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

On the first day the new rules were announced, Hanyuan City was in an uproar.

The notice was posted on the wall outside the city lord's mansion, written clearly in black ink on white paper.

"I. Effective immediately, the poll tax is abolished and replaced by a 'work point system'."

"Second, all residents of Hanyuan City must be registered and organized into groups of ten households, forming a 'jia' and a 'bao', with the bao and jia system of joint responsibility."

"III. Methods of obtaining work points: Points are awarded based on labor, such as building city walls, mining, farming, military service, and manual labor. The elderly, children, and the disabled may perform light work and will also receive work points."

"IV. Exchange of Work Points: One work point can be exchanged for one pound of millet, or one ounce of salt, or half a foot of cloth. Exchanges can be made on the 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month upon presentation of a token."

"5. The income and expenditure of the city lord's mansion shall be published monthly. Anyone with doubts may go to the Civil Affairs Department for verification."

The area beneath the notice was packed with people.

Those who can read should read aloud, while those who cannot read should listen on tiptoe.

After one of the sentences was read, the crowd stirred.

What is a work point system?

"You only get to eat if you work!"

"Then... what about those who don't do any work?"

"Not working? Then starve!"

"But we used to pay taxes per capita, now it's changed like this..."

"Well done!"

A man shouted, "I work from dawn till dusk to support my family of five, and I still have to pay taxes to support those lazybones! Now it's all good, the more you work, the more you earn; the less you work, the less you earn—it's fair!"

"that is!"

A woman chimed in, "My husband works on the city wall; he earns three work points a day, which can be exchanged for three catties of rice! There was never such a good deal before!"

But some people disagree.

"I'm too old to do heavy work. Am I just supposed to starve to death?"

"My child is only three years old, what can he do?"

"Isn't this forcing us to our deaths?"

It was noisy and chaotic.

Uncle Fu stood beside the notice and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Folks, quiet down! Quiet down!"

The crowd gradually quieted down.

"The prince said,"

Uncle Fu announced loudly, "The elderly, children, and the disabled will all have light work to do! Spinning thread, weaving cloth, and making straw sandals will all earn work points! For those who really can't do any more work, the city lord's mansion will provide a basic ration every month, so they won't starve!"

After these words were spoken, the opposition diminished considerably.

But some people still wondered, "Then... what does 'collective punishment' mean?"

"It's ten households forming a 'jia' (甲). If someone in a 'jia' breaks the law, the entire 'jia' is implicated! If someone performs meritorious service, the entire 'jia' is rewarded!"

Uncle Fu explained, "This is to ensure everyone supervises and helps each other! Our Cold Abyss City is now crowded and diverse; without this kind of management, it would descend into chaos!"

"Then...what about the public disclosure of funds and grain? Are you really going to let us see the accounts?"

"They're really letting us see!"

Uncle Fu patted his chest and said, "His Highness said that from now on, every penny and every grain of rice in the City Lord's Mansion will be clearly recorded, down to where it was spent! Anyone with questions can come and check at any time!"

These words were like a stone thrown into a lake, creating ripples all around.

Since ancient times, government finances have been a mess.

Whatever the officials say goes, and the common people dare not question it? Now they're actually making the accounts public and letting the people come and check them?

"Your Highness... Your Highness really said that?" an old man asked in a trembling voice.

"Is that really true!"

Uncle Fu said, "He didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk! From today onwards, account books will be placed at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Department, and anyone who wants to look at them can do so! However, few people in Hanyuan are literate, so the Prince also said that he will set up a school to teach the children to read! Once the children can read, they can help everyone look at the account books!"

Establish schools!

These three words are more shocking than the work point system, the Baojia system, and the public disclosure of money and grain all combined.

In Hanyuan City, let alone schools, there are hardly any literate people.

Children who work alongside their parents from a young age may grow up to be blind.

Now the prince wants to set up a school to teach children to read?

"Your Highness...is that really what Your Highness said?"

The old man burst into tears, "My grandson is eight years old and has never even touched a book..."

"Absolutely true!"

Uncle Fu was also moved. "His Highness said that for Hanyuan to become rich, it first needs people! And if it doesn't have enough people, it also needs literate people! From now on, when the City Lord's Mansion recruits, it will give priority to literate people! They will also earn more work points than others!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Establishing a school is an immense act of kindness! This is a great thing that will change the fate of the next generation in Hanyuan!

