[{"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-371":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},2289206,4475,"Chapter 371: Shi Zhuo","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-371",371,"\u003Cp>Shi Zhuo's arrival gave Jiang Mingyu a glimmer of hope amid his predicament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Zhuo strode into the military tent, upright and composed, his sturdy frame wrapped in a loose robe, sleeves swaying with the wind, steps firm and powerful, showing no sign of fatigue. The robe had originally been pale purple, faded by wind, frost, rain, and snow to gray-white, its hem and cuffs worn, yet washed clean by the passage of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty,” he called out, his voice deep and resonant. Beneath it lay faint concern and anxiety, tightly suppressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” His tone was rough, like a rusted copper pipe unused for years. As he spoke, he unconsciously coughed a few times, forcing back a sob. Days of relentless labor had left his throat dry and hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu lifted his head, his heart stirring. The sight of this strategist brought him a rare warmth. He forced a tired smile, his lips stiffly upturned, facial muscles hardened by prolonged worry. For days he had scowled constantly, the creases on his brow now deeply carved like knife cuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Zhuo bowed, his thick eyebrows slightly relaxed, a faint smile on his lips. He regarded Jiang Mingyu with cautious, gentle eyes, as if trying to pierce through his inner gloom. “Your Majesty,” he said, “the benevolent policies have been preliminarily implemented. I’ve come to report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu murmured a distracted “Mm,” as if brushing him off, paying no further attention. He stared blankly at Shi Zhuo, his gaze passing through him into emptiness. For days he had been consumed by the war on the southwestern frontier, his mind unsettled, constantly drifting back to that smoke-choked land, wrestling with the increasingly thorny problem of Che Gang, anxious and burdened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Zhuo pressed: “What troubles Your Majesty? I am willing to share your burdens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu let out a bitter laugh, finally voicing the problem that had haunted him—unsolved, unbreakable. His speech was slow, punctuated by pauses, as if searching for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despair and exhaustion filled his brow; his lips pressed tightly together, as if holding back something. When he spoke of the stalled campaign, he let out a heavy sigh, eyes bloodshot, face more haggard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Shi Zhuo smiled faintly, a flicker of cunning in his pale eyes. “Your Majesty, forgive me for saying so, but this matter is extremely simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stared at him, eyes wide, unable to believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean you have a way to resolve Che Gang’s problem?” Jiang Mingyu’s brow twitched, his spirit instantly lifting. He leaned forward, eyes alight, voice brightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His furrowed brows relaxed; his whole face seemed to age years backward. Seeing Shi Zhuo nod firmly, he grew even more excited, pressing: “What’s your idea? Tell me quickly!” Before he finished speaking, he grabbed Shi Zhuo’s sleeve, pulling him urgently close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Zhuo chuckled softly, letting Jiang Mingyu draw him near. They stood only a foot apart, their breaths clearly audible. His long eyelashes fluttered with each blink, his lips curled in a sly smile like a cunning old fox. “Your Majesty, what I mean is...” he whispered, outlining his plan in low tones, his smile deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finished, he straightened, his pale eyes locking onto Jiang Mingyu’s. “Your Majesty, what do you think?” He assumed an air of deep calculation, voice calm and steady, radiating confidence. His left hand gently stroked his beard, the posture of a sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu paused, then nodded, face flushed with satisfaction. “Good. Well said. Do it.” He stood, seized Shi Zhuo’s hand, eyes gleaming with excitement, his entire demeanor seeming ten years younger. “If this unfolds as you predict and we finally resolve this problem, you will be the greatest hero of this campaign.” His tone was solemn, filled with fervor and expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t delay. Prepare at once and send them out immediately.” Seeing Shi Zhuo bow in assent, he added, “I’m desperate—hurry!” He strode to the tent entrance, ordering guards to ready swift horses and packs. Shi Zhuo followed, smoothing his robe, calming his stirred emotions, a faint smile still lingering on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Zhuo’s lips curled in a smug smile, yet his heart felt no surge of excitement. He watched Jiang Mingyu’s retreating figure stride away, then turned steadily and marched out of the hall. The sunlight outside was blinding, forcing him to squint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than a stick of incense later, a burly soldier, pack on back, mounted a swift horse and galloped toward the western gate and the sea beyond. His figure vanished into dust, leaving only hoofprints kicking up swirling clouds. That dust seemed to foreshadow bloodshed to come—or perhaps the dawn of peace. Inside the tent, Jiang Mingyu watched him disappear, the shadow of worry returning to his eyes. He sighed softly, turned, and walked resolutely back into the tent to prepare his next move. This game had only just begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunset’s glow filtered through the window, casting a reddish hue over the anxious faces. Li Goudan was the most restless, his bulky frame pacing the hall, each step heavy and thunderous, shaking the ground. His thick brows were knotted, eyes filled with agitation. Finally, he slammed his fist onto the table—a thunderous crash