The seemingly honest and simple middle-aged fat man was initially intimidated when he saw Lin Fan.

Even though he was a contractor, his business wasn't large, with only a few dozen brothers from his town working under him. Over the years, he had made some money, but to secure better contracts, he had gritted his teeth and taken out loans to buy a few construction vehicles.

Given his status, he couldn't possibly compare to Lin Fan.

In fact, Lin Fan's words were like commands to an ordinary person like him.

But when he heard Lin Fan speak, he was slightly taken aback and, not knowing where he found the courage, chuckled and said, "Boss, what do you mean by that? How can you just send us back?"

He didn't dare to openly contradict the Commander-in-Chief.

But ordinary people have their own kind of wisdom.

Seeing Lin Fan remain silent, the middle-aged fat man chuckled and began to make connections: "Boss, let me introduce myself. I'm Old Wang, the captain of the construction team from Wangjia Village in Black Province. This skinny dark guy next to me is Old Li, the captain of the construction team from Lijia Village in Black Province, and this is Old Wu, the captain of the construction team from Wujiazhuang."

"These are all our brothers."

"We've all seen you on TV, Boss, and Old Jin too. This morning, Old Jin was at the press conference..."

But Lin Fan didn't waste time with him and said, "Everyone, please go back."

Old Wang's face immediately became conflicted.

For a long time.

This small contractor, not knowing where he found the courage, looked at Lin Fan and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Boss, I can't go back!"

"Can't go back?" Lin Fan frowned.

Old Wang smiled and said, "Boss, if you want me to go back, I'll definitely listen, but these brothers behind me... they'd beat me to death."

After speaking, Old Wang turned around and said, "Brothers, the boss wants us to go back. Shall I take you back?"

"Old Wang, just try going back!"

"Exactly, we agreed to go help together, and now you're chickening out?"

"If you need money, just tell us, and we'll pitch in! But if you dare take private jobs at this time, I won't work with you anymore!"

The workers' words were simple but left Old Wang with a bitter smile.

Old Wang looked at Lin Fan: "Boss, you see, I really can't go back."

Lin Fan looked at the crowd of over a hundred workers and earnestly explained, "Everyone, I know you want to help, but please trust us..."

"Boss, that's not right," a worker suddenly shouted, "We trust you, but how can we only let the country protect us? We should protect the country too!"

"Exactly, we may not be well-educated, but there's a saying, 'The rise and fall of the nation is everyone's responsibility!'"

"This is all voluntary!"

These workers didn't care if Lin Fan was some kind of commander.

They only knew they were here to help.

How could they be sent back?

For a moment, Lin Fan was at a loss for words.

Old Wang smiled and said, "Boss Lin, we know you mean well."

"But."

"We're all citizens of Great Xia, so why stop us from helping Great Xia?"

"You endure hardships and fatigue; we can't just hide behind you, right? Would that still make us citizens of Great Xia?"

"Yes, I admit, my heart isn't great, and years of socializing have weakened my body. Running 500 meters is tough, and I can't go to the battlefield."

"But construction, that's our job!"

"You fight on your battlefield, and we fight on ours. That's what family should do!"

As Old Wang spoke, his phone suddenly rang. He looked at Lin Fan apologetically and answered the call.

"Yes, yes, it's me."

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"Oh, Boss Zhang, I've brought the people back from the site... I have to go to Ludong to help."

"Find another construction team for your project for now. I'll refund you later."

"Huh, you can't find anyone? Everyone's heading to Ludong too..." Old Wang was slightly stunned, "Then don't wait for me. After Ludong's project is done, I heard the entire eastern coast will have major projects. We definitely can't go back!"

"No, I'm not crazy. I know I have tens of thousands of loans to repay each month, but don't worry, I've saved up a bit over the years. I can last a year or so."

There was a long silence on the other end.

Finally, a voice came through.

"Alright, go ahead. I'll wait for you."

Old Wang was slightly stunned: "No, don't wait for me. I said, after Ludong, there's the entire eastern coast..."

"Stop talking, I know. Once you're done, come back and fix my pool. Don't refund me. That's it."

The other side didn't give Old Wang a chance to speak and hung up directly.

"Boss," Old Wang chuckled, looking at Lin Fan, "You see, I've already turned down the work over there. How can I explain if I go back now?"

The workers behind Old Wang also started shouting.

"Exactly, Boss, when I left, my wife was crying her eyes out, but she still let me go. If I go back now, won't she scold me?"

"I've already bragged to my family that I'm going to help Great Xia. If I go back now, I'll be laughed at."

For a moment, looking at this "cunning" contractor and the determined workers behind him, Lin Fan didn't know how to refute.

These ordinary people seemed so small.

But it was because of them that Great Xia had flesh and blood.

And stood tall!

Just as they said, Great Xia protected them, but weren't they also protecting Great Xia?

Though their statuses were different, they were all citizens of Great Xia. What right did Lin Fan have to stop them from helping Great Xia?

Old Jin muttered, "See, I told you we couldn't stop them. They want to go... Even their wives can't keep them, and they agreed to let them come. We can't stop them either!"

Lin Fan took a deep breath: "It's like this, the project is quite complex, you..."

"Don't worry, Boss, we'll follow orders!" Old Wang reacted quickly, "Whatever the organization tells us to do, we'll do it, strictly according to construction standards, no cutting corners! We'll accept inspections anytime!"

"If it's really difficult."

"We can work without pay, but you have to provide food and lodging! Of course, it doesn't have to be too good, just regular construction site meals and dormitory rooms..." Old Wang chuckled.

Lin Fan scratched his head.

He really couldn't stop them...

In the time they were talking, three or four more private construction team convoys roared past.

Lin Fan even saw some vehicles with stickers saying "XX Company Supporting Ludong," loaded with rice, flour, oil, and salt, heading towards Ludong.

These were all voluntary, without any mobilization or organization!

Why can't the people of Great Xia help Great Xia?

In terms of status, Lin Fan was second only to the National Leader as the Commander-in-Chief.

In terms of strength, Lin Fan was just half a step away from becoming a Mortal Demigod!

But he couldn't stop these simple workers!

Because.

Though they lacked education, they possessed a spirit, a soul!

A spirit passed down through five thousand years, running through Great Xia!

When one place is in trouble, support comes from all directions.

The rise and fall of the nation is everyone's responsibility!

The people of Great Xia never shy away from facing danger for Great Xia!

In peaceful times, some may chase after profit, some may seek power, but when the storm approaches, the people of Great Xia all stand up!

This spirit, this soul, cannot be stopped!

"In that case," facing these ordinary workers, even Lin Fan had to yield, bowing and saying, "Thank you all!"

After speaking.

Lin Fan directly instructed Old Jin, "Call the Ministry of Construction, organize these civilian construction teams, allocate tasks reasonably, and pay them according to the state-owned construction teams' wage standards. Ensure everyone's food and lodging are the same."

"Also, for their children's education, reduce or waive tuition fees, and implement these measures."

"As for other civilian support, like firewood, rice, oil, and salt, we can accept it, but we must purchase it at fair value! No one can take it for free!"