[{"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-92":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},2288927,4475,"Chapter 92","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-92",92,"\u003Cp>Shangmu County, City Defense Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the bustling gate, the driver whispered, “My lord, look, this is the City Defense Camp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he pointed toward the camp’s gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng sat inside a dusty carriage, peering out through its cracked window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the gate, people came and went; several plump sparrows pecked at scraps on the ground, chirping softly. The scorching sun beat down, reflecting blinding white light off the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air reeked of dust and sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strained his ears and faintly heard the clanging of metal and the rhythmic chants of drills from within the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soldiers trained on the parade ground, their battle cries rising and falling in waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad—such a roar of shouts must mean at least tens of thousands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wang Zhe, you’re finally going to fall into my hands,” Tang Cheng secretly rejoiced, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he imagined Wang Zhe’s humiliating defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s return to the state capital at once. I must report this matter to the Rabbit Minister as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to leave, a booming voice shouted: “Who are you, daring to spy on the military camp!” Tang Cheng spun around to see Li Goudan striding forward, his face covered in thick beard, skin darkened by sun, and reeking of sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several soldiers raised their swords, the sharp tips glinting coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the Du Gaocen incident, Jiang Mingyu had ordered the patrols around the City Defense Camp doubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the upcoming expedition to suppress bandits outside the city, the entire camp was now on high alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, the guards at the gate had noticed Tang Cheng and his driver acting strangely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept pointing at the camp and tilting their heads, as if listening intently to something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This immediately caught the attention of the duty squad leader, Li Goudan—hence this scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng’s eyes darted: “Sir, we’re passing merchants, just taking a look—no ill intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In haste, he could only conjure up this feeble excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Zhuge of the Regional Military Commissioner, Tang Cheng knew he must not reveal his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Wang Zhe, who had long been at odds with him, would seize on his unauthorized absence and make a scandal of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Merchant?” Li Goudan sneered. “You’re funny. Since the Western Xia invaded, Shangmu hasn’t seen a single merchant in years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re clearly spies sneaking in to gather military intelligence. Seize them! Take them to the commander for judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the ropes were about to be tied, the driver cried out: “How dare you! Do you know who we are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan, as brutish as his build, kicked out: “I don’t care who you are—arrest them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing things turn sour, Tang Cheng quickly pulled out a silver ingot from his robe and offered it: “Sir, we truly are merchants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan reached out a calloused hand, snatched the ingot, and rubbed it between his rough fingers, carefully weighing its value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips curled into a satisfied grin, his yellow teeth glinting nastily in the sunlight: “So you really are merchants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng nodded eagerly: “Your honor sees clearly—we are merchants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Goudan’s eyes snapped open: “If you’re really merchants, why be afraid? Why give me silver? You’ve got something to hide!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan’s laugh dripped with cunning, sending a chill down Tang Cheng’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He narrowed his eyes, scanning Tang Cheng from head to toe: “Where’s your cargo? How can merchants travel empty-handed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two look like thieves and scoundrels—tie them up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng’s face turned pale. He searched for an excuse to escape, but Li Goudan seized his collar and roared: “Tie them up!” The soldiers’ rough ropes instantly tightened around his neck, forcing a pained groan from his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan smirked coldly: “Enough. Save your words for our commander. What are you waiting for? Take them away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangmu County Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was cool, the blue porcelain vase on the wall emitting a faint herbal scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several sets of purple sandalwood chairs and tables stood neatly arranged, their surfaces polished to a gleam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sat upright in the central high-backed chair, dressed in a plain blue robe, a faded belt cinched at his waist. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, his nails neatly trimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng frowned, lips pressed tight, eyes filled with confusion and panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced himself to stand, swallowing his humiliation, hands nervously twisting his robe’s hem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Goudan erupted in rage, his rugged face contorting with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared, eyebrows knotted, and bellowed: “Kneel down!” His voice echoed through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the driver about to speak, Tang Cheng gave him a silent warning glance to stay quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced a strained smile and gritted his teeth as he knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their furtive glances made Jiang Mingyu suspect something was amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to reveal his identity, Tang Cheng grimaced bitterly before obediently kneeling before Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu regarded him coolly, his lips slightly downturned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you? What are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm yet commanding, radiating authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng quickly forced a smile: “My lord, we’re passing merchants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We merely paused briefly before the camp and were misunderstood by this soldier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We mean no harm—please, my lord, investigate this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled: “What business do you conduct? Where are you headed after passing through Shangmu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng had prepared his lie on the journey: “We’re cloth merchants. We’re passing through Shangmu to reach the state capital for supplies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s smile remained warm and gentle: “Then you’re coming from the north?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jiang Mingyu believe him, Tang Cheng’s mind went blank—he nodded eagerly, grinning: “Yes, yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lies!” Jiang Mingyu’s expression darkened. He seized the wooden gavel beside him; it whistled through the air and slammed onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thunderous crash echoed through the room. Tang Cheng shuddered, his heart filled with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened in terror, his body trembling—he could no longer smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shangmu is the northernmost county of Da Feng, bordering the frontier. Beyond it lies the territory of the Western Xia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t tell me you came from Western Xia. Who are you? Speak the truth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng’s smile froze. Only now did he realize Jiang Mingyu’s words had been a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Zhuge of the Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner, he knew the region well—but in his panic, he had slipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the two still silent, Jiang Mingyu slammed the gavel again: “If you don’t confess now, don’t blame me for using the rack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he prepared to order the torture, Tang Cheng’s face turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, footsteps echoed in the hall. Zhu Ge Yu stumbled out, rubbing his sleepy eyes, his short hair messy, his night robe wrinkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He yawned: “Master, what’s all this clanging? Can’t a man sleep…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, Zhu Ge Yu froze: “Tang Sima? What are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he spoke, Tang Cheng felt the world spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s furrowed brows foretold punishment; Zhu Ge Yu’s blank expression only made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never imagined he’d run into this self-styled scholar, Zhu Ge Yu, of all places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more stunned was Jiang Mingyu on the dais: “Zhu Ge Yu—you say this man is the State Capital’s Sima?” Jiang Mingyu’s eyes widened, his tone laced with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu, still yawning, nodded: “Master, you didn’t know? This is Tang Cheng, Sima of the Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner.” He yawned again, as if this farce were routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he noticed something odd: “Sima Tang, why are you kneeling before my master? Did you do something wrong?” His tone turned sarcastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng rose, face dark: “Zhu Ge, you jest. I was sent by the Inspector to inspect Shangmu.” He forced an explanation, suppressing his fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought traveling incognito would let me see things clearly—but I was arrested by Jiang’s men. A misunderstanding.” He muttered the lie to himself, his face flushed with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his identity was already exposed, he might as well ride it out—he muttered the lie again. A faint look of resignation and cunning surfaced on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Jiang Mingyu didn’t believe a single word he said. Jiang Mingyu’s lips curled slightly, his gaze filled with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were truly a merchant, he wouldn’t have waited until nearly under torture before revealing his true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered inwardly—he had seen through Tang Cheng’s lie from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unusual events always hide ulterior motives, but Jiang Mingyu couldn’t yet pinpoint where the deception lay. He frowned, his face clouded with doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, he stepped forward and helped Tang Cheng to his feet: “Zhu Ge, my apologies—I misunderstood.” His tone was stiff, forced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I don’t understand—why go so far out of your way to conceal yourself, even in disguise?” Jiang Mingyu pressed, a sharp glint in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I beg you, my lord, enlighten me—I would be deeply grateful.” Jiang Mingyu bowed deeply, his tone humble and courteous.\u003C\u002Fp>",1502,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9064ac0cae3378ee20157b47ff2682ab499945f61666505227a1a7864be5ff98","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-93","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-91",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]