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

The morning light completely dispelled the gloom over the "muddy depression," but it couldn't dispel the increasingly bustling atmosphere and sharp freshness within the "courtyard."

The courtyard gate was open, but no fool dared to peek around anymore. Instead, a steady stream of figures, each with a different expression, yet all carrying a mixture of trepidation and eagerness, appeared.

"Master Lin! Master Lin! 'Quick-Knife Liu' from the south of the city has come to surrender with three brothers! They say they admire Master Lin's reputation and are willing to serve you like dogs and horses!"

"The Song brothers, known as 'White Streaks in the Waves' at Dongcheng Wharf, are famous for their excellent swimming skills, and they've also sent out invitations!"

"A few veterans who had retired from the north also came knocking on our door after hearing the news..."

Hou Qi ran in and out, beads of sweat on his forehead, but his voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement as he relayed stacks of visiting cards and names to Lin Feng, who sat behind the square table in the main room. Liu Sandao stood to the side, his single eye gleaming, quickly scrutinizing each person brought in, like the most discerning hawk examining its prey.

Lin Feng didn't look up. Several sheets of paper were spread out in front of him, containing fragments of news about recent developments in the prefecture, compiled by Liu Sandao and Hou Qi.

"...The West City Garrison reported a batch of damaged weapons last month, but the numbers didn't match. The higher-ups sent people to investigate, but the matter was eventually dropped..."

"...The Grand Canal Gang has recently become very close to a steward from Prince Qi's residence, and there are some unfamiliar faces at the docks that don't seem to be from the gang..."

"...At the Zhou residence, the inner courtyard has been doubled in guards, and Zhou Wenyuan is keeping a low profile. However, Zhou An has recently been frequently seen visiting several inconspicuous inns in the west of the city..."

"...Our men can't get into Black Wind Valley, but the brothers keeping watch on the outside say that there seem to be carriages and horses coming and going in the valley these past two days, but the movements are subtle and well-hidden..."

The messages, seemingly disorganized, subtly pointed in several directions—armory, King Qi, Zhou Wenyuan, and Black Wind Valley (Ye Qingli).

"Master Lin, these people..." Liu Sandao asked in a low voice when he saw Lin Feng remain silent for a long time. There were already twenty or thirty people standing in the courtyard, all holding their breath and staring expectantly at the entrance of the main house.

Lin Feng finally put down the token, raised his head, and calmly swept his gaze across the faces in the courtyard—some sharp and capable, some slick and weathered, some bearing the marks of veterans. He didn't speak immediately, but slowly stood up and walked to the door.

"My name is Lin San," Lin Feng said, his voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears. "I used to be a border soldier, in the Beacon Battalion. Now, I'm the person in charge of the western end of this 'Muddy Hollow' and the western section of the dock."

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd: "Some of you came for the name 'Third Master Lin,' some for the money to be made at Black Stone Beach, and some to find a patron and a stable job. None of these are wrong."

"But for me, a title alone isn't enough. You need money to live on it. And if you want to eat, you need to understand what kind of bowl you're holding and what kind of food you're eating."

His tone turned cold, his eyes sharp as knives: "My bowl, Lin San's bowl, is a bowl where you lick blood from the edge of a knife, where your head is on the line! The food I eat here is food of rules, food of risking your life! Follow my rules, obey my orders, and you will be rewarded for your merits and punished for your mistakes. Those who do not follow the rules, disobey orders, or betray my cause, or who retreat in the face of battle..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the undisguised chilling killing intent in his eyes sent a shiver down the spines of many people in the courtyard, causing them to shrink back.

"Of course," Lin Feng's tone softened slightly, "I, Lin Sanqian, will never mistreat my brothers who follow me. Money will be plentiful. Your future is up to you to earn. If you suffer any injustice, I'll stand up for you. If you lose your life, I, Lin Sanqian, will support your family."

A combination of kindness and severity, simple and direct, is most likely to touch the hearts of those struggling at the bottom of society who have become accustomed to the coldness of human nature.

