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

Feng Zhen's secret memorial, along with military reports of an emergency in the north, was sent to the capital at the fastest speed possible.

In the following days, Qingzhou City appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging. The Qi Prince's mansion was confiscated, and those involved were successively convicted, some executed, others exiled. The Qi Prince himself remained missing, and arrest warrants were issued to every prefecture and county. Xiahou Ying also vanished without a trace. The clues to "Shadow Hawk" and the "Underground Palace" seemed to have temporarily stalled with Han Lu's death.

Lin Feng recuperated peacefully at the prefectural government office while closely monitoring news from the northern border and the capital. Feng Zhen granted him a degree of freedom, allowing him to access non-classified official documents and understand the development of the war situation in the northern border.

1. The news of the fall of Feiying Pass was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar in both the imperial court and the northern border. The court and the public were shocked, and the emperor was furious. He issued an edict severely reprimanding Zhao Polu, the general guarding Zhenbei Pass, ordering him to atone for his crime by recapturing Feiying Pass and defending Shuofeng City. At the same time, troops from the nearby Shuofang and Yunzhong garrisons were urgently dispatched to reinforce the northern border. The Ministry of War held meetings for several days to discuss troop reinforcements and the allocation of supplies.

2. After breaching Feiying Pass, the Di Rong Left Wise King's cavalry did not rush to attack the important town of Shuofeng. Instead, they leveraged their cavalry's mobility, dividing their forces into several routes to plunder, burn, and kill extensively within a hundred-mile radius of Shuofeng, attacking supply lines and harassing reinforcements, turning the entire Shuofeng region upside down. Shuofeng's external communications were intermittent, and the situation was extremely precarious. Even more worrying was the sporadic news that a small number of sophisticated, seemingly Zhou-style weapons appeared in the Di Rong army. Although few in number, they were enough to pose a greater threat to the border troops.

This undoubtedly confirms the previous speculation: at least some of the weapons stolen from Black Wind Valley have fallen into the hands of the Di Rong people! It's like a poisoned dagger being used by the enemy to stab their own people.

3. The atmosphere in the imperial court was heavy. The case of Prince Qi's treason was not yet fully resolved, and war had broken out again in the northern border, with clear signs of internal treachery. This placed unprecedented pressure on the long-peaceful Great Zhou court. Ministers submitted memorials demanding a thorough investigation of generals in the northern army who colluded with Prince Qi and Xiahou Ying. Some even subtly pointed the finger at several veteran generals who had long guarded the northern border and commanded significant troops. Undercurrents were surging within the court.

Lin Feng was extremely anxious upon seeing these fragmented reports in Qingzhou. Shuofeng City was besieged, and Heifeng Valley was not far behind it. Now that the war had spread, even if Ye Qingli and Chen Xi had escaped temporarily, what had become of them? Had they perished in the war? Had all the weapons been used by the Di Rong? What roles did "Shadow Hawk" and that mysterious "underground palace" play in this war?

He could only study the northern border maps and military briefings that Feng Zhen allowed him to see each day, mentally simulating the situation in the north, considering the possible plans of "Shadow Hawk," and how he should act.

On this day, Lin Feng was deep in thought, staring at a map in his room, when Wang the scribe rushed in, his face showing an unusual mix of excitement and seriousness.

"Mr. Lin, Lord Feng requests your immediate presence in his study. An imperial decree has arrived from the capital!"

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately got up and followed Wang the clerk.

Inside the study, Feng Zhen sat upright, a bright yellow scroll—an imperial edict—on his desk. Beside him stood a middle-aged eunuch with a pale face and no beard, his expression serious; clearly, the eunuch who delivered the edict.

Upon seeing Lin Feng enter, Feng Zhen gestured for him to step forward and receive the imperial decree.

"This humble subject, Lin Feng, receives the imperial decree." Lin Feng knelt down, lifting his robes.

