[{"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-324":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},2289159,4475,"Chapter 324: Blood Battle of Tancheng","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-324",324,"\u003Cp>At this point, their encampment was barely thirty to fifty li from Tancheng. This was a desolate mountain range, where biting winds and chilling cold pierced the bone. Jiang Mingyu led a contingent of elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Tancheng, shatter the Western Xia defenses, and carve a path for the Great Jiang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, Jiang Mingyu, having ridden hard all the way, arrived beneath Tancheng’s walls beneath the still-bright Morning Star. He gazed from afar at the banners and lanterns on the walls, his heart tightening. The situation matched his expectations: though the Western Xia defenders looked gaunt and weary, they were already fully prepared. Clearly, they had gotten wind of the attack and strengthened their defenses—they would not let the city fall easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stared blankly. He knew this was a battle of life and death; he had to break through the enemy lines before dawn, while darkness still covered them, or else risk being trapped and surrounded. He did not want his cavalry to die in vain, nor to betray the court’s trust, nor to let the Western Xia rejoice. He drew a deep breath, steeled his spirit, and ordered: “Beat the drums.” With a thunderous drumbeat, he spurred his horse forward toward the gate, his cavalry charging behind him, roaring with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang rode forward and shouted toward the walls: “Listen up, men on the walls! The Great Jiang Army’s forty thousand troops have arrived at your gates! If you’re wise, open the gates and surrender now—only then can you save your lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the walls, Situ Hesong sneered, strolling slowly to the railing. He brushed his black mole with a finger and mocked: “Jiang Mingyu, in just one day you’ve inflated your forces to forty thousand? You’re just bluffing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a glance to his side, he signaled his Western Xia soldiers. They instantly understood and began shouting in unison: “Southern barbarians, you think this pitiful force can take our city? Dream on!” “Go back to the Great Jiang! Save yourselves another ten thousand dead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu coldly replied: “Situ Hesong, you old corpse! I give you one final chance—surrender now. When the city falls, all will be destroyed—don’t come crying later!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Hesong burst into laughter as if hearing the greatest joke: “Jiang Mingyu, I know you’re bluffing! Then prove it—attack the city and see how much you’re willing to pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the Western Xia generals beside him, thinking inwardly: the more Great Jiang soldiers we kill, the more leverage I’ll have with the Emperor. The more these southern barbarians die, the more secure my position becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang, seeing he refused to open the gates, could no longer contain his fury: “Situ Hesong, you despicable worm! Do you plan to use your treacherous tricks again? Then I’ll fight you to the death!” With a kick of his heels, he prepared to charge through the encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the thundering war drums, Fang Hang spurred his horse forward, raising his spear high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen, men on the walls! The Great Jiang Emperor himself stands before Tancheng! Forty thousand troops surround your city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re wise, make Situ Hesong come out and surrender Tancheng—only then will you be spared. If we break the city, all will perish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words struck like blades, aiming to shatter the psychological defenses of the Western Xia soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Situ Hesong had prepared—he appeared on the walls within minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fang Hang’s dark expression, he touched his mole and laughed wildly, his voice rasping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Mingyu, you lost five or six thousand men last night—and here you are again? You’re relentless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, tired of living? Come again to hand us more battle merits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words ignited gunpowder in Fang Hang’s chest, trying to provoke him into rash action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang snorted, raising his spear with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Situ Hesong, spare your words. If you’re a man, come out and fight me, your commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you dare not come out, just tie your hair into a bun and go home to be a woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words hooked into Situ Hesong’s pride, trying to lure him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such insult, Situ Hesong did not rage—he laughed. His laughter sliced through Fang Hang’s eardrums, aiming to crush his confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang Hang, no more talk. You think your tricks will lure us out? Forget it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’ve got the guts, attack. Let me tell you plainly—our arrows, boiling oil, rolling logs, and boulders are all ready for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In your own words—if you lack the courage to storm the city, just go back to the Great Jiang and wait to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words struck Fang Hang’s chest like stones, trying to extinguish his resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his brain were addled, he wouldn’t send twenty thousand starving men to storm Jiang Mingyu’s forty thousand elite troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Jiang Mingyu flew into a rage and attacked, he had ways to leave more Great Jiang soldiers dead beneath Tancheng’s walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Fang Hang’s dark face, he grew even more brazen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We won’t come out. How’s that? Are you angry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice rose even higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Mingyu, stop dawdling—come on! If we don’t slaughter every last one of you today, I’ll be your grandson!