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

Seven days after Batu sent his letter, a reply arrived.

The letter was written on sheepskin in the Northern Yan script and stamped with the wolf head seal of the Canglang tribe.

Murong Xue translated for Xiao Chen:

"Batu is willing to form an alliance with the prince. He has already made arrangements for Harbala's affairs."

Three days later, Harbala will go hunting on the upper reaches of the White Water River, accompanied only by fifty bodyguards.

At that time, the prince can send men to intercept and kill them.

After the deed is done, Batu will claim that Harbala was attacked by bandits and that it had nothing to do with the prince.

The conditions remain the same: no border incursions for three years, and trade routes to be opened.

In addition, Batu wanted to do a business deal with the prince—to exchange a thousand warhorses for ten thousand shi of grain and five hundred pieces of ironware.

If it works out, he's willing to add another five thousand sheepskins.

A thousand warhorses!

Xiao Chen's heart skipped a beat.

What Hanyuan needs most right now is horses.

Although some were obtained, most were inferior horses, unable to run fast or carry heavy loads.

If they could truly acquire a thousand grassland warhorses, then the Jingbei Camp's cavalry could be fully established.

But 10,000 shi of grain and 500 pieces of ironware is no small amount.

Han Yuan now has grain; the autumn harvest yielded 4,500 shi, and with the previous stored grain, the total is 6,000 shi.

To produce 10,000 shi (a unit of dry measure), one would have to empty their entire savings.

Ironware is easy to handle. The workshop is operating at full capacity and can produce two hundred pieces a month. Five hundred pieces would take two and a half months.

Tell him that the food can be provided, but in installments.

Three thousand shi will be paid first, another three thousand shi will be paid when the horse arrives, and the remaining four thousand shi will be paid in full within six months.

The same goes for ironware; give us one hundred pieces first, and the rest in batches.

Xiao Chen said, "In addition, I want him to guarantee that this batch of horses must be strong horses that are three years old, and he can't try to fool me with old or sick horses."

"Yes."

Murong Xue went to reply to the letter.

Xiao Chen summoned Han Lie, Wang Dashan, Zhao Tie, and Zhang Meng to discuss matters.

"Batu is about to make his move."

He recounted the contents of the letter: "Three days from now, on the upper reaches of the White Water River, Harbala will be hunting. This is our opportunity, and also our test."

"Your Highness, could this be a trap?"

Zhao Tie asked cautiously, "What if Batu and Harbala join forces to lure us out of the city...?"

"Won't."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "Batu doesn't have the guts. He's weak right now and needs our support. Only by killing Harbala can he take power. Besides, he wants grain and ironware; he won't cut off his own source of income."

"How many people are we going?"

"One hundred cavalrymen and fifty crossbowmen."

Xiao Chen said, "Zhang Meng will lead the team, and I will go personally."

"Your Highness, you cannot go!"

Wang Dashan said urgently, "It's too dangerous! Let this humble general go!"

"Only by going can I show my sincerity."

Xiao Chen said, "Moreover, I want to see for myself whether Batu is worth cooperating with."

The others wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Xiao Chen's resolute expression, they knew they couldn't change his mind.

"Then I will lead men to meet them," Wang Dashan said.

"it is good."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Take two hundred men and lie in ambush ten miles away. If anything goes wrong, provide immediate backup."

"yes!"

"Zhao Tie, you guard the city. Old Han, you stay in the workshop and speed up the production of weapons, especially crossbows, the more the better."

"yes!"

With everything arranged, Xiao Chen began preparations.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the morning of the third day, before dawn, 150 people had assembled.

One hundred cavalrymen were the most elite troops in the Jingbei Camp, each equipped with a steel sword, a hard bow, and thirty arrows.

The fifty crossbowmen were personally trained by Zhang Meng, each equipped with a crossbow and fifty arrows.

Everyone was wearing leather armor, covered by white cloaks—snow camouflage.

Xiao Chen also changed his clothes, wearing a white outfit with a white fox fur cloak and a Frost Moon Blade at his waist.

Riding on the snowmobile, I felt like a ghost in the snow.

"Set off."

The group left the city silently and disappeared into the vast snowfield.

The upper reaches of the Baishui River are eighty li away from Hanyuan.

Normally it would take a whole day to walk, but to stay hidden, we took a detour and walked an extra thirty miles.

It was already evening when we arrived at our destination.

This is a riverbank, the river water is frozen solid, and the ice surface is as smooth as a mirror.

The banks were lined with sparse birch forests, covered in snow, and silent.

"Your Highness, there are hoofprints." The scout reported.

Xiao Chen dismounted to check, and sure enough, there was a string of fresh hoof prints on the snow, which must have been left today.

