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

In Zhao Li's command tent, the charcoal fire crackled and burned.

The old general, dressed in civilian clothes, sat alone at his desk, a scroll of newly received secret reports spread out before him. The candlelight cast his solemn profile on the tent wall, making him look like a silent stone statue.

Lin Feng lifted the curtain and entered, bringing with him a chill.

"Lord Zhao." Lin Feng stood with his hand on his sword, not sitting down. He noticed that the cover of the secret report on the table was the indigo blue used by the Privy Council, and the edges were frayed from being rubbed.

Zhao Li raised his eyes, his tiger-like eyes filled only with deep weariness and vigilance.

"General Lin," Zhao Li said hoarsely, pushing the secret report towards him, "the Privy Council's 'echo' has arrived."

Lin Feng accepted it. It contained only cold, bureaucratic language:

"The good news has been received. Zhao Li, the commander of Cangyun Pass, has rendered meritorious service in defending the territory. He is hereby ordered to come to the capital immediately to meet the Emperor and receive his reward. His vacant post will be temporarily taken over by General Lin Feng, who will hand it over immediately."

Every word was official in tone, yet every word carried a murderous intent.

Luring the tiger away from the mountain.

If Zhao Li leaves, it's like throwing good money after bad. The Privy Council can find any excuse to arrest him at any time.

Lin Feng placed the secret report back on the table. "Lord Zhao, is this trip to the capital absolutely necessary for you?"

"To refuse is to defy the imperial decree and rebel." Zhao Li sneered, taking a big gulp of cold wine. "To go is like a lamb entering a tiger's den. Those people in the Privy Council will make me 'die suddenly from an illness,' leaving not even ashes behind."

A deathly silence fell over the tent. A spark flew from the burning charcoal fire.

"Therefore, we can't follow their rules," Lin Feng's voice rang out. "You have to go to the capital this time. But not according to their rules."

Zhao Li's cloudy old eyes suddenly lit up: "What do you intend to do?"

"Two things." Lin Feng held up two fingers.

"Firstly, it's a delaying tactic. You submitted a memorial claiming illness, saying that the battle of Yefuling had aggravated an old injury and that you needed to rest for ten days before you could set off. These ten days are the time to prepare the 'gift' we are coming for."

"Secondly, we'll cut off your supply lines. We'll package up Cao Wuyong and those secret letters that framed you and send them to the Privy Council. But not to the Censorate, but to the Censorate and the Censorate."

Zhao Li's pupils contracted: "Appeal to the Emperor?!"

"This isn't about filing a complaint with the emperor," Lin Feng sneered. "It's about exposing the evidence that the Privy Council is secretly framing the border general, and may even be secretly colluding with the barbarians. If the Privy Council dares to detain you, then make this a public spectacle. They'll have some shame, and won't dare to openly touch you."

Zhao Li slapped his thigh violently, his beard and hair standing on end, and his laughter was filled with sorrow and determination: "Alright! That's how it'll be done! This old man will gamble one more time!"

He stood up shakily, walked to the weapon rack, took down his sword, and slammed it heavily on the table.

"Lin Feng! If this succeeds, you'll be my sworn brother, Zhao Li!"

Several days later, in the capital, at the Zhao residence.

The vermilion gate was tightly shut, and the bustling crowds of the past had long since vanished, leaving only two stone lions standing forlornly in the twilight. The plaques that read "Silence" and "Avoidance" in front of the gate had been roughly removed by government officials, leaving only a few glaring white marks.

Inside the main hall, Zhao Li, dressed in casual clothes, sat in a grand chair, looking as if he had aged twenty years in an instant. The great victory at Yehuling had failed to save his official position; the people in the Privy Council did not dare to take his life. However, they used the old charges of "unauthorized troop deployment and stockpiling of grain" to demote him, the once-powerful commander who had shaken the northern border, to the position of county lieutenant in a remote and impoverished county in Longyou Circuit—a minor official of the eighth rank.

"Father, I refuse to accept this!"

A sharp, clear shout came from the back room.

The eldest daughter, Zhao Qingyi, was dressed in a martial outfit, with a long sword at her waist. Her eyebrows were raised, and her face was full of heroic spirit and resentment. She slammed the scabbard in her hand down heavily, making the teacups on the table tremble.

