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

On the third day of Prince Yong's confinement, Xiao Chen received an urgent report from Night Owl on the black market.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Yong's men are buying up large quantities of weapons, armor, and warhorses on the black market."

Zhao Tie's expression was grave. "The quantity is enormous, enough to equip 10,000 men. Moreover, they didn't just buy ordinary goods; they also purchased a lot of contraband—crossbows, oil, and even... siege engine parts."

Siege vehicle parts.

This item is strictly prohibited from circulating among the general public.

Because siege engines are crucial military equipment; with them, one can attack cities.

The intention behind Prince Yong's purchase of this could not be clearer.

"Who is the seller?" Xiao Chen asked.

"It's a man called 'Third Master Hei,' who controls 70% of the black market in the capital. He has a very powerful background and is said to have connections with several high-ranking officials in the court. Our people tried to get close, but they were stopped. Third Master Hei is very cautious and doesn't see strangers."

Black Third Master.

Xiao Chen remembered the name.

"Continue the investigation. I need to know where Prince Yong is sending these things and what they're used for. Also, who's backing Master Hei?"

"yes!"

Zhao Tie accepted the order and left.

Xiao Chen sat alone in his room at the inn, tapping his fingers on the table.

Although Prince Yong was confined to his quarters, like a centipede that dies but does not fall, he still had considerable influence. He had cultivated his power base in the court for many years, and his faction was widespread. Now, even though he had fallen from power, he still had the resources to engage in underhanded activities.

Buy weapons, buy armor, buy siege engines.

This is a rebellion.

But having these things alone is useless; you also need people. Although Prince Yong has some private troops, they number only three to five thousand and are not enough to pose a significant threat. He must contact border generals or bribe the imperial guards.

"The Imperial Guards..." Xiao Chen's heart stirred.

The Imperial Guards, numbering 100,000, were the army that protected the capital. If Prince Yong could control them, the capital would be his for the taking. Then, he could force the emperor to abdicate and seize the throne.

We must stop him.

"Zhao Tie!"

"exist!"

"Have Night Owl focus his investigation on the Imperial Guards, especially the deputy commanders and regional commanders. See who is close to Prince Yong. Also, investigate Prince Yong's accounts to see where he got so much money to buy weapons. I don't believe he could come up with so much money from his salary; there must be another source."

"yes!"

Over the next few days, Night Owl operated at full capacity.

The waters of the capital are deeper than I imagined.

Hei Sanye was not only a black market boss, but also the owner of the largest underground bank in the capital. He handled no less than a million taels of silver annually. Some of this money flowed into the black market, some into the pockets of certain officials, and some… flowed into the Yong Prince's Mansion.

"Your Highness, we've found it." Zhao Tie brought back a copy of the account book. "These are accounts stolen from Black Third Master's bank. Prince Yong has been taking 50,000 taels of silver from Black Third Master every month for the past three years. Part of this money was used to bribe officials, part to support his private army, and part... flowed to the northern border."

"The North?"

"That's right. Cao Bin of Dingbei Pass receives 10,000 taels of military pay from Prince Yong every month. But the official military pay for Dingbei Pass has already been paid by the imperial court. This extra 10,000 taels was given to him privately by Prince Yong. Cao Bin used this money to raise 3,000 private soldiers at Dingbei Pass, the same group that came to fight us last time."

What a fine Prince Yong!

While suppressing Xiao Chen in the court, he also raised troops in the northern border, preparing to launch a pincer attack from the north and south.

"Furthermore," Zhao Tie continued, "Night Owl also found clues within the Imperial Guards. Liu Meng, the Left Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, is a man of Prince Yong. Liu Meng commands 20,000 Imperial Guards stationed in the west of the city. If Prince Yong is to make a move, Liu Meng will be his inside man."

Twenty thousand imperial guards.

With the addition of Prince Yong's own private army and the three thousand troops at Dingbei Pass, he had enough to control the capital.

"We must get rid of Liu Meng," Xiao Chen said.

"But Liu Meng is the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, a high-ranking official of the third rank. Without evidence, we can't touch him."

"Then find evidence." A cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "Isn't Night Owl good at this? Is Liu Meng corrupt? Is there any evidence against him? Investigate, investigate thoroughly."

"yes!"

Three days later, the evidence arrived.

Liu Meng embezzled military funds, misappropriated soldiers' pay, and even forcibly took women, driving some people to their deaths. However, all these things were suppressed because Liu Meng was backed by the Prince of Yong.

