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

May of the second year of Xuanji.

The middle reaches of the Yangtze River, Yunmeng Zekou.

The river is vast and boundless, with the water and sky merging into one.

This is a time when fishermen sing to each other and thousands of sails compete in the wind, but now it is shrouded in the clouds of war.

Banners covered the sky, warships stood like a forest, and the oppressive atmosphere was so intense that even the seagulls on the river fled in terror.

On the north bank of the Yangtze River, the Xia army's land and naval camps stretched for dozens of miles, with heavily fortified camps and the sound of watchtowers echoing everywhere.

The atmosphere inside the command tent was heavy.

Naval Commander Chen Dao, a veteran of naval warfare who once dominated the East China Sea and made numerous military achievements after joining Xiao Chen's forces, was frowning as he stared at the hanging map of the river defenses.

Beside him stood Zhou Meng, a general of the Hanyuan Army who had secretly come south from the northern frontier. He was impatiently stroking the hilt of his sword, his face filled with eager killing intent.

"Governor Chen, what are you waiting for?"

Zhou Meng's voice was as loud as a bell, so loud that even the curtains seemed to tremble. "His Majesty's decree is very clear: a swift and decisive battle!"

Our infantry, trebuchets, and Shenji Battalion are all ready. We're just waiting for your navy to open the river. I'll lead my men over there and twist the heads off those two little bastards, Xiao Rong and Xiao Min, and use them as footballs!

"This stalemate has lasted for seven or eight days now. Seeing those dilapidated ships swaggering around on the other side every day is driving me crazy!"

Chen Dao glanced at Zhou Meng, his gaze calm: "General Zhou, please calm down. The Wu navy lives up to its reputation. Look—"

He pointed to the waters on the south bank marked on the map, "The rebel navy, with the large warships 'louchuan' as its core, supplemented by 'doujian' and 'zouge', has no less than four hundred warships of various sizes. The main force is entrenched in the waters around Yingzhou and Bailuoji, east of Yingcheng, with their backs to the coastal defenses, forming a defensive triangle."

Their ships are large, their sailors are skilled, and they are familiar with the local waterways and currents. If our army rashly launches a strong attack, even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. Moreover, relying on their navy, they can cut off our supply lines at any time, harass our rear, and delay our advance, which would be detrimental to our overall situation.

"So what do you suggest we do? Just leave it at that?"

Zhou Meng glared. "Your Majesty can't wait that long! I heard those bastards are still reinforcing the walls of Yingcheng and conscripting men everywhere. If this drags on any longer, the siege will be even more difficult!"

Chen Dao did not answer immediately, his gaze still sweeping across the map, finally settling on several sandbars in the middle of the river and a relatively calm bay downstream.

"We can't just wear them down. But naval warfare is different from land warfare. Wind, water, fire, ships, and men are all indispensable. The rebel navy commander is Han Dang, a veteran general under the King of Wu. He is experienced in naval warfare, uses troops cautiously, and holds his ground, intending to wait for our army to tire itself out and then launch a surprise attack."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "However, if Han Dang wants to be 'stable,' I will not let him be 'stable.'"

In the past few days, I have sent small groups of fast boats to repeatedly probe and figure out their patrol patterns and the general layout of their water fortress.

To ensure stability and convenience, their ships were often connected by large ropes, or tied end to end, especially at night and in foggy weather, to prevent them from getting separated or lost.

This is a cardinal sin for naval warfare, and Han Dang surely knew it. However, he was overconfident in his navy's strength, and our army was unfamiliar with naval battles. Furthermore, he was eager for stability, hence this risky move.

Zhou Meng was completely confused: "Connected? So what? You don't expect me to charge in and fight hand-to-hand, do you?"

Chen Dao's lips curled into a cold smile: "Hand-to-hand combat? That's a last resort. General Zhou, do you remember the items I urgently requested from His Majesty and the Privy Council a few days ago?"

Zhou Meng was taken aback, then suddenly remembered something, his copper-bell-like eyes widening even more: "You mean... those... flammable oil tanks that the Institute of Physics just made? And those jars filled with gunpowder and sulfur?"

"Exactly."

Chen Dao walked to the edge of the tent and looked out at the gloomy sky where a southeast wind was beginning to pick up. "The heavens are on our side. The southeast wind is blowing today, and although it is not very strong, it is enough to help us. Han Dang has linked the warships together, which has given our army a golden opportunity. Our newly built and incorporated warships are not as tall and sturdy as his, but they are light and agile, and they also carry... new and powerful weapons."

