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

Before Zhou Zheng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, arrived, another interesting event occurred in Hanyuan City.

The prince is going to set up a school.

The notice was posted in front of the city lord's mansion, with black and white text:

"Hanyuan Academy is accepting children aged six to twelve, both boys and girls are welcome. The curriculum includes literacy, arithmetic, northern geography, and tribal customs. Tuition is free; textbooks are provided by the academy. Classes last three hours daily, and lunch is provided. Those interested should register at the Civil Affairs Department."

The whole city was in an uproar.

"A school? And meals are provided?"

"They accept both boys and girls? Girls can go to school too?"

"What is Your Highness trying to do? Studying is the business of aristocratic gentlemen, not us commoners..."

"What do you know! The Prince said that for Hanyuan to become rich, it first needs people! And having people isn't enough; it also needs literate people!"

"What's the use of reading? Can it put food on the table?"

"How could it be useless! The Prince said that from now on, when the City Lord's Mansion recruits, they will give priority to those who can read and write! They'll also earn more work points than others!"

There was a lot of discussion, with all sorts of opinions.

But quite a few people signed up.

There are currently four thousand people in Hanyuan, and at least three or four hundred of them are children aged six to twelve.

Although many people think that studying is useless, they are tempted when they hear that meals are provided and they can earn more work points.

On the first day, more than fifty people signed up.

Xiao Chen personally selected thirty—not the best, but the most needed.

Orphans, children of military households, and children of artisans will be given priority. Half will be male and half female.

The school was set up in a large house in the west of the city. It used to be a warehouse, but now it has been vacated, cleaned, and furnished with tables and chairs.

Although simple, it was clean and bright.

On the first day of school, Xiao Chen personally attended.

Thirty children, lined up in three rows, stood straight.

Although her clothes were worn out, they were clean; her little face was red from the cold, but her eyes were bright and sparkling.

"From today onwards, you are the first batch of students at Hanyuan Academy."

Xiao Chen stood at the front, his voice gentle, "Here, you will learn to read, to do arithmetic, and to understand principles. If you learn well, you can become managers, accountants, or military officers in the future. You can even take the imperial examinations, become officials, and bring honor to your ancestors."

The children seemed to understand only part of what was being said, but they did understand the phrases "becoming an official" and "bringing honor to one's ancestors."

"Your Highness," a thin boy asked timidly, "Can...can I also become an official?"

"able."

Xiao Chen looked at him and said, "As long as you are willing to learn and work hard, there is a way out for you in Hanyuan. Not only you, but all of you can succeed as long as you are willing to work hard."

The children's eyes shone even brighter.

"Now, distribute the books."

Xiao Chen picked up a stack of books—introductory textbooks he had personally compiled.

Use the simplest words and the simplest principles to teach literacy, arithmetic, and how to be a person.

The first lesson consists of only three words: Heaven, Earth, and Man.

"Heaven is the sky above our heads. Earth is the land beneath our feet. Man is the person who stands between heaven and earth."

Xiao Chen wrote stroke by stroke and taught word by word, "We Hanyuan people stand tall and upright, relying neither on heaven nor on earth, but on ourselves."

The children read and wrote along. Although their writing was crooked, they were very serious.

After teaching literacy, teach arithmetic.

One, two, three, four, five; addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Use pebbles, use sticks, and teach by counting on your fingers.

The children were engrossed in learning.

Lunch is served at noon.

Each person received a bowl of mixed grain rice, a spoonful of vegetable soup, and a piece of pickled vegetable. Although simple, it was filling. The children devoured their food, some even licking their bowls clean.

In the afternoon, Han Lie came to class.

He taught the geography of the North and the customs of the tribes.

"Our Hanyuan is located in the northern border. To the north are grasslands, inhabited by the Canglang and Bailu tribes. To the east is Dingbei Pass, and further east is Beiyan. To the west are Black Stone Mountains, rich in coal and iron. To the south lies the Central Plains, the capital of the Great Xia."

Han Lie drew a simple map and pointed to it as he spoke.