Following the hoofprints, we found a makeshift camp deep in the woods.

Several tents, dozens of horses tied to trees, and a few grassland men warming themselves by a fire.

In the center of the camp, a burly man was wiping his scimitar; it was Harbala.

"Fifty people, all of them are here," Zhang Meng said in a low voice.

Xiao Chen nodded and made a gesture.

The crossbowmen silently dispersed and took up advantageous positions.

The cavalrymen dismounted, hid behind trees, drew their swords, and nocked their arrows.

Everything is ready.

Xiao Chen raised his hand, about to give the order to attack, when suddenly the sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

Another group of people arrived.

About thirty riders came from the north, moving very fast. The leader was a tall, thin man, none other than Batu.

Harbala saw Batu, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Second brother, what brings you here?"

Batu dismounted and walked up to Harbala with a smile on his face: "I heard that you were hunting here, so I came to join in the fun."

"Good! Good brother!"

Harbala patted Batu on the shoulder, "Perfect timing, we hunted a deer today, let's have a drink!"

The two walked into the tent, their arms around each other's shoulders.

Xiao Chen frowned.

Why is Batu here? Wasn't it agreed that he wouldn't show up?

"Your Highness, shall we make another move?" Zhang Meng asked.

"Wait a minute," Xiao Chen said. "Let's see what happens."

The sounds of drinking and laughter drifted from inside the tent, suggesting a harmonious atmosphere.

But soon, the voice changed.

"Brother, this wine... why does it taste a bit bitter?" It was Harbala's voice.

"Is it bitter? I think it's sweet." Batu's voice was cold.

"You...you poisoned the wine?" Halbala's voice was filled with terror.

"Brother, I'm sorry. Father is seriously ill, and the tribe cannot be left to a brute like you."

Batu said, "Don't worry, I will take good care of your family. Go in peace."

"You...you dare kill me? Father will not let you get away with this..."

"Father? Father is dead."

Batu sneered, "This happened this morning. Now, I am the chieftain of the Canglang tribe."

Struggles and muffled groans came from inside the tent, then silence fell.

After a while, Batu lifted the tent flap and came out, carrying Harbala's head in his hand.

Blood was still dripping, leaving red dots on the snow.

"Harbala is dead!"

Batu raised the severed head high and shouted to his guards in the camp, "From this day forward, I, Batu, am the chieftain of the Canglang tribe! Those who submit to me will prosper, and those who defy me will perish!"

The guards exchanged bewildered glances, but quickly realized what was happening and knelt down, saying, "Greetings, Chief!"

Batu nodded in satisfaction and turned to the direction where Xiao Chen was hiding: "Your Highness, you may come out now."

Xiao Chen emerged from behind the tree, and Zhang Meng and his men followed.

"Chief Batu, well done." Xiao Chen said calmly, looking at Harbala's severed head.

"I'm sorry for making a fool of myself, Your Highness."

Batu tossed the severed head to his guards. "The rules of the grasslands are that the victor is king and the loser is villain. As long as Harbala lives, the grasslands will never have peace. Your Highness, our deal can continue."

"Where's the horse?"

"Ten miles away, there are a thousand horses, all three years old and strong."

Batu said, "The prince's grain and ironware..."

"Delivery can be made at any time in the Cold Abyss."

Xiao Chen said, "However, I need to inspect the horse first."

"Of course." Batu waved his hand. "Take the prince to inspect the horses."

A thousand warhorses were tethered in a sheltered valley.

Each one was tall and magnificent, with a glossy coat; they were indeed fine horses.

Xiao Chen looked at each horse one by one, and felt satisfied.

"A fine horse," he said.

"So, our deal..."

"Deal." Xiao Chen extended his hand.

Batu also reached out his hand, and the two hands clasped together.

"From this day forward, the Canglang tribe and Hanyuan are brothers," Batu solemnly declared.

"Brother." Xiao Chen nodded.

The transaction went smoothly.

Batu sent men to deliver the horses outside Hanyuan City, while Xiao Chen sent men to deliver the grain and ironware to the designated location.

Both sides kept their promises and did not play any tricks.

With a thousand warhorses arriving at the camp, the cavalry of the Jingbei Camp finally had mounts.

Zhang Meng personally selected riders, trained them in tactics, and built a true cavalry unit.

Five hundred pieces of ironware were delivered to the Canglang tribe, and Batu treasured them greatly.

With these iron tools, he could forge more weapons, arm his personal guards, and solidify his position.

Both parties take what they need.

But Xiao Chen knew that this alliance was fragile.

Once a conflict of interest arises, the relationship could break down at any time.

