Hong Dali energetically took the lead, bringing the group on a tour to the eight major faculty buildings. He was followed by a huge group of reporters. In their minds, Hong Dali’s projects were all mysterious and incredible—for example, who would have thought that a random little kid could beat a three-time karate champion? Okay, it was more like a pinch…
The outcome was the same either way. People were already convinced that anything the prodigal Hong Dali was involved in was sure to be newsworthy. That was why, now, wherever Hong Dali went, they followed. However, they forgot that this was actually a newly built school and today was the first day of student recruitment…
When they saw that the first building they arrived at was the Computerized Numerical Control building, everyone was shocked…
Computerized Numerical Control was known also as CNC. It referred to the automated control of machining tools by digital means.
Its main application was in full automation of production lines, CNC machine tooling, and robotic arms.
What New Lanxiang’s CNC department was really researching was the digital control of humanoids. That was the real teachings of this school, this discipline.
It was obvious, however, that the reporters would not get to see such top-secret research. As it had only been a short time since the school had been built, they would not even get to see what they imagined they would—groups of students neatly working on numerous CNC devices…
Right then, there was just a bunch of mechanized equipment lying about in the main hall of the CNC Building. Unlike other technical schools, the mechanical equipment here was almost all robotic arms. There were just two or three students, not having lessons, but fooling around in a corner.
The big group of reporters looked upon the scene before them uncomprehendingly. In low voices, they asked each other, “This place looks kind of normal. It doesn’t seem much different from the Wushu Building we visited previously. Looks like there’s nothing special here.””Yeah, it looks exceedingly normal. Do you think we should take pictures of it and report about it? Wouldn’t that be free advertising for Hong Dali?””I think it doesn’t quite match up too. Perhaps we should just wait and see!”
Hong Dali did not seem to have any issues with how the place looked. He did, however, show quite a bit of interest in the robotic arms.
He waved and beckoned a student over. Hong Dali smiled and enquired. “You have no lessons today? How come there are so few people?”
“Are you Young Master?” The student walked over for a better look at Hong Dali. He then hurriedly pulled out a notebook and said, “You are my idol! Please give me an autograph! All of us think that ‘Unexpectedly’ you produced is really good! When will season two be out?”
When they heard what the student said, the reporters’ glee increased. “It seems that there’s nothing special about this school. I thought that there would be freaks in Hong Dali’s school.””There is Master Wang heading the Wushu department. It will definitely do well. This Computerized Numerical Control Department seems rather ordinary. It does not seem any different from any other regular technical skills school.”
Hong Dali gave the student a crooked autograph and the student ran off, elated. It seemed the students here were rather introverted.
The reporters were extremely disappointed. It was a rare opportunity for them to visit the school, and just looking at the facilities was not enough to make their visit worthwhile. They should at least get to see a performance of CNC operations.
John quietly egged Hong Dali on. “Young Master Dali, how can we get to see the students operating the machines here? It would be such a shame if we did not get to witness their performance. It was not easy for us to be here…”
“Actually, I have not seen it either.” Hong Dali spread his hands helplessly. “You see, there are so few students here. They have probably only just started recruiting students and have not started the term yet. I’m not even sure if there is a teacher.”
Goodness, it seems that this honorary director might not know much more than the reporters did…
Hearing that Hong Dali had come, Ling Mufeng came over with Principal Wang. Principal Wang saw so many people and secretly tugged at Hong Dali’s clothes. He asked quietly, “Why are there so many reporters here today? We have only started recruiting students and all the facilities and equipment are not ready. With the reporters’ penchant for gossip, it would be troublesome if they made us out to be an empty shell of a school that’s out to cheat money…”
“Hello, Principal Wang.” Hong Dali was not bothered regarding what he said. “Let them say what they like. What do I care?”
All the reporters present immediately scribbled in their notebooks. “Young Master Hong Dali is arrogant beyond belief. He has no care for society’s opinions!” They were going to make a mountain out of a molehill with that one little remark. The reporters would show everyone what they were capable of!
“But we still need more students!” Principal Wang said angrily. “There are already few teachers, and not a lot of students either. How would it look if we were to end up with no students?”
“I thought we agreed to take in the students who couldn’t afford to pay for their studies? Don’t worry.” Hong Dali sniffled and suddenly asked, “Oh, by the way, Principal Wang, we seem to have too little teachers at our school?” He pointed at the students who were fooling around in a corner. “Don’t these little brats have class?”
