[{"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-252":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},2289087,4475,"Chapter 252: He Is a Spy","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-252",252,"\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu glanced around, confirmed no one was eavesdropping, then lowered his voice: “I’ve seen through Tian Jiu—he’s a spy sent by Fei Hou, ordered to infiltrate our army!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi gasped, her mouth wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Tian Jiu is a spy? How do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gave a cold smile. “I’ve suspected him for a long time; today’s actions confirmed my suspicions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi pressed: “But Tian Jiu has always seemed loyal and has earned merit—on what grounds do you declare him a spy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu explained: “Think about it—why does he always stick to my side, no matter where I go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi thought a moment, then said: “Didn’t he say he admires you and wants to learn from you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head. “That’s just his excuse—he’s really monitoring my every move, reporting back to Fei Hou at all times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gave another cold smile, recalling briefly. “Remember the assassin at Zhu Hong Tower? Think carefully—you’ll understand everything.” His voice softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On that day, Tian Jiu took us to dinner—from the Inspector’s mansion to Zhu Hong Tower—less than a quarter hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think—how could the assassin have known our whereabouts in such a short time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s only one logical explanation: Tian Jiu secretly told the killers our destination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The assassins were hired by Fei Hou—doesn’t that prove Tian Jiu has been secretly linked to Fei Hou all along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that black-clad man was already hiding on the corridor’s beam before we even reached Dingxuan Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If no one tipped him off, how could he know exactly where we were dining?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only three of us went that day—you couldn’t have betrayed me—so who else could it be?” Zhang Jiaqi had no time for petty anger; she whispered the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But didn’t Tian Jiu fight desperately to hold back that servant that day? How do you explain that?” Jiang Mingyu shook his head. “That was just theater—he saw you return, knew your strength, realized the assassination had failed, and pretended to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After recalling the events of that day, Zhang Jiaqi had to admit he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.” As she spoke, a flash of killing intent passed through Jiang Mingyu’s eyes. What Zhang Jiaqi and Jiang Mingyu argued about was their own business—but if Tian Jiu wanted Jiang Mingyu dead, he was asking for death. Zhang Jiaqi immediately pressed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you already know Tian Jiu has treacherous intentions, why not kill him outright instead of keeping a tiger to breed disaster?” Jiang Mingyu gave a low chuckle, signaling her to be patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To place Tian Jiu beside me, Fei Hou went so far as to stage that entire spectacle outside Guangshui City—do you think he only wanted me dead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my view, the assassins’ appearance was merely opportunistic—Tian Jiu’s real goal is my hundred thousand troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi exclaimed: “One hundred thousand troops? What does he plan to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said: “He intends to use the prestige of my army to open a path to the capital, then at the critical moment, betray us to Fei Hou in exchange for fame and fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think—if we weren’t here, could Tian Jiu have taken Lin’an? Could he have forced Hu Song to retreat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s been waiting for an opportunity—a chance to make his name. That opportunity is Zigui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi’s heart pounded: “Zigui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded. “Yes—Zigui is Fei Hou’s stronghold and the wealthiest commandery in Jingzhou. If we capture Zigui, we control half of Jingzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Tian Jiu plans to strike when we’re exhausted after taking Zigui, trapping us inside the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then he’ll join forces with Fei Hou to wipe us out completely. Afterward, he’ll claim he saved Fei Hou and quelled the rebellion in Jingzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fei Hou, to preserve his own power and status, will reward Tian Jiu with endless gold, treasures, and official titles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tian Jiu becomes a hero of the realm, while we become the corpses beneath his feet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi trembled with rage: “Tian Jiu is a despicable, shameless villain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu spoke calmly: “Such is human nature. Human hearts are unfathomable, treacherous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But they’ve forgotten one thing—I’m not easy to bully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a look of resolve flashed in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu spoke slowly, his voice icy, his gaze sharp as a blade:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the day in the Golden Hall, when he forced Tian Jiu to lead the army into battle, Fei Hou has been laying a trap. He used the eunuch Xie Chengxi to further provoke Tian Jiu, pushing him into rebellion—all to achieve his ultimate goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tian Jiu captured Guangshui and Lin’an, making our army overjoyed—that’s exactly what Fei Hou wanted. He wants us to grow arrogant, to push deep into enemy territory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But after Wenzhi, over a hundred thousand troops are already lying in wait at Zigui. Once our army enters Zigui, we will be annihilated—with no escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From Guangshui to Lin’an, then to Wenzhi—these are all Fei Hou’s baits. He uses these cities to lure us in, then traps us in one net.