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

The letter was switched and sent out.

Murong Xue remained completely unaware, continuing to busy herself in Hanyuan City every day.

She went to clinics, literacy classes, and even helped out at the industrial manufacturing company—she knew some smelting knowledge, not in great depth, but enough to impress people.

Han Lie watched coldly, his admiration for the Northern Yan princess growing stronger.

To be able to act to this extent, to be flexible and adaptable, to rise and fall—that's something most people can't do.

"Your Highness, what is she trying to achieve by working so hard?" Han Lie couldn't help but ask.

"To survive, and also for other things."

Xiao Chen said, "She was a princess in Northern Yan, but after escaping her arranged marriage, she was nothing. To gain a foothold in Han Yuan, she had to demonstrate her value. Her value lay in her identity, her knowledge, and her... acting skills."

"But she's a spy for Northern Yan."

"Spies can also become allies."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "As long as our interests align."

Han Lie seemed to understand, but not quite.

A few days later, Murong Xue requested an audience with Xiao Chen again.

This time, she came alone without any guards.

He was holding a long, rectangular wooden box wrapped in silk.

"Your Highness," she bowed and placed the wooden box on the table, "this is for you."

"What is this?"

"Please open it and take a look."

Xiao Chen untied the silk cloth and opened the wooden box.

There was a knife inside.

The scabbard was made of ebony, inlaid with silver edges, and engraved with intricate cloud patterns.

The handle is wrapped in black sharkskin, providing a comfortable grip.

The sword was drawn from its sheath, its cold light piercing the eye—the blade was narrow and long, slightly curved, with a pale blue ripple on the edge, like frost under the moonlight.

"This sword is named 'Frost Moon' and is a treasure of the Northern Yan royal family."

Murong Xue said, "Legend has it that it was forged by Ou Yezi, a master swordsmith of the previous dynasty. It was made from meteorite iron from outer space and quenched in cold spring water. It was incomparably sharp and could cut through iron like mud."

Xiao Chen stroked the blade; it was indeed chilling to the bone.

Why did you give it to me?

Three things.

Murong Xue held up three fingers. "First, thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life. Second, thank you, Your Highness, for taking me in. Third—"

She paused, looking into Xiao Chen's eyes: "I want to form an alliance with Your Highness."

"An alliance?"

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "You are the princess of Northern Yan, and I am the prince of Great Xia. How can we form an alliance?"

"It's not an alliance between countries, it's an alliance between individuals."

Murong Xue said earnestly, "In Northern Yan, I was a princess who ran away from her arranged marriage, unable to return. In Hanyuan, I was a rootless duckweed, relying on the prince's protection. If I want to live, if I want to live well, I must have value. My value is my understanding of Northern Yan, my understanding of the grasslands, and—this knife."

She pointed to the Frost Moon Blade: "This blade is a symbol of the Northern Yan royal family; seeing the blade is like seeing the person. With it, Your Highness can travel freely within the sphere of influence of Northern Yan. Moreover, I can help Your Highness deal with the Azure Wolf Tribe."

"The Azure Wolf Tribe?"

"right."

Murong Xue nodded. "The old patriarch of the Canglang tribe is seriously ill, and his three sons are vying for the throne."

The eldest son, Harbala, was a proponent of war and wanted to go south to plunder and establish his authority.

The second son, Batu, is a proponent of peace and wants to do business with Daxia.

The third son is still young and not a cause for concern.

If the prince supports Batu and makes him the chieftain, the Canglang tribe will become an ally of Hanyuan, not an enemy.

That's one approach.

Xiao Chen had thought before that the grasslands couldn't be won over by fighting alone; they also needed to be won over.

The White Deer tribe is an option, but it is weak and cannot withstand the Azure Wolf tribe.

If Batu can be supported to take the throne, then the Canglang tribe will become a shield for Hanyuan.

"How will you help me?"

"I have an inside contact."

Murong Xue lowered her voice, "I have people in the Canglang tribe. They can pass messages, create chaos, and even... assassinate."

Xiao Chen stared at her for a long time.

Why are you helping me? What benefit do you get from it?

"The advantage is that if Batu comes to power, he will be grateful to me. I will then have a way out on the grasslands."

Murong Xue said frankly, "Moreover, if Your Highness can gain a foothold and become a force in the Northern Territory, then I, as your 'ally,' will have a strong backer. We need each other and complement each other."

That's very true.

Xiao Chen likes to deal with honest people.

"Aren't you afraid I'll discard you after you've served your purpose?"

"Afraid."

Murong Xue nodded, "But Your Highness is not that kind of person. If Your Highness wants to achieve great things, you can't rely on ruthlessness alone; you also need trust. I trust Your Highness, and Your Highness should trust me too."

What a fine word, "trust".

Xiao Chen smiled.

"Okay, I'll trust you this once. But there's one condition."

"Please speak, Your Highness."

