kingnovel Chapter 460: Poaching Begins at Southwest Associated University (Part 1)
Chapter 460: Poaching Begins at Southwest Associated University (Part 1)
Night falls and the lights are bright.
A farewell banquet is in full swing in the auditorium of the Education Department, which is built by the river.
The crystal chandeliers cast golden light on every wine table, and the big red banner hanging on the wall with the words "Farewell Reception for the Northbound Delegation" swayed slightly in the breeze.
The guests were well-dressed and toasting each other. The hall was filled with the sound of laughter and the crisp sound of cups clacking together.
"Boss Chen, thank you for your trouble on your journey north." Zhang Chi raised his glass to toast the old man opposite him with gray hair and a vigorous spirit.
Even though he was already the 'King of Nanyang' at this time, he still showed great respect to this old man who truly practiced the four words "ruining one's family to help others in need", and even took the initiative to toast him with the etiquette of a junior in public.
Boss Chen took the wine glass with a big smile, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp:
"Thanks to the heroic fighting of the Anmin Army, our hometown of Singapore has been liberated! This glass of wine should be toasted to you and the millions of soldiers!"
Boss Chen stared at the young man in front of him for a long time, and became more and more satisfied.
The ancient Emperor Liu Bei was just like this when he treated the wise and the humble with respect.
He didn't understand what his good son-in-law Li Yukun had to worry about. Did he have to go to the Ministry of Finance three times before he agreed to take up the position?
It is true that Zhang Chi was born into a military family, but judging from Boss Chen's rich life experience, whether in terms of temperament, insight, or frankness in his actions, Zhang Chi is much superior to the great military leader in the northern mountain city.
Perhaps he is still lacking in the skills of an emperor, but if you ask Boss Chen, who can lead the Chinese in Southeast Asia to a smooth road?
Boss Chen believed that there was no other choice except the young man in front of him.
Thinking of this, Boss Chen glanced at Secretary Liu standing behind Zhang Chi without leaving a trace, and rolled his eyes in his heart.
The Liu family's use of the "honey trap" method is a bit disappointing.
The right way is to rely on the talents and abilities of your own sons and sons-in-law, just like your own sons and sons-in-law.
Zhang Chi smiled modestly. He didn't know that Boss Chen had such a high opinion of him. He just poured wine for Boss Chen again.
"Okay, we won't go home until we're drunk today!" Boss Chen waved his hands cheerfully, and for a moment, laughter broke out again at the table.
"Now that my hometown has been liberated, all my worries are gone." Boss Chen looked at Zhang Chi. "I don't have any big ideals. The only thing I'm worried about right now is the education of the next generation. I think from today on, I'm going to dedicate the rest of my life to education."
"Thank you for your concern on your journey north, Boss Chen." Zhang Chi, dressed in a suit, raised his glass and toasted the old man in front of him.
Boss Chen drank the wine in his glass and laughed heartily: "Ah, thanks to the heroic fighting of the Anmin Army, our hometown of Singapore has been liberated. This glass of wine should be toasted to you and the millions of soldiers."
"My worries are over. Now my only concern is the education of the next generation. From today on, I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to education."
Zhang Chi smiled and nodded. "Then I wish Boss Chen a long life. May he continue to work hard for many more years and contribute to our education cause."
The two smiled at each other, feeling like heroes appreciating each other.
Historically, Boss Chen lived to be 61 years old. Zhang Chi estimated that as Nanhua Pharmaceutical continued to launch new drugs ahead of schedule and improve medical standards, Boss Chen might be able to live a dozen years longer than in history and see the glorious development of Nanyang in the future.
"Okay, okay, then if my Nanyang University becomes more prosperous than your Nanhua University, you can't be angry!"
Among the two, Zhang Chi is the honorary president of Nanhua University, and Chen Lao Da is the executive director of Nanyang University. The two competitors raised their glasses to each other again.
Nanhua University and Nanyang University are now competing openly and secretly, both wanting to become the number one Chinese university in Nanyang.
In order to compete for teacher resources, the salaries and benefits offered were more than three times higher than those of ordinary schools before the war.
However, there are only so many excellent Chinese teachers in the world, and there are very few left in Southeast Asia, and overseas channels are unstable.
Therefore, the two universities could only try to hire foreign teachers while turning their attention to the ivory tower in the north that was still holding on in the war - Southwest Associated University.
There are so many professors and students, they are jealous.
In order to demonstrate his eagerness to recruit talented individuals, Zhang Chi should have taken the time to travel north.
However, due to the provision of arms to the Yunnan and Guangxi cliques, the relationship between the Anmin Army and the Shancheng authorities is becoming increasingly tense. If Zhang Chi goes north in person, it may be too politically charged and may cause a backlash.
After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Lao Da, the "civilian representative", is the most suitable.
As an educator, he founded many institutions of higher learning in Nanyang in his early years, including the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Normal School, Nanyang Overseas Chinese Middle School, Jimei Agricultural and Forestry School, and Jimei Girls' School. He also planned to establish Xiamen University in the Republic of China.
Just as he himself said, in terms of reputation and connections in the education circle of the Republic of China, no one in Nanyang could match him, and the man in Shancheng would never dare to risk the condemnation of the world and harm him.
Therefore, Boss Chen volunteered to go north and organized a delegation of more than 30 people to the north in the name of civilians.
As they were talking, a series of shutter clicks were heard at the door of the auditorium, and several reporters from the Nanyang News Agency rushed in.
Zhang Chi smiled and waved his hands: "Let the reporters take more pictures, take more pictures."
The camera lights were flashing non-stop, and the whole venue was bustling with activity.
Someone in the crowd shouted, "Hello, Mr. Chen! Bon voyage!"
There was a burst of applause in the banquet hall.
-----
Outside the temporary campus of Southwest Associated University in Chuncheng, Yunnan Province.
The mountain breeze was cool. As soon as Boss Chen and his group got off the car in front of the auditorium, they saw several old professors standing on the steps waiting for them. They were wearing dark gray gowns and had smiles on their faces.
"Mr. Chen, you're finally here." Principal Mei stepped forward and shook Boss Chen's hand tightly. "We've been looking forward to seeing you since we received the telegram."
"Principal Mei, you're welcome." Boss Chen responded enthusiastically, and while chatting, he glanced around the simple campus.
The tiled roofs, the muddy paths, the blackboard newspapers swaying in the wind...all of this made him feel overwhelmed with emotion.
Four years ago, in the 38th year of the Republic of China, Chen Lao Da led the "Southeast Asian Overseas Chinese Returning Home Comfort Group" to visit the Republic of China. During the visit, he went to Chuncheng, Yunnan Province to inspect Southwest Associated University and met with President Mei to discuss matters related to overseas Chinese education.
The campus of Southwest Associated University at that time was so simple and dilapidated.
The White Party could not even pay the army's salaries on time, let alone take care of the universities that retreated to the rear.
Feeling the difficulties faced by the education sector in the Republic of China, the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Relief Association, led by Chen Lao Da, donated money to Southwest Associated University many times to support poor students and school operations.
Tsinghua University President Mei, Nankai University President Zhang and others mentioned in their diaries their gratitude for the donations from overseas Chinese many times.
Now that Boss Chen has come to visit again under the banner of a visiting delegation, the leaders of the UN will naturally host a banquet to entertain him.