Courtyard House: Home Alone

Mr. Wu added, "That's exactly what we need to pay attention to. Regardless of the background of this person or organization, we should affirm their actions."

The most urgent task is to find out their background as soon as possible. If they are genuinely committed to resisting Japan and willing to cooperate, they will be a vital asset to us in Beiping and even the entire anti-Japanese war behind enemy lines in North China.

Even if we cannot cooperate, we need to understand their movements to avoid unnecessary conflicts due to information asymmetry, or even being exploited by the Japanese invaders or other forces with ulterior motives.

"That's right." Li Zhuxi stopped and looked at him firmly. "Comrade Wu Hao, what do you think? Immediately instruct the underground party organization in Beiping to pay close attention to the progress of this matter at all costs and to investigate clues from all sides."

Tell your comrades to act with extreme caution, avoid revealing yourselves easily, and especially avoid alerting the enemy. What we need is intelligence and accurate judgment, not blind action.

"Yes, Zhu Xi, I'll arrange it right away!" Mr. Wu replied solemnly. "I will personally send a telegram to our comrades in Beiping, emphasizing the importance and confidentiality of this matter."

"By the way, Comrade Wu Hao, where did you arrange for 'Canglang' to go? He's familiar with Beiping after all. Now that the Japanese in Beiping have been wiped out, could we... let him continue to lead the underground work in Beiping?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Wu's eyes flashed with approval: "Zhu Xi is wise. Comrade Cang Lang is indeed the best choice, but he and his wife have already gone to Wudu."

Because it wasn't the Japanese who discovered them in Beiping, but the Kuomintang's Military Intelligence Bureau, it was no longer appropriate for them to appear in Beiping, otherwise it would increase their chances of being exposed.

They reported back to me that they had only managed to escape because Guizi hadn't taken it seriously enough; they hadn't even had time to bring their seven-year-old son with them.

Li Zhuxi frowned slightly, her right hand unconsciously tapping lightly on the table. She said in a deep voice, "A seven-year-old child... Alas, too many of our comrades have sacrificed themselves for the revolutionary cause. We must pay more attention to the situation of Comrade Canglang's family, and try to find out where the child is."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window, as if he could see the distant flames of war through the darkness. "Now that Comrade Canglang has moved, the work of the underground party in Beiping needs to be taken over by another suitable comrade."

This person must not only be loyal to the Party and have rich experience in underground struggle, but also be able to quickly adapt to the current complex situation in Beiping—Guizi just suffered a great loss and will definitely launch a fierce counterattack, and various forces will also take the opportunity to stir up trouble.

"Don't worry, Zhu Xi. The person who went to Beiping to take over should have arrived long ago. I also told Comrade 'Canglang' about his child and asked him to arrange for someone to take care of him."

Li Zhuxi nodded slightly, a hint of solemnity in his eyes: "Good, that's good. In extraordinary times, intelligence work is especially important, and we must not let any mistakes happen. The waters of the Northern Review are now completely murky."

That mysterious force, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, has created ripples that are probably far greater than we can imagine.

His fingers unconsciously traced the rough edge of the table. "I hope our people can find that crucial clue as soon as possible amidst this chaotic fog."

The person who started all this was currently in the courtyard, leisurely drinking porridge and eating meat buns he made himself. With his rudimentary cooking skills, the buns tasted quite good.

Lin Yifan was unaware that he had become the focus of attention for various forces. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care, because unless he wanted them to know, otherwise...

He was thinking that once Shi Tou brought the poultry, livestock, and seeds, the farm and planting fields in the space would be put to great use.

He has even started planning which areas to grow vegetables, which areas to grow grains, which areas to raise chickens and ducks, and which areas to raise pigs, cattle, and sheep.

After finishing breakfast, he checked the time and figured He Yuzhu should be rested enough by now. He planned to teach He Yuzhu some basic martial arts moves once He Yuzhu had rested sufficiently.

For people of this era, learning some martial arts for self-defense is always a good thing.

Not long after, He Yuzhu walked over from the front, looking refreshed and expectant: "Brother Xiao Fan, I'm all rested! What do we learn next?"

Seeing that he had recovered almost completely, Lin Yifan nodded: "The horse stance is fundamental, and you need to practice it every day. Today I'll teach you a basic set of boxing techniques. This set is simple and practical. If you learn it well, dealing with a few thugs won't be a problem in the future."

"Alright! Brother Xiao Fan, you teach me, I promise I'll learn seriously!" He Yuzhu rubbed his hands excitedly.

Lin Yifan stopped talking and began to teach, move by move. His movements were slow, but he explained each move in great detail, pointing out everything from the point of force application to the transfer of the center of gravity.

He Yuzhu studied very diligently, imitating each move quite well. Although he was still quite rusty, his eyes were full of enthusiasm.

As the sunlight gradually rose higher, it shone into the courtyard and onto the two figures who were diligently teaching and studying.

In the courtyard, apart from the occasional shouts of Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu's low responses, there was only Lin Yifan's explanation and He Yuzhu's somewhat clumsy shouts.

A new day unfolds slowly, amidst both calm and turmoil.

Before he knew it, it was the 7th, which was the afternoon of Lunar New Year's Eve. Lin Yifan, who had just woken up in his space, heard someone knocking on the door. At first, he thought it was He Yuzhu coming to call him for New Year's Eve dinner.

So he left the space, came to the door, opened the door and found that it was Grandpa Zhang from the front yard. Behind him was a man in his thirties. Upon closer inspection, wasn't this a younger version of Yang Weimin, the factory director?

He immediately understood, but still asked, "Uncle Zhang, come in quickly, what's this?"

"Oh! Xiao Fan, didn't you tell me the day before yesterday that someone would be coming to deliver something to you before the New Year and asked me to keep an eye out for them? "

"Hey, this is the man who came to see you. I've brought him in. I won't go in myself; I have things to do at home, so I'll head back now."

After Grandpa Zhang finished speaking, he nodded to Lin Yifan and the man, then turned and left in a hurry.

Lin Yifan stepped aside to let the man in, used his mind to check the surrounding neighbors, and finding that no one was paying attention to him, he casually closed the door before taking a closer look at Yang Weimin.

He was in his early thirties, wearing a slightly worn blue work uniform with faded cuffs, but it was clean and neatly washed. His hair was combed neatly, and his eyes revealed a shrewdness and composure, but there was a hint of fatigue and vigilance between his brows.

"Who are you?" Lin Yifan asked knowingly, his face showing just the right amount of doubt.