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

Three days after the outer city was completed, a secret letter was delivered to Xiao Chen's desk.

The letter was written on fine mulberry paper, with delicate handwriting, but the content was tainted with bloodshed.

The letter was intercepted by Night Owl in the capital. It came from the Chief Secretary of the Prince Yong's Mansion and was addressed to Cao Bin, the newly appointed garrison commander of Dingbei Pass.

"Your Highness, in your humble opinion: Han Yuan has grown too powerful and has become a serious threat. He now has a vast population, elite troops, salt and iron resources, and is further aided by Northern Yan and the grasslands. If allowed to continue, he will surely become a great calamity. I have three strategies to eliminate him."

"The first strategy is to cut off their supply lines and salt sources, trapping them in an isolated city. Although Hanyuan has some stored grain, it will only last for three months. Once their grain runs out, they will collapse without a fight."

"Secondly, use someone else to do the dirty work. Secretly order the Grassland Wolf Tribe to offer them great rewards and entice them to plunder southwards. Then, order the Left Wise King of Northern Yan to tell him that Han Yuan intends to unite with the Grasslands to attack Northern Yan. Once the three sides are in a chaotic battle, we can reap the benefits."

"Thirdly, coordinate from within and without. Pay a large sum of money to Han Yuan's inside man, create internal strife, and assassinate Xiao Chen. Without a leader, the group will naturally collapse."

"With these three strategies implemented simultaneously, we can ensure complete success. As for the specifics, I have already sent someone with 5,000 taels of gold and 100 bolts of silk to Dingbei Pass, where the general can proceed as he sees fit. Once the matter is accomplished, His Highness will surely reward you with a title of nobility."

At the end of the letter was the private seal of the Prince Yong's Mansion, bright red and glaring.

After reading it, Xiao Chen showed no expression on his face. He simply handed the letter to Zhao Tie, Wang Dashan, Zhang Meng, and Han Lie, who were standing next to him, for them to read.

After reading it, the expressions on their faces changed.

"Prince Yong is going to kill us!" Wang Dashan said through gritted teeth.

"Three strategies employed simultaneously, that's ruthless." Zhao Tie frowned deeply. "Cutting off our supply lines, provoking the grasslands, recruiting inside agents... they're trying to drive us to our doom."

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Zhang Meng asked.

Xiao Chen didn't answer directly, but instead looked at Han Lie: "Old Master Han, how long can our food reserves last?"

Han Lie quickly calculated: "Based on the current consumption, with over ten thousand people, it's 120 shi per day. We still have 20,000 shi of grain left, which can last... about five months."

"Where's the salt?"

"We have enough salt. The salt we produce ourselves is enough to last us for three years. And the horses from the grasslands come every month to be exchanged, so we'll only have more and more salt."

"What about coal and iron?"

"The daily coal production is 3,000 cartloads, which is enough. Iron... Iron City's production has increased, producing 5,000 catties of iron ingots per day. Besides our own use, we can also sell some."

Xiao Chen nodded, understanding the situation.

"King Yong's first strategy is to cut off the supply lines and salt sources. But we have enough grain and salt, so he can't cut them off. Moreover," he paused, "we now have horses and cavalry. If he wants to cut off the supply lines, he'll have to ask the Cangyun Cavalry for permission first."

"The second strategy is to use someone else to do our dirty work, to have the grasslands and Northern Yan attack us. But the grasslands are currently on a peace treaty with us, and Northern Yan has just made peace with us. They're not fools; they won't fall for it easily. Moreover," a cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, "we can do the opposite. Tell the Canglang tribe that the Yong King wants to unite with Northern Yan to destroy the grasslands. Tell Northern Yan that the Yong King wants to unite with the grasslands to attack Northern Yan. Let them distrust each other, and we can sit back and watch the tigers fight."

"The third strategy is to coordinate from within and without, and to bribe an inside agent." Xiao Chen looked at Zhao Tie. "This is the most dangerous move. We now have 10,000 men, a mixed bag, and it's hard to guarantee there aren't any unscrupulous people who would betray us for personal gain. Night Owl must get moving and keep a close eye on all the newcomers, especially those coming from the Dingbei Pass direction. If anyone is suspicious, detain them first, then interrogate them. Better to arrest the innocent than let the guilty go free."

"Yes!" Zhao Tie accepted the order.

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen added, "starting today, a curfew will be in effect. The gates will close at 9 PM and open at 5 AM. Night patrols will be doubled, and passwords will be changed daily. Everyone entering or leaving the city will be strictly checked. Anyone carrying weapons will be detained. Anyone acting suspiciously will be detained. Anyone whose origins cannot be explained will be detained."

"yes!"

"Wang Dashan, you will lead your troops to set up checkpoints on the main roads outside the city and inspect merchants and travelers. Pay special attention to those coming from the direction of Dingbei Pass. Detain anyone found carrying gold, silver, or silk."

