[{"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-336":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},2289171,4475,"Chapter 336: The Death of Fang Hang","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-336",336,"\u003Cp>Soon, a young messenger quietly left Jiang Mingyu’s hidden camp in the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the messenger departed, Jiang Mingyu issued only one military order: for the army to rest well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The extreme weather and nearly a month of grueling march had utterly drained the Jiang Army’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they face the coming battle without proper rest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Western Xia capital remained eerily calm, its gates shut all day long; no one knew what Tuoba Jiqian was doing inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the eighth day, just as Jiang Mingyu began pondering again whether the princess was Zhang Jiaqi, the messenger finally returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu snapped out of his thoughts instantly and hurriedly asked the messenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is it? Has Fang Hang prepared everything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting his piercing gaze, the messenger’s weary eyes suddenly filled with visible sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell to his knees before Jiang Mingyu, his throat convulsing for a long while before he stammered out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty… Fang… Marshal Fang… Marshal Fang… has fallen in battle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the messenger’s words, Jiang Mingyu felt his blood reverse course—Fang Hang, a godlike general, had died so inexplicably, it was unbelievable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart churned with rage; he longed to rush straight to the Western Xia capital and carve Tuoba Jiqian into a thousand pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hang’s death was like a brutal slap across Jiang Mingyu’s face, shattering his entire western campaign plan. Now, with neither Zhuge Yu nor Zhang Jiaqi present, one of his hands had been severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most infuriating was this: how could Fang Hang, a man so cunning and calculating, act without contacting him first? There had to be a trick here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having waged war for years, Jiang Mingyu instantly read between the lines in the messenger’s dry gaze—Fang Hang had been assassinated, without a doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fury burned fiercely; he seized the messenger by the collar and demanded: “Tell me clearly—how did Fang Hang die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified by Jiang Mingyu’s ferocious expression, the messenger stammered out the details…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He choked out: “Your Majesty, according to Marshal Li, the black-clad assassin was extremely powerful and struck with venomous intent… Marshal Fang had no chance to defend himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assassination. Conspiracy. Betrayal. These three words stabbed like daggers into Jiang Mingyu’s chest. He longed to sweep through Western Xia and tear the killer into shreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as he thought of it, Jiang Mingyu steadied himself. He understood Fang Hang’s death would severely weaken his forces; continuing the western campaign would likely end in defeat. His mind swirled with countless thoughts as he fell into deep contemplation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know Fang Hang—he would never be unprepared. This is no ordinary matter!” Jiang Mingyu paced angrily inside his tent. “I ordered him to be cautious in every detail—yet he grew so careless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukusiluo urged: “Brother, we must now reconsider our strategy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” Jiang Mingyu cut him off sharply. “I swear to avenge Fang Hang—even if I must fight to the death!” He slammed his hand hard on Tukusiluo’s shoulder. “With you by my side, we shall overcome every obstacle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukusiluo nodded hesitantly: “If Brother has decided, we will serve you with our lives. This battle—who will wear down whom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu then ordered the entire army to rest and recover. The Western Xia capital remained as silent as a tomb, its gates tightly shut. He gazed at its cold, imposing presence, vowing to carve Tuoba Jiqian into a thousand pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed swiftly; it was already the evening of the fourth day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Western Xia capital remained quiet, and no new disaster had reached Li Goudan’s camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath flickering, dim lantern light, Jiang Mingyu looked at the assembled officers and spoke gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, at dawn tomorrow, we shall launch a pincer attack on the Western Xia capital. All commanders, listen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing all bow in unison, he continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall lead two hundred thousand elite troops to assault the eastern gate of the Western Xia capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Yi—you are a fierce general personally trained by Tukusiluo, with outstanding battlefield achievements. This critical assault task falls to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-faced, bearded deputy general named Liu Yi quickly bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, rest assured—I shall not fail your trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shi Teng, Zha Wenhua—you two will lead infantry and spear troops, positioned behind Liu Yi, ready to reinforce at any moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them nod, Jiang Mingyu went on:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao Fei—you will lead fifty thousand Snow-Treading Troops, deployed on both flanks. As soon as the gate breaks, charge into the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng Shen—all archers are under your command. Suppress the Western Xia defenders on the walls and assist Liu Yi’s assault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The remaining troops I shall command directly, holding the center to respond to any contingency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this was a performance, it must be complete—after all, they needed to deceive Tuoba Jiqian and remain wary of Zhang Jiaqi’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing all officers bow to receive their orders, Jiang Mingyu delivered his final deployment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tukusiluo—you will lead one hundred thousand troops secretly to the vicinity of the northern gate of the Western Xia capital. When the battle stalls, immediately attack the northern gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the northern gate falls, Zhao Bing must rush back to reinforce. Then, I and Goudan will break through the eastern and western gates and seize the Western Xia capital in one stroke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukusiluo’s expression turned grim; without a word, he bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, rest assured—I shall not disgrace your trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Jiang Mingyu looked at his fully equipped, high-spirited army and spoke gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“March.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, three hundred thousand troops vanished in two different directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, as the Western Xia capital loomed close at hand, Jiang Mingyu asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What time is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yi glanced at the sky and calculated silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, it is still less than a quarter-hour until the first watch of Mao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu grunted, drawing his royal sword in a swift flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beat the war drums. Prepare for assault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid thundering war drums, Liu Yi rode forward to the foot of the Western Xia capital, raising his three-pronged fork and bellowing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen up, men on the walls! My Great Jiang Emperor has surrounded the Western Xia capital with five hundred thousand troops!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go tell Tuoba Jiqian—he must open the gates and surrender at once. My emperor is merciful; he might spare your master’s life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you dare utter another word, our army will raze the city to the ground—leave not a single chicken or dog alive, not a tile unbroken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished, the two hundred thousand troops behind him struck their shields with daggers and roared in unison:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Tuoba Jiqian, having received word, strode up onto the city wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled lightly, as if greeting an old friend. Tuoba Jiqian frowned fiercely and snarled: “You southern barbarian—I am Tuoba Jiqian of Western Xia. Are you Jiang Mingyu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid thundering war drums, two hundred thousand troops radiated murderous intent. Jiang Mingyu spoke calmly: “Indeed, I am Jiang Mingyu. Tuoba Jiqian, you traitor who imprisoned your father and murdered your brother—how dare you show your face so brazenly? Is this not shameless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuoba Jiqian erupted in rage: “Jiang Mingyu! You dare invade Western Xia? I will kill you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu replied coolly: “Today, my army stands at your gates. Do you still have a chance to surrender? Surrender, and you live. Resist, and you die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Tuoba Jiqian’s troops had already formed ranks atop the wall, awaiting his signal to strike. Tuoba Jiqian’s face darkened; he glared fiercely and roared: “Jiang Mingyu, you southern barbarian dare invade our great Western Xia? Do you not value your life?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu remained calm, even ignoring Tuoba Jiqian entirely. He gazed instead at the silent city behind him and said softly: “Brother, you’ve worked hard—why not enter the city and rest first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuoba Jiqian’s fury intensified. He slammed his curved blade against the wall and shouted: “Jiang Mingyu! Do you not understand the current state of affairs? Heroes rise everywhere, warlords vie for power! My great Western Xia holds the Heshan region, with hundreds of thousands of fierce warriors. You, a mere southern barbarian, dare invade? Are you seeking death?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered at his boasts: “Great Western Xia? Holding Heshan? Are you joking? My Great Jiang spans thousands of miles of land, with hundreds of tribes submitting to us—do we not also have heroes rising everywhere? How can your pitiful Western Xia compare? Have you already forgotten how my armies marched in and out of Heshan three times, reaching your very city gates?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And where are these famed warriors of yours, as you claim? I see only a few thousand men atop these walls—what can they possibly do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he gestured behind him. Ten thousand war drums thundered as his main force formed a massive, menacing battle array.\u003C\u002Fp>",1465,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9b47f70959f49956546992d1cedf6c9d0a201f89f89bf80033d31248cb812935","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-337","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-335",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]