[{"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-224":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},2289059,4475,"Chapter 224: Again to War","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-224",224,"\u003Cp>After burying the last corpse, Tukesulu looked at Jiang Mingyu with concern and asked, “Big brother, were you injured in the battle just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu wiped the dust from his face and forced a smile: “I’m fine—thanks to Jiaqi’s quick reflexes, she knocked me to the ground before that fatal arrow could strike; otherwise, I’d already be a corpse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the moment the arrow nearly took his life, Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help but feel a chill. Tukesulu let out a long breath, patted Jiang Mingyu’s shoulder, and said, “Good—you’re unharmed. We must be far more cautious from now on; we can’t afford such close calls again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, about to speak, when Tukesulu continued, “Big brother, since Changwu is already ours, shouldn’t we now move to seize Yingchang County, the last stronghold of Lanzhou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Jiang Mingyu could answer, sudden footsteps pounded outside—a soldier burst in, gasping for breath: “Report, my lord! A messenger from Cangzhou requests an audience!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cangzhou? What emergency could this be? Jiang Mingyu’s heart jolted—he immediately thought of Chen Tang’s hundred-thousand-strong army stationed in Yizhou, just one mountain away from Cangzhou. Had Chen Tang learned of his attack on Lanzhou and launched a surprise strike on Cangzhou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cangzhou had only fifty-six thousand troops under Zhuge Yu; they’d never hold against Chen Tang’s hundred thousand! Worse, Liu Yifei’s family and the still-recovering Zhang Jiaqi were both in Cangzhou—if it were truly attacked...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu snapped: “Quick—bring the messenger in at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, a dusty Cangzhou messenger entered and handed Jiang Mingyu a sealed letter. Jiang Mingyu tore it open and scanned it quickly—then exhaled deeply. The letter mentioned no attack on Cangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, Master Zhuge instructed me to deliver this urgent dispatch immediately,” the messenger said respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu reread the letter carefully, finally at ease. Tukesulu rushed to ask, “Big brother, what’s happened?” Zhang Jiaqi also gazed at him with wide, curious eyes, waiting for an explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s lips curled slightly: “Zhuge Yu says Chen Tang in Yizhou has formally declared himself emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu frowned: “What does his imperial title have to do with us? Is Master Zhuge trying to persuade you to become emperor too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head, smiled, then grew serious: “Zhuge Yu says Fei Hou has learned of Chen Tang’s coronation and has sent two hundred thousand troops to crush him. Cangzhou and Yizhou are separated by only one mountain—if Fei Hou defeats Chen Tang, his next target will surely be us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi interjected: “Master Zhuge’s logic is sound—this is very likely. Big brother, shouldn’t we retreat to Cangzhou immediately to prepare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu thought a moment, then shook his head: “No. Retreating to Cangzhou won’t solve anything. Even if we go back, Fei Hou will still attack if he wants to. Better to exploit his campaign against Yizhou—we seize all of Lanzhou now. Controlling two provinces is crucial. Then, even if Fei Hou turns on us, he’ll think twice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu agreed: “Big brother’s right—as Shang Mu said, only by growing stronger can we avoid being bullied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded approvingly and ordered the messenger: “Return to Cangzhou at once. Tell Zhuge Yu I’ve received the news. Send more scouts to monitor Yizhou’s movements—report any change immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching the messenger depart, Tukesulu asked puzzled: “Big brother, aren’t we busy enough taking Lanzhou? Why care about Fei Hou and Chen Tang’s feud?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi rolled her eyes and sighed: “You’re such an idiot—you still don’t see it?” She adopted a teacher’s tone: “I’m really worried about what my sister sees in you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu flushed, retorting: “Then tell me—what’s Big Brother’s plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi smiled faintly, turning to Jiang Mingyu: “Big brother, I think you want to profit from their conflict—let Chen Tang and Fei Hou weaken each other, right?” Jiang Mingyu nodded approvingly. Zhang Jiaqi continued: “Whether Fei Hou wins or Chen Tang survives, it’s bad for us. Better to let them destroy each other now—then we clean up the wreckage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction: “Correct. Our ultimate goal is to unify all nine provinces of Da Feng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu rubbed his hands awkwardly: “I’m still too slow—I didn’t see that. Little sister-in-law, I’ll have to learn from you more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled: “Tukesulu, you must study strategy from Jiaqi. Since we’re all aligned, in three days we march on Yingchang County—complete our conquest of Lanzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sat astride his black steed, reins in hand, eyes fixed on the distant plain slowly unfolding before them. Sunlight fell across his sharp features, carving a resolute silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already the third day since his army left Changwu. The air reeked of thick loess as they marched. Jiang Mingyu inhaled deeply—his spirit swelled with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This march meant the final battle for Yingchang—the last city to fall, completing the recovery of all Lanzhou!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu turned to look back at his troops; their faces glowed with laughter and banter. These thirty thousand men were his own creation—each one a hardened, unyielding warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of Rexue  rose in Jiang Mingyu’s chest. He raised his spear high and roared: “Brothers! This final battle—we must win! The people of Lanzhou, crushed under tyranny, await our victory! My brave brothers—for our shared dream—charge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Charge!” Thirty thousand soldiers roared back, their voices shaking the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Tukesulu Lan Hua, Jiang Mingyu’s trusted subordinate, rode up, dismounted, and bowed respectfully: “Big brother, Yingchang City lies just ahead—have you devised a plan to take it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily, clapping Tukesulu Lan Hua on the shoulder: “Don’t worry, my brother. I’ve already confirmed it—the city is starving, and its garrison just fought a brutal battle—they’re broken. We won’t need long to take Yingchang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu Lan Hua nodded, pressing: “Big brother, we should still settle on a siege plan quickly—don’t delay our return to Cangzhou for rescue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu laughed loudly, brimming with confidence: “I’ve already planned it—we encircle but don’t attack. Block their supply routes, wait patiently until their grain runs out. Gu Kai’s stores won’t last more than ten to fifteen days—then hunger will break them. We’ll reap the rewards without lifting a finger!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu Lan Hua’s eyes lit up—he nodded vigorously in agreement. As they chatted, Jiang Mingyu’s chief strategist, Zhang Jiaqi, rode up on horseback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Jiang, your plan is brilliant!” Zhang Jiaqi reined in beside him and bowed: “A siege reduces our casualties and ensures swift victory. With luck, we’ll secure Yingchang within ten days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily: “Good! Our minds are made up—then it’s settled! At dawn, when we reach Yingchang’s gates, we execute the siege. I’ll make Gu Kai beg for mercy with no escape!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three rode side by side, laughing as Yingchang drew nearer. Jiang Mingyu raised his spear high: “Brothers! One final push—this last battle! Victory will be ours!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ours!” Ten thousand horses neighed, thirty thousand soldiers roared, their cries echoing across the sky. Under Jiang Mingyu’s command, the vast army surged forward, unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>",1165,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","faf9e0ed1b92f71029e07ab14db17317c93c122306e5414510a8d4154c86964f","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-225","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-223",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]