"Our Zhao family is full of loyal martyrs, and you have guarded the northern border for ten years, blocking the barbarian hooves! Now that treacherous officials are in power and framing loyal officials, why can't we have an audience with the Emperor? I am willing to break through the palace gates and beat the drum to appeal, just to seek justice!" Zhao Qingyi said as she was about to rush out.

"Halt!" Zhao Li slammed his fist on the table, his hair and beard bristling, his eyes revealing deep weariness and fear. "You get back here! To the Emperor? What are you going to do to meet him? Those people in the Privy Council are just hoping our Zhao family will cause trouble. They'll pin a charge of 'storming the palace gates and plotting rebellion' on you, and the entire family could be executed!"

"Are we just going to accept this?" Zhao Qingyi's eyes were red and tears were welling up. "Mother is still sick. What if something happens to her on this bumpy journey to that desolate land? Father, how can you live in peace for the rest of your life?"

Sitting next to Zhao Li, Madam Zhao, who was already frail, was now ashen-faced and too weak to even cry. She could only tug at her husband's sleeve, trembling.

"Sister, stop talking," the youngest daughter, Zhao Qingyun, gently advised from the side. She was dressed in a plain-colored dress, with an exquisitely beautiful face and a gentle temperament. At this moment, she was kneeling on the ground, gently massaging her mother's back.

Her tears had long since dried, leaving only endless fear and submission. "Father has done his best... Now, we can only take it one step at a time."

Looking at his two daughters, Zhao Li felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

Qingyi was like him, strong and stubborn; Qingyun was like her mother, gentle and delicate. But this world cannot tolerate the strong, nor can it protect the weak.

"Qingyun is right." Zhao Li took a deep breath, his voice hoarse. "Pack your things. Only take some valuables and travel expenses; the rest... sell them all..."

"Father..." Zhao Qingyi wanted to say something, but was forced back by Zhao Li's sharp gaze.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the back door of the Zhao residence quietly opened.

Several inconspicuous mule carts, carrying the Zhao family's remaining belongings and dozens of elderly, weak, women and children, quietly drove out of the alley.

Zhao Li rode a thin horse at the front. The once imposing commander was now hunched over, as if he had aged instantly.

At noon, the group arrived at Anyuan Gate, the north gate of the capital.

The guards looked at the group of down-on-their-luck travelers with no respect whatsoever, but rather with disdain and mockery.

"Hey, isn't this Commander Zhao?" A soldier who looked like a minor officer leaned against the doorway, spitting out a mouthful of sunflower seed shells. "What, off to take up your post already? This Longyou region is not like the capital. Take care on the road, don't get eaten by jackals!"

The surrounding soldiers burst into laughter.

Zhao Li gripped the reins tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, but he didn't lash out. He simply lowered his head and spurred his horse forward.

Amidst the soldiers' jeers, the mule cart slowly drove out of Anyuan Gate.

Fifty li north of the capital, there is a loess official road.

As dusk approached, the setting sun cast a blood-red shadow, making the shadows of the down-and-out convoy appear distorted and long.

The convoy was silent, save for the rumble of wheels over gravel and Zhao Qingyun's suppressed sobs.

"Father, it's getting dark. Where shall we rest tonight?" Zhao Qingyun lifted the carriage curtain, her face pale and her eyes filled with terror. All the way out of the city, she felt as if countless eyes were watching her from the shadows.

"There's a 'Huai Shu Yi' inn ahead; we can barely stay for the night." Zhao Li's voice was filled with deep weariness. "Qingyi, stay vigilant. The road from the capital to Longyou is not safe."

"Father, rest assured." Zhao Qingyi spurred her horse closer. "If those people dare to come, I'll use this sword to show them that the heads of the Zhao family aren't so easy to take!"

Her voice was loud, carrying a fierce intensity, as if that could dispel the inexplicable chill in her heart.

Zhao Li did not scold his daughter, but only sighed deeply.

The caravan rounded a dirt slope, and sure enough, a dilapidated post station appeared ahead. It was all ruins, not even a decent flag or banner remained; only a withered old locust tree creaked in the wind.

"This place..." Zhao Qingyun looked at the gloomy post station, trembling. "Father, can't we stay here?"