He turned abruptly, his voice resolute: "Pass on my order! All battalions have eaten their fill. Tonight at midnight, the entire army will launch an attack! General Zhou, you will lead a portion of the 'Iron Mountain Battalion' and the 'Divine Machine Battalion,' aboard the large ferries and pontoon bridges I have prepared, and assemble in the reed marshes thirty li upstream. Upon seeing my water fortress ablaze, immediately force your way ashore and storm the rebel army's water fortress, burning their provisions and supplies, cutting off their retreat!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhou Meng slapped his thigh excitedly, "We should have done this a long time ago! Don't worry, I'll definitely turn their hideout upside down!"

Chen Dao nodded, his gaze returning to the dense array of ships on the map, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Han Dang, you want to hold your ground? I'll give you a taste of the Battle of Red Cliffs!"

That night, at midnight.

On a dark and windy night, a thin mist rose from the river, making visibility extremely low.

Only a few scattered lights in the rebel army's water fortress flickered in the darkness like will-o'-the-wisps.

The Xia army's water fortress was shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

Hundreds of warships of various sizes, including captured and modified warships, agile fighting ships, and large numbers of small boats and red-horse boats loaded with flammable materials and soldiers, have quietly left the port. Under the cover of night and southeast wind, they are divided into several groups and glide like ghosts into the dark heart of the river.

Chen Dao himself rode in a reinforced, specially designed warship, which was positioned in the middle and rear of the fleet.

He was dressed in light armor, with a black water jacket over it, and his eyes, like those of a hawk, scanned the dim river surface.

Beside him were dozens of carefully selected assassins skilled in swimming, as well as dozens of "fierce fire oil tanks" tightly wrapped in oilcloth and emitting a pungent smell, and piles of pottery jars and straw boats.

"Commander, we are approaching the enemy's outer perimeter patrol fleet," the lookout reported in a low voice.

"As planned, the first squadron will sail out to harass and approach the enemy, drawing their outer patrol fleet. The second squadron will advance in a swift manner, preparing for a surprise attack, using jibs and hooks to entangle the enemy ships and cover the fire ships!" Chen Dao's voice was deep, yet clearly carried throughout the flagship.

The order was conveyed swiftly.

Soon, a dozen nimble Xia army boats shot out of the darkness like arrows, heading straight for the patrol fleet surrounding the rebel army's water fortress.

The ships unleashed a barrage of arrows, and rockets streaked across the night sky like meteors, hurtling towards the enemy vessels.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Caught off guard, the rebel patrol fleet was thrown into chaos, with the mournful sounds of gongs and horns ringing out.

The main force in the water fortress was alerted, but Han Dang was cautious in his military tactics and did not immediately mobilize the entire army. Instead, he strengthened the defenses of the fortress walls and the outer perimeter, and sent out more warships to drive away the small boats harassing the Xia army.

"Now!" Chen Dao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Fireship fleet, attack! Furnaces, prepare!"

Dozens of small boats, loaded with firewood, sulfur, saltpeter, and grease, and soaked in kerosene, were controlled by the suicide squad members. Like fiery snakes, they took advantage of the increasingly strong southeast wind and followed the current, silently and at great speed separating from the Xia army fleet and heading straight for the core area of ​​the rebel army's water fortress!

At the same time, Xia Jun's Mengchong and Doujian, loaded with "fierce fire oil tanks", followed closely behind and pressed forward.

In the rebel army's water fortress, Han Dang was awakened from his sleep by his personal guards and hurriedly boarded the flagship warship.

"What's going on? Xia army launched a night attack? How many have come?" he asked sternly.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, it was just a small group of enemy troops harassing us; most of them have already been driven away by our army... Oh no! What's that?!" The deputy general suddenly pointed to the southeast of the water fortress and shouted in alarm.

In the darkness, dozens of moving fires were rushing toward the water village at an alarming speed!

They are small in size but extremely fast, and their formation is scattered, making them difficult to intercept using conventional methods.

"Fire ships! The Xia army is going to use fire!"

