Chapter 41

Autumn is a beautiful season. Chen Ke enjoys the sky of 1905, a sky not yet polluted by industry, a deep and clear blue. Looking up, one can see a vast blue sky dotted with a few wisps of clouds, making it even more profound and clear. September 13, 1905, was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After the team-building exercise yesterday, the Huangpu Study Society announced a day off. The People's Party branch provided the funds, and Wu Xingchen, who also served as the hall master of the Heaven and Earth Society, easily bought several baskets of crabs. A few baskets were sent to the construction site, and those from Shanghai and the students of the Huangpu Study Society each received a few pounds. The remaining crabs were steamed in the workshop, and with some other dishes, a lively Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held.

Someone had picked a few branches of osmanthus and placed them in various corners, their refreshing fragrance mingling with the aroma of the crabs, creating a truly elegant and popular atmosphere. Many students from the Huangpu Study Society were from out of town and had nowhere to go during this traditional festival. The hospital had few patients, so Chen Ke invited several doctors, including Wang Qian, to join. Since it was a festival, everyone might as well gather and have a good time. Just as everyone was setting up the tables and chopsticks to start the banquet, someone arrived at the door. It was the butler from Qi Huishen's house.

"Mr. Chen, this is what my young master sent over," the butler said. Chen Ke looked closely and saw an object on the cart at the door, which turned out to be a piano. Surprised, he walked over to take a closer look and indeed found it to be an upright piano.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, Qi Huishen had wanted to stay in the workshop, but Chen Ke forcibly sent him home, "Go home and reunite with your parents. The uprising hasn't started yet. Once it does, it will be very difficult for you to go home."

"Does Wenqing need anything else?"

"A piano would be nice," Chen Ke said, looking at the lively students in the courtyard.

"What?" Qi Huishen asked.

"Nothing. Go home quickly."

"Um... okay," Qi Huishen replied. Chen Ke thought Qi Huishen hadn't heard clearly, but he actually found a piano.

"This must have taken a lot of effort..." Chen Ke felt extremely embarrassed. Even in the 21st century, not every household had a piano, let alone in 1905.

"Mr. Chen, my master sometimes holds banquets for the British at home, so we have a piano. When the young master mentioned that Mr. Chen wanted to use it, my master immediately had us bring it over. He said he didn't know Mr. Chen was so skilled at music. If he had known earlier, he would have given Mr. Chen a new one. Since there wasn't enough time today, Mr. Chen will have to make do with this old one."

"This is too much," Chen Ke really didn't know what to say.

"The piano isn't played at home. The foreigners only come a few times a year. Mr. Chen can use it for now." The butler then had the people who came with him move the piano into the courtyard and placed it where Chen Ke indicated.

After seeing off the butler and returning to the courtyard, Chen Ke saw many students gathered around the piano, staring at it. Most of them had never seen a piano before. Chen Ke didn't hesitate, opened the lid, pulled over a stool of the right height, and played "Two Tigers." The lively music immediately attracted everyone. In the 21st century, this was only played by beginners, and for someone Chen Ke's age, it was only remembered for fun. But for these students, Chen Ke couldn't think of any better introductory music.

The cheerful music quickly lifted everyone's spirits, but the melody was simple, serving as a complement. Seeing the students' emotions stirred by the piano but not overly indulged, Chen Ke was satisfied. In the past, Chen Ke never thought so much about his actions. When he played, he never considered the setting, always choosing the most impressive pieces to show off his skills, which often led to unpleasant memories. Doing anything should fit the environment, a principle that Chen Ke thought he understood, but whenever he had the chance to perform, he couldn't help but show off, forgetting the principle. He was really quite immature back then, Chen Ke thought.

After finishing a short piece, the atmosphere became even more lively. Just as dinner was about to start, new guests arrived. This time, it was Yan Fu leading several students from Fudan University. Although they didn't know why Yan Fu had come, it was a feast, and any guest was welcome. They were invited to sit, and the pastries Yan Fu brought were placed on the table.

