[{"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-256":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},2289091,4475,"Chapter 256: The Day Is Near","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-256",256,"\u003Cp>Tian Jiu heard Jiang Mingyu’s words, his heart trembled; he knew Jiang Mingyu would not spare him, he knew Jiang Mingyu hated him with a vengeance, he knew Jiang Mingyu wanted his life. He also knew he had no retreat, no choice, no hope left. He could only fight to the death, he could only grasp a sliver of survival, he could only seek a swift end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth, waved his hand, and shouted to Hu Song and Fang Hang beside him: “Ignore him—we charge together. Kill him, and this war ends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Song and Fang Hang said nothing more; they knew only by killing Jiang Mingyu could they turn the tide, save their lives, and gain anything at all. They no longer cared for troop losses, rear upheavals, or flanking dangers—they could only fight to the death, they could only grasp a sliver of survival, they could only seek a swift end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them spurred their horses forward together, weapons glinting coldly, mouths roaring in fury, eyes blazing with malice, hearts surging with killing intent. They launched their final charge against Jiang Mingyu together, they unleashed their final assault against Jiang Mingyu together, they poured forth their final strength against Jiang Mingyu together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu saw their movements and smiled inwardly; he had anticipated this, he had prepared his response, he had arranged his counterattack. He feared neither their charge, nor their assault, nor their power. He merely shook his head slightly, spoke one quiet word, and made one cold gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all die,” he said, drawing a short dagger from his waist and thrusting it straight toward Tian Jiu’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a mighty roar, the three swung their weapons and charged toward Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo from different directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the banner charging straight at him, Tukesiluo—his white robe already stained crimson—smiled coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be Tian Jiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo stood calm, his longsword leveled at Tian Jiu, his voice icy: “You mere barbarians dare raise rebellion? Today, we settle this once and for all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Jiu spat, bellowed: “Tukesiluo, you beast—I’ll cut off your dog’s head!” Then he swung his great blade down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo sidestepped, his sword slicing through the air with a sharp clang—the great blade was knocked from Tian Jiu’s grip. Seizing the opening, Tukesiluo drove his blade upward, piercing straight into Tian Jiu’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh...” Blood gushed from Tian Jiu’s mouth as he collapsed, face ashen. Tukesiluo yanked his blade free, wiping blood from it, coldly stating: “A defeated general—death is too good for him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our troops’ morale surged, their battle cries shaking the sky as they advanced in unison. Soldiers roared: “Slay the traitors—none shall live!” In moments, the enemy ranks dissolved into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a fierce general burst from the enemy rear—clad in heavy steel armor, wielding a massive axe: Hu Song. Seeing Tian Jiu dead, he roared: “Who gave you the right to kill Tian Jiu? Don’t get cocky!” He swung his axe down in a brutal arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo sidestepped; the axe’s edge grazed his robe, then he spun and thrust his sword. The blade glanced off Hu Song’s armor, sliding past. The two clashed fiercely, locked in a brutal stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant, Li Goudan appeared silently behind Hu Song and sneered: “Coward—attacking from behind? Hu Song, you’ve lived too long!” He slashed down into the gap at Hu Song’s neck. Hu Song screamed—his head severed and tumbled free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our troops’ morale soared, fighting even harder. Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu, deep in the thick of battle, directed with careful precision, heart still pounding. A messenger galloped up, dismounted, and knelt: “My lord, Tian Jiu and Hu Song are both slain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu beamed, then paused thoughtfully: “Tukesiluo and Goudan truly are formidable. I owe my life to you both. When this victory is complete, I shall reward you lavishly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Fang Hang barely rallied his remnants, preparing to counterattack. Jiang Mingyu saw the tide had turned—he gave the order: “Soldiers! Surround Fang Hang! Today, we take this traitor alive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our troops surged forward, encircling Fang Hang’s shattered force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting sun painted the horizon crimson. Fang Hang stood on the battlefield, gazing at the corpses strewn everywhere, his heart heavy. His force had dwindled to barely a thousand survivors, all battered and broken by battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred thousand lives had vanished in this battle. Fang Hang knew no general, no matter how mighty, could undo this. Despair filled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu had joined forces with Tukesiluo and Li Goudan; their troops had fully encircled Fang Hang’s remnants. They had crushed Fei Hou’s 120,000-strong army—a victory Jiang Mingyu had never imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang’s trembling drew Li Goudan’s scornful smirk. “My lord, let me cut him down—let Fei Hou know our strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head, calmly saying: “No. This man still has use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan frowned: “What use?