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

It was late autumn in the third year of Xuanji.

As the clamor of the "unification of the world" celebrations gradually subsided, and as the court and the public were still immersed in the excitement of the new dynasty's atmosphere, in the Zichen Hall, a draft edict that had been repeatedly scrutinized, debated, and revised was placed in front of several senior cabinet ministers.

The draft contained only four words, yet they carried immense weight: "Move the capital to Chang'an."

Inside the imperial study, the crackling of the charcoal fire dispelled the chill of late autumn, but could not dispel the heavy atmosphere and the weariness following the argument.

The cabinet ministers, led by Han Yu, Su Zhongqing, and Shen Du, along with several highly respected nobles and elders of the royal family, had just gone through a heated debate.

Those who support moving the capital are led by Han Yu and the newly appointed Minister of War, and their reasons are both sufficient and compelling:

"Although Shenjing is the place where the emperor rose to power, it is located in the northern corner, making the canal transport difficult and the mountains and passes an obstacle. The wealth from Jiangnan, Bashu, and Longxi had to be transported thousands of miles, incurring countless expenses and exhausting the people's strength. This is one reason."

"The capital city is close to the barbarian lands. Although it is fortified by the Great Wall, the Northern Liang and the Tatars, though temporarily defeated, still harbor wolfish ambitions. The capital is situated on the frontier, and the emperor guards the country's gate, which certainly shows his bravery. However, the foundation of the country is shaken, and the world is in danger."

Moving the capital to Chang'an, situated in the Guanzhong Plain, a strategically important location surrounded by mountains and rivers, with the natural defenses of Tongguan and Hangu Pass to the east, the Longshan Mountains and Sanguan Pass to the west, the Qinling Mountains to the south, and the plateau to the north, truly made it a golden city stretching for thousands of miles, a land of abundance. One could sit securely in the inner palace and remotely control the four directions. This is the second reason.”

"Chang'an is the former capital of the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, a place where the imperial aura resides, and the center of the world. Your Majesty, having received the Mandate of Heaven and unified the world, should continue the legacy of the former kings, rule over the Central Plains, and govern all nations. Establishing the capital in Chang'an will demonstrate legitimacy, stabilize the world, and usher in a golden age. These are the three reasons."

Those who opposed the movement mainly consisted of Su Zhongqing and some officials from Jiangnan and Shandong, whose concerns were quite practical:

"Chang'an is indeed a strategically important city, but since the chaos at the end of the Yongchu era of the previous dynasty, it has suffered repeated ravages of war, leaving palaces dilapidated, cities desolate, and people scattered. If we were to move the capital, it would cost a fortune to rebuild the palaces and cities, relocate officials and civilians, and shake the foundations of the nation. Now that the country is unified, everything needs to be rebuilt. Jiangnan, the southern border, and the frontier all require money and provisions. How can we exhaust the people's strength for such a hollow reputation? This is a major drawback."

"After a century of development, the capital city has completed its ancestral temples, altars of the land and grain, government offices, granaries, and markets. Officials are content with their old home, and soldiers and civilians are accustomed to their familiar surroundings."

A sudden relocation of the capital can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the resettlement of officials, the longing of soldiers and civilians for relocation, and easily generating resentment and shaking the morale of the people.

Furthermore, the defense of the northern regions is crucial to the stability of the nation. Moving the capital south might damage the morale of the border troops, and give the barbarians renewed their covetousness. These are the two drawbacks.

"Luoyang and Bianliang are also in the center of the world, with convenient water transport and some existing palaces. Why must we choose Chang'an? Even if we must move, we should proceed slowly and discuss it again when the national treasury is sufficient." Su Zhongqing's final advice was earnest.

Both sides stuck to their own arguments, citing numerous sources, and the dispute remained unresolved.

Supporters focus on the "momentum" of long-term stability, while opponents base their arguments on the "benefits" of presenting immediate difficulties.

