[{"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-306":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},2289141,4475,"Chapter 306","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-306",306,"\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched Li Haoyang take his own life, his heart filled with a tangle of emotions. He let out a soft sigh, still holding a measure of respect for a former adversary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jiang Mingyu stepped into Li Haoyang’s grand hall, he was jolted by the sight. Corpses lay scattered everywhere—men and women alike, drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instantly clapped a hand over his mouth and nose; the thick stench of blood made him dizzy. Amid the few remaining candles, the faces of dead children and ministers still twisted in agony, as if accusing Li Haoyang of his cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu forced himself to steady his trembling heart, squinted through the haze, and quickly recognized one of the corpses as Jin Ling, who had once advised surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sucked in a sharp breath, his heartbeat surging violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s face turned pale. In the deathly silence, he could even hear his own teeth chattering. The gruesome carnage before him left him reeling, unable to calm his shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long moments passed before he quietly slipped out of the hall, leaning against a pillar to exhale deeply—he finally felt alive again. Li Haoyang’s madness had surpassed all comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s expression grew grim and stern as he spoke to Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiani: “There’s still much work to be done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo chuckled loudly, his excitement overflowing: “Big Brother, you worry too much! Li Haoyang is dead, the great cause is won—let’s go celebrate with wine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiani shot him a withering glance, unable to bear his foolishness. She cleared her throat and calmly reminded him: “Gou Dan and Fang Hang are still fighting the remnants of the Great Liao; the Western Xia watches from the north. Big Brother still has much to consider.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu paced a few steps inside the hall, his footsteps echoing through the empty palace. With his hands behind his back, he murmured in a grave tone: “This is far from over. None of you can afford to slack off...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo opened his mouth to speak again, but Zhang Jiani silenced him with a glare. She stepped forward, bowing respectfully: “Big Brother speaks too lightly—we will not dare the slightest negligence.” Her tone carried a clear warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo finally realized his mistake and fell silent, smirking awkwardly. Jiang Mingyu finally stopped pacing and turned to face them: “Issue a decree: Li Haoyang is dead, our army has won a decisive victory. Also, order all armies to disband and return to their homes—no more fighting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have Zhuge Yu send men to take over civil administration in Jizhou. You all rose through military might—you’re unfit for the paperwork of governance.” Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu turned around. His smile had vanished entirely; he now radiated a calm, chilling authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lastly, issue an imperial edict: abolish all oppressive policies enacted during Li Haoyang’s reign.” He slipped his hands into the sleeves of his cloak, his expression stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The legal codes of the three southern provinces shall henceforth follow the Great Jiang system.” He raised his voice slightly, his tone leaving no room for defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the two hundred thousand surrendered soldiers—those who wish to return home may go.” As he spoke, Jiang Mingyu recalled the terrified, desperate faces of the soldiers who had defected earlier. He sighed softly, adding with quiet depth: “The war is over. They deserve peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu walked to the center of the hall, his footsteps echoing through the palace. Arms crossed, he spoke solemnly: “Even if the entire army were lost, I still hold six hundred thousand troops. Zhuge Yu commands over a hundred thousand elite soldiers in the north.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More than enough to handle the Western Xia.” He spoke without hesitation, as if victory were already assured. His words carried an unmistakable weight—Jiang Mingyu knew that to earn true submission, only strength and authority would suffice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu paused briefly, his tone suddenly turning icy: “Anyone who harbors Li Haoyang’s remnants shall be executed, their family exterminated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiani immediately stood at attention, heads bowed, and replied respectfully: “Big Brother, rest assured—we will carry out your orders without fail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction, watching them depart. He turned toward the window: Jizhou city had transformed. Streets bustled with life; people moved with ease, eagerly preparing to welcome their new ruler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fireworks and music rose in waves. Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help but smile. He recalled the folk saying: “Good governance is like spring wind.” Today’s actions had indeed stirred joy and celebration among the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the days that followed, Jiang Mingyu received one victory report after another: only fifty thousand of the two hundred thousand surrendered soldiers returned home—the rest remained in Jizhou; Fang Hang and Gou Dan had captured Huzhou in a decisive triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu danced with delight, stunned and overjoyed. He had prepared for war with the Western Xia, never expecting the Great Liao—his greatest concern—would collapse so easily. Now, with seven hundred thousand troops under his command, plus Zhuge Yu’s northern forces, his power was absolute—capable of sweeping the entire realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu was elated all day, his steps lighter than ever. He rode his horse slowly through Jizhou, surrounded by laughter and cheer. Beneath the sun, colorful banners and brilliant silks fluttered everywhere, adding a dazzling beauty to the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu knew: the moment of his triumph had arrived. As the Yellow River waned and the Ji River flowed east, the once-mighty Great Feng had fallen—now no force remained to challenge him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was over. The time for rewarding merit had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu walked slowly up the steps and seated himself upon the dragon throne. The entire court of ministers and generals knelt prostrate before him, paying homage to their new sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu raised his jade hand, signaling them to rise. Tall and radiant, clad in black armor with golden trim, silk robes and jade belt, he exuded undeniable majesty. The ragged boy from memory had finally reached the peak of his life—his heart swelled with indescribable excitement and pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly scanned the hall, his gaze finally settling on Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiani, kneeling at the front. Years spent exiled far from home, enduring hardship and danger side by side with these two—now that the great deed was done, vengeance avenged, it was time they were rewarded with rank and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo’s short, glossy black hair gleamed; his old, tattered armor had vanished. In its place: a new black-and-gold cloak and battle robe, a jeweled sword with ox-horn and gold inlay at his waist. He knelt on the ground, tears welling in his eyes, fists clenched, trembling with emotion. For the first time in his life, he wept uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiani wore a silk gown, her long, lustrous black hair cascading down, reflected on the marble floor. A calm, composed smile graced her face, yet tears shimmered in her eyes. She had always been proud, never revealing her true feelings—but now, even iron-hearted as she was, she could not suppress her inner trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tukesiluo, you played the decisive role in defeating Li Haoyang. Today, I bestow upon you the title of State-Protecting Co-Prince, hereditary and perpetual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Mingyu announced the reward, Tukesiluo trembled violently, tears streaming down. He prostrated himself fully, his tears falling onto the cold marble. Many years ago, this penniless boy had starved and shivered in a ruined temple, ragged and mocked. Now, he wore a golden crown and brocade robes; beneath his knees knelt those who had once tormented him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo closed his eyes as tears slipped from his corners. In his heart, he whispered: “Heaven sees all—retribution is certain!” Images flooded his mind: childhood kicks into mud pits by military officers, broken bones crushed by wealthy young lords... Today, they all bowed, groveling before him. Heaven’s justice is clear—retribution is certain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Jiani, you have served with unwavering devotion, despite being a woman—it has been no small feat. Today, I grant you the rank of First-Class State-Protecting Noble Lady, and bestow upon you a golden sword and a golden dagger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiani flushed with excitement. A golden sword and dagger—what supreme honor! It meant she held real authority, even the power to execute corrupt officials in defiance of court law. She lifted her head proudly, her eyes blazing with resolve. All the years of hardship, all the years defending justice—this moment proved it had not been in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiani smiled faintly, tears glinting in her eyes. She looked up toward the palace ceiling’s massive glazed tiles, sunlight streaming through, casting dappled patterns on the floor. This palace—once a distant dream she could never reach—now she stood within it as a minister. What irony fate held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers and generals on either side knelt and offered congratulations, vying to present gifts and flattery. Many among them had once been her tormentors and enemies. Now they bowed low, fawning and obsequious. The contrast between her past suffering and present glory was stark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, a deep sense of satisfaction surging within him. He coldly surveyed the crowd of former enemies—now all bowing, humbled. The taste of vengeance—how exquisite it was.\u003C\u002Fp>",1527,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f5dfadbbf375746eca2081739a6b69b7820fe04614ce588b877438a8abd1a16b","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-307","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-305",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]