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

Before the morning mist had dissipated, an unusual atmosphere had already permeated the air at the western end of the "Muddy Hollow".

It wasn't the usual filth and numbness, but a suppressed excitement, a restlessness that seemed to be brewing.

Last night's towering flames and faint shouts of battle, though far away, were already being spread through shacks and sewers in this place where news travels faster than the wind, even before dawn.

"Have you heard? Third Master Lin led his men and wiped out 'Over-the-Mountain Wind' from Black Stone Beach!"

"What do you mean 'wiped out'? We wiped them all out! I heard they killed so many heads that the river turned red!"

"Master Lin single-handedly boarded the pirate ship and captured the bandit leader alive!"

"Bandits?! Those weren't bandits at all, they were imposters! We even found soldiers' uniforms and tokens!"

"My God... this is a huge disaster..."

The news spread like wildfire, instantly engulfing the entire "muddy swamp" and then rapidly reaching other parts of the state capital.

Zhang Biao practically tumbled and crawled from Zuixianju to the dock. When he saw the corpses covered with straw mats, the dejected prisoners, especially the small bag of gold dust gleaming in the morning light, and the few sets of worn-out uniforms for officers and soldiers, his expression was indescribably complex. First came shock, then ecstasy, followed by deep apprehension and a barely perceptible fear.

"Brother Lin... Brother Lin! You... you've done this..." Zhang Biao rubbed his hands, wanting to pat Lin Feng's shoulder, but then withdrew his hand halfway, his smile a little stiff. "Well done! Absolutely brilliant! I... I'm truly impressed!"

Lin Feng picked up the bag of gold dust and a wooden plaque engraved with snake patterns. He paused, not saying anything explicitly, but his gaze swept over the uniforms of the officers and soldiers, and his meaning was self-evident.

Zhang Biao's triangular eyes narrowed sharply, his fat face jiggled, and he leaned closer, lowering his voice, which trembled slightly: "Brother Lin, you mean... someone in the government?"

"Whether it's from official sources is hard to say. But these things are definitely not something a displaced people's leader like Song Mazi could obtain."

Lin Feng weighed the wooden plaque in his hand. "Song Mazi has someone behind him. This person has a big appetite and a long reach. Robbing the grain is just the beginning..."

Zhang Biao gasped, his face turning pale.

Having spent many years in the lower classes, what he feared most was getting involved in the power struggles within official circles, because he would die without even knowing how.

He originally only wanted to take advantage of Lin Feng's bravery to expand his territory and make more money, but he never expected to create such a big hole.

"Then... what do we do now? These things..." Zhang Biao looked at the conspicuous prison uniforms and gold dust as if they were hot potatoes.

"It's up to Mr. Zhao of 'Fu Rui Xiang'. He should be here soon." Lin Feng looked towards the entrance of the dock.

Sure enough, several carriages came to a stop. Manager Zhao and Zhao Baiwan, the owner of "Fu Rui Xiang"—a plump, middle-aged merchant dressed in a silk robe, but with a look of panic and urgency on his face—rushed over, escorted by a group of servants.

"Hero Lin! Hero Lin!" Zhao Baiwan shouted repeatedly when he saw Lin Feng from afar. He almost ran over and was about to bow down to Lin Feng when Lin Feng raised his hand to stop him.

"Master Zhao, there's no need for that. It's just my duty." Lin Feng said calmly, pointing to the intact rice boat and the rescued boatmen and crew behind him. "The people and the goods are all there. Master Zhao can take a look."

When Zhao Baiwan saw the rice boats and his men that he had lost and found, his eyes welled up with tears. He bowed repeatedly and said, "I can't thank you enough! I can't thank you enough, brave man Lin! You have saved my entire Zhao family!" Twenty boats of new rice, worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, and the lives of dozens of capable men. If they had all perished at Black Stone Beach, even if his "Fu Rui Xiang" business didn't collapse, it would have been severely damaged.

"Ransom..." Zhao Baiwan quickly gestured, and the butler immediately brought over a heavy wooden box.

