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

Han Lie's caravan set off for the second time.

This time, they brought ten cartloads of salt, heading towards the grasslands of the White Deer tribe. According to the agreement, one cartload of salt would be exchanged for five horses; if successful, Han Yuan would receive fifty fine horses from the grasslands.

On the third day after the caravan set off, Xiao Chen summoned all the prominent figures in the city to the city lord's mansion.

They were described as "respectable," but in reality, they were just the heads of the various wards, the heads of the various villages, and the managers of the workshops, mines, and farms. There were seventy or eighty people in total, filling the courtroom to capacity.

Some of these people were former henchmen of Scarface Liu who later surrendered. Others were among the earliest refugees to join him, promoted because of their hard work. Some were veterans who retired due to injury and were reassigned as managers. There were all sorts of people from all walks of life.

But at this moment, they all stood respectfully, looking at the young prince sitting behind the desk.

"I've called everyone here today to announce a few things," Xiao Chen said calmly, but everyone in the quiet room could hear him clearly.

He picked up a piece of paper and began to read.

"Article 1: Effective immediately, the twelve articles of the Provisional Laws of Hanyuan shall be promulgated. All people under my jurisdiction shall abide by them."

The crowd stirred slightly.

Laws? When has there ever been any laws in Hanyuan? Scarface Liu used to be in charge, now it's the Prince. But this is the first time they've been written down.

"Article 1: He who kills shall be put to death; he who injures shall be punished; he who steals shall pay for his crimes."

"Article Two: Anyone who colludes with the enemy or betrays the country shall be executed immediately, and their family property shall be confiscated."

"Article 3: Those who forcibly abduct women or seize land shall be punished by caning, exile, or beheading, depending on the severity of the offense."

"Article 4. If a debtor fails to repay it after a court ruling, the debt shall be settled by paying wages."

……

The twelve laws and regulations were read aloud one by one.

Each one is simple and clear, yet they all exude a murderous aura.

After reading it aloud, Xiao Chen put down the paper and looked at everyone: "These twelve points are the bottom line. Whoever crosses them dies. Any questions?"

No one spoke.

"Alright." Xiao Chen nodded. "Secondly, starting today, a public court shall be established. Civil disputes, land disputes, and debt disputes can all be brought to the public court for appeal. The public court shall convene every three days, and I, the King, shall personally preside over the trials. The trials shall be conducted in public, and the people shall be allowed to attend."

Public trial?

Are observers allowed?

This really caused an uproar among the crowd.

"Your Highness, is this...is this appropriate?" an old man from the workshop asked in a trembling voice. "Family scandals shouldn't be aired in public..."

"In Hanyuan, there are no family scandals, only justice." Xiao Chen looked at him. "If disputes are not made public, there will be people manipulating things behind the scenes, and there will be people bending the law for personal gain. I want everyone to see that in Hanyuan, everything must be discussed openly."

"But... but there are some things that are not convenient for outsiders to know," a woman said, blushing.

"Then let's not take this to court," Xiao Chen said calmly. "If it can be resolved privately, then resolve it privately. If it can't be resolved and you feel ashamed, then just bear with it. If you're going to have it decided in court, then don't be afraid of losing face."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, but dared not refute further.

"The third point," Xiao Chen continued, "is the formation of a security team. Starting today, a curfew will be imposed on Hanyuan City. The city gates will close at 9 PM and open at 5 AM. During this time, the security team will patrol day and night, and anyone found out at night without a valid reason will be detained and investigated."

curfew?

This is nothing new. Many cities in the Great Xia Dynasty have curfews. But Han Yuan didn't before because nobody went out at night—no lights, no fire, and it was cold, so who would go out?

"Your Highness," a village headman asked, "what if there's an emergency? For example, someone in the family is sick and we need to call a doctor..."

"Yes," Xiao Chen said, "but you need a note from the neighborhood head or village chief, or a neighbor to testify. The security team will verify it. If it's true, you can go. If you lie, you'll get twenty strokes of the cane."

Everyone nodded; this seemed reasonable.

"Where do the security teams come from?" someone asked.