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is Fei Hou’s plan to destroy our army—he has planned it for a long time, and his methods are brutally cruel. This battle of schemes is a hundred times more dangerous than open warfare. Our army must be vigilant—we cannot fall for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi felt a chill run down her spine; she now understood the depth of Fei Hou’s scheme and the horrific intensity of this military struggle far beyond her imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I saw through their plot long ago. That’s why I deliberately followed Tian Jiu—I want them to believe they’ve tricked me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already arranged everything. When we reach the outskirts of Zigui City, I’ll immediately order the entire army to halt its advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll publicly expose Tian Jiu’s true nature, revealing him to all as a spy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll personally execute Tian Jiu to set the record straight. Then I’ll lead the army back to Guangshui City to reorganize our forces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When our troops are strong and well-equipped, we’ll march again toward the capital. By then, Fei Hou won’t be able to stop us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi fell into thought, then after a moment, asked another question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you be certain Fei Hou’s trap is set in Zigui? He has other options, doesn’t he? And besides, Fei Hou’s forces are nearly gone—where would he get a hundred thousand troops to face us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stirred the lamp flame on the table, then explained slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fei Hou controls only six commanderies in Jingzhou—he’s already released three as bait; that’s his limit. If we take Zigui, Jingzhou will be left with only Zigui, Hanshou, and Taojiang. If we press forward and seize those last three, Fei Hou is finished. So he must set his final, decisive stand at Zigui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the hundred thousand troops—it’s not baseless. Hu Song still has at least fifty-six thousand men; Zigui has roughly the same. Fei Hou can mobilize all his forces, plus reinforcements drawn from the south—it’s entirely possible to gather a hundred thousand. In Fei Hou’s eyes, our threat far exceeds all other rebel armies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi frowned deeply, and after a long pause, asked again: “Brother Jiang, if Fei Hou is luring us in and you know it, why are you still following Tian Jiu step by step?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stared at the candle flame before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because my grudge against Fei Hou runs deeper than the sea—taking the capital is inevitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi’s face darkened with worry: “But we’ve walked straight into Fei Hou’s encirclement with no preparation—isn’t that suicide? I simply can’t understand—what’s your plan to break through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu turned his gaze from the candle to her, smiling mysteriously: “Who said I wasn’t prepared? After capturing the assassin in Guangshui, I secretly sent letters to Zhuge Yu and Tukesiluo, ordering them to lead their armies from east and west to rendezvous with us. They’re already approaching Jingzhou, waiting to join forces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi gasped: “Impossible! Didn’t we just receive news yesterday that they captured Taizhou and Guizhou? And Tian Jiu was right here this morning during our march!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled: “Those were all prearranged false reports, deliberately meant for Tian Jiu to hear. That way, he’ll believe Zhuge Yu and Tukesiluo are far away in the southeast, too busy to come north. When our armies unite to seize Zigui, Tian Jiu will be utterly shocked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, I secretly ordered Cao Lun to recruit twenty thousand troops in Lin’an as our reserve. I’ve pretended to obey Tian Jiu in every matter, making him believe I’m a fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now it seems my plan has worked—Tian Jiu has been completely fooled. Even you believed him for a while, didn’t you, Jiaqi?” Jiang Mingyu asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi froze, utterly stunned by Jiang Mingyu’s meticulous planning. She had thought him brilliant—but now realized he had secretly arranged so many layers of strategy, hidden beneath a calm exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu had not only moved his eastern and western reinforcements in advance but also hidden twenty thousand troops in Lin’an, lulling the enemy into complacency. This far-sighted, insightful strategy made Zhang Jiaqi view him with new respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She now truly saw Jiang Mingyu’s wisdom and decisiveness—he was not only outwardly gentle and courteous, but inwardly possessed profound cunning and flawless foresight.\u003C\u002Fp>",1552,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a560ee6f4dfecf59859aabb5dcceee8da845e5b59d5f71404e0c2eb9c62e6a6e","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-253","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-251",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]