Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

The next morning, before dawn, the West Wharf was already shrouded in an unusually tense atmosphere.

Under the shed, Lin Feng changed into a black outfit that allowed him to move around easily, with a worn blue shirt over it. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly fixed on the misty river surface.

Hou Qi stood to the side, nervously rubbing his hands together.

"Master Lin, everything's ready. Three ships from the shipping guild should be coming from upstream today, carrying goods from 'Yongfa' and two other trading companies that are going to ship to us," Hou Qi said in a low voice. "Huang San threw a huge tantrum at the branch headquarters yesterday, smashing cups and even hitting people. I'm afraid today..."

"I'm afraid they'll resort to desperate measures," Lin Feng interjected, his tone nonchalant.

"That's why we need to be prepared. Tell the brothers that today, if any of the 'Cao Gang' dares to make a move at the West District Wharf, no matter the reason or how many people there are, beat them up! After they're done, take them to the West City Military Command and say that the 'Cao Gang' is engaging in a brawl, disrupting the wharf, and undermining the Imperial Envoy's efforts to maintain order. Keep all witnesses and physical evidence."

"Yes!" Hou Qi nodded emphatically, then hesitated, "Master Lin, if we keep resisting like this, what if the Canal Gang headquarters..."

"Headquarters?" Lin Feng's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Huang San lost the West Wharf, cutting off the main headquarters' source of income. Do you think the main headquarters will still support him? They might even be waiting for him to make a mistake so they can replace him. Let's do the main headquarters a favor today."

He said no more and turned his gaze to the river.

As the morning mist gradually dissipated, three cargo ships with considerable draft were slowly sailing towards the West Wharf. The flags of several merchant houses, including "Yongfa," were displayed on their bows. At the same time, five or six fast boats, bearing the flags of the shipping guilds, emerged from the Central Wharf and aggressively charged towards the West Wharf, clearly intending to intercept the ships.

"They're here." Lin Feng's eyes narrowed.

On the "Sanhe" side, Chen Da and Chen Er immediately led their men in two small boats to meet the enemy, blocking the waterway and shouting, "Western District Wharf ahead, moor in order! Unrelated vessels are not allowed to obstruct the way!"

On the fast boat of the canal gang, a scarred man stood at the bow, pointing at Chen and cursing, "Get out of the way! This is our canal gang's cargo! Who gave you permission to haul it to the western district? Turn around and go back to the central district!"

"The cargo owners voluntarily entrusted their goods to our 'Sanhe' transportation company, and they are free to dock at the port. Why should they listen to you?" Chen Da retorted without backing down. "If you dare to block our way again, don't blame us for being impolite!"

"You're not being polite? Let's see how you're not being polite! Brothers, get on board! Take the boat!" The scarred man grinned and shouted.

The men from the canal gangs on several fast boats brandished their oars, bamboo poles, and even short knives, ready to forcibly ram the boats and board them to seize the goods.

"Make your move!" Lin Feng coldly uttered two words from the shore.

Zhao Hu and Qian Bao, who had been waiting in ambush, simultaneously roared, "Go!"

The twenty members of the "labor team" were like tigers released from their cages. They jumped into pairs and quickly boarded the small boats prepared by Chen Da and Chen Er, shooting towards the fast boats of the canal gang like arrows! They did not use knives, but carried specially made heavy short sticks with iron-plated ends, and had fishing nets and ropes wrapped around their waists.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

In close combat, the clash of metal was deafening! Although the canal gang members were fierce, they were mostly a rabble and no match for Zhao Hu and Qian Bao's well-trained and coordinated "labor force." In a single exchange, several of them were knocked down and fell into the water screaming in pain.

"Fire arrows! Fire arrows at them!" the scarred man roared, both shocked and furious.

Several archers from the shipping corps on the fast boat hurriedly drew their bows and nocked arrows.

