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

As dawn breaks, the prefecture slowly awakens amidst the crisp chirping of birds and the faint sounds of the city.

After washing up and changing into a clean robe provided by the Zhou family, Lin Feng stepped out of his room. The Zhou family courtyard was fresh in the early morning, with lush vegetation and a faint dampness permeating the rockeries and ponds.

The layout of the Zhou residence was clearer to him than he had seen it the night before. It consisted of three courtyards, not particularly luxurious, but elegantly and comfortably furnished. Every plant and tree exuded craftsmanship, reflecting the owner's refined taste and comfortable financial situation. The servants were well-behaved, and the atmosphere was tranquil. To anyone who didn't know the inside story, it appeared to be a peaceful and harmonious official's home.

But he knew that beneath this tranquility, unseen undercurrents must be lurking. Zhou Wenyuan, who had risen to the position of Prefect and remained unshaken in Qingzhou, was no ordinary person. How much of his taking in Chen Xi was out of old friendship, how much was a calculated move, or perhaps… some other ulterior motive?

"Young Master Lin, the master invites you and several guests to have breakfast in the front hall." The old steward, Zhou Fu, appeared in the corridor at some point and bowed to Lin Feng, his attitude even more respectful than yesterday.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou," Lin Feng said, and followed Zhou Fu to the main hall. A Yue followed silently.

In the main hall, Zhou Wenyuan was already seated in the main seat, having changed into a dark blue casual suit, which made him appear even more refined. Chen Xi had also arrived, dressed in a simple, moon-white dress, without makeup, her long hair simply tied up. Although there were still some dark circles under her eyes, she looked much better. Upon seeing Lin Feng enter, she nodded slightly to him. Shi Xiu and Liu Yun, along with Shi Cao'er, had just arrived. Shi Cao'er seemed a little shy, clinging tightly to Liu Yun's clothes.

"Young friend Lin, did you rest well last night? How are your injuries?" Zhou Wenyuan asked with a gentle smile, gesturing for Lin Feng and the others to take their seats.

"Thank you for your concern, Prefect Zhou. I'm much better now," Lin Feng said, bowing slightly as he sat down in the guest seat. A-Yue, Shi Xiu, and Liu Yun also took their seats in turn, with Shi Cao'er being held in Liu Yun's arms.

"That's good." Zhou Wenyuan nodded and instructed the maid to serve breakfast.

Breakfast consisted of congee, a few delicate side dishes, steamed buns, and meat buns. It wasn't lavish, but it was hot, clean, and delicious, a rare treat for those who had been eating dry rations for days.

During the meal, Zhou Wenyuan only casually inquired whether everyone was comfortable with their accommodations and told them to ask if they needed anything. He avoided mentioning Chen Miao, the Di Rong people, or any sensitive topics, treating them merely as ordinary relatives visiting. Lin Feng cooperated, offering only words of thanks and polite greetings. Shi Xiu and Liu Yun were somewhat reserved, eating with their heads down. Chen tide ate very little, occasionally glancing at Zhou Wenyuan and then at Lin Feng, seemingly lost in thought.

After breakfast, the maid cleared away the bowls and plates and served tea.

Zhou Wenyuan then put down his teacup and looked at Lin Feng, his tone still gentle, but the topic had shifted to business: "Young friend Lin, I was in a hurry yesterday and didn't have time to ask in detail. I heard from Xi'er that you are not a local. Are you here to escort your mistress and servant?"

"Yes." Lin Feng put down his teacup and said, "I am Lin Feng, a retired soldier of the Northern Beacon Fire Battalion (deliberately concealing this fact), originally from Linyuan County. Some time ago, on my way back to my hometown, I encountered Miss Chen and her maid in distress. At the request of Mr. Chen, I escorted them for a while."

"The Beacon Fire Battalion?" A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Wenyuan's eyes, then he understood. "So they're the elite border troops. No wonder they're so skilled and courageous. Linyuan County... isn't it on the northwestern border?"

"Exactly."

"The border region is harsh and cold, and battles are frequent. Young friend Lin must have distinguished himself in battle to retire from the Beacon Fire Battalion," Zhou Wenyuan praised, then changed the subject, "I wonder what your plans are after your retirement? Do you intend to return to Linyuan to settle down, or...?"

This is to find out his background and whereabouts.

Lin Feng was prepared and calmly replied, "To be honest, I have no relatives left, and Lin Yuan is not a place I can stay for long. I originally planned to travel around and see if there was a suitable place to settle down. This time, while escorting Miss Chen, I also wanted to take the opportunity to visit the prefectural capital."

