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

February of the first year of Xuanji.

The spring chill lingered in the capital, and the snow on the eaves of Weiyang Palace had not yet melted, but a scorching fighting spirit was already emanating from Zichen Hall.

The afterglow of the new dynasty's celebrations still lingered, but what piled up on Emperor Xuanji Xiao Chen's desk were not congratulatory messages or auspicious omens, but three urgent military reports from the East China Sea, the Central Plains, and the western border of Guanzhong.

In the East, Xu Hai, the Sea King, entrenched himself in the Langya and Yuzhou (present-day Lianyungang) area, possessing thousands of ships and tens of thousands of followers. He gathered outlaws, monopolized the salt and iron industries, robbed merchants, and even frequently raided coastal prefectures and counties.

Its strategic location on an island allows its fleet to move swiftly, and despite repeated attempts by previous dynasties to eliminate it, it has become a major threat to the eastern sea frontier.

In the Central Plains, Zhao Yuanlang, the Duke of Bianliang, was originally the military governor of Bianliang in the previous dynasty. Taking advantage of the chaos, he seized power and occupied the wealthy areas of Bianliang and Songzhou. He colluded with local powerful families, repaired city defenses, and stockpiled grain and fodder, acting as the overlord of the Central Plains. He cut off the north-south water transport and became a poisonous thorn in the heart of the Great Xia.

In the west, the Guanzhong-Longxi Alliance of powerful warlords, led by Yang Wanjun, the head of the Yang family of Longxi, and Fu Hong, the chieftain of the Di tribe, each possessed strong armies, occupied mountains and fortified villages. They nominally submitted to the central government, but in reality, they governed independently, resisted taxes and corvée labor, and even frequently raided border towns. In the Guanzhong region, government orders could not easily leave Chang'an, becoming a hidden worry in the western frontier.

These three points are like the three legs of a tripod; if any one is missing, the tripod will be unstable. They are also like a thorn in the throat, which must be uttered.

Not long after Xiao Chen ascended the throne, before he had even warmed his seat, he summoned his trusted ministers to a side hall.

A huge sheepskin map hangs in the air, with three areas prominently circled in vermilion.

"With the new dynasty newly established and everything in need of rebuilding, how can we allow others to sleep soundly beside our bed?"

Xiao Chen stood with his hands behind his back in front of the map, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable determination: "The East Sea and the Xu Sea are like scabies, but they will eventually become boils, ruining our coastal borders and damaging our wealth."

Zhao Yuanlang of the Central Plains occupies a fertile land and blocks the vital passage for grain transport. If he is not eliminated, the Central Plains will not be at peace, and the grain transport will be difficult to secure.

The Yang and Fu tribes of Guanzhong and Longxi were unruly and rebellious, relying on their strategic location to establish their own independent regimes. They refused to accept the king's rule and were bound to cause trouble in the long run.

"With these three places unsettled, how can I bring peace to the realm? How can the Great Xia claim to be unified?"

Duke Zhenguo and Grand General Han Lie stepped forward first, his eyes gleaming with power: "Your Majesty is wise! These petty clowns should be swept away with lightning speed while our new dynasty is in its prime! I am willing to lead the charge for Your Majesty!"

Xiao Chen nodded, his gaze sweeping over Naval Commander Chen Dao, General of the Cavalry Wang Zhenyue, Military Advisor Zhuge Ming, Censor-in-Chief Jia Wenhe, and others. He said in a deep voice, "My mind is made up. We will advance on three fronts simultaneously, dispatching troops with lightning speed to sweep away all disloyal forces and intimidate the rebellious!"

His finger first pointed to the winding coastline and scattered islands in the eastern part of the map:

"The Eastern Route is led by General Chen Dao, who is in charge of the Pacification of the Seas, and Zhou Meng is promoted to deputy commander. They command the newly launched Zhenhai and Pingbo-class warships, as well as the naval and infantry forces of Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Qingzhou, totaling 40,000 men."

Xu Hai, relying on the advantage of his boats, roamed freely across the waves.

Our Jinghai Navy's new warships are strong and well-trained, and can easily defeat them.