"In Hanyuan, you are Murong Xue, my guest. You are forbidden from spying on military secrets, contacting outsiders, or doing anything detrimental to Hanyuan. Can you do that?"

"able."

"I'll take that knife."

Xiao Chen picked up the Frost Moon Blade. "As a token. You help me, I protect you. You betray me—"

He paused, then with a flash of light, a piece of the table corner was sliced ​​off, the cut as smooth as a mirror.

"Like this case."

Murong Xue's face paled, but she quickly regained her composure: "Murong Xue will never betray you."

"Go."

Xiao Chen sheathed his sword. "I'll look for you when I need you."

Murong Xue bowed and withdrew.

After she left, Han Lie emerged from behind the screen.

"Your Highness, do you really believe her?"

"Believe only half of it."

Xiao Chen said, "What she said is partly true and partly false. But forming an alliance is something we can do. She has connections in Northern Yan and informants on the grasslands, which are useful to us. As for what she really wants—"

He stroked the Frostmoon Blade: "Watch carefully. A fox will always show its tail eventually."

That evening, Murong Xue delivered the first intelligence report.

It concerns the troop deployment of the Canglang tribe.

The Canglang tribe has 20,000 archers, including 15,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry.

The cavalry was divided into three battalions: the left battalion was under the command of Harbala, the right battalion was under the command of Batu, and the central battalion was the old chieftain's personal guard.

The old clan chief is currently seriously ill, and the central camp is temporarily being managed by Harbala.

The pro-war faction in Harbala numbered about eight thousand.

Batu's peace faction numbered approximately six thousand.

There are also 6,000 centrists who are undecided.

"Harbala wanted to move south, but he lacked food and iron."

Murong Xue said, "He has recently been contacting Northern Yan, wanting to exchange warhorses for weapons. If the deal goes through, he will take action in the spring."

Will Northern Yan agree?

"meeting."

Murong Xue was certain, "Northern Yan wants to attack Great Xia, but doesn't want to be the first to fight. Supporting the Canglang tribe as their vanguard is exactly what they want."

"What about Batu?"

"Batu wants to do business with the Great Xia, exchanging cattle, sheep, and horses for grain and cloth. But he's weak, and his words carry little weight. Unless—"

"Unless he becomes the clan chief."

"right."

Murong Xue nodded, "If Your Highness can support Batu, give him grain and iron, and enable him to compete with Harbala, then once the old chieftain dies, we can work together from within and without to help Batu ascend to power. At that time, the Canglang tribe will be the shield of Hanyuan."

The plan is good.

But it's difficult to implement.

"How do I contact Batu?" Xiao Chen asked.

"I have the channels."

Murong Xue said, "The centurion of the right battalion of the Canglang tribe is one of my men. You can have him pass on the message."

"it is good."

Xiao Chen made the decision: "Tell Batu that I am willing to do business with him. We will exchange grain and ironware for his warhorses and furs. But he must guarantee that he will not invade the south within five years."

"Five years is too long; he might not dare to agree."

"Then three years."

Xiao Chen said, "If he doesn't provoke me within three years, I won't provoke him. After three years, we'll see how things go."

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

Murong Xue withdrew to write a letter.

Xiao Chen toyed with the Frost Moon Blade, pondering in his heart.

Supporting Batu is a risky move.

But if it succeeds, the pressure on the northern border of the Cold Abyss will be reduced by half.

We can focus on dealing with the Prince of Yong and the Northern Yan.

Moreover, with the warhorses from the grasslands, the cavalry of the Jingbei Camp could be formed.

With cavalry, there is mobility, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

But this move must be made discreetly.

We must not let Harbala know, nor can we let Yongwang know.

Three days later, Murong Xue brought a reply.

Batu agreed.

"He said he was willing to form an alliance with the prince and would not invade the south for three years. But he had one condition."

"explain."

"He asked the prince to first send a batch of grain and ironware as a sign of sincerity."

How much do you want?

"One thousand shi of grain and one hundred pieces of ironware."

They have quite an appetite.

But it's worth it.

"Give it to him."

Xiao Chen said, "But we'll give it in three batches. The first batch will be 300 shi of grain and 30 pieces of ironware. We'll give the second batch after he shows his sincerity."

What is sincerity?

"Have his men spread rumors across the grasslands that Harbala is colluding with the Northern Yan and betraying the interests of the grasslands."

Xiao Chen sneered, "I want Harbala to be disgraced on the grasslands."

Murong Xue's eyes lit up: "A scheme to sow discord?"

"right."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Didn't Harbala want to cooperate with Northern Yan? Then let everyone on the grasslands know that he's a traitor who sells out his master for personal gain. At that time, we won't even need to lift a finger; the spittle from within the grasslands will drown him."

"Your Highness is truly brilliant," Murong Xue exclaimed sincerely.

"Go and do it."

"Yes."

Murong Xue made the arrangements.

Xiao Chen sat in the courtroom, looking at the map on the wall.