"yes!"

"Zhang Meng, your Cangyun Cavalry needs to be trained more rigorously. I want you to train an elite cavalry force capable of both field battles and raids within a month. At that time, we may have to 'visit' Cao Bin at Dingbei Pass."

Zhang Meng's eyes lit up: "This subordinate obeys!"

With the arrangements made, everyone went their separate ways.

Xiao Chen sat alone in the courtroom, looking at the secret letter, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Prince Yong, you're still too hasty.

Seeing Han Yuan grow stronger and me gain a firm foothold, you finally couldn't resist taking drastic measures.

But do you think I'm still the same Seventh Prince you could manipulate at will, just like I was three months ago?

The present-day Hanyuan has a city, soldiers, civilians, and food.

If you want to play, I'll play with you.

Let's see who can outmaneuver whom.

That afternoon, the owl made a discovery.

"Your Highness, we've caught a suspicious person." Zhao Tie escorted in a middle-aged man.

The man was about forty years old, dressed in ordinary coarse cloth clothes, but his hands were calloused and his skin was fair, unlike someone who did manual labor. When he was brought in, although he pretended to be calm, his eyes darted around, clearly showing his guilty conscience.

"What's your name? Where are you from? What are you doing in Hanyuan?" Xiao Chen asked.

"My name is Wang Er. I come from Dingbei Pass to visit relatives," the man replied, bowing his head.

"What kind of relative are you looking for? What's their name? Where do they live?"

"I'm looking for... I'm looking for my cousin, Li Si, who lives... lives in the East District."

"Which street? Which neighborhood in Dongcheng?"

"This... I can't remember clearly, I only remember the approximate location..."

Xiao Chen sneered: "Night Owl, search him."

Zhao Tie stepped forward and carefully searched the man. Soon, he pulled out several items from his pocket.

The silver ingot, weighing ten taels, was cast using the silver ingot molds from the Yong Prince's Mansion, and had the character "Yong" secretly marked on the bottom.

A one-hundred-tael silver note from the "Huitong" money exchange in the capital city, redeemable upon presentation of the note.

There was also a letter, sealed with sealing wax, which had never been opened.

"What is this?" Xiao Chen picked up the silver ingot and weighed it in his hand.

The man's face turned deathly pale, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness, spare my life! I... I was ordered by General Cao to come to Hanyuan to gather information! This silver is for travel expenses, and this letter... this letter is for our inside man!"

"Who is the inside man?"

"I don't know... General Cao only said to put the letter under the incense burner at the East City Earth God Temple, and someone would come to collect it. I know nothing else."

Xiao Chen opened the letter, which contained only one sentence: "At midnight three days from now, light a fire at the east gate as a signal. Upon success, you will receive a thousand taels of gold and a hundred acres of fertile land."

There was no signature, but the meaning was clear: three days later at midnight, an inside agent would set fire to the east gate to create chaos and coordinate an attack from within and without.

"What a clever inside-outside collaboration." Xiao Chen sneered. "Zhao Tie, take some men and stake out the local temple. If anyone comes to pick up the letter, arrest them immediately."

"yes!"

"This man," Xiao Chen looked at the man, "lock him up and interrogate him thoroughly. Make him reveal everything he knows."

"yes!"

The man was dragged away, crying and begging for mercy.

Xiao Chen remained unmoved.

War is a matter of life and death.

Being kind to the enemy is cruel to yourself.

At midnight that night, at the Earth God Temple.

A dark figure crept in stealthily, glancing left and right. Seeing no one, it quickly reached its hand under the incense burner. It found the letter and was about to leave when torches lit up all around.

"Take it down!"

Zhao Tie and his men rushed forward and pinned the man to the ground.

He was a young man, in his early twenties, wearing the uniform of the Hanyuan Guard, and was a squad leader.

"Wang Wu?" Zhao Tie recognized the man; he was one of the first veterans of the Hanyuan Guard. He had trained diligently and performed well, which was why he was promoted to squad leader.

"General Zhao... General Zhao..." Wang Wu's face turned pale.

"take away!"

In the courtroom, Wang Wu knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

"Why?" Xiao Chen asked only three words.

Wang Wu lowered his head and remained silent.

"Speak!" Zhao Tie kicked him in the shoulder.

Wang Wu let out a miserable groan and finally spoke: "I...I'm at Dingbei Pass. My parents, wife, and children are all in Cao Bin's hands. Cao Bin said that if I don't cooperate, he'll kill my whole family...Your Highness, I was forced into this!"

Xiao Chen remained silent for a moment.

"What did Cao Bin ask you to do?"

"Let my men... set fire to the east gate at midnight three days from now to create chaos. Then open the gate and let his men in."

