Courtyard House: Home Alone

Kong Jie and Xiao Yifu exchanged a glance. Xiao Yifu spoke up, "After receiving the supplies tomorrow, we can spare a battalion the day after. However… our regiment's main force needs to undergo reorganization and training, and the new recruits need to be trained, so the manpower we can spare is limited."

"We don't need your help."

Tang Baolin waved his hand, "Young Master Lin said to send the new recruits. Building the granary is physically demanding, which will be a good opportunity to toughen them up. Once the granary is built, these new recruits will become seasoned veterans who can endure hardship."

By the way, you can do this: first send 1,500 to 2,000 new recruits over, then the veterans can resume training, and at the same time, you can start recruiting to expand the army. The new recruits who help with the construction can be rotated.

This approach ensured both the construction of the grain depot and the rapid recovery and formation of combat readiness for the troops. I believe this achieves multiple benefits.

Xiao Yifu pondered for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of his teacup: "Chairman Tang, this method is indeed thorough. However, the new recruits lack discipline, and building a granary isn't like fighting a war; I'm afraid some might try to shirk their duties."

"Cheating and shirking responsibility?" Tang Baolin suddenly laughed, a sly smile like that of an old fox. "Political Commissar Xiao, if you can't even manage these new recruits... I should consider having your superiors replace you."

Xiao Yifu blushed slightly, then smiled: "Chairman Tang is right. We will do our best."

"It's not just about doing your best, it's about making sure you do it perfectly."

Tang Baolin's smile faded, his gaze turning serious. "Young Master Lin entrusted this matter to me, and I'm entrusting it to you. Ten grain depots, 300,000 tons of grain—it concerns the lives of millions of people in North China next year. Doesn't your Red Party always talk about 'serving the people'? This is serving the people."

Kong Jie abruptly stood up, the chair scraping loudly on the floor: "Chairman Tang, rest assured, I may not be good at much else, but I'm an expert at leading troops and getting things done. Tomorrow I'll personally go and inspect the location you've chosen, and the men and horses will be in place by the morning after tomorrow!"

"Alright." Tang Baolin nodded. "Vice Chairman Zheng and Vice Chairman Qin, you are responsible for coordinating with the local authorities, conscripting laborers, and preparing materials. Commander Kong's men will be in charge of construction. All three parties must cooperate without fail."

The four of them agreed in unison. Tang Baolin gave them a few more instructions on the details, then let them go and prepare. Kong Jie and Xiao Yifu were at the back, and just as they were about to reach the door, Tang Baolin suddenly called them back.

"Commander Kong, Political Commissar Xiao."

The two turned around.

"You all know about Young Master Lin's trip to Tianjin, right?"

Kong Jie nodded: "I heard you mention that earlier."

"He personally oversaw the first deal."

Tang Baolin's voice lowered, "You know better than I what Tianjin is. What if... I mean, what if something happens to him? Then the 'Ghost' connection will be severed."

Xiao Yifu adjusted his glasses: "What does Chairman Tang mean?"

"What I mean is," Tang Baolin stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to the two men, "that you Red Party members must have some connections in Tianjin, right?"

The corridor fell silent for a moment. Kong Jie and Xiao Yifu exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding that only long-term partners could comprehend.

"Yes," Xiao Yifu finally said, "but it's inconvenient to use it."

"Is it inconvenient, or are you unwilling?"

"It's both inconvenient and undesirable."

Xiao Yifu's voice was calm. "Our discipline forbids the arbitrary exposure of our underground organization. Besides... since Young Master Lin dared to go, he must have his reasons. If we intervene rashly, it might actually make things worse."

Tang Baolin turned around, his gaze lingering on the two men's faces for a long time, before finally sighing, "You Red Party members are all like stones. Never mind, never mind."

Kong Jie suddenly spoke up: "Chairman Tang, although it's inconvenient for us to directly intervene, there's some information we can share."

"What?"

"According to our intelligence, the North China Expeditionary Army Headquarters is in a state of great disarray, and the commander has not yet arrived."

The head of the special agency, Seiichi Kita, is notoriously suspicious. He's currently busy investigating internally, claiming he suspects someone is colluding with "Ghost."

Tang Baolin narrowed his eyes: "This news..."

"Three days ago, our superiors specifically forwarded this message because, considering that we have arrived in Beiping and will soon be facing the North China Expeditionary Army, therefore..."

Tang Baolin's fingers tapped lightly on the windowsill, the rhythm slow and steady. The night outside had completely enveloped Beiping City, the distant lights sparse like will-o'-the-wisps, and occasionally a dog barked once or twice before falling silent again.

"Chaos..." he muttered to himself, "Chaos is good."

"Chairman Tang?" Xiao Yifu leaned forward slightly.

"It's nothing." Tang Baolin turned around, his expression back to normal. "Thank you for the information. I'll arrange for someone to tell him later. I hope it will help his deal."

After Kong Jie and the other person left the committee, Tang Baolin called Shi Tou and asked him to go to Nanluoguxiang and tell Lin Yifan the news.

At the same time, he was also told to arrange manpower overnight and go to be in charge of guarding the temporary warehouse first thing tomorrow morning until the security regiment transported away all the weapons, ammunition and logistical supplies.

Meanwhile, Lin Yifan had already returned home and was having dinner with Wenxiu and the others. He was going out again tonight to put the weapons, ammunition, food, and supplies in his spatial storage into a temporary warehouse. Eating dinner early would allow him to rest for a while.

Just as they were finishing their meal, Stone arrived.

"Brother Stone, what brings you here? Come, sit down and have something to eat. We can talk while we eat."

The quick-witted Xia Yan had already brought out bowls and chopsticks. Shi Tou didn't stand on ceremony, grabbing a large white steamed bun and taking a bite, the wheat aroma filling his mouth. He swallowed it in a few bites before speaking: "Young Master Lin, my master asked me to pass on a message to you."

Lin Yifan put down his chopsticks, gesturing for him to continue.

"Commander Kong and his men just left, bringing a message."

Shi Tou lowered his voice, "The North China Expeditionary Army headquarters is in chaos. The commander is nowhere to be found, and the head of the intelligence agency, Kita Seiichi, is busy investigating internally, suspecting that someone is colluding with 'Ghost.'"

Wenxiu and Xiayan exchanged a glance, and both stopped chewing at the same time. Only the soft crackling of the oil lamp wick remained in the room.

"Chaos is good."

Lin Yifan suddenly laughed, a laugh identical to Tang Baolin's, only his youthful face added an air of mystery to the smile. "The more suspicious Kita Seiichi is, the safer things are in Tianjin. He's busy catching the mole; how could he have the energy to keep an eye on a young businessman?"

Shi Tou took another bite of his steamed bun and mumbled, "Chairman Tang said the same thing. He also told you not to let your guard down. He said: 'Although the Japanese are in disarray, this transaction involves medicine and gold after all. It's hard to guarantee that someone won't get jealous after hearing the news, so I still want you to be extra careful.'"

"Okay, thanks, Brother Stone." Lin Yifan nodded.

After finishing their meal, Shi Tou said goodbye and left. Lin Yifan ignored the three women who were cleaning up the table and went straight back to his room to sleep.