"Very nice, the design is perfect, leaving room for future expansion."
Su Ming looked at the blueprint, but it's obviously a post-analysis since the buildings are already constructed, just waiting for the school to start.
It's uncertain if the United States has enough orphans, it seems necessary to consider finding ways in Europe.
"Yes, boss, I knew you'd like it."
Gin has been with Su Ming for so many years, thoroughly understanding his preferences, even the architectural style was decided by him.
Su Ming's requirements for buildings are not high, sturdy and durable, understated yet rich in meaning, even if outside it looks like a poor farmer's hut, if it feels like home inside, that's okay.
Recently, with Wilson Enterprises' ample funds, school building has loan support, so it can afford better quality, thus the school is almost a collection of manor-style buildings.
"Well done, old buddy, we'll go and have a look together when morning breaks."
"Of course, boss." Gin nodded with a smile: "We contacted you earlier because the school doesn't have a name yet, it's a private university, doesn't need to be named after its location."
Su Ming's most dreaded part arrived: naming. We can't call it War Academy, can we?
Although a school established during World War II is quite suitable, this isn't a military academy.
"Mm... uh..." Su Ming fiddled with his glass, swaying it in the light: "Since they're all orphans, let's call it Zhongsi Academy."
"Though it's somewhat awkward, I believe these children won't let down the company's nurturing."
Gin understood naming it that wasn't to make the children loyal to the United States, but to make them contribute to Wilson Enterprises.
They only need to be loyal to the boss.
"Yes, hopefully, but there will always be traitors, to strengthen ideological education, I must have Jos train some eloquent poli... professors..."
"I will notify him, other departments are running smoothly, I won't bother you much, boss, I'll come to pick you up again tomorrow morning."
.........
The next morning, while Su Ming was having breakfast, Gin already arrived.
Even though Gin's position within the company is practically second to none, he still insists on driving Su Ming everywhere himself.
The company headquarters is not far from the academy, but Long Island's overall road conditions aren't very good.
In this era, it's pretty much the countryside, until after World War II, with the United States' expansion and increased immigration, it will become a villa area favored by the wealthy.
"The roads are bad, spend money to construct a road directly to the headquarters, using the best asphalt, but don't waste money, just pave a dual carriageway."
"Yes, boss."
Holding the glass in the back of the car, Su Ming swayed, chatting with Gin, not to mention now everything is muddy with melting snow; when dry, it's dusty and that's also unacceptable.
After swaying for a while, Su Ming finally saw his school.
Three sides are surrounded by the sea, only the gate side connects to land, and from a distance, the teaching buildings seem perched on cliffs.
Behind these buildings, there's a sizable forest where some wild animals can be seen, which seems very nice.
Overall, it's vast and majestic, with buildings distributed in terraced formations, as Gin said, it truly resembles a small city.
Of course, there's a tall wall, making it look more like an ancient castle group.
Not far from the entrance stands a statue of Su Ming, modeled remarkably after the Lincoln statue from the Lincoln Memorial.
The statue depicts him sitting on a sofa, hands on the armrests, dressed in a neat suit, with a serene smile gazing into the distance.
Surrounded by flower beds, though currently colder weather means snow accumulations in the planters. Su Ming never thought he'd see a statue of himself, especially when he's still alive.
"Feels kind of strange, like I've become some great figure." Su Ming said to Gin with a smile.
"You already are a great figure, boss. Though we've made quite a bit of money, we've also supported many people." Gin walked beside him, continuing deeper into the school: "And for a free academy for orphans, it should let the kids see your statue and pictures every day."
Su Ming thought for a moment, indeed, Gin was right, it's not like he's ugly, to foster orphans' loyalty, they at least need to know what he looks like.
Yet upon entering the building and finding his photo in every room, he felt it was a bit too much.
"Just one picture at the entrance of every building is enough, having one in every room is excessive, no need for photos in the canteen and toilets, it looks too odd."
"Okay, boss, this is all the renovation company's fault; I think I put too much pressure on them at that time."
"No problem, who doesn't make mistakes? I'm satisfied with the other furniture and teaching facilities, now let's see the dormitories; I don't want the kids crammed like sardines in a large bunkroom. Their dorms need gender separation, two per room, with campus and building security entrusted to absolutely reliable personnel."
Gin turned to lead the way: "I understand, this way, if there's time after seeing the dormitories, we can check out the campus swamp, though there's a metal fence barrier, sometimes you can still spot alligators."
"Underwater alligators? Quite educational..."
............
Su Ming was very satisfied with the school's facilities and environment; however, a problem remains: not only are there no students, but there are no teachers here either.
