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

The thunderous anger expressed at the court assembly did not continue into the secret discussions in the Zichen Hall.

At this moment, only a handful of the most core members of the Great Xia Dynasty were in the hall: Chancellor Han Yu, Minister of War and Minister of Revenue Zheng Huaijin, Privy Councilor, the newly appointed Minister of Works, and two veteran generals known for their composure and bravery—Duke of Ying, Wang Dashan, and General of the Cavalry Li Gan.

The palace doors were tightly shut, leaving only the sparse sunlight of the late autumn day streaming through the windows, casting long, thin shadows of everyone.

Xiao Chen had shed his fierce demeanor from the court assembly and sat upright behind a long sandalwood table covered with a map of the northern frontier. His fingers unconsciously tapped the two locations, Yunzhong and Yanmen, which were heavily circled with cinnabar.

"Speak up," he began, his voice not loud, but it sent a chill down everyone's spine. "The war must be fought. But how to fight it, and to what extent? I want to hear your heartfelt words."

After a brief silence, voices of concern and pragmatism rang out first, coming from the empire's "purse strings" and "granaries".

Minister of Revenue Zheng Huaijin frowned deeply, his brows almost suffocating a fly: "Your Majesty, it is not that this old minister is afraid of war."

However... money and grain are truly the lifeblood. Last year, the policy of reducing taxes and levies was implemented, and although the national treasury has reserves, the relocation of the capital, official roads, and academies are all enormous money-devouring beasts.

If we were to assemble a large army for a northern expedition, the costs of feeding the people and horses, supplying the military equipment, and transporting laborers would be enormous. I estimate that even if we used the imperial treasury, with an army of 100,000 and a three-month timeframe, it would require at least one million shi of grain and several million guan of silver.

This does not even include the funds needed for extended war relief or compensation. Although the autumn harvest has been received, the granaries in various regions are still in need of famine relief and cannot be fully utilized.

If we forcibly conscript troops, I fear... I fear it will shake the foundations of the nation, cause the people to suffer again, and go against Your Majesty's sacred intention of rest and recuperation.

His words were succinct, yet they spoke of the coldest reality.

The Minister of War followed up, adding to the military difficulties: "Your Majesty, the Northern Barbarians come and go like the wind, and their royal court is far away in the depths of the northern desert, their whereabouts are uncertain."

Our army marched beyond the Great Wall, carrying provisions over a thousand miles. The troops were exhausted and weary, a major taboo in military strategy. In the past, Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang, though they achieved great victories, expended enormous national resources and often could not achieve complete success in a single battle.

If my army marches north, the enemy will flee and avoid battle. When we run out of food and retreat, they will follow and harass us again, like a festering sore. What can we do?

Furthermore, the north is bitterly cold, and winter arrives quickly. Once the wind and snow rage, our troops, mostly men from the Central Plains and Guanzhong, may not be able to withstand the harsh cold. The losses, not in battle, may far exceed those in combat.

The Privy Councilor also said in a deep voice: "The Northern Barbarians have concentrated their forces in this invasion. Their Chanyu, Duji, has just been established and is full of vigor. Seeking to fight their main force is exactly what they want."

However, if they avoid the strong points and attack the weak points, divide their forces to harass our supply lines, or lure us deep into our territory and cut off our retreat, then we will be in danger.

Your Majesty, I believe that a cautious approach is best. We can send elite troops to reinforce Yanmen Pass and hold it firmly. Once the enemy has been unable to break through after a prolonged siege, their morale will naturally decline. Then, we can seize an opportunity to launch an attack, reclaim the lost territory of Yunzhong, and drive them out of the Great Wall.

"Is it too risky for the emperor to personally lead an expedition, striking directly at the royal court?"

The civil officials' concerns focused on national strength and risks, while the experienced and shrewd Han Yu thought about things on a deeper level.

He stroked his long beard and slowly said, "Your Majesty, the concerns of the officials are all true. However, what worries this old minister more is the 'foundation of the nation.' Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, quelled the internal rebellion, and implemented new policies. The world is watching, and the people's hearts are just beginning to be won over. If we win this battle, your prestige will naturally extend throughout the land and awe all around. But what if…"

He paused, his voice even lower, "In case of any mishap, or if the war is delayed, or... or if His Majesty falls ill, the court will be in turmoil, the new policies may be reversed, and the villains lurking in all directions may harbor rebellious intentions. His Majesty is of paramount importance, and the safety of the nation rests on his shoulders. How can he lightly tread on dangerous ground? It would be better to send a top general with elite troops north, while His Majesty remains in Chang'an to strategize and plan. This way, victory can be assured, and the hearts of the people can be at ease."

For a moment, the hall fell silent, and even the most ardent generals realized the immense weight of the matter.

Just then, Prince Dashan, the Duke of England who had been silent all along and was known for his composure since the founding of the kingdom, suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice: "I understand what Chancellor Han is worried about. However, the trouble caused by the Northern Barbarians is no ordinary border conflict."