"The grassland people live in tents, herd cattle and sheep, and drink mare's milk. They are skilled riders and archers, and move like the wind. But the grasslands are bitterly cold, and lack food and iron, so they often raid southwards."

"The Northern Yan people live in cities, cultivate crops, and also have cavalry. They are strong and well-equipped, and have always wanted to move south. However, they are wary of the border troops of the Great Xia, so they dare not act rashly."

The children listened intently.

These were things they had never heard of before.

"Grandpa Han," a girl asked, "why do the grassland people want to rob us? Isn't it better for us to farm and them to herd sheep?"

"Okay, but not enough."

Han Lie sighed, "Winter on the grasslands is cold. The grass withers, the cattle and sheep have nothing to eat, and people go hungry. When people are hungry, they will steal. That's why we in Hanyuan must become strong and rich, so that they won't dare to steal from us."

"Can we beat them?"

"We can beat them."

Han Lie pointed out the window, "Look, we have city walls, an army, and a prince. As long as we are united, we have nothing to fear from anyone."

The children puffed out their little chests, their faces beaming with pride.

The day's classes ended, and the children left reluctantly.

Standing at the school gate, Xiao Chen watched their skipping figures and felt a warm feeling well up in his heart.

These children are the future of Hanyuan.

They were literate, understood principles, and knew the world.

In the future, they will become the backbone of Hanyuan.

"Your Highness," Han Lie walked over, "these children are learning very quickly. Especially those orphans, they are particularly diligent."

"Children from poor families mature early."

Xiao Chen said, "They know this is a rare opportunity, so they cherish it."

"yes."

Han Lie exclaimed, "In my sixty-plus years of life, this is the first time I've seen such a noble person as Your Highness, who truly treats the common people as human beings and genuinely seeks a way out for them."

"Isn't this what should be done?"

Xiao Chen said, "The people are my roots; only with deep roots can the leaves flourish. Only when they are well can Hanyuan be well."

Han Lie bowed deeply: "Your Highness has the world in your heart, I admire you greatly."

"Alright, stop flattering me."

Xiao Chen smiled, "Please take care of the school's affairs. I'll continue compiling the teaching materials. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Yes."

After leaving the school, Xiao Chen went to the Bureau of Works.

The blacksmith is testing a new farming tool—a curved plow made of steel, lightweight and easy to work with, suitable for the hardened soil of the North.

"Your Highness, look."

The blacksmith demonstrated, "This plowshare is made of steel and is very sharp. The plowshare itself is curved, so it can be pulled by one person and one ox. It requires half the effort compared to the original straight-shaft plow, and it turns the soil deeper."

Xiao Chen tried it out and found it to be indeed lightweight.

"Okay, print them in batches. Print one hundred before spring."

"Yes."

"And also," Xiao Chen said, "how's the improvement of the crossbow going?"

"Under investigation."

Blacksmith Ou pointed to the blueprints, "As the prince said, we added a sighting device for better aiming. The crossbow arm was lengthened, increasing the range to 150 paces. However, the draw is still slow; you have to use your foot to cock it."

"That's enough."

Xiao Chen said, "When defending a city, crossbowmen are on the city walls and have time to load their guns. In open field battles, cavalry and infantry cooperate, while crossbowmen are responsible for long-range suppression."

"Yes, then I will do as instructed."

"Make one hundred crossbows and ten thousand crossbow bolts. Finish before spring."

"yes!"

After leaving the Construction Bureau, Xiao Chen went to the Iron City construction site.

A hundred li (approximately 50 kilometers) can be covered in two hours on horseback.

When we arrived, it was already dark. But the construction site was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

More than a thousand able-bodied men, working in three shifts, day and night, are working tirelessly. Three blast furnaces have already been built and are currently being heated.

The waterwheel is set up on the riverbank. Although the river is frozen, there is water underneath, so it can be turned.

"Your Highness!"

Foreman Lao Hu ran over, his face beaming with excitement, "The blast furnace can be ignited tomorrow! The waterwheel will be running! The first batch of iron will be ready in three days!"

"good!"