shattered the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck, where the hell has Che Gang gone? Brother, I say we split up and search—find that bastard and drag him out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head, gesturing for the generals to sit across from him. These battle-hardened commanders now all looked anxious; even the usually imposing Tukesiluo had furrowed brows, fists clenched under his chin, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu brushed his wide sleeves, issuing orders calmly: “Order: immediately seal all roads leading toward Qusheng, prevent Che Gang from contacting them. At dawn tomorrow, deploy the entire reconnaissance unit into the mountains to track Che Gang’s trail.” His speech was slow, each word sharp and commanding, eyes wide, voice radiating unyielding authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once his location is confirmed, do not alert him. I will send the main force to crush him.” The generals nodded, yet all felt resentment—how long would this drag on? Li Goudan clenched his fists, lips twitching, eyes blazing. Tukesiluo’s dark, bushy brows tightened further, lips pressed into a thin line. Other generals were equally anxious, faces grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five days passed. Scouts raced through valleys, yet found no trace of Che Gang. The air grew cooler. Li Goudan could bear it no longer—he slammed his fist on the table, sending several potted plants crashing to the floor. “Fuck! Where the hell is this bastard hiding? We’ve turned every mountain—has this ghost flown away?” His voice boomed, eyes blazing, brows raised, lips twisted in fury. Jiang Mingyu remained unmoved, smiling calmly: “Don’t worry. I expect him to appear soon.” His tone was utterly certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals exchanged glances, baffled. At that moment, a whistle came from outside—a soldier rushed in, breathless: “Report! A messenger from Qusheng awaits at the gate!” His voice brimmed with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring him in,” Jiang Mingyu ordered calmly. Moments later, a dusty man knelt before the hall, offering a sealed letter: “Your Majesty, the Empress has learned all movements in Qusheng—the details are in this letter.” His voice was hoarse, his body covered in dirt, trembling as he knelt. Jiang Mingyu took it, swiftly broke the wax seal, and unrolled the paper in his fingers. His eyes scanned the text rapidly, a slow smile spreading across his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gestured for the messenger to begin. The man cleared his throat, rubbing his hands nervously, as if organizing his thoughts. His speech was slow, each phrase carefully chosen, afraid of offending the generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the commander of Qusheng is Du Jianmu, commanding seventy thousand elite troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All generals lifted their heads, watching the messenger. One bearded general, brows furrowed, said nothing, eyes fixed on the man as if trying to see through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Du Jianmu is a trusted confidant of Wei Yangyao. His troops are elite from the southern frontier—far superior to any southern soldiers we’ve faced before.” When he said “elite,” his shoulders tensed, voice trembling slightly, as if recalling some terrible memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elite or not, I’ll crush them all,” Tukesiluo sneered, lips curling, eyes filled with arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger hurriedly waved his hands: “Forgive me, Your Majesty, my words were careless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed deeply, then continued: “As commander of Qusheng, Du Jianmu understands Your Majesty’s tactics perfectly. Upon hearing our army moved toward Xiongzhou, he intensified troop training and fortified defenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Through his reinforcements, Qusheng’s walls now stand forty-five zhang high, three zhang thick.” At this, his voice rose, hands gesturing as if visualizing the towering walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, Du Jianmu has added numerous archery positions atop the walls, densely packed with arrow slits—extremely tight defense.” He spoke even slower now, afraid of missing any detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals’ faces darkened. Li Goudan, bearded and furious, clenched his fists tighter, veins bulging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even patrols have doubled. Qusheng’s defenses inside and out are flawless—not even a night raid is possible, let alone a frontal assault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Empress specifically warned: Du Jianmu is no ordinary man. Your Majesty, please consider carefully.” The messenger added solemnly, locking eyes with Jiang Mingyu, ensuring his warning was understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tent fell silent. Generals exchanged glances, thinking. Jiang Mingyu slowly stroked his beard, calm, only a fleeting glint in his eyes betraying his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Jiang Mingyu could speak, a guard rushed in, panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Report! Report! Che Gang has appeared!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!” Tukesiluo shot to his feet, eyes flashing cold. He strode to the guard and seized his collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Che Gang? After all these days searching, he finally shows up?” Tukesiluo’s eyes blazed. He shoved the guard aside, shouting: “I’ll lead troops out now—I’ll cut down this cowardly dog!