Courtyard House: Home Alone

"Young Master Lin, that's not right of you. You can't offer tea as a toast! We've heard about your drinking capacity since we were in the base area. You're the first person to make that famous Russian drinker admit defeat."

You have to keep me company with drinks today, but I'm not going to try to outdrink you. My alcohol tolerance is nothing compared to yours; it's like showing off my skills in front of an expert. I'm just here to enjoy the aroma and have some fun with you.

Lin Yifan laughed heartily, put down his teacup, picked up his wine glass and filled it to the brim: "Since Commander Chen has spoken, then I'll gladly keep him company. Today, let's not talk about official business, let's just drink and eat, and drink until we're completely drunk."

As he spoke, he raised his glass and clinked it against Commander Chen's, then tilted his head back and downed the rest of the glass.

Commander Chen laughed and downed his drink in one gulp. He put down his cup, wiped his mouth, picked up another piece of chicken with his chopsticks, and the group chatted about all sorts of things while they ate, from the anti-mopping-up operations in the Taihang Mountains to the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

They went from discussing the Japanese troops' deployment to their next battle plan. The more they talked, the more they clicked, and after a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became incredibly lively.

Commander Chen put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and began to talk about the recent situation in North China: "The Japanese have been mobilizing troops again recently, and it seems they want to reinforce the Pacific theater."

Before they leave, they will conduct a major sweep of our Jin-Cha-Ji base area. Headquarters told us to prepare in advance before they came. The equipment you gave us came at just the right time; it will catch the Japanese off guard.

Lin Yifan nodded and replied, "I've also received news of the Japanese movements. They've amassed a lot of troops in Shimen, trying to gain an advantage from both sides."

This is a perfect opportunity for us to have a good talk with them and show them how tough the Chinese people are.

However, I wonder how well the tank drivers and gunners on Commander Kong's side are training. This time, there are quite a few Japanese tanks and artillery pieces among the heavy equipment. If no one is operating them...”

"Young Master Lin, you can rest assured. I checked it out as soon as I arrived in Beiping yesterday, and I was shocked. In less than half a year, the army has expanded to 35,000 men."

They used the T26 tanks you got from the Russians to train more than 300 tank drivers, all of whom were educated and passionate young men.

Everyone was willing to learn diligently, and in less than three months they were able to operate tanks independently. More than 500 gunners were also trained and could basically complete firing missions. They were just waiting to receive the new equipment so they could be deployed directly to the battlefield. "Brigade Commander Chen put down his wine glass and said with a smile.

Lin Yifan was relieved upon hearing this and nodded, saying, "That's good. Taking this batch of equipment up there will be just the right time to bleed the Japanese dry."

However, the specific action plan still needs careful consideration. For now, the unit is still officially called the Beiping Self-Defense Army. We have an agreement with the Japanese, so…”

Brigade Commander Chen waved his hand and smiled knowingly, "We understand these rules. If you 'Ghosts' want to establish yourselves in Beiping, it's inevitable that you'll have to play along with the Japanese. We will absolutely not cause you any trouble."

Whether it's an open scheme or a covert one, we are the ancestors of the Japanese devils. I guarantee they'll suffer in silence.

Lin Yifan was relieved and smiled as he raised his glass to clink it with Brigade Commander Chen's again: "Brigade Commander Chen, I absolutely admire your strategic and tactical skills. Since you have thought of everything so thoroughly, I am at ease."

"After we check the equipment tomorrow, you can be transferred out. The next step is to get the soldiers familiar with the equipment as quickly as possible so they can be put to use as soon as possible."

Commander Chen downed his drink in one gulp and said loudly, "Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning I'll take some men with you to check the equipment, get it back to the base as soon as possible, and prepare for the counter-sweep operation of the base. We can't let 'Ghost' down."

The two chatted for a while longer about the deployment details. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Brigade Commander Chen, along with Li Da and Manager Zhou, got up to say goodbye. Lin Yifan saw them to the door, watched them get into their car and leave, and then turned back to the courtyard.

Yu Wenxiu cleared the table of dishes and said to Lin Yifan with a smile, "Everything has been settled. Now you can finally rest for a few days in peace."

Lin Yifan walked over and hugged her waist from behind, then whispered in her ear with a smile, "Yeah, now we just have to wait and watch them kill the Japanese. We can finally have a few days of peace and quiet."

However, once news arrives from the Northeast, I may have to go there for a few days. The comrades of the Anti-Japanese United Army there are living in dire straits, lacking food, clothing, and medicine. I've been thinking of sending them a batch of supplies for a while now.

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenxiu stopped what she was doing, turned around and looked at him worriedly: "The Northeast is still under Japanese control. It's too dangerous for you to go there alone. Why don't you send Uncle Chen's men instead?"

Lin Yifan pinched her cheek and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, I'm just a child, the Japanese won't care too much." After saying that, his hands started to wander again.

Yu Wenxiu slapped his mischievous hand, but her cheeks flushed involuntarily. She glared at him reproachfully, "Still acting like a child! How many nine-year-olds have you seen acting like this? Be careful Xinyi and Xia Yan don't see this and laugh at you."

Lin Yifan chuckled and tightened his arms around the person, saying, "It's your fault for always crawling into my bed. Even though I'm still young, it's okay to have a little fun, right?"

Yu Wenxiu's face turned even redder. She raised her hand and gently punched his chest, then broke free from his embrace, picked up the bowls and chopsticks, and hurried towards the kitchen, muttering under her breath, "I can't be bothered with you. I'm going to wash the dishes."

Lin Yifan watched her flustered back and couldn't help but chuckle softly, leaning against the door frame and slowly shaking his head.

A week passed in the blink of an eye. After resting at home for a week, Lin Yifan finally received a message from Chen Gongshu: "Young master, news has come from the Northeast. Our people have made contact with the Third Detachment of the Anti-Japanese United Army in Changbai Mountain."

The three detachments currently have only a little over four hundred men, half of whom are wounded or sick. They have only about a hundred guns in good condition and less than a thousand rounds of ammunition.

According to them, two other detachments had already retreated into the Soviet Union, and they were also preparing to transfer there during the lull left by the Japanese troop movements.

After hearing this, Lin Yifan's smile faded, and his brows furrowed slightly: "I didn't expect the Third Detachment to be in such a dire situation. If this drags on any longer, even without the Japanese attacking, injuries and hunger will kill them all."

We can't wait any longer. I'll set off tonight to deliver the supplies and help them clean up the surrounding area.

Once you get back, immediately contact them and tell them to prepare for the rescue. Also, tell our brothers to stay for a while to give the Anti-Alliance soldiers a short, unified training course, so they have more ways to survive.

Upon hearing this, Chen Gongshu quickly advised, "Young master, it's too dangerous for you to go yourself. The Japanese in the Northeast are very strict in their checks, and there are sentries everywhere along the way. What if something happens? It would be better if I led the men to go instead."