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

Gao Shun was released back to Dingbeiguan, but he didn't dare to cause trouble again.

His three thousand elite soldiers were all killed in Black Wind Valley, and he himself was seriously injured and almost died on the way back.

Upon returning to Dingbei Pass, the first thing he did was write a memorial to Prince Yong, blaming everything on the "Northern Yan surprise attack."

When Prince Yong saw the memorial in the capital, he was so angry that he smashed his cup, but there was nothing he could do.

It is a fact that the Northern Yan did participate in the war.

No matter how much he hated Xiao Chen, he dared not openly break ties—he couldn't bear the charge of colluding with foreign enemies to frame his own comrades.

The situation at Dingbei Pass has temporarily calmed down, but Prince Yong will not give up. Xiao Chen is well aware of this.

"Your Highness, what about Prince Yong..." Han Lie hesitated, then stopped himself from speaking.

"He will come again."

Xiao Chen stood in front of the map, pointing to the capital city. "But next time, it won't be this kind of small-scale skirmish. It will either be nothing, or it will be a devastating blow."

"Then let's..."

"Reorganize the army."

Xiao Chen turned around, his gaze sweeping over Wang Dashan, Zhao Tie, Zhang Meng, and Han Lie present. "Although we won the battle at Black Wind Valley, it exposed some problems. Our troops are too scattered and disorganized. The Jingbei Battalion, the Hanyuan Battalion, and the Engineering Battalion are all fighting independently without unified command. This won't do."

"Your Highness means..."

"From today onwards, the 'Frost Abyss Army' is officially established."

Xiao Chen said, word by word, "All armed forces shall be reorganized, commanded, and trained in a unified manner."

Everyone's spirits lifted.

"Wang Dashan".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You will be appointed Commander of the Hanyuan Army, in charge of the entire army. It will consist of three battalions: an infantry battalion, a cavalry battalion, and a crossbowman battalion. You will determine the specific organization."

"yes!"

"Zhang Meng."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"The five hundred Imperial Guards you brought will be dispersed and reorganized, and integrated into various battalions. You will serve as the deputy commander and concurrently as the cavalry battalion captain, responsible for cavalry training."

"This subordinate obeys!"

"Zhao Tie".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You are appointed as the captain of the infantry battalion and concurrently the captain of the engineer battalion. In peacetime, you will be responsible for city defense and fortifications, and in wartime, you will lead the infantry battalion in combat."

"yes!"

"Old Man Han".

"I am here."

"You will be the quartermaster, in charge of provisions, weapons, and clothing. The arsenal and clothing workshops will both be under your management."

"I will definitely try my best!"

As orders were issued one by one, the framework of the Hanyuan Army was established.

But having a good appearance isn't enough; you also need to have substance.

Xiao Chen picked up a piece of paper, on which was his draft of the "Hanyuan Army System".

"The Hanyuan Army implements the Fubing system (a military system based on conscription).

He explained, "All able-bodied men, aged sixteen to fifty, must be registered. In peacetime, they farm or work; in wartime, they serve as soldiers. Every ten households contribute one able-bodied man to form a unit. Ten units form a district, and ten districts form a battalion. This hierarchical system ensures perfect coordination."

Everyone looked at each other.

The Fubing system was not a new concept in the Great Xia Dynasty.

It was implemented at the founding of the country, but was later abandoned because it was too expensive to maintain.

Soldiers have to farm, and farmers have to join the army; they can't please either side.

Moreover, they have little training time and poor combat effectiveness.

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan said cautiously, "the Fubing system is good, but we have too few people and too little time for training. If there is a war, the soldiers we have hastily mustered may not be of much use."

"Therefore, we need a standing army."

Xiao Chen said, "The Han Yuan Army is divided into three standing battalions: one for infantry, one for cavalry, and one for crossbowmen, each with 500 men, for a total of 1,500 men. These men are dedicated to military service and do not engage in production; they focus on training. The rest are local militia, who train during the off-season and are used as reinforcements in times of war."

"The provisions and pay for those 1,500 regular troops..."

"Grain comes from the public granary. Salaries come from the profits of the caravans."

Xiao Chen said, "Hanyuan now has coal mines, iron mines, and salt production teams, and can support 1,500 people. We can afford it."

"What about the imperial guards? Who's in charge of training them?"

"The standing army is in charge."

Xiao Chen said, "The soldiers of each capital are trained by officers of the capital's standing army. During the off-season for farming, they train intensively for a month. At other times, they train for three days each month. The training content includes drills, swordsmanship, archery, and city defense. It's simple, but practical."

"But will the people be willing to do this?" Zhao Tie asked.

"willing."

Xiao Chen was certain, "Because there are advantages to being a soldier in the garrison. You're exempt from taxes and corvée labor, rewarded for meritorious service, and receive a pension for dying in battle. Moreover, once you become a soldier in the garrison, you're part of the Han Yuan Army, the prince's soldiers. In this northern border region, with the prince protecting you, no one dares to bully you."

