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

The next day, Shuofeng City awoke in the morning sun, the air still filled with a faint smell of burnt and blood.

Inside the scout's office, Lin Feng was listening to the interrogation and investigation results summarized from all sides.

"...Captain, Huai Niang's injuries are too severe. The army doctor said she might not survive the day. But before she fainted, she vaguely uttered a word, 'swan'." Old Dao reported in a low voice.

"Wang Heng managed to hold on, but he was very stubborn, only admitting to accepting money from Di Rong. However, the half-jade pendant found on him was found to be extremely similar in shape and pattern to a batch of palace jade that was presented as tribute from Jingzhou at the beginning of the year."

"Jingzhou..." Lin Feng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound. This wasn't the first time the clues had pointed to Jingzhou.

He took out the orchid handkerchief from his bosom, and the image of that pale, frightened yet trying-to-remain calm face under the moon last night, those eyes filled with fear yet strangely resolute, and the glaring bloodstain on the cuff of her sleeve resurfaced in his mind.

She was afraid of him.

That fear was more like a deep-seated terror of the possibility that one's secrets might be revealed.

Is she related to "Shadow Swan"? It doesn't seem so.

If she is indeed a member of the "shadowy" organization, her warning last night would be tantamount to cutting herself off from the organization, which is extremely risky and inconsistent with her behavior.

Jingzhou...embroiderer...an orphaned girl who fled here...a warning with her blood...

These fragmented clues, like scattered beads, lack a crucial thread to connect them.

……

The Shuofeng City Marshal's Mansion.

In the center of the hall stood a eunuch dressed in the attire of a palace attendant, a resident eunuch sent from the capital to facilitate the transmission of information.

"General Zhao, esteemed generals, I have just received a message by carrier pigeon from the capital. I have been ordered to come here, firstly to commend the soldiers of Shuofeng for their meritorious service in defending the land, and secondly..."

The eunuch's voice was high-pitched and drawn out.

"His Majesty was deeply concerned upon hearing that Di and Rong spies were causing trouble in Shuofeng City, nearly leading to a major disaster. He specially ordered me to come here, firstly to investigate the matter, and secondly to see how so many demons and monsters have infiltrated this important garrison town. The Ministry of War and the Jingzhou Garrison Command have both submitted memorials, stating that there may be oversights in the defense of Shuofeng City, or that the personnel used may be inappropriate."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the generals in the hall changed.

The appeasement was a pretense; the real purpose was to hold people accountable! And they directly targeted the city's defenses and Zhao Dechang's personnel decisions!

Zhao Dechang remained expressionless, picked up his teacup, gently skimmed off the foam, and slowly said, "Indeed, there was a Di Rong spy named 'Yinghu' who colluded with internal traitors, intending to cause trouble. Fortunately, the soldiers fought bravely, and Commandant Lin Feng's skillful command enabled us to capture them all and repel the Di Rong wolf cavalry that attempted to launch a sneak attack in the chaos. As for the claims of lax city defenses and improper personnel management..." He put down his teacup, his gaze sharp as lightning, and looked at the eunuch.

"I wonder which official in the Ministry of War, and how the garrison commander of Jingzhou, learned of the situation in my Shuofeng City so quickly? Could it be that someone in the imperial court or the Jingzhou government is secretly colluding with that 'Shadow Swan'?"

The eunuch's expression changed slightly, and he chuckled twice: "General, you flatter me. His Majesty certainly trusts you, but with the current public opinion, there must be an explanation. Besides, the 'Shadow Scouts' have been able to infiltrate Shuofeng City for so many years and build such a force; it's probably not something that can be accomplished overnight, is it? General, having guarded Shuofeng for so many years, surely you haven't noticed anything?"

These words were even more incisive, directly pointing to Zhao Dechang's oversight and even implying that he had condoned and protected him.

"Lin Feng, report last night's events in detail to Eunuch Wang, without concealing anything. Let the Eunuch hear how our Shuofeng soldiers fought valiantly to defend the city and expose the traitor!" Zhao Dechang's voice was loud and clear, and he deliberately emphasized the phrases "fought valiantly to defend the city" and "exposed the traitor."

"Your humble servant obeys!" Lin Feng replied loudly, then turned to Eunuch Wang and recounted the events.

Zhao Dechang's expression remained solemn: "Eunuch Wang, have you heard clearly? Right and wrong, merit and demerit, will be judged by public opinion. If His Majesty doubts me, Zhao Dechang, or the soldiers of Shuofeng, he may send an envoy to investigate thoroughly! But if anyone tries to use this to frame a border general and undermine morale, I, Zhao Dechang, will be the first to object! The tens of thousands of soldiers of Shuofeng City will also object!"

"General, please calm down. I... I was only ordered to deliver a message and inquire about the situation," Eunuch Wang said sheepishly, his imposing manner weakened.

"Your Majesty is well aware of the merits of the commander-in-chief and his soldiers in defending the territory. However, the 'Shadow Scout' traitor is far-reaching and requires careful investigation. I will now truthfully report to Your Majesty what the commander-in-chief has said and what Commandant Lin has reported."

The storm was temporarily suppressed. But everyone knew that this was only the beginning. The undercurrents in the court had already begun to launch an attack on Shuofeng City and Zhao Dechang, using the "Shadow Swan" incident as a pretext.

After the meeting ended, Zhao Dechang left Lin Feng alone.

"Lin Feng, you did a great job." Zhao Dechang's expression was serious.

"But as you've seen, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. Although 'Shadow Swan' has suffered a severe blow, its roots are likely deeply embedded in the court and the countryside. Li Bing, the garrison commander of Jingzhou, is a protégé of Prime Minister Li. The Vice Minister of War who submitted the memorial is also from Prime Minister Li's faction. Their attack this time was aimed at me, and also at the entire Shuofeng Border Army. The great victory is a good thing, but it has also given them an excuse—why did they allow spies to lie in wait for so many years? Has the border army already become corrupt?"

Lin Feng declared resolutely, "General, I will do everything in my power to investigate, to find the 'chief' and uncover the mastermind, and to clear the name of the Shuofeng Border Army!"

Zhao Dechang waved his hand: "We need to investigate 'Swan Head,' but we must be careful. Li Bing has been operating in Jingzhou for many years, deeply entrenched, with complex border trade with the Di and Rong tribes. This man appears refined, but in reality, he is cunning and ruthless. Without solid evidence, we can't touch him. As for that embroiderer who secretly gave the warning..."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "This subordinate has already sent people to investigate. This woman's identity is suspicious, but she doesn't seem to be affiliated with 'Shadow Swan.' Her warning did indeed save Shuofeng City from a great disaster."

Zhao Dechang pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, investigate thoroughly and don't frighten them. If they are truly righteous people, they should be rewarded. But if their identity is indeed suspicious... you should know how to handle it. These are turbulent times, and countless eyes are watching inside and outside Shuofeng City. One wrong step could lead to utter ruin."

"Understood, Your subordinate," Lin Feng replied in a deep voice.

"Go. Conduct the investigation discreetly, and be extremely careful." Zhao Dechang waved his hand.

Lin Feng bowed and left the Marshal's Mansion.

The sunlight was a bit too bright, so he squinted and looked toward West Back Street.

Is that enigmatic woman the key to unraveling all of this, or is she part of an even deeper vortex? He must find the answer as soon as possible.

He mounted his horse and instructed the guards waiting outside, "Return to the yamen. Also, have Old Dao come to see me."