"They'll be drawn from the Third Battalion," Xiao Chen said. "Each ward will be assigned five security guards, led by a squad leader. Their work points will be 30% higher than those of ordinary soldiers. But if they engage in favoritism, abuse their power, or oppress the people, their crimes will be compounded."

Senior high school students earn work points!

Many people's eyes lit up. This was a great job; it didn't require going to the battlefield, and the work points were high.

"Your Highness, may I register?" A young man raised his hand.

"Okay," Xiao Chen nodded, "but the security team members will have to be selected. They need to be literate, know the rules, and be physically strong. The specific selection criteria will be announced by the Military Affairs Department."

The young man rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"Finally," Xiao Chen stood up and walked to the front of everyone, "from today onwards, Hanyuan City will implement the policy of 'doors not being locked at night'."

Doors are left unlocked at night?

Everyone was stunned.

"Your Highness, this...this can't be!" An old farmer shook his head. "Back when Scarface Liu was around, there were three locked doors at night, and people still stole things. Now..."

"Things are different now," Xiao Chen interrupted him. "Now there are security teams patrolling, and there's a system of mutual responsibility. If something goes missing from your house, everyone in your neighborhood will help you look for it. If they can't find it, the entire neighborhood will be held accountable and have their work points deducted. Who would dare to steal? And where would they hide it?"

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized.

Yes, the system of collective punishment in the Baojia system is too ruthless. If one household is robbed, the entire Baojia area suffers. Wouldn't everyone in that Baojia area have to find the thief?

Moreover, the security team patrols day and night. Where can they run after stealing something?

"Of course," Xiao Chen added, "Leaving doors unlocked at night doesn't mean literally leaving them unlocked. It means that you don't have to live in fear at night, and you don't have to worry about being robbed or stolen from. Doors can be closed, but there's no need to use three locks, and no need to hold a grudge behind the door. Our Hanyuan will become the safest place in the Northern Territory."

The safest place.

These words stirred everyone's emotions.

The Cold Abyss is a bitterly cold land, rife with bandits and plagued by misery. Now, the prince says he will make it the safest place.

is it possible?

"Perhaps." Xiao Chen seemed to see through their thoughts. "As long as we work together and follow the rules, Han Yuan can become like this. I mean what I say."

He paused, then raised his voice: "Now, anyone willing to be a security guard, go to the Military Affairs Department to register. Anyone with questions about the laws can ask. Anyone with objections to the court proceedings can raise them. Let's make things clear today. After today, if you break the rules again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The crowd fell silent for a moment.

Then, one voice after another rang out.

"I'm signing up!"

"I have the same question..."

"Your Highness, what exactly happened with this debt that isn't being repaid...?"

The courtroom became lively.

Xiao Chen patiently answered every question and explained every law. Some questions were naive, and some were tricky, but he responded to them all.

They talked until noon.

Uncle Fu had food brought in: two steamed buns and a bowl of vegetable soup for each person. The group ate and chatted in the courtroom.

The atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.

These neighborhood leaders, village chiefs, and stewards, who initially held Xiao Chen in awe and fear, discovered after a morning of conversation that this young prince, though strict, was reasonable and ruthless, but not reckless.

Everything he said and did was for Han Yuan's good.

After the meal, Xiao Chen adjourned the meeting.

The crowd dispersed, some in twos and threes, discussing amongst themselves.

"Your Highness's decree is good, but it's too strict."

"It's better to be strict; you can't control things if you're not strict. Back when Scarface Liu was in charge, things were lax, but was that a normal life?"

"Whether it's a court trial or not, let's get straight to the point and avoid fighting in private."

"I need to get my son signed up for the security team; they give out a lot of work points..."

Xiao Chen stood at the entrance of the courtroom, listening to the discussions, a faint smile on his face.

He knew that some people would not adapt to these measures, and some would oppose them. But as long as the majority of people supported them, they could be implemented.

What most people really want is simple – fairness, safety, and food to eat.

He gave it to me.

Three days later, the court held its first hearing.

The case was simple—Li Si from the east ward borrowed two shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain from Wang Wu from the west ward, agreeing to repay it after the autumn harvest. Now that the harvest was over, Li Si refused to pay. Wang Wu took the matter to court.