There was wine, meat, mooncakes, and crabs. After the team-building exercise, the young people had grown closer. Yan Fu and Chen Ke sat together, slowly drinking and chatting. Most of the students came from wealthy families, so while the atmosphere was lively, they were still polite. However, once the drinking started, it became harder to control. Some with low tolerance became loud after just two cups. Chen Ke quickly stood up, "Students, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time when we miss our loved ones. Let's gather together, but I have one request: don't drink too much, and don't get drunk. Okay?"

"Okay!" someone shouted, already a bit tipsy. Chen Ke sat down, feeling helpless. He didn't like drinking too much; a slight buzz was the most comfortable. But he couldn't assume the same for the other students. In college, Chen Ke hated going to gatherings and drinking, as he always had to clean up after those who drank too much. It was a terrible feeling.

"Wenqing doesn't seem to like drinking," Yan Fu smiled.

Chen Ke nodded, "A cup or two is fine, but more than that is not good."

"Same here."

As they talked, the crabs were served, and the atmosphere became even more lively. Many students from Fudan University were from Shaanxi and had never eaten crabs before. The students from Jiangnan taught them how to eat them. Some who ate quickly cut the conical membrane inside the female crab's shell, carefully removed it, and turned it inside out, creating what Lu Xun called a "crab monk." The students from the north examined it, marveling at the novelty. Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, Chen Ke felt happy.

After eating a pair of crabs, Chen Ke didn't eat any more.

By now, the full moon had risen, and although it wasn't the fullest, it was very bright. The courtyard was lit by several gas lamps, and the moonlight made it feel bright and clear. The atmosphere was lively, and Chen Ke felt it had a street-side food stall vibe. The same noisy and lively atmosphere was quite comfortable.

While chatting with Yan Fu, two students with red faces approached. It was Kuroshima Jinichiro and another Japanese student.

"Mr. Chen, I'd like to toast you," Kuroshima, slightly drunk, said.

Chen Ke had heard that Japanese people had poor tolerance for alcohol. Kuroshima hadn't drunk much, but he was already in this state. It seemed the rumors were true.

"Only a sip. Don't get drunk," Chen Ke raised his glass and drank a small sip with Kuroshima and the other Japanese student. Kuroshima put down his glass and sat down beside Chen Ke, speaking in a somewhat Shandong-accented, stiff Chinese, "I've learned a lot about the revolution from Mr. Chen, and I'm very grateful. But I have some questions I'd like to ask Mr. Chen."

Chen Ke glanced at Yan Fu, who was listening without any negative reaction to the mention of revolution. Before Chen Ke could pay more attention, Kuroshima continued, "Mr. Chen, I came to China with Mr. Chen Tianhua. After the Meiji Restoration, the shogunate was overthrown. Japan only saw an increase in the number of rich people, and the lives of the common people worsened. After listening to Mr. Chen's lectures, I understand many things. But I'd like to ask Mr. Chen about the future development of Japan's revolution."

This topic wasn't sensitive, but with Yan Fu present, it wasn't easy to discuss. Before Chen Ke could speak, Yan Fu smiled, "Wenqing knows many things. Can you share your thoughts on this?"

Encouraged by Yan Fu, Chen Ke prepared to speak. Kuroshima quickly called over the other Japanese students, who gathered around Chen Ke. Others, seeing this, also gathered, turning the lively banquet into a new classroom. Chen Ke had the door closed and the latch locked before he began.

Hearing Chen Ke talk about Japan, the students became even more interested. Japan's miraculous rise and its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War had piqued the interest of many Chinese youth.

Chen Ke gave a broad overview of Japan's history and economic characteristics, the traditional feudal system, the rise of Choshu and Satsuma domains, the development of the Meiji Restoration, the causes of the First Sino-Japanese War, where Japan's war funds came from, and the role of foreign loans. Each point was clear and concise.

