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

In the days that followed, Lin Feng's courtyard almost became a small processing plant.

After a series of complicated processes such as degreasing, soaking, scraping, tanning, and drying, the roe deer hide gradually becomes soft and tough, radiating the unique luster of leather.

The wild boar's bristles were carefully combed and tied, and its tusks were polished clean; these were all valuable items that could be sold for money.

Most of the lean meat was cut into strips, carefully rubbed with coarse salt, and hung above the stove to be smoked day and night.

The fatty meat was rendered into snow-white grease and stored in earthenware jars, a precious reserve for the winter.

With too much prey and limited supplies, they needed to sell it for more urgently needed resources: salt, ironware, cloth, seeds, and perhaps even some decent farm tools. Lin Feng decided to go to the county town.

Linyuan County is about 30 miles away from Xiahe Village, which is not close. Lin Feng did not bring any female relatives, only A Yue, who accompanied him, both as a helper and as a form of trust and observation.

When the sun was high in the sky, the two arrived in Linyuan County.

The low, dilapidated mud-brick city walls stood guard at the city gate, leaning against their spears, only glancing lazily at the flow of people coming and going. Inside the city, the streets were narrow, paved with uneven bluestone slabs, lined with tiled houses and thatched huts of varying heights. There was a lively atmosphere, with vendors hawking their wares and blacksmiths clanging their tools.

Lin Feng didn't set up a stall in the bustling market like ordinary mountain people. Based on the original owner's vague memories and his observations along the way, he headed straight for the east of the city. It was relatively clean there, with a few decent restaurants, cloth shops, and general stores. More importantly, it was close to the county government office and the city defense camp.

He stopped in the back alley of a two-story restaurant called "Yuelai Lou". The restaurant was of medium size and seemed to be doing good business, with waiters going in and out of the back door carrying ingredients.

"Wait here," Lin Feng said to A Yue, then walked to the back door and cupped his hands in greeting to a waiter who was washing vegetables. "Young man, is your shopkeeper here? We have some fine game and furs that we'd like the shopkeeper to take a look at."

The shopkeeper looked up and saw that although Lin Feng was wearing worn leather armor and carrying a knife and bow, his tone was calm and his eyes were clear, unlike the usual rude hunter. He wiped his hands and said, "Wait here, I'll go ask the manager."

A moment later, a slightly plump middle-aged man wearing a thin silk jacket and sporting a mustache came out. He shrewdly sized up Lin Feng and A Yue, who stood silently beside him, and then glanced at the baskets on their backs at their feet.

"So you have wild game to sell? We at Yuelai Restaurant don't just take any kind of wild game." The manager's tone was somewhat reserved.

Lin Feng didn't say much, directly lifting the oilcloth to reveal strips of smoked meat, glossy red in color and with distinct textures, as well as a piece of roe deer hide with one corner spread out. The hide was supple and shiny, almost without any damage. The wild boar bristles were neatly bound, and its tusks were thick and sharp.

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up immediately. He knew his stuff; such high-quality roe deer hide and smoked meat were rare in the county town, especially the smoked meat, whose color and aroma were far superior to those produced by ordinary hunters through smoke and fire. Wild boar bristles and tusks were also good stuff.

"Hmm... the goods are alright." The shopkeeper suppressed his excitement, deliberately keeping a straight face. "What's the price?"

Lin Feng wasn't entirely familiar with local prices, but his expression remained unchanged. He pointed to the roe deer hide: "This hide is perfectly tanned, with excellent workmanship. It's top-quality for making mattresses or vests in the cold winter. The smoked meat is made from top-grade roe deer and wild boar, smoked using traditional methods. It can be stored for a long time without spoiling and has a rich flavor. The shopkeeper is an expert, so please name a fair price. If the price is right, we'll give your shop priority when we have good mountain products in the future."

He spoke in a way that was neither humble nor arrogant, highlighting the value of the goods, implying a desire for long-term cooperation, and even adding a compliment to the other party.

