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

The news that Cao Bin's three thousand soldiers had been wiped out at the foot of Hanyuan City spread like wildfire.

Dingbei Pass trembled, the capital trembled, the grasslands trembled, and even the Northern Yan was shaken.

When Murong Han, the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, received the news, he was drinking in the royal tent.

He put down his wine cup, remained silent for a long time, and said to the strategist beside him, "This Xiao Chen is even more capable than I thought."

The strategist bowed and said, "Your Highness, although Cao Bin is incompetent, three thousand soldiers are no small number. Han Yuan's ability to defeat a stronger enemy demonstrates that its troops are well-trained, its generals are brave, and its city defenses are strong. Shouldn't we... reconsider the peace talks?"

Murong Han didn't speak, but tapped the table with his fingers.

Three months ago, he held peace talks with Xiao Chen at Dingbei Pass and agreed to use the Baishui River as the boundary and not to invade each other's territory.

At the time, he felt that this was just a stopgap measure.

How much ability can a sixteen-year-old prince have? It's not too late for Northern Yan to march south after Prince Yong has dealt with him.

But now it seems he was wrong.

Not only did Prince Yong fail to subdue Xiao Chen, he also suffered heavy losses, even losing Dingbei Pass. Han Yuan, far from collapsing, grew even stronger.

"Send an envoy to the Cold Abyss."

Murong Han finally spoke, "Just say that I want to talk to Prince Jingbei again."

"What are you talking about?"

"We talk about business, cooperation, and... the future."

That afternoon, the envoys from Northern Yan set off.

He was a confidant of Murong Han, the centurion Tuoba Hong, who led the team during the last peace talks.

Tuoba Hong only brought ten guards this time, traveling light and simply, and arrived at Hanyuan three days later.

Xiao Chen received him in the courtroom.

"How is the Left Wise King?" Xiao Chen asked.

"Your Highness is well. Thank you for your concern, Prince Jingbei."

Tuoba Hong performed a steppe salute. "The Left Wise King has sent me to discuss with Your Highness... matters of deepening cooperation."

"Oh? How do I deepen it?"

"Your Highness now has salt, iron, and coal. Northern Yan has horses, furs, and medicinal herbs. We can do even bigger business," Tuoba Hong said. "The Left Wise King said he is willing to buy 10,000 catties of refined salt, 1,000 catties of refined iron, and 10,000 catties of coal from Your Highness every month. The price is negotiable."

Ten thousand catties of salt, one thousand catties of iron, and ten thousand catties of coal.

This is no longer a small-scale operation; it involves the trade of strategic materials.

Xiao Chen's heart stirred, but he remained outwardly calm.

"What does the Left Wise King need so many for?"

"This..." Tuoba Hong hesitated for a moment, "As Your Highness knows, the winters in Northern Yan are cold, and there is a shortage of salt and coal. As for iron, it is used to make farm tools and cooking utensils, and has no other use."

Nobody would believe that.

Iron is a strategic material. Is it for making farm tools? Cooking utensils? More like weapons.

But Xiao Chen didn't expose it.

"Alright," he said, "but the prices must be based on market rates. One hundred cash per catty of refined salt, five hundred cash per catty of refined iron, and ten cash per catty of coal. Ten thousand catties of salt will cost one thousand taels. One thousand catties of iron will cost five hundred taels. Ten thousand catties of coal will cost one hundred taels. The total will be one thousand six hundred taels. Payment will be made monthly, with no credit allowed."

This price is 30% higher than the market price.

But Tuoba Hong did not bargain.

"Yes. But the Left Wise King has one more condition."

"explain."

"I hope Your Highness can send a few craftsmen to Northern Yan to guide iron smelting and salt production." Tuoba Hong looked at Xiao Chen. "Of course, it won't be for nothing. Each person will receive a monthly stipend of one hundred taels of silver, with food and lodging provided, and they will be free to come and go as they please."

Send craftsmen?

Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed.

This requires technical expertise.

Iron smelting and salt production techniques are the foundation of Han Yuan's strength. If they were to teach these techniques to Bei Yan, Han Yuan would lose its advantage.

