[{"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-221":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},2289056,4475,"Chapter 221: Holding Back the Punchline","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-221",221,"\u003Cp>Su Zi was terrified, screaming that he wanted to flee. Tu Kesiluo sneered, drawing his sword: “Want to run? Not a chance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, he staggered forward, a flash of blade light, straight toward Su Zi’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Zi ran a few steps, but how could he outrun Tu Kesiluo’s flying sword? A loud *thud* echoed—he now had a bloody hole in his chest, the blade tip protruding from his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Su Zi could react, his head rolled onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kesiluo held up the head coldly: “Su Zi is dead. Still wanna resist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhangwu soldiers turned to jelly. At that moment, Li Goudan arrived with his troops, surrounding the Zhangwu soldiers completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhangwu soldiers held swords and knives that gleamed coldly—they knew any further movement meant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, signaling the shield-bearers to step back, then slowly raised two fingers and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you two choices: either keep resisting until your entire force is wiped out—or surrender to me, and you’ll live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, you have only one cup of tea to decide. I don’t have that much patience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one wanted to die for nothing. The Zhangwu soldiers glanced at the severed head and the surrounding blades, and made their choice instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I surrender! Don’t kill me!” one soldier shouted, dropping his weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, the second and third followed suit, throwing down their arms and kneeling before Jiang Mingyu, begging for mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than half a cup of tea’s time, all the Zhangwu soldiers had surrendered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu flung Su Zi’s head aside. Tu Kesiluo sheathed his blade and said smugly, “Let me tell you—when I have to get my hands dirty, no matter who you are, you’re getting wiped out clean and fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shot him a glare, ignored him, and ordered: “Goudan, Jiaqi—quickly integrate these surrendering troops into our army and enforce strict discipline. Listen up, all of you—if any of you show disloyalty, I’ll have the entire army execute you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrendering troops trembled violently, shouting in unison, quickly forming ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, the newly formed units were mostly organized. Jiang Mingyu hadn’t expected to gain over twenty thousand troops before even fighting. If Li Bolun found out, he’d spit blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Tu Kesiluo leaned in and whispered: “Big Brother, scouts say Zhangwu City now has only thirty thousand troops. With so many of us, how should we handle this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu had already planned. He turned to one surrendering soldier and asked: “Among you, who’s in command?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burly man stepped forward. Jiang Mingyu nodded and said: “What’s your name? How many men did you lead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The big man dropped his weapon, knelt on one knee, and replied: “My lord, I’m Meng Fujun. I previously commanded three thousand men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Fujun’s eyes betrayed tension and unease as he heard Jiang Mingyu’s words. He hesitated, then whispered: “My lord, though I was a Qianzhang under Lord Li, betraying him to surrender to you… I still feel…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice faded, sweat beading on his brow. Jiang Mingyu immediately sensed his distress and quickly reassured him: “Meng Fujun, don’t worry. I understand your dilemma—it wasn’t an easy choice. But the situation is what it is now, and you have no other path. Rest assured, once you surrender to me, I’ll promote you, give you a broader future. You’ll thank yourself for this decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s words eased Meng Fujun’s heart. He took a deep breath and declared firmly: “My lord speaks wisely. I understand. Since I’ve chosen to surrender, I’ll give my all—with no second thoughts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu glanced at him, nodded in satisfaction: “Good. I’ll give you a chance to earn merit. Dare you take it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Fujun immediately clasped his fists: “My lord, whatever you order, I’ll do it even if it costs me my life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said: “Good. Pick two thousand surrendering soldiers—young, strong ones. Go quickly, return quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Fujun departed at once. Tu Kesiluo frowned in confusion: “Big Brother, what are you planning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi said nothing, silently waiting for Jiang Mingyu to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head: “Wait until Meng Fujun returns—I’ll explain then. Don’t rush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kesiluo muttered: “Always dragging things out. I hate this crap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu could only smile wryly. He knew Tu Kesiluo was impulsive, but he had his own reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Meng Fujun arrived with two thousand surrendering soldiers before Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, the men are chosen. What’s your order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu studied the men he brought, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perfect. These are the ones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kesiluo had been waiting impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, can you just tell us already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi blinked her big eyes. Li Goudan looked equally curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s what we’re going to do… you just need to… then… we’ll achieve total victory. Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Jiang Mingyu’s plan, Tu Kesiluo and the others were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, you’re a genius! How did you come up with such a brilliant plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi also praised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Big Brother, you’re truly brilliant! With this, we’ll seize Zhangwu City in one stroke!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan added excitedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, you’re incredible! Serving under you is worth everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled, patting their shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough praise. We march at dawn tomorrow. Prepare well. Remember my orders—no mistakes allowed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kesiluo and the others immediately replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, Big Brother—we’ll follow your orders exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, satisfied as he watched them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Tu Kesiluo led the two thousand surrendering soldiers and three thousand Jiang Army troops away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Jiang Mingyu and Jiaqi remained. Jiaqi looked at Jiang Mingyu shyly, secretly admiring him. She thought him not only handsome and elegant, but also wise and courageous—the hero of her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu chuckled softly: “Jiaqi, why are you staring at me so intently? Got something you want to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiaqi blushed, stammering: “Jiang Ge, I just admire how you always think up such clever strategies—it’s incredible! This plan of yours outwitted both Li Bolun and Su Zi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly: “I was forced into these moves. Without them, I’d have been killed by Fei Hou back in Shangmu. You and Uncle Tu nearly died then—I swore I’d never let anyone get hurt again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added casually: “Of course, you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiaqi was baffled, blushed again, and whispered: “I believe you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had wanted to confess her feelings then and there, but with the siege still unfinished, she swallowed them back. She didn’t know if Jiang Mingyu felt anything for her, and dared not speak first. She could only silently pray that once Zhangwu City fell, they’d have a better future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu didn’t catch her whisper, only said: “Alright, Jiaqi, Tu Ke and the others have left. Prepare yourself. Tomorrow we attack Zhangwu City—no room for error.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiaqi nodded, blushing, and turned away to prepare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched her movements with mild confusion, but had no time to ponder—he immediately turned to planning the siege. He spread out maps and intelligence, carefully analyzing Zhangwu City’s defenses and Li Bolun’s deployments, searching for the best breakthrough point and timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiaqi silently resolved: once Zhangwu City falls, I’ll speak my heart—no more delays! I believe Jiang Mingyu will love me. I’ll win him with my sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>",1224,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","68f76576a088fdccf21dfe6d6fc2c4598009d841061199b91b40aa12379075e0","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-222","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-220",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]