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

It was the end of May in the second year of Xuanji.

Two hundred li east of Yingcheng lies the former site of Jiangling.

The mighty Yangtze River, with its turbid waves flowing eastward, carries the lingering scent of gunpowder from the battles fought upstream.

A great fire consumed the last pride of the rebel navy and also burned through the Yangtze River, the natural barrier that stood between the Xia army and the Xia forces.

Zhenguo Gong Han Lie personally led a large army, and with the support of Zhou Meng and Chen Dao, who advanced by both land and water, they successfully crossed the Yangtze River. The vanguard had already reached the city of Jiangling.

However, entering Jiangnan did not mean the end of the war, nor did it signify the start of a real offensive.

Conversely, for the main force of the Hanyuan Army, who were accustomed to the plains of the North, the desert sands, and the ravines of Guanzhong, a completely new battlefield, full of unknowns and challenges, was just beginning to unfold beneath their feet.

This is no longer the battlefield they are familiar with.

Not far from the riverbank, the terrain suddenly changes.

What stretches as far as the eye can see is no longer the desolate Loess Plateau, but a network of crisscrossing waterways.

Rivers, streams, and ditches of all sizes meander and spread throughout the land like the veins of the earth.

They varied in width and depth, some were crystal clear, others were murky and silted up, but without exception, they all became obstacles on the march.

Bridges are scarce and often rudimentary; in many places, there are only rickety bamboo or wooden walkways, and sometimes one has to wade across water.

The roads were no longer the solid and spacious official roads.

Instead, there are muddy field ridges, slippery stone paths, and narrow dikes that meander through rivers, lakes, and harbors, barely wide enough for one person to pass at a time.

It had rained a few days ago, and the roads were extremely slippery, making it difficult for people and horses to travel.

The heavy supply wagons often got stuck in the mud, requiring dozens of soldiers to push and pull them to move, which drastically reduced the marching speed.

The weather has also become unbearably hot and humid.

In May, the Jiangnan region is already hot and humid, with the air so moist you could wring water out of it.

Soldiers from the north, accustomed to the dry and cool climate, suddenly found themselves in this humid environment teeming with mosquitoes. Many experienced symptoms of acclimatization problems—diarrhea, heatstroke, and itchy skin—and non-combat casualties began to quietly increase.

Wearing heavy iron armor is like being in a steamer; you'll be drenched in sweat in less than half an hour, and those with weak constitutions might even faint.

The field of vision is extremely limited.

Dense bamboo groves, mulberry groves, rice paddies, and ponds and lakes of all sizes severely obstruct the view.

An enemy might be hiding just ten steps away.

The scouts' reconnaissance range was greatly reduced, and traditional flag signals and horn signals became much less effective in winding terrain.

The rebels were familiar with the terrain and broke up into smaller groups, using reed marshes, villages, and bamboo forests to harass the enemy. They would hit and run, which annoyed the Han Yuan army, who were used to large-scale battles and head-on combat, but they could not effectively capture and annihilate them.

The most critical issue is the information gap.

The dialects in the Jiangnan region are complex and differ greatly from those in Northern Mandarin.

The common people feared this "northern" army more than they welcomed it. When they asked for directions, they often received silent or vague directions, or were even deliberately misled.

In the countryside, clan forces were deeply entrenched, and many local powerful families had intricate connections with Xiao Rong's forces, providing support and protection openly or covertly. This made it difficult for the army to accurately grasp the movements of the main rebel force and the true state of the local people, as if looking at flowers through a fog.

"Damn it! This godforsaken place!"

Zhou Meng kicked hard on the wet, slippery bluestone by the roadside, splashing up a cloud of mud and water.

His fine, gleaming armor was covered in mud, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his face was etched with frustration.

He had just led a vanguard in a quick breakout attempt, but on the edge of what appeared to be a flat river tributary, he sank into a waist-deep mud pit, not only delaying their advance but also nearly losing their horse.

"It's harder to walk than the swamps on the grasslands! The mosquitoes are more annoying than the arrows of the barbarians!"

Inside the command tent, Han Lie's brows were also tightly furrowed.

The map was laid out on the table, densely marked with rivers, lakes, and villages.

The intelligence brought by the scouts was fragmented and contradictory, indicating that the main force of the rebels Xiao Rong and Xiao Min did not hold Jiangling, but abandoned the city where their fathers had suffered defeats and retreated to the depths of the marshes further south. It seemed that they wanted to use the complex terrain to stall for time with the imperial army and even intend to wear down the northern army on this unfamiliar land.

"General, we can't go on like this."

Although Chen Dao's morale was high thanks to the great victory in the naval battle, he was also aware of the difficulties of land warfare: "Our soldiers are not used to naval warfare, the transportation of supplies is difficult, and more and more soldiers are suffering from acclimatization problems. The rebels are obviously trying to buy time and wear down our morale. If our army advances recklessly, we may be ambushed or trapped somewhere, and if our supply lines are cut off, we will be in grave danger."

Han Lie nodded silently.

Having spent half his life in the military, he deeply understands the weight of the phrase "adapting to local conditions."

The formidable Hanyuan cavalry and heavy infantry, which were invincible in the north, were greatly diminished in the Jiangnan water towns, where rivers and lakes were densely packed and roads were muddy.