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to leave, face filled with murderous intent. But Jiang Mingyu calmly waved his hand, a cryptic smile spreading across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush. I’ll go see him myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Tukesiluo could react, Jiang Mingyu strode out with several guards, vanishing around the corner. Tukesiluo froze for a second, then sprinted after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu called back: “Go quickly to camp—tell Li Goudan to prepare for immediate sortie!” A soldier hurried off, sprinting toward the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo reached the ramparts of Xiongzhou. When they saw Che Gang below, both were stunned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Gang was covered in dust, hair wild, temples streaked with gray. His sallow face was etched with sorrow, eyes sunken, hollow, and lifeless. He was a different man from the fierce warrior of just days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his tens of thousands of troops behind him now trudged listlessly, heads down, devoid of spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu caught the subtle signs. He smiled knowingly, waving to Che Gang: “Commander Che, long time no see. What brings you here today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Gang looked up, a flash of anger in his eyes—then it vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu suddenly laughed loudly, his voice carrying far below: “Commander Che, so bold as to come here to die? Are you planning to storm the city? Come on—try! I’ll wait to see if you can break through my hundred thousand troops!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared fiercely at Che Gang. Che Gang’s face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead, yet he could do nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Che Gang’s face twisted into a bitter, self-mocking smile, his sallow features filled with struggle and pain. After a long silence, he spoke, voice low and hoarse:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty... I... I’ve come to surrender to Da Jiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, he dismounted, knelt on one knee before Jiang Mingyu. His hunched body trembled with rage and hatred, fists clenched, nails digging deep into his palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!” Tukesiluo’s eyes widened, mouth agape, face filled with utter shock. He couldn’t believe his ears—just moments ago their mortal enemy, now surrendering? This was unthinkable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu merely smiled faintly, calm and composed, showing no surprise. He slowly stroked his beard, studying the kneeling Che Gang with piercing eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Che, this sudden move is most unusual. Why now decide to surrender? Your actions leave me somewhat perplexed.” His tone held no shock or doubt—only a hint of understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Gang looked up at Jiang Mingyu, hatred glimmering in his eyes, lips trembling with emotion. He breathed deeply, struggling to control himself, pain evident on his face. After a long pause, he spoke, voice low:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, this is how it happened...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He briefly recounted how, after his crushing defeat outside Xiongzhou, he led over forty thousand survivors into deep mountains and forests. To evade Jiang Mingyu’s pursuit, he hid for days, moving constantly, living in constant fear. But he knew: as supplies dwindled, his men would starve to death in the cold, damp valleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he sent two agile soldiers on the fleetest horses to Quyang City for reinforcements. When the messengers finally returned after great hardship, they brought terrible news—the rumor had spread that Che Gang had surrendered to Da Jiang. Enraged, the governor of Quyang ordered the execution of Che Gang’s thirty-two family members in Gebao City, their heads displayed on the city gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To verify the truth, Che Gang dispatched a trusted soldier to Gebao City. After enduring countless hardships, the soldier returned ten days later, weeping: the thirty-two heads were indeed hanging from the gate, dripping blood, unmistakably Che Gang’s wife and children—all dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Che Gang heard the news, he froze, face ashen as a ghost. Long moments passed. Then he collapsed to his knees, weeping uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah—!” He screamed to the heavens, voice raw and agonizing. Then he seized his sword and slashed his arm—blood splattered the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty-two... my children, my wife...” Che Gang whispered, tears tracing his withered cheeks. He clenched his fists, nails embedding deep into his palms, blood dripping to the earth. After a long silence, he hissed: “I’ll rebel! I’ll avenge my family!” He rose abruptly, eyes glinting with icy fury, desperate to kill his way to Quyang City a thousand li away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes glazed, lips curled upward, as if his mind had broken. Kneeling in blood, his face was corpse-pale, like a specter. Long moments passed. He scooped up dirt and dust from the ground and flung it over his head, screaming in heart-wrenching agony: “I deserve to die! I deserve to die—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My children, my wife... wait—I’m coming to join you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His soldiers watched, moved to tears. Some wept, others knelt in prayer. Sobs and prayers rose in waves, unbearable in their grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Gang finally rose, drenched in blood, eyes blazing red like a demon from hell. He spoke slowly, teeth clenched: “I will avenge them. I will rebel. I will make Wei Yangyao pay with blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Che Gang led his remnants to the gates of Xiongzhou, resolved to surrender to Da Jiang and turn against Wei Yangyao. As he spoke, his eyes were bloodshot, fists clenched, voice hollow and resolute—like a wounded beast, burning with hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>",2486,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","18e9d84df0e213c163448879fb5d000a37617a6d3963d30d48af9033e48aeb7b","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-372","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-370",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]