The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 462: Poaching Begins at Southwest Associated University (Part 2)

Boss Chen's words expressed the long-suppressed resentment in the hearts of many people present, which livened up the atmosphere. Several younger lecturers standing nearby even nodded subconsciously.

He changed the subject, his tone becoming sincere and earnest:

"Since this mountain city treats you, the future pillars of China, so well, why don't you seek out another world? A world that truly respects knowledge and talent, where you can teach and educate with peace of mind, and where students can achieve academic success and contribute to our country?"

"Seeking another world?" Principal Mei frowned slightly, with doubt in his eyes. "Mr. Chen, are you referring to..."

"Nanyang," Boss Chen said decisively, his eyes gleaming. "I'm coming north this time, nominally to offer condolences, but in reality, to recruit talented individuals. As the Executive Director of Nanyang University, I earnestly implore you to come south and join us in this grand undertaking!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a slight gasp and discussion among the people at the table.

Go south? To the Nanyang region ruled by the Anmin Army?

Zhang Chi's reputation as an iron-blooded figure in the Anmin Army and the speed of his rise to power were no secret in the rear of Yunnan Province.

For these scholars who are accustomed to the pure air of the ivory tower, a strong military ruler naturally carries a sense of cautionary distance.

"Under General Zhang Chi?" the Dean of Academic Affairs said hesitantly. "Mr. Chen, it's not that we are ungrateful, but... is it possible for a soldier to teach? All we want is a quiet podium and a few books. I'm afraid it would be difficult to adapt..."

"Hahaha." Boss Chen laughed heartily, his voice filled with confidence and understanding. "It's perfectly normal for you all to have such doubts."

"If it were a year ago, I, Chen, wouldn't have dared to make such a promise. But today, I can guarantee with my old bones and my lifelong reputation that General Zhang Chi is no ordinary warlord!"

Everyone looked at each other.

"this..."

From Yuan Shikai to the Beiyang Republic and now the White Party Republic, the Republic has always been ruled by military leaders from all sides. They want to know, how can Zhang Chi be any different?

Boss Chen leaned forward slightly, his voice full of infectiousness:

"You all only know that he conquered cities and territories, sweeping across Pegu, Siam, Malay, and Singapore, striking fear into the Japanese pirates and defeating the colonial forces of the Japanese. But do you know what the first thing he did after conquering Singapore was?

Instead of plundering and dividing the spoils, confiscating enemy property, or letting the troops revel, they ordered the entire army to maintain order and protect factories, hospitals, and schools. They even took the initiative to invite me to come out and organize the establishment of Nanyang University.

Boss Chen looked at everyone with burning eyes:

"He said, 'Mr. Chen, winning the war is only the first step. If the Chinese in Southeast Asia want to truly stand up and resist being bullied, we can only rely on education to build a strong nation and science and technology to strengthen it. The next generation is our foundation. Science and technology are the primary productive force.' Doesn't that sound like the words of a military leader who only knows how to fight?"

At this time, Professor Liu, who was sitting in the corner studying ancient characters, interjected with some self-mockery:

"That's it. According to General Zhang, I study oracle bones, bronze inscriptions, and textual research. I'm afraid the newly opened land of Nanyang won't be of much use to me."

His words caused several professors of the humanities to smile bitterly.

Boss Chen laughed loudly and clapped his hands vigorously:

"Professor Liu, you're wrong. Quite the contrary. Before I came here, General Zhang specifically instructed me to invite a master of Chinese studies like you. He said, 'Nanyang has a population of tens of millions, most of whom are uncivilized natives, and countless Chinese children need to understand the ancient civilization of China!'

He wants to enforce Mandarin education throughout Malaysia. He needs masters of literature and history to sow the seeds of knowledge, educate the barbarians, and recreate the splendor of 'Wang Hua Nan Ji'! Isn't this exactly what Confucius advocated, 'Teaching without distinction'?

Chen Lao Da cleverly quoted Confucius, elevating "educating the natives" to the level of a sage's cause. As for forcing Mandarin education on Malays, Zhang Chi doesn't think it's impossible. In the original time and space, if the future UMNO can force the Chinese, who make up half the population, to learn Malay, why can't it force the Malays, who make up half the population, to learn Mandarin?

First, promote Mandarin education, so that when the country is founded, there will be an excuse to designate Mandarin as the first official language.

Professor Liu was stunned when he heard this, and the self-mockery on his face quickly faded, replaced by a long-lost excitement and sense of mission.

What well-read scholar hasn't harbored, deep in his heart, the sage ideal of "enlightening the four directions" and "benefiting the wild"? The White Party newspapers' denigrating descriptions of the Nanyang People's Army pale in comparison to Boss Chen's vivid narrative and the inspiration of his lofty "mission."

Because the White Party’s newspapers and other mouthpieces only described the Nanyang National Security Army in a few words, they also slandered it.

Only then did everyone realize that in Southeast Asia, under the leadership of that young military leader, the Chinese not only conquered a vast territory, but also laid such a profound and desirable educational foundation in a short period of time.

An impulse of "a scholar will die for his friend", mixed with the desire for academic freedom and responsibility for the future of students, quietly sprouted in the hearts of many people.

Boss Chen struck while the iron was hot and began to work for the benefit of his Nanyang University in an impassioned tone:

"You all know my wealth. The current funding for Nanyang University is more than five times that of any university in the pre-war Republic of China. At the same time, General Zhang Chi personally ordered that a large portion of the seized Japanese pirate assets and fiscal revenue be allocated to the education sector.

Our Nanyang University library is constantly purchasing books from around the world, and thanks to generous donations from colleagues across Nanyang, it has already surpassed the pre-war library of Yenching University in size. Our laboratories boast over a hundred optical microscopes alone, and we acquire the latest physics and chemistry instruments, regardless of cost, if they are commercially available.

As for professors' salaries, they are more than enough for you to focus on your studies and support your families without any worries."

After Boss Chen said this, several professors, whose clothes were patched and no longer as elegant as before the war, were moved.

An old professor with a gaunt face and thick glasses sighed heavily.

Boss Chen looked at the sighing old professor and his eyes lit up.

He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 26, became a professor in the Department of Chemistry at National Central University in 27, and became a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Yenching University in 31. He is Professor Zeng, who has made great achievements in both inorganic and organic chemistry.

Considering the importance of national defense chemistry and compound preparation in the military, Zhang Chi specifically mentioned at the farewell party that Professor Zeng alone is worth an infantry division of the Anmin Army!

What Boss Chen didn't know was that Professor Zeng wrote a series of books after the war, including "Metal Materials Used in the Military Industry", "The Process of Development of the Explosives Industry", "How to Establish a National Defense Industry", "Experimental Methods for the Preparation of Explosives", and "General Theory of Chemical Warfare".

He only knew that this person must be taken to Southeast Asia.