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

On the way back to Hanyuan, Xiao Chen kept thinking about what Third Master Hei had said.

Refined salt is a hard currency in the North and a rare commodity in the capital.

Salt in Daxia was divided into official salt and private salt.

The official salt was of good quality, but it was expensive and in short supply.

Privately made salt is cheap, but it contains many impurities and tastes bitter.

The refined salt from Hanyuan is snow-white and delicate, with a pure taste, even better than the official salt, but its price is only half that of the official salt.

Salt like this would definitely sell well in the capital.

Moreover, salt is a necessity; everyone needs to eat it, and every household needs to buy it.

If they can open up the market in the capital, then Han Yuan will never have to worry about its finances again.

"Your Highness," Zhao Tie rode forward, "Dingbei Pass is just ahead. Shall we enter the city to rest, or go around it?"

Cao Bin is currently guarding Dingbei Pass. Although Cao Bin is a man of the Prince of Yong, now that the Prince of Yong has fallen, Cao Bin should also be aware of the times.

Moreover, Dingbei Pass is the gateway to the northern border. If Xiao Chen wants to sell salt to the capital, he must control Dingbei Pass.

"Let's go into the city," Xiao Chen said.

When the group arrived at Dingbei Pass, the soldiers guarding the city saw that it was Xiao Chen and quickly opened the gates to let them pass.

When Cao Bin heard that Xiao Chen had arrived, he rushed over to greet him.

"This humble general, Cao Bin, pays his respects to the Prince of Zhenbei." Cao Bin knelt on one knee, his attitude respectful.

"General Cao, there's no need for such formalities."

Xiao Chen dismounted and helped him up. "I was just passing through and wanted to rest for a bit before leaving tomorrow. I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

"No, no, Your Highness's presence is an honor for Dingbei Pass. Please, please come into the city."

Cao Bin welcomed Xiao Chen into the garrison commander's mansion and hosted a banquet in his honor.

During the meal, he frequently offered toasts, his attitude obsequious.

However, he already knew about the downfall of Prince Yong and was now eager to curry favor with Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen didn't point it out, but simply drank and ate, talking about local customs and traditions.

After a few rounds of drinks, Cao Bin finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Your Highness, this humble general...this humble general has a favor to ask."

"explain."

"The soldiers at Dingbei Pass haven't received their pay for three months. The imperial court's military funds are delayed, and the soldiers are almost starving. I've heard that Your Highness has a large business in the northern border region. Could you... lend us some money to tide us over?"

Borrowing funds?

Xiao Chen sneered inwardly.

The imperial court clearly paid the military pay for Dingbei Pass.

But Cao Bin kept half of it and used the other half to support his private army.

Now that his private army has been wiped out and he has no money to cover his losses, he has no choice but to come to me.

"General Cao is joking."

Xiao Chen put down his wine cup. "My money is hard-earned, how can I lend it out so easily? However, I do have a business deal I'd like to do with General Cao."

"Business? What kind of business?"

"Salt."

Xiao Chen said, "I have fine salt, of superior quality, and at a fair price. If General Cao is willing, he can open a salt shop at Dingbei Pass, exclusively selling my salt. We'll split the profits 30/70. You get 30%, I get 70%."

The deal was split 30/70, which seemed like Xiao Chen would get the lion's share, but Cao Bin knew that this was a sure-fire way to make money.

He had tasted the refined salt from Hanyuan, and it was indeed excellent.

In border areas like Dingbeiguan, salt was a hard currency.

As long as you can get the goods, you won't have to worry about not being able to sell them.

Moreover, with this business, he could legitimately be tied to Xiao Chen.

At that time, the imperial court will not dare to easily touch him.

"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated by this humble general."

Cao Bin quickly said, "But... where did this salt come from..."

"It came from a clean source; it originated from the Cold Abyss itself."

Xiao Chen said, "I have salt permits from the imperial court, so everything is legal and compliant. General Cao, just sell them. If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility."

"That's good, that's good."

Cao Bin rubbed his hands together. "So... when will the first batch of goods arrive?"

