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

Just as he reached the vicinity of the dilapidated house, a slender figure emerged from a narrow alleyway filled with garbage and blocked his way.

It's Sister Hong.

She changed out of the gaudy dress she wore last night and put on a slightly worn light green jacket over a dark cloth skirt. Her makeup was also much lighter, revealing her originally delicate but tired eyes and brows. She carried a bamboo basket covered with a blue floral cloth.

"Brother Lin, you're back?" Sister Hong smiled, but her eyes held a complicated look as she looked Lin Feng up and down, seemingly trying to make sure he wasn't injured.

"Sister Hong." Lin Feng stopped and nodded. This woman seemed to pay special attention to him.

"I heard there was an accident at the dock last night, and someone even died. I was so worried about you." Sister Hong took two steps closer and handed over the bamboo basket, lowering her voice. "Here, these are freshly steamed meat buns, still warm. They're for you and your brothers. There's also a pot of warmed wine to warm you up."

The aroma of steamed buns and a faint scent of alcohol wafted from the bamboo basket. Lin Feng was somewhat surprised, and took the basket, saying, "Thank you, Sister Hong."

"No need for thanks, we're all family." Sister Hong smiled, her eyes sparkling. Suddenly, she leaned closer and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Brother Lin, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Please speak, Sister Hong."

"Brother Biao is a greedy and suspicious man. You're riding high right now, he values ​​you, but he'll also be wary of you. The situation at the docks is very complicated; it's not just about the 'Grand Canal Gang.' When you're investigating, be careful. Some things are better left unsaid." Sister Hong spoke quickly, and without waiting for Lin Feng's response, she took a step back, her usual smile returning. "Alright, you should go back and rest. I need to get back to the shop to get things done."

She turned around, swaying her hips, and quickly disappeared into the alleyway, leaving behind a faint, cheap but not unpleasant scent of cosmetics.

Lin Feng, carrying a bamboo basket, gazed in the direction she had disappeared, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Hongjie's words were both a reminder and a gesture of goodwill. She seemed to be close to Zhang Biao, knowing some inside information, but her position was delicate. This woman was no simpleton; perhaps she could become another information channel for him in the "Muddy Land," or even... an ally?

He carried the bamboo basket back to the dilapidated house. The house was very simple, with only a bed, a table, and a stool, but it was much better than a few days ago. He placed the bamboo basket on the table, lifted the blue floral cloth, and inside were more than a dozen plump, steaming meat buns and a small tin wine pot.

The aroma of the meat buns whetted my appetite.

He picked one up, took a bite, and found it to be generously filled, thin-skinned, and bursting with the aroma of meat—truly high-quality meat. This Sister Hong certainly has a good heart.

While eating his steamed buns, he pondered Sister Hong's warning and his next plan.

Zhang Biao's suspicions were within his expectations. But as Sister Hong had said, the incident at the docks likely involved much more. What exactly were Manager Li's "goods"? Who sent those men in black? Were they after the goods or the people? Or were they using this opportunity to undermine Zhang Biao's power?

And Ye Qingli… Was she also secretly observing last night? What role did she play in this matter?

A series of questions swirled in my mind.

But he wasn't in a hurry. With a preliminary foothold, capable subordinates, funds, and the investigative authority granted by Zhang Biao, he already had the leverage to change the game. Next, he needed to patiently gather information, calmly analyze and judge, and then, at the crucial moment, make the most fatal move.

He picked up the flask, uncorked it, and took a swig. The cheap liquor was pungent, but it invigorated him.

In the afternoon, Liu Sandao brought three clever and capable young men, all natives of "Muddy Hollow" and local experts familiar with every corner of the area. Hou Qi also brought back some scattered information, saying that there had indeed been some unfamiliar faces at the docks in the past two days, who didn't seem like laborers but rather like martial arts practitioners, loitering around several warehouses. "Mudfish" and "Iron Head" said that the area around "Jinxiuge" was very peaceful, and they hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Lin Feng gathered his seven men into the dilapidated house and closed the door.

"From today onwards, the seven of you will be my core group, Lin San's men." Lin Feng's gaze swept over Liu Sandao, Hou Qi, and the others, his voice steady and powerful. "Follow me, as long as I have food to eat, you won't go hungry. Merit will be rewarded, and mistakes will be punished. But there's one rule I have—no bullying the weak, no betraying brothers, and strict obedience to orders. Those who can do this, stay. Those who can't, you can leave now, you'll still get your money, and I, Lin San, will not pursue the matter."

The seven men exchanged glances, and Liu Sandao was the first to clasp his hands in a fist salute: "Master Lin, I, Liu Sandao, entrust my life to you from now on!"

"I, Hou Qi, swear to follow Master Lin to the death!"

"Loach," "Iron Head," and the three new young men also expressed their opinions, their eyes filled with eagerness.

"Alright." Lin Feng nodded, took out the one hundred taels of silver that had been given to him separately from his pocket, divided it into seven portions, and pushed them in front of each person. "This silver is for settling in and also for operating expenses. Brother Liu, Hou Qi, each of you take two people and go out to investigate separately. Focus on three aspects: First, the origins and whereabouts of those unfamiliar faces at the docks; second, besides silk, what other special goods has Manager Li's 'Jinxiu Pavilion' been handling recently, and what special people has he been in contact with; third, find out if any household or gang in the prefecture has secretly recruited or mobilized any skilled fighters recently."

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes: "Remember, only investigate, don't take action, don't expose yourself. Meet here every day at 5 PM to report the situation. If there's an urgent discovery, go to the third garbage dump in the back alley of Zuixianju, and arrange the stones in a triangle; I'll know immediately."

"Yes!" the seven replied in unison, accepting the silver and eager to make their move.

"Go ahead." Lin Feng waved his hand.

The seven people filed out and quickly disappeared into the chaotic crowd in the "muddy puddles".

Establishing a foothold in the "muddy ground" and recruiting the first batch of subordinates was just the beginning.

He intends to use this place as a base to gradually extend his reach to every corner of the state capital, weaving his own information and power network.

Zhou Wenyuan, Prince Qi, Ye Qingli... as well as Chen tide and A Yue, who are hiding somewhere, and Shi Xiu and the others who are imprisoned... he will find them all and solve their problems one by one.

The clouds in the sky above the state capital seemed to have dispersed somewhat, revealing a corner of bleak blue sky.