Chapter 58

The curtains of the carriage were drawn, as if not wanting Chen Ke to see the destination. Chen Ke didn't think it was that boring, but he also didn't want to stir up trouble for no reason. There was no light inside the carriage, and not much light outside either, so the two of them sat in silence in the darkness.

"Brother Bu, how many people are we going to treat?" Chen Ke was more concerned about this. According to the historical books he had read, many people in Beijing were infected back then, especially the officers. Chen Ke used to not understand Wu Xingchen's sales strategy. He thought Wu Xingchen, being from the north, would definitely sell a lot to the north. But Wu Xingchen only sold in Shanghai and the south, never to the north. Those who could afford the medicine were rich people, and it seemed Wu Xingchen didn't want to save them at all.

As Chen Ke expected, Bu Guanshui replied, "We'll treat ten people first." From his tone, it seemed there would be a lot of work to follow. It looked like they would need to get another batch of medicine from Shanghai. Perhaps feeling that this task was also embarrassing, Bu Guanshui remained silent after answering the question. He didn't respond much to Chen Ke's attempts to start a conversation. After a few words, Chen Ke simply stopped talking. The carriage kept moving, and it wasn't convenient to pull the curtains. In the darkness, Chen Ke, feeling bored, started to hum a song.

The first song was "Two Tigers." Facing this Beiyang officer, Chen Ke couldn't help but think of this song. "Two tigers, two tigers, run fast, run fast. One has no ears, one has no tail, how funny." As soon as he finished, he heard Bu Guanshui chuckle from the opposite side.

"What's wrong, Brother Bu? If you find me annoying, I'll stop singing."

"Nothing, Mr. Chen, I find the lyrics quite interesting. Please continue. It's not bad to sing a song while sitting in the carriage like this."

"I'm not a singer," Chen Ke laughed, "If Brother Bu finds singing interesting, why don't you sing a Beiyang military song? We can take turns. That's fair, right?"

After hearing Chen Ke's words, Bu Guanshui sighed deeply.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ke found it strange. If he didn't want to sing, he didn't have to be so upset.

"Mr. Chen, you're a foreign student. Do you know anything about foreign military songs?"

"Not really."

"Ah..." Bu Guanshui sighed again, seemingly a bit disappointed.

"Brother Bu, you're a soldier. Sighing like this isn't very soldier-like."

Perhaps tired of Chen Ke's nagging, Bu Guanshui said somewhat resignedly, "I've been given a task to compose a parade march. I can go to battle, but writing music is a joke."

"Since the higher-ups have assigned you this task, it must be because you have the talent. Just do your best."

"It's not like that. No one at the top wants to take on this hot potato, so they just pushed it down."

"If that's the case, Brother Bu can just report back in a few days that you can't do it. Or you can just compose a song to get by. No need to worry so much."

"I thought so too, but to get by, you still need a song. A parade march isn't just any military music. Using other songs won't work."

"Hmm... How about this song, Brother Bu?"

Chen Ke imitated the military band and other instruments for the prelude, which sounded quite funny. Bu Guanshui immediately laughed. But as the song progressed, the dominant tune of the Soviet "Hell March" from Red Alert 3 quickly caught Bu Guanshui's attention. As soon as Chen Ke finished humming, Bu Guanshui moved to sit next to him, "Mr. Chen, is this a foreign military song?"

"No, I wrote it after listening to foreign military songs."

"Really?" Bu Guanshui immediately became excited, "Then..."

He stopped halfway, asking with a skeptical tone, "Mr. Chen, this song..."

Chen Ke knew Bu Guanshui was worried about being deceived. If Bu Guanshui wrote a random original song, it would just be considered poorly written. But if it was a foreign military song played at a Beiyang parade, and someone found out, it would be a serious offense. Poor writing is a skill issue, but using a foreign military song is a matter of principle. They had just met, and Chen Ke knew Bu Guanshui didn't trust him.

"If Brother Bu doesn't believe me, I have no way to prove it."

"That's not what I mean," Bu Guanshui quickly explained, "Mr. Chen, do you have other songs? You can't have only written this one."

"I mostly write romantic songs. Not many military songs."

"Any song will do, sing two."

"Then I'll sing one, and you have to sing one too."

"If Mr. Chen isn't afraid of being scared to death, I have no problem," Bu Guanshui laughed.

Chen Ke didn't refuse and started with a classic military song, "Little Poplar."

After he finished, Bu Guanshui was silent for a moment, then sighed, "I never knew there were such military songs in the world."

"It's your turn, Brother Bu." Chen Ke didn't want to boast.

In the darkness, Bu Guanshui tried several times to start singing but gave up each time. Finally, he said solemnly, "Mr. Chen, compared to your song, our Beiyang military songs are useless. I just want to ask Mr. Chen to sing one more song. Just one."

Chen Ke didn't hesitate and sang another famous song, "Camel Bell." It seemed Bu Guanshui was quite knowledgeable about music. After Chen Ke sang once, Bu Guanshui was already sighing, and it seemed he was moved to tears by the song.

"Mr. Chen, did you study music abroad?"

"How could I! I studied chemistry," Chen Ke said firmly.

Bu Guanshui didn't want to argue about this, "Mr. Chen, I know you wrote that song. I have a request..."

"I can help you with the parade march."

"That's great."

After this, their relationship naturally became closer. They started chatting, unlike the initial silence. Bu Guanshui was from Songjiang, Zhejiang, but his father became a county magistrate in Hebei when he was young, so Bu Guanshui moved to Hebei as well. His Shanghai accent was no longer noticeable. When the Qing government sent students to study at German military academies, his father used connections to get Bu Guanshui in. He returned to China in 1903 and joined the Beiyang New Army. As a graduate of a foreign military academy, Bu Guanshui became a junior officer at a young age. However, he had no strong background, and being promoted at such a young age made him a target for many who wanted to make his life difficult. His main job was translating foreign military books, which was a relatively idle position. He had no real power, but all sorts of odd tasks were assigned to him, like writing military songs.

Now Chen Ke understood the twists and turns of Bu Guanshui's experience. But he still had some questions, "Brother Bu, I understand writing military songs, but why would treating patients be assigned to you?"

"It's a long story," Bu Guanshui seemed quite frustrated. The infected officers were of high rank, and somehow the higher-ups knew about Chen Ke. Bu Guanshui was assigned to bring Chen Ke to treat them. Being a junior officer, he had no choice but to follow orders.

"Fortunately, Mr. Chen is talented. Although this task is frustrating, meeting Mr. Chen is a silver lining."

As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the destination, a military camp outside the city. Bu Guanshui got out and said a few words, then led Chen Ke in on foot. This was Chen Ke's first time in a military camp. It was dark, and he couldn't see much. The outlines of the barracks were faint in the distance. They reached a corner of the camp, opened the door, and went inside. The room was lit, and there were several rows of beds. Some of the beds had sick officers lying on them. In the middle of the room, a few officers were gathered around a table, their faces covered in sores, playing pai gow. A pile of silver dollars was on the table, and one of the officers was throwing dice. They seemed to be in the middle of a game.

Chen Ke was really impressed by their mental fortitude. But he soon thought, "These people must have been infected multiple times, right? But it doesn't look like the third stage. They seem to be in the first stage, which can be treated."

The officers noticed Bu Guanshui and sat up from their beds. The gamblers, however, didn't stop. The dice were still bouncing in the porcelain bowl, and the one throwing the dice was intensely focused.

"Everyone, stand up," Bu Guanshui ordered.

Finally, the one throwing the dice turned around and saw Bu Guanshui, quickly standing up. "It's you, Captain Bu. What can I do for you?"

"This is Mr. Chen, who will treat everyone. He will be in charge of the treatment."

"Whatever," the one throwing the dice said carelessly, "I'll keep an eye on the score, and we'll continue later."

This was the so-called elite Beiyang New Army? Chen Ke found it hard to believe. But their mental fortitude was commendable.

Chen Ke had treated many patients before, so he knew the routine. He asked about their conditions and gave each of them an injection. After observing for a while and seeing no adverse reactions, Chen Ke pulled Bu Guanshui aside and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll leave now."

"Is that it?" Bu Guanshui was surprised.

"You need to get injections every day. But I might not have time to come every day. I'll leave the medicine and the method for giving injections. Follow these instructions, and it will be fine."

Chen Ke asked for paper and pen and wrote down detailed instructions and precautions. Bu Guanshui's task was to bring Chen Ke to treat the patients, and since the treatment was done, there was no reason to keep Chen Ke.

As he saw Chen Ke out of the camp, Bu Guanshui said, "Mr. Chen, this carriage belongs to Mr. He. You can go back in it. I'll visit you tomorrow."

"No need, I'm busy tomorrow," Chen Ke immediately refused. If Bu Guanshui came to his residence in Beiyang military uniform, Pang Zi and the others might kill him. Even if Pang Zi let him go, how would this vengeful hero view Chen Ke?

"But I really want to finish the music quickly. Mr. Chen, please help me."

"Is there a piano in the camp?"

"No."

"Hmm, do you know Mr. He well?"

"Today is the first time I met him."

"Then you need to find a place with a piano. I composed the music on a piano."

Bu Guanshui thought for a moment and asked, "Does Mr. He have a piano?"

Chen Ke was surprised by Bu Guanshui's quick thinking and quickly said, "I didn't say that."

"I understand. Mr. Chen, shall we meet at Mr. He's place tomorrow morning?"

"Sure, wear civilian clothes when you come. I'll be there at 9 AM. Please wear civilian clothes."

Bu Guanshui, though puzzled by Chen Ke's request, agreed since he needed Chen Ke's help.

On the way back in the carriage, Chen Ke thought about the matter several times but couldn't figure out the details. But he knew he needed to explain it to He Ruming. He owed Chen Ke a favor and needed to give him a reason.

