiao Chen replied in broken grassland dialect, "The young clan chief asked me to give his regards to General Zhou."

"Where's the horse?" Zhou Yong got straight to the point.

"The horse is ten miles away."

Xiao Chen said, "General Zhou, inspect the goods first, then pay."

"I know the rules."

Zhou Yong waved his hand, and two guards behind him carried over a box. Inside, gleaming silver gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

"Five thousand taels, pure silver."

Zhou Yong asked, "Where's the horse?"

Xiao Chen whistled.

The sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.

A magnificent horse, entirely black with snow-white hooves, galloped out from the night.

Riding on horseback was a man dressed in grassland attire—it was Wang Dashan in disguise.

The horse was exceptionally swift, running like a black lightning bolt, and arrived in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Yong's eyes widened in disbelief.

It's really snow!

He had raised horses for half his life and had never seen such a magnificent horse.

This horse is definitely worth five thousand taels!

"What a fine horse!" he exclaimed, and was about to ride forward.

"slow."

Xiao Chen stopped him. "Money."

Zhou Yong gestured to his personal guards to carry the box over.

Xiao Chen opened the box, grabbed a few silver ingots at random, checked their quality, and nodded: "Deal."

With a wave of his hand, Wang Dashan handed the horse reins to one of Zhou Yong's personal guards.

Zhou Yong couldn't wait to mount his horse and ride around the hill.

The Snowwalker lived up to its name; it was fast, steady, and made riding it feel like walking on flat ground.

"Good horse! Good horse!"

Zhou Yong laughed loudly, "Go back and tell Halbala that I've remembered this favor!"

He turned his horse around and headed back to camp.

"General Zhou, please wait." Xiao Chen suddenly said.

"Is there anything else?"

"The young clan leader has another message for me to deliver to the general."

Xiao Chen rode closer and lowered his voice, "Regarding that batch of weapons from last autumn..."

Zhou Yong's expression changed, and he waved for his personal guards to step back.

"What weaponry? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why pretend to be confused, General?"

Xiao Chen smiled. "That batch of weapons came from Dingbei Pass, and the person who handled it was the general. The young clan leader said that if the general wants to continue doing business, he'll have to raise the price a bit more."

"How much?"

"Add another five thousand taels."

Zhou Yong's face darkened: "Is Harbala trying to blackmail me?"

"It's not extortion, it's cooperation."

Xiao Chen said, "The general has connections, and the young clan leader has needs. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement, isn't it?"

Zhou Yong stared at Xiao Chen, then suddenly sensed something was wrong.

This nobility from the grasslands speaks in such a refined, literary way; they don't sound like people from the grasslands, they sound more like…

His eyes widened suddenly: "You're not from the grasslands! Who are you?!"

late.

Just as he shouted those words, flames suddenly shot into the sky from the direction of Dingbeiguan in the distance!

The grain warehouse is on fire!

Zhou Yong's face turned ashen, and he turned his horse around to charge back.

But Xiao Chen was faster than him.

The scimitar was drawn and placed against his neck.

"General Zhou, where do you want to go?"

"Who...who are you?!" Zhou Yong was both shocked and furious.

Xiao Chen took off his leather hat, revealing his true face.

Under the moonlight, Zhou Yong recognized the young face—he had seen it when he was reporting for duty in the capital, and also at the Fourth Prince's residence.

Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen.

"It's you..."

Zhou Yong's voice trembled, "You...how dare you..."

"How could I dare?"

Xiao Chen sneered, "Zhou Yong, you sold weapons to grassland tribes privately and robbed the imperial court's relief grain. Which of these isn't a capital offense? I'm acting on behalf of Heaven; what wouldn't I dare to do?"

"You...you're lying! I didn't..."

"Whether you have it or not, you know the answer yourself."

Xiao Chen extended the blade forward slightly. "Now, I'll give you two choices."

First, come back to Hanyuan with me and tell me everything about your dealings with the Fourth Prince.

Secondly, I will kill you now, and send your head back to the capital, saying that you colluded with the grasslands to plunder relief grain, and that I have executed you on the spot.

Zhou Yong was trembling all over.

He knew that Xiao Chen was telling the truth.

If any one of those things were exposed, it would be a heinous crime that would lead to the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire family.

Moreover, if the granary catches fire, even if he goes back, he will not escape death.

Either way, it's all the same – death.

"I...I choose the first one."

He slumped on the horse's back, saying, "I'll tell you everything..."

Xiao Chen sheathed his knife and gave Wang Dashan a wink.

Wang Dashan stepped forward and tied Zhou Yong up tightly.

"withdraw."

The group mounted their horses and disappeared into the night.

Behind them, the fire at Dingbei Pass burned brighter and brighter, illuminating half the sky.

In the direction of Hanyuan City, a full moon hung quietly.

The moonlight, like water, illuminated the way home.

It also illuminated a path that was more difficult, but also brighter.