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

As darkness fell, rain mixed with snow began to fall.

It wasn't snowflakes, it was ice particles, crackling and popping against the car roof, cold and hard.

The wind blew in from the north, carrying ice shards that stung people's faces.

"Your Highness, there's a temple ahead!" Wang Dashan shouted from outside the carriage, his voice broken by the wind.

Xiao Chen lifted the carriage curtain.

In the twilight, a dilapidated building could be vaguely seen on the hillside, dark and gloomy, like a crouching giant beast.

"Right there," he said.

The group turned onto the hillside.

The temple was truly dilapidated.

The mountain gate was half collapsed, the plaque was long gone, and the door panels hung crookedly, creaking in the wind.

The courtyard was overgrown with withered grass, and there was a hole in the roof of the main hall, through which one could see the hazy sky.

But it's still better than getting soaked in the rain in the wild.

"Those who can move, tidy up the main hall and start a fire. Those who are injured, carry them inside first."

Xiao Chen got out of the car, and ice particles hit his face. He squinted.

The veterans got moving.

These people had been through countless battles; setting up camp was second nature to them.

Soon, a space was cleared in the main hall, dry grass was piled up, and a fire was lit.

As soon as the fire started burning, the chill subsided a bit.

Xiao Chen instructed Uncle Fu to distribute the dry rations—hard, dry steamed buns, which were then heated over a fire and swallowed with hot water.

The black-clad men had some dried meat on their horses, which they distributed, with each person receiving a piece about the length of a finger.

"Your Highness, yours."

Uncle Fu handed over a hot baked bun and a small piece of dried meat.

Xiao Chen took the bread, broke it in half and gave it to Uncle Fu, then tore off a piece of dried meat for Zhao Tie: "Eat it all."

The three of them ate silently by the fire.

The hall fell silent, save for the crackling of the flames and the howling of the wind and snow outside.

The veterans were either sitting or lying down; some were bandaging their wounds, while others were inspecting their weapons.

The black-clad men's swords and bows and arrows were gathered up and piled up in the corner.

"Three died and eight were injured."

Wang Dashan came over to report, a bloody cut on his face that had already scabbed over. "Two horses died and five were wounded. The captured knives and arrows are enough for each of us to have one."

"Where are my brothers' bodies?"

"It's buried in the back, and marked."

Wang Dashan's voice was low and somber. "They were all old soldiers, without families or relatives. No one cared for them while they were alive, and no one asked about them when they died."

Xiao Chen was silent for a moment: "When we reach Hanyuan, we will erect a monument for them. We will write down their names, and if there is an opportunity in the future, we will move them back to their hometown."

Wang Dashan's eyes reddened, he silently agreed, and stepped back.

After finishing the last bite of his steamed bun, Xiao Chen patted the crumbs off his hands and pulled out the roll of paper from his pocket. It was a drawing he had made in the palace, with many more additions made along the way.

"Amu, make the fire a little brighter."

Amu silently added a few more pieces of firewood, and the fire blazed up.

Xiao Chen spread the paper out on the ground and weighed down the four corners with a few pieces of broken stone.

It was a simple map, but it had everything you needed: the capital was in the north, Hanyuan was in the far north, and in the middle were continuous mountain ranges, rivers, and passes.

There were also small notes he made with vermilion ink.

"Your Highness, this is..." Uncle Fu leaned closer.

"Hanyuan".

Xiao Chen's finger landed on the northernmost point. "The place we're going to."

Zhao Tie also came over to take a look.

He wasn't very literate, but he could read maps: "This place is really far north. Further north, it must be grasslands, right?"

"Yes, grasslands, and further north are snowfields, where it is said that there is a polar night for half the year and the sun is never seen."

Xiao Chen's finger moved across the map. "But four hundred miles east of Hanyuan is the sea. Six hundred miles west are the Western Regions. To the south is the Central Plains."

He paused, then looked at the two of them: "Do you know what this means?"

Uncle Fu and Zhao Tie exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

"It means," Xiao Chen's voice sounded somewhat faint in the firelight, "that the Cold Abyss is not a dead end, but a strategic pass with access in all directions. It's just that right now, no one cares about this bitterly cold place."

He picked up a half-burnt piece of firewood and started drawing on the ground.

"Look, this is where we are now, Black Pine Ridge."

Heading north, one must pass through three passes: Zhenbei Pass, Juyong Pass, and Yanmen Pass.

Only after passing Yanmen Pass can one truly be considered to have left the Great Wall.

Six hundred li further north lies the Cold Abyss.

The ashes from the firewood drew crooked lines on the ground.

"This journey will not be easy."

But the journey becomes even more difficult once you reach the Cold Abyss.

He raised his head and looked at the two of them. "I have checked the history books. Hanyuan City was built in the previous dynasty and at its peak had 100,000 soldiers and civilians."

But in recent years, natural disasters, war, and taxes have caused many to flee or die, leaving fewer than three thousand people remaining.

"What can three thousand people do?" Uncle Fu murmured.

"With three thousand people, there are many things that can be done."

A flame flickered in Xiao Chen's eyes. "Uncle Zhao, you came from the border army. Tell me, what is the most important thing for a city?"