Xiao Chen patted him on the shoulder, "You've worked hard. Tell everyone that if you do a good job, your work points will be doubled, and there will be a year-end bonus."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

When the workers heard that the prince had arrived, they all gathered around and chattered amongst themselves.

"Your Highness, can our Iron City truly produce high-quality iron?"

"able."

"Your Highness, can the iron produced really be used to forge weapons and farm tools?"

"able."

"Your Highness, once the Iron City is built, can we settle down here?"

"Yes." Xiao Chen looked at the men, their faces covered in soot and their eyes filled with expectation, and said solemnly, "Once the Iron City is built, you will be the first residents. You will be allocated land and housing, and your children will be able to go to school. I, Xiao Chen, mean what I say."

"Long live the Prince!"

"I'll die for the Prince!"

The shouts were deafening.

Xiao Chen was filled with emotion.

These people were refugees, runaways, and pitiful people who couldn't survive just three months ago.

Now, they are miners, craftsmen, and city builders.

They had hope and something to strive for.

This is the Cold Abyss he wanted.

Everyone has work to do, everyone has food to eat, and everyone has hope.

After inspecting Iron City, Xiao Chen rushed back to Cold Abyss overnight.

On the way, he recalled a saying from his past life: Education is a long-term plan.

Hanyuan Academy is the first step.

In the future, there will be more schools to teach more children.

We must ensure that the next generation of Hanyuan will no longer be blind to the truth and will no longer be bullied by others.

We must enable them to read, understand principles, and know about the world.

We must make them the true masters of this land.

It was already late at night when they returned to the city lord's mansion.

But the lights were still on in the courtroom.

Murong Xue was waiting for him.

"Your Highness, another message has arrived from Northern Yan."

"explain."

"The Left Wise King said that the location for the peace talks should be changed to 'White Deer Plain' on the border."

Murong Xue's voice was very low, "The date is set for March 15th, after the spring. He said that only fifty people are allowed to come; if even one more is taken, it will be considered a breach of contract."

Bailu Plain, situated between Hanyuan and Beiyan, is a vast grassland. It is indeed suitable for peace talks.

Tell him I'll be there on time.

"Your Highness, it's still too dangerous."

Murong Xue worried, "White Deer Plain is indefensible; what if Northern Yan has laid an ambush..."

"He wouldn't dare."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "He proposed the peace talks, so breaking the agreement would be a slap in his own face. Besides, I'm bringing fifty men, and he's bringing fifty men—it's fair. If we really fight, it's not certain who will live and who will die."

Murong Xue stopped trying to persuade her.

"Also," Xiao Chen looked at her, "you'll be coming with me to this peace talks."

Murong Xue was taken aback.

"I?"

"right."

Xiao Chen said, "You are the princess of Northern Yan, and also my 'guest.' With you by my side, Northern Yan will feel more at ease. Besides, you should go back and visit."

Murong Xue lowered her head, and after a long while, she whispered, "Yes."

"Go on, get some rest."

"Yes."

Murong Xue withdrew, and Xiao Chen sat alone in the courtroom.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating his young yet resolute face.

The Northern Yan peace talks, the Yong Prince's investigation, the opening of schools, the construction of Iron City...

There were many things to do, but everything was well-organized.

He played very steadily in this game.

"Your Highness."

Uncle Fu brought in hot tea. "You must be tired after a long day. Have some tea and rest."

"Not tired."

Xiao Chen took the tea, took a sip, and asked, "Uncle Fu, what do you think Han Yuan will be like in the future?"

Uncle Fu thought for a moment, then smiled: "This old servant doesn't know what the future holds, but I do know that Hanyuan now is the best I've ever seen in my life. The people have food to eat, clothes to wear, land to cultivate, and children can go to school. In the past, we wouldn't have dared to even dream of this."

Yes, I wouldn't even dare to think about it.

But Xiao Chen was not satisfied.

He wants more than just that.

He wanted Hanyuan to become the jewel of the North.

We want this land so that everyone can live and work in peace and contentment.

I wish for a world free from war.

The road ahead is long.

But he will keep going.

Until I saw that light.