Not only did Night Owl find evidence, but he also found the victim—an old soldier whose family was destroyed by Liu Meng, who was willing to come forward and testify.

"That's enough," Xiao Chen said. "Give this evidence to Zhou Zheng. He knows what to do."

That afternoon, Censor-in-Chief Zhou Zheng received an "anonymous report" with conclusive evidence. He wrote a memorial overnight and went to court early the next morning to impeach Liu Meng.

Emperor Xiao Yan was already troubled by the matter of Prince Yong, and upon seeing the problems with the Imperial Guards, he was furious. He ordered a thorough investigation, Liu Meng was imprisoned, and his property was confiscated. The position of Left Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards was temporarily vacant.

When Prince Yong heard the news in his residence, he smashed another set of porcelain.

The mole he had painstakingly planted within the Imperial Guard was thus removed.

"Xiao Chen! I will never forgive you!" Prince Yong roared furiously.

But he's currently under house arrest, unable to leave his residence or do anything. He can only secretly send people to continue operating in the black market.

Xiao Chen knew that Prince Yong would not let the matter rest. He had to return to the Northern Territory as soon as possible to oversee the Cold Abyss. The affairs of the capital were temporarily put on hold.

Before leaving, he had one last thing to do.

"Zhao Tie, how many men does Night Owl have in the capital?"

"Twelve men, all elites."

"Not enough." Xiao Chen shook his head. "Send another twenty men. I want to build a base in the capital. From now on, the capital will be the headquarters of Night Owl. I need to know every move in the court and every action of Prince Yong."

"yes!"

"Also," Xiao Chen thought for a moment, "have Night Owl's men get close to Black Third Master. Don't rush into action; find out his background first. This person might be useful in the future."

"clear."

With the arrangements complete, Xiao Chen prepared to set off.

But before he left, he received an unexpected invitation.

Master Hei sent someone to deliver an invitation, inviting him to a chat at "Drunken Immortal Pavilion".

Zuixianlou was the largest restaurant in the capital, and also owned by Master Hei. Inviting him there was clearly not for a meal.

"Your Highness, we can't go," Zhao Tie said. "Third Master Hei is Prince Yong's man; this is definitely a trap."

"I know," Xiao Chen said, "but if I don't go, how will I know what he's up to? Besides, I'd also like to meet this Black Third Master."

"Then... bring more people?"

"No need, just you and me, plus two guards. Too many people would only make us look guilty."

That evening, Xiao Chen arrived at Zuixianlou as promised.

Zuixianlou Restaurant is located on Zhuque Street, the most bustling street in the capital. It is a three-story wooden building with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an extraordinary grandeur. Although it is a restaurant, it is frequented by high-ranking officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants.

Third Master Hei was waiting in the private room on the top floor.

Xiao Chen pushed open the door and saw a fat man in his fifties, wearing a silk robe and his hands covered with gold rings. He smiled like a Maitreya Buddha. But his small eyes gleamed with shrewdness.

"This humble commoner, Hei San, pays his respects to the Prince of Zhenbei." Hei San stood up and bowed, his movements precise, clearly showing he had seen the world.

"No need for formalities, Boss Hei." Xiao Chen sat down in the main seat. "May I ask what brings you here, Boss Hei?"

"Your Highness is indeed a man of few words, so I will speak frankly as well." Black Third Master poured Xiao Chen a cup of tea. "I have heard that Your Highness has a very large business in the Northern Territory. You deal in everything from salt, iron, coal, and horses. I am not very capable, but I also have some connections in the capital. If Your Highness is interested, we can cooperate."

"Cooperation?" Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "How would we cooperate?"

"Your Highness has goods in the northern border, and I have sales channels in the capital. Your Highness's salt, iron, and coal will be transported to the capital, and I will be responsible for selling them, with profits split 50/50. I can also find buyers for Your Highness's horses, guaranteeing prices 30% higher than the market price."

Profits are split 50/50, but horse prices are 30% higher.

These are very favorable terms.

But Xiao Chen knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.

"The boss is being so generous; he must want something from you, right?"

"Your Highness is wise," Black Third Master smiled. "This humble subject does indeed have a small request. I've heard that Your Highness has an organization called 'Night Owl,' which specializes in intelligence gathering. This humble subject would like to benefit from their services; I wonder if Your Highness could... grant me this favor?"

