[{"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-72":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},2288907,4475,"Chapter 72: Responding to Each Move","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-72",72,"\u003Cp>Afternoon, in the Shangmu County Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, dressed in a simple long robe, sat in the dilapidated county office, elegantly sipping hot tea like a benevolent sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Murong, how is the city wall repair coming along?” Jiang Mingyu asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong looked slightly tense; he nervously smoothed his disheveled hair and reported, “The repair of the North City Gate is complete, and the other three walls are nearly finished...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded: “Now that we have some silver, next we must repair civilian homes so the people can survive the winter safely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone revealed compassion for the people’s suffering and careful thought about future work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his teacup; steam curled upward, and a faint look of worry shadowed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong asked, “Then what about our dilapidated county office?” His gaze swept over the peeling walls and leaky roof tiles, and he frowned in concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu paused, then spoke solemnly: “First, use the silver for the people. Shangmu is desperately poor—we’re not yet entitled to comfort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His determined eyes showed care for the people and a stoic acceptance of hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong glanced at the leaky, wind-pierced county office: “But...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong silently stared at the ruined office, lips parted but words unspoken. He understood Jiang Mingyu’s intent, yet the broken building still troubled him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Cloud of the Murong could finish, Tukesiluo burst in, dusty and breathless, his face filled with panic and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasping for air, he said, “My lord, emergency! Prince Qi has suddenly surrounded the Qinglong Village coal mine with troops!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu had just raised his teacup to his lips; at these words, his hand froze, and tea nearly spilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly set the cup down and frowned. “What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo took several deep breaths, his face etched with anxiety: “Prince Qi claims the mine harbors spies and has sealed all exits... The miners have been forced to halt work—the situation is critical!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s eyes flashed with cold light; he spoke gravely: “If there truly are spies, this is no small matter. We must rush there immediately to investigate—no room for error!” With that, he strode swiftly toward the door, his expression resolute, his tone stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qinglong Village, coal mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi sat atop his horse, his face dark, one hand gripping his longsword, the other trembling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mission had failed; his head throbbed from anger and anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having exhausted his patience, Prince Qi roared: “Are you all deaf? Get out of my way! Spies are hidden in these hills—don’t you know what this means for Shangmu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan, the mine guard, frowned, his mind full of doubt: “Your Highness, what are your orders? We will cooperate fully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi replied coldly: “From today, the mine is closed and sealed until the spies are caught. Now clear the path!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan’s face paled; he pleaded urgently: “Besides Shangmu, the people of Tenglong County and the provincial capital rely on this coal to survive the winter—you’ll kill many by doing this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the laborers behind him, voice rising: “These men depend on mining for their livelihood—what will become of their families if you shut this down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd erupted in anger; laborers joined Li Goudan in shouting, and chaos spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi’s face darkened further; his trembling hand tightened on his sword...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we seal the mine, what will my family eat?” a man in tattered clothes shouted angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We dig coal here every day—where have we ever seen a spy?” another middle-aged man, face caked in coal dust, grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prince Qi, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to destroy our livelihoods?” an emaciated old man wiped sweat from his brow, his voice filled with despair. “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi’s face grew black with rage, surrounded by accusations; his frustration boiled over. He roared: “Get out of my way! If you delay me any longer, even Jiang Mingyu won’t escape punishment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no time for your nonsense. Clear the path now—or face military law. Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance!” Prince Qi gripped his sword tightly, eyes blazing, his voice cold and merciless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning the provincial capital also needed coal, he grew even more determined to seize the mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi’s mind raced: “Jiang Mingyu has made a fortune from this mine alone—add the business circling him in the provincial capital, how much silver must he have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cruel gaze swept over the crowd; he barked again: “Clear the path!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan stood firm, his chest out: “Without the Imperial Commissioner’s approval, we cannot grant your request.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi flew into a rage, pointing at Li Goudan: “You’re Jiang Mingyu’s well-trained dog! Then I’ll start with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to his personal guards and ordered: “Seize him, then seal the mine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their livelihoods threatened, the laborers gripped their tools tightly, stepped forward, fists clenched, radiating fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi shouted: “Are you rebels, resisting imperial troops?