The Chanyu, Duji, was not interested in raiding the borders, but in establishing his authority, testing the waters, and even... dreaming of recreating his ancestors' old dream of herding horses in the south!

If we only manage to repel them this time without crippling them, they will surely return with even greater ferocity and cunning within three years! At that time, will our Great Xia choose war or peace?

"With constant defenses and annual levies, the costs are far greater than ever. How can the people live in peace?"

He straightened his slightly hunched back, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Your Majesty, this old general believes that Chancellor Han's suggestion to send a general on a northern expedition is indeed a prudent move."

However, such wars of conquering nations and expanding territory, of annihilating entire tribes, cannot inspire the three armies to fight to the death, cannot deter the tribes of the grasslands, and cannot demonstrate Your Majesty's and the court's determination to forever eliminate the northern threat, unless Your Majesty personally takes command!

This war, if we're going to fight, we must fight to bring fifty years of peace! We must make the wolf cubs of the grasslands have nightmares at the mere mention of His Majesty's name!

"Well said!"

General Li Gan, a fierce general with a full beard and a fiery temper, could no longer contain himself. His voice boomed like a bell, "Those pedantic scholars only know about money and provisions, but they don't know that the barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue! Your Majesty, I am willing to be the vanguard. With just 50,000 elite cavalry, I will surely flatten the royal court for Your Majesty and capture that little brat, Duoji, to present to you!"

Xiao Chen listened quietly, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

He saw worry, caution, passion, and determination.

He knew that the concerns of Han Yu, Zheng Huaijin, and others were all reasonable and were the words of loyal ministers who were concerned about the country.

But Wang Dashan's vision was even sharper; he saw a more far-reaching threat.

"I understand what you have said."

Xiao Chen finally spoke, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable authority: "I know the difficulty in securing funds and supplies. I know the perilous journey. I know even more that my safety is tied to the very foundation of the nation."

He stood up, walked around the imperial desk, and went to a huge screen in the hall covered with brocade. He then suddenly pulled the brocade off!

What was revealed behind the screen was not calligraphy or painting, but a more detailed sand table map of the northern Xinjiang and Gobi desert regions, marked with countless symbols! Mountains, rivers, Gobi deserts and grasslands were faintly discernible.

Even more eye-catching are the several items covered with red silk displayed on both sides of the sand table.

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Xiao Chen did not explain the map, but instead walked to the cover on the left and lifted the red silk.

Three items were on display: a uniquely shaped musket with a long barrel and ingenious mechanism, quite different from the usual matchlock muskets; a small bronze cannon that was significantly lighter and had reinforcing ribs cast on its barrel; a set of finely crafted light cavalry armor with iron plates reinforcing the joints; and a long, narrow, and sharp saber.

"This gun, named the flintlock musket, is fired with flint and is impervious to wind and rain. Its rate of fire, accuracy, and reliability far surpass those of the old guns. This cannon, named the 'Tiger Crouching Light Cannon,' can be carried by pack animals and fires shrapnel. Within a hundred paces, both men and horses will be shattered."

Xiao Chen stroked the cold metal, his tone calm yet containing explosive information: "Last year, I secretly ordered the Imperial Workshop and the Academy of Natural Sciences to focus on research and development, and now it can be mass-produced on a small scale. The newly trained 'Divine Machine Battalion' of five thousand men has been fully equipped with this gun, and each is also assigned one hundred of these cannons."

He then walked to the right and lifted another piece of red silk, revealing a set of even heavier plate armor that gleamed with a cold, sharp light, along with a powerful composite bow and a heavy armor-piercing scimitar.

"This was forged for the heavily armored elite cavalry, the Ironclad Cavalry. As for the elite light cavalry I spoke of, each rider on two horses..."

He pointed to the small red flag representing the Great Xia army on the sand table, "This is no exaggeration. I have selected 30,000 brave soldiers from various border towns and the capital garrison who are skilled in riding and archery and can withstand the cold. They have been rigorously trained for more than a year using the methods of the grasslands, and equipped with the best Hequ and Hexi horses. Every one of them is proficient in long-distance raids, riding, archery and combat."

Their mission was not to form ranks, but to move, infiltrate, and pursue like the Di people, even faster and more ruthlessly!

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the only sounds were the heavy breathing of the people inside.

The Minister of War, the Privy Councilor, and even Wang Dashan and Li Gan all stared intently at the new equipment, their faces filled with shock and ecstasy.

They were experts in warfare and knew all too well what these things meant! Especially the flintlock muskets that were impervious to wind and rain and the lightweight tiger-squat cannons; if they could be used on a large scale, they would be enough to overturn the cavalry's advantage in field battles!

Han Yu and Zheng Huaijin, on the other hand, were a different kind of shock.

Only then did they realize that His Majesty's plans for the northern frontier were not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather something that had been prepared for a long time, and that he had secretly possessed such a powerful tool!

