[{"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-67":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},2288902,4475,"Chapter 67","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-67",67,"\u003Cp>Early the next morning, Jiang Mingyu rode off toward Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner’s State Capital with Murong Yun, now dressed in new clothes, and Tukesulu driving a cart piled high with severed heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group pressed forward relentlessly, never stopping to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After half a day’s hard travel, by midday the next day, Jiang Mingyu and the others finally arrived at the front gate of the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner’s official residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they approached the residence gate, Jiang Mingyu spotted Qi Wang, his face tense, pacing anxiously in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s arrival, Qi Wang visibly startled, asking in surprise: “Lord Jiang, why are you here in the state capital too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, he stepped in front of the cart behind him, his eyes filled with panic and guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never imagined that just after sending word to the Inspector, Jiang Mingyu would suddenly show up to interfere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu remained calm and unflinching: “Your servant repelled the foreign invaders and has come specifically to report this achievement to the Inspector.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, his gaze fell on the cart behind Qi Wang, and he narrowed his eyes: “Your Highness, what is the meaning of this? If I’m not mistaken, those heads on the cart are the same foreign ones hung on the northern gate of Shangmu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Jiang Mingyu’s question, Qi Wang’s face flushed with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he could no longer hide it, Qi Wang’s face twitched: “It means nothing—I’ve merely come to ask Inspector Wang to report the battle to His Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally arrived light and should have reached the state capital long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to transport those heads, he had specially dispatched a cart, which delayed his journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “Your Highness, if I recall correctly, you weren’t even in the city when the foreigners attacked?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, it’s said your city defense battalion, upon hearing of the foreign assault, was the first to turn and flee. Had I not held my ground and devised a plan to annihilate them, Shangmu would have fallen long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With that, how dare you still claim credit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Jiang Mingyu’s words, Qi Wang realized that if he didn’t get rid of him quickly, he’d be humiliated before Inspector Wang Zhe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered: “According to Your Excellency’s account, then, all credit for repelling the foreigners belongs to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu glanced around calmly: “I don’t claim that. I merely state the facts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang’s face twisted with disdain: “Jiang Mingyu, how dare you say such things? Afraid your tongue will be blown off by the wind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hundreds of foreigners attacked—how could your handful of men possibly kill them all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is laughable. You shamelessly seek to monopolize the victory for your future career—you’re truly brazen and shameless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you have any sense, go back to Shangmu and dig coal. Don’t stand here and disgrace yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think the Inspector will believe you—or my words?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu scoffed: “Where exactly were you that day? The Inspector knows full well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang’s eyes flickered with panic, but he quickly forced composure: “Correct—I was in the state capital that day. That’s common knowledge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve trained my troops rigorously and commanded them effectively. No one can deny their bravery and combat prowess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He repeated almost word-for-word the nonsense Xiao Sanzi had spouted that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Qi Wang’s brazenness, Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head in bitter amusement: “Your Highness’s story is quite amusing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness’s skin is so thick, this official is utterly outmatched.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the people of Shangmu all know the truth. When the Inspector reports to His Majesty and is questioned, how will you explain it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang had anticipated Jiang Mingyu’s claim and prepared his counter: “You’re only a temporary county magistrate—who dares defy you? Whatever you say, they’ll believe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, you’ve long showered the people with favors. Even if the court investigates, they’ll side with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could the court possibly believe such baseless nonsense?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside him, Murong Yun and Tukesulu stared wide-eyed, witnessing for the first time how shameless a man could be. Qi Wang, however, beamed with self-satisfaction, answering himself: “The Inspector will never believe you—because it’s all fabricated lies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meanwhile, I will personally explain to him how great the sacrifice was—how many of my city defense troops died to exterminate the foreigners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled a document from his sleeve: “Look—I’ve already prepared this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Despite my troops’ rigorous training, we still suffered over one hundred and eighty casualties to eliminate the foreigners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soon, this document will be on His Majesty’s desk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At that time, please open the Shangmu treasury and distribute compensation to the families of these fallen soldiers—to soothe the troops’ spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Jiang Mingyu’s expression as if he’d swallowed a cockroach, the scar on Qi Wang’s face twitched with glee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he made Jiang Mingyu, who had always towered over him, eat humble pie—he’d also pocketed a profit. Delicious, truly delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s mind raced, then he forced another smile: “So Your Highness is determined to claim all the credit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang sneered: “This achievement rightfully belongs to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu still wore a gentle smile, but his eyes now held a glint of mockery: “Then I’ll yield the credit to Your Highness. Not only that—I’ll open the treasury and fully distribute the compensation, as you requested. Are you satisfied now, Your Highness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than Murong Yun frowned, looking puzzled: “Xingqiu, what are you...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Yun couldn’t fathom why Jiang Mingyu would make such an illogical decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, Qi Wang’s face lit up with delight, bordering on triumph: “Excellent! Your Excellency is truly reasonable. Since there’s nothing to it, you may return. I shall never forget your generosity today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu cast a meaningful glance at the bewildered Murong Yun, signaling him to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Qi Wang, still smiling gently: “Your Highness overstates things—I merely fulfill my duty. But there’s one small matter I must remind you of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang, overjoyed, waved his hand: “Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said calmly: “If your city defense battalion lost over one hundred and eighty men in this battle, then those men are permanently gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Therefore, from now on, the military stipend for the city defense battalion will no longer include their nearly two hundred shares.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for what happens if these men suddenly appear demanding pay—that’s your problem, Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stretched his words: “If they all march to the state capital begging for food, the consequences could be dire. I’m sure the Inspector, upon learning the truth, would be overjoyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qi Wang’s frozen smile, Jiang Mingyu chuckled: “Actually, it’s not hard. If Your Highness has the heart, just find an opportunity to kill them all—problem solved, once and for all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, that might not be wise. Walls have ears. Better to wipe out the entire city defense battalion—then there’s no risk at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head, as if offering sage advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Murong Yun, who had been confused moments before, now understood and smiled slyly—he realized Jiang Mingyu had been waiting for this moment. He smirked at Qi Wang: Why aren’t you boasting anymore?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang’s face turned as dark as a storm-laden sky. He thought he’d anticipated every move—until he forgot the military stipend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His facial muscles trembled violently; after a long silence, he glared and spat: “Your Excellency, you’ve made a shrewd calculation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, I’ve been outmaneuvered. We’ll see who wins in the end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately ordered the yamen runners at the gate: “Tell Inspector Wang I’ll return another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Qi Wang storm off in fury, Jiang Mingyu called out loudly: “Thank you, Your Highness, for your thoughtfulness—you even helped transport the heads for my report! Your Highness, I’m deeply grateful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you have time, drop by the county office—I’ll treat you to tea. No need to see you off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Wang, not far from the gate, stumbled forward: “Jiang! Just how long do you think you can keep acting so arrogant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu ignored him entirely, handing a visiting card to the gate guard: “Imperial Envoy Jiang Mingyu, here to pay respects to the Inspector.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1362,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","de213d04543c0e95e861a7af0fa457b2d429924210eea9420c61463ffc3b0eba","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-68","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-66",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]