The shopkeeper stroked his beard, pondering for a moment. He could tell that Lin Feng was no ordinary mountain man; his calm demeanor, along with the obviously formidable tall woman beside him, made him hesitant to push the price down too much.

"The hides... I'll give you five hundred coins. Smoked meat is sold by the pound, roe deer meat is fifteen coins a pound, wild boar meat is twelve coins. Bristle is fifty coins a bundle, and two tusks are one hundred coins. How about that?" This price is slightly higher than at the market, but not the absolute maximum.

Lin Feng quickly calculated in his mind and nodded: "Shopkeeper, you're very helpful. However, I'm new here and would like to ask you for a small favor."

"Oh? What kind of help?"

"I've long heard that the purchasing officials of the county government and the city defense battalion have a good eye for quality. I wonder if you could recommend a few? I also have some special mountain products that might be suitable for the government's needs."

As Lin Feng spoke, he took out a small oil paper package from the bottom of his basket, carefully opened it, and inside were several dark brown, hard, tuberous-like objects that emitted a faint medicinal fragrance. "These are 'Smilax glabra' and 'Polygonatum sibiricum,' which can only be found deep in the mountains and forests. They are old enough, have good medicinal properties, and are most suitable for replenishing qi and strengthening the body. The soldiers on the border and the government officials are exhausted, and they may find them useful."

The shopkeeper was taken aback. He examined the medicinal herbs carefully. As a restaurant owner, he knew a bit about ingredients and herbs, and these herbs did indeed look quite good, with a pure aroma. He gave Lin Feng a deep look. This kid looked like a martial artist, but he was quick-witted. Not only was he selling game, but he also wanted to get in touch with the government.

After a moment's consideration, the shopkeeper thought it wouldn't hurt to make an introduction. Whether it worked out or not depended on the other person's abilities, and he could at least gain a favor. This Lin Feng didn't seem like someone without connections; his military leather armor and powerful bow were proof enough.

"You certainly know how to think things through." The shopkeeper smiled. "Perfect timing. Today, Manager Liu from the county government's procurement department is coming to settle the accounts for the drinks. Come in with me and wait. Be quick-witted."

"Thank you, shopkeeper." Lin Feng cupped his hands in thanks.

Lin Feng left A Yue to guard the basket outside the door while he followed the manager into a side room in the backyard to wait. He was not in a hurry and quietly observed the operation of the restaurant's backyard. About half an hour later, a man dressed in a blue official's uniform, with fair skin and around forty years old, walked in accompanied by a waiter.

"Manager Liu, you've finally arrived! The accounts are all ready." The manager greeted him warmly.

Manager Liu nodded, but his gaze fell on Lin Feng standing to the side, especially the standard military knife at his waist and the bow tip peeking out from behind him. "And this gentleman is?"

"Oh, this is Brother Lin Feng, a hero of the Northern Border Army. He recently returned home and settled down, bringing some fine mountain produce to sell. I heard that you, Steward Liu, are in charge of the government's procurement, so I would like to ask you to take a look." The shopkeeper quickly introduced.

Lin Feng stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Lin Feng, deputy squad leader of the Northern Beacon Fire Battalion, greets Steward Liu."

Deputy platoon leader? Steward Liu's heart skipped a beat. A deputy platoon leader in the border army wasn't a high-ranking position, but to have reached this rank, especially at such a young age, meant he must have some ability. Moreover, the man was courteous and polite, unlike the crude and uncouth soldiers of ordinary soldiers.

"Deputy Squad Leader Lin, you're too kind," Steward Liu said, his tone softening. "What kind of mountain products do you have?"

Lin Feng took out the medicinal herbs he had brought and a small portion of the best-quality smoked meat. "These are just some wild mountain products, nothing special. I've heard that the officials and the brothers of the city defense battalion work tirelessly day and night to protect the people and the borders. Perhaps these will help them regain their strength."