"As for supplies," Xiao Chen walked back to the sand table, tracing several carefully marked routes with his finger, "I don't intend for a hundred thousand troops to drag a long supply train step by step to the northern desert to feed the wolves. What I want is speed! Ruthlessness! A direct assault on the heart of the enemy!"

He pointed heavily to the area on the sand table that resembled the royal court: "My strategy for this battle is—'to plow through the enemy's stronghold and strike directly at the royal court!' General Li Gan will lead 20,000 light cavalry as the vanguard, out of Yanmen Pass, to accompany and attack the main force of Duji, attracting their attention and sweeping away their southward flank."

"I will personally lead 30,000 elite cavalry, carrying 20 days' worth of dry rations, with each rider on two or even three horses, secretly heading north from Yunzhong County, bypassing the main battlefield, according to..."

He looked at a man dressed in ordinary civilian clothes with a calm face, standing like a statue in the shadows of the palace corner. "The Night Scouts have gathered reliable intelligence and are heading straight for their royal court in the northern desert! Duke of Ying,"

He looked at Wang Dashan: "I hereby appoint you as the deputy commander of the Northern Expedition, to oversee the overall situation and command the central army."

You will lead the remaining 50,000 infantry and cavalry, along with most of the baggage train, to advance steadily northward, reclaim lost territory, wipe out the remaining enemy forces, and establish forward supply outposts to serve as support for my auxiliary forces and as a basis for deterring the various tribes of the steppes.

Three armies, supporting each other from afar. What I desire is not merely to repel them, but to utterly destroy their core of rule, and to capture or kill Ashina Duoji!

Xiao Chen's gaze, sharp as an eagle's, swept over everyone: "Supplies are hard to come by? I'll only bring twenty days' worth of rations, to sustain the war effort by feeding the enemy! Venturing deep into the barren lands? My cavalry are the fastest blade of Great Xia, ready to pierce his heart before he can even react! As for my safety..."

He paused for a moment, then said with unwavering resolve, "I am the Son of Heaven, ordained by Heaven! Having received this mandate, I shall naturally strive for lasting peace for all the people under Heaven!"

This battle concerns the fate of the nation. If I do not personally lead the troops into battle, how can they fight with their lives? This battle is also a declaration to the world and to the barbarians in all directions—I am different from Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong! My Great Xia does not build the Great Wall, does not send princesses, does not engage in marriage alliances, and does not pay tribute!

"The enemy can go, and so can I! And we will go even further, fight even harder, and annihilate them completely!"

"Prime Minister Han," he looked at the old prime minister, "I entrust the administration of Chang'an to you. I know you are concerned about the foundation of the nation, but if we win this battle, the northern border will be secured, trade routes will be open, and the spoils will be plentiful, replenishing the national treasury. Furthermore, we can acquire the fine horses and brave warriors of the grasslands to serve us. At that time, the foundation of the nation will only be more solid!"

"Minister Zheng," he then looked at the Minister of Revenue, "our imperial treasury still has reserves, which can be fully allocated. Furthermore, issue 'Northern Expedition Bonds,' promising interest, to raise funds from wealthy merchants and the general public. If we win this battle, the captured cattle, sheep, and goods will be repaid tenfold! Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

"Duke of England, logistical coordination, military-civilian cooperation, and stabilizing the rear are half the battle in this war. I entrust this important task to you!"

"General Li, your mission is to keep a close watch on Duoji's main force, preventing him from paying attention to other matters!"

Finally, his gaze fell on the scout, his voice icy: "Order all scouts in the northern deserts to spare no expense. Within fifteen days, I want to know the exact location of Ashina Duoji's royal court, as well as its troop deployment, grain reserves, and even the location of its most favored queen's tent! I want to know everything!"

"My lords," Xiao Chen said, surveying the crowd one last time, his voice not loud, yet carrying immense weight, "this battle is not for defense, but for expansion! Not for repelling the enemy, but for annihilation! My mind is made up; with the army fighting to the death, victory is assured!"

The hall was silent for a moment.

Duke Dashan of England was the first to bow, his aged voice filled with fervor: "This old minister obeys the decree! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Li Gan clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, his armor gleaming: "This humble general obeys! I will ensure that that little brat, Duoji, never returns!"

Looking at the young emperor before him, his gaze intense and his actions deliberate, Han Yu knew that all attempts at persuasion were futile. He bowed deeply and said in a deep voice, "This old minister... obeys the decree. May Your Majesty achieve a resounding victory, and may Heaven bless the Great Xia!"

Zheng Huaijin, the Minister of War, and others also bowed respectfully.

The secret meeting in the Zichen Palace determined the boldest and most radical strategy for the Northern Expedition since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty.

A vast net, with the grassland royal court as its prey and the emperor himself as its weapon, is quietly being cast.

A storm is brewing; thunder and lightning are already rumbling.