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

On the third day after returning from the grasslands, Xiao Chen convened a military council at the city lord's mansion.

"Gentlemen, we have won this battle on the grasslands. But we have won not only the battle, but also the hearts of the people."

Xiao Chen stood in front of the map, pointing his finger at the location of Hanyuan City. "The Grassland Wolf Tribe is now our ally, and the northern border is temporarily safe. However, there are still three hidden dangers around Hanyuan."

He pointed to three points on the map.

Dongshan Town is located fifty li to the west, with a population of three thousand, and it produces coal.

Xishan Fort, located thirty li to the south, was formerly a military fort with a garrison of five hundred soldiers, but it has fallen into disrepair over the years.

Black Wind Stronghold, located eighty miles to the north in the mountains, is a band of about five hundred people who frequently come down the mountain to plunder.

"If these three places are not resolved, Hanyuan will never have peace."

Xiao Chen said, "The coal in Dongshan Town is what we need. Xishan Fort is located on the main road from Hanyuan to the south. The bandits of Black Wind Village frequently harass caravans and kill civilians. Therefore, we must resolve this issue."

"Does Your Highness mean... to fight?" Wang Dashan asked.

"If we can appease them, we will; if we cannot, we will fight them."

Xiao Chen said, "Dongshan Town and Xishan Fort are negotiable. Black Wind Stronghold must be attacked. Moreover, it must be attacked fiercely and quickly, so that other bandits know the consequences of provoking Han Yuan."

"When will you make your move?"

"tomorrow."

Xiao Chen said, "Wang Dashan, take a thousand soldiers to Dongshan Town. Bring salt, iron, and cloth, and tell them that if they submit to Hanyuan, the price of coal will double, and the people will be exempt from taxes for three years. If they don't submit, our army will press in, and not a single chicken or dog will be spared."

"yes!"

"Zhang Meng, take five hundred cavalrymen to Xishan Fort. Tell the garrison commander that those who surrender to Han Yuan will have their pay doubled and be promoted one rank. Those who do not surrender will be slaughtered on the day the fort falls."

"yes!"

"Zhao Tie, take Night Owl and go to Black Wind Stronghold to investigate. I need to know their stronghold layout, troop distribution, who their leader is, and what their weaknesses are."

"yes!"

"I will personally lead a thousand soldiers to command the central army. I will be ready to provide support at any time should anything change."

"yes!"

The order was given, and the next morning, the three groups of people set off simultaneously.

Wang Dashan led his men to Dongshan Town.

Dongshan Town is a small town that prospered because of its coal mines.

The town has more than 3,000 people, mostly miners and their families.

The town mayor was named Wang Laoshuan, an old miner in his fifties. He was honest but timid.

Upon seeing Han Yuan's army, Wang Laoshuan was so frightened that his legs went weak.

"General...General, what is this...?"

"Mayor Wang, there's no need to be afraid."

Wang Dashan dismounted and said amicably, "I am Wang Dashan, the commander of the Hanyuan Army. I have come on the orders of the Prince of Zhenbei to discuss a business deal with the town mayor."

"Buying...selling?"

"right."

Wang Dashan had several boxes brought up. When they were opened, they contained snow-white salt, gleaming ironware, and brightly colored cloth.

"This is a small token of the Prince's appreciation. The Prince said that if Dongshan Town is willing to submit to Hanyuan, the price of coal will double, and the people will be exempt from taxes for three years. Moreover, Hanyuan will send people to help you improve your mining techniques, increase production, and improve your lives."

Wang Laoshuan stared wide-eyed at the salt, iron, and cloth.

Although Dongshan Town produces coal, people live a hard life.

Coal couldn't be sold at a good price, taxes were heavy, and people couldn't get enough to eat or wear.

If we submit to Han Yuan, coal prices will double, and we'll be exempt from taxes for three years; then life will be much better.

"But...but what about the imperial court..." Old Wang hesitated.

"The imperial court?"

Wang Dashan laughed, "Mayor Wang, the imperial court is too busy to take care of itself right now. There are wars in Jiangnan and wars on the grasslands. How can it care about our remote town?"

Besides, surrendering to Han Yuan is not betraying the court; it's simply changing one's way of life.

The prince said that as long as you behave yourselves, you will pay your taxes in full and perform your corvée labor without fail. But the prerequisite is that you must obey the prince.

Wang Laoshuan was tempted.

"What if...what if I don't agree?"

"You won't agree?"

Wang Dashan's face darkened. "The Prince said that if we don't submit, his army will press in and leave no one alive. Mayor Wang, you're a smart man; you should know what to choose."

Wang Laoshuan broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew that Han Yuanjun was not joking.

