Chapter 16

One of the Communist Party's self-assessments is, "Whenever the party organization has problems, the party's development will inevitably face setbacks." Chen Ke felt that it was really a high-level worry. He had gone through great efforts, seizing every opportunity, and finally managed to gather a bit of popularity. Qi Huishen and Hua Xiongmeng became core members, while Zhou Yuanxiao, though his stance was unclear, would not betray the current party organization. Chen Ke was very uncertain about You Gou's attitude.

You Gou was not a girl with deep scheming. Although she did not show her emotions on her face, when it came to things she cared about, one could always see something from her expression. After returning home, You Gou seemed a bit off.

In the morning, Chen Ke and Qi Huishen went to He Zudao's house. The He brothers were still alive, which reassured Chen Ke a lot. Both of them were recovering quite quickly, and after one night, the pus-filled sores that had burst had started to form scabs. He Zudao still felt ashamed and was hesitant to speak to Chen Ke. He Zudao's brother, however, was a real ruffian, and he was already asking Chen Ke for the special medicine with his face full of sores. Qi Huishen had warned Chen Ke about these things on the way, and the two of them ignored them, picked up the medical kit, and left.

When they returned to the workshop, Chen Ke was surprised to find that with Zhou Yuanxiao's help, You Gou had actually started the comprehensive purification process of the medicine. The purification process was a very labor-intensive task, and without a complete set of equipment, it required two people to operate very carefully. Zhou Yuanxiao understood chemistry, so assisting You Gou was not a problem. However, these two had started working on it with great enthusiasm, with You Gou holding a stack of papers clamped to a thin wooden board with a large plastic clip she had extorted from Chen Ke. The papers were filled with data, and it looked like she was trying to steal the experimental parameters before parting ways.

You Gou worked even harder than usual on her assigned tasks. For tasks that were not originally hers, she would now take the initiative to do them. Seeing You Gou's unusual behavior, the other comrades, including Chen Ke, silently took over their own tasks without saying much. You Gou, though embarrassed, did not offer any explanations or justifications. In less than a day, the atmosphere in the workshop became very strange.

Chen Ke knew the reason for this atmosphere. He actually missed this kind of atmosphere, as he had done similar things many times before. This was when young people hoped to get a large sum of money but did not want their economic demands to undermine the organization's confidence in them. This contradictory emotion naturally led to distorted behavior.

It wasn't just one person who was distorted; Hua Xiongmeng was another kind of distortion. Since following Chen Ke, Hua Xiongmeng rarely acted alone. Yesterday, Chen Ke and Wu Xingchen reached an agreement, and Hua Xiongmeng returned very late that night. The next morning, he ran out early. If Chen Ke's guess was correct, Hua Xiongmeng was desperately looking for other partners. Wu Xingchen was not a small figure in Shanghai, and Hua Xiongmeng also had connections in Shanghai. Chen Ke could fully understand Hua Xiongmeng's desire not to be outdone by Wu Xingchen. Around the special medicine, the comrades had different behaviors based on their own positions.

There is a saying, "Mutual opposition among subordinates is beneficial to the stability of the leader's position." When Chen Ke was young, he somewhat agreed with this view, though he didn't fully understand it. Now that he was the "leader," he realized that what he once thought made sense was now just nonsense. If things were allowed to develop this way, Chen Ke was convinced that the contradictions would soon intensify, and his position would not be stable at all.

Everything Chen Ke had painstakingly built so far was based on selfless labor, fair, just, and transparent distribution. Starting to play "divide and rule" would be like tearing down his own foundation, like "hanging oneself from the beam." When an organization or political body becomes rigid, all kinds of conspiracies will emerge. When an organization is vibrant, the goal should be "progress," not intrigue and deceit.