That hits the nail on the head.

In the Cold Abyss, the prince is the god.

Once you become a soldier of the prince, you are one of his own, his loyal followers.

This identity is more useful than any gold or silver treasure.

"Your Highness," Han Lie stroked his beard, "I believe the Fubing system is feasible. But there is one matter that must be resolved first."

"explain."

"weapon."

Han Lie said, "Each of the 1,500 regular soldiers needs a sword, a spear, a bow, and thirty arrows. That's 4,500 weapons. Even if the garrison soldiers only need swords, they'd still need several thousand. We can't produce that right now."

"Then let's work overtime to finish it."

Xiao Chen said, "Double the size of the armory and double the number of craftsmen. Add two more blast furnaces, and keep them running day and night. I want to produce ten thousand weapons before spring."

Ten thousand pieces!

Everyone gasped.

"Your Highness, this...this is too hasty."

"No rush."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "After spring arrives, the Prince of Yong will come, the Northern Yan will come, and the grasslands will not be peaceful. At that time, we will be without soldiers or weapons, and we will be lambs to the slaughter. Therefore, we must act quickly."

"yes!"

"Also," Xiao Chen added, "the armory not only forges weapons, but also farm tools. We need to plant crops in the spring, and farm tools are essential. Let Master Ou think of a way to improve efficiency. Just let us know what you need."

"Yes."

After the meeting, everyone went about their business.

Wang Dashan began to reorganize the army.

The Jingbei Battalion, Hanyuan Battalion, and Engineer Battalion were disbanded and reorganized.

They were assigned to infantry battalions, cavalry battalions, and crossbowman battalions based on age, physical strength, and special skills.

The five hundred members of the Imperial Guard were also dispersed and assigned to key positions.

Zhang Meng began training cavalry.

One thousand warhorses, five hundred cavalry, and five hundred on standby.

They practiced riding skills, charging techniques, and mounted archery. On the snowy plains, the sound of horses' hooves shook the heavens.

Zhao Tie began training the infantry.

Queues, swordsmanship, spear formations, city defense.

Despite the cold, they practiced with great enthusiasm.

Han Lie began to expand his arms workshop.

Recruit craftsmen, build blast furnaces, and prepare raw materials.

The furnace fire burned day and night, and the hammering never stopped.

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

But the busiest one was Xiao Chen.

He was responsible for developing training outlines, reviewing weapon blueprints, allocating food and supplies, and handling civil disputes.

I only sleep for two hours a day, and spend the rest of my time busy.

That day, he was looking at the progress report of the arms workshop when Murong Xue arrived.

"Your Highness, I have an idea," she said.

"explain."

"About crossbows."

Murong Xue took out a blueprint. "This is the repeating crossbow of Northern Yan, capable of firing ten arrows at once. Although its range is short, its rate of fire is fast, making it suitable for defending a city. I can try to make it."

Repeating crossbow?

Xiao Chen took the blueprints and examined them carefully.

Indeed, it was a repeating crossbow.

The structure is complex, but the principle is simple.

The mechanism is used to cock the arrows, which can hold ten arrows at a time. Pulling the trigger fires one arrow at a time, and it can fire continuously.

"Can you do it?"

"Yes, but it requires good steel, good craftsmen, and time."

Murong Xue said, "If it is successful, one crossbowman can be used as many as ten when defending the city."

"Okay, go do it."

Xiao Chen made the decision, "If you need anything, just ask Old Man Han. I'll give you a month; I want to see the finished product."

"Yes."

Murong Xue left, and Xiao Chen continued reading the report.

The arsenal is progressing well; two more blast furnaces have been built, and the daily steel production has reached 500 jin.

At this rate, it's possible to produce 10,000 weapons before spring.

But there are also problems.

There was a shortage of skilled craftsmen and raw materials, especially iron ore.

"Zhao Tie." He called Zhao Tie over.

"Your Highness."

"Take men to explore for minerals. Blackrock Mountain is so vast, there can't be only one vein. Keep searching, and if you find a new iron ore deposit, there will be a hefty reward."

"yes!"

Zhao Tie led his men there and returned three days later, full of excitement.

"Your Highness, we've found it! Another iron ore vein has been discovered twenty miles to the west! It's an outcrop with a high iron content, and it's shallow, so it's easy to mine!"

"good!"

Xiao Chen was overjoyed. "Immediately organize people to dig. Double the work points, and provide plenty of food."

"yes!"

With the new iron mine commencing operations, iron ore is being shipped back steadily. The raw material problem for the armory has been solved.

But new problems arose.

There isn't enough coal.

A coal mine produces 2,000 truckloads a day, which seems like a lot, but it's not enough for iron smelting, heating, and cooking.

"Open another mine," Xiao Chen ordered.

"Your Highness, Black Stone Mountain is only so big. If we dig any deeper, it will be dangerous and prone to landslides," Han Lie said worriedly.

"Then let's look elsewhere."

