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

Dawn broke in Shuofeng City amidst a facade of oppressive calm.

Lin Feng barely slept all night.

The wound on his shoulder was no longer a problem thanks to the careful care of the military doctor, but the tension in his heart was getting tighter and tighter.

As dawn broke, he summoned his most capable scout team leaders to make final arrangements within the government office.

"Captain, we've found out." Old Dao's eyes were bloodshot, but he was in high spirits and said in a low voice.

"The 'scrap iron' that was brought into Zhang's blacksmith shop late at night wasn't scrap iron at all! It contained dismantled crossbow and arrow parts, and smelled of sulfur and saltpeter! The long chests that were moved into Huai Niang's wine cellar were probably filled with bows and knives! Our men saw Liu Laosan and Sun the Cripple sneaking into the backyard of the tavern last night, staying for almost half an hour before coming out!"

Another scout responsible for monitoring the city gates also reported: "When the West Gate's Wu-character squad and the South Gate's Bing-character squad changed shifts last night, Wang Heng and several soldiers from Jingzhou whispered with the old soldiers guarding the gates and stuffed something into their mouths. It looked like silver ingots. This morning, the sentries responsible for checking the two squads were quietly replaced by their men."

"They're about to make their move," Lin Feng said coldly. "The target is clear—the west and south gates! And the most likely time... is tonight!"

"Captain, should we arrest them now? Catch them red-handed!" A young squad leader couldn't contain himself.

"No rush." ​​Lin Feng slowly shook his head, his gaze calm.

"Catching a few small fry is only a temporary solution. We need to wait, wait until they all come out, wait until they think they've got what they want and are ready to launch their attack! I've already reported to Commander Zhao tonight, and the commanders of the west and south gates have received secret orders to cooperate with our operation. Today, during the day, the checks at the city gates will proceed as usual, even slightly relaxed, to lure them out. The real test will come after nightfall!"

He surveyed the crowd, his tone resolute: "Old Dao, divide your men into three groups. Keep a close watch on them all."

"yes!"

"Li Si," Lin Feng said, turning to another composed scout, "you take your men, with my token, to the west and south gate garrison camps. Quietly apprehend those bribed veterans Wang Heng mentioned, interrogate them separately, and get them to talk! I need to know exactly what they're going to do tonight at midnight, how they'll coordinate, and what their code is! But be sure to keep it secret; don't let Wang Heng and his men find out!"

"Yes, sir!"

"The rest of you, stay with me at the government office and be ready to provide support at any time. Also, notify all sentry posts, both visible and hidden, in the Black Wind Valley direction to be extra vigilant. If any signs of the Di Rong wolf cavalry gathering and advancing are detected, immediately send out signal fires!"

The orders were clearly issued, and everyone obeyed and left.

Lin Feng was the only one left in the government office.

Today will be a long and dangerous day. He must ensure that nothing goes wrong. The slightest oversight could allow the Di Rong's surprise attack to slip through, or allow spies within the city to succeed. If the city gates fall, and the city is attacked from both inside and outside, Shuofeng City will be in grave danger.

He subconsciously reached into his robe and touched the indigo amulet.

The rough fabric, the fine stitches, seemed to carry a faint, lingering scent of soapberry, a scent that belonged to that small courtyard on West Back Street. Unexpectedly, the image of those clear eyes, tinged with sorrow and resilience, flashed through my mind.

"Yun Li..." He murmured the name, a complex emotion stirring within him.

Right now, she should be quietly embroidering flowers in that simple but clean little courtyard, right?

……

West Back Street, a small courtyard.

Xiao Qingli also didn't sleep all night.

As dawn broke, she got up, picked up the orchid handkerchief with the wooden button hidden inside, and a few other ordinary embroidered items, and put them into a clean coarse cloth bundle.

As usual, she locked the courtyard gate and walked towards the West Market with her head down.

After finally reaching the West Market, "Skillful Embroidery Workshop" had just opened. The proprietress of the workshop was a kind-faced middle-aged woman surnamed Wu. Because Xiao Qingli's embroidery skills were excellent and her prices were fair, she often took on work from her.

"Yun Li is here? Why are you here so early today?" Boss Wu greeted her with a smile, taking the bundle. "Oh, the orchid embroidery is becoming more and more lifelike, and the bamboo is also quite nice... It's just that the colors are a bit plain. In these times of war and chaos, nobles prefer bright and vibrant patterns to ward off bad luck."

Xiao Qingli forced a smile and said in a low voice, "Aunt Wu can give me whatever price she thinks is fair."

Old Mrs. Wu carefully examined the embroidery, gave a fair price, and then picked out the orchid handkerchief, saying, "This handkerchief is quite elegant, and the material is fine and soft. I know the steward's wife from the household of Commander Wang, the garrison commander of the South Gate. A few days ago, she mentioned that she was looking for some nice handkerchiefs, and this one seems to suit her taste. Shall I take it to her and ask her about it?"

The South Gate Guard? Xiao Qingli's heart skipped a beat. If this handkerchief could really reach the hands of the South Gate Guard's family, perhaps... perhaps there would be a slight chance of it being noticed? Although the hope was still slim, it was better than letting it scatter aimlessly.

"It's all up to Aunt Wu to decide," she replied meekly, carefully putting away the few copper coins, her palms already damp and slippery.

"Alright, I'll keep it for you. Bring it over next time you have a good embroidery pattern." Old Mrs. Wu placed the handkerchief aside and wrapped a few new pieces of plain silk and thread for her.

Xiao Qingli thanked them, then walked out of the embroidery workshop carrying the newly acquired fabric and thread.

That handkerchief, like a fallen leaf thrown into a torrent, was lost, its destination unknown, and its consequences uncertain.

Zhang's blacksmith shop in the West Market closed early this morning, hanging a wooden sign that read, "Closed for the day due to a happy occasion for the owner." In the backyard of the "Old Locust Tree" tavern, wary-looking strangers could be seen coming and going. At the west and south city gates, the soldiers conducting checks seemed somewhat distracted, occasionally waving to familiar vehicles to let them pass.

Inside the scout office, secret reports piled up on Lin Feng's desk like snowflakes.

"Six 'scrap metal' trucks entered the backyard of the blacksmith's shop around dusk and have not left since."

"In the backyard of Huai Niang's Tavern, at three quarters past 3 PM, Liu Laosan, Sun the Cripple, Wang Heng, and three other unfamiliar faces entered one after another, seemingly having a secret meeting."

"Unidentified oil stains and traces of sulfur were found at three abandoned warehouses in the West Market and two sheds used for storing hay in the South Market, which are suspected to be arson sites."

"Of the three veterans we had under our control in the West Gate garrison, one couldn't hold out any longer and confessed. Tonight at midnight, using the signal of three torches burning brightly and then dimming three times on the city wall, they will be responsible for creating chaos inside the West Gate and sabotaging a gate mechanism. On the South Gate side, using the signal of two white lanterns hanging from the back door of the tavern, they will also create chaos and attempt to open the side gate."

"In the direction of Black Wind Valley, the Di Rong Wolf Cavalry showed signs of gathering in the afternoon, but their movements became unclear after nightfall. Our scouts are closely monitoring them."

Lin Feng's gaze swept over the intelligence reports, finally settling on several key locations marked on the map. His eyes were sharp as a sword about to be drawn. "The snake is about to emerge from its hole."

He stood up, his shoulder armor clinking softly.

"Pass down the order: proceed according to the plan, everyone to your positions! Before midnight, remain hidden and do not alert the enemy! At midnight, on my command, simultaneously close the net!"

"yes!"