This is not only a dispute over the location of the capital, but also involves the future direction of national policies, resource allocation, and even the game between different regions and interest groups.

On the dragon throne, Xiao Chen listened in silence, his fingers unconsciously stroking a warm jade tablet, the one worn by the founding emperor when he established his rule over the Central Plains.

His gaze passed over the arguing ministers, as if piercing through the thick palace walls, and landed on the ancient, fertile land to the west—the Guanzhong Plain, the eight hundred li of Qin land.

He recalled his childhood when the Grand Tutor recounted the rites and music of the Zhou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty's unification of the six kingdoms, and the heroic spirit of Emperor Wu of Han—all those glorious empires centered on Chang'an and radiating outwards to the four seas.

He recalled that since his ascension to the throne, he had worked tirelessly day and night to quell rebellions and stabilize the country. What was the purpose of all this? Was it not to establish an immortal golden age that would surpass all previous dynasties and last for ten thousand generations?

Shenjing was a capital city for maintaining the status quo and a fortress for defending against the north, but it was not the center for creating a prosperous era.

Its structure, its position, and its fortune seem no longer able to support the grander blueprint in his heart.

Chang'an, though dilapidated and requiring enormous investment, is a perfect canvas for painting and redrawing the landscape.

Choosing this place as the capital is not only a geographically strategic location for defending against external threats, but also a political declaration—Xiao Chen is about to usher in a new era like the mighty Han and prosperous Tang dynasties, a time when China's power extends throughout the land, foreign tribes submit, and both civil and military achievements reach their zenith.

He wanted to place the empire's central hub in this place where the imperial aura had gathered for a thousand years, using its scenic beauty to nourish the nation's fortune and awe the world.

The debate gradually subsided, and all the ministers turned their gaze to the young emperor on the throne, awaiting his decision.

This will be a pivotal decision that will determine the fate of the empire for the next century.

Xiao Chen spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable determination:

"What you all have said is reasonable. The capital is the foundation of our ancestors and should not be abandoned lightly. The northern border defenses must be firmly defended. However, one who does not plan for the long term is not fit to plan for the short term; one who does not plan for the whole is not fit to plan for a part."

He stood up, walked to the huge map of the world, and pointed to the Guanzhong Plain: "My mind is made up. I will move the capital to Chang'an. This is not for empty fame, but for the foundation of the country and the cause for ten thousand generations."

"Chang'an is a strategically important location, controlling the outside world from the center. In the past, the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties all established their capitals here, thus achieving their hegemonic achievements. Now, I have received the Mandate of Heaven to unify the world, and I should continue the glory of my predecessors and establish an unshakeable foundation. If the capital is Chang'an, then the grain transport from all over the country will be able to supply the capital in the west; control Ba and Shu in the south; pacify the Hu and Qiang tribes in the north; and extend eastward through the Xiaohan Pass to control the Guandong region. This is truly a benefit for ten thousand generations."

He turned around and glanced at the assembled officials: "As for the various drawbacks you are concerned about, how could I not know them? However, things depend on human effort. The palaces in Chang'an are in ruins, so they can be rebuilt slowly. There is no need to rush the completion, nor is it necessary to restore them to their original state. We should prioritize practicality, frugality, and sturdiness."

The palace city and the core of the imperial city can be built first, along with government offices and residences, and construction can proceed gradually. Those soldiers and civilians who wish to relocate with the emperor will be given land and houses and tax exemptions. Those who do not wish to relocate will not be forced.

"The capital city can be established as the northern capital, with a garrison and heavy military presence. The ancestral temples and palaces should be preserved, and I will continue to send officials to offer sacrifices throughout the four seasons. In this way, the foundation will be solidified, and the old capital will be secure."

