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

Spring has arrived.

The ice on the Baishui River gradually melted, and the rushing water brought the scent of earth.

The snow outside Hanyuan City has melted away, revealing the dark brown earth.

The people carried their farm tools and led their oxen to begin spring plowing.

Everything seemed vibrant and full of life, but an urgent letter shattered the peace.

"Your Highness!"

Zhao Tie, his face ashen, stormed into the courtroom, shouting, "Something's happened on the grasslands!"

Xiao Chen put down the documents in his hand: "Speak slowly."

"Night Owl sent word from the grasslands that the old chieftain of the Gray Wolf tribe... passed away last night."

Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed.

The old patriarch of the Canglang tribe, though seriously ill for a long time, was still clinging to life.

His sudden death means that the power structure of the grasslands will be reshuffled.

Who will succeed to the throne?

"Halbala".

Zhao Tie's voice was heavy, "The old clan chief had barely breathed his last when Harbala took action. He led his personal guards and purged all the opponents overnight. Several of Batu's confidants were all beheaded. Batu himself... his whereabouts are unknown, his fate is uncertain."

Xiao Chen's heart sank.

Batu was someone he supported; he was his ally on the grasslands.

If Batu dies, the Canglang tribe will fall completely into the hands of the pro-war faction, Harbala.

This poses a huge threat to Han Yuan.

"And it gets even worse."

Zhao Tie continued, "After Harbala ascended to the throne, he immediately sent an envoy to the Bailu tribe. He gave the chieftain Batel an ultimatum: within ten days, he must marry his daughter to him to form a marriage alliance between the two families. Otherwise, war will break out."

"Ten days?" Xiao Chen frowned. "So soon?"

"He's establishing his authority."

Murong Xue entered, her expression equally grave. "The new chieftain of the Canglang tribe needs a victory to consolidate his power. It could be a marriage alliance to annex the Bailu tribe, or a war to defeat them. Either way, he needs to demonstrate his strength and resolve to the grasslands in the shortest possible time."

"What was Battier's reaction?"

"I'm frantic."

Zhao Tie said, "The envoy arrived at Hanyuan this morning and is waiting outside. Chieftain Batel begged Your Highness to save his life, saying that as long as Your Highness is willing to send troops to help, the Bailu tribe is willing to submit to you for generations and pay tribute every year."

They were subservient for generations, paying tribute every year.

This is a gamble with everything, including one's life.

Xiao Chen pondered for a moment.

"Let the messenger in."

Soon, a travel-worn, grassland man was brought in.

He was about forty years old, his face weathered and his eyes bloodshot. He knelt down as soon as he entered.

"Agula, the envoy of the White Deer Tribe, pays his respects to Prince Jingbei! We beg Your Highness to save our White Deer Tribe!"

"Stand up and speak."

Xiao Chen gestured for him to stand up. "Tell me the details."

Agula stood up, his voice hoarse: "The news of the old chieftain's death came out three days ago."

That very night, Harbala took action. He killed Prince Batu and all those who opposed him.

Now, the entire Canglang tribe is filled with his confidants.

Yesterday morning, he sent an envoy to our tribe to marry our chieftain's daughter, Uyunqiqige.

If they don't agree within ten days, we will send troops to attack.

"How old is Wuyunqiqige?"

"sixteen."

"Is she willing to do it?"

"I don't want to!"

Agula exclaimed excitedly, "Uyunqiqige is the apple of our chieftain's eye, spoiled since childhood. How could she possibly marry that butcher Harbala! Besides, Harbala already has three wives. If our young lady marries him, she will be the fourth, a concubine!"

Concubines held a low status on the grasslands.

It is a disgrace for the daughter of the chieftain of the Bailu tribe to become someone's concubine.

"What did Chief Batel say?"

"The chieftain said he would rather die in battle than suffer humiliation."

Agula's eyes were red. "But our White Deer tribe only has five thousand warriors. The Gray Wolf tribe has twenty thousand. If we fight, it's like an egg hitting a rock."

So the chieftain sent me to ask the prince to send troops to help.

