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

The study in the Marshal's Mansion.

Zhao Dechang, dressed in ochre casual clothes, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the hanging map of the northern border, his shadow stretched long in the candlelight.

"Li Bing... the garrison commander of Jingzhou, a high-ranking official, and a favorite student of Prime Minister Li. Wang Heng implicated him before his death. Although it may be a fabricated accusation, combined with those non-standard weapons and jade pendants, this scoundrel may indeed have rebellious intentions! However, based on these alone, we cannot take him down."

"This subordinate understands."

Lin Feng solemnly said, "Therefore, the most urgent task is to find the 'Swan Leader,' who is the key to connecting Li Bing with the 'Shadow Swan,' and even the Di Rong. Only by obtaining irrefutable evidence of the 'Swan Leader' and his dealings with Li Bing can we break this deadlock."

"Not bad." Zhao Dechang got up, walked to the window, and looked at the deep night outside.

"Now, the only clues besides that half of the jade pendant are the 'Yongchang' pawnshop, the masked man, and the mountain god temple in Black Wind Valley... Wang Heng said that's where the Di Rong and 'Shadow Swan' meet."

He turned, his gaze intense: "Lin Feng, I'm giving you three days. Gather all your best men and thoroughly investigate the 'Yongchang' pawnshop. Uncover the truth about that lame old swindler and find the masked man who contacted him! The Black Wind Valley Mountain God Temple must be searched carefully!"

"This subordinate obeys the order!" Lin Feng knelt on one knee, his fists clasped firmly in a resounding voice.

"Get up." Zhao Dechang helped him up, patted his shoulder hard, his eyes full of expectation and heaviness.

"Lin Feng, this matter is far more dangerous than fighting on the battlefield. You are not only facing Di Rong's blade, but also the hidden arrows from the imperial court and the possible snipers from your comrades."

"General..." Lin Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his nose tingled slightly.

"Go. I will immediately write a letter and send it to His Majesty by express courier, detailing the matter of 'Shadow Swan' and the suspicion against Li Bing. Although there is no conclusive evidence, His Majesty should be aware of the situation and take precautions. I'm afraid there will be some movement in the court soon."

Zhao Dechang waved his hand, sat back down at his desk, spread out the memorials, and dipped his brush in ink.

Lin Feng said no more, bowed deeply, and left the study.

The night wind was biting outside, but a fire burned in his heart.

He only has three days.

These three days may determine the fate of Shuofeng City, as well as the future of the woman named Yun Li and himself.

However, the political turmoil that Lin Feng feared most came faster and more violently than he had anticipated.

On the third day at noon, while Shuofeng City was still shrouded in an eerie calm that was outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, a troop of imperial guards cavalry, gleaming in their armor and carrying royal ceremonial regalia, escorted an angel in a scarlet robe, holding a ceremonial halberd, and galloped into the commander's mansion amidst billowing dust!

"Imperial edict arrives—Zhao Dechang, Military Governor of Shuofeng and Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Frontier Campaign, receive the edict!"

The sharp, piercing imperial edict, like a thunderclap, resounded over the Marshal's Mansion.

Zhao Dechang, along with all his officials and generals, knelt in the main hall of the marshal's mansion to welcome him.

The angel, about forty years old, with a fair complexion and a light beard, possessed sharp eyes tinged with arrogance. He was none other than Gao Huan, the Vice Director of the Palace Attendants, a favorite of the Emperor. He unfurled a bright yellow scroll and, in his distinctively high-pitched voice, read aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that the important town of Shuofeng was recently plagued by a Di and Rong spy named 'Yinghu,' who nearly caused a great disaster. Fortunately, thanks to the bravery of the soldiers, the skillful command of Military Governor Zhao Dechang, and the effective reconnaissance of Deputy General Lin Feng, the spies were finally quelled, which greatly pleases me. I hereby bestow upon Zhao Dechang one hundred taels of gold and five hundred bolts of silk, and promote his son Zhao Huaiyi to the position of Crown Prince's Guard Commander; I also promote Lin Feng to the rank of General Dingyuan of the fifth grade, while retaining his position as the Chief Inspector of the Southwest Scouts of Shuofeng, and bestow upon him fifty taels of gold. The soldiers of Shuofeng shall also receive their respective rewards."

The opening was actually a compliment? Lin Feng's doubts deepened.