Zhao Tie thought for a moment: "It's the city walls, the soldiers, and the provisions."

"Yes and no."

Xiao Chen tapped the "Cold Abyss" on the ground with a stick. "The most important thing is people's hearts."

As long as the people's hearts are united, the city cannot be breached.

When people are united, city walls can be repaired, soldiers can be trained, and grain can be grown.

He drew several circles around "The Cold Abyss".

"I read in the Palace's 'Northern Territory Gazetteer' that there is coal underground in the Cold Abyss, a kind of black stone that can be burned and burns much longer than firewood."

There are still iron mines in the mountains, but they are buried deep. They were mined in the previous dynasty, but were later abandoned.

Thirty li outside the city flows a river called the White Water River, which flows down from the mountains and carries golden sand in its waters.

"Golden Sands?" Uncle Fu's eyes lit up.

"Not much, but enough."

Xiao Chen continued, "Most importantly, three hundred miles north of Hanyuan lies the Hulun Grassland. What's on that grassland?"

Zhao Tie blurted out, "Horse!"

"Yes, horses, cattle, sheep, furs, and..." Xiao Chen paused, "people."

Both of them were taken aback.

"Grassland tribes live by following the water and grass, and winters are tough for them."

They lacked iron, salt, cloth, and tea.

We have coal, which we can use to smelt iron.

With iron, we can forge weapons and agricultural tools.

Trade ironware, salt, and tea with them for horses, cattle, sheep, and furs.

He drew a line between the "Frozen Abyss" and the "Grassland".

"trading."

He said, "With trade comes money. With money, we can build city walls, raise troops, reclaim wasteland, and farm."

Uncle Fu listened intently, then couldn't help but ask, "But Your Highness, we have neither money nor manpower..."

"So the first step is to survive."

Xiao Chen interrupted him, "When we get to Hanyuan, we need to do three things first."

First, build city walls.

It doesn't need to be repaired perfectly; just patch up the collapsed parts first.

Second, take a population count.

You need to know how many of the three thousand people are capable men, women, and children.

Third, find food.

The city's food reserves are definitely not enough; we need to find a way.

He wrote a few words next to "Cold Abyss": city walls, population, food.

"Only after these three things are done can we think about the next step."

Xiao Chen moved the firewood stick underground, "Dig coal, smelt iron, dig wells, reclaim wasteland."

The land in Hanyuan is barren, but there is a kind of grass called frost wheat that can grow in the snow.

I've looked it up; this stuff doesn't yield much per acre, but it's cold-resistant and can survive. Let's plant it.

"But where do the seeds come from?"

"They're found on the grasslands."

Xiao Chen said, "People on the grasslands also grow it as pasture. We trade it for salt."

He then drew a circle around the location of the Baishui River: "This river freezes in winter, but has water in spring and summer."

We built waterwheels, mills, and workshops along the river.

Coal can be mined to make kilns, bricks, and pottery.

Once the iron is forged, it can be used to make farm tools, weapons, pots, pans, and dishes.

"With farming tools, we can cultivate more land."

With weapons, we can train more soldiers.

With bricks, we can build stronger city walls.

This is a circle, with each link connected to the next.

He drew a circle on the paper, and then another circle, the circles interlocking.

"One year,"

He looked at the two of them and said, "Give me a year, and I can make sure that no one in Hanyuan City starves to death."

Two years, and I can make it self-sufficient. Three years—”

He stopped and didn't continue.

But both Uncle Fu and Zhao Tie understood.

Three years is no longer just about self-preservation.

The fire crackled, and the wind and snow outside seemed to have lessened a bit.

The main hall was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.

Uncle Fu looked at the drawing on the ground, at the crooked lines and the densely packed small characters.

He suddenly felt that the boy in front of him was a complete stranger.

Is this still the same seventh prince who grew up in the cold palace, was taciturn, and always walked with his head down?

Zhao Tie thought about it more deeply.

He was a veteran of the battlefield and knew how to manage a city or a piece of land.

What Your Highness said may sound like a fantasy, but upon closer examination, every step makes sense and is feasible.

only……

"Your Highness,"

He hesitated before speaking, "These things require manpower, money, and time. What about the imperial court...?"

"The imperial court won't interfere."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "In their eyes, Hanyuan is a wasteland, and I am a discarded pawn."

As long as I don't rebel or cause too much trouble, no one will care what I do in the North.

He smiled, a cold glint in his eyes: "Maybe they're hoping I freeze or starve to death, so they won't have to deal with the trouble."

Uncle Fu shivered.

Xiao Chen rolled up the map on the ground and stuffed it back into his arms.

He picked up the charred firewood again, wrote a few words in the ashes, and then smoothed them out.

"These words will be forgotten once you leave this temple."

He looked at the two of them and said, "Now, let's think about what's in front of us."

We'll continue our journey when it gets light tomorrow.

It's still 300 li to Zhenbeiguan.

These three hundred miles will not be peaceful.

Zhao Tie's expression hardened: "Your Highness means, will more people come?"

"If it doesn't work the first time, there will be a second time."

Xiao Chen said, "I know Fourth Brother."