"On the first day of next month, I will have ten thousand catties delivered. The price will be fifty coins per catty. General Cao can decide how many to sell. But I suggest not exceeding one hundred coins. Small profits but quick turnover is the only way to last."

Buy it for 50 coins a pound, sell it for 100 coins, and make a profit of 50 coins.

Ten thousand catties is five hundred taels. He takes thirty percent, which is one hundred and fifty taels.

One hundred and fifty taels a month, that's one thousand eight hundred taels a year. And that doesn't even include other benefits.

Cao Bin's eyes lit up.

"This subordinate understands, this subordinate understands. Your Highness, rest assured, this subordinate will definitely do a good job."

"it is good."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Furthermore, I can advance three months' worth of military pay for Dingbei Pass. But this is a one-time exception. If General Cao continues to withhold military pay, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"No, no!" Cao Bin broke out in a cold sweat.

It turns out the prince knew everything.

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen continued, "the defenses of Dingbei Pass must be strengthened. Starting today, the garrison at Dingbei Pass will be expanded to five thousand men. I will provide their salaries, but command will remain with me. Does General Cao have any objections?"

This is an attempt to seize military power.

But Cao Bin dared not have any objections.

"This humble general...will obey Your Highness's orders."

"Very good." Xiao Chen smiled. "General Cao is a smart man, and I will not treat you unfairly. As long as you do a good job, it is not impossible for you to be ennobled and promoted to general in the future."

"Thank you, Your Highness! This humble general will swear to serve you to the death!"

After dealing with Cao Bin, Xiao Chen stayed overnight at Dingbei Pass and continued north the next day.

Ten days later, they returned to the Cold Abyss.

Hanyuan City has changed again.

The outer city has been fully built, with neat streets and orderly houses. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and merchants flock here. The sound of reading fills the school, and people come and go in front of the clinic. The furnaces of the industrial workshop burn day and night, and white smoke rises from the salt fields.

A vibrant border town stands tall on the northern land.

"The prince is back!"

"Long live the Prince!"

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

Xiao Chen, riding on his horse, watched all this with a sense of accomplishment.

This is his city, his people, his country.

Upon returning to the city lord's mansion, Xiao Chen immediately summoned everyone for a meeting.

"How much salt is being produced now?" he asked Han Lie.

"Your Highness, the saltworks have one hundred large boiling pots, producing 20,000 catties of coarse salt per day. After purification, it yields 12,000 catties of refined salt. At this rate, it can produce 360,000 catties per month."

Thirty-six hundred thousand catties sounds like a lot, but it's not enough.

Hanyuan currently has over 10,000 people. If each person consumes one jin of salt per month, that's over 10,000 jin. The grasslands need 40,000 jin per month, Beiyan needs 10,000 jin, and Dingbeiguan needs 10,000 jin per month. Adding them all up, that's 70,000 jin per month. The remaining 290,000 jin seems like a lot, but it's far from enough to open up the capital market.

"Expand production," Xiao Chen said. "Build another hundred pots and double the output. I want to see 700,000 jin of refined salt a month."

"Seven hundred thousand catties?" Han Lie was startled. "Your Highness, this... how many people and how much firewood would that require?"

"There are people. Refugees are still pouring in. There are 12,000 people in Hanyuan now. Sending 2,000 to the salt fields will be enough. If we don't have enough firewood, we'll use coal. Anyway, there's plenty of coal, we can't burn it all."

"Yes……"

"In addition, the purification process also needs improvement," Xiao Chen said. "The current salt yield is only 60%, which is too low. We need to find a way to increase it to 70%, or even 80%. Uncle Chen, this is your responsibility. Just let us know what you need."

Uncle Chen said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, 60% is already the limit. It's difficult to increase it any further."

"We must do it, even if it's difficult," Xiao Chen said. "If we do it well, we'll reward you with a hundred taels of silver, award you the title of 'Master Craftsman,' and your descendants can attend school for free."

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

Uncle Chen's eyes lit up: "This old man...this old man will give it a try!"

"This isn't a trial, it's a must," Xiao Chen said. "I'll give you a month. After a month, I want to see a 70% salt extraction rate."

"yes!"

After arranging the salt matter, Xiao Chen asked about other things.

The coal mine's output of 5,000 truckloads per day is sufficient.

