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

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Lin Feng picked up the so-called "Frontier Anecdotes." The ink on the rough paper was blurry, and it mostly contained hearsay and rumors. Just as he was about to put it down, his gaze was drawn to a tattered piece of sheepskin tucked inside. The edges of the sheepskin were charred black, as if it had been snatched from a fire. On it, simple mountain and terrain were outlined in extremely fine ink lines, along with a blurry mark.

The mark... vaguely resembled a bird, and it was seven or eight parts similar to the secret mark on the secret letter exchanged between a certain Prince Fenglin and a certain tribe in the North in the secret room of Black Stone Castle!

A thought struck him, but he remained outwardly calm, pointing to the sheepskin and asking, "Boss, what is this fragment? How did it end up tucked inside the book?"

The stall owner glanced at it, completely unconcerned: "Hey, this piece of junk, I don't know which fool used it as a bookmark. It's been around for years, the ink's faded. If you like this book, sir, I'll give you this rubbish."

Lin Feng put down a few copper coins, picked up the book and the sheepskin, and turned to leave.

"Guard, this sheepskin?" Bai Xiaohe also noticed something amiss.

"Interesting." Lin Feng carefully tucked the sheepskin into his pocket. "It seems that this capital city is not only filled with open sword fights, but also hides some interesting things in its nooks and crannies. Prince Lin's reach extends further than I imagined; even places like this have his mark."

This capital city is truly a stage for drama.

Back at the inn, Lin Feng immediately closed the door, carefully unfolded the tattered sheepskin, and examined it closely by the light of the daylight streaming through the window.

The sheepskin is rough, with charred and curled edges, clearly indicating it has been fired. The ink lines are extremely light, yet the contours of the mountains and rivers exude a rugged yet precise quality, far beyond the work of an ordinary painter. Most importantly, there is the mark of the flying bird, its lines simple yet possessing a unique rhythm, slowly overlapping with the mark on the secret letter from Black Stone Castle deep in his memory.

"It's a secret mark used by Prince Lin to communicate with the 'Red Feather Tribe' in the north." Lin Feng's fingertips brushed against the blurry bird.

The Chiyu tribe is a brave and elusive tribe deep in the northern border. Nominally, they submit to the Northern Barbarians, but in reality, they often trade privately with various forces, making them true "local tyrants."

The terrain depicted on the fragment vaguely points to an unnamed valley bordering the northern border and the territory of the Akabane tribe. Did King Lin and the Akabane tribe meet here? Or was there another place for their transaction?

"A single fragment of a map isn't very significant," Lin Feng pondered. "But its appearance in the capital, tucked away in a neglected book, is intriguing. Was it accidentally lost by Prince Lin's men, or was someone deliberately leaving clues?"

If it's the latter... then the situation is even more complicated. Someone is secretly trying to undermine Prince Lin, and might even be trying to use Lin Feng as a tool.

"Commander, should we investigate that bookstall owner?" Bai Xiaohe asked in a low voice.

"No need to alert them," Lin Feng shook his head. "That boss doesn't seem to be faking it. This sheepskin probably passed through many hands before ending up in his possession by some twist of fate. But since it's in my hands, it must be destiny. The Crimson Feather Clan..."

Unlike the Northern Mang royal court, local powers like the Chiyu tribe are more pragmatic and flexible. If we can find a breakthrough with them, we might be able to seize evidence of Prince Lin's treason and even... launch a counterattack.

"This matter requires careful consideration. Right now, we need to go and meet with that Prime Minister Li." Lin Feng carefully put away the sheepskin. "He hinted to the princess yesterday that he might be able to give us more clues today."

……

The Prime Minister's residence is located in the prestigious eastern part of the capital. The mansion is not ostentatious, and the gate is simple, with only two weathered stone lions indicating the owner's status.

Shortly after presenting his visiting card, Lin Feng was respectfully led into the mansion by an old steward. Passing through several courtyards, they arrived at a small study by the water. Li Gang had already brewed tea and was waiting by the window.

"Lord Lin, you've come at the perfect time. Please try my newly acquired pre-Qingming Longjing tea." Li Gang smiled warmly and personally poured the tea, as if nothing had happened at yesterday's palace banquet.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Li." Lin Feng picked up the white porcelain teacup. The tea was clear and bright, with a delicate aroma, quite different from the coarse tea and strong liquor of the Northern Border. He took a small sip and praised, "Excellent tea."

"Tea is like a person; one must appreciate its essence." Li Gang put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Lin Feng's face. He cut to the chase, "At yesterday's banquet, Lord Lin displayed his sharp edge. In my opinion, it was both his true nature and his helplessness. However, the capital is not a battlefield. One who is too aggressive is easily broken and easily taken advantage of."

"Please enlighten me, Prime Minister Li," Lin Feng said, putting down his teacup with a sincere attitude.

"It's not so much guidance as a casual chat," Li Gang stroked his beard. "His Majesty's health has been poor in recent years, and he is unable to effectively control the court. Prince Lin, as a member of the imperial family, has controlled finances and the military for many years, and his power is well-established. Many in the court are eager to curry favor with him, and his influence is deeply entrenched. When Lord Lin, a border general, entered the capital with overwhelming force, he touched not only the interests of Prince Lin but also a complex and intricate network."

"His Majesty wants to break this net, but he is wary of the consequences of pulling one thread affecting the whole situation. Therefore, he needs a sharp knife, a knife that is sharp enough but will not turn against its master."

Li Gang looked at Lin Feng and said, "Lord Lin, you are the sword His Majesty has chosen. But the sword is too sharp, and the person wielding it is afraid of cutting their hand. Therefore, His Majesty not only wants you to use it, but also wants to test you, and more importantly... see if you can find a scabbard for yourself."

"A scabbard?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.

"In the capital, without support, one is like a rootless duckweed, vulnerable to storms and hardship." Li Gang said pointedly, "Lord Lin, do you know why Princess Pingyang has won the Emperor's favor?"

Lin Feng's mind raced: "Is the princess intelligent and filial?"

"That's one reason." Li Gang smiled slightly and lowered his voice. "Her mother, Empress Duanjing, passed away early, but her family are descendants of founding heroes. Although they have kept a low profile in recent years, they still wield considerable influence in the military and the court. Moreover, the princess was raised by the Empress Dowager from a young age and has a close relationship with the descendants of several veteran generals who guard the frontier. She herself... is also a very decisive person. His Majesty's affection for her is also a reflection of his hopes for her."

Lin Feng understood. Princess Pingyang might be one of the "sheaths" Li Gang mentioned, or perhaps an "ally" or "bond" that His Majesty had prepared for him in some way. The princess's seemingly willful behavior at yesterday's banquet was actually an "appearance" and "contact" tacitly approved and even encouraged by His Majesty.

"Your Highness, you seem quite interested in border affairs?" Lin Feng probed.

"Her Highness is not only interested in border affairs," Li Gang said meaningfully, "she also has considerable insight into many things that 'shouldn't' be interested in. The late Empress once commanded the Imperial Guard for a period of time... Some talents are hereditary."

The Imperial Guard! The late Empress once commanded the Imperial Guard! Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. The Imperial Guard was the emperor's chief secret police agency, monitoring all officials and wielding immense power. If Princess Pingyang had connections with the Imperial Guard, then her influence and intentions would be even more unpredictable.

"Li Xiang told me all this in the hope that I..." Lin Feng carefully chose his words.