Sure enough, Gao Huan abruptly changed his tone, his voice turning sinister:

"However, Di Rong spies have been lurking for many years, operating extensively, leading to the loss of military equipment, the near fall of city gates, and widespread panic among the people. This is due to lax defense and inadequate surveillance! Li Bing, the garrison commander of Jingzhou, has submitted a memorial stating that the border troops in Shuofeng may be lax, and there may be corruption in personnel appointments, even allowing spies to grow in power. Furthermore, Shuofeng has recently been strictly inspecting merchants and travelers, blocking the main thoroughfare between Jingzhou and Shuofeng, causing resentment among merchants and civilians, and border trade has almost ceased. This is not the way to defend the border and ensure the safety of the people!"

"Hereby, the military governor of Shuofeng, Zhao Dechang, is ordered to thoroughly investigate the administration of the border troops, rectify defenses, and enforce military discipline within half a month. He must also report back truthfully on the details of the discovery of the 'Shadow Scouts,' the individuals involved, and the responsibility for the loss of military equipment. There must be no errors! Furthermore, the extraordinary checks on merchants traveling towards Jingzhou are to be lifted immediately, and border trade will be restored to reassure the people. This is the imperial decree—"

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

The system employed a combination of rewards and punishments, praising openly while criticizing covertly. In the end, it directly reprimanded Zhao Dechang for lax defense and ineffective inspections, placing the blame for the growing power of "Yinghu" on him. Furthermore, through Li Bing's words, it accused the Shuofeng Border Army of "using people for personal gain" and "blocking trade routes," ultimately forcibly lifting the inspections on merchants and travelers in Jingzhou!

This was clearly a counterattack launched by Li Bing in the court, and it was obvious that the emperor had some degree of favor towards him! At the very least, he was unwilling to completely break ties with Li Bing and the Prime Minister Li behind him at this moment.

Zhao Dechang's face was ashen as he accepted the imperial edict with both hands, his fingers turning slightly white from the force, but his voice remained steady: "Your subject, Zhao Dechang, accepts the edict and expresses his gratitude. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Gao Huan handed the imperial edict to Zhao Dechang, and said with a forced smile, "General Zhao, His Majesty is very concerned about the matter of the north wind. I hope you will carefully consider this matter during the next half month, and not fail His Majesty's grace. In addition, Garrison Commander Li is also wholeheartedly devoted to the public good and thinking about the peace of the surrounding borders. You should communicate with him more and work together."

These words, though seemingly gentle, are actually a barb; they are both a form of pressure and a warning.

Zhao Dechang remained expressionless: "What Eunuch Gao said is quite right. I, Zhao, will certainly obey the imperial edict and investigate carefully. As for Garrison Commander Li… I also hope to work with him for the country. However, national affairs are more important than personal relationships. If anyone is found to be colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, even if they are a prince or a high-ranking official, I, Zhao, will report to the Emperor and have them severely punished according to the law!"

In his final few sentences, Zhao Dechang spoke with unwavering resolve, his gaze sharp as he stared directly at Gao Huan.

Gao Huan's expression changed slightly, and he chuckled twice: "General, your loyalty and bravery are admirable. I must return to the capital to report, so I won't bother you any longer. Farewell."

Having said that, he bowed respectfully, and led the Imperial Guards away hastily, as if afraid to stay even a moment longer.

As soon as the angel left, the atmosphere in the main hall of the commander's mansion instantly plummeted to freezing point. All the generals wore expressions of resentment, but dared not utter a word.

Zhao Dechang slowly stood up and slammed the imperial edict heavily onto the table, making a dull thud.

"Did you all hear that? His Majesty gave us half a month to 'thoroughly investigate' and 'report back'! Li Bing has turned the tables on us; His Majesty's intentions are unpredictable! Our time is running out."

Lin Feng took a deep breath and stepped forward: "General, although the imperial decree has been issued, the matter of 'Shadow Strike' is not over, and the suspicion of Li Bing's treason has not been cleared. The investigation can be lenient on the surface but intensified underneath; the pursuit of key clues must not stop! Especially 'Shoulder' and that masked man! This subordinate requests that we immediately take action against the 'Yongchang' pawnshop and that residence, conduct surprise interrogations, and be sure to pry them open! At the same time, the secret passage of the Black Wind Valley Mountain God Temple must also be investigated as soon as possible!"

Zhao Dechang pondered for a moment, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Approved! But the action must be swift and clean! Bring the confession and physical evidence here immediately! Remember, our opponent is not only Li Bing, but also that force in the court!"

"This subordinate understands!" Lin Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

He knew that the real contest was only just beginning.