Chen Dao, you need to proceed cautiously and steadily, first clipping its wings, sweeping away the coastal islands and fortresses, cutting off its trade and supplies, and trapping it on the shore.

Then, they launched a pincer attack by land and water, heading straight for their stronghold, Yuzhou Mountain.

The people of the East Sea have suffered under the oppression of Xu Hai for too long. After defeating the rebels, I shall widely proclaim my benevolence, comfort the refugees, restore the benefits of fishing and salt production, and ensure peace on the coast, so that our Great Xia may forever secure its eastern border.

Chen Dao, the taciturn yet experienced naval commander, knelt on one knee, his voice resounding: "This humble general obeys the decree! We will surely quell the pirates, capture Xu Hai and present him to the emperor, thus cleansing the vast seas!"

Xiao Chen moved his finger to the heart of the Central Plains, with Bianliang City highlighted: "The central route, personally commanded by me."

With General Wang Zhenyue as the vanguard, and Military Advisor Zhuge Ming and Imperial Censor Jia Wenhe assisting in military affairs, the elite of the Shence Army and troops from various garrisons in Hebei and Henan were mobilized, totaling 80,000 men.

Zhao Yuanlang held the fortified city of Bianliang, but he was suspicious by nature, and many of his subordinates were only superficially loyal.

The Central Plains have suffered from war and the people are weary of it, longing for peace.

Our army, emboldened by the power of the new dynasty, will press in with a mighty force, supplemented by sowing discord and psychological warfare; victory is assured.

The key to this route is speed. A swift capture of Bianliang will pacify the Central Plains, ensure the smooth flow of the Grand Canal, and bring peace to the heart of the empire. —Wang Zhenyue!

"Your subordinate is here!" Wang Zhenyue, a burly man with a booming voice, stepped forward.

"As the vanguard, you must be brave and resolute, paving the way for the army, capturing cities and breaking through strongholds!"

"Understood!" Wang Zhenyue replied in a deep voice, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Jia Wenhe," Xiao Chen looked at the Imperial Censor, who was known for his wisdom, shrewdness, and ability to understand people's hearts, "I entrust you with the entire task of sowing discord among the officials and generals of Bianliang and mobilizing internal agents within the city."

Jia Wenhe bowed, a mysterious smile playing on his lips: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Finally, Xiao Chen's finger landed heavily on the complex mountainous terrain of Guanzhong: "The western route will be led by General Han Lie, the Grand General Who Conquers the West."

With General Ma Zheng of Anxi and General Pang Xiao of Zhenrong as his deputies, they commanded the iron cavalry of Longyou, the elite soldiers of Hexi, and the newly surrendered Qiang and Di warriors, totaling 60,000 men.

The Guanzhong Plain is a dangerous place, and the people there are fierce and valiant. People like Yang Wanjun and Fu Hong each have their own ambitions and can be divided and defeated one by one.

Han Lie, you have long guarded the western frontier, and the Qiang and Di people fear you like a tiger.

On this journey, we should employ both suppression and appeasement, and combine kindness with severity.

Those who obey will be granted official positions, registered as commoners, and given land and houses; those who resist will be swiftly and mercilessly executed as a warning to others!

"We must open up the Longshan Mountains, completely pacify the Guanzhong Plain, firmly grasp this land in our hands, forge an iron wall on the western border of our Great Xia, and for the future... manage the Western Regions and protect the Central Plains."

Han Lie's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he clasped his hands in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, rest assured! The scoundrels of Guanzhong are nothing but chickens and dogs. Your Majesty, I will surely plow their courtyards and sweep away their dens, so that the western border will forever be Your Majesty's bulwark, and the barbarian horses will not dare to look south!"

With the strategy set, the massive war machine was set in motion.

The Ministry of War worked day and night to allocate provisions and weapons; the Ministry of Revenue urgently raised funds and transported supplies; the Ministry of Works kept the workshops brightly lit to rush the production of siege equipment and the maintenance of weapons; countless messengers carried command arrows and rushed to all directions, and the orders to mobilize troops covered the empire like a spider web.

The first year of Xuanji, the third day of the third month, the Azure Dragon Festival.

As the spring breeze warms, all things begin to revive.

