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

Three days after the order to prepare for war was issued, the first batch of warhorses from the grasslands arrived.

Not a few hundred, not a few thousand, but a full ten thousand.

Batu sent his brother Aguda to personally escort ten thousand fine steeds from the grasslands, which, like a moving dark cloud, slowly sailed south from the north bank of the Baishui River.

The sound of horses' hooves thundered, dust billowed, and the sky was obscured.

The people of Hanyuan City all came out to watch the excitement.

"My God, so many horses!"

"One, two, three... I can't even count them all!"

"How much is this worth?"

Xiao Chen also stood on the city wall, watching this magnificent scene, his heart filled with excitement.

Ten thousand warhorses would be enough to form a powerful cavalry force. With this cavalry, the mobility and striking power of the Hanyuan Army would be elevated to a new level.

"Your Highness, Khan Batu said that these ten thousand horses are a gift from the grasslands to Hanyuan, and they are free of charge."

Aguda knelt on one knee, his right hand on his chest. "The Khan also said that the grasslands and the Cold Abyss are brothers forever. If a brother is in trouble, the grasslands will surely come to his aid. These ten thousand horses are just the beginning. As long as Your Highness needs them, the grasslands have another one hundred thousand horses that can be sent at any time."

"Brother Batu is very kind."

Xiao Chen helped Aguda up. "I will remember this kindness. Tell Batu that Han Yuan and the grasslands will always be brothers. We will share both good times and bad."

"yes!"

Ten thousand horses were driven into the newly built "horse farm" in the south of the city.

The horse farm covers a thousand acres and is enclosed by a wooden fence. Inside, there are stables, hay storage, and training grounds.

They specially hired more than a dozen horse breeders from the grasslands to be responsible for feeding and training the horses.

Zhang Meng also dispatched 500 cavalrymen to the horse farm to begin training the new horses.

"Your Highness, these horses are all three-year-old fine steeds, already tamed, but have never been on the battlefield."

Zhang Meng said excitedly, "Give me a month, and I guarantee I'll train them into warhorses. By then, our cavalry will be able to expand to ten thousand men!"

Ten thousand cavalrymen.

It is second to none in the entire Great Xia Dynasty.

"it is good."

Xiao Chen nodded. "I'll leave the horse matter to you. But remember, horses are treasures and must not be mistreated. Make sure they have enough hay, clean water, and treat them promptly if they get sick."

In addition, one thousand veteran soldiers were selected from the cavalry battalion, each with ten new horses, to form a horse administration team specifically responsible for raising and training the horses. Those who performed well would be rewarded.

"yes!"

The problem of the warhorses was solved, but new problems arose.

There are too many horses, and not enough fodder.

A horse needs to eat 20 catties of hay a day, so 10,000 horses would need 200,000 catties. The pastures around Hanyuan simply cannot supply that amount.

"Go to the grasslands to buy hay."

Xiao Chen said to Han Lie, "Exchange it with salt, iron, and cloth. Tell the various tribes on the grasslands that whoever sells the most fodder will get a discount."

In addition, alfalfa cultivation is being promoted in Hanyuan. Alfalfa is cold-resistant, has a high yield, and is loved by horses.

Those who grow alfalfa will be exempt from taxes for three years, and the government will purchase all the fodder.

"yes!"

"besides,"

Xiao Chen added, "We'll build a few bean cake workshops at the horse farm, press oil from soybeans, and make bean cakes from the oil residue to feed the horses. Horses that eat bean cakes will gain weight quickly and become strong."

If we don't have enough beans, we'll go to Jiangnan to buy some. Right now, Jiangnan is embroiled in war, and grain prices are low, making it a good time to stock up.

"clear."

The problem of fodder was solved, but a new problem arose.

There were more horses and more cavalry, but the cavalry were not well equipped.

A set of cavalry equipment includes a saddle, stirrups, horseshoes, saber, horse bow, and leather armor.

The original production capacity of Hanyuan could only supply three thousand cavalry. Now, expanding to ten thousand would create a huge shortage.

"The Ministry of Works is focusing all its efforts on producing cavalry equipment."

Xiao Chen said to the blacksmith, "I'll increase your manpower and allocate more funds and provisions. I want to see seven thousand sets of cavalry equipment within a month. Can you do that?"

Blacksmith Ou said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, seven thousand sets a month, that's more than two hundred sets a day. This...this is too difficult."

"It has to be done, even if it's difficult."

Xiao Chen said, "We'll improve the process and use an assembly line. Each person will specialize in making one component and then assemble them. This will increase efficiency tenfold. In addition, we'll bring in some craftsmen from the grasslands; they are skilled at making horse tack. They will be well-paid and their families will be provided with accommodation."

"Yes... I'll give it a try."

"It's not a matter of trying, it's a matter of doing."

Xiao Chen stared at him. "I want to see the equipment in a month. If you can't do that, you can forget about being the head of the Construction Department."

Blacksmith Ou stiffened: "Yes! I will certainly do it!"

The equipment problem was solved, but new problems arose.

There were more cavalry, but their training couldn't keep up.