Hua Xiongmeng returned to the workshop in the evening, wearing a silk jacket. After a day of hard work, Hua Xiongmeng was both tired and thirsty, hoping to immediately sit in a reclining chair in the courtyard and drink from a teapot. The gate was tightly closed, and the door knocker wrapped in a red string was inserted into the left door frame. This was the signal Chen Ke had set for the "curfew" to be reinstated. What happened now? Hua Xiongmeng was a bit worried. He knocked on the door according to the signal, and Qi Huishen quickly opened it. Contrary to Hua Xiongmeng's expectations, everyone was sitting in the courtyard, and Chen Ke was joking, "In poetry, it says, 'A light silk fan chasing fireflies.' We're using a large banana leaf fan to swat flies."

You Gou had something on her mind, and Zhou Yuanxiao was always quiet. Qi Huishen, who had opened the door, chuckled. Seeing that everyone was gathered, Chen Ke stopped joking. As usual, Chen Ke got straight to the point. "How do you all plan to divide the money from selling the medicine?"

No one spoke.

"You Gou, I know you want to ask me for a large sum of money. Why don't you speak first?"

You Gou didn't expect that Chen Ke, who seemed like his usual self, would say what she was thinking first. Her face turned red, and she quickly explained, "Wenqing, I don't want the money for myself."

"You just want to repay the money you've spent on your parents over the years. I understand that very well, and I completely understand your feelings," Chen Ke said in a gentle voice.

"Um..." You Gou lowered her head and nodded. After a moment, she looked up again, "Brother Wenqing, this medicine is the result of your hard work. I would never sell your formula privately. I also very much want to work with Brother Wenqing in the future and start a business together. But..."

"But you feel ashamed every time your parents mention money until you repay them," Chen Ke continued.

"Brother Wenqing, how did you know?" You Gou's almond eyes almost turned into walnuts.

Chen Ke smiled bitterly. "I did the same things you did back then. I know the drill."

Seeing that You Gou was no longer speaking, Chen Ke turned to Hua Xiongmeng, "Zhenglan, I'm just guessing, but are you contacting business in Fujian?"

With You Gou's example, Hua Xiongmeng didn't find it strange. He nodded, "That's right. How did Brother Wenqing guess?"

"This venereal disease was brought to China by the foreigners from South America. With so many ports opened in recent years, there must be more infected people in Fujian than in Shaoxing."

"Brother Wenqing is really smart..."

"Don't say that. Zhenglan, what's your plan?"

"Wu Xingchen can handle Shanghai, but outside of Shanghai, I'll handle it."

Seeing Hua Xiongmeng's ambitious look, Chen Ke was amused. "You can't handle that much. And, Zhenglan, do you... do you know the characteristics of the medicine? The shelf life? The effectiveness? The usage method? Do you know?"

Hua Xiongmeng wasn't a fool. Although he had acted on impulse this time, he had already understood these things on the way. Hearing Chen Ke's question, "What do you mean, Brother Wenqing?"

"Have you contacted the brothers in Fujian?" Chen Ke remembered clearly that the Wenzhou merchant who sold cloth to Fujian last time.

"I've already contacted them. They asked me to treat two people there," Hua Xiongmeng said, trying to suppress his pride. "I haven't discussed the money with them yet, so it's up to Brother Wenqing."

Chen Ke originally wanted Hua Xiongmeng and Wu Xingchen to work together to form a team. Having an insider made a huge difference. Now, seeing that Hua Xiongmeng was determined to compete with Wu Xingchen, this plan was definitely not feasible.

"So, how much money do you want, Zhenglan?"

"I want a sum of money for my parents. I've decided to join the revolution with Brother Wenqing and won't return home if I can help it. I feel guilty if I don't leave some money for my parents," Hua Xiongmeng said, his tone filled with regret, though it was unclear if it was good acting or genuine emotion.

Chen Ke looked at Qi Huishen. Before Chen Ke could speak, Qi Huishen spoke up, "Brother Wenqing, I don't need to give my parents any money. My father opposes my involvement in the revolutionary cause, so my pockets are tight. I just need 50 taels of silver per month."

