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

News of the Northern Yan envoy spread like wildfire.

The people of Dingbeiguan found out first, then the surrounding villages and towns, and finally even people in the teahouses of the capital were talking about it.

"Have you heard? The Left Wise King of Northern Yan wants to negotiate peace with the Prince of Jingbei!"

"At Dingbei Pass? On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month?"

"If this works, the North will be at peace!"

"Peace? Dream on! Northern Yan harbors wolfish ambitions; peace talks are a pretense, their true purpose is espionage!"

"I don't think so. Although Prince Jingbei is young, he has managed to govern that wretched place of Hanyuan so well, he must have some extraordinary abilities. Perhaps we can really reach an agreement."

"Even if we manage to reach an agreement, it will still be a betrayal of the country! Ceding territory to make peace is a humiliation and a loss of national sovereignty!"

There are all sorts of opinions.

But no matter what people say, one thing is certain: on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, a grand opera will be held at Dingbeiguan.

Prince Yong smashed the third cup in his palace.

"He dares! He actually dares!"

Prince Yong's face turned ashen. "Peace talks? At Dingbei Pass? Does he even respect me, his fourth brother? Does he even respect the imperial court?"

"Your Highness, please calm down."

His advisors warned, "This is a conspiracy by Northern Yan. They want to use peace talks as a pretext to spy on us. Prince Jingbei is young and has been manipulated."

"use?"

Prince Yong sneered, "I think he did it on purpose! If the peace talks succeed, he'll be a hero of the northern border and a capable minister of the court. If they fail, the responsibility lies with Northern Yan, and he won't suffer any loss. What a clever scheme, truly a clever scheme!"

"Then let's..."

"Have Gao Qiu prepare."

A murderous glint flashed in Prince Yong's eyes. "On the fifteenth of the first month, we'll secure the North Pass. If the peace talks succeed, let them turn into a funeral. If they fail, let the swords of Northern Yan behead him."

"yes!"

In Hanyuan City, Xiao Chen was also making preparations.

But it's not about preparing for peace talks, it's about preparing to build a canal.

"Your Highness, isn't it too hasty to build the canal at this time?"

Looking at the blueprints, Uncle Chen was somewhat worried. "We'll have peace talks in the spring, and then there will be fighting. We'll need manpower..."

"It is precisely because there is going to be war that we need to build canals."

Xiao Chen pointed to the Baishui River on the map, "We have four thousand people and three thousand acres of land. We need to plant crops in the spring, and we need water. Although the Baishui River is frozen, the water will come when it thaws in the spring. We need to bring the water to the fields, otherwise relying on the weather will not be enough."

"But repairing the canal requires manpower and time..."

"We have the manpower. The new private sector has over a thousand able-bodied men; five hundred can be transferred, that's enough. As for time, there's still a month until spring, that's enough." Xiao Chen was very certain. "Moreover, building the canal isn't just for irrigation, it's for the future too."

"future?"

"right."

Xiao Chen drew a line on the blueprint. "From Baishui River to Tiecheng, it's thirty li. If we build an irrigation canal that leads to Tiecheng, we can use waterwheels to blow air, making iron smelting faster and in greater quantities. We can also use water power to forge iron, saving manpower and increasing efficiency. This is called a water conservancy workshop; it's the future."

Uncle Chen seemed to understand, but if the prince said it could be done, then it could be done.

"Then...then this old man will go and organize the people."

"Go ahead. Your work points will be doubled, and you'll be provided with plenty of food. Tell everyone that once this canal is repaired, everyone will benefit. The land can be irrigated, iron can be smelted, and life will be much better."

"yes!"

The notice for canal repair was posted, and people lined up in long queues to sign up.

Three meals a day, double the work points—where else can you find such a good deal? Besides, the canal is being repaired for our own benefit; who wouldn't be enthusiastic?

Five hundred able-bodied men were assembled that very day.

The tools were readily available—there were plenty of pickaxes, shovels, and baskets left over from building the iron city. There was also enough food—there was a surplus from the autumn harvest.

Construction began on the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The starting point is on the upper reaches of the Baishui River, ten miles from Hanyuan City. The ending point is on the farmland south of Hanyuan City, from which a branch canal extends to Tiecheng.

The entire journey is thirty li (approximately 15 kilometers), requiring digging, piling stones, and building bridges.

