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

Gao Qiu's thousand soldiers left Dingbei Pass and marched eastward along the north bank of the Baishui River.

The snow-covered fields were a vast expanse of white, and the horses' hooves pounded the snow with a dull thud.

Gao Qiu, mounted on his horse, had a gloomy face and was seething with anger.

Rumors spread like venomous snakes throughout the army, and he had to prove himself with a victory and clear his name with the blood of the Northern Yan people.

"General, the border is ten miles ahead," the lieutenant reported in a low voice.

"keep going."

Gao Qiu said coldly, "Kill any Northern Yan people you see without mercy."

"yes!"

The column continued to advance, but morale was clearly low. The soldiers whispered among themselves, their eyes darting around.

They were all veterans of Dingbeiguan, and had seen far too many conspiracies and schemes.

They weren't sure if Gao Qiu was really going to surrender the pass.

But military orders are absolute, and they had no choice but to obey.

After traveling another five miles, the scouts ahead suddenly galloped back.

"General! Northern Yan cavalry spotted! About three hundred riders, patrolling the border!"

coming!

Gao Qiu's spirits lifted: "Send the order to prepare for battle!"

A thousand soldiers quickly deployed into formation, swords drawn and arrows nocked.

Gao Qiu personally led the team and charged toward the border.

In the distance, a group of about three hundred Northern Yan cavalrymen were indeed galloping across the snow.

Upon seeing Gao Qiu's troops, instead of fleeing, they went to meet them.

"act recklessly!"

Gao Qiu grinned maliciously, "Archers, fire!"

Arrows flew like locusts, raining down on the Northern Yan cavalry.

However, the Northern Yan cavalry were very agile, weaving through the rain of arrows with minimal casualties.

Instead, they took the opportunity to fire several volleys of arrows, killing dozens of soldiers at Dingbei Pass.

"Charge! Engage in close combat!" Gao Qiu roared.

The two armies clashed, swords flashed, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

Gao Qiu was indeed brave; he wielded his long spear with great skill, taking down three Northern Yan cavalrymen in succession.

But he didn't notice that the three hundred Northern Yan cavalrymen were fighting and retreating, leading him deeper into the territory.

The battlefield gradually moved beyond the border of the Baishui River, penetrating ten miles into the territory of Northern Yan.

"General, we can't pursue them any further!"

The lieutenant exclaimed urgently, "We've already crossed the line!"

"So what if you crossed the line?"

Gao Qiu, his eyes bloodshot with rage, roared, "If any of the Northern Yan people dare to come, I dare to kill them! Chase them! Leave no one alive!"

The group continued their pursuit, chasing for another five miles.

Suddenly, horns sounded from all directions.

ambush!

Gao Qiu's expression changed drastically.

From the left and right flanks, two groups of Northern Yan cavalry, each numbering five hundred, charged out.

Behind them, a cavalry force of about three hundred men appeared and cut off their retreat.

A thousand soldiers were surrounded by a regiment of thirteen hundred Northern Yan cavalry.

"We've fallen into their trap!" Gao Qiu's heart sank.

"General Gao, how have you been?" a voice came from ahead.

The Northern Yan army split up, and Murong Han rode out on horseback.

Beside him was a familiar figure—Xiao Chen.

"Xiao Chen!"

Gao Qiu's eyes widened in fury. "You really did collude with Northern Yan!"

"Collusion?"

Xiao Chen sneered, "Gao Qiu, it was you who colluded with Northern Yan and wanted to surrender the pass. I and the Left Wise King joined forces to rid the country of a traitor."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Gao Qiu roared, "I am the Prince of Yong's man, how could this be..."

"It is precisely because you are a man of the Prince of Yong that you must betray him."

Xiao Chen interrupted him, "Prince Yong has acted perversely, incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people. You realized your mistake and wanted to surrender, but unfortunately, I saw through your scheme and had no choice but to kill you to silence you. What do you think of this story?"

Gao Qiu felt ice-cold all over.

He finally realized that this was a trap, a trap designed to kill him.

"Fight your way out!" he roared hoarsely. "Back to Dingbei Pass!"