The heavy armor became a burden, making it difficult for warhorses to gallop and for large siege weapons to move even an inch.

"Order all armies," Han Lie finally spoke, his voice steady and resolute, "to halt the pursuit, set up camp on the spot, and use Jiangling as a base to secure the rear."

First, adapt to the environment.

The army's medical officers were instructed to immediately collect local herbs and prepare a decoction to prevent malaria and treat diarrhea and summer heat, which was then distributed throughout the army to ensure that non-combat casualties were controlled.

They dispatched artisan camps to use local materials to quickly produce wooden clogs, raincoats, and bamboo hats to improve marching conditions.

Armor, except for what is necessary for duty and combat, can be worn as light leather armor or battle jacket on ordinary days.

Warhorses require meticulous care; their hooves need anti-slip iron shoes.

"Second, adjust tactics and train a new army."

Soldiers skilled in swimming and agile in navigating the water were selected from various battalions, along with surrendered southern soldiers, to form the "Wave-Treading Battalion," specializing in reconnaissance, raids, and river-crossing operations. They were equipped with light armor, short weapons, powerful crossbows, and a large number of small boats and bamboo rafts.

Zhou Meng, you're in charge of this. You have half a month to train elite soldiers who can move freely in the water network!

"Third, collect ships and train in land-sea coordination."

Chen Dao, your naval force must not only control the river surface, but also detach some small and medium-sized warships to enter the inland tributaries to coordinate with the infantry.

Wherever the army goes, build bridges over rivers and use boats to cross them, advancing by both land and water, without neglecting either. Transport of supplies should be made primarily by water.

"Fourth, divide and conquer, and gather intelligence. Mr. Jia Wenhe."

Han Lie looked at the silent strategist beside him and said, "I will have to trouble you to use all means necessary."

For those powerful figures who colluded with the rebels, offer them great benefits and explain the advantages and disadvantages. If you can win them over, do so; if not, use intimidation to weaken their influence.

For ordinary people, strict military discipline should be enforced, ensuring no one is violated, fair trade should be conducted, and relief should even be provided as appropriate to win the hearts of the people.

A hefty reward is offered to recruit guides familiar with the local terrain and hydrology, especially those knowledgeable about the waterways and topography around Yingcheng.

Fifth, use combat as training to remove obstacles.

The army was in no hurry to find the main rebel force for a decisive battle.

Each battalion, organized into regiments and teams, and in coordination with the Treading Waves Battalion and local leaders, wiped out small groups of rebels and bandits affiliated with the rebels in the surrounding area, destroyed their hidden supply points, and eliminated their outposts.

Firstly, to clear out the rear; secondly, to familiarize the soldiers with waterborne warfare; and thirdly... perhaps to capture prisoners and extract the exact location and intentions of the main rebel force.

Han Lie's gaze returned to the map, his finger pointing to the location of Ying City: "Xiao Rong, Xiao Min, and that Zhao Ben, they think they can use the water region's terrain to drag us down? Dream on!"

The Hanyuan Army, which can fight its way from the bitter cold north to the Central Plains, can also adapt to the water towns of Jiangnan!

"Pass down the order: tell all the soldiers, this is not retreating, this is sharpening our swords. Only when the swords are sharpened can we cut off the traitor's head!"

The order was conveyed swiftly.

Although the massive war machine of the Hanyuan Army has temporarily slowed its advance, it has begun to operate efficiently in another way.

The campsite was filled with the scent of herbs.

The soldiers took off their heavy iron armor and put on clothing more suitable for the humid climate.

The craftsmen's camp was filled with the clanging and clattering of their tools as they hurried to make various implements adapted to the terrain.

The newly formed "Wave-Treading Battalion" began its almost brutal acclimatization training amidst Zhou Meng's roars—swimming, boat handling, rapid marching through mud, and ambushes in bamboo forests and reeds...

Chen Dao's navy dispatched many small boats, which, like tentacles, ventured deep into the inland waterways and harbors, drawing detailed waterway maps.

Jia Wenhe's messengers, carrying gold, silver, and threats, moved in and out of various fortified villages and manors.

Small-scale battles began to break out frequently in the network of waterways within a radius of hundreds of miles. With superior numbers and strict discipline, the Hanyuan Army gradually eliminated the rebels' eyes, ears, and henchmen, while also using blood and fire to accelerate their familiarization with this unfamiliar battlefield.

From the boundless plains to the water towns crisscrossed by rivers and lakes, the Hanyuan Army is undergoing a painful transformation.

They abandoned some of their familiar tactics and began learning new survival and combat skills.

This process will inevitably involve discomfort, setbacks, and even sacrifices, but it is a hurdle that a truly strong military must overcome.

Han Lie proceeded steadily and surely, not seeking a quick victory, but aiming for complete success.

He is using time and patience to gradually turn the Jiangnan water towns, a battlefield that was unfavorable to him, into his own home ground.

Meanwhile, far away in Yingcheng, Xiao Rong, Xiao Min, and Zhao Ben, who were perhaps still dreaming of using their geographical advantage to wear down the Northern Army, were unaware that a more comprehensive, more adapted to this land, and more vengeful Northern army was quietly completing its final adjustments and assembly amidst the moisture and mud.

When this army marches forward again, what awaits the rebels will no longer be the troubles of acclimatization, but rather more precise and deadly attacks from both land and water.