The news caused a sensation throughout the city.

The prince himself presided over the trial! And it was all over such a trivial matter as two bushels of grain!

Outside the courtroom, crowds of onlookers packed in layers.

Xiao Chen sat behind the desk, flanked by Wang Dashan and Zhao Tie. Uncle Fu was in charge of taking notes, while Zhang Meng led the security team to maintain order.

"Bring the plaintiff and the defendant." Xiao Chen slammed the gavel.

Wang Wu and Li Si were brought up and made to kneel in the hall.

"Wang Wu, what is it?" Xiao Chen said.

Wang Wu was an honest, simple farmer who had never been to a courtroom before. Terrified, he stammered, "This humble, unworthy Wang Wu, is suing Li Si for owing... owing grain. This spring, Li Si's family ran out of grain and borrowed... borrowed two shi (a unit of dry measure) of wheat seeds from this humble farmer. We agreed that he would repay after the autumn harvest, with... with an additional 10% interest. Now the harvest is over, and he... he won't repay..."

"Li Si, what do you say?" Xiao Chen looked at Li Si.

Li Si, a lean man, darted around, his eyes darting about. "Your Highness," he said, "I'm innocent! I did borrow grain, but that was when Scarface Liu was still alive. Now that Scarface Liu is dead, can't we just forget about past debts?"

The crowd erupted in uproar.

"Bullshit! Borrowing grain and returning it is a matter of course!"

"Exactly! Scarface Liu is dead, so he doesn't have to pay his debts anymore?"

"Your Highness, we mustn't listen to him!"

Xiao Chen raised his hand to quell the commotion.

"Li Si, according to Article 4 of the Provisional Regulations of Hanyuan, if a debtor fails to repay it after a court ruling, the debt shall be settled by performing labor services. Do you agree?"

"This humble subject...this humble subject admits it," Li Si said, head bowed. "But this humble subject truly has no food. There's only half a shi of grain left at home, and we still have to get through the winter..."

"If we run out of food, we can settle the debt with work," Xiao Chen said. "Wang Wu, are you willing?"

Wang Wu nodded: "I'm willing! As long as he pays it back, anything is fine!"

"Alright." Xiao Chen made the decision. "Li Si owes Wang Wu 2 shi of grain, plus 10% interest, totaling 2 shi and 2 dou. At market price, one shi of grain is worth one tael of silver. Li Si needs to repay Wang Wu 2 taels and 2 qian of silver. If he doesn't have the silver, the debt will be settled with work. According to the mining wage, it's five work points a day, and one work point is equivalent to one jin of grain. Li Si needs to mine for Hanyuan City for 44 days, and the work points will go to Wang Wu. Any objections?"

Both of them shook their heads.

"Then it's settled," Xiao Chen said. "Starting tomorrow, Li Si will go to the coal mine, and his work points will be recorded under Wang Wu's name. The debt will be settled in forty-four days. Court adjourned!"

With a resounding thud of the gavel, the case was over.

Clean and efficient, without any unnecessary delays.

The people were dumbfounded.

Is it really that simple? No dragging things out, no fighting, no arguing, it was settled in just a few words?

"Your Highness is wise!" someone shouted.

"Your Highness is wise!"

The shouts were deafening.

Li Si slunk off, while Wang Wu thanked him profusely.

From that day on, the people of Hanyuan City knew that if they had any problems, they could go to the court. The court did not show favoritism, only rules. And the rules were fair.

A security team was also formed.

Three hundred men, divided into sixty teams of five, patrolled day and night. They wore uniform clothing—indigo short jackets with the word "Public Security" embroidered on their chests and short sticks at their waists, looking quite imposing.

After the curfew was implemented, some people were initially unaccustomed to it. One drunkard was caught wandering the streets at night by the security team, flogged ten times, and had his entire family's work points deducted. Once the news spread, no one dared to wander around at night anymore.

But the police force doesn't just arrest people; they also help.

A house in Dongfang caught fire. The security team arrived immediately to put out the fire, rescue people, and help repair the house.

An old man in Xifang fell ill and had a seizure at night. The security team helped him call a doctor and carry him on a stretcher.