They will not give up until they achieve their goal.

If Black Pine Ridge falls, he will only send stronger and more men.

"Then let's..."

"When soldiers come, generals will meet them." Xiao Chen stood up and walked to the entrance of the main hall.

The wind and snow outside have lessened a bit, and you can see the dark mountain shadows in the distance.

Amidst the wind and snow, the faint howls of wolves could be heard, mournful and drawn-out.

"Uncle Zhao, tomorrow morning, pick twenty skilled riders, the best of them all."

Give them all the captured horses, along with two swords and plenty of arrows.

"Go forward ten miles to scout the way, and report back immediately if there is any movement."

"yes!"

"Tell Wang Dashan to reorganize his team."

Those who are strong are grouped into one team, and those who are old and weak are grouped into another team, and they go separately.

If attacked, those who can fight should go up to the front, while the elderly and weak should protect the supplies and escape first.

"yes!"

"besides,"

Xiao Chen turned around, the firelight casting his long shadow on the mottled wall. "Distribute the knives of those men in black."

If you don't know how to use a knife, practice.

If you don't have enough arrows, use them sparingly.

Once we reach Zhenbeiguan, we'll figure out a way to replenish our supplies.

"yes!"

Zhao Tie turned around and went to make arrangements.

Uncle Fu came over and draped an old cloak over Xiao Chen's shoulders: "Your Highness, it's late, please rest for a while."

Xiao Chen didn't move.

He gazed at the night outside, towards the north, the direction of Hanyuan, and also the direction of the capital.

"Uncle Fu,"

He suddenly said, "Do you think I was too hasty?"

"Your Highness means...?"

"These plans, these schemes."

Xiao Chen's voice was very soft, "I should have kept it hidden, shown weakness, and pretended to be crazy."

But I couldn't help it.

When I saw those veterans, their wounds, and the light in their eyes, I couldn't help but think, "Go faster, go even faster."

Get stronger faster, stand firm faster, faster...

He stopped.

Uncle Fu looked at him for a long time, then suddenly knelt down.

"Your Highness,"

The old steward's voice choked with emotion, "This old servant doesn't understand those grand principles."

But this old servant knows that you have things on your mind, and people on your mind.

You want those who follow you to live well, and you want the people of Hanyuan City to live well.

That's correct, absolutely correct.

"But this road is too difficult to travel," Xiao Chen said.

"Even if it's difficult, we have to keep going."

Uncle Fu raised his head, his old eyes filled with tears and fire. "Your Highness, you are not alone."

There was Old Nu, Zhao Tie, Amu, and those veterans outside.

We will all follow you, even through mountains of knives and seas of fire.

Xiao Chen fell silent.

He helped Uncle Fu up and brushed the dust off his knees.

Go to sleep.

He said, "I still have to travel tomorrow."

Uncle Fu withdrew.

Inside the main hall, the fire gradually died down.

The veterans slept soundly, some lying on the ground, others snoring.

Some people grind their teeth, some talk in their sleep, and some groan in pain when they roll over and bump their wounds.

Xiao Chen found a corner and sat down against the wall.

The picture in my arms is digging into my chest and it hurts.

He closed his eyes, and memories of his past and present lives churned in his mind.

In his past life, he was buried in old papers, studying the rise and fall of dynasties and the emperors and generals.

He wrote papers on frontier governance and monographs on military settlements and border defense.

Those theoretical concepts, once mere theoretical discussions, have now become his only reliance.

But knowledge gained from books is ultimately superficial.

He knew that coal could be smelted into iron, but how did he mine it?

He knew that frost-covered wheat could be planted, but how? He knew there were horses on the grasslands, but how could he exchange them?

Every step is unknown.

Every step could lead to a misstep.

But there was no turning back.

From the moment he uttered the words "Han Yuan" in court, there was no turning back.

They will either freeze or starve to death in the abyss, be assassinated, or be forgotten.

Either start from this harsh, cold land and fight your way out.

He opened his eyes and looked outside the hall.

The wind and snow stopped, and a crack appeared in the clouds, revealing a crescent moon.

The moonlight shone on the snow, giving it a cool, clear glow.

"Let's go then," he said softly to himself.

Amu woke up at some point and silently handed over a water pouch.

Xiao Chen took it and drank a sip.

The water was icy, and as it went down my throat, it chilled me to the bone, but it also brought me a sense of clarity.

"Amu,"

He suddenly said, "Do you regret following me?"

Amu couldn't speak, he just shook his head.

He gestured with his fingers, pointed at Xiao Chen, patted his chest, and nodded vigorously.

Xiao Chen understood.

He said he had no regrets.

I will never regret following you.

Xiao Chen smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"Go to sleep."

He said, "It's almost dawn."

Amu nodded, wrapped his tattered cotton-padded coat tighter, and curled up beside the fire.

Xiao Chen also closed his eyes.

In his dream, he saw a vast expanse of ice and snow, and a lonely city.

Smoke curls from chimneys in the city, while the fields outside are lush and green.

The people are laughing, the children are running, and the soldiers are training.

On the city wall, a large flag fluttered in the wind.

The flag had one word written on it:

Xiao.