"Long live the Prince!"

Someone shouted.

"Long live the Prince!"

"Long live the Prince!"

The shouts were deafening.

Uncle Fu wiped his eyes and announced loudly, "Now, those who need to register, line up here! Every household must register! After registration, you'll receive a work point card! Only with a work point card can you earn work points and exchange them for grain!"

The crowd surged toward the registration desk.

The Civil Affairs Department had just been established, and with only Uncle Fu and two literate elderly people, they were extremely busy. But no one complained, because this was a new beginning for Hanyuan City.

At the same time, the Military Affairs Department and the Industrial Construction Department also began operations.

The Military Affairs Office was located in the original military camp. Wang Dashan registered and reorganized all the able-bodied men—veterans, surrendered soldiers, militia, and Zhang Meng's five hundred elite soldiers.

According to Xiao Chen's plan, the Han Yuan Army was divided into three battalions.

The Jingbei Battalion, commanded by Zhang Meng, consisted of 500 elite soldiers, all well-equipped and highly paid. Their mission was to defend the city and engage in field battles.

The Hanyuan Battalion, commanded by Wang Dashan, consists of 800 men, mainly veterans and militiamen, with less advanced equipment. Their mission is patrolling and maintaining order.

The engineering battalion, commanded by Zhao Tie, consisted of three hundred men, mostly older or physically weak, but skilled in crafts. Their task was to repair city walls, dig trenches, and build barracks.

The three battalions each performed their own duties, were not subordinate to each other, and were only under the command of Xiao Chen.

The Construction Bureau was located at the foot of Black Stone Mountain. Han Lie led a group of veteran craftsmen and miners to begin their major construction project.

Some coal had already been mined, but the efficiency was too low. Han Lie improved the tools, designed pulleys and tracks, and even forged sturdier picks and shovels from discarded weapons. Efficiency increased by 30% at once.

A new iron ore vein was also discovered, with an even higher iron content. Han Lie built a simple blast furnace and used coal to smelt iron. Although the iron produced had many impurities, it was at least usable. With iron, they could make farm tools and weapons, which gave Han Yuan a boost in confidence.

Xiao Chen was the busiest.

He hardly slept, only two hours a day. The rest of the time, he was either handling government affairs, inspecting construction sites, or training soldiers.

He personally reviewed the household registers of the Civil Affairs Department. He remembered how many people were in each family, what special skills each person had, and what each person was suited for.

He personally supervised the military training of the Military Affairs Department. Although he didn't understand the specific drills, he knew what to train—physical fitness, discipline, and teamwork. He instructed Zhang Meng to train according to the standards of the Imperial Guards, Wang Dashan to train according to the standards of the Border Army, and Zhao Tie to train according to the standards of the engineers.

He wanted to personally oversee the progress of the Ministry of Works. He asked about the amount of coal mined, iron smelted, farm tools made, and weapons manufactured every day.

The three departments have just been established, and there are countless things to deal with, with problems arising one after another.

At the Civil Affairs Department, some people were falsely reporting population figures in an attempt to collect more work points. Xiao Chen ordered Uncle Fu to investigate thoroughly, and if anyone was found guilty, their entire family's work points would be deducted. Once the system of collective punishment was implemented, no one dared to falsely report anymore.

At the Military Affairs Department, a conflict arose between the Jingbei Battalion and the Hanyuan Battalion due to unequal pay. The Jingbei Battalion felt they were elite and deserved more. The Hanyuan Battalion argued that everyone was a soldier, so why should one receive more and the other less? Xiao Chen summoned the commanders of both battalions and addressed the soldiers in front of everyone: "The Jingbei Battalion receives higher pay because you will be fighting tough battles and guarding the most dangerous passes. The Hanyuan Battalion receives lower pay, but the tasks are lighter. Anyone who is dissatisfied can apply for a transfer. Those who want to go to the Jingbei Battalion are welcome. But once you go, you must follow the rules of the Jingbei Battalion—double the training, double the danger, and double the casualty rate."

No one dared to switch them.

The problem was even bigger for the mining division. Mining was physically demanding; although the work points were high, it was too tiring, and many people couldn't take it after a few days and wanted to switch to easier work. Xiao Chen had Han Lie break down the work points—five work points a day for mining, but with extra bonuses depending on how much was mined. Those who mined more could earn seven or eight work points a day. Now, no one complained about being tired, and everyone worked incredibly hard.

