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

Panic gripped the docks, and rumors spread like wildfire.

Lin Feng ordered the truth to be suppressed, only saying that Manager Liu had unfortunately been murdered, and that the murderer was a remnant of the troublemaking canal gang who had been captured and handed over to the government for legal proceedings. On the surface, order was restored at the dock, but underneath, the tense atmosphere was almost suffocating.

"Master Lin, I've checked." Hou Qi, his face pale, found Lin Feng, who was inspecting the progress in front of the warehouse ruins, and whispered, "There are a total of seven batches of goods that Liu Neng handled and signed off on. Three of them are our own, two are from 'Yongfa,' one is from 'Furuixiang,' and the last one is... from 'Qiji.'"

"Qi Ji?" Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. The business of the Qi Prince's Mansion.

"Yes. It arrived at the port yesterday evening, just before dark, and the cargo was unloaded. The manifest said 'mountain goods and furs,' a total of sixteen large boxes. Liu Neng personally signed it and instructed the dockworkers to handle it with care, saying it was cargo for 'distinguished guests.' It was loaded directly onto a truck and driven away without stopping at our dock warehouse," Hou Qi said. "I inquired and found out that the truck that picked up the cargo was from the Qi Prince's residence, and it was taken directly into the side gate of the Qi Prince's residence in the inner city."

The goods from the Qi Prince's residence were personally handled by Liu Neng and transported away overnight, the night before he was silenced. The timing was too coincidental!

Could the stolen "New Year's gifts" intended for the Qi Prince's residence be among them? Was Liu Neng an inside man, responsible for receiving and releasing them?

No, that's not right. Lin Feng frowned.

If that shipment was indeed a New Year's gift, why would Di Rong's "Shadow Hawks" and the canal gang go to such lengths—attacking the "Sanheyuan" (a traditional courtyard house) to lure them away and burning down the warehouses to create chaos—just to steal something that was destined for Prince Qi's residence? Unless… that shipment wasn't a New Year's gift at all, but something else entirely, which needed Liu Neng as an inside man to be transported into the prefecture and then into Prince Qi's residence undetected! And Di Rong's "Shadow Hawks" and the canal gang's attack was to cover up the true destination of the goods and frame the "Sanhe" gang!

"Have you checked those sixteen boxes? What kind of mountain goods and furs are in them?" Lin Feng asked.

"I asked the laborers who unloaded the goods at the time, and the boxes were very heavy, not like ordinary fur. Moreover... some people smelled a faint fishy smell in some of the boxes, not like the smell of animal hides, but more like... the smell of rust and oil mixed together." Hou Qi's voice trembled slightly.

Rust and oil? Armory! Lin Feng's heart trembled violently!

Was the King of Qi secretly stockpiling and transporting military equipment? What was he planning to do?

Recalling the previous records in the "Xuanlin Guard" regarding the Qi King's "secret accumulation of armor and weapons, and communication with the Northern Di," a terrifying conjecture surfaced in Lin Feng's mind: the Qi King was not only colluding with the Di Rong, but also secretly preparing weapons. His ambitions were likely not merely to amass wealth or overthrow political enemies, but rather... to rebel! And the stolen "goods," used to frame "Sanhe," were very likely a batch of weapons, or something related to them! The Di Rong's "Shadow Hawk" stole the goods, perhaps to mislead, perhaps to seize leverage over the Qi King, or perhaps... the two sides were actually in cahoots, and the goods were a "gift" for the Di Rong!

"What a clever scheme to use someone else to do the dirty work and frame someone to cover it up!" Lin Feng's eyes flashed with cold light.

This elaborate scheme, with each step linked to the next, was ruthless and meticulous, almost cornering him. If he hadn't been prescient and deployed crossbowmen at the docks, if Liu Neng hadn't betrayed him at the last minute, and if Wang Laizi and his men hadn't lost their composure, he would probably already be accused of "gathering a mob for fighting, murdering the manager, colluding with bandits, and robbing officials and merchants," and arrested and interrogated by Feng Zhen!

Just then, an unexpected person arrived at the "Sanheyuan".

The visitor was Wang Shuli's trusted servant, hurrying along. Upon seeing Lin Feng, he pulled an unsigned letter from his pocket and whispered, "Master Lin, my master instructed me to deliver this to you personally; it's extremely urgent!"