"Your Excellency is joking," Xiao Chen said calmly. "Craftsmen are the treasures of Han Yuan; how can they be easily sent away? Besides, Northern Yan has plenty of talented people; why would it need Han Yuan's craftsmen?"

Tuoba Hong seemed to have anticipated his refusal and did not insist.

"Then... let's change the condition. The Left Wise King wants to form a marriage alliance with the Prince."

"A marriage alliance?"

"Yes," Tuoba Hong said. "The Left Wise King has a daughter, fifteen years old, intelligent and beautiful. The prince is young and promising, but still unmarried. If they can become husband and wife, Northern Yan and Han Yuan will be one family. At that time, not only business, but also the kingdom can be shared."

Marriage.

This is an even more ruthless move than simply exporting technology.

By marrying the Northern Yan princess, Xiao Chen would become the son-in-law of Northern Yan. At that time, Northern Yan would have a reason to interfere in the internal affairs of Han Yuan, and even annex Han Yuan.

"I appreciate the King's kind offer," Xiao Chen said calmly. "However, I am still young, and the northern border is not yet pacified. I have no intention of getting married. We can discuss this matter later."

After his two conditions were rejected, Tuoba Hong's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Your Highness, the Left Wise Prince is sincerely interested in cooperating. If Your Highness has no sincerity at all, this business... I'm afraid it won't be possible."

This is a threat.

If you don't do business with them, you'll become their enemy.

Xiao Chen smiled.

"General Tuoba, go back and tell the Left Wise King that business is possible, but the conditions must be fair. I can sell salt, iron, and coal to Northern Yan, and I can also buy horses, furs, and medicinal herbs from Northern Yan. But I cannot send artisans, and I cannot marry a princess. If the Left Wise King feels this lacks sincerity, then this business is better off not going."

He paused, then added, "However, I must remind the Left Wise King of something. The Prince of Yong suffered a great loss in the north and will not let it go easily. If he unites with the grasslands and attacks Northern Yan from both the north and south, how does the Left Wise King intend to respond?"

Tuoba Hong's expression changed.

"What does Your Highness mean by this?"

"It's nothing, just a reminder," Xiao Chen said. "Prince Yong hates me now, and he also hates Northern Yan. He feels that it was Northern Yan and I who joined forces to cause him to suffer heavy losses. If he really wants revenge, the first person he'll likely target is me. But the second will definitely be Northern Yan."

This statement, though only partially true, is frightening enough.

Tuoba Hong remained silent for a long time.

"I will convey Your Highness's words. However, I cannot guarantee how the Left Wise King will decide."

"It's alright." Xiao Chen waved his hand. "See the guest out."

Tuoba Hong left, carrying a bellyful of thoughts with him.

As soon as he left, Zhao Tie came out from behind the screen.

"Your Highness, Northern Yan is trying to swallow us up!"

"It's not swallowing up, it's nibbling away," Xiao Chen said. "First, do business to infiltrate the economy. Then, take the technology to control the lifeline. Finally, arrange a marriage to seize power. Murong Han has a good plan."

"Then let's..."

"Let's play along." A glint of shrewdness flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "He wants salt, iron, and coal, we'll give them to him. But at a high price, in exchange for horses, furs, and medicinal herbs. And it has to be limited, we can't let him hoard it. He wants technology, we won't give it to him. But we can sell finished products, high-end goods. He wants a marriage alliance..."

Xiao Chen sneered: "Tell him that my queen must be a Han Chinese. The Northern Yan princess can be a concubine, but only after I unify the northern border."

Zhao Tie was speechless.

Your Highness is playing with fire.

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen continued, "send people to the grasslands to spread the news that Northern Yan is going to form a marriage alliance with Han Yuan and share the northern border. This will put the Canglang and Bailu tribes on edge. Once the grasslands are in chaos, Murong Han will have no interest in attacking us."

"yes!"

"Also, send a message to Murong Xue, telling her to get involved on the grasslands. After all, she is the princess of Northern Yan, and her words carry weight. Have her tell the various tribes on the grasslands that Northern Yan has wolfish ambitions and wants to annex the grasslands. Let the grasslands and Northern Yan fight it out, and we can reap the benefits."

"yes!"

Zhao Tie accepted the order and left.

Xiao Chen sat alone in the courtroom, tapping his fingers on the table.