The students, hearing such a clear explanation, became even more impressed by Chen Ke's extensive knowledge and deep understanding of the world.

Chen Ke explained that if China had held out for a few more months without surrendering, Japan would have faced economic collapse due to the expiration of its loans. Many were hearing this for the first time and, connecting it with the previous information about Japan's loans, many were clenching their fists and cursing the court for being full of scoundrels.

As a participant and witness to the First Sino-Japanese War, Yan Fu found Chen Ke's explanation incredibly clear. The deployment, battles, and conditions at the time were exactly as he remembered. It was as if he had seen it with his own eyes. Yan Fu knew this was absolutely accurate and not just hearsay. He was extremely surprised by how Chen Ke knew so much about the source of Japan's war funds. Yan Fu, who knew a lot about the First Sino-Japanese War, had always been puzzled by Japan's sudden naval strength. After hearing Chen Ke's economic analysis, Yan Fu suddenly felt that many things became clear, and the entire war's timeline became very clear. Japan was also gambling with its national fate. If the Qing dynasty had held out a bit longer, waiting for Japan's loan repayment deadline, the war would have dragged on, and Japan would have faced bankruptcy.

Just a few more months, and a completely different outcome would have emerged, and his classmates wouldn't have died in vain. Thinking of this, Yan Fu felt a sharp pain in his heart.

At this moment, Yan Fu realized that the courtyard had fallen silent. Everyone was looking at him, as he was lost in thought, his face pale and expression grim, almost frightening. It was already autumn, and with everyone sitting in the courtyard, the night breeze was quite cool, but Yan Fu's forehead was covered in sweat, making him look even more terrifying.

"Nothing, Wenqing, please continue," Yan Fu said, forcing a smile. He saw Chen Ke hand him a handkerchief, and only then did he realize his sweat. He took the handkerchief and wiped his forehead, finding it completely soaked.

Yan Fu was a military man and knew the importance of strategic planning. If Chen Ke had been in charge during the First Sino-Japanese War, the outcome would have been very different. This thought boiled in Yan Fu's mind. After the war, the court was filled with mutual accusations and blame. Some said the Meiji Restoration's system was superior, or that Japan's artillery was more advanced. Each argument seemed reasonable, but compared to Chen Ke's analysis, they were shallow. If someone like Chen Ke had been in charge at the start of the war...

But Yan Fu was Yan Fu. After a moment of confusion, he regained his composure. He needed to discuss this in detail with Chen Ke, but for now, it was more important to hear what Chen Ke had to say next. He forced a smile, "Wenqing, please continue."

Chen Ke nodded and had someone bring out a blackboard, hanging a lamp beside it.

"I've given a general overview of Japan's situation. Now, I want to talk about Japan's revolution. Have you Japanese students heard of the 'Red Report Team'?"

Kuroshima and the others shook their heads.

Chen Ke then told the history of the "Red Report Team." The leader, Sannosuke Soga, was the son of a local samurai, Soga Heihachiro, from the Shimousa Province. After the Boshin War broke out, he led his comrades from the "Ronin Team" to reassemble in Kyoto and, under the service of the court nobles Ryoji Ayakura and Kiyohisa Nishino, formed the "Red Report Team." Soga changed his name to Sannosuke and became the captain of the first unit of the "Red Report Team." The main task of the "Red Report Team" was to serve as the vanguard of the Eastern Mountain Road Army, entering the Shinano and Kozuke provinces, spreading the new government's benevolent policies, and calling on nearby lords to join the revolution against the shogunate. The "benevolent policies" of the new government mainly referred to "halving the land tax," a political slogan proposed by Sannosuke and agreed upon by Saigo Takamori and others. Sannosuke believed that the farmers, who had suffered under the shogunate's heavy taxes for years, would rise up in response if the new government promised to reduce the land tax by half, leading to the collapse of the shogunate's rule.