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave them no chance to speak: “Arrest them all. Resist, and you’ll be killed on the spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soldiers from the city defense battalion surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The miners, fully enraged, glared back defiantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You officials eat your fill, then smash our livelihoods—what justice is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t let us live, brothers, fight him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, fight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their roars rose in waves; the scene spiraled into utter chaos...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the situation teetered on the brink, Prince Qi roared: “You rabble—arrest them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jiang Mingyu arrived at the mine on horseback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold wind brushed his face as he strode straight to Prince Qi and demanded sharply: “Your Highness, what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi remained seated on his horse, arrogant and condescending: “These rabble are plotting rebellion—I’m about to arrest and punish them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu dismounted, his expression grave: “Why are they rebelling? Do you have proof?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi sneered: “Spies are hidden here. They refused inspection and openly resisted imperial troops—isn’t that clearly rebellion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, it’s not like that!” Li Goudan rushed forward to explain: “The truth is...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Prince Qi’s sneer, Jiang Mingyu’s face darkened. “Your Highness, do you know this mine is Shangmu’s lifeline? Seal it, and the people lose their livelihood—where will they turn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi scoffed: “Don’t speak so virtuously, Jiang. Who knows if the silver from coal sales fills your pockets—or vanishes somewhere else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s face turned pale with rage, but he held his temper and spoke low: “Hunting spies is your duty—but not at the cost of the people’s survival. If you insist on force, bear the consequences yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi remained unmoved, arrogant: “Make them step aside—or I won’t hesitate to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu finally snapped, sneering: “When outsiders came, your city defense troops scattered like birds. Now you want to sacrifice the people to wash away your shame?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fixed his gaze on Prince Qi: “I ask you—where is your proof of spies? Or are you coveting this mine, using the spy excuse to claim your share?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exposed, Prince Qi’s face flickered with panic, but he held firm: “Where the spies came from doesn’t matter. Why are you stalling? Are you connected to them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said nothing. Prince Qi seized the silence and roared: “Seal the mine today! Say another word, and I’ll have you bound and sent to the capital for trial—just wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu remained calm: “I am the Emperor’s personally appointed Imperial Censor. By what authority do you send me to the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi’s face stiffened; he gritted his teeth: “Stop talking about the Emperor’s appointment—if he knew you harbored spies, he wouldn’t be pleased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled calmly: “Since Your Highness is so certain, then search. If you find spies, I’ll report it to His Majesty. If you find nothing, take your troops and leave—don’t disturb the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi, furious and humiliated, shouted: “In half a day, the spies will have fled! The best solution is to seal the mine now—prevent them from returning!” With that, he drew his sword and ordered his men to surround the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “Your Highness, enough. These spies are merely your clumsy excuse. You want the mine—say so plainly. I’ll hand it over to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi beamed, nodding eagerly: “Really? Good! Then the mine is mine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu wasted no time, announcing loudly: “Everyone, return to the county office with me. From today, the mine is under Prince Qi’s management!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi froze. “You’re taking the miners—where will I find people to dig coal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu didn’t turn: “Aren’t your city defense troops well-staffed? What’s the problem?” He added pointedly: “I remind Your Highness: several powerful families in the provincial capital depend on this coal for winter. You must reopen the mine quickly—or they’ll petition the Inspector, and you’ll bear full blame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must guard the city and dig nearly a hundred thousand catties of coal, Prince Qi. You’ve got your work cut out for you. Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he hadn’t even taken control of the mine before being handed such a burden, Prince Qi panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his handful of men, after accounting for those on patrol and guard duty, how many lifetimes would it take to dig nearly a hundred thousand catties of coal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In desperation, Prince Qi dismounted and rushed after Jiang Mingyu: \"Mr. Jiang, wait! Please let the laborers help me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered: “Your Highness, do you know what’s more ridiculous than being a whore?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued: “That’s when the honor plaque falls before you’ve even become one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qi’s face flushed red and white, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said coldly: “Just moments ago you swore you were hunting spies—now that you’ve seized the mine, why is there no movement?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You smashed the people’s livelihoods, then expect me to send laborers to dig for you for free—how did you come up with such a brilliant idea?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if I send laborers, will you pay them—or just exploit them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For fleeting gain, you mobilized troops, terrorized civilians—how will you answer the Emperor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you have the strength to take the mine, then it’s yours. From now on, any city repairs or road construction—I’ll bill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you lack the ability, then take your men and return to being Prince Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu said sternly: “If you delay my business any further, you’ll regret it when you face the Emperor!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1742,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f321265cb3358bb6c941e6aa566a3e067f5a26e9b6c6c93f7daed586c18af974","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-73","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-71",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]