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. He took the letter and went to a secluded spot to open it. The letter contained only a few words in Wang the clerk's handwriting, very hasty and clearly written in a hurry:

"Feng has received a secret report that he suspects you of colluding with the Northern Barbarians and the Canal Gang, robbing officials and merchants, and secretly hoarding weapons. Zhou and Qi have also slandered you. Feng is furious and may harm you. You must go into hiding! Be careful!"

Lin Feng's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart sank to the bottom!

The worst has happened!

Feng Zhen indeed received false accusations against "Sanhe," and it's highly likely related to the stolen "goods"! Zhou Wenyuan and Prince Qi must have been involved, and may even have fabricated evidence! Feng Zhen already harbored suspicions about "Sanhe," and now that the "evidence" is irrefutable, he's furious and might take swift and decisive action against "Sanhe" and himself! Arrest, or even... kill!

Wang, the clerk, risked his life to deliver a message, urging him to "take temporary refuge"—this was the most severe warning imaginable!

This means that Feng Zhen has likely made up his mind, and may even have already sent troops on their way!

What should we do? Run away now? Where can we run to?

Black Wind Valley? Ye Qingli and Chen tide are still on their way, their fates unknown. If I go there rashly, I might attract the pursuers and endanger them! Stay in the prefecture? Wait for Feng Zhen to send troops to capture them? That would be walking into a trap!

"Master Lin! Master Lin! Something terrible has happened!" Zhao Hu rushed over, panting, his face filled with shock and anger. "The docks... a lot of soldiers have arrived at the docks! They've surrounded our warehouses and berths! They say they're acting on the orders of the Imperial Envoy to shut down 'Sanhe Freight Transport' and arrest the owner, Lin San, and his key members! The leader is Captain Yang, leading over a hundred soldiers, and they're already heading this way! Brother Liu is trying to hold them off, but I'm afraid he won't be able to hold them off for long!"

It's here! So fast!

Feng Zhen has made his move! And his move was swift and decisive, immediately sealing off the docks and arresting people!

Lin Feng took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Escape is too late. The docks are surrounded, and the city gates are likely sealed off. A direct confrontation? That would be suicide; the enemy is imperial troops, representing the law!

"Where is Hou Qi?" he asked urgently.

"Seventh Brother went out just now and hasn't come back yet!"

There was no time to notify Hou Qi. Lin Feng's mind raced, his gaze sweeping over his brothers who had gathered in the courtyard, their expressions filled with panic. They couldn't fight head-on, they couldn't just sit and wait to die; they had to buy time and find a way out!

"Zhao Hu, Liu Sandao!" Lin Feng shouted in a deep voice.

"Here!" Zhao Hu and Liu Sandao stepped forward, their eyes showing surprise, but even more so, determination.

"Listen to me!" Lin Feng spoke rapidly. "Feng Zhen has been misled by slander and is trying to use my 'Sanhe' gang as a scapegoat. I can't leave, and I can't go anywhere. If I leave, the charges will be confirmed, and no one in 'Sanhe' will survive! Listen carefully, when the soldiers come, don't resist, let them arrest you! Especially you, Liu Sandao, you're injured, they won't do anything to you. Zhao Hu, you too, don't be impulsive!"

"Master Lin! We're with you..."

"Shut up!" Lin Feng interrupted sharply. "This is an order! Remember, you know nothing! Everything was done by me, Lin San, and has nothing to do with the other brothers in 'Sanhe'! There's an account book in a hidden compartment under my bed, recording all of 'Sanhe's' assets and financial transactions, as well as the brothers' personal information. If I don't come back, Liu Sandao, you'll be the new leader of 'Sanhe'. Take the account book, lead the brothers, leave Qingzhou, and go elsewhere to make a living! Don't think about revenge, just live well!"

"Master Lin!" Liu Sandao and Zhao Huhu's eyes were filled with tears, and the brothers around them also had red eyes.

"Stop talking nonsense! Do as I say!" Lin Feng took one last look at his brothers who had risked their lives with him, a wave of indescribable reluctance and sorrow washing over him. But he knew this was not the time to let emotions cloud his judgment. He had to protect "Sanhe" and his brothers! Feng Zhen wanted to capture Lin San; if he surrendered, perhaps "Sanhe" would still have a glimmer of hope.