However, by late January 1868, rumors began to spread in Kyoto that the "Red Report Team" was "intimidating the people and looting." Hearing these rumors, the second and third units of the "Red Report Team," led by two court nobles, immediately returned to Kyoto. Sannosuke, at a loss, went to the Eastern Mountain Road General Headquarters to clear his name.

Taking advantage of Sannosuke's absence, the various domains in Shinano launched a surprise attack on the "Red Report Team," killing half and arresting the other half. When Sannosuke successfully cleared his name at the General Headquarters and returned to Shinano, he was shocked by the scene. After much persuasion and urging, the domains finally agreed to release the arrested members of the first unit of the "Red Report Team"—but this was just a delaying tactic. The complete destruction of the "Red Report Team" was imminent.

The rumors about the "Red Report Team" intimidating the people and looting were actually spread by the new government. The reason was that the new government, facing financial difficulties and unable to bear the huge military expenses, was forced to borrow from large financial institutions like the Mitsui. These financial institutions, to accumulate wealth, fundamentally opposed the "halving the land tax" policy. As a result, the new government, to maintain its credibility, had to sacrifice the "Red Report Team."

In March 1868, the Eastern Mountain Road General Headquarters suddenly arrested Sannosuke and the remaining members of the "Red Report Team" who had come to appeal. They were then executed on the charge of being "false government troops" in Shimosuwa, Shinano. Sannosuke was only 30 years old. The Meiji government used this to show the farmers that it had never promised to halve the land tax, and that these were just rumors spread by the "false government troops." The war would continue, the shogunate would be overthrown, and the land tax would still be collected. The farmers' hopes for a better life under the new government were just unrealistic fantasies.

"Now you understand why, after the Japanese revolution, the lives of the common people remained the same. Even after the First Sino-Japanese War, the money looted from China ended up in the pockets of European capitalists and Japanese financial institutions, with no benefits for the Japanese people."

"I see. Thank you, Mr. Chen," Kuroshima stood up and bowed respectfully. The other Japanese students also stood and bowed.

"Sit down. I'll talk about Japan's future," Chen Ke waved his hand.

In Chen Ke's view, Japan's ambition to become an independent industrial nation, limited by raw materials and market, was doomed to fail. This was proven by history. Chen Ke also bluntly stated his opinion that as long as China became strong, Japan's fate was sealed.

Japan's economy now relies on textiles and the sex industry. Japan might be the only country in the world with an organized sex industry. After the Meiji Restoration, countless "virgin villages" appeared, where young girls either worked to death in textile factories or died in foreign brothels. Chen Ke's medicine is now a major buyer for Japanese brothels. Once China rises, Japan's textile industry will suffer a severe blow. Without this pillar and the Chinese market, Japan cannot sustain itself.

However, as a Japanese person, Kuroshima did not resent Chen Ke's comments. Kuroshima excitedly said, "In Japan, there are many young people dissatisfied with the current situation, hoping that China will lead the revolution first, and then the revolution will spread to Japan, driving a comprehensive revolution in Japan."

Hearing this, Chen Ke was genuinely surprised. How did he encounter Japan's "pioneers"? Was Kuroshima just fooling him? But in reality, Japan established "contract labor" textile factories in China in the 1920s. After Xia Yan reported on this, the government immediately shut them down, causing a strong reaction at the time. In China, this was still happening, and the exploitation in Japan was even more brutal. Faced with such social realities, Japanese youth would not reject revolution.

"The revolution in Japan is not a people's revolution, but it doesn't mean that Japan won't have a revolution in the future. The main force of the Japanese revolution will be the petty bourgeoisie," Chen Ke said, writing the names of several classes on the left side of the blackboard: big bourgeoisie, petty bourgeoisie, and proletariat.

"Japan's domestic resources are scarce, so a large middle class will not emerge. In this class conflict, the main contradiction is between the big bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie. To expand, Japan has strengthened its military. With its small territory, this military is sufficient to suppress domestic uprisings. Therefore, if the people cannot rise up in a comprehensive revolution, they have no chance of liberation through up