Chapter 37

  Hua Xiongmao was furious, or more accurately, he was indignant. You Yun's words were not wrong, Hua Xiongmao knew that some of his actions were not quite proper. Being directly pointed out by a girl for his mistakes was indeed very embarrassing. If it were usual times, Hua Xiongmao might not have been so angry. He and You Yun had known each other for several months, and their relationship was not bad either. In Shaoxing, there was no opportunity for young men and women to work together. Only in Shanghai, at Chen Ke's place, could everyone really work together without causing any special problems. Hua Xiongmao still cared about this kind of friendship with his colleagues.

  If it weren't for Youshuang's public criticism, Huaxiongmao would not have been so furious and might even have listened to Youshuang's advice. But since Youshuang said this at the party meeting, Huaxiongmao absolutely cannot accept it.

  Among these comrades, Hua Xiongmao was the first to follow Chen Ke. The two had a fight during their first meeting. Chen Ke's ferocious style indeed overpowered Hua Xiongmao in terms of momentum. Hua Xiongmao's provocative conversation with Chen Ke in the tavern was, in a sense, just an attempt by Hua Xiongmao to find an excuse for himself. Although Hua Xiongmao was a martial artist, his family wanted him to study and take the imperial examination to become a scholar-official. However, Hua Xiongmao's personality was not suited for studying; he loved reading legends and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Hua Xiongmao had some self-awareness and did not dare compare himself to Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Quan. Every time he read "Three Kingdoms", he couldn't help but think that he should be Zhao Yun in a chaotic world, following a wise lord to pacify the empire.

  Chen Ke's declaration of his revolutionary identity shook Hua Xiongmao's already restless heart. Anyway, he had to go out and make a name for himself, so following Chen Ke, who seemed to be a man of both literary and military talents, might not be a bad choice either. In the later course of events, Hua Xiongmao felt that Chen Ke was indeed a benevolent Liu Bei. Chen Ke's approach to work, governance, and friendship was wholehearted and sincere. Chen Ke himself had knowledge, which originally made Hua Xiongmao admire him. Chen Ke never kept anything private and taught everyone all his knowledge. Unbeknownst to him, Hua Xiongmao had been deeply attracted to Chen Ke's style and followed him devotedly.

  In the few months of working together with Chen Ke, some of Chen Ke's weaknesses have also been exposed. However, Hua Xiongmao doesn't think it's a problem. If Liu Bei could conquer the world alone, what would be the use of the Five Tiger Generals and Zhuge Kongming? A good man needs three helpers, a fence needs three stakes, this bit of logic Hua Xiongmao understands. Moreover, it is precisely these weaknesses that have given Hua Xiongmao an opportunity to prove himself. Although he doesn't say it out loud, he still hopes to become Chen Ke's main pillar, or at least a very important one.

  Regarding the rise of Qi Hui within the team, if one must say that Hua Xiongmao was jealous, it would not be accurate. What Hua Xiongmao could not accept was the relationship between Qi Hui and Chen Ke. Although these two people were not particularly close in private, they were extremely consistent in their pace when it came to Chen Ke's all-out revolutionary endeavors. Hua Xiongmao felt that he was being gradually excluded from Chen Ke by Qi Hui.

  Chen Ke has been pouring all his energy into the revolutionary cause in recent days, and Hua Xiongmao naturally hopes to take on more responsibilities. However, Qi will step by step onto the position of "second-in-command". This makes Hua Xiongmao unconsciously filled with a sense of confrontation. Because he wants to regain Chen Ke's position as his "most powerful comrade", Hua Xiongmao's behavior becomes more and more out of control.

  Now, You Yun spoke out the truth and subtly pointed out something that Hua Xiongmao was very concerned about in his heart - he also realized that what he did might not be right. After Chen Ke's party lesson, Hua Xiongmao also understood the significance of people's revolution. However, Hua Xiongmao participated in the people's revolution solely out of loyalty to Chen Ke as a person. From the People's Party's political perspective, Hua Xiongmao subtly felt that he had gone too far, but out of his personal loyalty to Chen Ke, out of the kind of "lord-vassal relationship, flesh-and-blood bond" in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Hua Xiongmao again felt that he was not wrong.