Although they prefer to select younger orphans, some teenagers on the verge of despair are more likely to be utterly devoted to a 'Savior.'
Don't expect any current thugs to be geniuses who can teach knowledge above elementary level; workers and cadres must be selected first.
Moreover, Su Ming needs a principal to manage this place in practice.
Booth would actually be a good choice—he's articulate and trustworthy.
But right now, he's the publicity and external communications director of the enterprise, already overwhelmed with work, unable to spare time.
Back in the day, the old partners who started the distillery with Su Ming were originally just a bunch of down-and-outs, don't expect them to have high cultural levels; now they're either still working with Gin or have become minor supervisors in some factory, considered the end of the line.
There's no suitable candidate.
Sitting in the back of the car, Su Ming, who was already on the return trip, thought about it with some distress.
Thinking of a principal made him think of Professor X, possibly the most famous educator.
In the future, Su Ming is confident he could get him to work here, but what Su Ming wants are elite agents and loyal personnel, not a group of kids with Saint Mother Syndrome.
So Su Ming immediately excluded him.
The best candidate would actually be someone thick-skinned like Nick Fury, but that guy, he's truly a patriot, wanting only to be the head agent of the SSR.
"Don't go back to the company just yet, I'm heading to the old distillery."
Su Ming said to Gin.
Gin actually knows that the old distillery is mostly scrap now and is being used as a corporate culture museum. To say they're going to the old distillery, it's more like going to the New York Temple above the distillery.
He's not sure what the boss intends to do, but he just follows orders.
In the cold wind, Su Ming got out of the car, tugged at his coat collar, and looked at a building invisible to others.
"You can go back, Gin, I'll probably need some time here."
With that, Su Ming stepped onto the spotless stairs and seemed to suddenly disappear in the eyes of others.
...............
"So? Did you come to ask me to relocate Kama Taiji?"
The Ancient One held a tea cup, occasionally skimming tea leaves with the cup lid.
"Yes, it's a new school, and although the environment at Kama Taiji is hard, the swamp in my school is perfect for new students to practice. I even have crocodiles."
Su Ming also held a tea cup, watching various materials float in the tea. Since when did The Ancient One start drinking lidded tea?
"If you're willing to take over as Supreme Mage now, everyone will follow your orders." The Ancient One stated almost explicitly.
"Uh... The World War is still ongoing, and I want to do more for society."
"Hmm, in that case, although crocodiles are nice, I still have to decline this suggestion, as Kama Taiji is now the core of the Protective Array."
Smiling, The Ancient One picked up the tea cup and took a sip, seemingly satisfied as she took a gentle breath. Watching the snowflakes drift past the window lattice, the incense burner in the room gave off a blue smoke, she very much enjoyed this tranquil mindset.
Su Ming sighed in his heart, too.
The Ancient One's education level is actually quite good, powerful, and with the Time Gem, she could oversee everything.
However, she can't possibly serve as a principal in the secular world; Su Ming merely meant to ask for a recommendation from the worldly-wise Supreme Mage as he couldn't think of a suitable candidate.
Just as she introduced Monac to Su Ming, the Ancient One also knew many Martial Artists from the Celestial Dynasty. To her, the people of Kunlun were merely juniors.
"But I do have someone I can recommend to you, let him be your principal. He's well-read, broad-minded, and not only does his magic far exceed most people, but his Kung Fu and Martial Arts skills are top-notch."
Seeing Su Ming's conflicted expression, The Ancient One still recommended someone she had in mind for this very opportunity; she was just waiting for the right moment to send him to Su Ming.
And now it was heaven's perfect arrangement. Once that person was sent there, her own retirement days would be closer.
"Who is it? Have I met him?" Su Ming couldn't remember any talents at Kama Taiji. Could it be Mordo? But that guy's too pedantic.
The Ancient One raised a hand and drew a circle of light in front of her, speaking toward the other side.
"Come over, now meet the person you will assist in the future."
When Su Ming saw the person emerging from the Teleportation Gate, he rubbed his face.
"Did you forget to say that he's also Kama Taiji's best cook?"
The Ancient One merely smiled, made a gesture to close the Teleportation Gate with her hand. "See, I knew Slade would recognize you."
The seemingly frail visitor offered a clasped fist salute, not saying much. His physique seemed more like a Tibetan herdsman than a mage.
"I've met you, Master Hamill, you are Master Gu Yi's Guardian."
Su Ming looked at the lean librarian, displaying an expression of mixed laughter and tears, as if he was set up by The Ancient One and was now getting closer to the position of Supreme Mage?