Outside Taicang City, thousands of Taicang people and the surrounding villages and towns came to hear the news. At the call of Mr. Zhao and several well-known and respected old men, they volunteered to help the national army build positions and dig trenches. These people naturally did not know how to build trenches.

In addition to leaving a guard platoon as a left-behind force, Zhang Xinghan sent out the rest of the guard companies, the reconnaissance company and the Guzidichuan Army Company to guide everyone to build trenches.

For a moment, the city suddenly became busy in an orderly manner. These people were usually from farmers, and they were probably not as good as the officers and soldiers of the Guard Company and the Reconnaissance Company in marching and fighting, but digging trenches and holes was not much inferior to them.

As long as the officers and soldiers guided them a little, they would be able to understand the gods soon. In addition, they had a large number of people, so the speed of digging trenches was very fast.

Of course, Zhang Xinghan still has one month left. Of course, he would not only dig ordinary trenches on the ground. In this month, he would build as much as possible into a powerful bunker inside and outside Taicang City with three-dimensional defense. Outside the city, not only would he have to dig crisscrossing trenches, traffic trenches, foxgloves and build light and dark firepower points.

It also needs to be supplemented by the same crisscrossing underground tunnels. When the ground positions are attacked by the firepower of the Japanese air force and artillery, the infantry can retreat into the tunnel to hide. When the ground positions are lost, the troops can retreat into the tunnel to continue to resist, just like the later volunteers in Shangganling.

However, building underground tunnels requires the officers and soldiers of the Zhongrui regiment to do their own work. After all, what they need to dig is a regular tunnel that can be fought, and it is not something that ordinary people can dig at any time.

Therefore, before the main force of the Zhongrui Group arrived, Zhang Xinghan just asked Guzidi and the others to dig up ground fortifications and build ground fortifications, and the underground fortifications with larger volumes had not yet moved.

………………………….

The city was busy and the city was very busy. In the city, the husband and men were outside to help the Kuomintang army build trenches and build fortifications. The eldest and young wives at home were busy boiling water and cooking, preparing to deliver food to their men.

Although these people refused to ask for wages, after discussing with Mr. Zhao, Liu, Ma and others, they decided to add a piece of ocean to each household every day, at least to give them work and food.

In the city, in the Zhao family's courtyard, Zhang Xinghan was invited to take a break at Mr. Zhao's mansion. Mr. Zhao is the largest landlord in Taicang County. His family has fertile land and has opened several shops in the city. He is one of the top major households in Taicang County.

In addition to the wealth accumulated by several generations of ancestors, it is no exaggeration to describe Mr. Zhao as a rich man.

Although Mr. Zhao is rich, he is humble and a well-known charity. He is deeply loved by the people and has great influence in the Taicang generation.

So when he climbed the high place and shouted, the people from all over the countryside almost came up and responded. You should know that there are countless tenants belonging to his family in this radius of ten miles.

In the mansion, Zhang Xinghan was invited by Mr. Zhao to a main room. Since it was already early October, the weather in Jiangnan was getting colder. In the main room, a pretty young maid was making hot tea for Mr. Zhao and Zhang Xinghan.

Drinking tea seems to be a habit among southerners, and it seems that tea cannot be separated from it in winter or summer.

Zhang Xinghan was an amateur about the tea ceremony. He only felt that a rich and mellow fragrance gradually drifted away as the tea leaves were soaked open. Soon the maid brewed a cup of hot tea for each of them that was filled with mellow fragrance and Zhang Xinghan could not call her name.

Mr. Zhao held up the teacup with his hands like dead leaves and said to Zhang Xinghan solemnly: "Sir Zhang, please use tea. I have asked someone to prepare wine and food to welcome Chief Zhang later."

"Mr. Zhao, this matter is absolutely impossible. Xinghan is a soldier. The army has clear discipline. During the execution of the mission, drinking is absolutely not allowed, otherwise military law will be carried out." Zhang Xinghan quickly put down his teacup and said.

"Hey, Chief Zhang doesn't have to worry. Chief Zhang is a national hero. Now I am just preparing some small wine and side dishes to express my respect. Moreover, the fortifications are currently under construction, so drinking less alcohol will not make any mistakes." Mr. Zhao persuaded with a humble smile.

"Master Zhao, you are very wise. This time, you have taken the initiative to help our department build fortifications. Xinghan is very grateful. You are young, so Mr. Zhao doesn't have to be polite. Just call him Xinghan directly. There is no need for the superior. The superior's call is not used to it, hehe." Zhang Xinghan smiled and changed the subject.

"Okay! I am worthy of being a soldier. I am very happy. I am dissatisfied with you. Your temperament is very similar to my daughter who has been away from home for many years. Depending on your age, it is similar to my daughter. How about I just call you "Hing Han's Nephew?" Mr. Zhao said as his face gradually became heavier.

"Master Zhao calls him casually." When Zhang Xinghan saw that Mr. Zhao mentioned his daughter, he couldn't help but feel sad in his eyes. He immediately asked in confusion: "Dare you ask Mr. Zhao what's wrong with your daughter? Why did he run away from home?"

"Oh, my daughter has never liked red makeup since she was a child. She likes to dance with swords and guns all day long. She dresses like a boy. In order to let her learn knowledge better, I spent money to send her to study in Shanghai a few years ago, but I didn't know where to go halfway and lost my trace since then. Alas, I missed me in my 40s and half years old. I never thought that such a thing would happen. I asked myself that I had never done anything that hurts the world, but I don't know why God treated me like this." Mr. Zhao became sadder as he spoke, and two lines of turbid tears flowed down.

"I'm sorry, I really don't know about it. It has stirred up your sad things. I think the lady is a lucky person and will definitely be fine." Zhang Xinghan quickly apologized.

"Haha." Mr. Zhao wiped his tears and said happily: "Forget it, it's all over the past. I won't mention it today. Come and have a tea."

At this moment, a subordinate in the yard walked in quickly and reported to Mr. Zhao: "Master, sir, a large group of soldiers from the National Army came outside, saying that they were looking for Chief Zhang."

"Oh!" Zhang Xinghan stood up after hearing this, turned around and bowed to Mr. Zhao, "Mr. Zhao, I guess my subordinates have arrived. Military affairs are busy, so I will say goodbye first."

"Xinghan's wife, it's not too late to leave after dinner. The kitchen is about to be ready." Mr. Zhao stood up and tried to stay.

"Master Zhao, please stay. I understand your intentions. Please allow me to complete the military affairs and visit me. Please stay." Zhang Xinghan continued to bow.

Seeing that Zhang Xinghan had made up his mind, Mr. Zhao stopped persuading him and immediately stood up and said, "Afu, send him to Chief Zhang for me."
Chapter completed!