[{"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-325":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},2289160,4475,"Chapter 325: Thickening Mists","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-325",325,"\u003Cp>On the way to the Inspector’s mansion, Jiang Mingyu asked, watching soldiers posting notices to pacify the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you arrange all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo wiped the blood on his face and smiled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After following Brother for so long, I’ve picked up a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled, clearly satisfied with his progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About the time of a meal later, inside the Tanchou Inspector’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the group of Xi Xia soldiers kneeling before him, heads bowed, Jiang Mingyu cleared his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I ask only once—give me the answer I want, and you’ll keep your lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your lives are precious; don’t waste them lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words struck like a warning, pressing against the Xi Xia soldiers’ hearts, trying to pry open their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t wait for their reaction, speaking directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me—how did Situ Hesong know I was launching a night raid on Tanchou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the nearly two hundred thousand corpses outside, one Xi Xia soldier crawled forward two steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Emperor of Dajiang, I’ll speak—don’t kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice trembled, terrified that Jiang Mingyu’s displeasure would cost him his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, no one wants to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. You’re clever—I prefer the clever. Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his life spared, the Xi Xia soldier exhaled deeply, swallowed, and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only know that after the Commandant received a messenger from Emperor Taibao, he ordered us to prepare for night raids.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just a common soldier, like you Dajiang call them—I know nothing else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taibao’s messenger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s furrowed brow tightened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this stranger, Taibao, know his battle style? Xi Xia had long been isolated—this made no sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Taibao have some sage advising him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what kind of sage could know his habits so intimately? Jiang Mingyu was even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long silence, he turned to the other Xi Xia ambush troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is what he said true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining dozens nodded frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we’ve all heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining dozens nodded frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we’ve all heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed true. Jiang Mingyu paced back and forth, hands behind his back, yet still found no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long moments passed before he waved to Tukesiluo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take these men away. Guard them closely—no mistakes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the ambush troops led away, Tukesiluo’s thin eyebrows furrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, why keep these damned Xi Xia beasts? Kill them all—avenge our fallen brothers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I have deeper plans for these men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo asked at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What plans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his confusion, Jiang Mingyu set aside his own doubts and explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve already seized half of Xi Xia’s six provinces—these lands are now Dajiang territory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we can govern Xi Xia’s civilians with Dajiang law, why not show mercy to these soldiers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words, framed as a question, stirred Tukesiluo’s curiosity, urging him to understand the intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mercy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo repeated, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know your hatred for Xi Xia runs deep, but nearly half a million Xi Xia soldiers lie dead—your vengeance is complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tukesiluo nod slightly, Jiang Mingyu shifted tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me—why, in today’s battle, did we lose fifty thousand men?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because the Xi Xia fought to the death, and our brothers charged forward bravely—that’s why we suffered heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said nothing, only asked further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And why, beyond defending their homeland, did the Xi Xia fight so desperately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large question mark formed on Tukesiluo’s soft face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The main reason is—they know Meng Pu and Yingyuan’s Xi Xia forces were annihilated by us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And besides fighting us to the death, their only fate is death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why even cornered beasts fight—this is why we suffered such heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tukesiluo nod slowly, grasping his meaning, Jiang Mingyu continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But suppose, under our overwhelming advantage, we told the Xi Xia soldiers: surrender and live—what would happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just like before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo was baffled, unable to grasp Jiang Mingyu’s intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled silently, leading him to the dungeon, standing before the Xi Xia captives. Their faces were ashen, eyes filled with terror, heads bowed, lips pale, bodies trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look up!” Jiang Mingyu ordered. The Xi Xia soldiers flinched, raising their heads in panic—eyes brimming with despair and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu scanned them, his face softening into a fatherly smile: “I believe you all love your homeland. Today, I give you a chance—join my army, fight for me across the land, earn glory and redeem yourselves. I will make you Dajiang war generals—your names will echo far, your families revered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xi Xia soldiers exchanged glances, silent. Jiang Mingyu stepped forward to a young soldier—slim, spotty, a fresh bloodstain on his forehead: “You—will you serve me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young soldier swallowed hard, legs trembling, stammering: “Em—Emperor, I will!” Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily, waving his hand: “Good! I appoint you Dajiang Brave General—command a thousand men!” The soldier’s eyes filled with tears; he knelt and bowed deeply. The other Xi Xia soldiers shouted in unison: they would die for Dajiang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu turned to Tukesiluo, satisfied: “See? With these men, the conquest of Xi Xia is near. If they’re willing to fight for me, how could I betray them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo finally understood, praising the strategy repeatedly. All the Xi Xia soldiers were integrated into Dajiang’s ranks; three hundred cavalry were placed under Tukesiluo’s command. Jiang Mingyu personally provided each man with armor and weapons, and held a grand induction ceremony. The new troops were brimming with morale, swearing to die for Dajiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Taibao’s unseen sage still haunted Jiang Mingyu. He walked alone to the watchtower, gazing at Tanchou’s shattered walls—the setting sun turned the ruins to tattered cloth, evoking a deep sorrow...\u003C\u002Fp>",950,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","69799606a0532234846126348732c053f5ecf07807709be37eeda90ec6474205","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-326","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-324",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]