“We have only just worked out a proposed syllabus, the state has not given its official approval yet.” Principal Wang expressed his helplessness. “You know the efficiency of our bureaucratic officials. Sigh. Let’s not talk about it…”
Once he said this, the Bureau Chief’s face turned a few shades of red and white. He quickly expressed his stand on the matter. “I guarantee they will expedite your request. Otherwise, I’ll have them over for a drink.”
“You intend to bribe them?” Principal Wang was already upset over the matter of the approval letters. “We must not encourage them! They don’t want to help us with our request because they are trying to get some money from us. We must not give in!”
Hong Dali and Tang Muxin exchanged glances and burst out in barely controlled laughter.
He actually said that the officials were corrupt in front of the Bureau Chief. It seemed there would be a good show.
“It seems like the staff is not giving people faith in their services.” The Bureau Chief was fuming, his face flushed red. “Don’t worry, Principal Wang. I will settle this matter personally. You concentrate on the matter of getting teachers!”
It seemed as if this Bureau Chief had certain standards, admirable!
“Are you having trouble getting teachers?” Hong Dali asked. “What are we lacking in? Principal Wang, please tell me about it.”
Principal Wang sighed and said, “It’s mainly because the offer is not official. Also, I offered two thousand a month as a starting salary. They all said that the amount is a little low.”
“Oh, in that case, it’s simple.” Hong Dali laughed. “I thought it was something serious. Aiya, Principal Wang, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but the amount you are offering is simply too low. It’s not enough!”
“Ah, two thousand a month is too low?” Principal Wang shook his head fiercely. “Young Master Dali, we must not waste money thoughtlessly. Even the best teachers in Tianjing City only earn three thousand a month. My offer of two thousand is already not that low. All we are short of is the official registration of the school. Once the registration is done, there should be no problem.”
“No, this definitely will not do!” Hong Dali pouted and mumbled, “What kind of a place is New Lanxiang? This place exists so I can squander more money! It’s here so I can spend more! It’s not a place for me to earn money!”
The surrounding reporters erupted upon hearing what Hong Dali said!
Young Master Dali was out to squander his family fortune again! His methods of squandering were always innovative. Let us see what he would get up to this time!
The reporters all readied their pens and notebooks to note down Hong Dali’s innovative ideas for squandering money. The hall was suddenly silent.
“Young Master Dali, what you mean is…” Principal Wang’s heart skipped a beat and his mouth twitched. Young Master Dali was going against the heavens!
“Yes.” Hong Dali looked at the empty looking hall and said, “There is not enough equipment here. Install thirty million worth of equipment here. I’m not sure what we should get. However, it must be the best. It must be the most expensive equipment in the industry! Get rid of all the cheap stuff!”
Thirty million just for furnishing the hall with equipment? Principal Wang’s hands shook and he asked with trembling lips, “Young Master Dali, all we want to do, is to educate the students. Why do we need such top-notch equipment? Isn’t it a waste? It’s all money… thirty million! It’s not a small sum!”
The group of reporters scribbled furiously in their notebooks. “Young Master Dali intends to purchase fifty million yuan worth of equipment to use in teaching. My God, fifty million yuan worth of electronic equipment. What kind of level is that? Fifty million for just one discipline!”
It was not without reason to say that not everyone had the aptitude to become a reporter. Their ability to embellish information was not to be taken lightly.
The Bureau Chief covered his face with his hands. The brat! The crux of New Lanxiang was underground! Underground! That was the most important place. Everything above ground was nothing more than a diversion. It was obvious, however, that the brat did not regard this place as a shell. He intended to go all out with the squandering.
That was not the end, however. Hong Dali continued, “The equipment is just so-so. Yes, we should employ more teachers. A salary of two thousand a month is just too low. Let’s just add two more zeros. Two hundred thousand annual salaries. One-to-one teaching. We shall have as many teachers as we have students! Let’s recruit one thousand students for this discipline first. Let’s employ one thousand teachers too… No! We must be more competitive. Employ one thousand and two hundred teachers! Fire them immediately if they do not teach well and the students are dissatisfied with them!”
Principal Wang sat heavily on the ground with a plop. He pointed at Hong Dali’s nose and lamented mournfully. “Wastrel, wastrel! You want to recruit one thousand and two hundred teachers for just one faculty! One person’s annual salary is two hundred thousand, the annual salary of one thousand and two hundred people will be two hundred and forty million yuan! Two hundred and forty million! How will we earn that money back…”
“There must be foresight when squandering money! Foresight!” Hong Dali said, smiling. “Is education used to earn money? Can education be measured in monetary terms? Aiyaya, it’s only 240 million. It’s not a big deal, and it’s for one year. Don’t worry, don’t worry!”