However, before the arrows could be released, several sharp "whoosh" sounds were heard! Several short crossbow bolts shot out from behind the cargo pile on the shore, accurately hitting their bow-wielding arms or bowstrings! Although the force was not enough to seriously injure them, the archers, in pain and fright, dropped their bows and retreated with screams.

It was the "crossbow team" on Friday! Although there were only five crossbows, the surprise attack was extremely accurate, instantly eliminating the long-range threat from the canal gang.

"There's an ambush! There are tough guys on the shore!" The canal gang was thrown into chaos.

Just then, Chen Da and Chen Er, along with their skilled watermen, also steered their boats into the fray. Using their familiarity with the water and the agility of their small boats, they deliberately capsized the fast boats of the canal gang or used long poles to shove people into the water.

Chaos erupted on the river, with shouts, fighting, and splashing sounds filling the air.

On the shore, Lin Feng gave Liu Sandao a wink.

Liu Sandao understood and, with a few brothers, quickly tied up the several gangsters who had just been knocked down and dragged ashore. He also had a few dazed men pulled out of the water and tied them up as well.

The battle ended quickly.

More than thirty members of the canal gang arrived, and in a short time, most of them were taken down. The rest, seeing that the situation was not good, turned their boats around and tried to escape, but were intercepted by Chen Da and Chen Er with their men, and a few were left behind.

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the entire force of the canal gang that came to stop the boat was wiped out.

There were seventeen or eighteen prisoners, all bruised and battered, soaking wet, and in a sorry state. On the "Sanhe" side, only a few brothers suffered minor injuries.

Three cargo ships safely entered the West Wharf and began unloading.

"Hou Qi, take these prisoners and their weapons to the West City Military Command. You know how to say it," Lin Feng ordered.

"Yes!" Hou Qi's spirits lifted, and he led his men, escorting the dejected canal gang prisoners, in a grand procession toward the West City Military Command. Along the way, countless civilians and merchants gathered to watch, pointing and whispering among themselves.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the docks and half of the state capital in an instant.

"Have you heard? Master Lin of the 'Three Harmonies' gang beat up Huang San's men from the Canal Gang and handed them over to the authorities!"

"Goodness, it's that tough? They dare to mess with the shipping guild?"

"That's right! Master Lin has an imperial envoy backing him up! Didn't you hear it was about 'maintaining order at the docks'? The canal guild has run into trouble!"

"Huang San has really embarrassed himself this time..."

The western branch of the Caobang (Grass Transport Association).

Huang San's face turned ashen, as if his parents had died. Hearing his subordinate scrambling to report the news, he trembled with rage and kicked the messenger to the ground.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash! Thirty-odd people couldn't even beat twenty? And you got arrested and handed over to the authorities? What use are you to me?!"

"Master, don't blame the brothers!" one of his trusted men, who had narrowly escaped, cried. "Those 'Three Harmonies' men weren't like laborers at all. They fought with discipline and coordination, like an army! And there were crossbows on the shore! Our men were caught off guard and suffered a great loss!"

"An army? Crossbows?" Huang San's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he gritted his teeth. "Lin San! Just who the hell are you?!"

Just then, another subordinate rushed in, panicking: "Master! Something terrible has happened! The main headquarters... the main headquarters has sent someone! It's Master Qin the Fifth from the Punishment Hall!"

Huang San's face turned deathly pale in an instant. Qin Wu of the Punishment Hall was a ruthless and merciless figure in the headquarters, specifically responsible for dealing with members who violated the rules. What good could his arrival possibly bring at this time?

"Quickly...please come quickly!" Huang San's voice trembled.

A gaunt old man with a sallow complexion and piercing, hawk-like eyes strode in, surrounded by several equally expressionless disciples of the Punishment Hall. This was none other than Qin Wu, the Fifth Master of the Punishment Hall.

"Huang San, look what you've done!" Before Huang San could even speak, Qin Wu launched into a tirade of reprimands. "The West District Wharf has been plagued by incidents one after another, causing a 30% drop in market share! Today, you instigated a disturbance and were caught red-handed, handed over to the authorities, utterly disgracing our shipping guild! You've completely disgraced the headquarters!"

"Fifth Master! Fifth Master, please calm down!" Huang San knelt down with a thud, drenched in cold sweat. "It's that Lin San from 'Sanhe' who's gone too far! He stole our business, cut off our source of income, and even..."

"Enough!" Qin Wu interrupted sharply. "In business, everyone relies on their own abilities! If you're incompetent and can't hold onto your territory, who can you blame? Getting into a brawl, being arrested and handed over to the authorities, and embarrassing the headquarters under the imperial envoy's nose—that's the real crime! The headquarters has ordered—"

He paused, looking at Huang San, whose face was ashen, and said coldly, "Effective immediately, Huang San is relieved of his post as the head of the Western District branch. Deputy head Liu Neng will temporarily assume the position. Huang San, come with me to headquarters to await further instructions! As for the matter at the Western District docks," a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "headquarters will send someone to have a proper 'talk' with that 'Sanhe' gang!"

"Fifth Master! Fifth Master, have mercy!" Huang San cried out in despair, kowtowing repeatedly. But Qin Wu waved his hand, and two disciples from the Punishment Hall stepped forward and, without a word, dragged the limp Huang San away.

Qin Wu didn't even glance at Huang San, who was being dragged away. His gaze swept over the others in the branch who were silent as cicadas in fear, and finally landed on Liu Neng, the deputy incense master. Liu Neng was a man in his forties with an honest face but shrewd eyes. He usually kept a low profile.

"Liu Neng".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"The Western Branch is temporarily under your control. You have ten days to stabilize the situation and find out the details of 'Three Harmonies.' Remember, you are not allowed to make any more rash moves, and you are not allowed to cause any more trouble for the headquarters! Everything depends on the headquarters' instructions," Qin Wu said coldly.

"Yes! I understand!" Liu Neng bowed and replied, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his lowered eyes.

Good news has arrived from the "Sanheyuan" (a traditional courtyard house).

"Master Lin! We won! A resounding victory!" Hou Qixing rushed in, beaming with excitement. "Huang San was dismissed from his post by the Grand Canal Gang and taken back to the headquarters for questioning! Now, a deputy branch leader named Liu Neng is temporarily in charge of the Western District branch. Zheng, the military commander of the Western City Garrison, has taken him in and patted his chest, saying that the Canal Gang was caught red-handed for inciting trouble and will definitely be severely punished! The news is going viral at the docks, saying that our 'Sanhe' has even brought down the Canal Gang!"

Liu Sandao, Zhao Hu, and the others were also visibly excited. After this battle, the "Sanhe" gang's influence at the West Wharf would reach its peak, and the Canal Gang would definitely not dare to openly provoke them again in the short term.

Lin Feng showed no joy, only nodding: "Understood. Tell the brothers to reward those who have contributed, and to double the compensation for the injured. But don't let your guard down; the Canal Gang headquarters won't let this go easily, and keep an eye on Liu Neng as well."

"Yes!" Hou Qi replied, then remembered something, "Oh, right, Master Lin, that Liu Neng just secretly sent someone to deliver a message."

"Oh? What did you say?"

"I'd like to meet with you privately, Mr. Lin, to discuss something. You can decide the time and place."

Liu Neng? He's already in a hurry to meet privately as soon as he takes office? A glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. This Liu Neng seems to be no ordinary person.

"Tell him that the brick kiln will be abandoned at midnight tomorrow," Lin Feng said calmly.

"yes!"

After seeing Hou Qi off, Lin Feng walked alone into the courtyard.

As the sun sets, it bathes the courtyard house in a golden-red hue.

Defeating Huang San was only the first step.

But at least, one obstacle has been cleared on the road to Black Wind Valley.

One day closer to the ten-day deadline.