"Oh?" Zhou Wenyuan stroked his beard, his gaze lingering on Lin Feng's face for a moment, as if judging the truthfulness of his words.

"Although the prefecture is prosperous, it is not easy to live there. Young friend, with your skills, it would be a waste to just wander around." He paused, as if casually mentioning, "I have several familiar colleagues in the prefectural army. Now that the northern border is not peaceful, the prefectural army is also undergoing reorganization and needs warriors like you with practical experience and outstanding skills. If you are interested, I may be able to introduce you to a couple of people and help you find a place to live. It is better than wandering aimlessly."

They recruited a second time, and this time they were even more direct, offering the lure of joining the state army. Although the state army didn't fight as many battles as the border troops, it was still a legitimate imperial force, and its treatment, status, and stability were far superior to those who wandered aimlessly. For ordinary retired border soldiers, this was undoubtedly an excellent way out.

Lin Feng quickly weighed the options in his mind.

Joining the state army would indeed immediately provide a relatively stable identity and protection, as well as better access to the state government's power structure and information. However, once cloaked in this official robes, one would inevitably be bound by military discipline, have limited freedom of movement, and inevitably be drawn into Zhou Wenyuan's sphere of influence, becoming more deeply tied to him. Whether it would be a blessing or a curse was hard to predict.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Excellency's kindness." Lin Feng neither immediately agreed nor refused, but sincerely said, "However, I am still recovering from my injuries and know nothing about the situation in the prefecture. I fear that rashly joining the army would disappoint Your Excellency. Could you allow me to stay in the prefecture for a few days to familiarize myself with the environment before making any further plans?"

"Yes, it's good to be cautious." Zhou Wenyuan seemed unsurprised and nodded. "In that case, young friend, please settle down in the manor and recuperate. The scenery of the prefecture is quite different from that of the border regions; you can take your time to appreciate it. If you need anything, please feel free to ask Zhou Fu."

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Lin Feng said. Both sides were satisfied with the outcome. Zhou Wenyuan demonstrated his sincerity in recruiting Lin Feng while also leaving room for maneuver; Lin Feng accepted temporary protection but was not completely bound to Zhou Wenyuan.

"As for Xi'er," Zhou Wenyuan turned to Chen Xi, his tone even gentler, "since your grandfather has entrusted you to me, this is your home. You can settle down here with peace of mind. If you need anything or want anything, just tell Zhou Fu, or come directly to me. I will also try to find out information about your grandfather, so you don't need to worry too much."

"Yes, thank you, Uncle Zhou." Chen tide stood up and curtsied.

"And these few too..." Zhou Wenyuan looked at Shi Xiu, Liu Yun, and A Yue.

"They are Mr. Lin's family members and wife," Lin Feng introduced.

Zhou Wenyuan nodded and said, "I see. Since we are family, let's stay together and not be shy. Zhou Fu, make sure we are settled in properly and do not neglect each other."

"Yes, sir," Zhou Fu bowed in response.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Zhou Wenyuan excused himself by saying he was busy with official duties and got up to leave, telling everyone to make themselves at home.

With Zhou Wenyuan gone, the atmosphere in the front hall visibly relaxed. Shi Xiu let out a long sigh and muttered, "This Lord Zhou seems amiable, but for some reason, I always feel a bit uneasy."

Liu Yun gently patted her hand, signaling her to be careful what she said. After all, this was someone else's home.

Chen tide walked to Lin Feng's side and whispered, "Brother Lin, Uncle Zhou seems to... value you highly."

Lin Feng glanced at her: "Perhaps it's just because of Old Chen and you."

Chen tide shook her head and said nothing more, but the worry in her eyes did not lessen. She turned to Zhou Fu and asked, "Uncle Zhou, do you know if there is a quiet study in the mansion? I would like to... read some books and calm my mind."

Zhou Fu quickly replied, "Yes, yes, the master's study is in the east courtyard, but the master has instructed that Miss Chen can use the small study in the west wing at will. It's quiet there and also houses some miscellaneous books and travelogues that the master collected in his early years. You might find them interesting."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou." Chen tide thanked him, nodded to Lin Feng, and then walked towards the west courtyard under the guidance of the maid.

She needs space to be alone, to process the sudden change in her environment, and to think about what to do next.

Lin Feng and the others also returned to their rooms.

Lunch was as plentiful as ever.

In the afternoon, Lin Feng wanted to go out for a walk to familiarize himself with the surroundings. Zhou Fu didn't stop him, but simply sent a clever servant to accompany him, supposedly to guide him and prevent Lin Feng from getting lost in an unfamiliar place. Lin Feng knew this was also Zhou Wenyuan's intention—a form of care, but also a kind of surveillance—but he didn't refuse.

