[{"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-45":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},2288880,4475,"Chapter 45: I","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>The county yamen’s side hall was bathed in sunlight; since coal heating had been introduced, it was warm as spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled as he looked at the five elaborately dressed local gentry before him: “Please be seated. What brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five exchanged glances, then one spoke: “Your Excellency, we’ve come about the coal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We heard you ordered every household in the city to receive five carts of coal—why have none reached our estates yet?” asked the gentryman named He Dachuan, his tone accusatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stout middle-aged man, with eyes like green beans, stared fixedly at Jiang Mingyu; his Bazi brows furrowed slightly, clearly displeased that Jiang Mingyu had “forgotten” them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other four said nothing, but their gazes and attitudes mirrored He Dachuan’s exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and spoke calmly: “You’ve misunderstood. I said only the poor and destitute may receive five carts; the elderly, infirm, and without support may take seven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your families are wealthy beyond measure—don’t compete with the poor for food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you need coal, you may purchase it—there’s plenty available, and I’ll even offer you a discount.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, He Dachuan’s expression darkened further: “Your Excellency, this is unfair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are also local residents—how can you show such favoritism? We find this deeply unjust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other four chimed in with their complaints, and Jiang Mingyu listened in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why should others get it for free while we must pay? That makes no sense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let those beggars freeze—they’re just wasting coal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Jiang, where do you place us, the local gentry? Is this fair?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「……」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dachuan sipped his hot tea, a smug smile creeping onto his face. He set the cup down gently, stroking its handle with satisfaction: “Your Excellency, though we are not officials, we do command some influence here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not to speak of distant matters—just this year’s tax payments alone, we contribute several times more than those impoverished commoners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We humbly ask Your Excellency to acknowledge our contributions and show us some favor—it will make your future governance smoother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu listened calmly to He Dachuan’s threat, then paused before replying slowly: “If I refuse to distribute coal, will you withhold your taxes? That would violate the fundamental bond between ruler and subject.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew full well these gentry, dressed in gold and silver, merely sought to exploit the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Always greedy for advantage, intolerant of loss—what kind of people are these?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dachuan set down his cup: “How dare we? I meant no such thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted the cup again, took a sip, brushed his black Bazi beard, and his double chin trembled slightly: “If harvests fail in any year, we may not be able to pay taxes on time or in full. I beg Your Excellency to take this into account.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, Your Excellency is well aware of the situation in Shangmu County—foreigners could strike at any moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If enemies invade, we may well be the ones who must contribute money and strength to defend the county. Are five carts of coal worth risking the entire city’s safety?” he sneered, his thick brows knitted, his flushed face radiating contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, if you believe those poor peasants alone can defend the county, I have nothing more to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, Your Excellency’s future is bright—don’t let this jeopardize it. Let us both step back and find peace—don’t you agree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu listened in silence, unafraid of their threats, merely taking another quiet sip of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other four waited anxiously beside him, their faces filled with resentment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu took another sip of tea and asked casually: “So, if I understand you correctly, you claim past defense against foreign invaders was entirely your doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dachuan replied proudly: “Your Excellency understands well—we locals have always spared no effort to assist the government. It’s nothing extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now that the county is temporarily at peace, Your Excellency has forgotten our past contributions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dare charge us for mere carts of coal? That’s utterly unreasonable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be blunt—if not for our help, would you even have the peaceful life you enjoy today, Lord Jiang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered, his small eyes glaring: “Think carefully about the coal issue. If you mishandle it and enemies attack, the consequences will be dire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are merely commoners—we don’t care who rules this land. Even if foreigners take over, we can still survive in comfort. But you, Your Excellency, may not survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dachuan feigned concern, lifting his teacup: “I’ve said all I could for your own good—please consider it.” The other four also fixed Jiang Mingyu with silent, pressing stares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he refused them today, he would be dead by tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu curled his lips into a smile: “He Boss, you speak with great confidence—even your escape route is planned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you hold the foreigners in such high regard, may I assume that if they breach the city, you’ll be their traitor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dachuan’s face turned instantly pale; he stammered: “W-what are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned sharply: “I speak from your own treasonous words just now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have never seen such brazen, shameless people! As subjects of the Great Feng Empire, you would sell your ancestors for a few carts of coal—how dare you call yourselves native sons of this land?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know that with those words alone, I could have your head?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dachuan trembled violently, sweat pouring down; he collapsed to his knees, begging: “I was foolish—I spoke blasphemy! I beg Your Excellency’s mercy!” Jiang Mingyu sneered: “Angry words often reveal true intent. Your threats just now have exposed your real thoughts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, do you think I’ve been here only a few days and know nothing of this place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve reviewed the yamen’s ledgers—where is your record of repairing city walls or aiding the people? Worse, you’ve evaded taxes for years—you, as gentry, are tax evaders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered: “You tax-evading gentry dare claim you assist the government and benefit the nation? How laughable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lies exposed, the five turned pale and exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had never imagined Jiang Mingyu had already investigated thoroughly—now they feared they were trapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, the four silently cursed He Dachuan: If not for your instigation, how could we have ended up in this mess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now not only have we lost the coal, but we’ve utterly angered the new Jiang Mingyu—what did we gain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said coldly: “Since you’ve done nothing to benefit the people or the state, yet dare defy law and order—if you persist in this arrogance, you’ll regret it.” “You dare threaten the government over mere carts of coal—and even speak of treason—what punishment suits you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be wise—pay your back taxes immediately and return home to reflect. If you dare delay or refuse again, you will face the full weight of imperial law!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned: “Still standing? Do you expect me to invite you to dinner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five exchanged uneasy glances and departed, trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched them go, his contempt for these greedy gentry deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangmu County, Qi Prince’s palace grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since that day he knelt publicly before Jiang Mingyu, the Qi Prince hadn’t smiled once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the stares of his subordinates—strange, judging—and their whispered gossip made him hate Jiang Mingyu more than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Ma De before him, the Qi Prince asked softly: “Is everything ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma De nodded silently: “Just watch—let’s see how Jiang Mingyu handles this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qi Prince sneered—he would make this brilliant new official humiliate himself, so he’d never again interfere with his power.\u003C\u002Fp>",1261,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","649298d00621f36604f589cf5f8511207ec194cbdb6480ecb0444fa889fcbda7","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-46","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-44",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]