This was a practical statement. At least You Gou's face showed some regret after hearing it. Chen Ke saw this clearly and smiled inwardly. After repaying his parents the first sum of money, Chen Ke had 20 yuan left in his pocket. He had felt very proud when he repaid the money, but then he had to survive on 5 yuan a week for a month. Thinking back to that era, it was a truly innocent and adorable time.

Seeing Chen Ke looking at him, Zhou Yuanxiao also spoke up, "First, I want a sum of money. Second, I can work with everyone to start a factory or something, but I won't participate in any fighting or killing. If Brother Wenqing agrees, I'll follow you."

"I understand everyone's conditions. I can accept them. Everyone, go home and think about what you want clearly, and we'll have a meeting tomorrow morning. We'll discuss everyone's needs openly. If everyone agrees, we'll figure out how to fulfill them. How about that?"

"Why tomorrow?" You Gou was a bit puzzled.

"Today, everyone has expressed their willingness to join the party, so our party is now established. As the current leader, I want to tell you the first rule of our party: obey discipline and follow orders. So, I want you to go home and think about this. The second rule is that our party is democratic. It's not just me or any one person who decides. If everyone doesn't agree, no one's decision counts."

After saying this logically contradictory statement, Chen Ke looked at the comrades. The first one to understand, or more accurately, the first one to speak after understanding, was Hua Xiongmeng, "Brother Wenqing, are we listening to you or the comrades?"

"Everything must follow orders. We listen to the party," Chen Ke gave Hua Xiongmeng an ambiguous answer, "The meeting is adjourned. Huishen and I need to treat He Zudao."

Plans often don't keep up with changes. The morning meeting the next day was forced to end in five minutes. All the comrades reached the party's first resolution: "Hold the next party meeting when we have time."

Wu Xingchen arrived at the workshop at 9:55 AM. By then, the workshop was already crowded. With He Zudao's condition improving, not only did the revolutionary youth who had worked there before admire Chen Ke and You Gou, but also many young people hoping to learn from them and others seeking medicine for their loved ones seemed to have emerged from nowhere.

Seeing so many people in the workshop, Wu Xingchen was genuinely surprised. Of course, Wu Xingchen's height and build also surprised the young people in the workshop. You Gou was wearing a suit today, with her long hair tied back in a ponytail. Seeing Wu Xingchen, she greeted him warmly, "Brother Wu, hello."

"Hello, Miss You Gou," Wu Xingchen replied, "Is Brother Chen here?"

You Gou took out a pocket watch and looked at it, "Brother Wenqing went to He Zudao's house and will be back soon."

As they talked, they walked out of the courtyard. Wu Xingchen smiled and asked, "Where did all these people come from?"

You Gou shrugged helplessly, "I don't know. They just showed up."

They walked and talked, stopping at a crossroads. Seeing no one around, You Gou said, "Brother Wenqing told me to have Brother Wu wait here. He won't be back to the workshop today."

Wu Xingchen, thinking of the crowd in the courtyard, understood Chen Ke's dilemma. Just as he was about to say more to You Gou, she smiled, "Brother Wenqing is back. You can go to him." Wu Xingchen looked up and saw Chen Ke and Qi Huishen standing at the corner of the street. Turning to You Gou, she had already returned to the workshop. If she had pointed in Chen Ke's direction, it might have caused unnecessary trouble, so she left without a word. Such a capable woman, Chen Ke really had gathered a lot of talent.

Impressed, Wu Xingchen smiled at Chen Ke. Chen Ke and Qi Huishen also smiled at Wu Xingchen. In the next half minute, Wu Xingchen saw Qi Huishen's expression change from a smile to awkwardness. Three rickshaws stopped in front of Qi Huishen. Wu Xingchen's view was blocked, but Chen Ke and Qi Huishen were not forced but got into the rickshaws. The three rickshaws disappeared around the corner. This sudden turn of events was quite bizarre.

The person who got out of the rickshaw was Qi Huishen's father's butler. The butler was very polite and, after a brief introduction, said, "My master invites Mr. Chen Ke to his house for a discussion. This is sudden, and I hope Mr. Chen will understand."

