[{"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-39":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},2288874,4475,"Chapter 39","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>In the cold wind, Jiang Mingyu coughed once: “I, the imperial envoy, have no silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Hu growled in rage: “Jiang, are you mocking me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His broad saber was instantly half-drawn with a sharp hiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade light flashed, casting a bloody red glow in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the threat of death, Jiang Mingyu remained calm: “Don’t rush—I may have no silver, but I can point you to a clear path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a moment—you’ll soon know who to ask for the silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Cloud of the Murong and ordered: “Brother Cloud, fetch the ledger I reviewed last night—the top one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong glanced at the calm Jiang Mingyu, then wary-eyed Little Hu, before reluctantly turning and hurrying off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu was the hope of Shangmu County—he couldn’t be killed so carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Hu’s eyes narrowed with suspicion: “What do you mean? Don’t try any tricks, or…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slapped the hilt of his saber—everything left unsaid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu rubbed his stiff hands: “Relax—I’ll give you a proper answer today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong moved quickly; soon, the ledger was placed in Jiang Mingyu’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu flipped through it with ease, then waved to Little Hu: “Come take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Hu blinked skeptically, then slowly stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the shock and disbelief on his gaunt, yellowed face, Jiang Mingyu chuckled: “Understand now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Hu stared in utter disbelief: “Impossible… this can’t be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled at Little Hu: “This bears the official seal of the former Assistant County Magistrate—how could it be forged?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He declared loudly: “All of you, look closely—your military pay was already delivered to Commandant Ma before the former Assistant County Magistrate was removed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for why you never received it, you’ll have to ask your own Commandant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Hu still doubted: “Is this true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu weighed the ledger in his hand: “Evidence is clear—what do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you still don’t believe me, I’m willing to confront Commandant Ma face-to-face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long hesitation, Little Hu slowly sheathed his blade: “Fine—we’ll trust you this once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But remember—if this is false, you’ll die a terrible death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commandant Ma treats us like brothers—no one can falsely accuse him. Brothers, let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the angry retreating backs of the men, Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “Commandant Ma, your turn to suffer—let’s see how Prince Qi protects you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elegant Cloud of the Murong, frowning in confusion, spoke up: “Brother Xingqiu, what’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu didn’t hide it—he slowly let his smile fade: “The so-called unpaid military pay was already disbursed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Commandant Ma, taking advantage of the foreign incursions, colluded with Liu Ershou to embezzle it all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He thought Liu Ershou’s dismissal and the missing documents meant he could act with impunity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had I not reviewed these documents thoroughly last night, today would have been a disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo’s thick eyebrows knotted as he spat curses: “Damn it! Embezzling military pay is madness—this is no better than a beast! I’ll report it to His Majesty and have his head cut off and his clan exterminated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Tukesiluo was also a soldier, he was furious at such military pay theft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head: “He’ll get his comeuppance—let’s not talk about him now. Let’s head into town.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo grunted harshly, then signaled Cloud of the Murong, Li Goudan, and Wu Xiaoer to follow Jiang Mingyu out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At midday, West Street in Shangmu County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu carefully observed his surroundings—the houses along the street were mostly crooked and dilapidated, as if powerless against the ravages of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some homes, battered by years and merciless fires, stood as only crumbling walls, evoking memories of past prosperity and present desolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, a relatively intact dwelling appeared, yet still decayed and littered with ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street held few pedestrians—only a few ragged beggars and frail elders shuffled together, their faces etched with suffering and helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young had all but vanished from this street; only withered, trembling old men leaned on canes, moving slowly in utter despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are all the strong, able-bodied men? If the foreigners return, how can these old, weak, and sick defend the town?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu felt confusion and unease, and turned to Li Goudan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loud and boisterous Li Goudan gave a bitter smile, explaining helplessly: “It’s all because of the foreigners—who wants to struggle in Shangmu? The strong and young saw no future and fled; only the old, crippled, women, and children are left to hold on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my mother and Xiaoer’s weren’t too old to endure the journey, we’d have left Shangmu long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu looked at the ruined houses and asked: “How many soldiers remain in Shangmu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan replied with regret: “Just over a thousand—should the foreigners return, these old, weak, and sick won’t stand a chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded, then asked Cloud of the Murong: “Why didn’t you ask the Emperor to transfer you back to the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong’s smile vanished; his soft voice carried visible pain: “You’ll understand later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Goudan and Wu Xiaoer grew visibly uneasy upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu didn’t press further: “Fine—the day’s still early. Let’s head to East City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to East City, Jiang Mingyu spoke with local civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He learned that Shangmu County had faced countless hardships over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corrupt officials colluded with bandits, worsening the people’s livelihood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food shortages led to frequent hunger and starvation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Repeated foreign invasions threatened the county’s peace and stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The local economy had stagnated, leaving the people destitute and the young with no hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Cloud of the Murong’s gaze remained faintly distant, his mind elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu clearly sensed a chill around Cloud of the Murong—colder than the northern wind—like an impenetrable wall separating him from everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a man’s unusual behavior nearby made Jiang Mingyu’s expression darken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s brow furrowed in anger; his eyes flashed with sharp intensity as he pointed his right hand and shouted loudly: “Stop! What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1001,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d807d79f5b099967d13475291769a31a8e2edab8e0e27d4d60da6527e7f8d141","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-40","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-38",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]