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

"Bullshit! I bet it's your Vulture Tribe, always out hunting for hay, who knows where you've gotten all that filth on your hands!" The Blood Falcon Tribe soldiers retorted.

The infantrymen of the Snow Leopard Division watched silently, their eyes filled with vigilance.

Upon hearing the news, Batel was both shocked and furious. He personally led a team to inspect the patients and the few pieces of "dirty cloth," and he too was filled with doubt and unease. He forcibly ordered the military doctors not to speak nonsense, to isolate the patients, to burn the suspicious items, and to strictly forbid all units from discussing the "epidemic" again, under penalty of being whipped.

However, even greater fears followed.

On the fourth night of the rampant rumors of an "epidemic," tragedy struck.

Three soldiers from the Vulture Tribe, who had gone to the river to fetch water together, collapsed silently on the riverbank about a mile from their camp. When their comrades found them, all three were already dead, each with a short, black arrow lodged in their throat or face, the wounds a strange bluish-black, clearly poisoned. There were no signs of struggle at the scene, only scattered footprints and a few drops of still-dry black blood. The assassin was like a ghost, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

The following afternoon, a five-man patrol team from the Blood Falcon Division went missing during a routine patrol along the south bank of the river. When their companions found them, they discovered two bodies lying in the bushes, both killed instantly by poisoned arrows piercing their throats. The assassin seemed to be lurking in the shadows on the south bank, coldly watching the camp on the opposite bank, ready to take lives at any moment.

The panic has escalated significantly.

"They're the Yan people's 'ghost archers'! They're on the south bank! They're watching us!"

"Fetching water will get you shot! Patrolling will get you shot! This river is off-limits!"

"Plague! And ghost arrows! Eternal Heaven, what have we done to deserve this?"

Panic gripped the camp. What was once a daily routine of fetching water had become a matter of life and death. Soldiers made excuses and preferred to drink mare's milk or even dirty water rather than dare to approach the riverbank.

No one wanted to go on patrol duty. Even when forced to go by their superiors, they were trembling with fear, seeing enemies everywhere. At the slightest sound, they would fire arrows indiscriminately, often accidentally injuring their own men or killing a few innocent rabbits and pheasants, which only brought more ridicule and fear.

The conflict between the three parts thus became even more acute.

Cangyun Pass, the Marshal's Mansion.

"Night Owl" and the "Falcon" sniper lurking on the south bank of the river continuously relayed the chaotic situation at the Northern Desert Camp. Lin Feng, Lei Bao, Yan Qing, and the others looked at the intelligence reports and smiled.

"Commander, your strategy of using a feint combined with psychological warfare is absolutely brilliant!"

Lei Bao grinned. He'd been personally commanding the "Falcon" snipers for the past few days, and the results were remarkable. "That Batel's probably having trouble sleeping now. Should we add fuel to the fire? Like, send someone out to his camp at night to blow horns and throw a few torches?"

"No need," Lin Feng shook his head. "Too much of a good thing. Once suspicion is planted, it will take root and sprout. What we need to do now is consolidate our gains and prepare for the next step."

He looked at Bai Xiaohe: "Xiaohe, is there any news from the capital or the rear?"

Bai Xiaohe immediately reported: "In the capital, His Majesty has approved our request. The first batch of crossbows and medicines is on its way, but the quantity is small. Rumors in the court about the 'fear of war' among the defenders persist, but Grand Tutor Shen and others are doing their best to defend them, and His Majesty seems to have not yet made a statement. In addition, Princess Pingyang sent a secret letter through special channels, inquiring about the true situation in the northern border and indicating that she could secretly mediate if needed."

Lin Feng nodded. He appreciated the princess's kindness, but now was not the time to use that connection. "What about the rear?"

"In Yanxi and Yunzhong prefectures, there have been two small-scale 'civil uprisings' recently, both under the pretext of 'tax resistance.' However, their actions were quite organized and were quickly suppressed by the prefectural troops. The leaders committed suicide by poison, and no concrete evidence was found. However, the prefects of both prefectures reported that some of the rioters seemed to speak with a northern accent and were quite skilled in combat. In addition, several groups of 'bandits' of unknown origin have recently appeared on the two main official roads leading to Cangyun Pass. They specialize in robbing military supply convoys. They have not caused any damage yet, but they are quite troublesome."

"Lin Wang and 'Chi Yuan'... have indeed started making their moves." Lin Feng sneered.

"Order the governors of Yanxi and Yunzhong to strengthen local defenses, especially at granaries, armories, and government offices. Interrogate any captured rioters carefully to see if you can uncover any clues. As for the 'bandits' on the official roads, hand them over to Yan Qing. You will draw five hundred cavalry from the garrison within the pass to sweep them back and forth, killing them on sight, leaving no survivors. I want these rats to know that showing their faces means certain death!"

"Yes!" Yan Qing accepted the order.

"Furthermore," Lin Feng pondered, "the messenger sent by Batel to request aid from the royal court has probably already been dispatched. Is it possible that 'Night Owl'...?"

Lei Bao's eyes lit up: "Does the 'guard' mean to intercept the messenger, or... switch the letter?"

"Not bad." A cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. "If we can intercept or forge the royal court's order to Batel, it might buy us more time, or even create greater chaos. Han Lie is familiar with the grasslands and should know the routes the messengers usually take. Let him try to do it. But be careful not to expose 'Night Owl'."

"clear!"

"Also, starting tomorrow, the 'Falcon' snipers on the south bank of the Greywater River should increase their hunting frequency. Occasionally, let a few survivors go back to spread fear. At the same time, have 'Wild Fox' and 'Lone Stone' forts send more soldiers to patrol the fort walls during the day and light more torches at night to create the illusion of sufficient troop strength. We need to make Batel think that we are as solid as a rock and are just waiting for him to come and die."

He walked to the sand table, his gaze once again falling on the vast area between the Greywater River and Cangyun Pass. The terrain there was undulating, with hills, woodlands, and several plains suitable for a large army to deploy.

"Bateer is like a wounded beast trapped in a cage now, restless, fearful, but also more dangerous," Lin Feng said.

"If he's cornered and decides to fight to the death, concentrating his forces to force a crossing of the Greywater River, or detouring upstream to the shallows and directly attacking the 'Wild Fox' and 'Lone Stone' fortresses in an attempt to create a breach, how should we respond?"

Lei Bao and Yan Qing's expressions hardened, and their smiles vanished. Indeed, a renowned grassland general driven to the brink of defeat should not be underestimated.

"Should we set up several ambushes behind the 'Wild Fox' and 'Lone Stone' forts? Or, should we also lay traps and snipers at possible crossing points on the upper reaches of the Greywater River?" Yan Qing suggested.

"Ambush troops should be set up, but not too many, and they should be carefully selected." Lin Feng pointed to several locations on the sand table.

"Lei Bao, transfer another three hundred men from the 'Falcon Battalion,' and you will personally lead them. They will secretly advance and lie in ambush at these locations. Your mission is to launch a surprise attack when the Northern Desert people cross the river to besiege the 'Wild Fox' and 'Lone Stone' fortresses, suffering prolonged defeats and demoralization, and strike at their vital points! Remember, you are the daggers for the fatal blow, the surprise attack force!"

"Yes! This subordinate will not fail in his mission!" Lei Bao's blood was boiling.