Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Qi Feng took seven or eight steps forward, keeping a close eye on the figure. Sure enough, the footsteps behind him immediately followed.

Qi Feng didn't turn back, but quickened his pace and turned into a narrower alley next to the inn.

The alley was pitch black. The footsteps behind them paused, as if they were hesitating whether to follow.

Qi Feng put the lantern he was holding in the corner, took out the dagger he always carried from his pocket, and leaned against the wall, remaining vigilant.

Finally, footsteps sounded, and as soon as a figure peeked into the alley, Qi Feng's hand was already on his neck, and a dagger was pressed against his lower back.

"Who sent you?"

Hearing Qi Feng's indifferent voice, the man stiffened and couldn't help but swallow.

"General Huang asked me to pass on a message: it doesn't matter whether Ma Shuo lives or dies, but if you investigate further, don't blame him for being ruthless."

Qi Feng narrowed his eyes slightly; he hadn't expected Huang Dingyuan to target him directly.

The fact that he was able to be found in such a short time suggests that Huang Dingyuan's spies have probably already filled Linzhao City.

He had only come to Zhaocheng to discuss cooperation with the Zhong family, yet Huang Dingyuan was able to find him so quickly, which shows Huang Dingyuan's strength.

Qi Feng didn't move the dagger from his hand, and said coldly, "What else did he say?"

"That's all."

Qi Feng was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you know He Wen?"

The man paused, then hesitated, "I don't know him."

Qi Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, and he roughly figured out that this person was probably just a messenger sent by Huang Dingyuan to deliver a message.

Qi Feng released his grip, and the man staggered back two steps before running away without looking back.

Watching the person's departing figure, Qi Feng picked up the lantern.

He didn't return to the inn immediately. Instead, he went around to the alley entrance and looked in the direction the man had run a few more times. Seeing that he didn't see anything, he turned around and went into the inn.

In the inn, Qi Feng tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

The fact that Huang Dingyuan's men were in Linzhao City indicates that he did indeed have spies there.

However, he and Zhong Shao only arrived in Linzhao City during the day and had dinner at the Zhong family's house in the afternoon. The fact that he knew he had arrived so quickly meant that Huang Dingyuan's people were also watching the area around the Zhong family's house.

The next morning, Qi Feng went to the Zhong family.

Zhong Shao was drinking tea in the front hall when he was somewhat surprised to see Qi Feng arrive so early.

Qi Feng recounted what had happened the previous night to Zhong Shao.

After hearing Qi Feng's words, Zhong Shao put down his teacup, his expression darkening.

"I'm not surprised that Huang Dingyuan has people in Linzhao City, but the fact that he knew you were here so quickly means he's been keeping an eye on the Zhong family too. It seems Huang Dingyuan is very concerned about this matter. Since he doesn't want me to investigate, I'll investigate to the end!"

"Brother Qi, don't worry, this matter won't involve you. I'll inform my father about it later. Unauthorized resale of military supplies and equipment is a serious crime, especially now, when the war between the Sui Dynasty and the Rong Dynasty is not yet over."

Qi Feng nodded. With the Zhong family backing him up, Huang Dingyuan might not take him seriously, given his minor position.

The two chatted about the shop for a while longer and agreed to return to Fuxing County together the next day. Only then did Qi Feng get up to say goodbye.

After leaving the Zhong family's residence, Qi Feng made a detour to the blacksmith's shop.

Linzhao City is larger than Fuxing County, and the blacksmiths here are more skilled. Qi Feng plans to ask here if he can make his improved condenser tube, which plays a crucial role in distilling spirits.

After Qi Feng finished explaining his needs to the blacksmith, the blacksmith was somewhat surprised. Looking at the blueprints in Qi Feng's hand, he had never seen such a novel thing before.

"We can do it, but the price..."

Qi Feng waved his hand, completely unconcerned.

"Price is not an issue, but I need you to finish it as soon as possible. When can you finish it at the earliest?"

The blacksmith scratched his head: "This thing isn't too complicated, just a bit intricate. If we're rushing it, it can be finished by tomorrow morning."

"Alright, how much silver do you want?"

"Originally, one tael of silver would have been enough, but if you are in a hurry, it will probably cost two taels of silver."

Qi Feng nodded. He was no longer short of money; the Ye Family Restaurant alone brought in several dozen taels of silver every month.

After paying the deposit and agreeing to pick up the goods early the next morning and pay the balance, Qi Feng had some free time and took a stroll around the streets of Linzhao City.

Linzhao City was indeed much more lively than Fuxing County. Shops lined the streets, selling cloth, grain, blacksmithing, and medicine, with shouts rising and falling in waves.

Qi Feng passed by a general store and, thinking of his three daughters at home, bought each of them a bottle of rouge from Linzhao City.

Remembering that Yu Yourong didn't even have a proper hairpin, Qi Feng simply bought three more hairpins.

However, he had specially selected the ones for Yu Yourong and Ye Ling Shuang, while he was more casual about Ye Zhi Wan's.

The next morning, Qi Feng went to the blacksmith shop to pick up the condenser pipe he needed. After paying the balance, he and Zhong Shao took a car back to Fuxing County.

On the way, Zhong Shao leaned against the carriage with his eyes closed, while Qi Feng lifted the curtain and looked at the fields on both sides.

With spring just around the corner, only half a month away, Qi Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

What if Da Rong really shifts its battlefield after spring?

"We need to make plans as soon as possible..."

When the carriage arrived in Fuxing County, it was already past noon.

Zhong Shao got out of the car at the entrance of the county government office, and Qi Feng had the driver unload the condenser pipe and ironware at the back door of Ye Family Restaurant.

Yu Yourong came out of the Ye family restaurant after hearing the commotion, holding a rag in her hand. When she saw Qi Feng return, her eyebrows curved slightly. Then, seeing what he had brought back, she quickly called Ye Zhiwan over to help carry the things into the backyard.

Qi Feng went to the well and washed his face. The cool water washed away the heat, and then he sat under the old tree in the backyard and drank a bowl of hot tea.

Yu Yourong sat down next to Qi Feng on a small stool and told him about the events of the past two days.

"Sister Ling Shuang has found a shop in the north of the city. It's spacious, and there's even a backyard where you can dry grain. She said she's waiting for you to come back so you can take a look. The prices there aren't expensive either; it only costs four taels of silver a year."

"Zhiwan hired four employees: two to cook and two to do odd jobs. They were all honest people."

Qi Feng nodded: "I'll go check out that shop tomorrow."

Yu Yourong seemed to remember something, and a trace of sorrow appeared between her brows and eyes.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Some people have come over these past few days asking about our brewing recipe."

Qi Feng frowned slightly, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

"What did those two people look like?"

Yu Yourong gestured.

"One was tall and thin, the other was short and stocky, both around 30 years old. The tall, thin one had a scar on the bridge of his nose, and didn't look like a good person."

Qi Feng kept this in mind and gave the instructions:

"Tell the guys to be careful, and keep an eye out for any similar people again."

However, this made Qi Feng feel uneasy. As the Ye family restaurant business gradually expanded, it seemed that it had attracted the attention of some people.