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

As dawn broke, rumors began to circulate in the damp, cold air of "Muddy Hollow," spreading like a plague through the cracks of every shack and clinging to the ears of everyone who rose early to make a living.

"Have you heard? The stolen grain at Black Stone Beach was a setup by Third Master Lin!"

"Shh! Are you out of your mind? How dare you say that?"

"It's true! Someone saw it with their own eyes; the crossbows used by the pirates who hijacked the ship were exactly the same as those used by Master Lin's men!"

"I also heard that the steward Qian who died at Prince Qi's mansion was silenced because he discovered Third Master Lin's secret!"

"This...this is a capital offense, punishable by death and confiscation of property! Let's stay away from him..."

The rumors grew increasingly bizarre and malicious. When Hou Qi rushed into the "Sanheyuan" (a traditional courtyard house), Lin Feng was standing in the courtyard, watching several newly recruited employees, under the command of "Langlijiao" Chen Da, hang a brand-new cedar wood sign that read "Sanhe Freight Forward" on the gate.

"Master Lin! Something terrible has happened!" Hou Qi ran out of breath, his face pale. "It's...it's spreading like wildfire outside! They're saying the bandits at Black Stone Beach were sent by you, that you killed people from Prince Qi's mansion, and...they're even saying you're planning a rebellion!"

Liu Sandao also came out of the house with a gloomy face, his single eye flashing with cold light: "Master Lin, I just went to the docks and found that many merchants are looking at us brothers differently, and they are making excuses when it comes to paying the 'peace money'. As for the canal gang, Huang San's men are loitering around the docks, watching the show."

Lin Feng's face remained expressionless. He simply reached out and gently brushed away a speck of dust from the signboard, his movements slow and deliberate.

"What's the panic?" His voice was calm, without a trace of anger. "It's just some underhanded tricks. Zhang Biao is getting desperate and starting to bite back."

"Master Lin, this must be that old dog Zhang Biao's doing!" Hou Qi said urgently. "We need to think of a solution quickly, otherwise our reputation will be ruined, and the freight transport business will fail before it even opens!"

"A solution?" Lin Feng turned around, looking at Hou Qi and Liu Sandao, a cold smile curving his lips. "Let him spread his rumors, we'll do our thing. The freight train will continue operating as usual. Not only will it operate, but it will be a grand success."

He beckoned the two closer and whispered a few instructions.

Hou Qi's eyes lit up at first, but then he became worried: "Master Lin, is this... will it work? That's the Prince Qi's mansion..."

"The Qi Prince's mansion is in dire straits right now, with one of its stewards dead. They're in a rush to distance themselves from the situation, so they don't have time to deal with these baseless rumors," Lin Feng said firmly. "Do as I say. Brother Liu, take Zhao Hu and Qian Bao to handle another matter..."

At 3:45 AM, the entrance to "Sanhe Freight Forward" was unexpectedly bustling. There were no gongs or drums, but several clean mule carts were parked at the entrance, each bearing a small "Sanhe" flag. Chen Da and Chen Er, along with several capable employees, wore matching gray short jackets and stood ramrod straight. Lin Feng stood under the signboard, dressed in a clean blue long gown, with his hands behind his back.

There were quite a few onlookers, but most of them stood at a distance, pointing and whispering, and no one dared to approach.

The power of rumors has begun to show.

"Make way! Make way!" A shout came from the crowd. Qian Youcai, the owner of the "Yongfa" shipping company, was seen with a few servants pushing a wheelbarrow piled high with cloth. He pushed through the crowd and ran panting to the entrance of the freight company.

"Master Lin! Master Lin! This is my first batch of goods, I'm begging you!" Qian Youcai, beaming, bowed deeply to Lin Feng, his voice loud enough to be heard halfway down the street. "From the dock to 'Jinxiufang' in the West City, this is the deposit!"

He took out a piece of silver and offered it with both hands. His movements were exaggerated, and his expression was obsequious.

Everyone was stunned. Qian Youcai? Wasn't he Zhang Biao's man? Yesterday he was trembling with fear at Zuixianju, how could he be...?

Lin Feng remained calm, took the silver, and handed it to Chen Da beside him: "Register and receive the goods. Charge 20% of the freight based on the distance and price. Boss Qian, since this is your first time doing business with us, I'll give you 18%."

"Thank you, Master Lin! Thank you, Master Lin!" Qian Youcai was extremely grateful. He directed his servants to load the goods onto a mule cart and then shouted to the onlookers, "Look everyone! Master Lin's freight service is fair in price and safe and reliable! It's much better than those who just take money and do nothing!"

His words were pointed, and many people's eyes flickered upon hearing them.

Just then, another commotion broke out at the back of the crowd. It turned out that Manager Zhao of "Fu Rui Xiang" had personally driven over in a horse-drawn carriage, which was loaded with several tightly tied burlap sacks.

"Master Lin! Congratulations! May your freight company have a prosperous opening!" Manager Zhao jumped off the cart, clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute, and said with a smile, "The owner specially sent me to deliver the first batch of rice. Please help me transport it to the East City branch, Master Lin! You name the price!"

"Fu Rui Xiang" has arrived too! And Manager Zhao is personally delivering the goods! This caused a complete uproar among the onlookers. "Fu Rui Xiang" is one of the most prominent merchants in the prefecture; even they trust Master Lin?

"You're too kind, Manager Zhao. We'll proceed according to the rules." Lin Feng nodded to Manager Zhao and instructed Chen Er to receive the goods.

With "Yongfa" and "Furuixiang" leading the way, some small merchants and workshop owners who were originally hesitant started to get interested. It seems that Master Lin's goods transportation business has some tricks up its sleeve! Moreover, the prices are indeed cheaper and more legitimate than those shady peddlers that used to operate.

Small groups of people began to approach, tentatively inquiring about prices and carrying small items.

However, the good times didn't last long. A burst of noisy footsteps and cursing came from the street corner.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! This is the work of the courier guild!"

Huang San led a dozen or so men from the canal gang, rushing over menacingly and surrounding the entrance of the freight station.

Huang San's face was grim as he stared at Lin Feng: "Lin San! How dare you! Colluding with river bandits, robbing grain, and murdering people from the Qi Prince's mansion, and now you dare to operate a freight train in broad daylight? Do you really think there's no law in the prefecture?!"

His words instantly extinguished the previously warm atmosphere.

Everyone looked at Huang San in horror, then at Lin Feng.

The canal gang is about to completely break ties and launch an attack in public!

Qian Youcai and Manager Zhao's expressions changed, and they quietly took two steps back.

Lin Feng looked at Huang San, his face still expressionless, and simply asked, "Master Huang, where's the evidence?"

"Evidence?" Huang San sneered, pointing at the surrounding crowd. "Everyone on the street knows! What more evidence do you need? Lin San, let me tell you, your operation isn't going to succeed today! You'll have to come to the Canal Gang's branch and explain yourself!"

"Oh? Going to the Canal Gang branch with you?" Lin Feng gave a soft "Oh," took a step forward, and was only a few feet away from Huang San. "Master Huang, when did your Canal Gang become able to arrest people for the Prince Qi's Mansion and solve cases for the government?"

His tone remained calm, but an invisible pressure suddenly spread out.

Huang San felt a sudden, inexplicable panic as he was swept over by the man's gaze, but emboldened by his superior numbers, he stubbornly declared, "I'm acting on behalf of Heaven! A scourge like you deserves to be killed by everyone! Brothers, smash this sign! Tie Lin San up!"

"Yes!" A dozen or so men from the canal gang responded in unison, drawing their sticks and blades, ready to attack.

"Let's see who dares!"