[{"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-273":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},2289108,4475,"Chapter 273: The Turmoil of the Beijing Garrison","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-273",273,"\u003Cp>Feng Xi stood at the center of the Beijing Garrison, his gaze steady as he scanned the soldiers around him. He knew this was his last chance—and the last chance of Da Feng. He took a deep breath, raised his voice, and said: “All of you are Da Feng’s elite, Da Feng’s backbone, Da Feng’s hope! Behind you lie our homes, our parents, our wives and children, our homeland! Before you stand Jiang Mingyu’s iron cavalry, Jiang Mingyu’s spears and blades, Jiang Mingyu’s ambition, Jiang Mingyu’s crimes! Remember this: if we hold firm against his assault, if we defend this city, if we preserve this heart, Da Feng shall rise again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he finished than a cold laugh echoed from the crowd: “Rise again? Pfft! Do you think we’re fools? Do you think we don’t know Da Feng is already finished? Do you think we don’t know Fei Hou is a fool of a ruler? If not for his debauchery, his greed, his neglect of state affairs and military readiness, how could Da Feng have sunk to this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi startled, turning toward the voice. A thin man stepped forward from the crowd, his face twisted with disdain and mockery, his eyes gleaming with cunning and malice, a blood-smeared blade in his hand, tattered armor on his body. Feng Xi recognized him—a common soldier named Li Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi trembled with rage, pointing at Li Gang: “Who are you? How dare you speak treason here? How dare you slander His Majesty? Do you know what crime this is? Do you know the consequence? Soldiers, seize him! After we break the city, hand him over to His Majesty for judgment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than several soldiers rushed from all sides to grab Li Gang. But Li Gang did not flinch. He swung his blade, cutting down the advancing men as he shouted to the crowd: “Brothers, don’t be fooled by him! Don’t be tricked! Don’t die for this fool of a ruler! Think—why do we fight? Why do we die? For our country? For our people? For honor? For freedom? But what of Fei Hou? What does he fight for? For himself! For power! For wealth! For pleasure! He never cares if we live or die, if the people suffer, if the nation falls. He cares only for his concubines, his treasures, his wine and meat, his lifespan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Gang’s words struck like a blade into their hearts. They lowered their heads, unable to meet his gaze, unable to deny his truth. Their resentment, their discontent, their fear, their despair—all surged forth. They remembered their loved ones, their hometowns, their dreams, their futures, their fates, their choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their reaction, Li Gang grew more fervent: “Brothers, look at how Jiang Mingyu treats his soldiers! How he treats his people! How he treats his nation! He provides his soldiers with ample grain, superior equipment, generous rewards, a bright future. He exempts his people from three years of taxes, eases oppressive rule, ensures their safety, brings them happiness. He brings strength to his nation, prosperity, peace, glory. He is a true hero, a true ruler, a true benevolent man, a true sage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Gang’s words blew through them like spring wind, stirring their souls. They lifted their heads, awed by his vision, admiring his courage. Their hope, their longing, their yearning, their aspiration—all ignited. They recalled Jiang Mingyu’s deeds, his image, his reputation, his promises, his mercy, his choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers fell silent, knowing his words echoed their own thoughts. The man continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think, brothers—how many families have been destroyed under Fei Hou’s rule in less than a year? When was the last time we received our pay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their faces darken, he shouted: “Jiang Mingyu has already exempted the people in the north from three years of taxes! He is the true ruler who cares for his people! Why should we die for this fool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s open the gates and welcome Jiang Mingyu into the Central Plains! Then we can finally live well! What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices rose in chaos, but soon others answered: “We’re going to die anyway—better to follow a new lord like Jiang Mingyu!” “Fei Hou is a rotten master—he deserves to be replaced!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the army’s morale shattered, the man drew his broad waist blade and sneered at Feng Xi: “General Feng, your head will make a fine gift for Jiang Mingyu. Let’s go meet our new lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, each step deliberate. Feng Xi turned pale, his face filled with terror. He knew the tide had turned—these soldiers would kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man reached him. Feng Xi stepped back, still trying to plead. He gritted his teeth, but despair filled his heart. He thought of his wife and children, his achievements, his loyalty. He refused to accept it. He refused to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Gang’s blade was about to fall, Feng Xi shouted: “Wait!” The blade froze inches from his throat. Li Gang stared at him like a predator watching its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi’s eyes pleaded, his voice trembling: “Brother, I commanded these troops only because I had no choice. My family is still in Fei Hou’s hands. My life hangs by his thread. I’m no confidant—please, spare me. Let me live!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Gang paused, a flicker of malice crossing his eyes. He nodded slowly: “Since you’re a decent man, I won’t kill you. Come with us to meet our new lord.” His tone was casual, yet hid the ferocity and cunning of a beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi shook his head, a glint of cunning in his eyes: “My family is still in Fei Hou’s grasp—I can’t escape. But I have a plan. I can deliver a great gift to General Jiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Gang frowned: “What plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi’s eyes flashed cold and sharp. He spoke in a low, venomous tone: “All our forces are out of the capital. Let us unite and capture Fei Hou—hand him over to Jiang Mingyu. This deed will bring us glory and rank. We’ll all rise!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Gang’s eyes burned with bloodthirsty fervor. He roared: “Good! Follow the Vice Minister’s orders! Let’s seize that beast, Fei Hou!” The soldiers erupted in frenzy, their murderous aura surging toward the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single command, ten thousand horses charged. The army surged like a tidal wave, racing toward the palace. A cold smile crossed Feng Xi’s face as he whispered: “Fei Hou, I’ll take your life to repay my blood debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried resolve and hatred. His eyes gleamed with cold murder. His body radiated power and dominance. He looked like a falcon, ready to tear its prey apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than he leapt onto his horse and galloped after the army.\u003C\u002Fp>",1128,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","55a806b09001a7401b798d9c75577ddde02687660273fda01312d8640acc646b","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-274","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-272",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]