Xiao Chen said, "Have the prospecting team expand the search area to a radius of fifty miles. There will be a generous reward for finding new mines."

The prospecting team set off again, and five days later, they discovered a new coal mine in the mountains thirty miles northeast of the city.

Although its reserves are not as large as those of Blackrock Mountain, they are sufficient.

With the start of construction on the new coal mine, the coal problem has also been solved.

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

But Xiao Chen knew that wasn't enough.

At the end of November, the first heavy snowfall arrived.

It wasn't snow, it was a blizzard.

It rained heavily for three days and three nights.

The snow was knee-deep, the roads were blocked, and even the city gates were almost buried in snow.

In weather like this, one should be staying home and warming themselves by the fire. But Xiao Chen didn't stop.

He led his troops in training in the snow.

Infantrymen practiced marching and building camps in the snow. Cavalrymen practiced charging and archery in the snow. Crossbowmen practiced aiming and loading in the snow.

It was freezing cold; even your breath turned to ice. But no one complained.

Because the prince was also there.

The prince personally led the team, personally trained them, and personally demonstrated their skills.

The prince's hands were cracked from the cold, and his face was frostbitten, but he didn't stop.

If even princes are like this, what reason do they have to complain?

During a training break, Xiao Chen stood in the snow, looking at the soldiers who were gritting their teeth and persevering in the cold wind, and felt a surge of emotion.

These people were refugees, deserters, and hooligans just three months ago.

Now, they are soldiers, his soldiers.

"Brothers," he raised his voice, "are you cold?"

"It's not cold!" everyone shouted in unison.

Is it bitter?

"It's not bitter!"

"Good!" Xiao Chen nodded. "Remember today, remember this snow, remember this cold. Because in the future, you may have to fight your enemies in this snow. It might be the soldiers of the Prince of Yong, the soldiers of Northern Yan, or the wolves of the grasslands. Are you afraid?"

"Don't be afraid!"

"Why aren't you afraid?"

"Because the Prince is here! Because Han Yuan is here!"

The roar shook the heavens, startling the snow to fall.

Xiao Chen smiled.

Yes, he is there, and Han Yuan is there.

That's the source of their confidence.

"Keep training!"

Training continued in full swing.

That evening, Xiao Chen returned to the courtroom and found Murong Xue waiting for him.

"Your Highness, the repeating crossbow is finished."

"Oh?" Xiao Chen's spirits lifted. "Give it a try."

Upon arriving at the training ground, the repeating crossbows were already set up.

The crossbow body is made of steel and wood composite, about four feet long and one foot wide. The crossbow arm is made of steel plate, and the trigger is made of fine steel. The quiver can hold ten arrows, and it has a trigger and a sight.

"Your Highness, please try it." Murong Xue handed it over.

Xiao Chen took it, aimed at the straw man fifty paces away, and pulled the trigger.

Whoosh!

The arrow is released and hits the target.

Another shot, and it's in!

He fired ten arrows in quick succession, and all ten hit their mark, turning the straw man into a hedgehog.

"Good!" Xiao Chen praised, "What's the range?"

"Within fifty paces, leather armor can be worn. Within thirty paces, iron armor can be worn," Murong Xue said. "The only drawback is that it's slow to wind up, requiring a winch. But when defending the city, shifts can be taken."

"That's enough." Xiao Chen was satisfied. "Make one hundred crossbows and ten thousand bolts. I want to see them before spring."

"Yes."

Murong Xue withdrew, and Xiao Chen stood alone on the training ground, gazing at the straw man covered in arrows.

Repeating crossbowmen, cavalry, infantry, and crossbowmen.

The framework for the Han Yuan Army is complete.

The flesh is also growing.

But one thing is still missing.

soul.

An army must have a soul. Without a soul, it is just a rabble.

What is the soul of the Hanyuan Army?

Is it about protecting our homeland and defending our country?

Is it a matter of righteousness and legitimacy?

No.

It's about surviving.

To survive in this harsh and cold place.

Protect your family, protect your home, and survive.

This spirit is simple, yet powerful.

"Your Highness," Zhao Tie approached, "the registration of the garrison soldiers is complete. There are 1,200 able-bodied men aged sixteen to fifty. Based on one able-bodied man per ten households, that's 120 men. Adding the 1,500 regular troops, we now have 1,620 men ready for battle."

One thousand six hundred and twenty people.

Three months ago, he only had three hundred elderly and infirm people.

There are now 1,620 people.

Although it's not enough, at least we have some confidence now.

"Training cannot stop," Xiao Chen said. "Before spring, I want all 1,620 men to be able to fight, to dare to fight, and to fight to the death."

"yes!"

The snow is still falling.

But inside Hanyuan City, the furnaces were burning brightly, and the soldiers were in high spirits.

After the start of spring, no matter who comes, Han Yuan will have the strength to fight them.

Xiao Chen gazed at the swirling snowflakes, a resolute light flashing in his eyes.

It's time for a change in the skies of the North.