Chapter 57

The crisis at the end of the Qing Dynasty greatly stimulated Chinese intellectuals, who explored various ways to save the country and ensure its survival. However, Chen Ke himself did not feel much about the awakening of Qing intellectuals. From the perspective of historical materialism, the efforts of these people indeed laid the foundation for the later emergence of the Party. However, the majority of their efforts were misguided.

To save the country, one must know the strategy to do so. History has proven one thing: to save China, industrialization must be achieved. The People's Republic of China spent 61 years, and in 2010, the total industrial and agricultural output historically surpassed that of the United States, fulfilling Chairman Mao's goal of "catching up with and surpassing Britain and America." The total steel production reached over 600 million tons, more than the combined production of the second to tenth largest producers in the world. From 1949 to 1978, the People's Republic of China basically established an industrial system, transforming China from an agricultural country into a preliminary industrial nation. Yes, China's level of industrialization in 1978 was still relatively low, but nothing is achieved overnight. In 1978, China was like wielding a poorly made large blade against an opponent with sharp weapons. But at least everyone had weapons, which was a world apart from the bare-handed situation before 1949. In terms of nation-building, whether it was the Qing Dynasty, the Beiyang Government, or Chiang's regime, they could all be ashamed and bash their heads in.

The foundation for achieving industrialization is to establish a new order suitable for industrialization. No matter how much people shouted about how various movements "ruined Chinese culture," in Chen Ke's view, by 1978, these movements had thoroughly shattered the institutional and ideological obstacles to industrialization. After that, there were no more substantial enemies to China's industrialization, and it developed vigorously.

Historically, Peking University produced many "public intellectuals" before the founding of the People's Republic of China. According to the history Chen Ke knew, these people did not significantly contribute to China's industrialization. On the contrary, many of them hindered industrial development. Chen Ke still hoped to save these people through lectures. In his vision, if he could live to personally build the People's Republic of China, he would not show any leniency to liberal arts students. In Chairman Mao's era, there was no internet, but if there had been, the people might have hung the rightists on lampposts. Not to mention, the "traitors" of the 21st century would definitely not escape.

With this mindset, Chen Ke's lectures became more straightforward. Facing the students of the Imperial University, Chen Ke discussed the development of productivity, with a particular emphasis on industrialization. He did not avoid discussing the differences between modern industrial organizational models and the current Qing system, as well as the conflicts between the two, and spoke frankly.

As Chen Ke spoke eloquently about the modern industrial structure, the roles of various industrial sectors, and how to establish and develop these sectors, the Imperial University was initially silent, then students began to whisper, and finally, some started to argue openly.

Chen Ke put down the chalk and looked silently at the students. The students who were whispering gradually quieted down, but those who were arguing became more agitated. When they realized the silence around them, all eyes were on them. Being students of the Imperial University, they had a certain presence. Since they had already disrupted the class, they did not feel embarrassed, and one of them stood up and said, "Mr. Chen, your lecture is very impressive. Developing industry seems easy, can you give a simple example?"

Fortunately, they did not get entangled in historical data. Chen Ke felt relieved. For an example, Chen Ke quickly thought of the beehive coal project. He nodded and explained the project to everyone.

The conditions for producing beehive coal in Beijing were quite mature. There was anthracite coal in Beijing, the market for beehive coal was not lacking, and the machinery was not difficult to obtain. This new product could strongly promote economic development and drive the growth of many related industries, making it a project with numerous benefits and no drawbacks.

After explaining the project, Chen Ke asked, "What do you think of this project, student?"

The student who stood up to question Chen Ke was speechless. Chen Ke explained clearly, but the student felt something was missing. He could not grasp the key points and could not articulate his thoughts. With everyone's eyes on him, he felt even more uncomfortable. This student was nearly thirty, with a braid. Although it was autumn and the hall was not hot, his forehead was sweating. Chen Ke did not want to embarrass him and waved for him to sit down.

Chen Ke turned around, wrote the key points on the blackboard, and drew several lines pointing to the blank space in the center. He wrote two large characters, "government," in the blank space.

"This project seems simple, but it actually involves many departments. Mines, transportation, and steel, these basic industrial sectors need to be coordinated. It also involves urban land use and factory site selection, which are municipal construction issues. If it were a mature industrial government, these would be simple. But with the current government, there are issues of incomplete functions."

Chen Ke scanned the students again. Compared to the students at Fudan University, their expressions were not very friendly. Chen Ke smiled, "I know. Those who can study at the Imperial University are all outstanding individuals. If you find this project interesting, I welcome those with aspirations to work with me on it."

