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

He looked at Han Tao and said, "Xie Wanqing really did give a generous gift."

"This woman is indeed quite capable. She's been quite well-behaved in the west courtyard these past few days, only occasionally taking walks, reading, or asking Miss Shen for advice on medicinal herbs; she hasn't done anything unusual," Han Tao said. "Commander, could we... perhaps trust her a little?"

"Let's take another look," Lin Feng said. "The mineral vein she offered is real, but its origin and purpose are still unknown. Send an order to send another team of sentries to keep an eye on the cliff in Ghost Cry Forest. If any Di Rong or unidentified people approach, report back immediately. The matter of the mineral vein should not be spread outside for now; it should only be known to you and a few others."

"Yes."

In the afternoon, Lin Feng was inspecting the newly delivered warhorses in the courtyard, while Lei Bao was nagging about the horses' merits and demerits.

Suddenly, Xie Wanqing emerged from the moon gate of the west courtyard, carrying a small embroidery hoop, seemingly choosing a well-lit spot to do her needlework. Upon seeing Lin Feng, she stopped and bowed respectfully from afar.

Lin Feng nodded in return. Xie Wanqing then walked to an old plum tree not far away, where a few rays of pale winter sunlight shone.

She sat down, lowered her head and began to embroider. Her posture was serene, and her profile, under the sparse branches and pale sunlight, had a touch of painterly beauty.

Lei Bao leaned closer to Lin Feng and lowered his voice: "Boss Lin, this Miss Xie... she really doesn't look like an ordinary merchant's daughter. She looks more like... like one of those fallen noble ladies from a play."

Lin Feng neither confirmed nor denied, only saying, "The horses are good; train them well. By the way, has Yan Qing found anything while leading his men to explore the surrounding area these past few days?"

"It's the same as always. There are more small groups of Di Rong cavalry, but no sign of large groups. Yan Qing said that the Black Wolf tribe seems to be shrinking recently, and their patrol area is smaller than before, which is a bit strange." Lei Bao scratched his head.

Contraction? Lin Feng frowned. Was it a defensive move, or was something brewing?

At this moment, a bodyguard hurried over and whispered a few words in Lin Feng's ear.

Lin Feng's expression changed slightly. He said to Lei Bao, "I'm going out for a bit. Keep an eye on the city." He glanced at Xie Wanqing under the plum tree, then turned and strode away.

The guards reported that when they were checking a merchant who was trying to sneak into the city, they found a secret letter hidden in the cargo. The letter was addressed to the owner of "Liu's Leather Shop" in the city. The content was vague, but it mentioned that "the goods are ready and we hope you can come quickly. We will not be deterred by wind or snow." The letter was signed "Feng".

Liu's Leather Shop is an old shop in Iron Wall City. The shopkeeper, Liu Neng, is a lame man in his fifties who is usually taciturn, and the shop's business is average.

Feng? Feng Kun?

Lin Feng immediately instructed Han Tao to secretly control the area around Liu's fur shop, while he changed into civilian clothes, took two capable bodyguards, disguised himself as a merchant, and sat down at the tea stall diagonally opposite the shop.

The leather goods shop was small and was half-closed at the moment.

Before long, a short, stout figure wearing a sheepskin coat and hunching his neck came out of the shop. After looking around, it was Liu Neng.

He carried an empty wine jug and limped toward the wine shop at the end of the street.

Lin Feng gave a signal, and one of his personal guards quietly followed. The other guard remained at the tea stall to continue monitoring the business.

About fifteen minutes later, the bodyguard who had been following them returned and whispered, "Commander, Liu Neng bought some wine but didn't go straight back to the shop. He went around to the back street, entered the back door of 'Old Zhang's Blacksmith Shop,' and stayed there for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before coming out. Old Zhang, the blacksmith, is his brother-in-law."

A blacksmith shop? Lin Feng's eyes turned cold. A blacksmith shop could forge weapons and also smelt metal objects for transmitting messages.

"Keep a close eye on the blacksmith shop and Liu Neng. Don't alert them yet; see what other connections they have."

That night, the wind and snow rose again. Lin Feng sat in his study, deep in thought, staring at the map. Liu Neng, Feng Kun, the secret letter, the blacksmith's shop… If Feng Kun had truly planted an inside agent in Iron Wall City, his schemes must be far-reaching. Was it a coordinated attack from within and without, or was there another conspiracy at play?

A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Enter."

The door opened, and Yun Li came in carrying a steaming bowl of mutton soup. "Husband, it's late, have some hot soup to warm yourself up."

Lin Feng took the soup bowl, and looking at her gentle face, his annoyance lessened slightly. "Still not resting so late?"

"I can't sleep, and I see the study light is still on."

Yun Li sat down beside him, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Husband, is something troubling you again? You don't look well today."

Lin Feng didn't want her to worry, but this matter concerned the safety of the entire city, and the women in the family also needed to be vigilant.

He hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "The city may be in turmoil these days. You, Wanyue, and Qingyi should stay in the manor as much as possible and not go out unless necessary. If you see any suspicious people or things, tell me immediately, but don't make a fuss."

Yun Li's face paled, and she gripped her sleeve tightly: "Is...is Di Rong coming?"

"It might not be Di Rong, but we need to be prepared." Lin Feng patted her hand. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Yun Li nodded emphatically, but her eyes showed even deeper worry.

The next day, the snowstorm continued. Lin Feng summoned Lei Bao, Yan Qing, and Han Tao to make secret arrangements.

On the one hand, they strengthened surveillance of Liu Neng and the blacksmith shop; on the other hand, they selected reliable soldiers and began to secretly dig an entrance to a tunnel from the city to the direction of Ghost Cry Forest, in case of emergency, and also to prepare for possible mining in the future.

The tunnel was a closely guarded secret, personally overseen by Lei Bao, and the selected personnel were all veterans who had lived in Ironwall City for generations and whose families resided there.

In the afternoon, Lin Feng was inspecting a batch of newly forged arrowheads at the drill ground when a guard came to report that Miss Xie Wanqing was requesting an audience, saying that she had important business to discuss... the mine.

Lin Feng arrived at the side hall, where Xie Wanqing was already waiting.

She looked much better today, wearing a light blue cotton dress with a pale white vest over it, and a small velvet flower in her hair. She looked less sickly and more elegant. In her hand, she held a slightly worn roll of parchment.

"What can I do for you, Miss Xie?" Lin Feng gestured for her to sit down.

Xie Wanqing did not sit down, but carefully spread the parchment in her hand on the table.

It was a hand-drawn topographic map with simple, archaic lines, marking mountains, rivers, and mineral veins. Although it was simplified, the mountain shapes and orientations near Ghost Cry Forest roughly matched those that Han Tao had sent people to investigate! On the map, a special mineral vein symbol was clearly marked on the northeast cliff of Ghost Cry Forest, with a small note next to it: "Hematite, with small amounts of silver and copper."

"This is..." Lin Feng's gaze sharpened.