The Baojia system of collective responsibility was very effective after its implementation.

Ten households formed a "jia" (甲), with the jia head rotating among the household heads. If anyone in the jia broke the law, the entire jia was punished—their work points were deducted. If someone performed meritorious service, the entire jia was rewarded—they received work points. In this way, neighbors supervised each other; if a child was lazy or a man was drunk and causing trouble, someone would take care of it. Public security improved significantly.

The public disclosure of funds and grain has opened the eyes of the people.

On the fifth day of each month, account books were displayed at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Department—clearly showing how much grain was received, how much was spent, and how much was left over. Although most people were illiterate, Uncle Fu would read them aloud. When they heard that the city lord's mansion was trying to save grain, and that the prince himself was only eating two meals a day, each consisting of just a bowl of thin porridge, many people wept.

"The prince is even going hungry because of us..."

"What reason do we have not to work?"

"From now on, I'll be the first to object to anyone speaking ill of the Prince!"

People's hearts are gradually gathered together.

A month later, Hanyuan City had changed.

The city walls were raised three feet higher, and four more watchtowers were built. The streets were clean, the houses were repaired, and even the wells were dredged again. The most obvious change was in the people—before, they were sallow and emaciated with dull eyes; now they had rosy complexions and bright eyes.

That day, Xiao Chen was inspecting the city wall when Zhang Meng rushed over.

"Your Highness, someone from the capital has arrived!"

Xiao Chen's heart skipped a beat: "Who?"

"The people from the Ministry of Rites said they came to deliver relief grain," Zhang Meng said in a low voice, "but... they only delivered three thousand shi (a unit of dry measure)."

Of the 5,000 shi of relief grain, 5,000 were robbed, and the imperial court only issued 3,000 as compensation.

Moreover, it was more than a month late.

Xiao Chen sneered: "Let's go take a look."

At the city gate, a convoy of vehicles was parked. There were about fifty large carts, each piled with sacks, but the sacks were all flat—it was obvious that they were underweight.

The leader of the group was a minor official from the Ministry of Rites, surnamed Sun, who had an arrogant expression.

"Prince Jingbei, receive the imperial decree—" he drawled.

Xiao Chen knelt on one knee: "Your subject receives the imperial decree."

The official Sun unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud a string of bureaucratic verses. The gist of it was: "I have heard that the northern border is bitterly cold and the people are suffering. Therefore, I have allocated three thousand shi of grain and one thousand taels of silver for relief. I hope you will diligently attend to royal duties, pacify the people, and not fail my expectations," and so on.

After reading it aloud, he handed the imperial edict to Xiao Chen: "Your Highness, please take inventory. Three thousand shi of grain and one thousand taels of silver are all here."

Xiao Chen accepted the imperial edict, not even glancing at the grain, and asked only, "Lord Sun, the court allocated five thousand shi (a unit of dry measure), right?"

Official Sun's expression changed: "What does Your Highness mean? The court allocated three thousand shi of grain, where did this five thousand shi come from?"

"The document I received states that the amount is five thousand shi (a unit of grain).

"That's a document error!" Official Sun argued stubbornly. "The Ministry of Revenue's accounts clearly state 'three thousand shi'! If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can go back to the capital to verify!"

Should we return to Beijing to verify?

Xiao Chen sneered inwardly. The capital was his fourth brother's territory; what could he possibly find out if he went back to investigate?

"Lord Sun, you must be tired from your journey," he said calmly. "I have accepted the grain. Please convey a message to me when you return to the capital to report back."

"What did you say?"

"Say it," Xiao Chen stared into the eyes of the official Sun, "that the three thousand people of Hanyuan City thank His Majesty for his great kindness. They also thank their fourth brother for his trouble."

Official Sun turned pale, dared not reply, and hurriedly took his leave.

The convoy has left.

Xiao Chen looked at the fifty large trucks and the deflated sacks, and suddenly smiled.

"Your Highness, are you still laughing?" Wang Dashan said indignantly. "The imperial court is bullying us too much! They should have given us five thousand shi of grain, but they only gave us three thousand, and they're shortchanging us!"

"What I'm laughing at," Xiao Chen said, "is that the more Fourth Brother acts like this, the more it shows he's afraid."

"Afraid?"