"If Your Highness is willing to help, the White Deer Tribe is willing to offer ten thousand head of cattle and sheep, a thousand warhorses, and submit to you for generations."

Ten thousand cattle and sheep, a thousand warhorses, all submitted to them for generations.

The conditions are very favorable.

But the risks are also very high.

Sending troops to help would be tantamount to openly opposing the Canglang tribe. Harbala has just ascended to the throne and needs to establish his authority.

If Han Yuan intervenes, he might very well turn his attention to Han Yuan first.

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan said in a low voice, "this matter... needs to be handled with care. We just finished peace talks with Northern Yan, and Prince Yong is still keeping an eye on things. If we go to war with the Canglang tribe again, we'll be attacked from three sides, which is too dangerous."

"I know."

Xiao Chen nodded, "But we can't lose the White Deer tribe. Batel is our ally. If we stand by and watch him die, Han Yuan will lose credibility on the grasslands. Moreover, if Harbala annexes the White Deer tribe, the Canglang tribe's strength will increase significantly, and Han Yuan will be their next target."

"Then... what should we do?"

Xiao Chen pondered for a moment and looked at Agula.

"Go back and tell Chief Batel that for the next ten days, he should neither agree nor refuse. Delay, delay as much as possible. I will find a way."

"But Your Highness, Harbala only gave us ten days..."

"I know."

Xiao Chen interrupted him, "Ten days is enough. Go back and say that."

"Yes..." Agula was skeptical, but dared not ask any more questions, bowed and withdrew.

After the messenger left, the courtroom fell silent.

"Your Highness, do you really have a solution?" Zhao Tie asked.

"Yes, but it's very dangerous."

Xiao Chen walked to the map and pointed to the location of the Canglang tribe. "Halbala has just taken over, and things are unstable internally. He purged so many people, so there are bound to be some who are dissatisfied. What we need to do is get these dissatisfied people moving."

"How do I move?"

"Night Owl"

Xiao Chen said, "Let the night owls spread the word across the grasslands that Harbala murdered his father and brother and that his ascension to the throne was illegitimate. They also said that he was going to sacrifice the White Deer tribe to worship the Eternal Heaven and consolidate his power. The people of the grasslands believe this, and once the news spreads, they will definitely be filled with fear."

"and then?"

"Then, have Murong Xue write a letter to the Left Wise King of Northern Yan."

Xiao Chen continued, "Tell him that Harbala wants to unify the grasslands, and his next target is Northern Yan. If Northern Yan doesn't interfere, once Harbala annexes the White Deer tribe and its strength increases significantly, the northern border will be in danger."

Will Northern Yan send troops?

"We won't send troops directly, but we will exert pressure."

Xiao Chen said, "As long as the Left Wise King sends a cavalry force to the border and makes a show of wanting to intervene, Harbala will not dare to act rashly. He has just ascended the throne and dares not offend Han Yuan and Northern Yan at the same time."

"And what about us?"

"We must save people."

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "The daughter of Chief Batel cannot be married off. But we cannot let her die on the grasslands either. Send Night Owl to infiltrate the White Deer tribe, bring out Wuyun Qiqige, and send her to Hanyuan. Once she's in our hands, Harbala will have no excuse."

"But if we do that, Harbala will be even more likely to send troops..."

"Then let him send it."

Xiao Chen sneered, "If he sends troops, we'll defend. Hanyuan City has strong walls, well-trained soldiers, and ample supplies; we can hold out for a month without any problem. After a month, the grasslands will be in chaos. At that point, he'll be in a dilemma: either retreat or be overthrown from within."

Everyone looked at each other.

The prince's plan was meticulously crafted, with each step fraught with peril.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue suddenly spoke up, "I...I can go to the grasslands."

"you go?"

"right."

Murong Xue nodded. "I am a princess of Northern Yan, and I have a status on the grasslands. I can go to see Harbala and tell him that Northern Yan will not stand idly by while the grasslands are unified. If he dares to touch the White Deer tribe, Northern Yan will send troops. This will be more deterrent than writing a letter."