The students' reaction was not very enthusiastic. Just as he was about to let them take a break, the young man who asked a question yesterday stood up, "Mr. Chen, your knowledge is impressive. However, why do I feel that you are not saying everything? What is your opinion of the government?"

Hearing this straightforward question, Chen Ke laughed, "I don't know what you all are thinking. When I have free time, I will seek your advice. But in my view, the purpose of the government should be to develop productivity. In the process of developing productivity, we allow people to become wealthy. However, whether it is the Chinese government or foreign governments, their current goal is to become wealthy, and they develop productivity to achieve that. In my view, this is putting the cart before the horse. For China to surpass Europe and America, it must establish a government with the core goal of developing productivity, a government that enriches the people rather than officials and gentry. That's the idea."

Hearing Chen Ke's words, the students buzzed with excitement. Chen Ke did not care. "Let's take a fifteen-minute break and then continue the lecture."

"Enrich the people, not the officials and gentry. Is that possible?" someone said mockingly.

"That's the right idea," another voice said, lacking confidence.

"Isn't that a rebellion?"

"The people are the foundation of the country. How is this a rebellion?" someone retorted.

"It's about governing the country with the gentry, not with the people."

"Ruling the country for the people, not serving one person with the country."

The students debated heatedly. Chen Ke did not care and walked out of the hall. The sky was blue, the sun was warm on his face, but the temperature had dropped significantly. The wind was chilly. Who knew what path these students would ultimately choose. Chen Ke had never compared the Confucian idea of a harmonious society with Marx's communism. Or, what was the difference between socialism and a harmonious world? This might be an interesting topic. As he was lost in thought, the young man who asked the question earlier approached, "Mr. Chen, are you serious about the beehive coal project?"

"Yes, I am serious," Chen Ke replied, then looked at the young man, "May I ask your name? I am Su, Su Wuming."

Wuming? Why not Wukong?

Seeing Chen Ke's expression, Su Wuming smiled, "My father is a Buddhist, so he gave me this name."

"From your accent, you are from Shaanxi, right?"

"Xi'an. And you, Mr. Chen?"

"Zhengzhou, Henan."

"Your idea about beehive coal is interesting. I have a few friends. If you are serious, I can help you contact them."

"That would be great."

"Mr. Chen, the government you described seems to have a lot of power. What exactly would this government look like?"

"The government I hope for is far beyond the Qing. First, all land would be state-owned, not privately owned. The industrial system would be under government control, with numerous large factories being state-owned. The examination system would be at least a million times larger than the current imperial examination. All citizens, whether they want to or not, would have to go to school and learn knowledge, all within the imperial examination system. In short, the emperor's power would not extend to the county level, which is not the case in the new government. The government could directly manage anyone in the village."

Hearing Chen Ke speak confidently, Su Wuming's eyes widened. "This, this isn't a joke, right?"

"It's possible, believe me," Chen Ke said. During Chairman Mao's time, the Party established an unprecedentedly powerful social management system. What Chen Ke described was a reality that had been achieved.

"Then, the country wouldn't belong to the Aisin Gioro family anymore, right?" Su Wuming asked in a low voice.

Chen Ke looked at Su Wuming, who did not seem malicious but was quite excited. The Imperial University was equivalent to the Imperial Academy. The students of the Imperial Academy had such questions. The fate of the Qing... But Chen Ke could not openly express his stance. He countered, "What do you think?"

Su Wuming just laughed dryly and did not say anything more.

The rest of the lecture went smoothly, but also not smoothly. The students had many questions. They were very interested in the new government Chen Ke proposed. The students of the Imperial University were not easy to deal with, and their questions were quite challenging. They asked about the departmental structure and functional design of the new government and how these designs related to productivity. Their thinking was quite clear. It seemed they had studied the new policies.

Chen Ke was not afraid of questions. He knew these questions would not embarrass him. As a time traveler, he was quite familiar with the organization of a new state. But if he explained everything clearly, everyone would know he was a revolutionary. After finishing the lecture, Chen Ke quickly left the school, a place of right and wrong. Before dark, he finally got home.

The originally empty courtyard was now filled with many things. Chen Ke had left a list of items to purchase when he left at noon. Now, there were large vats, wooden blocks, coal, red clay, and ropes piled up like a small mountain.

Seeing Chen Ke return, Chen Tianhua said, "Wenqing is back. We bought everything except the iron thing you mentioned. The blacksmith said it would be ready tomorrow."

"Let's get started then." Chen Ke changed into a rough cloth outfit, called Wu Xingchen, Pang Zi, and a few other friends, and they got to work.

