[{"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-194":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},2289029,4475,"Chapter 194","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-194",194,"\u003Cp>She sighed, a trace of melancholy flickering in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your beloved disciple said you’re heading to the battlefield again—targeting Lingna, right?” Jiang Mingyu set down his teacup, brow slightly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we leave in a few days. Once we take Lingna, then capture Zangzhou City, Zangzhou will be ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei was about to speak when Zhang Jiani rushed in, face pale with panic. “Something’s wrong—terrible things are happening!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression sent chills through them; Xin Youli quickly stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was just a maid; she shouldn’t meddle in matters of this scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned. “What’s happened?” Only a matter of great magnitude could shake Zhang Jiani this badly. Last time she looked like this was when Ruan Chen breached the city walls—her family barely escaped with their lives. Zhang Jiani glanced at Liu Yifei, then cried out urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just heard from the civilians relocated to Zangzhou City—Fei Hou has sent more troops toward Zangzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say he flew into a rage after learning you dug up his ancestors’ graves—he kicked over his table and ordered Liu Jian to lead a hundred thousand troops to garrison Zangzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The enemy forces have already entered the northern border and will reach Zangzhou within ten days at the latest. This is critical—we must prepare immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred thousand—again a hundred thousand! Jiang Mingyu’s heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t delay any longer. Tomorrow morning, Jiani, you and Tukesiluo will accompany me to attack Lingna.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yifei, go summon Zhuge Yu and Tukesiluo—I need to speak with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Liu Yifei left the room, he paused in thought, then asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did the relocated civilians say anything about the state of affairs beyond our borders? I’ve been so focused on expanding our territory, I’ve paid no attention to the wider situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiani recalled the news she’d gathered, frowning. “It’s dire—the entire Da Feng Empire is in chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rebel forces of all sizes have sprung up everywhere; nearly everyone has declared themselves king. Fires blaze across the land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did so many rebels appear all at once? When did rebellion become a trend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiani ignored his jest, her tone still heavy with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fei Hou, to raise funds for suppressing the rebels, imposed heavy taxes and levies barely a month after ascending the throne.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The people, crushed under the burden, had no choice but to rise in revolt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, she suddenly smiled. “But this works in our favor. While Fei Hou is busy squeezing taxes, you announced a six-month tax exemption just days ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, many civilians from the northern border are fleeing here to join us—we won’t have to worry about recruiting soldiers anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded. From the perspective of a rebel, the more rebels there were, the better for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would force Fei Hou into chaos and divert his attention away from Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among these rebels, many were a mix of frauds and opportunists—some merely raised banners and dared call themselves kings and marquises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they had worn down Fei Hou enough, Jiang Mingyu could strike unexpectedly and win instant fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Xin Youli brought Zhuge Yu and Tukesiluo before Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Jiang Mingyu recounted the events, Zhuge Yu pondered a moment, then spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is right—we must bring the entire Zangzhou region under our control before Liu Jian arrives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, after securing Lingna, we must launch a direct assault on Zangzhou—while Liu Jian is still unsteady, deliver a fatal blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise, if he grows strong and becomes another Ruan Chen, it’ll be too late.” Jiang Mingyu nodded, then lifted his teacup and took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow morning, I’ll depart with Tukesiluo and Jiani. We have ninety thousand troops—we should be able to hold off Liu Jian. Zhuge Yu, you’re in charge of training the troops—fast and effective.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, the most urgent matter is planning our advance…”\u003C\u002Fp>",646,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","38e88946db89ca8549e2c1ff6eb893b351506692463a85f0d4e8c96f2baba650","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-195","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-193",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]