Steward Liu carefully examined the medicinal herbs and then smelled the smoked meat, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes. The yamen (government office) certainly needed these, especially the medicinal herbs, which could be used to nourish the county magistrate and his officials, or to cultivate relationships. This smoked meat was also better than what was available on the market.

"The goods are good." Manager Liu nodded. "Deputy Squad Leader Lin is a straightforward man. These medicinal herbs will be sold at market price plus 10%, and the smoked meat will be sold at the Yue Lai Lou price. If you have any more goods of this quality in the future, you can deliver them directly to the back alley of the yamen. Just come to me."

He handed Lin Feng a small wooden waist tag with the character "Liu" engraved on it. "With this, the brothers guarding the gate won't give you any trouble."

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Liu!" Lin Feng accepted the waist token, knowing that this marked the initial connection.

The transaction went smoothly. The medicinal herbs sold for 1,200 cash, and the smoked meat, hides, and other items totaled over 3,000 cash. Lin Feng made sure to exchange the change for copper coins, resulting in a heavy bag.

After leaving Yuelai Tower, Lin Feng didn't leave immediately. He left most of the money and the remaining small amount of goods with A Yue, while he took some money with him and wandered around several blacksmith shops and general stores in the city. He needed to find out the prices of ironware and see if it was possible to order some suitable tools, or even... weapon blanks.

He stopped in front of a shop called "Zhang's Blacksmith Shop". The shop was in a slightly out-of-the-way location, but the furnace was burning brightly, and the clanging of the hammer was steady and powerful. The farm tools hanging at the door were made of solid materials and were finely crafted, not ordinary, crudely made items.

Lin Feng walked into the shop.

The blacksmith was a strong, muscular man in his early thirties, shirtless, his muscles bulging, sweat glistening in the firelight. He was forging the blade of a woodcutter's knife, his movements practiced and rhythmic.

"Shopkeeper, excuse me." Lin Feng said.

The blacksmith stopped hammering, looked up at Lin Feng, his gaze lingering on the military knife at his waist. He said in a deep voice, "What do you want? Farm tools, kitchen knives, woodcutting knives, fair prices."

"I'd like to see if you can sell anything else besides these, shopkeeper?" Lin Feng's gaze swept over the finished products hanging on the wall. "For example, a handy short blade, or... arrowheads?"

The blacksmith's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked Lin Feng over again. He put down his hammer, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and asked, "Are you a soldier, sir?"

"I'm a border soldier from the northern frontier, returning home to visit my family," Lin Feng said without hiding anything.

"Border troops..." The blacksmith nodded. "Arrowheads can be made. What kind do you want? Ordinary triangular awls, or barbed ones? Short blades are fine too, but they need good iron, and they won't be cheap."

"What is your surname, shopkeeper?"

"His surname is Zhang, Zhang Tie."

"Master Zhang." Lin Feng took out a few clean copper coins from his pocket (not from selling goods, but from military pay) and placed them on the anvil next to him. "I want to order a batch of arrowheads, this size and this cutting angle."

He dipped his finger in water and sketched a simple design on the cutting board. It was a design he had improved by combining modern aerodynamics with ancient techniques, resulting in a more stable center of gravity and stronger penetrating power for his armor-piercing arrowhead.

"The material must be good, and the quenching must be done properly. Make fifty of them first. Also, make a short-handled hand axe and a thick-backed machete; I'll give you the dimensions later." He pointed to Ah Yue's broken woodcutter's knife. "By the way, could you melt this woodcutter's knife down, add some good iron, and make a sturdier one?"

Zhang Tie looked at the few copper coins on the chopping board (this was the deposit, and also the rule), and then carefully examined the sketch drawn by Lin Feng, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He had never seen this arrowhead style before, but its structure told him it was unusual. "Sir, you know your stuff. These arrowheads are hard to forge, and the materials are expensive. Fifty of them... will cost at least two strings of cash. The hand axe and machete, depending on their size and materials, will also cost more than one string of cash. If we reforge the machete with better iron, it'll cost you three hundred cash. That'll be about four strings of cash in total. Pay half as a deposit first."