"Now," Lin Feng took a step back, sat back down in his chair, and nodded to Liu Sandao, "Brother Liu, take them to the backyard. Let's see what they're capable of. Hand skills, water skills, intelligence gathering, surveillance... show them what they're good for. Hou Qi, remember this. Those who are useful will be divided into three classes according to their abilities. First class will receive ten taels of silver per month, plus a bonus for missions. Second class will receive five taels, and third class will receive two taels. Those who aren't needed for the time being will each receive two taels of silver as a small gift. Please go back."

Instead of empty promises, we directly lure them with benefits and use their abilities to acquire them.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtyard perked up, especially those who considered themselves somewhat capable; their eyes gleamed with pride.

Ten taels of silver! In a place like "Muddy Hollow," that's enough for a family to live comfortably for more than half a year! Not to mention the bonuses for missions!

"Master Xie Lin!"

"We will do our utmost!"

The crowd responded with a thunderous roar, their voices filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Under Liu Sandao's command, they filed into the backyard. Soon, shouts, competitions, and various displays of skill echoed from the backyard.

"Master Lin," Hou Qi leaned closer, his face showing a mixture of excitement and contemplation, "there are quite a few people who have come, but it seems there aren't many who are truly formidable. There are a few veterans, though, with solid hand skills and steady eyes, but they are a bit old and have injuries."

"Old soldiers have their uses," Lin Feng said calmly.

"His experience, resilience, and composure in critical moments are unmatched by younger people. Pick him out, form a separate team, and let Liu Sandao lead him."

"Yes!" Hou Qi nodded, then remembered something, "Oh right, Master Lin, Manager Zhao from 'Fu Rui Xiang' sent someone over again this morning, bringing this month's 'peace money,' and this as well." He handed over a small bamboo tube sealed with sealing wax.

Lin Feng took it, crushed the sealing wax, and pulled out the rolled-up note inside. It contained only a few words: "To Your Excellency, Mr. Lin, the items from the other day have been properly disposed of, and the turmoil has temporarily subsided. However, though the tree may wish to remain still, the wind will not cease. Recently, there have been rumors circulating that 'gold is hidden in rice,' and I fear that some unscrupulous individuals may be using this as an excuse to cause trouble. I hope Your Excellency will be vigilant and take precautions. Respectfully yours, Zhao."

Hidden gold in rice? Lin Feng's eyes narrowed.

It seems that Zhao Baiwan's twenty boats of "new rice" are indeed extraordinary.

The so-called "grain robbery" was probably because someone knew the inside story and wanted to double-cross them.

As for the rumor of "gold hidden in rice"... Is someone trying to muddy the waters even more, or to completely link "Fu Rui Xiang" with last night's events and push it into the spotlight?

"Hou Qi," Lin Feng said in a deep voice, "send more manpower to keep a close eye on all goods entering and leaving the dock, especially grain. Find out where there are large-scale purchases or hoarding of grain, or secretly gather information about 'Fu Rui Xiang' and Black Stone Beach."

"Yes!" Hou Qi accepted the order and quickly left.

Lin Feng sat alone in the room, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

Zhao Baiwan's warning made him sense an even stronger sense of danger. If the rumor of "gold hidden in rice" was true, and the "stolen goods" involved imposters posing as soldiers, and were exploited by someone with ulterior motives to accuse them of "colluding with bandits, robbing government grain, and plotting treason," not only would Lin Feng be in danger, but Zhao Baiwan and the "Fu Rui Xiang" organization behind him would also be doomed.

"It seems I need to add fuel to the fire." A cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes, and he had already made up his mind.

"Brother Liu," he called out to the backyard.

Liu Sandao jogged over: "Master Lin, what are your orders?"

"Get ready, we're going out tonight," Lin Feng said in a low voice.

Liu Sandao's single eye flashed with a sharp light as he clasped his hands and said, "Yes!"

Night fell quietly once again.

The lights of the state capital lit up one after another, dividing this vast and complex city into a labyrinth of light and darkness.

A new storm is brewing.