How many people are there?

"No... I don't know. Cao Bin only said that once he saw the fire, he would attack the city."

Xiao Chen looked at Zhao Tie.

Zhao Tie understood and immediately sent people to investigate.

Soon, news came back: Cao Bin had been secretly gathering troops at Dingbei Pass, and had already assembled three thousand men. He claimed it was to "suppress bandits," but the direction was Hanyuan.

"Three thousand men..." Xiao Chen pondered, "Prince Yong is going to force his way in."

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Wang Dashan asked.

"Let's play along." A cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "Didn't he want to coordinate an attack from within? Let's give him an opportunity to do just that. Wang Wu, do you want to atone for your sins?"

Wang Wu suddenly looked up: "Yes! Your Highness, I want to! I'm willing to do anything to save my family!"

"Alright." Xiao Chen nodded. "Three days from now at midnight, go to the East Gate and set fire as usual. But the fire must be small and can be extinguished in time. Then open the city gate and let 'Cao Bin's men' in. However, those who come in are our men."

Wang Wu was stunned.

"Zhao Tie, select a hundred elite soldiers to impersonate Cao Bin's men. As soon as the city gates open, they'll rush in. Then..." Xiao Chen made a gesture of encirclement, "...close the gate and beat the dog."

"yes!"

"Wang Dashan, you lie in ambush outside the city. Once Zhao Tie succeeds, give the signal, and you will lead your troops to encircle them from the outside. We'll attack from both inside and outside and wipe out all three thousand men."

"yes!"

"Zhang Meng, your Cangyun Cavalry, stand by on the flank. Once Cao Bin's main force enters the city, cut off their retreat. Don't let a single one escape."

"yes!"

As orders were issued, a vast net was quietly cast.

Cao Bin, this lackey of Prince Yong, will pay the price for his greed.

Three days later, at midnight.

East Gate.

As agreed, Wang Wu lit the haystacks on the city tower. The fire wasn't big, but it was bright enough to be seen from a distance.

The city gate slowly opened.

"Rush!"

In the darkness, a group of "Cao's troops" charged into the city, shouting.

Leading the group was Zhao Tie, dressed in Cao Cao's army armor and wielding a long sword. Behind him were a hundred elite soldiers, fierce and menacing.

"Kill them!"

"Capture Xiao Chen alive!"

The shouts of battle were deafening.

Chaos reigned in the city as people fled in panic, seemingly caught completely off guard.

Zhao Tie led his men in a fierce charge, heading straight for the city lord's mansion.

Just as they rushed to the square in front of the government building, torches suddenly lit up the surrounding area.

"kill!"

Wang Dashan charged out from the streets, and three thousand Han Yuan soldiers surged in from all directions. Bows and crossbows fired in unison, arrows raining down.

"We've fallen into a trap!" Zhao Tie shouted in feigned panic. "Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

However, their retreat route had been cut off by Zhang Meng's Cangyun cavalry.

Three hundred cavalrymen charged back and forth through the streets. Cao Cao's army was divided and surrounded, unable to defend itself from both ends.

The battle lasted for half an hour.

The battle ended half an hour later.

Of Cao Cao's three thousand soldiers, one thousand were killed and two thousand were captured. Zhao Tie was "captured," and Wang Dashan achieved a "great victory."

Cao Bin, who was outside the city, heard the shouts of battle from inside the city and thought he had succeeded, so he led his main force to rush into the city gate.

He was met with the crossbows of the Hanyuan Army and "insiders" who had already "turned against" him.

By daybreak, the battle was completely over.

Cao Bin was captured alive, and the entire force of three thousand men was wiped out.

Han Yuan achieved a great victory.

"Your Highness, what should we do with Cao Bin?" Wang Dashan asked.

Looking at Cao Bin, who was bound like a dumpling, Xiao Chen said calmly, "Give him a pen and paper and have him write a letter to Prince Yong. Say that the internal strife in Hanyuan has been quelled, Xiao Chen is seriously injured, and he will be able to take the city soon. Please ask Prince Yong to send reinforcements immediately to settle the score in one fell swoop."

"Your Highness, this is..."

"Lure them in deep." Xiao Chen's eyes flashed with a cold light. "Doesn't Prince Yong want to destroy Han Yuan? I'll give him a chance. When his men arrive, we'll trap them again."

Everyone suddenly realized.

Your Highness intends to eradicate Prince Yong's power in the northern border region completely.

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen added, "send the battle report to the capital. Say that Cao Bin invaded the border without cause and was repelled by the Han Yuan army and civilians. The Prince of Yong was not strict in managing his subordinates and should bear the responsibility."

"yes!"

A crisis was turned into a great victory.

But Xiao Chen knew that this was not the end.

Prince Yong will not give up.

The real battle is yet to come.

And he was ready.