The middle-aged eunuch unfurled the imperial edict and began to read it aloud in a high-pitched voice. The edict was quite long. It first condemned the Prince of Qi's heinous crime of treason, then affirmed the contributions of Feng Zhen, Lin Feng, and others in solving the treason case and stabilizing Qingzhou. The tone then shifted, mentioning the critical situation in the north, with the Di and Rong tribes invading and the nation facing imminent peril. The edict then mentioned Lin Feng, stating that he "was originally an elite border soldier, commendable for his loyalty and bravery. Although he was dismissed for some reason, he remained devoted to his country and made significant contributions in the Qingzhou treason case. He even volunteered to serve in the north… I am greatly pleased. Therefore, I hereby pardon Lin Feng's previous crimes, restore his military status, promote him to the rank of Sixth-Rank Zhaowu Colonel, and temporarily place him under the command of General Zhao Polu of Zhenbei Pass in the north, to atone for his crimes through meritorious service. He is granted one hundred taels of gold for his family's settlement. He shall depart immediately upon receiving this edict, without delay. This is my decree."

Promoted to Colonel Zhaowu! Reinstated to military status! Deployed to serve in the northern border!

Lin Feng was thrilled; the result was even better than he had expected.

Not only was he cleared of his crimes, but he was also promoted. More importantly, he gained a legal status to return to the Northern Territory, where he could legitimately investigate the "Shadow Hawks," find Ye Qingli and the others, and even fight on the front lines to protect his home and country.

"Your subject, Lin Feng, accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! Long live the Emperor!" Lin Feng suppressed his excitement, respectfully kowtowed, and accepted the imperial decree.

The eunuch delivered the imperial edict to Lin Feng, along with a document from the Ministry of War and a bronze waist tag representing his status as a Zhaowu Colonel. He then announced in a shrill voice, "Colonel Lin, the Emperor's grace is boundless. He hopes you will bravely fight the enemy on your journey to the northern border and live up to His Majesty's expectations. The war in the north is urgent. His Majesty has issued an oral decree that you must depart three days after receiving this decree."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree! I will repay Your Majesty's grace with my life!" Lin Feng said solemnly.

The eunuch who delivered the decree nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Feng Zhen, and then took his leave, as he still had to rush back to the capital to report back.

After seeing the eunuch off, Feng Zhen looked at Lin Feng, who was holding the imperial edict and his waist token, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face: "Lin San, no, now you should be called Commandant Lin. His Majesty is good at recognizing and appointing people, and is not bound by convention. This trip to the northern border is the perfect time for you to make meritorious contributions and realize your ambitions. I wish you a resounding victory and a triumphant return soon."

"It's all thanks to your patronage and recommendation, sir," Lin Feng said sincerely. He knew that if Feng Zhen hadn't strongly recommended him in his secret memorial, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, the emperor might not have noticed him, a nobody, let alone given him such trust and opportunity.

"It is our duty to recommend virtuous and capable people for the country." Feng Zhen waved his hand, his expression turning serious.

"The northern border is far more dangerous than Qingzhou. The Di Rong cavalry are swift and fierce, and there are spies lurking within, making them impossible to guard against. Your primary task is to ascertain the enemy's situation, especially to investigate clues related to Black Wind Valley and the 'Shadow Hawk.' If you can uncover the spies within the army, it will be a great achievement. As for fighting on the battlefield, you must act according to your abilities and not recklessly. Your injuries have not yet healed, so you must be even more careful."

"I understand, and I will certainly keep your teachings in mind," Lin Feng said.

"I have prepared some travel expenses, horses, and necessary items for you. In addition, this is my handwritten letter and token. Take it with you to the northern border. If you encounter difficulties, you can use this to seek an audience with the military governors of Shuofang and Yunzhong, or generals of the rank of deputy general or above at Zhenbeiguan. They may be able to provide assistance." Feng Zhen handed a sealed letter with sealing wax and a jade pendant to Lin Feng.

"Thank you, sir!" Lin Feng accepted the gifts solemnly. Feng Zhen had been very thoughtful; with these gifts, his actions in the Northern Territory would be much more convenient.

"There is one more thing," Feng Zhen lowered his voice, his expression becoming even more solemn, "Besides your official mission to the Northern Border, His Majesty and the Ministry of War have also given you a secret decree."

"A secret decree?" Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat.