Courtyard House: Home Alone

Lin Yifan smiled and nodded, then checked the timing details of the operation with the others again, deciding to take action the night after tomorrow, taking advantage of the Japanese soldiers' laxity to catch them off guard.

After finalizing the details of the operation, it was already dark outside the window. Zheng Jianming had already arranged dinner. The group sat around the table, eating and reviewing the possible unexpected situations, and discussing each possible solution thoroughly.

After dinner, Zheng Jianming volunteered to stay and arrange the night patrols. He led a few brothers to patrol the area around the mansion, and only left the front yard after confirming that there was nothing unusual, leaving Lin Yifan some space to rest.

Lin Yifan leaned back in the wicker chair on the balcony, enjoying the salty sea breeze of the evening. He looked at the scattered lights of the harbor in the distance, mentally reviewed the entire operation again, and only after confirming that nothing had been overlooked did he turn around and go back to his room to rest and prepare for the operation the night after tomorrow.

Over the next two days, Lin Yifan toured all of Hong Kong Island, and his development plan became increasingly refined.

He walked through the Central district where foreigners gathered, and also strolled through the lively Chinese alleys. He gained a clearer understanding of the population distribution and industrial layout of Hong Kong Island. He had a clear outline in his mind of which areas were suitable for developing shipping, which places could be arranged for commercial layout, and which locations should be reserved in advance as bases.

Every day, he would adjust his previously drafted plans based on what he saw on the ground, making sure that every step of the process—from placing personnel and developing industries to building the rear—was clear and straightforward, so that he could proceed step by step once the operation began.

On the evening of the day they were to take action, Lin Yifan returned to the mansion and handed the finalized development plan to Chen Gongshu. He explained the core points to him point by point, clarifying the direction of each subsequent step of development. Once they had established a firm foothold, they could immediately begin laying the groundwork.

Night fell quickly. Tonight's targets were two: one was the Japanese logistics supply warehouse next to Tsim Sha Tsui Railway Station; the other was the Japanese arsenal next to Victoria Harbour.

This armory is located inside the Japanese military camp, right next to the sea. This Japanese military camp was originally the British garrison in Hong Kong, and Lin Yifan will personally complete this objective.

At midnight, the group heading to Tsim Sha Tsui was led by Qi Haishan. The Japanese guards there consisted of a company, and Lin Yifan's requirement was to operate silently. For this purpose, he specially exchanged fifty Colt pistols with silencers.

Just as Qi Haishan led his 300-man action team away, Zheng Jianming set off with another 500-man team. His mission was to block the Japanese reinforcements and transport goods.

Lin Yifan didn't rush to take action. Instead, he focused his attention on Qi Haishan's team. Although this team had all experienced the trials of the war in Northeast China, Lin Yifan hadn't accompanied them during their operations there and hadn't witnessed their battles, so he was still a little worried.

As for emptying the Japanese army's armory, it was an easy task for him; frankly, it was just a matter of blinking a few times.

About twenty minutes later, Qi Haishan's voice came through the walkie-talkie, saying that the warehouse had been successfully captured, all the logistical supplies and food inside had been transported away, and a company of Japanese guards had been dealt with quietly without any leaks.

Lin Yifan put down the walkie-talkie, smiled and nodded to Chen Gongshu who was waiting beside him: "Qi Haishan did a great job, even more smoothly than expected."

After saying that, he stood up, straightened his collar, and said to Chen Gongshu, "I should get going now. You stay here and wait for my news. Once I've succeeded, you can proceed with the plan without waiting for me."

After saying that, Lin Yifan turned and left the mansion. Under the cover of the trees by the roadside, he teleported to the Japanese armory. He could have taken the items from inside the mansion, but taking them up close would give him more confidence and avoid causing any trouble.

This row of armories consists of five rooms. Three of them are filled with neatly stacked guns and ammunition. In one of the other two rooms, there are even twelve Type 91 wheeled armored vehicles parked inside.

Although its performance isn't top-of-the-line, it's more than enough for patrolling and combat operations on Hong Kong Island, making it perfect for Chen Gongshu and his team.

The other room contained the Japanese army's reserves of gasoline and diesel fuel, which were in high demand right now, so he took them all. Lin Yifan didn't stand on ceremony and simply reached out and stored all the artillery, guns, and ammunition in the entire armory into his spatial storage.

Then, using bullets from the stationary warehouse, he silently killed the sentries outside, making the scene look like a retreat from the sea, so that the Japanese wouldn't connect the vanished munitions with the "ghost." After doing all this, he returned to the Western-style house.

At this moment, Qi Haishan and the others returned. Seeing Lin Yifan come back, they quickly surrounded him. Chen Gongshu was the first to ask, "Young Master, how did it go? Did it go smoothly?"

"Success! Those weapons are enough to equip five thousand people, but I guess you won't want those junk. I'll take those Type 38 rifles and Type 91 light machine guns back with me, and I'll prepare another batch of American-made weapons for you."

However, it wasn't all bad. I found twelve Type 91 armored vehicles and a batch of fuel in their warehouse, which would be just right for the final assault on the Japanese.

"Once the Japanese are wiped out, they'll be perfect for your patrols on Hong Kong Island. They're much faster than running on foot, and they'll keep things in check."

As soon as Lin Yifan finished speaking, the whole room erupted in excitement. Who would have thought that they would also manage to snag twelve armored vehicles? For them, who had just settled down, this was like a treasure falling from the sky.

Chen Gongshu rubbed his hands together excitedly: "With these twelve armored vehicles, our status on Hong Kong Island will be completely different. The British will be coming soon!"

Now we have the confidence to talk to them! Young master, taking over the entire Hong Kong Island is practically guaranteed.

Lin Yifan smiled and waved his hand, suppressing everyone's excitement: "Don't be too happy yet. We still have a bank operation to do tomorrow. We have to go all out and dig out the Japanese economic roots."

Once we get the money, we can not only pay the soldiers' salaries, but also take advantage of the current chaos to win over the hearts of the people, making it easier to gain a foothold.

Everyone has worked hard today. Go down and get some rest to prepare for tomorrow night's operation.

Everyone responded enthusiastically, took on their respective tasks, and dispersed. Soon, only Lin Yifan, Chen Gongshu, and Zheng Jianming remained in the room.

The three checked the defenses around the bank against the map again, making sure that every attack and retreat route was properly arranged, before returning to their rooms to rest and await the bank robbery operation the following night.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, everyone was awakened by the piercing alarm. The Japanese had discovered that the supply warehouse and armory had been robbed.