It was freezing cold, and the ground was as hard as iron. A single swing of the pickaxe would only leave a white mark. But no one complained.

Because the prince was also there.

Xiao Chen also went down to the construction site, rolled up his sleeves, wielded a pickaxe, and worked alongside the people.

If your hands are blistered, wrap them in a cloth and keep going. If your face is frostbitten, apply some ointment and keep going.

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

"Brothers, give it your all!"

Xiao Chen straightened up, his breath steaming in the air. "The irrigation canal is finished. We can irrigate the fields in the spring. Once the land is thoroughly watered, the wheat will grow well after the frost. When the wheat grows well, we'll have food to eat. Only when we're well-fed will we have the strength to fight Northern Yan, fight the Prince of Yong, and fight any enemy that comes to invade!"

"Your Highness is right!"

"Damn it! It's all for food!"

"For Han Yuan!"

Their roars were deafening, and they were full of energy.

The project is progressing rapidly, with each day's excavation covering a mile. But problems have also arisen.

"Your Highness, there's a rocky mountain ahead, we can't dig any further," said Old Hu, the foreman, with a worried expression.

Xiao Chen went to check, and sure enough, a section of the mountain was entirely made of rock. When he tried to dig it up with a pickaxe, it only produced sparks.

"Burn it with fire."

Xiao Chen said, "We build a fire, heat the stone, and then pour cold water on it. The stone cracks due to the expansion and contraction caused by the temperature change."

"Will this method work?"

"Give it a try."

The firewood was set up and burned for a day and a night.

The stones were heated to a scorching hot, and then buckets of cold water were poured on them.

Click—click—

Sure enough, cracks appeared in the rocks.

"It's done!" the crowd cheered.

"Keep digging!"

The thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lunar New Year's Eve.

The project is halfway complete, covering fifteen li.

Xiao Chen ordered a three-day work stoppage to celebrate the New Year.

The city of Hanyuan was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

Although there wasn't much red paper, the people wove lanterns out of straw ropes and branches and hung them at their doors.

The children wore new clothes—actually, they were old clothes that had been altered, but they were washed clean.

The aroma of meat wafted from every household—it was distributed by the city lord's mansion, half a pound of meat per person, a small amount, but it was a token gesture.

The city lord's mansion also set up several tables, inviting Wang Dashan, Zhao Tie, Zhang Meng, Han Lie, Chen Bo, Murong Xue and others to stay up all night.

The dishes were simple: a pot of stewed meat, a few plates of wild vegetables, and a jar of wine. But the atmosphere was lively.

"Your Highness, I'd like to offer you a toast."

Wang Dashan stood up. "Without you, Hanyuan would still be a dead city. Without you, we would have starved and frozen to death long ago. This cup of wine is to thank Your Highness for saving our lives and giving us a second chance!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" everyone said in unison, raising their cups.

Xiao Chen also raised his glass: "It wasn't me who saved you, it was you who saved yourselves. Han Yuan's success today is the result of everyone's hard work. This glass is for everyone, and for Han Yuan!"

"Respect Han Yuan!"

He drank it all in one gulp.

After a few rounds of drinks, they started talking.

"Your Highness, are you really confident about the peace talks starting in the spring?" Zhao Tie asked.

"no."

Xiao Chen spoke frankly, "But whether we're confident or not, we have to go. For the Northern Border to be at peace, we must reach a balance with Northern Yan. We can't afford to fight. Peace talks are the only way."

"But what about Prince Yong..."

"Prince Yong has wanted to kill me for quite some time now."

Xiao Chen sneered, "But he wouldn't dare make a move at Dingbei Pass. Peace talks are a matter of state; if he dares to sabotage them, he'll be committing treason. He can't bear that charge."

"What about Northern Yan? What if the Left Wise King...?"

"The Left Wise King is a wise man."

Xiao Chen said, "What he wants is profit, not my life. Killing me will cause chaos in Hanyuan and the Northern Border. Chaos will not benefit Northern Yan. Therefore, he will not kill me, at least not before the peace talks."

Everyone nodded, feeling a little more at ease.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue suddenly said, "what are your plans after the peace talks?"

"After the peace talks, we will focus on development."

Xiao Chen said, "Build canals, cultivate the land, mine, smelt iron, and build an army. Let Hanyuan become rich and strong. When Hanyuan becomes strong enough, the Prince of Yong will not dare to move, and Northern Yan will not dare to invade. Only then can the northern border truly be at peace."

