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

The banquet ended, and the night was deep.

After seeing Murong Han and his party off to rest at the post station, Xiao Chen did not rest. Instead, he urgently summoned Wang Dashan, Zhang Meng, Han Lie, Zhao Tie, and Murong Xue, who had rushed back from the grasslands, to his study.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight, illuminating several solemn faces.

"Your Highness, Murong Han's personal visit this time is by no means an ordinary visit."

Zhao Tie spoke first. As the leader of the Night Owls, he had the most complete intelligence. "According to our spies in Northern Yan, before Murong Han set off, he secretly summoned his generals and strategists to discuss matters for three consecutive days."

Within Northern Yan, the pro-war and pro-peace factions are locked in fierce conflict. Murong Han's trip is undoubtedly to probe our strengths, to ascertain the Prince's true intentions, and to understand Han Yuan's capabilities.

Wang Dashan continued, "This humble general observed that although his accompanying guards number only three hundred, they are all elite soldiers who have fought in many battles. Their horses are strong, their equipment is excellent, and their military discipline is strict."

Murong Han himself is a formidable character with a calm demeanor and sharp eyes.

I just glanced at the gifts he brought. Besides gold, silver, jewels, ginseng, and sable fur, there were also 500 fine bows and 1,000 spears, special products of Northern Yan.

The gesture of goodwill was obvious, but a sense of defiance was also subtly present.

Zhang Meng snorted coldly: "Trying to be friendly? They probably see that we've allied with the grasslands and created waterwheels and new iron, so they think we're not to be trifled with and are only pretending to be friendly. If we show weakness, or if the Prince of Yong in Jiangnan gains power, he can turn around and bite us."

Han Lie was more concerned with practical matters: "Your Highness, in tomorrow's peace talks, Murong Han will undoubtedly put forward conditions. These will likely include details of trade, border demarcation, and even... marriage alliances. How should we respond? What are our bottom lines?"

All eyes were on Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Murong Han has come here for three purposes."

Firstly, he wanted to see for himself the true nature of the Cold Abyss. This was the reason he inquired about the sounds of the waterwheel and the construction office today.

Secondly, they were testing my relationship with the court, especially with Prince Yong, to determine whether I would head south to contend for supremacy, or whether I would join forces with the court to deal with him.

Thirdly, and most importantly, he wanted to secure the greatest possible benefits for Northern Yan.

They could either join forces to counterbalance the grasslands, take advantage of the internal strife in the Great Xia Dynasty to gain a share, or ensure unimpeded trade routes to profit.

He paused, then looked at Murong Xue: "Xue'er, you grew up in Northern Yan and once lived in the Left Wise Prince's residence. In your opinion, what does Murong Han want most? What does he fear most?"

Murong Xue has shed much of her naivety, and her brows now exude a sense of composure and wisdom.

After a moment's thought, she replied, "Brother Wang... Murong Han is an ambitious man who aspires to conquer the grasslands and even march south into the Central Plains. However, he is cautious by nature and dislikes taking risks."

What he wants most is stability.

They firmly held their position in Northern Yan, steadily reaping the benefits.

What he fears most is twofold: first, that the Great Xia will reunify and its military might will turn north; second, that our Hanyuan and the grasslands will form a solid alliance, completely cutting off his possibility of advancing westward and southward.

Furthermore, he was also wary of Prince Yong, who was ruthless and would undoubtedly be a formidable enemy if he gained power.

Xiao Chen nodded: "That's very clear. So his purpose in coming here is ostensibly to establish friendly relations, but in reality, it's to keep us in check, and even to sow discord between us and the grasslands, at least to ensure that we remain neutral between the Prince of Yong and him, or even lean towards him."

At the same time, he also wanted tangible benefits from us, such as more favorable trade terms, and... new iron smelting technologies.

Everyone's expression tightened. This new iron-smelting technology was one of Han Yuan's core secrets.

"We absolutely cannot give away the technology," Wang Dashan said resolutely.

"Whether to give it or not, how to give it, and how much to give are all negotiable."

A glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "But we can't give it away for free. Murong Han thinks he can get something for nothing? It won't be that easy. What we want, he may not be able to afford, or he may be unwilling to give."

"Who do you mean, Your Highness?" Han Lie asked.

"Warhorses, furs, and medicinal herbs—these are the usual trade goods, and we can discuss them. But if he wants fine iron, or even steel, he must offer something of equal value in exchange."

Xiao Chen said, "For example, intelligence on the unique 'Ouz mine' of Northern Yan, or their powerful bow manufacturing technology. Or, when the Prince of Yong or other forces are unfavorable to us, Northern Yan needs to remain neutral, or even provide a certain degree of... tacit approval."

This is an attempt to tie technology exchange to politics.

"Also, the border."

Xiao Chen walked to the hanging map and pointed to an area north of the Baishui River and south of the Yinshan Mountains. "This area is rich in water and grass, and has three salt lakes of different sizes. In the past, it was a place where the Northern Yan and the grasslands were locked in a tug-of-war."

Now that Batu has submitted, this territory should be jointly governed by Hanyuan and the grasslands. If Murong Han wishes to discuss trade, the border demarcation must be clearly defined first; this land must be ceded to us.

"What if he refuses?" Zhang Meng asked.

"You won't?"

Xiao Chen tapped his finger on the map. "Then let him see if Han Yuan's blade is truly sharp. Batu's 30,000 cavalry are no mere decorations."

"And there are also arranged marriages."

Murong Xue suddenly whispered, looking at Xiao Chen with a complicated expression, "He might bring up the old matter again, or propose marriage to another member of the royal family to solidify the alliance."

A moment of silence fell over the study. Marriage was an ancient and effective way to form alliances, and Murong Han was indeed very likely to propose it.

Xiao Chen glanced at Murong Xue and said calmly, "We can discuss a marriage alliance, but the initiative is in our hands."

Princess Murong Xue is already my sworn sister and has married the Khan of the grasslands; this relationship is sufficient.

If he brings it up again, she will refuse on the grounds that "the siblings are very close and she cannot bear to marry him off to a distant place" or "the princess is of noble status and we need to wait for her to agree."

If he insists, you can feign compliance, but never make any substantial promises.

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable determination.

Everyone knows that the prince has his own plans, and whether or not he arranges a marriage is merely a pawn in his game.

"Tomorrow is the day for peace talks. Zhao Tie, you are in charge of perimeter security and safety to prevent the Northern Yan people from spying on the military intelligence workshop."

Wang Dashan, you lead your troops to form ranks outside the mansion. There's no need to make a fuss, but make sure they see the imposing presence of my Hanyuan army.

Zhang Meng, your cavalry are training ten miles outside the city. Make sure the sound of their hooves is heard by the people at the post station.

Mr. Han, you will accompany us in the negotiations, take charge of the trade details, and not give an inch.

"Xue'er, you will come with me. There are some inside stories about Northern Yan that I may need you to reveal."

Xiao Chen laid out the orders one by one, and everyone solemnly accepted them.

Finally, remember one thing.

Xiao Chen's gaze swept over the crowd. "Murong Han is a ruthless and ambitious man, not a friend. Talking with him is a temporary measure to buy time and strengthen ourselves."

Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, the fundamental principle remains the same: Hanyuan must persevere and strive for excellence. Our waterwheels must turn faster, our blast furnaces must burn brighter, our knives must be sharpened more effectively, and our soldiers must be trained to be more elite.

Only by becoming strong ourselves can we have the confidence to stand firm in chaotic times and not fear any negotiations!

"We will obey Your Highness's command!" the crowd replied in unison, their hearts filled with pride.

As night deepened, Hanyuan City gradually quieted down.

However, the lights in the study of the city lord's mansion were not turned off until the early hours of the morning.

Inside the inn, in Murong Han's room, the candlelight was still burning, and faint whispers could be heard.

Both cunning foxes are making final preparations for the confrontation that will begin tomorrow.