"It's too dangerous."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "Harbala is a madman. If he detains you or kills you..."

"He won't."

Murong Xue was certain, "Killing me would mean starting a war with Northern Yan. He just ascended the throne, so he wouldn't dare. If he detains me, Northern Yan will demand my release, and he'll eventually have to let me go. Therefore, I'm the safest."

Xiao Chen stared at her for a long time.

Are you sure you want to go?

"Sure."

Murong Xue said firmly, "Hanyuan is my home, and I want to do something for this home."

"it is good."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Zhang Meng, you will take a hundred cavalrymen and escort Miss Murong to the grasslands. Remember, your mission is to protect her, not to fight. If things go wrong, retreat immediately."

"Yes!" Zhang Meng accepted the order.

"Zhao Tie, get Night Owl moving. Within three days, I want the entire grassland to know that Harbala murdered his father and brother."

"yes!"

"Wang Dashan, all troops on high alert. Fortify the city walls and ensure sufficient provisions. Prepare for battle."

"yes!"

The group accepted the order and left.

Only Xiao Chen and Murong Xue remained in the courtroom.

"Thank you," Xiao Chen said.

"No need to thank me." Murong Xue smiled. "I've said it before, Hanyuan is my home. It's only right that I do things for my home."

"I must... come back."

"Yes, I'll definitely come back."

Murong Xue bowed and turned to leave.

As Xiao Chen watched her departing figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

This princess of Northern Yan has completely become a member of the Han Yuan clan.

Hopefully, everything will go well.

Three days later, rumors spread like wildfire across the grasslands.

"Have you heard? Harbala killed the old chieftain!"

"No way? The old clan chief died of illness..."

"He died of what disease! It was Harbala who poisoned him! He couldn't wait any longer; he wanted to become the chieftain!"

"He also killed Prince Batu, and all those who opposed him! What a butcher!"

"He wants to marry the princess of the White Deer tribe so he can use her to sacrifice to the Eternal Heaven and consolidate his power!"

"That's too cruel! The Eternal Heaven will never forgive him!"

Rumors spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic across the grasslands.

Harbala was furious and sent men to suppress the rumors, but the more he suppressed them, the more rampant the rumors became.

At the same time, Murong Xue also arrived at the Canglang tribe.

"The Third Princess of Northern Yan, Murong Xue, requests an audience with Chief Harbala of the Canglang Tribe."

Murong Xue, dressed in the attire of the Northern Yan court, exuded an air of elegance. Zhang Meng led a hundred cavalrymen, their helmets gleaming and armor shining, their imposing presence commanding.

Harbala received her in the tent.

"Princess, what brings you here from afar?" Harbala asked, her face grim.

"By order of the Left Wise King, I have a message to convey," Murong Xue said neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Northern Yan will not interfere in matters concerning the grasslands. However, if anyone attempts to unify the grasslands and threaten the northern border, Northern Yan will not stand idly by. The chieftain has just ascended the throne; it is best to stabilize the internal situation first and not rush into external expansion."

This is a warning, a stark warning.

Harbala's face turned ashen, but he dared not retaliate.

He can't afford to offend Northern Yan.

"Princess, rest assured, the Canglang tribe only wants to protect itself and has no intention of expansion."

"That's good." Murong Xue stood up. "Ten days from now, I will come to fetch Princess Wuyun Qiqige to visit Northern Yan. I hope to see her safe and sound by then."

This is important.

Harbala gritted her teeth: "Princess, this is an internal matter of the grasslands..."

"Now, it's a matter for Northern Yan." Murong Xue interrupted him. "Clan leader, you should take care of yourself."

She turned and left, with Zhang Meng leading his troops to escort her as she rode away.

Harbala smashed a cup in the tent, but there was nothing he could do about it.

With Bei Yan intervening, he dared not make a move.

But he was unwilling to give up just like that.

"Give the order," he whispered to his confidant, "that the Bailu tribe must be captured within ten days. As for the Northern Yan, I have my own methods."

"yes!"