Outside the capital city, three towering command platforms stood majestically, with black dragon flags and various colored general flags fluttering in the wind, obscuring the sky and the sun.

The Eastern Route Army, led by Chen Dao and Zhou Tai, stood on a high platform by the sea, clad in gleaming silver armor.

Below the platform, the newly built Jinghai naval warships lay moored in the harbor like behemoths, their sails like a forest, and the new crossbows on their bows gleaming coldly. Infantrymen stood in formation on the beach, their military bearing impeccable.

Chen Dao drew his sword to the sky, his voice shaking the sea: "By imperial decree, we will quell the rebellion and pacify the land! Let us depart!"

Bugles sounded, war drums thundered, giant sails rose, oars churned, and the massive fleet broke through the waves, heading east. Infantry also set sail, either boarding ships or advancing along the coast by land.

In the central army, Xiao Chen personally ascended the high platform, his black armor and golden helmet gleaming in the morning sun.

Eighty thousand Shence Army soldiers and troops from the Central Plains formed an iron square formation, with spears and lances like a forest, and armor gleaming in the sun. Their chilling aura changed the very color of the wind and clouds.

Without further ado, Xiao Chen drew his longsword and swung it forcefully southward toward Bianliang. His voice, amplified by a bronze megaphone, echoed across the wilderness: "Target: Bianliang, advance!"

A brief military order contains supreme authority and an unwavering belief in victory.

The army responded with a thunderous roar, their voices shaking the world. Immediately, the iron torrent began to roll southward.

The Western Route Army set up its command post at the foot of Longshan Mountain, where the west wind was biting.

Han Lie stood with his hand on his sword, clad in black iron armor and a scarlet cloak, with Ma Zheng and Pang Xiao beside him like tigers and wolves.

Below the stage were seasoned cavalry from Longyou, elite soldiers from Hexi, and surrendered Qiang and Di warriors, all of whom were brave and fierce, exuding the rugged spirit of the grasslands and deserts.

Han Lie's gaze swept over the fierce army with lightning speed, his voice like metal: "The powerful leaders of Guanzhong are ignorant of the will of Heaven and defy the rule of the king! Those who submit to me will be rewarded with wealth and honor; those who oppose me will be slaughtered! Follow me, and we will conquer Guanzhong and spread our might across the western frontier!"

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

A furious roar mingled with the sounds of the Huqin and Qiang flutes as 60,000 iron cavalry surged like a raging torrent towards the treacherous mountain passes of Guanzhong.

The three armies, like three black arrows released from a bow, carrying the sharp edge of the new dynasty and the Xuanji Emperor's will to unify the world, tore through the spring breeze and shot towards the last crack in the map of Great Xia.

The waves of the East, the dust of the Central Plains, and the iron hooves of the West together sounded the final battle drum for the complete unification of the empire.

Shenjing, Zichen Palace.

Although Xiao Chen had personally led the expedition, the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Su Wenzheng, Zhuge Ming, and others, remained orderly.

Countless military intelligence, supplies, and personnel documents flowed like blood through the heart of this empire.

Xiao Chen stood inside the central, movable golden-roofed tent, gazing at the hanging military intelligence map.

The three routes—east, central, and west—each marked with a black arrow representing the Great Xia Dynasty, are firmly pointing towards their respective goals.

"Xu Hai, Zhao Yuanlang, Yang Wanjun, Fu Hong..."

He murmured the names that were about to be swept into the dust of history, his eyes as deep as an ancient well. "The unification of the world is an inevitable trend. Since I have received the mandate of Heaven, I shall naturally bring peace to the world, ensure that my decrees reach all corners of the land, and that the people live in peace and prosperity. Your attempts to obstruct this trend are like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

Outside the tent, the spring breeze, already carrying warmth, swept across the awakening Central Plains, and also carried the deep, orderly, and heart-stirring roar of the Great Xia army marching in the distance.

The last pieces of the empire's puzzle are about to be pieced together and put back into place in this unstoppable torrent.

And he, Emperor Xuanji Xiao Chen, will step over the remnants of these stumbling blocks to truly establish this glorious era of unity across the four seas and submission across the eight wastelands.