[{"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-271":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},2289106,4475,"Chapter 271: Yielding to the Current","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-271",271,"\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu listened to these words and fell into thought. This man was the city’s commanding general—if his words were true, the gates of the capital were wide open, making conquest effortless. But how could he trust an enemy’s words? Perhaps this was Fei Hou’s trick, a bait meant to lure him in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu glanced hesitantly at Zhuge Yu, seeking his judgment on the truth of it. Zhuge Yu was his military strategist and closest friend, proficient in military tactics and strategy, having devised countless plans that earned him great merit. Zhuge Yu seemed to be weighing the pros and cons, his sharp gaze studying He Xinzhe without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Zhuge Yu spoke: “He Minister appears harmless, but we must not let our guard down. His defection may not be entirely genuine. We must interrogate him thoroughly, learn the true state of the capital, before deciding whether to trust him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded in agreement and ordered men to bring He Xinzhe into the tent for detailed discussion. He Xinzhe recounted again how Fei Hou had coerced him, his tone earnest, his expression sorrowful. He said Fei Hou was a tyrant who sacrificed the people’s lives to preserve his power, resisting Jiang Mingyu’s army. He claimed he was a scholar, ignorant of warfare, yet forced by Fei Hou to command the defense—if he failed, his entire family would be exterminated. He said he was weary of Fei Hou’s tyranny, admired Jiang Mingyu’s benevolence and righteousness, and wished to pledge his loyalty and serve him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Yu pondered after listening: “If this is not fabricated, the capital will be unable to withstand our assault. But it could also be Fei Hou’s trap—using He Minister to deceive us, lull us into complacency, or leak false intelligence to draw us into a snare. We must verify carefully, anticipate the enemy’s moves, before acting with confidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu pressed: “Master He, since you’ve come to surrender, why did you not bring your family with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was icy, his gaze sharp as a blade, piercing straight into He Xinzhe’s heart. He did not believe a high minister of the Great Feng court would so easily betray his lord and defect to a rebel like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If He Xinzhe came alone, without family, it was surely a ruse. He likely intended to draw near, find an opportunity to assassinate him, or spy on his military plans to buy time for the remnants of the Great Feng army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Tukesulu and Li Goudan immediately grew alert. They were Jiang Mingyu’s trusted confidants and bodyguards. Seeing He Xinzhe dressed in fine robes, adorned with gold and jade ornaments, they judged him a wealthy man—not the look of a sincere defector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan had already drawn his waist knife, ready to sever He Xinzhe’s head at any moment. He was a crude, hot-tempered man who despised circumlocution and detested cunning, deceitful types. He believed He Xinzhe was a treacherous minister—killing him would not be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe, upon hearing this, showed no alarm. He replied calmly: “My family waits ahead in the valley. If the general doubts me, send men to fetch them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was steady, his expression composed, not a flicker of panic. He understood Jiang Mingyu’s suspicions, knew his own precarious position—but he had prepared thoroughly and would not let his plan fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I escaped the capital only because I carried my official seal and credentials. Without them, escape would have been impossible.” He then pulled from his robe a golden circular plaque, inscribed with two large characters: “Ministry of War,” and a dragon motif.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his identification, his pass. As a minister of the Great Feng court, he held great authority and enjoyed Fei Hou’s trust. He used his position to secretly flee the besieged capital with his family and wealth, coming to surrender to Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe knew the Great Feng had no future and refused to die with Fei Hou. When forced to take command, he had already plotted his defection. He was no loyalist, no hero—just a clever man who understood the need to adapt, to preserve himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, convinced by his certainty, ordered Tukesulu: “Go fetch his family. Be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not fully trust He Xinzhe, but he did not wish to kill a useful man lightly. He wanted to see his family—to determine whether this surrender was genuine or concealed ulterior motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu smirked slightly and replied: “Anticipate the enemy, handle it properly.” He departed swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a clever, loyal man—he understood Jiang Mingyu’s intent and knew how to execute the task. He would not easily believe He Xinzhe, nor allow him any chance