Night owl.

Black Third Master actually knew about Night Owl.

Xiao Chen felt a chill run down his spine, but remained outwardly calm.

"Boss, you're joking. I've never heard of night owl or sun owl."

"Your Highness, there's no need to hide anything," Black Third Master lowered his voice. "I've been in the capital for decades, what don't I know? Night Owl has been investigating me recently, I know all about it. But I don't blame Your Highness, we each serve our own masters. However, I think that instead of fighting to the death, it's better to cooperate and achieve a win-win situation. If Your Highness needs intelligence, I can provide it. If I need business, Your Highness can do me a favor. Isn't that a win-win situation?"

Xiao Chen remained silent for a moment.

"Is the gangster boss one of Prince Yong's men?"

"It used to be," Black Third Master said frankly, "but now, the Prince of Yong has fallen, and I need to find a new patron. The Prince is young and promising, and he commands a strong position in the northern border. He is exactly the kind of person I want to rely on."

"Aren't you afraid of Prince Yong's retaliation?"

"Yes, of course I'm afraid," said Master Hei. "But I'm even more afraid of poverty. Prince Yong is currently in dire straits and can't offer me anything. But Your Highness can give me wealth and honor. This choice isn't difficult to make."

It's very realistic and honest.

Xiao Chen likes to deal with honest people.

"Alright." Xiao Chen nodded. "Cooperation is possible. But I have a few conditions."

"Please speak, Your Highness."

"First, from this day forward, you are forbidden from having any further contact with Prince Yong. If I discover this, you will be executed without mercy."

"no problem."

"Secondly, you are responsible for selling my goods. But the accounts must be clear, and the profits must be transparent. Anyone who dares to falsify accounts will be executed without mercy."

"This humble subject dares not."

"Third, the matter of Night Owl ends here. Your men are not allowed to investigate Night Owl anymore. Night Owl's men will not investigate you either. Let's keep to ourselves."

"make a deal."

"Fourth," Xiao Chen paused, "I need to know where the weapons Prince Yong buys on the black market are transported to and what they are used for. Name your price for this information."

Third Master Hei laughed.

"I'm offering this intelligence to Your Highness for free, as a small gift. Prince Yong's weapons are being transported in three batches. One batch is going to Dingbei Pass for Cao Bin's private army. Another batch is going to Xishan, where he has a secret camp with five thousand private soldiers. And the last batch... is going to Jiangnan."

"Jiangnan?"

"Yes. There is a prince in Jiangnan who is the maternal uncle of the Prince of Yong. The Prince of Yong transported his finest weapons to him. I don't know the specifics of what he did with them."

Jiangnan, the maternal uncle of Prince Yong.

Xiao Chen's heart stirred.

Prince Yong's mother was from Jiangnan, and her family was a prominent clan there. If Prince Yong was hiding troops in Jiangnan, it wasn't just to deal with him, but rather he had a much larger scheme.

"Thank you, Boss Hei." Xiao Chen stood up. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

Leaving the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Zhao Tie couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, can we trust what Third Master Hei said?"

"He's only half true," Xiao Chen said. "It's true he wants to pledge allegiance to me, but he won't completely betray Prince Yong. People like that are masters of playing both sides. However, the information he provided is probably accurate. Send someone to Xishan to investigate and see if there really are five thousand private soldiers. Also, get Night Owl moving in Jiangnan."

"yes!"

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen added, "cooperation with Master Hei is possible. But don't trust him completely; be cautious. He can sell us our goods at a lower price, but the quantity must be controlled. Don't let him stockpile goods, and don't let him know our secrets."

"clear."

Back at the inn, Xiao Chen began packing his belongings.

Although the trip to the capital was fraught with danger, it was also very rewarding.

With the fall of Prince Yong, the northern border is now stable, and they've even managed to get in touch with Master Hei.

Next, we'll return to the North and focus on development.

The matter in Jiangnan can be put on hold for now. We can deal with it when Han Yuan is strong enough.

Early the next morning, Xiao Chen, accompanied by Han Yuan Guards and Tuoba Hong and Aguda, left the capital and headed north on his return journey.

Meanwhile, in the capital, undercurrents still surged.

Although the Prince of Yong has fallen, he is not yet dead.

Although Master Hei surrendered, he was still observing the situation.

The owl established itself in the capital and began weaving its web.

This grand drama has only just begun.