Lin Feng waved his hand, refusing to take the wooden box, and instead pointed to the spoils beside him: "The ransom isn't urgent. Boss Zhao, take a look at these things first."

Zhao Baiwan and Manager Zhao went over to take a look, and when they saw the soldiers' uniforms and snake-patterned wooden signs, their faces turned deathly pale, ten times more terrified than before! Manager Zhao's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"This...this is..." Zhao Baiwan's voice trembled as he pointed at those things, as if he had seen a ghost.

"The hijackers last night weren't ordinary river bandits. Someone impersonated government officials, using the guise of bandits to operate. This was found in their hideout." Lin Feng stared into Zhao Baiwan's eyes. "Master Zhao, your 'Fu Rui Xiang' has traveled all over the country, with deep roots and powerful connections. Have you ever offended any... influential figures? Or, besides being rice, is there anything else about this batch of rice?"

Zhao Baiwan's forehead was covered in cold sweat, his eyes darted around, his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

Clearly, he knew something, but dared not say it.

Lin Feng didn't press him, but slowly said, "Master Zhao, the martial world has its rules, and the government has its laws. But some people just like to break the rules and violate the laws. This time they took your rice, next time, who knows whose life it will be. These things," he kicked the bag of gold dust, "are useless to me, and will only bring trouble. Master Zhao has been operating in the prefecture for many years and has extensive connections. These things might be of some use in Master Zhao's hands, at least... in exchange for peace."

His words were quite meaningful.

This was both a subtle hint to Zhao Baiwan that the robbery was rife with corruption and involved powerful officials, and that Lin Feng could pretend not to know, handing over the "stolen goods" to Zhao Baiwan to handle and eliminate any potential threats. At the same time, it was also a message to Zhao Baiwan: you owe him a huge favor, and I have leverage over you.

Zhao Baiwan was a smart man, and he instantly understood Lin Feng's implied meaning. His expression shifted, showing struggle and fear, before finally settling into a sense of resolve and gratitude. He suddenly bowed deeply to Lin Feng once more.

"Brave Warrior Lin... no, Master Lin!" Zhao Baiwan changed his form of address, his tone solemn. "Your great kindness and virtue will never be forgotten! I know how to handle these things! In the future, if Master Lin ever needs anything from 'Fu Rui Xiang' while he's in the prefecture, I and everyone at 'Fu Rui Xiang' will do our utmost without hesitation! As for the reward..." He personally took the wooden box from the steward and presented it with both hands. "This is the agreed-upon ransom, fifty thousand taels. In addition, I'll separately offer another thirty thousand taels to Master Lin and all the brothers to calm their nerves! Also, from now on, all goods transported by water by 'Fu Rui Xiang' will have their 'safety money' increased by ten percent at the highest rate, delivered directly to Master Lin's residence!"

Eighty thousand taels of silver! Plus a long-term, stable, and highly profitable source of income! Even Zhang Biao, who was listening from the side, felt his eyelids twitch and his breathing become heavy. Hou Qi, Liu Sandao, and the others stared wide-eyed, their hearts pounding like drums.

Lin Feng remained calm, as if the 80,000 taels were nothing more than eight copper coins. He took the wooden box, casually handed it to Liu Sandao behind him, and nodded to Zhao Baiwan: "You're too kind, Boss Zhao. I hope we can cooperate in the future."

"It's a pleasure to cooperate! It's a pleasure to cooperate!" Zhao Baiwan wiped his sweat, a relieved smile finally appearing on his face. He thanked everyone profusely before hurriedly leading his men to inventory the goods and deal with the conspicuous "loot".

Zhang Biao stared at the heavy wooden box in Liu Sandao's hand, his throat bobbing, his triangular eyes flashing with a complex mix of emotions. Envy, jealousy, fear, and a hint of relief—relief that he had brought Lin Feng onto the team early on, even if it came at the cost of giving up half of his shares.

"Brother Lin..." Zhang Biao licked his dry lips, trying to make his voice sound natural, "This...this is a windfall. I...I don't even know what to say."

Lin Feng turned around, looked at Zhang Biao, and suddenly smiled. This smile, however, made Zhang Biao's heart inexplicably tighten.