A child went missing in Nanfang. The security team searched the entire city and found the child two hours later.

One small thing after another transformed the public's impression of the security team from fear to trust.

Doors were left unlocked at night, and this gradually became a reality.

At first, everyone was used to locking their doors. But later they discovered that the security team was indeed patrolling, and the system of collective responsibility was really effective—if one household was robbed, the entire neighborhood was affected, and everyone in the neighborhood kept a close eye on things. The risk of stealing was too great, and the losses didn't outweigh the gains.

Gradually, the door stopped needing to be locked at night; at most, it would be bolted.

Later on, some people simply started leaving their doors open at night—after all, there wasn't anything valuable inside, and the neighbors were watching anyway.

The night in Hanyuan City became quiet and peaceful.

Some craftsmen returning home late felt reassured when they saw the security team patrolling the streets with torches.

When elderly people get up at night and hear the watchman's gong, they know that the city is being protected, and they feel at ease.

Xiao Chen often went up to the city wall at night, looking at the scattered lights in the city and the moving points of light of the security team's torches, and a strange sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

This is the order he created single-handedly.

Although it is still very fragile, and although there are still many problems.

But at least, it has begun.

That evening, while he was patrolling the city wall, Zhang Meng rushed over.

"Your Highness, Old Man Han has returned."

Xiao Chen's heart skipped a beat: "How is it?"

"It's done!" Zhang Meng exclaimed excitedly. "Fifty horses, all top-quality horses! The White Deer Tribe even sent ten more high-quality sheepskins as a token of their gratitude!"

"Alright!" A glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "Let's go take a look."

Fifty magnificent grassland horses were lined up in a row on the open ground in front of the city lord's mansion.

Each horse was tall and magnificent, with glossy coats that gleamed healthily in the torchlight. Han Lie stood before his horses, weary but full of vigor.

"Your Highness," he greeted, "I have not failed in my mission! All fifty horses are strong, three-year-old steeds; once trained, they will be ready for battle!"

Xiao Chen looked at each horse one by one, becoming more and more satisfied with each one.

With these horses, the Jingbei Camp can form a true cavalry force.

"Was the journey smooth?" he asked.

"It went smoothly," Han Lie said. "Chief Batel was very generous. He traded one cart of salt for five horses, and the transaction was completed on the spot. He also said that if we ever have anything good, we should come to him. He's willing to exchange our salt, iron, and cloth for horses, cattle, sheep, and furs."

"Okay." Xiao Chen nodded. "Thank you for your hard work this time. Go back and get some rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Yes."

Han Lie went to rest, but Xiao Chen couldn't sleep.

He stroked the horse's smooth coat, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

With horses, trade routes, and order established, the framework of Hanyuan was finally in place.

Next, we need to fill this frame with meat to make the city truly strong.

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan approached, "how should these horses be distributed?"

"Jingbei Camp will select thirty horses to form a cavalry unit," Xiao Chen said. "The remaining twenty horses will be given to Hanyuan Camp to form a scout team. You and Zhang Meng can discuss the specific training methods."

"yes!"

"Also," Xiao Chen turned around, "starting tomorrow, literacy classes will begin. You, Zhao Tie, Zhang Meng, and all officers above the rank of corporal will attend. Those who are illiterate will begin by learning to read. Those who are literate will learn military strategy and arithmetic."

"We want to learn too?" Wang Dashan was taken aback.

"Of course you have to learn." Xiao Chen looked at him. "If you can't read or write, and don't study military strategy, how can you lead troops? How can you fight a war? Are you going to be a common soldier for the rest of your life?"

Wang Dashan blushed: "This subordinate...this subordinate understands."

"Go."

Wang Dashan left, and Xiao Chen stood alone in front of the horse.

The night wind blew by, bringing the chill of late autumn.

Winter is coming.

But this winter, Han Yuan is no longer afraid.

There was food, soldiers, horses, and order.

There is another trade route, which has just begun.

This city has come alive.

Moreover, they will live better and better lives.

Xiao Chen raised his head and looked up at the starry sky.

The stars twinkled, like countless eyes watching over this land, this city, and him.

He clenched his fist.

"This is just the beginning."

The voice was soft, but firm.