Even 20,000 cavalrymen from the grasslands couldn't defeat Han Yuan, so his small town of 3,000 men was no match for him.

"I...I agree." Old Wang gritted his teeth. "Dongshan Town is willing to submit to Your Highness."

"good!"

Wang Dashan clapped his hands. "Mayor Wang is a wise man. Come on, carry the things inside and distribute them to the people."

Furthermore, starting today, all coal in Dongshan Town will be purchased by Hanyuan at ten cash per jin.

It costs ten coins per pound, double the price of before.

The people were overjoyed and knelt down to kowtow.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, General!"

The situation in Dongshan Town was resolved peacefully.

The situation is similar over at Xishanbao.

The garrison commander of Xishan Fort was named Li Yong, who was originally the deputy commander of Dingbei Pass. After Cao Bin fled, he led 500 soldiers to retreat and defend Xishan Fort.

Although there were not many people, the fortress was sturdy and easy to defend.

Zhang Meng led his cavalry to the foot of the fort and called out.

"General Li, come out and speak!"

Standing on the fortress wall, Li Yong saw that it was Han Yuan's cavalry and his heart pounded.

"General Zhang, what brings you here?"

"By order of the Prince, we have come to invite the General to submit."

Zhang Meng said, "If the general is willing, his military pay will be doubled and he will be promoted one rank. If he is not willing, he will be slaughtered on the day the fortress is breached. The general chooses."

Li Yong hesitated.

Although Xishan Fort was sturdy, it only had five hundred soldiers and little food.

If a real fight breaks out, we can't hold out. Besides, he's witnessed the fighting prowess of the Han Yuan Army.

Twenty thousand cavalrymen from the grasslands were defeated; his five hundred men were no match for them.

"General Zhang, I'm willing to surrender, but I have one condition."

"explain."

"My soldiers and I must retain our organization and not be scattered. Moreover, I want to see the Prince and discuss this in person."

"Can."

Zhang Meng was straightforward: "His Highness said that Han Yuan welcomes all talented individuals. If General Li is willing to submit, he can still lead your troops to garrison Xishan Fort. However, he must obey His Highness's orders without fail."

"That's natural."

"Alright, open the gate."

The fortress gates opened, and Li Yong led his men out, bowing to Zhang Meng.

"This humble general, Li Yong, is willing to submit to Your Highness and serve you with utmost loyalty."

"welcome."

Zhang Meng dismounted and helped him up. "From now on, we're brothers. Let's go see the Prince."

The situation at Xishanbao was also resolved peacefully.

Only Black Wind Village is more troublesome.

Zhao Tie led Night Owl to find out the situation of the mountain stronghold.

Black Wind Stronghold is located deep in the mountains and forests, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The bandit leader, known as Black Whirlwind, was a ruthless and merciless killer with five hundred desperate men under his command, each one vicious and cunning.

Moreover, the stronghold had stockpiled a lot of grain, fodder, gold, and silver, all of which were looted.

"Your Highness, a direct assault would result in heavy casualties," Zhao Tie said. "But we can outsmart them."

"How can we outsmart them?"

"Black Whirlwind has a problem: he's a womanizer. Every month on the fifteenth, he goes down the mountain to the 'Happy Forest' at the foot of the mountain to find his lover."

We can ambush them on the road, capturing the leader first. Once we take down Black Whirlwind, the mountain stronghold will be leaderless, making things much easier.

"Good idea."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Today is the tenth, there are still five days left. Let's make some preparations in these five days."

Also, have Night Owl spread rumors in the stronghold that Black Whirlwind is going to run away with the gold and silver, abandoning the brothers. Let them fall into internal strife.

"yes!"

Five days passed quickly.

On the fifteenth, Black Whirlwind indeed led fifty trusted men down the mountain to Happy Forest.

Happywood is a small town named for its casinos and brothels.

Black Whirlwind is a regular here; every time he comes, he indulges in revelry and has a great time.

But he didn't know that Happy Forest had been taken over by Night Owl.

Casinos, brothels, taverns—night owls are everywhere.

Black Whirlwind entered his lover's room, and just as he took off his clothes, the door was kicked open.

"Don't move!"

Han Yuanwei rushed in, holding a knife to his neck.

Black Whirlwind was shocked and wanted to resist, but when he saw the dark mass of soldiers outside, he knew it was all over.

"Who...who are you?"

"Night Owl, under the command of King Hanyuan."

Zhao Tie stepped forward and said coldly, "Black Whirlwind, you have committed countless evils, today is your death day."

"Spare me! Spare me!"

Black Whirlwind knelt down and begged for mercy, "I'm willing to surrender! I'm willing to offer up all my gold and silver, just spare my life!"