to flee or strike back. He would bring the family carefully, so Jiang Mingyu could examine them himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than a cup of tea’s time, Tukesulu escorted He Xinzhe’s family to the camp. Jiang Mingyu, seeing them, relaxed and said: “Master He, rise. Jiang Mou hereby accepts you and yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw He Xinzhe’s family: an elderly woman, two young girls, and a small boy—all dressed in tattered clothes, pale-faced, trembling with fear. He judged them incapable of conspiracy; they were clearly brought here to surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attitude toward He Xinzhe softened. He now thought perhaps He Xinzhe was indeed a man of courage and vision—able to break through the siege with his family and join a rising force like Jiang Mingyu’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe bowed repeatedly, overjoyed. Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s demeanor ease, he felt triumph. His plan had succeeded—he had bet correctly on the man and the tide of fate. He believed Jiang Mingyu would not kill or mistreat him, but would employ him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, seeing He Xinzhe’s harmless family, continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master He, in this chaotic age, survival comes first. You broke through the siege to join me—I admire your courage and foresight. From now on, let us strengthen our forces, jointly crush the rebels, and bring peace to the people. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended an olive branch, offering to accept He Xinzhe as his minister. He judged He Xinzhe a capable, experienced man who could assist in governance and strategy—immensely valuable to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe bowed again, ecstatic. Hearing Jiang Mingyu’s words, his heart soared. He felt his choice was right—he had found a master to rely on, a place to settle. He pledged loyalty:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am eternally grateful. I vow to serve you as a loyal steed or hound, easing your burdens and helping build a peaceful realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu bid He Xinzhe rise and asked: “Tell me the current state of the capital—and what did Fei Hou intend for you to do against my army?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe nodded eagerly, respectfully replying: “Your Majesty, upon hearing of your army’s approach, the capital was thrown into panic. Had Fei Hou not forcibly sealed the gates, the people would have fled en masse. His mad conscription has utterly destroyed public morale. The capital is now crumbling. Your army’s arrival will bring panic like cranes crying over the pavilions—taking control will be effortless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added with flattering smiles: “As for Fei Hou assigning me to defend the city—it’s the delusion of a fool. It’s like an egg striking a stone—only inviting annihilation! Your army is invincible; victory is certain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered inwardly—Fei Hou’s move was indeed absurd. He shifted his gaze and pressed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the current state of the Da Feng River? Are the dikes intact?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe looked bewildered: “The Da Feng River? It’s the same as always.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, seeing he didn’t understand, asked directly: “Has Fei Hou taken any action regarding the river in recent years?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe suddenly understood. He hurried to reply: “The Emperor has been preoccupied with suppressing rebel armies—how could he spare a thought for the dikes? The last repair was during the previous Emperor’s reign—fifty-six years ago. They’re likely in ruins now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately spoke harshly, hoping to curry favor with his new lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, upon hearing this, rejoiced and immediately ordered Tukesulu: “Take He Xinzhe’s family to rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu understood and promptly escorted He Xinzhe’s entire household away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, now certain the dikes were unattended, grew even more confident in his plan to flood the city. He immediately summoned Zhuge Yu to discuss the details. This battle would decide life or death—they must plan meticulously and prepare with utmost caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xinzhe, meanwhile, exhaled in silent relief—he had escaped death. He resolved to reveal every secret of Fei Hou’s military strength to protect his family. Seeing the tide had turned, he could only yield to heaven’s will and submit to his new lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched the retreating backs of He Xinzhe’s family, secretly pleased. He felt he had gained a great advantage—an invaluable insider, and a clear picture of the capital’s weakness. He believed his army would soon breach the city, overthrow Fei Hou’s tyranny, and establish his own dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>",1492,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ef9aa99f6b1ba4224417540d97b41cf9e777f0cc2b63a3746e9f42d56f2e2b4a","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-272","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-270",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]