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

"Grand Commander Lin," Zhou Wenyuan turned to Lin Feng, "...I have heard that the assassins all have northern features and use northern weapons. You have long been stationed in the northern border region, and have clashed with the Mobei and Chiyu tribes, incurring deep enmity. I wonder... if this is why your northern enemies sought revenge, infiltrating the capital to commit the crimes? If so, although this case occurred in the capital, its root lies in the north. I hope that in the future, Grand Commander, you could perhaps be more... discreet in your actions, so as not to implicate the innocent, and also to prevent His Majesty and the court from being burdened by the personal grudges of border generals?"

These words, seemingly a "request for advice," are actually veiled in barbs and extremely malicious! On the surface, they analyze the case, but in reality, they imply that the reason for the assassination is that Lin Feng "has made deep enemies in the northern border" and "acts without discretion," and even subtly accuse him of "implicating the court" and "causing His Majesty to suffer."

Lin Feng sneered inwardly, but his expression remained calm: "Indeed, as the governor guarding the northern border, it is my duty. I must confront any invading enemy with swords; we do indeed have foes. However…"

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "Imperial Censor Zhou must be intimately familiar with the laws of the court. I ask you, should we investigate 'why the victim became enemies,' or should we investigate why the assassin dared to attempt to assassinate a high-ranking official in the capital?"

Zhou Wenyuan's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Grand Commander, I am merely stating a fact and suggesting one possibility..."

"Maybe?" Lin Feng interrupted him.

"With just the word 'possible,' Censor Zhou intends to dismiss a major assassination attempt by lightly attributing it to a border general's 'personal grudge' and 'lack of discretion'? Can I interpret Censor Zhou's words today as an admonition to the border troops that they should not resist an invading enemy, for resistance would be seen as creating a personal grudge?!"

"You...you..." Zhou Wenyuan was so choked that his face turned pale, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a moment.

"Enough!" The Emperor spoke in a deep voice from his throne: "The assassination of Minister Lin is a heinous crime and must be thoroughly investigated. Censor Zhou, as an official who speaks out, it is good that you care about national affairs, but you must be careful with your words and actions and not make unfounded speculations that would only disturb people's peace."

This statement, while seemingly blaming both sides equally, actually favors Lin Feng.

"Your subject... Your subject obeys the decree." Zhou Wenyuan's face turned ashen, and he bowed and withdrew.

The Emperor then looked at Lin Feng, his tone softening slightly: "Minister Lin, you have been frightened. I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to prioritize the allocation of supplies needed for the Northern Border, and they will be transported soon. Minister Lin, please rest well in the capital for a few days. Once the case has some progress, you can explain the situation in the Northern Border to me in detail."

"My lord, I obey your order."

After the court session ended, the officials left the Qianyuan Hall in turn.

Surrounded by several imperial censors, Zhou Wenyuan hurriedly left, his face still grim.

Lin Feng had not gone far from the Meridian Gate when one of Li Xiang's attendants quietly stepped forward and whispered, "Grand Commander, the Prime Minister requests that you come to his residence after court to discuss important matters."

Lin Feng nodded: "Thank you for your trouble. I will be there shortly."

Just as he was about to board his carriage, another young eunuch came running up, panting, and blocked his way, whispering, "Grand Commander, Her Highness the Princess is at Lan Yue Pavilion. She requests... requests that you go there when it is convenient for her. Her Highness has important matters to discuss with you."

Princess Pingyang is also looking for him? Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. It seems he won't be free today.

"Please inform Your Highness that I will go to the palace to pay my respects after I have finished dealing with some urgent matters," Lin Feng said. He could not refuse the princess's summons, but he needed to go to Li Chu's place first.

He boarded the carriage, where Bai Xiaohe was already waiting.

"How is it?" Lin Feng asked.

"Several groups of unfamiliar faces entered and exited through the back gate of Zhou Wenyuan's residence. One of them, upon identification, appeared to be the deputy leader of the 'Black Tiger Gang' in the western city. This gang has long had dealings with the northern horse caravans."

"Black Tiger Gang... Northern Horse Caravan..." A cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. "Keep a close watch. Also, investigate the Zhou family, especially Zhou Wenyuan's nephews and followers, for any unusual financial or personnel dealings with the North recently. And, in the palace... has there been any unusual activity?"

"The palace is calm for the time being. But Princess Pingyang seems extremely concerned about your assassination attempt. She not only sent someone to the post station to inquire, but also summoned the eunuch in charge of the case. The Shen family also sent someone to the Grand Commandant's Mansion to inquire about your situation and brought some medicine to help you recover."

Bai Xiaohe paused, then said in a low voice, "Miss Shen... seems quite worried as well. This morning, she had her personal maid deliver a copy of her notes on dealing with assassinations and preventing sneak attacks to the mansion."

Lin Feng was slightly moved. Shen Qingqiu's gesture, seemingly a gift of books, was actually her way of expressing concern and offering reminders. Her thoughtfulness was delicate and sincere.

"Understood." Lin Feng nodded.

Li Xiang's residence.

Li Gang took a thin file sealed with sealing wax from the desk drawer and pushed it in front of Lin Feng.

"Grand Commander, take a look at this first. This is intelligence from my informants, and it all involves a distant nephew of Zhou Wenyuan." Li Xiang's voice was very low.

Lin Feng removed the sealing wax and unfolded the file to take a look.

"Prime Minister, these clues..." Lin Feng raised his head.

"Grand Commander, investigations require evidence, especially when it comes to bringing down an official of Zhou Wenyuan's caliber. You need irrefutable proof. You can use these clues, but you can't give anyone grounds for complaint. I'm reminding you, Zhou Wenyuan may not be alone behind the scenes. This case might just be the beginning, a test." Prime Minister Li interrupted him.

Lin Feng understood Li Xiang's meaning. Zhou Wenyuan might just be a pawn, or at least not the sole mastermind. The emperor wanted to investigate, but couldn't easily launch a major purge that would shake the foundations of the nation.

"Thank you for your guidance and for providing clues, Prime Minister." Lin Feng carefully put away the dossier.

After leaving the Li Xiang residence, Lin Feng had the carriage circle around a few times to make sure no one was following them, before arriving at the backyard of a seemingly ordinary silk shop in the eastern part of the city. This was a secret contact point that Bai Xiaohe had arranged in advance.

"Commander, you've arrived." Chen Heng was already waiting. Chen Heng had only arrived this morning. He had been secretly ordered by Lin Feng to bring several skilled members of the "Falcon Battalion" in disguise and had infiltrated the capital.

"Sit down." Lin Feng gestured and handed the dossier given to him by Li Xiang to the two men for them to look at.

Chen Heng gritted his teeth: "These bastards! They really are colluding with outsiders! Guard, let me take men and wipe out that Black Tiger Gang and that carriage and horse company tonight! Arrest Liu Mang and Wang Huzi, torture them severely, I'm not afraid they won't confess!"