Northern Yan, King Yong, Canglang Tribe, Bailu Tribe...

This game of chess is getting more and more complicated.

But he likes it.

Because the more complex something is, the more opportunities it presents.

"Your Highness," Han Lie walked in, "the coal mine is producing coal again; they dug out 1,200 truckloads today. As for the iron mine, Master Ou said the first batch of steel has been produced. Please go and take a look."

"Walk."

The two arrived at the Construction Company.

The blacksmith is forging a red-hot iron block.

The iron block deformed under the hammer blows, sending sparks flying.

After being hammered dozens of times, it was immersed in cold water and made a sizzling sound.

"Your Highness, look." Blacksmith Ou handed the piece of iron to Xiao Chen.

The iron has been forged into the shape of a knife, but it has not yet been sharpened.

The blade has a bluish-gray metallic sheen and makes a crisp sound when tapped.

"Is this steel?" Xiao Chen asked.

"Yes."

Blacksmith Ou nodded. "Using your method, after repeated forging, removing impurities, and adding carbon, I finally forged it. Although it can't compare to a divine weapon like the Frost Moon Blade, it's much stronger than an ordinary iron sword. It can cut through iron armor with a single strike."

"Can you print in bulk?"

"Yes, but slowly."

The blacksmith said, "It takes three days to forge one knife like this. I can forge a maximum of ten a month."

That's enough.

Xiao Chen said, "Let's make ten swords first, for the generals of the Jingbei Camp. Ordinary soldiers will still use iron swords. We can gradually switch to them as our skills improve."

"Yes."

After leaving the Industrial Construction Bureau, Xiao Chen went to the coal mine.

The coal mine's output has stabilized at 1,500 truckloads per day, which is 45,000 truckloads per month, equivalent to 900,000 jin (450,000 kg).

Besides what Han Yuan uses himself, most of it can be sold.

The caravan made two more trips to Yulin Town, bringing back even more salt, cloth, and medicinal herbs. Han Yuan's warehouses were gradually filling up.

The lives of ordinary people have also become better.

With sufficient food, the work-point system was further improved.

More work, more pay; less work, less pay; no work, no pay.

Lazy people are forced to work, while diligent people make a fortune.

Hanyuan City is like a sophisticated machine, operating at high speed.

That day, Xiao Chen was looking at the account books when Zhao Tie rushed in.

"Your Highness, there's some activity at Dingbei Pass."

"explain."

"Prince Yong left Dingbei Pass and returned to the capital. However, he left behind 500 imperial guards, ostensibly to 'assist in defense.' The leader of the group was Prince Yong's confidant, named Gao Shun."

"Gao Shun?"

Xiao Chen frowned. "Who is this person?"

"Formerly a captain of the Imperial Guards and commander of the guards of Prince Yong's residence. Ruthless and vicious, he was Prince Yong's right-hand man."

The meaning behind Prince Yong leaving his trusted confidants at Dingbei Pass is very clear—to keep a close eye on Han Yuan.

"Furthermore," Zhao Tie continued, "after Gao Shun took office, he strengthened the inspections at Dingbei Pass. Three cartloads of salt from our caravan were confiscated, claiming they were 'contraband'."

"Contraband?"

Xiao Chen sneered, "When did salt become a contraband?"

He said that selling salt without the imperial salt permit was a violation of the law.

This is deliberately picking a fight.

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

"Let the caravan stop for a moment."

Xiao Chen said, "Prince Yong has just left, and Gao Shun has taken office. He's going to make a big splash. Let's avoid him for a while and wait until his temper flares up."

"If we can't sell the salt, we won't have the money to buy other goods..."

"No rush."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "We're not short of money right now. The iron from the coal mines, the swords from the Imperial Workshop—those are all money. Besides, shouldn't Batu's first batch of warhorses have arrived on the grasslands by now?"

"According to the dates, it'll be in the next few days."

"Once the warhorses arrive, we'll form a cavalry unit. With cavalry, the caravan's safety will be guaranteed. Then, we won't go through Dingbei Pass; we'll detour through the grasslands and go directly to the Hexi Corridor. The profits will be greater, and the risks will be lower."

Zhao Tie's eyes lit up.

Taking the detour through the grasslands is longer, but safer.

The grasslands are now allies and will not make things difficult for us.

The Hexi Corridor is a vital trade route, with a wide variety of goods and high profits.

"Your Highness is wise."

"Go and prepare. As soon as Batu's warhorses arrive, immediately assemble a cavalry unit. Select the best riders and the most loyal soldiers from the Jingbei Camp."

"yes!"

Zhao Tie went to make preparations.

Xiao Chen stood alone on the city wall, gazing in the direction of Dingbei Pass.

Gao Shun, the dog of Prince Yong.

Want to bite me?

Let's see whose teeth are sharper.

He gripped the Frost Moon Blade tightly.

The knife is cold, but my heart is warm.

This game is getting more and more interesting.