"Yes." Xiao Chen turned around and looked south. "He's afraid I'll gain a foothold in the Northern Territory, afraid I'll become too powerful. So he's trying every means to suppress me, cut my rations, and try to trap me here to die."

He paused, his voice turning cold: "But what he doesn't know is that Hanyuan City doesn't survive on the imperial court's stipends. It was built up by ourselves, bit by bit."

"What about this grain..." Zhao Tie asked.

"Take it," Xiao Chen said. "Three thousand shi is better than nothing. Eat sparingly, it'll last a month. After a month, we should harvest our own grain."

"But they still deducted from the payment!" Wang Dashan was still indignant. "They promised a thousand taels, but I think it's only eight hundred taels at most!"

"I'll accept the silver too," Xiao Chen said. "Every little bit helps. With the silver, we can go to Dingbei Pass to buy salt, cloth, and farm tools. Hanyuan needs to develop; we can't just rely on mining and farming. We also need trade."

He looked at Han Lie: "Old Han, I remember you said that there are salt fields in Yulin Town and caravans in the Hexi Corridor?"

"That's right." Han Lie nodded. "The salt from Yulin Town is of good quality and cheap. Caravans from the Hexi Corridor pass through twice a year, in spring and autumn, selling silk, porcelain, and tea."

"Good." A glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "After the autumn harvest, we'll also form a caravan. We'll use our coal, iron, and furs to trade for their salt, cloth, and tea. Hanyuan can't just rely on farming and mining; they need to learn how to do business too."

Everyone looked at each other.

Doing business? These people are good at fighting and farming, but doing business...

"If you don't know how, you'll learn," Xiao Chen said. "Nobody is born knowing everything. Old Han has traveled all over the country and knows the market. Uncle Fu has managed accounts and knows math. Wang Dashan and Zhao Tie, you know a lot of people and understand social dynamics. If we put our cards together, we can surely put together a caravan."

He paused, his voice filled with confidence: "Hanyuan now has coal, iron, and people. What it lacks is only the right path. Once that path is established, Hanyuan will no longer be a desolate wasteland, but a jewel of the North."

Inspired by him, hope ignited in everyone's eyes.

Yes, although Hanyuan is poor now, it has coal, iron and people, so why can't it become rich?

"Your Highness," Han Lie suddenly asked, "what about Zhou Yong... what should we do with him?"

The smile on Xiao Chen's face disappeared.

Zhou Yong is still locked in the dungeon, being fed and cared for every day, but they just won't let him go. Xiao Chen is waiting, waiting for the right opportunity.

"Keep him locked up for now," he said. "He still has a use."

As for its use, he didn't say.

But everyone understood—Zhou Yong was the Fourth Prince's man and knew too many secrets. Keeping him around was like playing a card. When and how to play him depended entirely on Xiao Chen's decision.

"Alright," Xiao Chen clapped his hands, "Go on with your work. The autumn harvest is just around the corner. Keep an eye on how the wheat is growing, how much coal has been mined, and how much iron has been smelted. Also, Zhang Meng—"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"The training at Jingbei Battalion cannot be relaxed. What's been happening on the grasslands lately?"

"Your Highness, our scouts report that the Canglang tribe is embroiled in internal strife and is temporarily unable to march south. As for the Bailu tribe, Chief Batel has sent word that they are willing to trade with us, exchanging their cattle, sheep, and horses for our ironware and salt."

"Okay." Xiao Chen nodded. "Tell Batel that we'll send someone to talk to him after the autumn harvest."

"yes!"

The crowd dispersed, each going about their own business.

Xiao Chen stood alone on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

The autumn wind blows, bringing with it the scent of harvest.

The wheat has turned yellow after being frosted, and it will be ready for harvest in another two weeks.

The coal mine produces a thousand kilograms a day, and the iron mine has also produced its first batch of iron.

With higher city walls, more unity among the people, and the army began to take shape.

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

But Xiao Chen knew that this was far from enough.

Hanyuan City is like a sapling, just taking root and not yet fully grown. A strong wind or a heavy snowfall could uproot it.

And he had to make the tree grow thick and tall enough.

It is tall enough to block the cold winds of the North.

It is so great that it can protect three thousand people.

He looked south, towards the capital.

Fourth Brother, you wait.

The day when Hanyuan grows into a towering tree.

I will go back.

Carrying iron and fire, carrying blood and sweat.

Go back and take back everything that is rightfully mine.