Chapter 164: Ch.163 Recruitment in Progress
Chapter 164: Ch.163 Recruitment in Progress
Chapter 164: Ch.163 Recruitment in Progress
Watching people line up to enter the warehouse in the distance, with some emerging with smiles on their faces, Su Ming casually lit a cigar, filling the car with smoke.
This was a win-win situation. He was helping them during difficult times, and in return, they would create value for him.
"Looks like we might recruit 20,000 people tonight."
He continued looking out the window as he spoke to Gin, who was seated beside him.
The car's heater was on, the engine continuously running, converting power into warmth, making the interior feel like spring.
The lawyer, codenamed Vodka, who had received a $1,000 bonus, was more motivated than ever. Knowing Su Ming's ambitions for expanding his industries, he had negotiated to acquire several factories at incredibly low prices, including an automobile manufacturing company.
Originally, the automotive industry was planned for the second phase of development, but advancing the timeline wouldn't make much difference.
So, Su Ming quickly sketched out designs for future classic Rolls-Royce models. To impress their new boss and avoid layoffs, the workers at the car factory reverse-engineered the internal structure of the car's shell and, in just two weeks, hand-built a prototype that was ahead of its time.
Apart from the engine and transmission, which were somewhat lacking, everything else in this era was top-tier luxury.
Su Ming had no intention of laying off workers, though the luxury car wouldn't be of much use during wartime. The factory's production line would need to be converted to produce large trucks or Jeeps.
All current products had to be geared toward preparing for the upcoming war.
He had already hired political fixers to make connections within the military. Although World War II was still ten years away, it was better to make friends sooner rather than later.
Eisenhower was currently a junior officer at the War Department, holding the rank of major, but ten years from now, he would be the Supreme Commander of the U.S. forces, and twenty years later, the 34th President of the United States.
Marshall was now a teacher at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, but he would eventually become Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.
Halsey was currently just the captain of the training ship *USS Reina Mercedes*, and Nimitz was commanding coastal submarines, but eventually, they would command the entire Pacific fleet.
Patton and MacArthur hadn't risen to prominence yet, but by offering them some assistance now, Su Ming could expect significant returns in the future.
Bringing his thoughts back, the sound of the sea wind howling outside reached his ears, while the warm air inside the car fogged up the windows.
"Go keep an eye on things."
"Alright, I'll go take a look."
Gin remembered some tasks Su Ming had assigned him, so he immediately understood what Su Ming meant. He exited the car on the other side, accompanied by bodyguards, and walked toward the warehouse. The winter chill quickened his steps, though he wasn't moving as fast as the eager job seekers.
Inside the warehouse, the specifics of the recruitment were handled by the old lawyer, Vodka, since it involved formal employment contracts. He had already upgraded his role to more of an overseer, with the actual work being carried out by the young lawyers he had brought along.
The documents were pre-prepared. Once an applicant's background and previous job were verified, the appropriate forms were selected for them to sign.
The seaside warehouse was always damp, and in the cold winter night, it was particularly bone-chilling, but the large crowd kept the place buzzing with warmth.
"If the number of applicants is too high, open the neighboring warehouse as well and bring in more staff to set up additional lines."
After observing for a while, Gin made a suggestion to Vodka. The old man immediately instructed his assistants to implement the plan, as Su Ming had anticipated the enthusiasm of the applicants.
"After this, Wilson Enterprises' reputation will shine even brighter."
Vodka puffed on a cigar, turning the ring on his finger as he watched the crowds moving in and out of the darkness.
Gin adjusted his glasses. "I won't be involved in the company's affairs anymore. After all, the mob's roots can't be easily cleaned up. Let the boss choose someone to manage the legitimate businesses."
The old lawyer chuckled and shook his head, having a different perspective. Having lived on Wall Street for so many years, he had a deeper understanding of corporate operations.
"Our boss doesn't seem interested in managing a company. He doesn't even want to oversee a single bar, let alone a conglomerate of multiple businesses. If I'm not mistaken, the boss will likely hire professional managers to run things."
Gin shrugged indifferently. He preferred his current role and would feel uncomfortable if he were stuck in an office managing a legitimate business.
"I have a feeling the boss isn't aiming to build a mob or a business. It seems like he's preparing for something bigger."
"You once told me that the distillery was founded only four years ago, and now it has grown into a massive conglomerate on the East Coast." The old man smiled as he found a place to sit, unable to stand as long as Gin due to his age. "I've met many moguls; their thoughts are difficult for ordinary people to fathom."
"True."
Gin remained calm, simply watching the people lining up before him. He had been with Su Ming for several years now, and in all that time, his boss's appearance and physique hadn't changed one bit—definitely not the behavior of an ordinary person.
However, he kept this thought to himself, treating it as a personal secret.
Adjusting his glasses, a flicker of an indescribable emotion crossed his eyes, but he quickly turned to his bodyguards to issue an order.
"Go bring out the prepared food. The people who attend the recruitment will be part of the family, so let them take whatever they want."
It sounded impressive, but in reality, it was just a few truckloads of sandwiches and burgers—products processed on their own farms and ranches, costing almost nothing but perfect for winning over people's hearts at a crucial moment.
In the cold winter night, the food had frozen solid, so the recruits would probably have to take it home and warm it up before they could eat it.
But if they could take as much as they wanted, at least their families wouldn't go hungry. This would inspire the workers to be more enthusiastic and work harder for the boss.
A man in black heard the order and set off to carry it out, but at that moment, a lawyer approached Gin.
"Mr. Gin, I've found the person you asked us to watch out for."
Actually, it wasn't Gin who had instructed them to watch someone, but rather Su Ming. Gin didn't know why Su Ming wanted to keep tabs on certain surnames or why he had gathered so much information on them, but it wasn't his job to ask questions—just to follow orders.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. His name is Joseph Rogers. His wife is Sarah Rogers, of Irish descent, blond hair, and blue eyes. They live in Brooklyn and have a son named Steven, who is nine years old. He came with a friend named Barnes, who served in the military. Black hair, black eyes—matches the description you gave perfectly."
The lawyer whispered the information while internally speculating about what might be wrong with these two people.
Gin nodded, a smile forming on his face—a smile that the lawyer found rather terrifying.
"Excellent. Give them the best employment contracts and place them in the shipyard office. Later, provide me with a copy of their registration forms. The company will arrange a bonus for you."
"Understood, sir."
Gin glanced into the crowd, spotting the two men at the front of one of the lines, confirming that they matched the description Su Ming had given. He then quickly returned to the car.