"Also," Lin Feng said in a low voice to Liu Sandao, "if Hou Qi returns, tell him to immediately go to Wang the clerk and find a way to reveal to Feng Zhen the suspicious points we have regarding the batch of 'mountain goods and furs' from the Qi Prince's mansion, as well as the clues about Liu Neng being silenced and Qin Wu's contact with the Di Rong assassins! Remember, it's about revealing, not reporting! Let Feng Zhen 'find' these things himself! Also, there's a letter for Feng Zhen on my desk; tell him to find a way to give it to Feng Zhen at the appropriate time!"

After saying that, he didn't hesitate any longer, straightened his clothes, and strode towards the courtyard gate.

His back was straight, his steps firm, without the slightest hesitation or fear. Since there was no way to avoid it, he would face it head-on! He wanted to see whether this imperial envoy, Feng Zhen, was truly confused or just pretending! Just how vast a web could Zhou Wenyuan and the Prince of Qi's conspiracy weave!

The courtyard gate was violently kicked open, and fully armed soldiers filed in, their swords and spears gleaming, instantly surrounding the courtyard.

Captain Yang entered with his hand on his sword, his face cold and his eyes like lightning, sweeping over everyone in the courtyard before finally landing on Lin Feng.

"Lin San, by order of the Imperial Envoy, the 'Sanhe Goods Trading Company' is suspected of colluding with bandits, robbing officials and merchants, and secretly communicating with the Northern Barbarians. It is to be shut down immediately! All related personnel are to be escorted back to the prefectural government office for questioning! Lin San, you are the ringleader, come with us!"

Lin Feng looked at him calmly and extended his hands.

"Lin San is here. May I ask, Captain Yang, does the Imperial Envoy have any concrete evidence? If there is no concrete evidence, and you are only making false accusations, then sealing off the merchants and arresting innocent people will likely damage your reputation and be difficult to convince the public." His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

A complex emotion flashed in Captain Yang's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cold, businesslike demeanor: "Whether you are guilty or not, the Imperial Envoy will decide! Lin San, if you are innocent, why are you afraid of being confronted? Take him away!"

Two soldiers stepped forward, pulled out iron chains, and were about to put them around Lin Feng's neck.

"Wait!" Lin Feng suddenly said, "Captain Yang, I am a law-abiding citizen with official rank, not a prisoner. These chains are unnecessary, aren't they? I am willing to accompany you to the prefectural government office to confront the false accuser. I believe Your Excellency, the Imperial Envoy, is discerning and will not wrong an innocent person, nor will you let a wicked person go free!"

His eyes were clear and fearless, instead exuding an aura of righteous indignation.

Captain Yang met his gaze for a moment, then waved his hand: "That's enough, no need to lock it. Master Lin, please."

Lin Feng nodded to Liu Sandao, Zhao Hu, and the others, signaling them to proceed according to plan. Then, under the tearful gazes of his brothers and the escort of the soldiers, he walked out of the "Sanheyuan" gate with his head held high.

He knew that stepping out of that door meant entering a den of dragons and tigers, where life and death were uncertain. But he had no choice, nor could he back down. This was not only for himself, but also for the brothers behind him, for the worries of those far away in Black Wind Valley, and for the indomitable belief and indignant anger in his heart!

I wonder what the state prison looks like. What ruthless methods will Feng Zhen use in his interrogation? Zhou Wenyuan and Prince Qi must have already prepared "ironclad evidence," waiting to put him to death.

But Lin Feng is not someone to be trifled with! If you want his life, if you want to destroy "Sanhe", you'd better be prepared to lose all your teeth!

"Let's go." Lin Feng smiled faintly at Captain Yang, whose expression was complicated, and took the lead towards the prefectural government office. The sunlight was a bit dazzling, but his steps were steady, and his shadow stretched long, very long on the bluestone street.

The plaque of "Sanheyuan" (Three Courtyard House) stood out starkly against the soldiers' seals. The grand drama sweeping through Qingzhou reached its climax with Lin Feng's arrest! All eyes were now on the prefectural government, on the young imperial envoy, and on the imprisoned yet still proud owner of "Sanhe"! A battle and trial that would determine the fate of countless people was about to begin in the solemn courtroom of the prefectural government!