The Northern Yan's probing was within his expectations.

With Han Yuan growing in power, Northern Yan cannot stand idly by. They must either win him over or suppress him.

Murong Han chose to first win them over, and if that failed, he would then suppress them.

Let's see whose methods are more ingenious.

Three days later, Tuoba Hong returned.

This time, he brought a handwritten letter from Murong Han.

The letter was long, but its core message was simple: They agreed to Xiao Chen's conditions. Salt, iron, and coal would be traded at market prices, with no quantity restrictions. The matters concerning artisans and marriage alliances would be postponed. However, they hoped Xiao Chen could "restrain" the various tribes of the grasslands from harassing the borders of Northern Yan.

This is a concession.

But it's also a trap.

"Restrain" the various tribes of the grasslands? Xiao Chen isn't the Khan of the grasslands, so what right does he have to restrain him? Murong Han is putting Han Yuan in a very difficult position. If the various tribes of the grasslands don't listen to Xiao Chen and continue to harass Northern Yan, Murong Han will have a reason to accuse Xiao Chen of "betraying his promise" and send troops to punish him.

"Tell the Left Wise King," Xiao Chen said to Tuoba Hong, "that I cannot interfere in the affairs of the grasslands. But I can guarantee that Han Yuan's troops will never cross the Baishui River. As for the various tribes of the grasslands, the Left Wise King can negotiate with them. If they do not listen, the Left Wise King can attack. As long as they do not invade Han Yuan's territory, I will not interfere."

That's a very cunning statement.

You do your thing, I'll do mine. As long as you don't hit me, I don't care.

Tuoba Hong's face was grim, but he was helpless.

"This humble general...understands."

He left again, this time for real.

Xiao Chen stood on the city wall, gazing in the direction of Northern Yan.

Murong Han, our contest has only just begun.

What you want, I will give you.

But you can't afford the price.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue appeared beside him unnoticed, "Has my father... brought up marriage again?"

Xiao Chen glanced at her.

How did you know?

"I know him." Murong Xue smiled bitterly. "In his eyes, women are just tools. It's a good deal to exchange his daughter for an ally."

Do you hate him?

"I used to hate him, but I don't anymore." Murong Xue shook her head. "If he hadn't forced me to marry, I wouldn't have fled to Hanyuan, and I wouldn't... have the life I have now."

She looked at Xiao Chen, her eyes shining: "Your Highness, Hanyuan is my home. I will use everything I have to protect this home."

Xiao Chen nodded.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me." Murong Xue smiled. "Your Highness, I have an idea."

"explain."

"I still have some connections in Northern Yan. I can write to them and have them spread the word within Northern Yan that Murong Han is going to form an alliance with Han Yuan and betray Northern Yan's interests. That way, Murong Han will be too busy to bother with us."

"Good idea," Xiao Chen praised, "but be careful. Don't let anyone know it was you."

"I see."

Murong Xue turned and left, her steps firm.

Xiao Chen watched her retreating figure, feeling a mix of emotions.

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

With her, we have another card to play against Northern Yan.

"Your Highness," Wang Dashan hurried over, "there's news from the grasslands."

"explain."

"Arutai of the Canglang tribe sent someone to say that he was willing to exchange two thousand horses for ten thousand catties of refined salt and two thousand catties of refined iron. Moreover, he guaranteed that the Canglang tribe's cavalry would never cross the Baishui River."

Two thousand horses can be exchanged for ten thousand catties of salt and two thousand catties of iron.

This price is higher than that of Beiyan.

Moreover, guaranteeing not to cross the line is a statement of commitment.

"Tell Arughtai that I agree," Xiao Chen said. "But the horses will be delivered in batches, five hundred horses per month. The salt and iron will also be delivered in batches, two thousand catties of salt and five hundred catties of iron per month. In addition, tell him to keep a close eye on his subordinate tribes and not to provoke Northern Yan. If he does, I will not be responsible."

"yes!"

Wang Dashan accepted the order and left.

Xiao Chen gazed northward, pondering in his heart.

Northern Yan, grasslands, cold abyss.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms has officially begun.

What he wants to do is not to be a weakling caught in the middle.

It is the person playing the game that matters.