[{"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-291":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},2289126,4475,"Chapter 291","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-291",291,"\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stood before the Inspector’s mansion, gazing at the pile of corpses beneath him, his heart filled with complex emotions. Most of the bodies had swollen and distorted from water, yet their prior terror and despair were still faintly visible. The dead were mostly women, children, and the elderly—likely fleeing the flood to seek refuge here, only to be brutally slaughtered by Yu Gaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu even saw a mother clutching an infant, her eyes wide open, arms locked tightly around her child. But the darkened bloodstains still reminded him of the utter despair and suffering they endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yu Gaoyang deserves to die a thousand deaths!” Jiang Mingyu silently seethed. He resolved that one day, before the people, he would display these murdered civilians’ corpses, letting all see just how cruel and ruthless this arrogant fool truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a breeze blew in, and Jiang Mingyu smelled an even stronger stench of decay. The odor reminded him the bodies were rotting and must be removed immediately, lest a plague erupt. “Someone! Quickly remove these corpses!” he shouted at once. He prayed the people could soon emerge from this tragedy and see the light again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He summoned Tukesiluo and instructed: “Tukesiluo, hurry and post proclamations exposing Yu Gaoyang’s crimes against the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo bowed and departed swiftly. Jiang Mingyu knew propaganda was critical now—it could sway public sentiment. He decided to use the proclamations to inform the people that this disaster was the fault of Yu Gaoyang and Li Haoyang, while he, Jiang Mingyu, was the hero who had come to save them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also tell the people this great calamity was caused by Yu Gaoyang and Li Haoyang, two lawless men who provoked Heaven’s wrath. As the Son of Heaven, I have come to rescue the people from fire and water—right and wrong are clear.” Jiang Mingyu spoke solemnly, each word deliberate, radiating imperial authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have already avenged the blood of those who perished. I will now distribute relief supplies and exempt the people from one year’s taxes to ease their immediate suffering. The edict will be issued immediately.” He took a deep breath, his gaze resolute. This was not merely revenge against Yu Gaoyang—it was to establish his image as a benevolent ruler in the people’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floodwaters outside had been blocked, and the survivors inside the city knew nothing of the truth. Jiang Mingyu’s actions instantly made him a hero in the people’s eyes. Those who died in the flood became victims of natural disaster, unrelated to Jiang Mingyu—while the living praised his benevolent governance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu added: “Goudan, open the state granaries and distribute relief food immediately. Fang Hang, organize teams to bury the dead. After the rain, the weather is too hot—do not let an epidemic spread.” He assigned tasks to restore order in the city after the disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the floodwaters receded, the people gradually emerged from their homes. Receiving Jiang Mingyu’s relief rations and learning of Yu Gaoyang’s crimes, they all cursed him bitterly. Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu’s reputation for benevolent rule spread further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five days later, the city had gradually returned to calm. Jiang Mingyu seized the moment: “Tukesiluo, we must press forward to Maolingcheng. Send out scouts immediately to gather intelligence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo chuckled: “Big brother, I sent out scouts three days ago—they’re about to arrive and will bring detailed reports on Maolingcheng soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu was surprised, then praised: “You’ve improved a lot—you’re thinking ahead of me now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo grinned: “This is all thanks to my wife’s brilliant plan—I’m just the messenger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu laughed and shook his head, no longer pressing further. He silently awaited the scouts’ return, eager for full intelligence on Maolingcheng. Then he could rightfully launch a decisive assault on this great city!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo spoke, a messenger, drenched in sweat, rushed in breathlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the Empress has ordered me to report: as you instructed, she has led the merchant caravan north toward Xi Xia. To ensure smooth operations, she has personally gone to Decangzhou to oversee command. She asks Your Majesty not to worry—with the Chancellor and the Great Jiang Army present, nothing will go wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the messenger knelt to report, Jiang Mingyu had just lifted his teacup to his lips. Hearing this, he froze in shock, his hand trembling—tea spilled onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the pale tea stain, thinking: Yifei truly never fails to surprise. One moment he was guessing her whereabouts, the next she had vanished to Decangzhou in the northwest. Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help but smile—this wife of his always gave him “surprises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take care! Please, take care!” he whispered inwardly. Then he snapped back to reality and immediately ordered the messenger: “Protect Yifei at all costs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke sternly: “Ride swiftly to Jincheng. Tell Chancellor Zhuge Yu—he must guarantee Yifei’s safety. Also, find a way to delay the war with Xi Xia and buy the caravan more time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger smiled: “Your Majesty, rest assured—the Chancellor anticipated your thoughts. He has already dispatched envoys to negotiate peace with Xi Xia to give the Empress maximum time. Before I left, the Chancellor’s personal letter reached her. It urged her to hurry north and seize the opportunity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, after Jiang Mingyu devised the commercial plan, he had immediately sent a swift report to Zhuge Yu. The Chancellor not only grasped its deeper meaning but had already planned the next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, then asked: “Who did he send to negotiate with Xi Xia? Can he be trusted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger replied: “The Chancellor sent Minister Ge Yangyu. Minister Ge is highly skilled—negotiations will proceed smoothly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Yangyu! Jiang Mingyu remembered him vividly. When Jiang Mingyu had set his “besiege Wei to rescue Zhao” strategy in Lin’an, Ge Yangyu had seen through its ruse. After founding the state, Jiang Mingyu promoted precisely such men. Zhuge Yu sending him to Xi Xia was perfect—using talent where it shone brightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded slightly, silently praising: “My good disciple—you’re growing ever more adept.” He knew that with Zhuge Yu holding Jincheng, the western front required no further concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a birdcall came from outside the window. Jiang Mingyu turned and saw a white heron gliding across the sky—a good omen, foretelling his great enterprise rising like the wind to the ninth heaven...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu ordered the messenger: “Return to Jincheng at once. Tell the Chancellor to follow his plan. I will soon capture Maolingcheng and seize half of Hongzhou. Above all, ensure the Empress’s safety. Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the messenger turned to leave, Jiang Mingyu emphasized once more: “Protect Yifei—no matter what.” Only then did he let him depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo marveled: “The Chancellor’s strategy is brilliant—Xi Xia is doomed!” Jiang Mingyu gazed at the horizon, smiling faintly, his mind already settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next noon, as Jiang Mingyu sat lost in thought, Tukesiluo strode in: “Big brother, the scouts sent to Maolingcheng have returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu snapped out of his reverie at once: “Bring him in at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo waved, and a young scout, dusty and weary, knelt respectfully before Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, waiting until the scout rose before asking: “What’s the situation in Maolingcheng? Has Pang Wenguang prepared any defenses?” His tone betrayed impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scout gathered his thoughts and replied: “Your Majesty, Maolingcheng lies at the heart of Hongzhou, its walls five zhang high and exceptionally sturdy. Upon hearing Quyang fell to us, Pang Wenguang mobilized fifty thousand new conscripts overnight. Combined with the original garrison of sixty thousand, Maolingcheng now commands over one hundred and ten thousand troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Pang Wenguang had conscripted so many new soldiers, Jiang Mingyu furrowed his brow. He paused, imagining the men and women of Maolingcheng in their prime—many newly married, with young children at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pictured the moment they received the conscription orders: would cries of grief echo in their homes? Would their loved ones’ eyes betray despair? They would have to abandon their warm meals, leave their families, and march into an unknown campaign. How would their elderly parents and blossoming daughters endure the endless wait?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Jiang Mingyu clenched his fists involuntarily. He suddenly longed to confront Pang Wenguang himself: How could a guardian of state and country bear to inflict such suffering on his own people? He would make the people understand: in this vast world, only his army truly stood as the pillar of peace and justice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and forced himself to unclench his fists. First, he must deal with Pang Wenguang and spare the people from war—that was the urgent priority. For the sake of the people’s welfare, he would make Maolingcheng begin a new chapter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s grim expression, the scout’s tone grew more serious: “Moreover, Pang Wenguang enjoys great prestige under Li Haoyang, known as ‘Invincible Against Ten Thousand.’ He deeply understands military strategy and is highly cunning—a formidable opponent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Invincible Against Ten Thousand?” Tukesiluo sneered, voice dripping with contempt. “I love such opponents—I’ll challenge him to single combat. Big brother, if I don’t cut off his head on the battlefield, take mine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu laughed. “Maolingcheng will fall—but don’t underestimate him. He’s no ordinary man. We must think carefully to win every battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then asked: “Does Maolingcheng know we’re coming? How many civilians are there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scout thought, then answered: “Maolingcheng is a major city—population at least two hundred and thirty thousand. Whether they know of our advance… I cannot say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu clapped his hands and smiled: “Perfect. This suits me exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo frowned: “What suits you? Big brother, you’re speaking in riddles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu explained: “With Maolingcheng’s size, at least seven or eight hundred thousand able-bodied men exist. Pang Wenguang conscripted fifty thousand—no doubt the people resent it. They know our policies well. These grievances? They’re our opportunity.” Tukesiluo nodded slowly, understanding dawning.\u003C\u002Fp>",1647,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","db611e1e74f3dbbb5d1287262ec93a0be67a5e5218da44d9cc71c4c0709f48d2","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-292","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-290",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]