The iron ore production is 10,000 catties of iron ingots per day, which can be used for our own purposes and some can be sold.

The army, the Cold Abyss Guard, was expanded to 1,000 men, the Azure Cloud Cavalry to 500 men, and there were 3,000 ordinary soldiers, totaling 4,500 men. Although not many, they were well-equipped and well-trained, enough to defend themselves.

"That's not enough," Xiao Chen said. "The army needs to be expanded to ten thousand men. Two thousand Han Yuan Guards, one thousand Cang Yun Cavalry, and seven thousand ordinary soldiers. Wang Dashan, this is your responsibility. I want to see an army of ten thousand men within three months."

"yes!"

"In addition," Xiao Chen added, "between Hanyuan and Dingbei Pass, a beacon tower will be built every fifty li, with a troop stationed there. Once there is enemy activity, the beacon fire will send a message, and the news will reach Hanyuan within a day."

"yes!"

"Furthermore, the caravan needs to be expanded. We should not only trade with Northern Yan and the grasslands, but also with Jiangnan and Sichuan. Our salt, iron, and coal should be sold throughout the world. Old Han, you are in charge of this. Just tell me how many people and how much money you need."

"yes!"

As orders were issued, the entire Cold Abyss came to a standstill.

Saltworks were expanded, coal mines increased production, the army was expanded, and caravans were recruited more.

The Cold Abyss was like a machine running at full speed, operating at breakneck speed.

Xiao Chen stood on the city wall, gazing south.

The capital city, Prince Yong, and Master Hei.

Jiangnan, the uncle of Prince Yong, is a Tibetan soldier.

These are all potential threats.

But he wasn't afraid.

Because Han Yuan is becoming stronger at an astonishing rate.

Once the Cold Abyss is powerful enough, all these threats will be reduced to dust.

"Your Highness," Murong Xue walked over and handed her a cup of hot tea, "You've just returned, don't overwork yourself."

Xiao Chen took the tea, took a sip, and found it to be ginger tea, which was warming to the stomach.

"Thanks."

"Your Highness," Murong Xue hesitated for a moment, "I...I want to open a pharmacy next to the clinic. It will specialize in selling medicinal herbs from the northern border, and also buy herbs from Jiangnan and Sichuan. This way, we can make money and also stock up on medicinal herbs for the clinic."

"Good idea." Xiao Chen nodded. "Tell Uncle Fu what you need. Land, money, and people are all yours."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Murong Xue smiled, her eyes sparkling.

This once pampered princess has now completely integrated into the Cold Abyss and become a part of it.

Xiao Chen looked at her, feeling a mix of emotions.

Hanyuan's success today is inseparable from the efforts of everyone.

And he wants to lead these people to go even further.

"Your Highness," Zhao Tie hurriedly came up, "Night Owl has sent a message from Jiangnan."

"explain."

"Liu Jin, the Prince of Jiangnan and the Prince of Yong's uncle, is indeed hoarding weapons and training a private army. The number is not small, at least five thousand. Moreover, he has dealings with Japanese pirates along the coast, and is suspected of smuggling weapons to the pirates in exchange for silver."

Smuggling weapons to Japanese pirates?

Xiao Chen's eyes turned cold.

This Liu Jin deserves to die even more than Prince Yong.

"Continue the investigation. Find out the source of his weapons, his smuggling routes, and... who he's colluding with in the court. I need a detailed list."

"yes!"

Zhao Tie accepted the order and left.

Xiao Chen gazed south, a cold glint in his eyes.

Liu Jin, the King of Jiangnan.

It seems that a trip to Jiangnan should be put on the agenda.

But before that, Han Yuan must become stronger.

Powerful enough to sweep away all enemies.

"Issue the order," he said to his personal guards, "starting tomorrow, I will personally train the Cold Abyss Guards. Tell Wang Dashan to double the training intensity. Tell Zhang Meng that the Cangyun Cavalry must be trained to travel 300 li by day and 200 li by night. Tell everyone that the battle is coming soon."

"yes!"

Han Yuan has entered a state of full combat readiness.

The exorbitant profits from refined salt will become the most important logistical support in this war.