Four strings of cash was no small sum; it was almost half of the proceeds from this sale. But Lin Feng did not hesitate. To do something well, one must first have the right tools. In chaotic times, good weapons and tools are the guarantee of life and wealth.

"Deal." Lin Feng handed Zhang Tie two strings of cash (equivalent to two thousand coins). "This is the deposit. Also," he lowered his voice, "Master Zhang, if you have any extra good iron, or... if you can get the materials for making armor plates, the price is negotiable."

Zhang Tie gave Lin Feng a deep look, took the heavy copper coins, nodded, and asked no further questions. With chaos looming, it wasn't unusual for capable soldiers to secretly acquire weapons. "I'll do my best."

After leaving the blacksmith shop, Lin Feng went to the cloth shop and bought some thick coarse cloth and cotton (to buy winter clothes for the women and children in his family). He also went to the general store and bought enough salt, tinder, needles and thread, and other daily necessities. He also bought a few packets of vegetable seeds and a small bag of wheat seeds.

We had quite a lot of stuff, so we hired a donkey cart and, along with the remaining smoked meat and furs (a small amount to keep for our own use and as gifts), rode back to the village with A-Yue.

As the sun set, the donkey cart creaked and groaned as it entered Xiahe Village.

When Lin Feng and A Yue returned to the dilapidated courtyard with a truckload of goods, Shi Xiu and Liu Yun were both stunned.

They knew Lin Feng was going to sell goods, but they never expected to get so many tangible things in return!

"This...so much cloth and cotton?" Liu Yun touched the soft, thick fabric, her eyes reddening slightly. Since her family was destroyed and she was captured, she had never worn decent clothes again.

"Salt! So much salt!" Shi Xiu was both surprised and delighted. Salt was a hard currency in the grasslands and border regions.

"There are also seeds!" Shi Cao'er pointed to the small bag of wheat seeds and clapped her hands happily.

When Lin Feng handed over the nearly two strings of cash left over from the sale to Shi Xiu, asking her to keep it safe for household use, the way the three women looked at him completely changed.

If Lin Feng's previous displays showcased his martial prowess for survival, his ability to repair his home, and his hunting skills, then today he demonstrated his wisdom and shrewdness in acquiring resources and navigating the complexities of this world. He brought back not only food and warmth, but also a sense of security and confidence in the family's future.

This man was far stronger and more reliable than they had imagined.

Dinner was more lively than ever before. Liu Yun used newly bought salt and oil to stew the stored smoked meat until it was fragrant. Shi Cao'er chattered about the characters she had learned during the day. Shi Xiu wore a rare relaxed smile. Even A Yue seemed to eat more slowly, occasionally glancing up at Lin Feng, who was calmly recounting his observations of the day in the county town.

It was late at night.

As always, Shi Xiu and Liu Yun slept on the kang (heated brick bed) with Cao'er, while Lin Feng slept on a makeshift bed on the floor, with A Yue beside them.

But tonight, as the three women lay in bed, listening to Lin Feng's steady breathing on the floor, their minds were filled with thoughts different from those of the past.

Shi Xiu thought: He can even get connections with the government; perhaps things will really be more stable for the family in the future. And his few acres of land… does he really have a way to get them back?

Liu Yun thought: My husband is so capable. If I marry him, perhaps... perhaps it really is another way out that God has given me. I must take good care of this family.

Ah Yue thought: Arrowheads... hand axes... machetes... He ordered these not just for hunting, right? What does he want to do? This "home" seems... a little different.

Lin Feng closed his eyes, but his mind was already planning: retrieve the weapons and tools. Next, he should go to the village head to "discuss" the land matters. Also, he needed to solidify his relationship with Steward Liu; perhaps through him he could get to know the city defense battalion…

Home is settled, but the journey has only just begun.