"Too late." Zhao Tie waved his hand. "Take him away."

Black Whirlwind was taken back to Cold Abyss for a public trial.

When the people heard that Black Whirlwind had been captured, they all came to see.

When they heard how many people Black Whirlwind had killed and how much he had stolen over the years, they were filled with righteous indignation.

"Kill him! Kill him!"

Xiao Chen, in accordance with public opinion, sentenced Black Whirlwind to immediate execution.

That afternoon, Black Whirlwind's head fell to the ground.

As for Black Wind Stronghold, upon hearing that its leader had died, internal strife indeed broke out.

The leaders started fighting over power.

Xiao Chen led his troops up the mountain and captured the stronghold without breaking a sweat.

The seized items included: 3,000 taels of gold, 50,000 taels of silver, countless jewels and jade artifacts, 20,000 shi of grain, and 500 sets of weapons and armor.

A bumper harvest.

"Your Highness, these gold and silver..." Han Lie stared wide-eyed at the mountain of boxes.

"Half will be put into the treasury as military expenses. Half will be distributed to the soldiers as rewards based on their merits. In addition, five thousand taels will be set aside to compensate the families of the people killed by Black Wind Stronghold over the years. Another five thousand taels will be set aside to repair bridges and roads and improve people's livelihoods."

"yes!"

"The bandits of Black Wind Stronghold who commit heinous crimes will be beheaded. Those whose crimes are less serious will be sent to labor camps to mine and build roads. Those who wish to join the army can, after investigation, join the Cold Abyss Army to atone for their crimes through meritorious service."

"yes!"

After dealing with the Black Wind Stronghold, Xiao Chen returned to the City Lord's Mansion.

Dongshan Town, Xishan Fort, Heifeng Village.

In three days, without bloodshed, three hidden dangers were resolved.

Now, Han Yuan's sphere of influence has expanded to a radius of a hundred miles.

The population increased by 5,000, reaching 30,000. The army increased by 1,000, reaching 5,000.

With significantly increased financial resources, they can sustain a war for a longer period of time.

"Your Highness, now that the surrounding areas are pacified, what should we do next?" Wang Dashan asked.

"Train the troops, stockpile grain, and manufacture weapons."

Xiao Chen said, "In addition, send people to Northern Yan and the grasslands to continue doing business. Salt, iron, and coal—we can have as much as they want, but the prices will have to increase by 30%. They need our help now, so they dare not refuse."

"yes!"

"Also, send people to Jiangnan to contact Liu Jin's opponents. Those powerful families and gentry who have been suppressed by Liu Jin can be won over. Tell them that Han Yuan is willing to support their resistance against Liu Jin, as long as they are willing to provide money and supplies."

"Your Highness, is this a sign that you're going to intervene in Jiangnan?"

"It's not interference, it's planning."

Xiao Chen said, "Liu Jin will fight us sooner or later, but we can't be the first to act. Let the people of Jiangnan fight among themselves, and we'll support them from behind. Once they're both exhausted, we'll step in and clean up the mess."

"Understood."

"In addition," Xiao Chen thought for a moment, "we should set up a 'Military Academy' in Hanyuan to train officers."

Select promising young people from the army, teach them to read, teach them military strategy, and teach them how to lead troops.

"For Hanyuan to become strong, it can't rely on just a few old guys like us; it needs successors."

"Your Highness is wise."

As orders were issued one after another, Han Yuan continued to operate at high speed, like a sophisticated machine.

Training troops, stockpiling grain, manufacturing weapons, conducting trade, engaging in diplomacy, and educating people.

Everything is proceeding in an orderly manner.

Xiao Chen stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

Jiangnan, Liu Jin.

The capital city, Prince Yong.

Northern Yan, Murong Han.

Batu, the grassland.

All four forces were keeping a close eye on Han Yuan.

But Hanyuan is no longer the weak border town it once was.

It has cities, soldiers, civilians, food, money, and allies.

More importantly, it has heart.

Thirty thousand hearts, tightly linked together, are indestructible.

"Your Highness,"

Murong Xue sent a letter from the grasslands: "Batu has begun to integrate the various tribes of the grasslands, and the progress is going smoothly."

Temujin retreated to the northern desert and would not return for some time.

I built three clinics and five schools on the grasslands, and the people there were very grateful.

The letter is short, but it contains a lot of information.

Xiao Chen smiled.

After putting down the letter, Xiao Chen looked south.

Jiangnan, Liu Jin.

Your good days are numbered.

Once I'm ready, I'll head south and take your head.

A memorial service for the people who died in the plague.

A tribute to the fallen heroes of this land.