A thousand soldiers desperately tried to break through the encirclement, but they were surrounded by enemies on all sides.

The Northern Yan cavalry charged back and forth, cutting through everything like melons and vegetables.

Although the soldiers of Dingbeiguan were brave and fierce, they were outnumbered and quickly divided and surrounded.

The battle lasted for half an hour.

Half an hour later, the battlefield returned to calm.

On the snow, corpses lay scattered about, their blood staining the white snow red.

The entire army of 1,000 soldiers at Dingbei Pass was wiped out.

Gao Qiu was struck by dozens of arrows and died with his eyes wide open.

Murong Han rode forward, looked at Gao Qiu's corpse, and said indifferently, "Drag him back and hang him on the city wall of Dingbei Pass. Let everyone see the fate of a traitor."

"yes!"

Northern Yan soldiers dragged away Gao Qiu's body.

Murong Han turned to Xiao Chen: "Your Highness, it's been a pleasure doing business with you."

"Pleasant." Xiao Chen nodded. "Now, it's time to fulfill my promise."

"rest assured."

Murong Han said, "The Baishui River will serve as the boundary, and neither side will invade the other. After spring, a border market will be established. The cattle, sheep, and horses of Northern Yan will be exchanged for coal, iron, salt, and tea from Hanyuan. As for the Prince of Yong's side—"

He paused for a moment, then said, "I will write a letter explaining Gao Qiu's treason. Your Highness, take this letter back to the capital, and Prince Yong will not dare to touch you."

"Thank you, Left Wise King."

"No need."

Murong Han looked at Xiao Chen, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "Your Highness, you are both an opponent and a friend. I hope our next meeting won't be on the battlefield."

"I hope so."

The two bowed to each other in farewell.

Xiao Chen returned to the camp with fifty riders, where Zhao Tie and the others had been waiting for a long time.

"Your Highness, is it done?" Zhao Tie asked excitedly.

"It's done."

Xiao Chen dismounted. "Gao Qiu is dead, and Dingbei Pass is leaderless. Have Night Owl spread the news that Gao Qiu betrayed the country and was killed by Northern Yan and me. Soldiers of Dingbei Pass who wish to stay, incorporate them into the army. Those who do not wish to stay, give them travel expenses and let them go home."

"yes!"

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen added, "submit a memorial to the court explaining the situation. The evidence against Gao Qiu must be detailed and conclusive. Also, send a letter to Zhang Meng's father, urging him to lend his support in court."

"yes!"

The group accepted the order and left.

Xiao Chen stood alone in the camp, gazing in the direction of Dingbei Pass.

With Gao Qiu dead, the Prince of Yong has lost one of his pawns in the northern border.

But Prince Yong would not give up.

What follows will be an even fiercer struggle.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue walked over and handed over a bowl of hot soup, "Have some to warm yourself up."

Xiao Chen took it, took a sip, and found it was ginger soup—very spicy and very warming.

"Aren't you going to ask me how many people I killed today?"

"I won't ask."

Murong Xue shook her head. "Those who deserve to die, should be killed. On the battlefield, there is no right or wrong, only life and death."

Xiao Chen glanced at her.

This princess of Northern Yan is understanding him more and more.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue said softly, "the peace talks have been successful, and the northern border is temporarily at peace. You... can rest now."

"rest?"

Xiao Chen shook his head, "We can't rest yet. The Prince of Yong is still alive, and the Northern Territory is not truly at peace. Moreover, there is still much to be done for Han Yuan to develop and become stronger."

"Then... what can I do?"

"Continue to cultivate your land, practice medicine, and teach your books."

Xiao Chen said, "Treat Hanyuan as your home and live a good life."

"Home……"

Murong Xue murmured, tears welling in her eyes, "Can I really... have a home?"

"able."

Xiao Chen said definitively, "Hanyuan is your home."

Murong Xue cried, then laughed.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Stop calling me Your Highness."

Xiao Chen suddenly said, "Call me by my name when we're alone."

Murong Xue was taken aback: "This... is against the rules..."

"In the Cold Abyss, I am the rule."

Xiao Chen said, "Go ahead and call out."

