[{"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-332":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},2289167,4475,"Chapter 332: Forming the Iron Cavalry Camp","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-332",332,"\u003Cp>“Brothers! The enemy speaks the truth!” cried the first Xixia soldier to surrender, “We only took up arms for a meal! Our commander is dead, and the city will fall sooner or later! Better to surrender now and join the enemy to solve our hunger!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the soldiers all nodded. Chaos within the city intensified, and the defense completely collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open the gates! We surrender!” shouted the few Xixia soldiers who had first raised white flags. Instantly, the tide of defeat spread; more and more defenders threw down their weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop! Don’t open the gates!” Wang Dayong tried to intervene, but it was too late. The sound of gates creaking open rang out as the Dajiang army surged into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, chaos erupted. The Dajiang forces swiftly formed ranks, systematically searching and slaughtering any Xixia defenders who resisted. Screams filled the air as hundreds of Xixia soldiers fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop! We surrender!” Wang Dayong, seeing this, finally abandoned resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dajiang army halted, swiftly securing the city’s defenders. Jiang Mingyu and Tukesuo also led their troops into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The situation inside was indeed unclear, but we reacted in time,” Tukesuo said to Jiang Mingyu. “Still, their numbers are few—shouldn’t be a problem. We can gradually take full control of the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the newly captured Xicheng. Dust rolled thickly; wails and cries echoed everywhere. Bloodstains and corpses littered every street and alley. Houses stood collapsed in uneven heaps, with only a few residents escaping from the ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly a pitiful sight,” Jiang Mingyu frowned. “But we had no better choice—this is war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord,” Tukesuo hesitated, then spoke, “I see no need to slaughter these common folk. We can spare them, and securing the surrendered soldiers is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right,” Jiang Mingyu nodded. “We’ve achieved our strategic goal—it’s time to show mercy. Order this immediately: open the gates and let the civilians go free, and declare that all soldiers who lay down their arms may join our ranks, guaranteed safety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord!” Tukesuo replied respectfully. Soon, the order of clemency spread through the city. The remaining Xixia defenders laid down their weapons, and Xicheng ultimately fell into Dajiang hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Jiang Mingyu’s army entered, they swiftly seized full control of Tang Xiang City. Tukesuo soon led his men to confiscate all weapons from the Xixia defenders; the 50,000 soldiers offered no resistance and surrendered without fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About half an hour later, Tukesuo reported: “Brother, all Xixia defenders have surrendered and laid down arms. What is your command regarding entry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu rode forward; the Xixia soldiers knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. He spoke coolly: “Those who wish to follow me may stay; the rest may leave.” His tone was calm, yet no one dared defy him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xixia soldiers looked up at Jiang Mingyu and silently nodded, willing to surrender. For joining Jiang Mingyu meant at least survival—and a meal. If they resisted, the city would fall anyway, and death was their only fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction. “Tukesuo, merge these men with our troops and place them under Gao Fei’s command. Gather the horses outside the city and form a new Xixia cavalry unit—name it ‘Iron Cavalry Camp.’ Gao Fei will be its commander.” His subordinates immediately relayed the orders; the city erupted in rapid troop movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These measures greatly boosted the morale of the Xixia surrender troops. Once lost and hopeless, they now saw a glimmer of life. If they followed Jiang Mingyu, perhaps their futures would be bright indeed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesuo swiftly executed Jiang Mingyu’s orders, merging the surrendered Xixia soldiers with the Dajiang forces and placing them entirely under Gao Fei’s command. Gao Fei felt profound gratitude—he understood Jiang Mingyu was elevating him, granting him real authority. Otherwise, having betrayed Tuoba Jiqian in today’s battle, he would surely face retribution later. Now, with Jiang Mingyu’s trust and promotion, his future stretched wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, under Tukesuo’s direction, the remaining Xixia troops were swiftly organized into a new cavalry unit—the “Iron Cavalry Camp.” These once-defeated, demoralized Xixia warriors immediately revived. They had turned back from the brink and seen hope again; they flocked to Jiang Mingyu, pledging loyalty and feeling their fortunes would soar under his command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By nightfall, Tukesuo’s Dajiang forces had fully secured Tang Xiang City. Civilian life gradually stabilized. The Xue Xue Camp’s Xixia cavalry, now energized, began patrolling the streets, demonstrating Dajiang’s dominance to the townsfolk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu reviewed Tukesuo’s military reports in the governor’s mansion at the city center. The reports detailed today’s battle and all metrics of the city’s takeover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty,” Tukesuo said, “I estimate we’ll need to draw vast manpower and supplies from nearby towns to rebuild Tang Xiang City within the next month. If you approve, I can immediately draft a personnel allocation plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do it,” Jiang Mingyu nodded slightly. “And regarding suppressing post-battle rebellions—what are your plans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesuo nodded, paused thoughtfully, then spoke: “Your Majesty, to suppress rebellion, I propose first stabilizing local morale. Tang Xiang City has just fallen—civilian sentiment may be volatile. We should delay heavy taxation and conscription, let the people live in peace for a while. Once their lives stabilize, we can gradually implement our policies, minimizing the risk of large-scale uprisings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You speak wisely,” Jiang Mingyu agreed. “Implement a conciliatory policy. Post notices throughout the city: Dajiang forces will suspend all miscellaneous taxes for two months and guarantee civilian property safety, so the people may quickly return to normal life. Only then can we slowly win their hearts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord.” Tukesuo departed and immediately ordered notices posted, and selected elite riders from the Iron Cavalry Camp to form the Tang Xiang City Dajiang Garrison, patrolling day and night to ensure urban stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu contemplated his next move. The fall of Tang Xiang City marked the first victory against Xixia’s counteroffensive, but truly defeating the Xixia army required further advances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To realize this grand vision, Jiang Mingyu began preparing to transport vast quantities of grain and supplies to the front. Simultaneously, he secretly ordered Tukesuo and Gao Fei to train more Xixia surrender troops to bolster Dajiang’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu also withdrew 20,000 elite soldiers from his ranks and forged them into a “City-Breaking Army,” dedicated solely to siege operations.\u003C\u002Fp>",1056,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bc4d342f0ee0a2fcf9ca465867299c2ea53ee00d9922a432d3d77cfacfa50e70","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-333","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-331",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]