Therefore, he needs to make Han Yuan stronger as soon as possible.

So powerful that Batu dared not betray him.

So powerful that the Northern Yan dared not invade.

So powerful that even the Prince of Yong dared not underestimate them.

Upon returning to the city, the first thing Xiao Chen did was to expand the armory.

"Master Ou, I want you to build a blast furnace, specifically for steelmaking. The output needs to double, and the quality needs to be even better. Money, food, manpower—whatever you need, I'll provide."

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly do it." Blacksmith Ou was full of enthusiasm.

The second thing was to expand the cavalry battalion.

"Zhang Meng, I need you to train a thousand-man cavalry unit within three months using these thousand horses. They must be able to charge, outflank, and conduct guerrilla warfare. Can you do it?"

"able!"

Zhang Meng made a solemn pledge: "Three months from now, Your Highness will see a true iron cavalry."

The third thing is to strengthen the city's defenses.

"Wang Dashan, raise the city walls by five feet and deepen the moat by three feet. Build ten more arrow towers and watchtowers. Prepare ten times the amount of rolling logs, boulders, and molten gold. I want Hanyuan City to become the most fortified stronghold in the North."

"yes!"

Hanyuan City was like a machine running at full speed, operating at breakneck speed.

Coal production hit a new high, iron ore production continued unabated, and the furnaces in the workshops burned day and night. In the armory, swords, spears, halberds, bows, crossbows, and arrows were being manufactured one by one. In the cavalry camp, the sounds of horses' hooves and battle cries filled the air.

Everyone knew that war was about to break out.

But nobody was afraid.

Because the prince is here, the city walls are here, and the swords and spears are here.

That day, Xiao Chen was watching cavalry training at the drill ground when Zhao Tie rushed over.

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

"explain."

"Gao Shun gathered three thousand troops inside the pass, claiming he was going to 'suppress bandits.' But the direction of the suppression was not to the north, but to the south."

South?

Hanyuan is north of Dingbei Pass. What does it mean that Gao Shun is heading south to suppress bandits?

"Who is he going to fight?"

"have no idea."

Zhao Tie shook his head. "But the scouts say that Gao Shun has been in close contact with Hu merchants from Northern Yan recently, and has even bought a batch of weapons from them."

We bought weapons and fought bandits, heading south.

Xiao Chen suddenly understood.

Gao Shun's purpose was not to suppress bandits, but to "borrow a passage".

Using the route taken by Northern Yan, they circled around to the south of Hanyuan and launched a pincer attack.

"What a clever tactic of using someone else to do the dirty work."

Xiao Chen sneered, "Prince Yong really went to great lengths to get rid of me."

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

"Use their plan against them."

Xiao Chen said, "He wants to borrow a route, right? Let him. But we have to choose the route he borrows."

"Your Highness means..."

"Have Murong Xue write a letter to the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, saying that Gao Shun wants to pass through, and we can 'help.' However, there are conditions to our help."

"What are the conditions?"

"He can ask for passage, but he has to go through Black Wind Valley."

Xiao Chen pointed to the map, "Black Wind Valley is a strategically important location, easy to defend and difficult to attack. We'll set up an ambush there, wait for Gao Shun's army to come in, and then trap them."

Zhao Tie's eyes lit up.

"But will Northern Yan agree?"

"meeting."

Xiao Chen was certain, "The Left Wise King also wants to get rid of Gao Shun and eliminate the Yong King's power in the northern border. He would be more than happy to help us."

"Then I will take care of it immediately."

"etc."

Xiao Chen stopped him, "Tell the Left Wise King that after this is done, Han Yuan and Northern Yan can sit down and talk. Talk about business, talk about... peace."

Zhao Tie was taken aback: "Your Highness, you want to negotiate peace with Northern Yan?"

"It's not peace talks, it's business."

Xiao Chen said, "Northern Yan lacks coal and iron, but we have those. We lack horses and furs, but Northern Yan has those. Doing business is better than fighting wars."

Zhao Tie seemed to understand, but he still accepted the order and went to carry it out.

Xiao Chen stood alone in front of the map, looking at Dingbei Pass, at Northern Yan, and at the grassland.

This game has reached the middle stage.

Prince Yong played his pieces ruthlessly, pressing forward relentlessly.

But he wasn't afraid.

Because he has more pieces in his hand.

The soldiers of Hanyuan, the city of Hanyuan, and the hearts of the people of Hanyuan.

And then there's the coming of a thousand iron cavalry.

"Fourth Brother, you play chess very well."

"But my game has only just begun."

Outside the window, snowflakes were falling.

But in Hanyuan City, spring is gradually deepening.