Murong Xue hesitated for a moment, then softly called out, "Xiao... Xiao Chen."

"Um."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

In the distance, the setting sun casts its blood-red glow.

But in the direction of Hanyuan, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, a scene of peace and tranquility.

Three days later, Xiao Chen sent someone back to the capital with evidence of Gao Qiu's crimes and a letter from Murong Han.

News of Dingbei Pass quickly spread throughout the northern border.

The people clapped and cheered, and the soldiers jumped for joy.

Gao Qiu's atrocities had long aroused the wrath of both Heaven and the people. Now, his evil deeds have been punished, which is truly gratifying.

When Prince Yong heard the news in the capital, he was so angry that he vomited blood, but there was nothing he could do.

The evidence was irrefutable, and Murong Han's letter was even more irrefutable.

No matter how much he hated Xiao Chen, he dared not openly protect a traitor.

In the imperial court, Zhang Qian led the impeachment, and all the officials echoed his sentiments.

The emperor issued an edict to commend Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen, and bestow upon him a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade.

Dingbei Pass will be temporarily under the administration of Prince Jingbei, pending the selection of a new general by the imperial court.

Xiao Chen officially became the Lord of the Northern Territory.

Although it's only in name, at least it has a legitimate claim.

It was already the end of January when we returned to Hanyuan.

The people lined the streets to welcome them, and their cheers were deafening.

"The prince is back!"

"Long live the Prince!"

As Xiao Chen rode on his horse, looking at these simple and honest people, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

This is his foundation, his strength.

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan reported, "Of the three thousand soldiers at Dingbei Pass, two thousand have been incorporated. The remaining one thousand have been given travel expenses and sent home. Now the Hanyuan Army has four thousand men."

Four thousand people, plus the original two thousand, for a total of six thousand people.

Although not many, they are already a force to be reckoned with in the North.

"Continue training."

Xiao Chen said, "After spring arrives, we need to clear wasteland, plant crops, and build cities. But the soldiers cannot slacken their efforts; the battles must continue."

"yes!"

Back at the city lord's mansion, Xiao Chen summoned everyone for a meeting.

"Although Gao Qiu is dead, the Prince of Yong has not been eliminated. Although Northern Yan has made peace, the grasslands are not yet settled. Han Yuan is only temporarily safe. To achieve long-term stability, three things must be done."

"Which three items?" the crowd asked.

First, strengthen the military.

The army must be trained, the weapons must be of high quality, and the city's defenses must be strong.

Second, enrich the people.

The land must be cultivated, the mines must be dug, and commerce must be established.

Third, nurturing people.

Children need to be taught, the people need to learn, and hearts need to be united.

"These three things must be done simultaneously and over a long period of time. Only by doing them well can Hanyuan truly gain a foothold and become the jewel of the North."

"Your Highness is wise!" the crowd exclaimed in unison.

"Alright, let's split up and get to work. Wang Dashan, you're in charge of strengthening the army. Han Lie, you're in charge of enriching the people. Uncle Chen, you're in charge of training people. Zhao Tie, you're in charge of intelligence. Zhang Meng, you're in charge of the cavalry. Murong Xue—"

Xiao Chen looked at her: "You'll be in charge of the clinic and the school. The children of Hanyuan can't be left blind. The people of Hanyuan can't be without medical care."

"Yes!" The crowd accepted the order.

After the meeting, Xiao Chen climbed the city wall alone.

As the sun sets, Cold Abyss City is bathed in golden afterglow.

Outside the city, newly reclaimed fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Irrigation canals meandered, and waterwheels turned. In the direction of the Iron City, furnaces glowed red-hot, and the sound of hammers clanging rang out. From the school came the clear voices of students reciting their lessons. In front of the clinic, people lined up to see a doctor.

Three months ago, this place was still desolate.

Three months later, the place was full of life.

"Your Highness," Uncle Fu approached, "dinner is ready."

"it is good."

Xiao Chen took one last look at the land before turning and leaving the city.

The road ahead is long, but he will keep walking.

Until this land truly becomes a paradise.

Until the people here truly live in peace and contentment.

Until he, Xiao Chen, was able to live a life without shame before his conscience and the people.