Holes had already been drilled at the air intake of the large vat. Chen Tianhua and the others had already had a carpenter cut a wooden post into eight pieces according to the diagram Chen Ke drew. The pieces were not evenly divided but were four larger on the outside and smaller on the inside, and four smaller on the outside and larger on the inside. After cutting out the core of the eight wooden pieces, they were reassembled into a circle, with a regular thick wooden stick inserted in the middle and tied with rope.

Pang Zi was puzzled in the afternoon when he saw the effort to saw a piece of wood. Chen Ke did not explain, just started filling the vat with soil, tamping down the red clay with a wooden hammer. The young men worked energetically. After the soil level was above the air intake, Chen Ke placed the iron rods he bought into the vat, adjusted them to a 90-degree angle with the air intake, and inserted the strange wooden post into the vat, continuing to fill and tamp the soil. After tamping the red clay, Chen Ke stood on the soil inside the vat and pulled out the thick wooden stick tied in the middle of the strange structure. Because the eight wooden pieces on the outside were geometrically shaped with the outside smaller and the inside larger, they were easily pulled down, and the rope on the outside was easily removed. An irregular cavity was formed in the red clay.

Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua then used a wooden stick to smooth out the cavity and inserted an iron rod through the hole at the air intake. By the time the lamps were lit, a rough and simple beehive coal stove was completed.

The wood burned in the stove to dry it out. Tomorrow, the beehive coal could be used.

The group filled the new kettle with water and placed it on the stove. Standing by the fire, the warmth felt good. At that moment, they heard someone knocking on the door. Chen Tianhua, who had been learning Chinese pinyin well, opened the door and asked in a Hunan accent, "May I ask..." and then fell silent. Chen Ke found it strange and turned around to hear someone outside ask, "Is Mr. Wenqing here?" It was He Guan's voice.

"I'm here," Chen Ke replied.

"Mr. Wenqing, my master invites you," He Guan's voice was respectful and somewhat unusual.

"I'll come right away."

A carriage was parked in front of He Ruming's house, which Chen Ke had not seen when he returned, so it must have just arrived. Following the steward into the living room, He Ruming stood with his hands behind his back. Seeing Chen Ke, he immediately came forward, "Wenqing is here." He Ruming's expression was strange.

After greeting He Ruming, Chen Ke's gaze fell on another person in the living room. It was a soldier, with a long face, a braid, and a faint scar on his left cheekbone. More striking was the blue military uniform he wore, with a four-pocket jacket, riding breeches, and a military belt. Except for the strange hat with a bead-like ornament, it was almost identical to modern military uniforms.

Chen Ke's first thought was that his lecture in the afternoon had caused some issue. But then he thought the students would not be so idle as to report him. So why did He Ruming bring a soldier to see him? Looking back at He Ruming, he saw a mix of anger, helplessness, and urgency in his expression. Before Chen Ke could ask, He Ruming said, "Wenqing, do you have some of your new medicine with you?"

"A little," Chen Ke had enough medicine for a hundred people, but he did not want to overpromise.

"How many people can it treat?"

"How many people does Mr. He want to treat?"

"Can you treat ten people?"

"Yes."

"That's great." He Ruming visibly relaxed, "I want to ask Wenqing to treat a few people."

"Mr. He, my medicine is very potent. In Shanghai, I required a signed agreement before treating anyone, and I could not be held responsible if someone died."

"I've read about that in the newspaper. Don't worry, Wenqing, we will sign an agreement. But treating the illness is urgent. I hope Wenqing can help."

Chen Ke looked at He Ruming, who did not seem to be the one sick. If it were someone in his family, why would a soldier be in the living room?

"Where are we going to treat the patients?"

"Let me introduce you. This is Captain Bu, a second-level military officer in the New Army."

The titles in the Beiyang government were long, and Chen Ke did not understand them. But the soldier, upon being introduced, stood at attention, clicked his heels, and saluted Chen Ke. "I am Bu Guanshui."

Chen Ke hurriedly shook hands with Captain Bu, "I am Chen Ke."

"Mr. Chen, I have a few patients who need your help," Bu Guanshui said politely, his expression somewhat embarrassed.

"Of course, of course. I'll go get the medicine now."

Chen Ke went back to get the medicine and told everyone he would be out late, or might not return at all. He asked them to rest early. But he did not dare to have anyone see him off. After hearing Wu Xingchen and Pang Zi's historical accounts, the people in the house were mortal enemies of the Beiyang Army. If they saw Chen Ke with a Beiyang officer, who knew what would happen.

With the medicine, Chen Ke returned to He Ruming's house, where He Ruming and Bu Guanshui were waiting in the courtyard. Chen Ke followed Bu Guanshui into the carriage, and the driver urged the horses. The carriage wheels clattered as it disappeared into the night, out of He Ruming's sight.

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