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s smile widened: “Great use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he called out to Fang Hang: “General Fang, will you surrender?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang did not hesitate—he dismounted, knelt, and bowed: “I will. I submit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one wanted to die. Fang Hang knew surrender was his only path now. Jiang Mingyu was satisfied with his response, but Zhang Jiaqi cried out: “Big Brother Jiang, what are you doing? Have you forgotten Tian Jiu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s gaze was steady: “Don’t worry—I have my plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering his earlier masterstrokes, Zhang Jiaqi fell silent. Jiang Mingyu looked down at the kneeling Fang Hang and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Fang, since you’ve surrendered, you’re one of us now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be so formal—stand up. I have a major task that requires your full support.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang immediately rose, his face set with solemn resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Command me, my lord. Whatever lies within my power, I will not refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gave a quiet “hmm,” then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, his expression grave yet composed—he understood this move was risky, but necessary. To strike Fei Hou, he must first disrupt his rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu spoke slowly, calm and certain: “General Fang, we have no grudge now. Our common enemy is Fei Hou. I need you to return to the capital and deliver false news: that my army has been routed, that Tian Jiu and Hu Song are dead. This will lull Fei Hou into complacency. We will then strike unexpectedly and seize Han Shou and Taojiang counties. When that happens, Fei Hou will hold only the capital. Do you believe this plan viable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang’s face flushed with shame—he knew Jiang Mingyu’s foresight, and he had no escape. After a long silence, he trembled: “My lord sees clearly. I have nowhere else to turn—I will follow you to the end. I shall give my all to fulfill your orders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction—he knew Fang Hang was broken, with no will to resist. He turned to Tukesiluo and said solemnly: “I need you to accompany Fang Hang to Yuewang City. First, monitor his movements. Second, witness Fei Hou’s collapse firsthand, then bring back the first-hand battle report. We hold victory in our grasp, but we cannot afford the slightest lapse. Will you undertake this mission?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo answered instantly: “Big Brother, rest assured—I will not fail you! Let me go with Fang Hang to the capital—it’s a vital step toward defeating Fei Hou and securing the Jiang family’s dominion. I’ll watch him closely, ensure he makes no treacherous moves, and witness Fei Hou’s downfall. Then I’ll deliver the report the moment it’s ready, announcing our army’s triumph. Big Brother, this campaign is ours to win—I will not disappoint you. I swear, I will give everything to complete this mission!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Tukesiluo burned with triumph—he could hardly wait to see Fei Hou’s ruin. Jiang Mingyu smiled in relief, certain Tukesiluo would succeed and return swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s eyes gleamed with joy and satisfaction. He clapped Tukesiluo’s shoulder firmly and praised: “Goudan, immediately seal all roads in and out of Zigu. Intercept every message bound for the capital. Before we take Han Shou and reach Taojiang, Fei Hou’s defeat must not leak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan nodded sharply, wheeled his horse, and barked orders to his men to blockade the roads, then sped off to execute his task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Goudan vanish into the distance, Jiang Mingyu turned to Tukesiluo and smiled: “How goes the situation in Guizhou? How much have we taken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo grinned broadly, eyes sparkling: “Big Brother, rest easy—we’ve seized four of Guizhou’s five prefectures. When I left, Jiani was already storming the last one—by now, she’s likely taken the city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The local forces in Guizhou were scattered rabble, uncoordinated and weak. With my skill, I crushed them in short order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter, thrilled: “Excellent! Once Zhuge Yu takes Taizhou, and with Jingzhou in our hands, we control two-thirds of Da Feng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi said nothing, but her narrowed eyes gleamed with quiet delight—clearly, she too rejoiced in Jiang Mingyu’s victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s spirits soared. He believed, with the current momentum, Fei Hou’s fall was inevitable. Da Feng was beautiful—but the true empire was his ultimate goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Tukesiluo and Mo Jiaqi as his trusted generals, and the support of regional lords, the day of his imperial coronation was within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>",1538,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","02c1f6677c79f67ab1e103d10028a4f482312cfe72e94e142e6b50652c2982da","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-257","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-255",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]