"How long will that take?"

"Three years, five years, maybe ten years."

Xiao Chen looked at everyone, "But no matter how long it takes, I will continue down this path. Until Hanyuan becomes the pearl of the Northern Territory, a paradise that everyone yearns for."

Everyone was moved.

"Your Highness, I am willing to follow you to the death!" Wang Dashan knelt on one knee.

"Your humble servants are willing to follow you to the death!" Zhao Tie and Zhang Meng also knelt down.

"I am willing to follow you to the death!" Han Lie and Chen Bo also knelt down.

Murong Xue looked at Xiao Chen, tears welling in her eyes, and slowly knelt down: "This humble woman...is willing to follow you to the death."

Xiao Chen helped them up.

"Alright, let's work together to build Hanyuan into the way we want it to be."

"yes!"

At midnight, firecrackers went off—actually, it was bamboo sections that were thrown into the fire, making a crackling sound.

The new year has arrived.

The project continued on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

Perhaps it was because the New Year had passed, or perhaps it was because they saw hope, but the people were even more motivated.

They dig two li (approximately 1 kilometer) each day, sometimes even three li.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, the project was completed, and the thirty-mile-long irrigation canal was fully connected.

Standing at the head of the canal, Xiao Chen watched the clear river water meander along the newly dug channel towards the distant farmland, and a great sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.

This is the first irrigation canal in the Cold Abyss, but it won't be the last.

In the future, there will be more canals, more waterwheels, and more water conservancy workshops.

"Your Highness, the waterwheel is installed." Uncle Chen pointed to the canal.

There, a huge waterwheel had already been erected. Although rudimentary, it was functional.

The water flow impacts the blades, causing the waterwheel to rotate, which in turn drives the connecting rod, allowing the water to be lifted to a higher place.

"Give it a try."

The waterwheel turns, the river water is lifted and flows into higher branch canals, and then to more distant fields.

"It's done!" the crowd cheered.

With the waterwheel, even the higher fields can be irrigated. All three thousand acres of farmland benefited.

"Uncle Chen, this irrigation canal is now in your hands."

Xiao Chen said, "We need to manage the maintenance regularly and the water release in the spring. Also, we'll install a few waterwheels in Tiecheng to blow air and forge iron."

"yes!"

With the completion of the irrigation canal, agriculture in Hanyuan was secured.

But Xiao Chen had no time to celebrate.

Because the Lantern Festival (January 15th of the lunar calendar) is approaching.

"Your Highness, Night Owl has news."

Zhao Tie rushed over. "Gao Qiu has gathered three thousand troops at Dingbei Pass, claiming it's to 'protect the peace talks.' But according to inside information, his secret orders are: if the peace talks succeed, take action on the return journey; if the peace talks fail, take action on the spot."

"understood."

Xiao Chen remained calm. "Have Night Owl continue keeping watch. Also, send a message to the Left Wise King, saying I need to arrive a day early and want to have a private chat."

"One day in advance? Let's discuss it privately?"

"right."

Xiao Chen said, "Some things are better left unsaid in front of too many people. Talking about them in private allows for a more open and honest conversation."

"yes!"

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

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Dingbei Pass was established.

This peace talk will determine the future of the North.

It also determines his future.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue walked over and handed him something, "Please take this with you."

It was a dagger, very exquisite, with gemstones inlaid on its scabbard.

"This is……"

"These are my mother's belongings."

Murong Xue said softly, "She gave it to me before she died, saying it could ward off evil spirits and ensure safety. Your Highness should take it with you, in case... in case something happens, it might come in handy."

Xiao Chen took it, drew his dagger, and its cold light was menacing.

"Okay, I'll take it."

"Your Highness," Murong Xue looked at him, her eyes filled with worry, "you must... come back safely."

"rest assured."

Xiao Chen smiled, "I promised you that I would let you farm, practice medicine, and teach children to read in Hanyuan. I will definitely keep my promise."

Murong Xue's eyes reddened, and she nodded emphatically.

The fourteenth day of the first lunar month, early morning.

Xiao Chen led fifty riders and set off for Dingbei Pass.

The fate of those who go there is uncertain.

But he was not afraid.

Because Han Yuan was behind them, and four thousand people were behind them.

He had to take this path.

We must win.