As Chen Ke expected, He Ruming was waiting for him. As soon as Chen Ke entered, He Ruming asked about the treatment. After hearing Chen Ke's account, He Ruming sighed in relief.

"To be honest, one of my old friends' children is among the infected. When I heard about it, I thought of you, Chen Ke. I had you come here."

"Since I make the medicine, treating people is my duty. Mr. He doesn't need to worry."

"Chen Ke, how much should the medicine cost?"

"Twenty taels per person. But Mr. He doesn't need to worry now. We can discuss it after the treatment is complete." Chen Ke believed He Ruming's family might not have 200 taels of silver ready.

He Ruming didn't really intend to pay, but he suddenly asked, "Chen Ke, I've thought about the matter you mentioned last time. Do you have any detailed plans?"

To Chen Ke's surprise, He Ruming asked about the honeycomb coal project. But since it was an opportunity to promote his project, especially with He Ruming's potential to connect him with a broader network, Chen Ke didn't refuse. He explained the specific implementation methods.

As Chen Ke detailed the honeycomb coal project, He Ruming nodded occasionally. The content was very different from what he had heard at the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau. The core of Chen Ke's plan was "making money." Every step had to generate income, and every investment had to be efficient. Market analysis, cost control, production efficiency, revenue curves—these terms, which seemed understandable yet not quite, frequently came from Chen Ke's mouth.

He Ruming suddenly felt that this young man was from a different world. He Ruming had seen many students, and those at the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau either spoke in broad, vague terms or clung to specific jargon, repeating things others couldn't understand. Chen Ke's words were clear and straightforward, with a clear core and realistic expectations. Even the new terms He Ruming didn't fully understand could be guessed from the context. Chen Ke's plan lacked an understanding of the bureaucracy, but it was highly feasible. After hearing Chen Ke's explanation, He Ruming could see the whole picture.

After Chen Ke finished, He Ruming was determined, "Chen Ke, I'll recommend some people to help you. Do you have any requirements for these people?"

Chen Ke's plan was already unique, and his criteria for people were even more so. Three conditions: 1) Everyone must do everything themselves, including moving bricks and coal, even transporting coal in the future. 2) No office workers. 3) Whether they have money or not doesn't matter.

He Ruming frowned, "Chen Ke, your requirements are a bit excessive."

"Mr. He, to be frank, the biggest problem at the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau was having too many idle people. I don't want to repeat that with the honeycomb coal project."

"Why do you need to pull carts and sell coal yourself?" He Ruming was puzzled.

"Who will buy honeycomb coal, and where is the best market? I think I should investigate it personally."

He Ruming's expression softened, "Chen Ke, you haven't lived in Beijing, have you? You should know, the Manchu people are the most familiar with this."

According to the rules of the Manchu nobility, they were not allowed to engage in business or be low-ranking officials, only to serve in the military. If they didn't serve, the small stipend from the nobility would not be enough to survive, and many poor Manchus would starve. But rules are rules, and the Manchus had no other means of livelihood. So, the poor Manchus in Beijing pulled carts to make a living, and the nobility did not interfere. These cart-pullers were familiar with both the nobility and the common people, and He Ruming suggested Chen Ke hire some Manchus for efficiency.

Chen Ke recalled the character Chang Siye from Lao She's play "Teahouse," who also pulled a cart for a living. He thanked He Ruming for the suggestion but still believed he needed to personally investigate the sales channels. They agreed to start the project immediately.

After reaching an agreement, Chen Ke returned to his place, opened the door, and went straight to bed. He hadn't slept for two days and a night. There was a lot to do the next day.

Chen Ke was woken up by Chen Tianhua shaking his shoulder.

"What's wrong, Xing Tai?"

"Someone is looking for you."

The visitor was He Ruming's steward. Chen Ke looked at his watch; it was only eight. He wondered why He Ruming was in such a hurry. After washing his face, Chen Ke rushed to He Ruming's house. As soon as he entered the living room, he saw Bu Guanshui in civilian clothes. He Ruming's face was grim, "Chen Ke, didn't you say that only five or six out of a hundred would not withstand your medicine? Why did the patients start to deteriorate as soon as they took your medicine?"

The question was logically flawed, and Chen Ke didn't know how to answer. He could only remain silent as he observed He Ruming's agitated state.

"Chen Ke, say something," He Ruming almost shouted.

"Was the medicine used according to the instructions I wrote?" Chen Ke asked.

He Ruming, holding the paper, slapped it on the table. "It was used exactly as you wrote."

"Was the dosage correct?" Chen Ke asked, picking up the instructions. After a careful look, he realized it was a rewritten copy. "Since the medicine is potent, the dosage must be precise." Chen Ke finally understood why he felt something was off. He had always worried that the army might get the dosage wrong.

"It was exactly as written on this list," He Ruming replied. Chen Ke was puzzled why He Ruming, rather than Bu Guanshui, answered.