"The drawbacks of the Grand Canal can be addressed by dredging the Wei River and constructing canals and weirs to connect Guanzhong with the Yellow River and the Yangtze and Huai River waterways. The Ministry of Works should conduct a detailed investigation into this matter. Although national resources are scarce, after unification, the wealth of the empire will gradually accumulate, and it should be used for such fundamental undertakings. Why should we hesitate to spend the money?"

"The resettlement of officials, soldiers, and civilians should be planned in detail, ensuring it is done properly to avoid causing resentment. The defenses of the northern border should not be relaxed due to the relocation of the capital; on the contrary, they should be strengthened. The Privy Council should reconsider the northern border defenses, increase troops and grain reserves, so that the barbarians dare not venture south to graze their horses!"

Xiao Chen's words were well-organized and detailed, demonstrating both his grand determination to relocate the capital and his consideration and response to the practical concerns of his opponents, proposing a compromise and gradual implementation plan.

The imperial study was silent as the officials digested the emperor's decision.

Han Yu bowed first: "Your Majesty's wisdom is profound, far beyond our ability. Moving the capital to Chang'an is indeed the foundation for a long and prosperous future. Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, and the establishment of the northern capital is a win-win solution. I second that proposal."

Seeing that the emperor's mind was made up and that he had thought things through thoroughly, and that he was not acting arbitrarily, Su Zhongqing and the others knew that the trend of moving the capital was irreversible. After exchanging glances, they all bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. We will obey your decree."

"In that case," Xiao Chen sat back on his throne, his tone turning solemn, "I hereby order the Cabinet, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Personnel to convene a meeting immediately to draft a plan for the relocation of the capital, including the construction regulations and order of the Chang'an Palace, Imperial City, government offices, and roads."

The establishment and garrison authority of Shenjing and Beidu; detailed rules regarding the relocation, resettlement, and preferential treatment of officials, soldiers, and civilians;

Strategies for improving canal transport and road construction; measures to strengthen defenses in the northern border region... must be detailed and feasible, and submitted within one month.

Furthermore, I hereby proclaim to the world that in the spring of the fourth year of Xuanji (2008), I will make a western tour to Chang'an to survey the terrain, offer sacrifices to the mountains and rivers, and determine the grand plan for the construction of the country.

The formal relocation of the capital can be implemented gradually over three to five years; there is no need to rush it.

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

In the winter of the third year of Xuanji, the proposal to move the capital was finally settled.

The imperial edict, though causing a great stir and much discussion in the court and among the people, did not pose a significant obstacle due to the court's detailed explanations and gradual arrangements.

Many more people, especially the gentry and commoners of the Guanzhong Plain, were overjoyed, hoping that the return of the imperial center would bring new prosperity to this ancient land.

The massive state apparatus began to operate slowly but steadily around the central task of "moving the capital to Chang'an".

The skilled craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, the money and grain allocation of the Ministry of Revenue, the road security of the Ministry of War, the personnel allocation of the Ministry of Personnel... countless orders were issued from the capital and flowed to all corners of the empire.

In the West, the ancient city of Chang'an, weathered by time, though still in ruins and overgrown with weeds, has rekindled the hope of rebirth in the hearts of countless people.

People seem to see that in the near future, magnificent palaces will once again stand here, gathering wealth and talents from all over the world, becoming the beating heart of this new empire, and witnessing the arrival of a great era.

Xiao Chen stood on the high platform of Zi Chen Palace, gazing westward into the distance.

The autumn wind blew his clothes.

He knew that moving the capital to Chang'an was merely the first step in ushering in a prosperous era, the starting point for drawing up that grand blueprint.

The road ahead is long and fraught with challenges, but the flame that has been burning brightly in his heart since the day he ascended the throne is now burning even more intensely.

The reign title of Xuanji remained unchanged, but the center of gravity of the empire had quietly shifted westward, resolutely moving towards that land that had borne countless glories and dreams.

A new capital city will rise from this ancient and vibrant land, symbolizing the beginning of an unprecedented era belonging to the Great Xia Dynasty and Xiao Chen.