He led A-Yue out of the Zhou residence through a side gate, guided by a servant named "Lai Shun". Shi Xiu and Liu Yun wanted to stay in the residence to take care of Shi Cao'er and do some sewing work, so they did not come along.

Lin Feng walked along, observing silently. He noticed that there were more soldiers patrolling the streets than in the county town, and they were better equipped and more vigilant. There were also fixed sentry posts near some important intersections and government offices. Clearly, Zhou Wenyuan's claim of "martial law" was not an exaggeration.

"Laishun, is the area near the prefecture not very peaceful?" Lin Feng asked casually.

The servant boy, Lai Shun, was quick-witted. Upon hearing this, he looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Young Master Lin, you've come to the right person. Indeed! I've heard that the Di and Rong tribes in the north are causing a ruckus, and our prefecture has also infiltrated spies. A few days ago, they even fought a battle with the government troops outside the city! Quite a few people died! So the city is under strict surveillance, and the curfew has been brought forward. The master has instructed us to avoid going out unless necessary, especially at night."

Lin Feng nodded and then asked, "Where is the state army's main camp? I heard the state army is recruiting soldiers?"

"The main camp is in the west of the city, not far from here. You can see the gate just two streets away; it's quite impressive!" Lai Shun said excitedly. "The recruitment is real, but the requirements are quite high. Strong and capable men with martial arts skills are preferred. Someone like you, Young Master Lin, will definitely be selected!"

Lin Feng remained noncommittal, changing the subject to ask questions about the market and prices. Lai Shun answered all his questions enthusiastically.

As they walked, they came to a relatively wide intersection, which seemed to be a small market, filled with all kinds of stalls selling vegetables, mountain products, and handmade trinkets, creating a lively scene. Lin Feng's gaze, however, was drawn to an inconspicuous stall on one side of the intersection.

It was a stall that offered letter writing services and sold cheap writing materials. The stall owner was an old man with gray hair and a hunched back, wearing a faded scholar's robe. He was writing something on a tattered piece of paper with a worn-out pen. What attracted Lin Feng's attention was not the old man's poverty, but the way he held the pen—steady as a rock, wrist suspended in the air, the pen tip moving with an indescribable strength and vigor, far beyond the power of an ordinary, down-on-his-luck old scholar! Moreover, the old man's posture, seemingly hunched and casual, was actually upright with his back straight and legs slightly bent, as if he could suddenly unleash a burst of power at any moment.

What stirred Lin Feng's heart even more was that next to the old man's stall, against the wall, lay an old bamboo cane, worn smooth and shiny, with deep fingerprints on the tip that appeared to have been held for a long time. And the old man's ears, amidst the noisy marketplace, twitched almost imperceptibly, as if trying to catch a particular sound.

This is a master! And a master who is deliberately disguising himself and secretly observing something!

Lin Feng didn't stop walking, and his gaze merely swept across the scene as if he were just casually glancing at the street. But he was already on high alert. The prefecture was indeed a place where hidden talents lurked; countless eyes were hidden within this seemingly peaceful marketplace.

He stopped wandering around and said to Lai Shun, "I'm a little tired from walking, let's go back to the mansion first. I'll come out and take a look again another day."

"Alright, Young Master Lin, this way." Lai Shun, unsuspecting, led the way back.

When the three returned to the Zhou residence, the sun was already setting. Lanterns had been lit inside, and the place was quiet.

As soon as he entered the mansion, the old steward Zhou Fu came to greet him with a somewhat solemn expression. He said in a low voice, "Young Master Lin, you're finally back. The master is in his study and wants to see you. He says he has important matters to discuss."

Important matter? Lin Feng's heart stirred. He nodded to A Yue, signaling her to go back to her room first, and then followed Zhou Fu toward Zhou Wenyuan's study.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight. Zhou Wenyuan sat behind his desk, his brow slightly furrowed, holding a newly opened letter in his hand. Seeing Lin Feng enter, he gestured for Zhou Fu to close the door, then pointed to the chair beside him: "Young friend Lin, please sit."

"Prefect Zhou, what are your orders?" Lin Feng asked calmly as he sat down.

Zhou Wenyuan handed the letter to Lin Feng and said in a deep voice, "Take a look at this first."

Lin Feng took the letter and quickly glanced through it. The letter was written in a cryptic code, but the general meaning was still understandable—it mentioned that there had been a "mishap" at the "warehouse" outside the city, resulting in the loss of a batch of "important goods." It was suspected that there were "traitors" within the company or that an "enemy" was watching them. Zhou Wenyuan was advised to be careful and to clean up the mess as soon as possible to avoid "getting burned."