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Western Xia soldiers on the walls jeered and taunted in chorus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Mingyu, come on, come on…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the five thousand they’d killed last night, they could bask in pride for days—even in a nation that kept losing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head. He paid no mind to Situ Hesong’s taunts or provocations. He was unmoved by the insults or baiting. His mind held only one goal: take Tancheng, expand the Great Jiang’s territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well, Situ Hesong. Since you’re so confident, Jiang Mingyu will give it a try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for Situ Hesong’s reaction, he turned to Tukesiluo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo’s gaze toward Jiang Mingyu and his men grew even more contemptuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s see what tricks these southern barbarians have to break Tancheng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo’s face turned icy. He raised his hand sharply and spoke coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Order: archers forward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing ten thousand archers ready, Tukesiluo barked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ignite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, thousands of arrows soaked in oil began to blaze, flames dancing in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the rockets aimed skyward, Situ Hesong felt a sudden, overwhelming dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! These southern barbarians mean to burn Tancheng! Send men to put out the fires!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warlike, thick-skulled Western Xia soldiers had never imagined Jiang Mingyu would resort to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, trusting Tukesiluo’s plan completely. His laughter rang like bells, echoing in Fang Hang’s ears, lifting his morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sharpening your spear now? Isn’t that a bit late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo refused to give them another chance. He raised his sword and spoke with chilling cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a hissing rush, a storm of flaming arrows rained down on Tancheng like locusts, unceasing and relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the screams from within the city, Situ Hesong leapt up, shrieking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put out the fire! Send men to put it out! Hurry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the fire-fighting troops could move, Tukesiluo’s second volley came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the northern wind surged violently, and the blazing fire spread instantly through the dry city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this freezing weather, even Situ Hesong on the battlements felt the searing heat behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts for fire-fighting, the heavy coughs of soldiers and civilians, and the screams of the burning—all surged together without order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Hesong’s face turned ashen. It was over. Everything was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Situ Hesong silently cursed his doom, he screamed even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you waiting for? Go—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were cut short as Fang Hang raised his hand—a cold arrow pierced his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You little clown—keep boasting now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With their commander dead, the Western Xia soldiers on the walls lost their nerve and panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu seized the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tukesiluo, kill every Western Xia soldier on the walls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang Hang, once Tukesiluo clears the walls, lead your men to ram the gate—now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his words finished, Tukesiluo’s archers fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Western Xia soldiers, still reeling from Situ Hesong’s death, fell in droves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who survived scattered in terror, fleeing the rain of arrows from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang raised his spear without delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attack! Follow me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Great Jiang soldiers carrying heavy logs crossed the moat under his command, racing toward the gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a deep, thunderous crash, the tightly shut gates of Tancheng burst open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the inferno within, Jiang Mingyu pointed his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Charge in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo led the vanguard, ten thousand troops charging into the city through the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he slew a Western Xia soldier, he shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang Hang, send men to seal all four gates of Tancheng—not a single Western Xia man escapes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, another Western Xia soldier blocking his path had his head cleaved off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang, leading the charge, shouted to his deputy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Split into four units—seal all four gates of Tancheng. Then go to the camp and kill the Western Xia cavalry’s horses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once those fifty thousand elite Western Xia cavalry lost their mounts, Tancheng would be firmly in their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the fire, Tancheng was in utter chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Jiang Mingyu’s forty thousand troops, the wounded and demoralized Western Xia soldiers teetered on the brink of collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, Tukesiluo, his cloak soaked in blood, approached Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, all enemy troops in the city have been eliminated—except those who surrendered. Tancheng is ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, then asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are our losses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We lost nearly fifty thousand men in this battle. Heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifty thousand for two hundred thousand—this was a great victory. Jiang Mingyu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send messengers to Meng Pu. Order Dog Egg to send fifty thousand troops to reinforce us—hurry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, the troops sent by Zhuge Yu should have already arrived at Meng Pu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the messenger departed, Jiang Mingyu turned to Tukesiluo again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where are the Western Xia soldiers we captured? I need to question them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed he would find the answers he sought in their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Tukeslu’s blood-smeared face, a sinister smile appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re all being held at the Inspector’s residence, big brother. Let’s go now.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1693,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","62968b0cbee46a23f7247984244840298c8b3b5c3ef2314cd127cf24f8d32086","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-325","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-323",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]