[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling":3,"chapter-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-103":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Top Scholar of Da Ling",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2288938,4475,"Chapter 103: Banquet or Trap?","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-103",103,"\u003Cp>Under the declaration of surrender, Jiang Mingyu, Zhuge Yu, Tukesulu, and Li Goudan nearly froze in place, their faces filled with disbelief. Jiang Mingyu asked with deep confusion, “Poison Scorpion, what do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was filled with bewilderment—just moments ago, this man had fearlessly led his troops through snow and wind, and now he heard a bandit chieftain wanted to surrender. He stared blankly and continued, “I led my men dozens of li through storm and snow, swords drawn—and you tell me you surrender?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion bowed his head humbly. “My lord, you may not know, but when I first joined the bandits, I had no choice—I was forced by landlords.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried a hint of helplessness and justification. “Perhaps Your Excellency has heard that although I am a bandit, I have never disturbed the nearby villagers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve spent many years in this life, and I know it cannot last. I’ve long wished to leave this path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, Your Excellency personally led troops to punish us, proving your compassion for the people. Our Scorpion Gully’s strength is utterly incapable of resisting your army. That’s why I’ve decided to surrender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were filled with regret and resolve. He added, “I’ve heard how Your Excellency wiped out the bandits of Mount Sanqing and Heifeng Ridge—their leaders are already dead at your hands. I doubt you care about my head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion pointed to the bandits behind him, his tone firm. “We’ve laid down our weapons and await your judgment. If you wish, I can hand them over to show our sincerity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, thinking carefully for a moment. “You’re right—I’ve already crushed the bandits of Mount Sanqing and Heifeng Ridge. They got what they deserved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned, his gaze sharp as he fixed it on Poison Scorpion. “Though you’re a bandit, your tone suggests you haven’t slaughtered innocent civilians.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion smiled faintly. “Yes, though I’m a bandit, I’ve always avoided harming the innocent. I feel guilt, but I can say I’ve done no wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face darkened slightly, yet he remained resolute. “All my men have laid down their arms. If Your Excellency wishes to take our heads as trophies, I won’t resist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head, weak yet firm, like a criminal awaiting judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Jiang Mingyu asked, “If I allow your surrender, what do you plan to do afterward, Poison Scorpion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion’s eyes sparkled with joy. He answered without hesitation, “My lord, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued, “Though my brothers have gone astray, they are all decent folk driven to desperation. If Your Excellency permits our surrender, tomorrow at dawn, I will disband the gang and return home to farm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu pressed further. “But won’t the landlords oppress you again once you return?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion straightened his chest, confident and resolute. “My lord, I’ve already said it—your coming to crush us proves your compassion for the people. And your heroic deeds in Xixia, though we were in the mountains, we’ve heard them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice brimmed with admiration and reverence. “With a just official like you standing up for the people, even if landlords oppress us again, we’ll have someone to appeal to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were not just an explanation—they were a polished tribute to Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded. “Since you say so, I won’t trouble you further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the sky, now darkening. “It’s late. My troops will camp outside your stronghold. Tomorrow at dawn, we’ll burn the gang’s nest together and leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion was nearly overcome with emotion. He suddenly fell to his knees before Jiang Mingyu. “My lord, thank you for your mercy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly rose, voice eager. “Please wait a moment—I’ll have food and wine prepared at once, so Your Excellency and your men may feast in full cheer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled and nodded. “You’ve worked hard, Poison Scorpion. I’ll arrange the camp here and join you shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison Scorpion bowed deeply, murmured a few words of gratitude, then led his men back into the stronghold. His expression was overflowing with gratitude and joy, as if reborn from the depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the newly erected camp, Jiang Mingyu’s sharp gaze swept over the men before him. “Speak up—what do you think of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no longer the smiling man from moments ago; his voice had dropped to a low, grave tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan answered without hesitation. “My lord, need I say more? I take back what I said—Poison Scorpion is a good man. He laid down his arms and even prepared a feast for us. If we kill them, won’t the people curse us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu, clad in a white fur cloak with a delicate face, remained silent, listening quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Goudan’s words, Zhuge Yu paused, then said, “The problem lies in this feast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan looked utterly confused. “What do you mean? Can’t we even accept a drink?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Yu’s voice turned sharp with irritation. “Can’t you use your brain for once?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He claims he rarely raids villagers—so where do they get their food?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much grain does it take to host a feast for two thousand men? Have you ever thought of that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now, I questioned the scouts previously sent here…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan, stunned by the scolding, hurriedly asked, “What did the scouts say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Yu smiled. “They said the villagers praise Poison Scorpion—but their eyes are filled with terror.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was heavy with concern. “That means the villagers are too frightened to speak the truth—even to reveal what’s really happening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe this matches what that old man on the road said: Poison Scorpion is a dangerous man. His surrender may hide another purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu prompted, “Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Yu thought a moment longer. “I don’t yet know their intent, but for them, surrender now is certainly not the optimal choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The most notorious bandits in Shangmu—besides these three—Mount Sanqing and Heifeng Ridge have already been crushed by us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Poison Scorpion holds out against our assault, withstands this wave, he could become the sole dominant force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice turned cold. “Once he leaves the stronghold, he abandons years of effort—and everything he’s built.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worse still—if he surrenders to us, he may end up like Yang Dazhuang: a pawn sacrificed by his master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you were Poison Scorpion, would you choose a deal that loses money instead of making it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu finally spoke. “So what are you suggesting, sir?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhuge Yu could answer, Jiang Mingyu cut in. “He means this surrender is likely a trap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He plans to use the feast to strike us down, eliminate us. Once we’re dead, the campaign to crush bandits collapses. And they stay here—who knows what kind of county magistrate will come next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I die, Shangmu will descend into chaos—and that’s when, as Zhuge Yu said, ‘one family dominates.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu remained doubtful. “But how could a few hundred men possibly wipe out two thousand of our troops? That doesn’t make sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered. “How did we four defeat a hundred Xixia cavalry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu’s eyes flickered with caution. “You mean they might poison us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Yu added, “Almost certainly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu’s killing intent surged. “Then let me lead men into the stronghold and kill them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Tukesulu burned with rage, Zhuge Yu swiftly intervened. “Don’t act. Our suspicions lack proof—we cannot jump to conclusions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued, “Besides, Master has already agreed to spare them. If we change our minds now, how do we explain it to the soldiers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan’s anxiety grew sharper. “Then are we just going to let them poison us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already forgotten his earlier claim that Poison Scorpion was a “good man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger filled Tukesulu. He demanded, “My lord, what should we do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu chuckled, his tone layered with meaning. “Do you think these petty tricks can fool me? Quietly inform the troops…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered, thick with resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu nodded. As soon as he stepped out of the tent, the bandits from the stronghold arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood respectfully before Jiang Mingyu; their leader bowed deeply. “My lord, the feast is ready. Please join your men and dine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were deferential, their words humble—as if their invitation were sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>",1367,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e3101939cb0e77104d457c0ef217965c41656d085620fee06269dddf2205bc32","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-104","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-102",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]