Han Dang, being experienced, reacted instantly, his expression changing drastically. "Quick! Send small boats to intercept them! Use long poles to push them away! All boats, untie your mooring lines and scatter! Archers, fire fire arrows and ignite them from a distance!"

However, it was too late.

With a strong southeast wind blowing, the fireboats, aided by the wind and current, moved at speeds far exceeding those of ordinary ships.

The small boats hastily dispatched by the rebels were simply not in time to be effectively intercepted.

To maintain stability, Han Dang had connected many large warships with thick ropes. Now, the ropes were being untied in an emergency, causing chaos.

"Boom!" "Boom! Boom!"

The first fire ship rammed violently into one of the outer rebel warships.

Instantly, the dry firewood doused with oil was ignited, and flames shot skyward! Following that, more fire ships, like moths to a flame, crashed into the rebel fleet.

Sulfur, saltpeter, and grease burned fiercely, crackling and popping, and the flames spread rapidly.

The rebel warships, tied together by ropes, were set ablaze one after another, and the river surface was instantly ablaze with fire, which quickly spread out into a vast expanse!

"Release!" Just as the rebel army's water fortress was engulfed in flames and in chaos, Chen Dao's order rang out again.

The Xia army warships, loaded with "fierce fire oil tanks," had approached within effective firing range.

This primitive flamethrower, which was urgently improved by the Institute of Physics and equipped with a pressurized bladder and a copper nozzle, was used by soldiers to vigorously crank the lever to spray the viscous liquid stored in the canister, which was mixed with petroleum and other flammable materials, out through the thick bamboo tube and then ignited with torches!

"call--!"

Several raging fire dragons, each several meters long, burst forth from the Xia army's warships, accompanied by terrifying howls, and rushed straight towards the rebel warships that had not yet been affected by the fire ships or were trying to extinguish the fire!

The viscous flames clung to the sails, gunwales, and decks, proving extremely difficult to extinguish with water, instantly dragging more rebel warships into the inferno.

Even more deadly were the terracotta pots that were hurled at us—filled with granular gunpowder and iron slag. Once the fuse was lit, they were thrown out and exploded at close range on enemy ships or in the water. Although they were not as powerful as large "thunderclap bombs," the impact of the explosion and the scattered iron slag were extremely deadly to wooden warships and sailors. In addition, they could ignite debris and intensify the fire.

"Heavenly fire! This is heavenly fire!"

"The boat is stuck! We can't put it out!"

"Jump ship!"

The rebel navy completely collapsed.

Flames burned the river, thick smoke billowed, and countless boats turned into giant torches, turning half of the river water red.

The soldiers' screams, the explosions of ships breaking apart, and the crackling of burning planks intertwined to create a hellish symphony.

The ships that were lucky enough to escape the fire collided with each other in the chaos or fled in panic, but were in complete disarray due to their dense formation and narrow waterways.

Han Dang stood on the flagship, his eyes bloodshot, watching his elite navy, which he had built up over many years, vanish in flames and explosions.

He tried to organize a counterattack, but the orders could no longer be conveyed, and the flagship itself was also affected by several fire ships and a "fire dragon" and began to burn.

"Chen Dao... Xiao Chen..."

Han Dang gave a bitter laugh, knowing that all was lost, and suddenly drew his sword, holding it to his neck...

Meanwhile, upstream in the reeds, Zhou Meng, seeing the fire on the river, brandished his massive, door-sized blade and roared, "Men! Commander Chen has succeeded! Follow me, charge over there, slaughter all those traitorous brats on the shore, and burn down their lair!"

Countless large ferries and pontoon bridges, laden with the elite troops of the Hanyuan Army, shot towards the opposite bank like arrows released from a bow.

The rebel troops stationed at the riverbank were already terrified by the hellish scene on the river. When they saw the fierce northern soldiers charging towards them, they offered almost no effective resistance and scattered in all directions.

On the Yangtze River, raging flames burned the sky, turning the five-hundred-mile-long Yunmeng Marsh red.

Han Dang's powerful navy, painstakingly built and considered a shield for the rebels, was wiped out overnight. Chen Dao, employing a surprise fire attack supplemented by new firearms, achieved a brilliant victory—the first large-scale naval battle under Xiao Chen's command since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty.

The natural barrier of the Yangtze River is now open.

The road leading to Yingcheng, to Xiao Rong and Xiao Min, and to the end of this rebellion, has been completely illuminated by this raging fire.