Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 173 Building a School

By the time Tang Weiguo returned from the test site, it was already noon, just in time for lunch. So Tang Weiguo invited everyone from the test site to the small canteen, intending to cook a special meal for them.

Recently, Niu Dali led his reconnaissance battalion to scout enemy positions around Wolong Mountain, and while they were at it, they captured a lot of mountain produce and sent it over to the regiment. Tang Weiguo planned to use these things to properly entertain these meritorious soldiers.

"Commander, Factory Director Wang, you've arrived! Please come in. The dishes are ready as you instructed, Commander." Tang Bo, the canteen manager, walked over with his plump belly and greeted them warmly.

The group followed Tang Bo into the small restaurant, where they saw a table laden with meat and dishes.

"Chef Tang, this lunch is quite sumptuous! We're all in for a treat. I haven't seen so many dishes in a long time," Tang Weiguo said with a smile, looking at the table full of food.

"Commander, as the saying goes, even a clever cook can't cook without rice. Luckily, Battalion Commander Niu sent over a truckload of wild game, which I can use right away."

"Commander, I'm not bragging, but when it comes to cooking wild game, no one within dozens of miles knows more than me. Come, everyone, sit down and have a taste," Tang Bo warmly invited.

"Alright, alright, everyone, please sit down and try the cooking of our militia's chef!"

"Sit, sit, sit."

Everyone politely offered themselves to each other when they sat down.

"We were supposed to prepare celebratory drinks for everyone, but I had already set a rule that no alcohol is allowed at noon. So, today I'll celebrate with tea instead of alcohol!" Tang Weiguo said as he sat down.

"I'll drink this first." After saying that, Tang Weiguo drank a large bowl of tea.

"Thank you, Commander. On behalf of the arsenal, I would like to thank you for your trust and support. Under your leadership, our arsenal will produce more weapons and ammunition for our militia."

"Commander, we'll drink it too." After saying that, everyone in the arsenal finished their tea.

"Eat it while it's hot," Tang Weiguo urged everyone to eat. Everyone picked up their chopsticks.

"Commander, this meat smells delicious!"

"Chef Tang's cooking skills are truly superb."

"Haha, we're all really benefiting from Battalion Commander Niu's success. When he returns, we'll have to thank them properly."

Everyone laughed and chatted, and lunch passed in a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere.

After lunch, Tang Weiguo led Cheng Shanshan to a relatively flat area near the Martyrs' Cemetery on the back hill. This was the location Tang Weiguo had personally selected from several school sites provided by Tang Guo.

Tang Weiguo chose this location hoping that the fallen militia soldiers could accompany their children as they grow up in peace. He wanted the next generation to understand that their current lives were bought with the lives of their forefathers!

I hope they can cherish their current study life, study hard and grow up to contribute to their long-suffering country.

At this moment, the site of the school was under construction, with over a hundred workers busy at work. Tang Weiguo looked at the construction site before him, his heart filled with joy. The militia's first school would be born here!

"Director Tang, Director Tang!" Cheng Shanshan called out to Tang Guo, who was at the construction site.

While listening to the on-site construction workers' report, Tang Guo suddenly heard someone calling him. He looked up and searched around, and then saw Tang Weiguo and another person walking towards him.

"Ah, Commander, you're here." Tang Guo saw Tang Weiguo approaching, gestured for the construction workers who were reporting on their work to continue, and then walked towards Tang Weiguo alone.

In front of outsiders, Tang Guo would no longer call Tang Weiguo "Young Master".

"I happened to have nothing to do this afternoon, so I just strolled over here to see how the school construction is going," Tang Weiguo said to Tang Guo, who was running over.

"I see the school is progressing very quickly. The foundations for six rows of houses are being excavated at the same time, and I think they are basically all completed," Tang Weiguo said, looking at the construction site in front of him.

"Commander, this is all thanks to the help of the villagers. As soon as they heard that our militia was going to build a school, they all came to support us. It's just that we don't need so many people right now, otherwise there would be more than just over a hundred people here."

"Yes, the villagers must be paid their dues," Tang Weiguo carefully instructed.

"Don't worry about this commander, I've given him the highest possible reward."

"Okay, we can't break the rules of our militia."

"Yes, Captain."

"When is the school expected to be completed?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"It is estimated that it will be completed in another month and a half. The main problem is the student dormitory, which is a bit more complicated to construct due to the need to keep the dormitories warm for the children."

"Don't rush when the time comes; make sure the quality of the house is guaranteed."

"Yes, Commander, I've got it."

"In addition, I have informed the engineering regiment that a safe passage will be reserved near the school. If Japanese planes attack, the teachers and students can be evacuated to the underground fortress immediately. When that happens, please contact Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang to see where the entrance to the safe passage is located."

Another important reason why Tang Weiguo chose this location is that it is right next to the underground military fortress of Wolong Mountain. Only a short transportation line needs to be dug to connect the military fortress with the school, making it convenient for the safe transfer of teachers and students.

"Yes, Commander." Tang Guo nodded repeatedly.

"Let's go, since I'm already here, show me around the construction site," Tang Weiguo said.

"Yes, Commander, please be careful." Tang Guo led the way, taking Tang Weiguo on a tour of the construction site.

"Excellent, excellent! I think the work is very well done. The foundation is dug perfectly horizontally and vertically." Tang Weiguo praised sincerely.

Even if you used a modern excavator to dig a trench, it probably wouldn't be as neat as the trenches dug by the workers on site. Tang Weiguo couldn't help but sigh, "The working people are the greatest."

"Commander, these people treat their work like their own. I don't even need to say anything; they work quickly and well."

"Once the school is built, remember to give each of them an extra sum of money. As for how much, you can discuss it with Bi Shoucai."

"Then I will thank the team leader on behalf of the workers on site."

"They deserve it!"

"Besides construction, what are the school's plans for the teachers?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"I've appointed Professor Zhao as the school principal. As for the other teachers, Professor Zhao is contacting some of them, and Instructor Zhao is also recruiting others. Since the Japanese occupied the county town, some school teachers in the city have gone back to the countryside to take refuge."

"Recently, I heard from Zhao Zhu that a batch of school teachers have been recruited, and recruitment is still ongoing."

"Okay, let me know if you need any help."

"Yes, Captain."

"Yes, we need to start preparing now regarding the school's student personnel and finalize the personnel list."

"Commander, I've already arranged for people to go door-to-door to compile a list of people."

"Good, it was definitely the right person to entrust this task to. By the way, how are the other branch schools?" Tang Weiguo suddenly remembered the other three schools.

"The progress is a bit slower than here, but don't worry, Commander, I have already sent a working group there to assist in the construction of the school."

"Okay, those three branch schools are small, so the slow progress isn't a problem right now. Once the construction is arranged, the progress will pick up. The main issue is this school here."

"Yes, Commander, I will make sure the school is completed quickly and well."

"Okay. Thank you for your hard work during this time," Tang Weiguo said with concern.

"It's not hard work. Everything I do is meaningful to me." Tang Guo said, looking at the militia soldiers buried next to her.

"Yes."

"Comrades, may all this be as you wish!" Tang Weiguo thought to himself as he looked into the distance.