Courtyard House: Home Alone

"Commander, this location is brilliant!" Lin Yifan exclaimed sincerely. "It's advantageous for both offense and defense; even if it's discovered, it will be very difficult for the enemy to launch a ground attack."

"This is the route pointed out by a local veteran hunter," the leader said with a smile. "They've been hunting in these mountains for decades; they know better than a map where to find shelter and where to find open terrain. Our revolution relies on the masses; without them, we can't move an inch."

As they spoke, they arrived at the end of the main runway. Lin Yifan squatted down, grabbed a handful of the soil and rock mixture, rubbed it, and carefully observed the runway's thickness and drainage slope, nodding inwardly. Although the conditions were rudimentary, the engineering quality was impeccable; it should be able to withstand the takeoffs and landings of fighter jets and light bombers without any problem.

"Sir, the runways are fine." He stood up, dusting off his hands. "However, I suggest digging a simple evacuation ditch at each end of each runway. In case of a surprise attack by enemy aircraft, planes can be quickly towed into cover. Also, fuel storage points should be dispersed, not concentrated in one place."

"Okay, we really didn't consider these details." The commander carefully noted them down, then turned to Xiao Zhang and said, "Go and call the engineering company commander. Tell him I need to see him, and ask him to bring the blueprints."

Xiao Zhang responded and left. The commander then took Lin Yifan to inspect the hangar and warehouse area, constantly asking about the "Ghost" transport team's specific needs and operating habits along the way. Lin Yifan answered each question, and the two chatted more and more congenially, becoming somewhat carried away.

"Comrade Yifan," the commander suddenly stopped, his gaze probing, "I have a question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it."

"Please speak, sir."

"Just who are you 'ghosts'?"

The commander lowered his voice, "I'm not trying to probe your resources, but... 372 aircraft, equipment for 100,000 people, and captured Japanese pilots as instructors—this kind of scale is not something an ordinary civilian organization could produce."

Lin Yifan felt a chill run down his spine, but remained outwardly calm. He knew that this was a problem he would have to face sooner or later.

"Sir, 'Ghost' is indeed not an ordinary civilian organization."

He carefully chose his words, "But please believe me, sir, our goal is completely aligned with your party's: to fight the Japanese invaders and save China. As for anything else… this is all I can say. Please forgive me, sir."

The commander stared at him for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! You have principles! I like that! Since you're not comfortable saying, I won't ask. Anyone who is wholeheartedly committed to resisting Japan is a friend of our Eighth Route Army, a friend of all Chinese people!"

At this moment, the company commander of the engineering company came running over, panting, with a blueprint rolled up in his hand. The commander took the blueprint, spread it out on a flat stone slab, and began to study with Lin Yifan the specific location of the evacuation trench and the plan for dispersing and storing the fuel.

As night deepened, the torches in the valley burned ever brighter. The soldiers, knowing that their commander was coming to inspect in person, were even more motivated. Their shouts, the sound of hammers, and the roar of explosives blasting through the mountains mingled together, echoing through the deep valleys of the Taihang Mountains.

Standing on the hillside, Lin Yifan looked at the airport that had appeared out of nowhere in the desolate mountains and wilderness, and felt an indescribable excitement welling up in his heart.

He knew that in two days, the first batch of warplanes would arrive here; in a few months, these warplanes would soar in the skies of North China, dealing a heavy blow to the invaders.

And all of this began with the idea of ​​"sowing seeds," and with countless people like these warriors before us, silently toiling in the darkness, waiting for the dawn.

"Comrade Yifan," the commander's voice came from behind, "it's getting late, let's go back. Tomorrow night, I'll be waiting to see how your 'ghost' friend conjures up these 372 planes!"

Lin Yifan turned around, his face appearing exceptionally resolute in the firelight: "Rest assured, Commander, 'Ghost' never goes back on his word. Tomorrow night, we'll witness it together."

The two walked back along the winding mountain path, moonlight filtering through the sparse pine forest and casting dappled shadows. Lin Yifan suddenly stopped and pointed to a secluded ravine in the distance, asking, "Commander, is that the backup oil depot you selected?"

The commander followed Lin Yifan's finger and nodded: "Exactly. The terrain there is low-lying, surrounded by mountains on three sides. Even in the event of an air raid, the shockwave would be blocked by the mountains. Moreover, we have surveyed the geology; the rock strata are dense, making it suitable for excavating a cavern."

"You've thought of everything very thoroughly."

The commander looked at Lin Yifan and said, "However, I have another concern—"

He paused, then lowered his voice, "Three hundred and seventy-two aircraft, that's no small number. Do you have enough manpower? Won't we expose our location during the transfer?"

Lin Yifan smiled slightly and said, "Please rest assured, sir. I'm telling you, these planes are already nearby, so you can relax completely."

The cries of owls echoed in the distance, and the sounds of construction in the valley gradually thinned out, leaving only sporadic hammering echoes in the night.

"This batch of aircraft represents the core assets of the Eighth Route Army's air force and is also the spark that ignited China's resistance against Japan."

The commander's voice was deep and powerful, "I don't care what the 'Ghost' is all about, but as long as you are truly committed to resisting Japan, I guarantee with my integrity that the entire Eighth Route Army will never engage in such underhanded tactics. If anyone ever investigates your background, I will be the first to object!"

Lin Yifan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and solemnly saluted: "The commander's trust is etched in 'Ghost's' heart. Please rest assured, commander, these 372 warplanes will arrive as scheduled tomorrow at this time!"

Furthermore, you may not know that "Ghost" was capable of annihilating three Japanese divisions in a single night. Do you think he would care about those who were plotting behind his back?

Upon hearing this, the commander's pupils contracted sharply, and his grip on the riding crop tightened involuntarily. The night wind rustled through the pine forest, and for a moment, no one spoke.

"Three divisions..." the commander repeated slowly, his voice so soft it was as if afraid of disturbing something, "...one night?"

Lin Yifan didn't answer directly, but calmly gazed at the undulating mountains in the distance. Under the moonlight, the young man's profile was clearly defined, carrying a composure beyond his years.

"Just recently, the 1st, 4th, and 118th Divisions, which had been assembled in Tianjin, were completely annihilated," the commander suddenly spoke, his eyes sharp. "They didn't even know who their opponent was. The battle report said... it was an 'unidentified armed force.'"

He turned to Lin Yifan, emphasizing each word: "Is it the 'ghost' you mentioned?"

"It is inconvenient for this junior to say more."

Lin Yifan lowered his head slightly, "But the commander can consider this: to launch an attack simultaneously in the heart of the enemy's heavily fortified territory, and to ensure that they can't trace it afterward, requires more than just manpower."

The leader remained silent for a long time, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly. The laughter echoed through the valley, startling several roosting night birds.