"What about me?" Qi Huishen couldn't help but ask.

"Master, my lord said he invited Mr. Chen Ke today. If you want to accompany Mr. Chen, we have three rickshaws, enough for all. If you don't want to see my lord, you can do as you please."

This left Qi Huishen speechless. Chen Ke had heard from Qi Huishen and Hua Xiongmeng about Qi Huishen's family's influence. Qi Huishen had also told him that he had gone home last night and told his father about opening a hospital. Although it was a bit too hasty, Chen Ke couldn't just refuse. Seeing Chen Ke get into the rickshaw, Qi Huishen naturally couldn't let Chen Ke go alone to see his father.

The three rickshaws stopped in front of a grand mansion. The butler led the two inside, where the old man was waiting in the living room. Qi Huishen's father was named Qi Sige, a common appearance in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Apart from his sharp eyes, there was nothing particularly special about him.

After Chen Ke greeted the old man, they sat down. "You," Qi Sige pointed to his son, "go see your mother now." Qi Huishen didn't dare to argue and obediently went to the back.

Chen Ke, hearing this, remembered that Qi Huishen had been staying with him for ten days. People from You Gou's family came to visit every day, but Qi Huishen had been living alone.

"Mr. Chen Ke, your courtesy name is Wenqing, right?" Qi Sige asked casually.

"Uncle, that's right."

"Wenqing, my foolish son has finally made a friend who can make money. You dye cloth and make medicine, which is great. You're much better than my foolish son."

Chen Ke found it hard to respond to the old man's words and could only listen silently.

The old man didn't expect Chen Ke to respond. He took out a silver ticket, "My son has never done anything serious. He came back and said he wants to open a hospital and a medical school. I happen to have some connections, and the British want me to fund a hospital. They asked for a lot, but since you want to do it, I thought I'd ask Wenqing to handle it. Here's a silver ticket for 5,000 silver dollars. This is all I can offer. Whether you do well or not doesn't matter, but at least I've contributed something."

As he spoke, Qi Sige seemed casual, but his eyes scanned Chen Ke's face several times. When he finished, Chen Ke smiled, "Uncle Qi, do you think I'm a fraud?"

Hearing this, Qi Huishen laughed, "My son may be unambitious and always does odd jobs, but the person he strongly recommends can't be a fraud. If we encounter a fraud, we can just throw them into the Huangpu River. Why worry about every person? Wenqing, I know a few people in Shanghai, so you don't need to worry about anyone causing trouble for your hospital. But Wenqing needs to meet the British personally." Saying this, Qi Sige handed the silver ticket to Chen Ke, "I don't understand how to run a hospital, so I need Wenqing to find the British. As long as the British agree, they can sign the silver ticket, and the rest can be handled."

Chen Ke understood that Qi Sige had given him a silver ticket to deal with the British. This was quite unusual. The Qi family's style was really unique. Chen Ke, still unsure, asked Qi Sige more questions, and Qi Sige confirmed that Chen Ke's understanding was correct. He had already discussed this with the British and was about to start the official procedures. Last night, when Qi Huishen suddenly mentioned it, Qi Sige called Chen Ke to handle it.

The rickshaw driver was strong and ran quickly. Qi Huishen and Chen Ke were in the same rickshaw, and Chen Ke found the whole situation quite amusing.

Qi Sige offered this opportunity, providing money and connections. Chen Ke, besides thinking it was a huge trap, couldn't find any other reason to refuse. Qi Sige, ignoring Chen Ke, had the butler call Qi Huishen. As soon as Qi Huishen arrived in the living room, Qi Sige had the butler take the two to meet the British and get the matter settled quickly. Then, without even inviting Chen Ke to lunch, Qi Sige sent the two young men out.

"Huishen, your father is really decisive," Chen Ke couldn't find any other words to describe it.

"That's because as long as I don't do revolutionary work, he supports whatever I do," Qi Huishen explained.

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