New recruits don't know how to ride horses, and veterans don't know how to command large-scale battles.

Ten thousand cavalrymen is not a simple matter of stacking together; it requires meticulous organization, rigorous training, and unified command.

"Zhang Meng, cavalry training is your responsibility."

Xiao Chen said, "I'll give you a month to train these 10,000 men into an elite cavalry force capable of field battles, raids, and assaults."

We need to practice formations, drills, teamwork, and tactics.

I will review them in a month. Those who fail will be removed. Those who excel will be promoted.

"Yes, sir! I obey!"

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen thought for a moment, "implement a 'military merit horse' system in the cavalry battalion. Anyone who trains diligently and performs excellently will be rewarded with a warhorse. The warhorse will belong to the individual, but it must be used in battle. In peacetime, the individual can raise and ride the horse themselves. This will both boost morale and reduce the burden on the government."

"Great idea!"

Zhang Meng's eyes lit up. "With their own horses, the soldiers train harder and fight more fiercely."

"But be careful, horses cannot be sold or killed casually. Violators will be severely punished."

"clear."

After arranging the cavalry, Xiao Chen went to the infantry battalion, the crossbow battalion, and the engineer battalion to inspect and deploy them one by one.

Infantry must practice forming ranks, defense, and siege warfare.

For crossbows, practice firing rate, accuracy, and volley fire.

Engineers need to practice building bridges, digging trenches, and manufacturing weapons.

The entire Hanyuan Army is like a sophisticated war machine, with every component operating at high speed.

Xiao Chen was the chief designer and chief engineer of this machine.

"Your Highness, you're working too hard."

Uncle Fu brought over some ginseng soup and said with concern, "These things can be left to the people below. You must take care of yourself."

"Not tired."

Xiao Chen took the ginseng soup and drank it all in one gulp. "I'm tired now so I won't be tired later. When the world is at peace, I'll find a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains, farm and fish, and live a few leisurely days."

"Then this old servant eagerly awaits that day."

"It will be soon." Xiao Chen looked south. "Once we deal with Prince Yong and pacify the world, everything will be fine."

Just then, Zhao Tie hurriedly entered.

"Your Highness, Night Owl has sent word from the capital that Prince Yong... is about to take action against the Emperor."

"What?"

"The Emperor's condition has worsened, and the imperial physicians say it's due to poisoning. Prince Yong has seized control of the palace and placed the Emperor under house arrest. He has publicly declared that the Emperor is seriously ill and needs to rest, and that he will act as regent. Martial law is now in effect in the capital; people are allowed to enter but not leave. Prince Yong's faction is purging dissidents. More than a dozen ministers who support the Crown Prince have already been arrested."

Prince Yong has finally broken off all pretense of civility.

He dared to kill his father and brother.

"Where is the Crown Prince?"

"The Crown Prince is under house arrest in the Eastern Palace, and his fate is unknown. Yu Qian, having learned of this in Jiangnan, has raised an army of 100,000 to march north and purge the court of corrupt officials. However, supplies are insufficient, and the soldiers are weary of war, so progress is slow."

Yu Qian has sent troops.

Although it's slow, it's better than doing nothing.

"Have Night Owl spread the word in Jiangnan that the Prince of Yong murdered his father, an act against all reason. Yu Qian is a loyal minister and a righteous man, and the whole country is responding. Also, have our people in Jiangnan send Yu Qian grain, money, and weapons. Support him in his fight, the fiercer the better."

"yes!"

"Furthermore," Xiao Chen's eyes flashed with a cold light, "have Wang Dashan intensify preparations for war. We will send troops out in a month. This time, it's not about purging the court of corrupt officials, but about eliminating the traitor. Prince Yong must die."

"yes!"

Zhao Tie withdrew, and Xiao Chen stood alone in front of the map, looking at the location of the capital.

The capital city, Prince Yong.

Your end is near.

And I am ready.

Ten thousand cavalry, thirty thousand infantry, five thousand archers, and two thousand engineers.

The army totaled 47,000 men, well-equipped, well-trained, and in high spirits.

Such an army is enough to sweep across the world.

"Your Highness," a letter arrived from the grasslands from Murong Xue, "Batu Khan has assembled 30,000 cavalrymen, awaiting orders on the north bank of the Baishui River. He says that as long as Your Highness gives the order, the grassland cavalry can march south at any time. Also, I have a son, named Batel, which means 'hero.' Batu says that this child will become Your Highness's adopted son and fight for Your Highness in all directions."

The letter was short, but the sentiment was profound.

Xiao Chen smiled.

The grassland's allies are secure.

And he himself gained another adopted son.

"Reply to Zhao Tie," he said, "tell Murong Xue to raise the child well. Tell Batu that I have accepted this adopted son. When he grows up, I will teach him military strategy and governance, so that he can become a true hero."

"yes!"

After putting down the letter, Xiao Chen looked out the window.

Night fell, but the city of Hanyuan remained brightly lit.

The shouts of battle on the training ground, the clanging of the tools of the workshop, and the neighing of the horses all blended together, setting the stage for the prelude to war.

Xiao Chen was the conductor of this piece.