"Brother Biao, making a little money is a small matter." Lin Feng walked up to Zhang Biao, so close that Zhang Biao could smell the faint scent of blood and river water on him. "The key thing is, after last night and today, who's in charge of the western end of 'Muddy Hollow' and this dock from now on?"

Zhang Biao's face stiffened. He instinctively tried to straighten his back, but under Lin Feng's calm yet extremely imposing gaze, he couldn't straighten his posture no matter what. He forced a dry laugh and said, "Of course... of course it's up to you, Brother Lin! Didn't we agree? Fifty percent of the shares, you're in charge!"

"It's not enough to just say it." Lin Feng shook his head, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone present. "Everyone needs to know, and everyone needs to remember."

His gaze swept over the growing crowd of onlookers at the dock—laborers, vendors, Zhang Biao's former henchmen, and spies from other local tyrants who had rushed there after hearing the news. He raised his voice, each word like a nail driven into the hearts of everyone present:

"From this day forward! The western end of 'Muddy Hollow,' the western section of the dock, is under the jurisdiction of Lin San!"

"The old rules remain the same! Not a penny less! But anyone who dares to embezzle, bully, or oppress the weak, I, Lin San, will be the first to object!"

"Those who want to eat with me, Lin San, follow my rules, put in the work, and you'll get meat! Those who want to oppose me, Lin San," he paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like cold lightning. Everyone he looked at involuntarily lowered their heads and shrank back, "that's what happened to 'Over-the-Mountain Wind' at Black Stone Beach!"

After he finished speaking, the dock fell into a deathly silence.

Only the sound of the river lapping against the shore could be heard.

Everyone was stunned by the undisguised domineering and bloodthirsty tone in Lin Feng's words.

A few breaths later, someone shouted, "Master Lin is mighty! We'll fight Master Lin!"

Immediately afterwards, shouts rose like a tide, growing louder and more unified! Many laborers, vendors, and even some previously hesitant thugs waved their arms, their faces flushed, and shouted loudly. Their eyes, looking at Lin Feng, were filled with fanaticism and awe.

Zhang Biao stood aside, watching Lin Feng being frantically surrounded by the crowd. His face flushed red and then turned pale, finally turning into a complex sigh as he quietly took half a step back.

He knew that from this moment on, the western part of the "muddy land" had truly undergone a transformation.

As for Zhang Biao, being able to live a peaceful and stable life as a wealthy man with his 50% stake is already the best possible outcome.

Lin Feng stood in the center of the crowd, basking in their cheers, but his face showed little pride.

His gaze was calm as he looked toward the city of the prefecture.

Taking over the "muddy depression" is only the first step.

With money, people, and territory, it's time to meet the real big shots in the prefecture, investigate the conspiracies hidden in the shadows, find the people he's looking for, and get what he wants.

...In this game of the prefecture, Lin Feng has already made his move in the middle game. Next, it will soon be his turn to lead his troops straight to the heart of the enemy!

"Brother Liu, Hou Qi," Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and instructed the excited Liu Sandao and Hou Qi beside him, "Carry the silver back to 'Sanheyuan.' Take out 20,000 taels and distribute it to the brothers who helped last night, with double the compensation for those who died in battle. Put the rest into the treasury. Also, spread the word that 'Sanheyuan' is hiring, the rules remain the same, but quality over quantity. Starting tomorrow, all 'Peace Money' and 'Water Surface Money' at the West Wharf will be reassessed and collected according to the new rules!"

"Yes, Master Lin!" Liu Sandao and Hou Qi responded loudly, their voices clear and resounding, filled with a sense of triumph and pride.

Lin Feng nodded, said no more, parted the crowd, and walked towards the "Sanheyuan" (a traditional courtyard house).

Wherever he went, the crowd automatically parted to make way, their gazes filled with awe and submission.

The morning light finally dispelled the fog completely, shining on the dock and the filthy ground of the "muddy hollow".

A new day has begun, and the banner of "Master Lin" is already fluttering in the wind on this land, announcing the arrival of a new era.