Courtyard House: Home Alone

Kenji Doihara, under their control, was ashen-faced. He knew he was finished, the three divisions assembled in Tianjin were finished, and the entire Japanese army in North China was finished.

Kenji Doihara slumped in his chair, staring blankly out the window. His former shrewdness and ruthlessness had vanished, leaving only a deep-seated despair.

He knew very well that the three divisions at Tanggu Wharf were the last mobile force of the North China Front Army, and now they had been completely wiped out, and news came from Tianjin that the pharmaceutical factory had been looted.

The situation in North China has completely deteriorated, and as the commander of the North China Expeditionary Army, he is likely to be held responsible. Even if he is not arrested, the only option awaiting him is probably to commit seppuku.

Old Master Tang stroked his gray beard, his face unable to conceal his excitement. He looked at Manager Zhou, his voice trembling slightly, "Brother Zhou, did you hear that? Tianjin is calling for help! And judging from the tone of the telegram, the situation is extremely critical! This Lin Fan... he's truly a remarkable person!"

Manager Zhou was also beaming, nodding repeatedly: "Yes, Brother Tang! Who would have thought that he and 'Ghost' would be able to turn the Japanese upside down!"

Three divisions in Tianjin, more than 60,000 Japanese soldiers, and the commanders of the three divisions, just vanished like that! It's like heavenly soldiers descending to earth! He didn't know that Lin Yifan was the so-called "ghost," and thought he was just going along with the "ghost" as a bystander.

"It's more than just heavenly soldiers and generals."

Old Master Tang's eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "This is a blessing for China! With 'Ghost' around, the Japanese devils' good days are over! What do you think he'll do next? The Japanese in Tianjin must be in complete chaos right now!" Old Master Tang knew that all of this was thanks to Xiao Fan. Lin Yifan didn't say anything, and he wouldn't tell anyone else either.

Manager Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "In my opinion, since 'Ghost' has taken action against the pharmaceutical factory, it must be for the development of Beiping. Now that we have the medicine and equipment, Beiping's foundation will be more stable."

As for Tianjin, without those three divisions, the remaining remnants are no threat. "The Ghost" could easily deal with them with a single word. My biggest concern now is what will happen to the Japanese forces in North China, now leaderless?

Grandpa Tang took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and said in a deep voice, "No matter what they do, what we need to do now is to stabilize Beiping and at the same time keep a close eye on the situation in Tianjin and the surrounding areas."

The equipment and medicines they brought back must be properly stored and put into operation by Dr. Chen and his team as soon as possible; they are the lifeline of our future.

Also, we need to keep a close eye on Kenji Doihara; he knows quite a few secrets and might still be useful to us.

Just as Grandpa Tang and Manager Zhou were discussing the follow-up matters, Lin Yifan was already driving his jeep, speeding towards Beiping City.

The operation in Tianjin was just one step in his grand plan. Next, he would use the resources obtained from the pharmaceutical factory to quickly produce penicillin.

The wheels rolled on, heading towards Beiping City. Lin Yifan's heart burned with the flames of revenge, and carried the hopes of millions of compatriots.

Those who offend China, no matter how far away, will be punished! This oath will guide him as he continues on this thorny path.

Soon, the outline of Beiping City appeared in his sight. Lin Yifan parked the car on the side of the road. He still had a lot of things to move out of his space, so he didn't want to disturb Grandpa Tang and the others in advance.

In addition, I killed three lieutenant general division commanders in Tianjin, and I still have three upgrades to use in my space. I killed so many Japanese soldiers that my system value has become astronomical. I need to make good arrangements for all of this. Besides, I am indeed a bit tired and need to go back and rest.

Lin Yifan parked the car and walked towards Dongzhimen. As soon as he arrived at the city gate, he saw two policemen and several plainclothes officers checking passersby.

One of the policemen glanced at Lin Yifan with a hint of wariness: "Stop! Good citizen certificate!" Lin Yifan calmly took out the document he had prepared beforehand.

The policeman took the identification, squinted at it briefly, and then waved for him to pass. Lin Yifan nodded slightly and walked through the city gate without making a sound.

Instead of going straight home, he went to the several courtyards where Old Master Tang had arranged the property transactions and put the raw materials and equipment seized from the pharmaceutical factory inside.

Having done all that, he hailed a rickshaw and headed straight for Nanluoguxiang. Several days had passed since he'd been home; he wondered how things were in the yard lately.

As soon as he arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, he heard Grandpa Zhang's hearty laughter coming from inside. Judging from that laughter, Grandpa Zhang must have encountered some good thing.

Lin Yifan took two quick steps and, just as he entered the courtyard, saw Grandpa Zhang happily talking to Grandma Zhang. He smiled and asked, "Grandpa Zhang, what's made you so happy?"

"Oh! It's Xiao Fan! You haven't been back for days! Well, I have to say, it's all thanks to you," Grandpa Zhang said with a smile.

Seeing Lin Yifan looking at him with a puzzled expression, he quickly said, "Back before the New Year, didn't you ask me and your Uncle Qing to go buy grain from that guy named Shi Tou? Yesterday, that guy named Shi Tou came to our yard and said that I should go to the old dye house in the west of the city early this morning because he has some work for me."

I was a little confused when I heard this. There are plenty of people out there who don't have any work, so why would they come looking for me?

When I went there today, I found out that they were only doing it because of you. That Brother Stone said that the person your master introduced is definitely a good person and he trusts him.

He said that the dye house in the west of the city has now been converted into a pharmaceutical factory, and they need a lot of reliable people. Since you introduced me to buy grain from him before the New Year, and he has seen me in our courtyard, he wants your aunt and me to work at the pharmaceutical factory. The wages are quite high.

"Don't you think this is good news? I just got back, and I'm talking about it with your aunt right here at the door."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yifan immediately understood seven or eight parts of the situation. It must be that Shi Tou was a reliable person who knew that it was inconvenient for him to directly settle the neighbors, so he used the excuse of the pharmaceutical factory recruiting workers to find a good place for Grandpa Zhang and his wife.

A relieved smile appeared on his face as he said to Grandpa Zhang, "Grandpa Zhang, this is really great news! That man Shi Tou is indeed trustworthy. I've also heard a bit about that pharmaceutical factory in the west of the city; it's very reputable. If you and your wife go there, you'll have a stable livelihood, which is much better than staying at home."

Grandpa Zhang's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile, and he nodded repeatedly: "That's right! Your aunt and I were just thinking about it, we have to take this job! It'll pay each of us two silver dollars a month, with food and lodging included, it's much better than the odd jobs I used to do!"

I have to thank you for this, Xiao Fan. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had this opportunity.

Oh, and the cellar in the adjacent courtyard has been repaired; the money came from the Qing Dynasty. It seems the cost, including labor and materials, was over 270 silver dollars.

Master Wang said that the house above ground would have to wait two more days before work could begin, until the glutinous rice paste and cement underneath had dried slightly. What exactly was going on down there? Neither Daqing nor I knew; it was all Master Wang's doing.

Lin Yifan waved his hand: "Uncle Zhang, thank you for your hard work. I just got back today and I'm a little tired. I'll go visit you another day."

"You're too kind about what Shi Tou did. We're all neighbors, it's only right that we help each other out. Besides, you and Auntie are both hardworking and kind people, it's Shi Tou's good fortune to invite you over."