The letter was unsigned, with only a faint, arrow-shaped ink mark at the end.

"Warehouse," "critical goods," "moths," "rivals"... Lin Feng's mind raced. This was clearly not an ordinary business letter, but rather a message conveying some clandestine matter, possibly involving illegal or dangerous activities. What did Zhou Wenyuan mean by showing him such a confidential letter? Was it a test? Or was he truly in trouble and wanted to use Lin Feng's help?

"This letter was shot into a pillar outside the mansion gate with an arrow half an hour ago." Zhou Wenyuan's voice carried a hint of coldness. "The archery was very accurate and powerful, without alerting anyone. The messenger did not want to show himself."

Sending a letter by arrow is both a warning and a demonstration.

"Does Prefect Zhou know what this letter refers to...?" Lin Feng put down the letter and looked at Zhou Wenyuan.

Zhou Wenyuan rubbed his temples, a look of weariness and seriousness on his face: "To be honest, young friend, I do have a warehouse outside the city that deals in medicinal herbs and furs. The business isn't large, but it involves some... rather sensitive goods. Recently, things haven't been peaceful in the north, and these kinds of goods are both highly profitable and risky. This letter is probably not unfounded."

He didn't explicitly state what the "sensitive goods" were, but Lin Feng could roughly guess that they likely involved weaponry, banned drugs, or clandestine transactions with forces like the Di Rong. It wasn't surprising that Zhou Wenyuan, as a deputy governor, would have such clandestine businesses and channels. The key question was when this "mishap" occurred and with which "enemy" it was related.

"What does the Prefect need me to do?" Lin Feng asked directly. Zhou Wenyuan hadn't come to him to complain.

Zhou Wenyuan looked at Lin Feng, his gaze sharp: "I need a reliable pair of eyes and a pair of efficient hands and feet to go to the warehouse outside the city and find out exactly what happened, how much the losses are, and whether it's an inside job or an outsider. If it's an inside job, find out who it is and report back to me. This matter should not be publicized, and the power of the government must not be used. Are you willing to go on this trip?"

This means he's being asked to do dirty work. Investigating cases, cleaning house, and possibly even facing unknown enemies. The risks are self-evident.

But this is also an opportunity. An opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Zhou Wenyuan's true nature and the power he wields, an opportunity to demonstrate one's value, gain more trust and resources, and even... perhaps, through this, access to the deeper secrets and power networks of the state government.

Lin Feng remained silent for a moment. Outside the window, dusk settled, and the lights of the prefectural government gradually came on. Inside the study, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the two men's faces, each with a different expression.

"When do we set off? Where is the warehouse? Who might the other party be?" Lin Feng finally asked, his voice calm and even.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Zhou Wenyuan's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by seriousness: "Time is of the essence. We'll set off tomorrow night and leave the city under cover of darkness. The warehouse is located at Laoyadu, twenty miles west of the city, nominally called 'Zhou's Leather Goods Warehouse.' As for the other party..." He paused, his voice growing colder, "They might be petty thieves from the martial world who are after money, or they might be... our long-time 'enemy.' You must be careful. If things don't go well, prioritize your own safety and report back immediately."

"Old adversary"... Lin Feng recalled the arrow mark at the end of the secret letter, and also the suspicious old man he saw at the market today.

"Lin Feng obeys." He didn't ask any more questions, but simply replied in a deep voice.

Zhou Wenyuan nodded, took out a black token about half the size of his palm from his desk drawer, which was neither gold nor wood, and handed it to Lin Feng: "This is a token; the warehouse manager will recognize it. Also, if you need any weapons or assistants, just let me know."

Lin Feng took the token; it was cold and heavy to the touch. One side was engraved with the character "Zhou," while the other side had a complex cloud pattern. He put the token away and said, "I have my own suitable weapon. As for my assistant... A-Yue can come with me."

"Alright. I will have Zhou Fu prepare two fast horses, some dry rations, and emergency medicine for you," Zhou Wenyuan said. "This matter should only be known to you, me, and Zhou Fu. Remember, proceed with caution."

"clear."

Emerging from the study, it was completely dark. Lanterns under the eaves of the Zhou residence swayed slightly in the night breeze. Holding the cold token, Lin Feng walked back to the guest courtyard, his mind churning with thoughts.

He had no other choice but to step into the throat of this behemoth, to explore the truth in the depths of darkness, and to fight for an unknown tomorrow for himself and those around him.