  Under the conflicting ideas of self, Yu Yun's words are even more unbearable. However, Hua Xiongmao also didn't know what to say. In such embarrassment and anger, Hua Xiongmao couldn't help but glance at Chen Ke Yi.

  Looking at Chen Ke's helpless expression, his slightly furrowed eyebrows seemed to be about to say something. This gave Hua Xiongmao a chance to step down, and he suppressed his anger and looked at Chen Ke. He actually felt a bit relieved inside.

  You Fen never really meant to criticize Hua Xiong Mao, nor did she know his true thoughts. So when Fang said that sentence, it was just a simple dissatisfaction with Hua Xiong Mao's behavior at the party meeting. Seeing Hua Xiong Mao's anger just now, You Fen also felt some regret. Since Hua Xiong Mao didn't speak up, she simply turned her head to look at Chen Ke.

  Chen Ke closed his eyes, just like a Taoist priest about to perform magic. This instead left everyone bewildered. Everyone stared at Chen Ke, waiting for him to continue the show.

  Political work first of all requires listening, this is not only political work, but also when dealing with people. If only one person speaks, that's absolutely not communication. So Chen Ke decided to wait until the conflict erupts before speaking. Honestly, Chen Ke absolutely did not want a conflict to erupt, but conflicts are inevitable and not accidental.

  Chen Ke closed his eyes, which was a kind of escape in a certain sense. Anyway, as long as everyone was arguing, he just needed to have ears to listen. Whether he opened or closed his eyes didn't affect his hearing. As a result, Chen Ke waited for a while, but there was no sound. He hurriedly opened his eyes and saw that everyone was staring at him with wide eyes. Hua Xiongmao looked worried, and You Yun was curious. The argument ended so strangely, which made Chen Ke feel somewhat unexpected.

  Although it's not very clear what happened, work comes first. Chen Ke naturally didn't want to escalate the conflict anymore. "Today we established the organizational principles of the People's Party, and previously we also determined the three major styles of the People's Party members. Zheng Lan, can you say those three major styles?"

  "Huh?" Huaxiong Mao felt that this question was quite unexpected. However, Chen Ke had repeatedly emphasized in the party class, forcing everyone to recite it every time. The specific content Huaxiong Mao really hadn't forgotten. "The three major styles of the People's Party members: one, theoretical closely linked with reality; two, closely linked with the people; and three, criticism and self-criticism."

  After finishing the three major styles, Hua Xiongmao has clearly understood Chen Ke's meaning of accusation. Among these three major styles, what Chen Ke wants to emphasize now is the third one "criticism and self-criticism". Although he still felt resentful in his heart, Hua Xiongmao's anger had subsided.

  "In terms of developing new party members, we have party members, theory and the masses. In this work, I hope that comrades will carry forward the three major styles of the People's Party." Chen Ke said.

  Everyone either lowered their heads in contemplation or looked on in confusion. After a while, You Yun suddenly let out a laugh, causing everyone to turn and look at him.

  "The three major styles. I'm listening and it sounds a bit like an old pedant, talking about cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world."

  "Members of the People's Party are supposed to be saints. This is absolutely right."

  "Sages? Now the whole world is all about making money and getting promoted. It's actually our People's Party that wants to act like saints, talking about benevolence, righteousness, and morality! Us, we're a genuine revolutionary party, we're supposed to be rebelling! Haha, haha, hahaha!" Yu Yunyue laughed more and more, finally bursting into loud laughter on the table. The other comrades all had bitter smiles, but Wu Xingchen couldn't help but laugh along with Yu for a few moments.

  You Feng had just ridiculed Hua Xiong Mao, and for You Feng's words, Hua Xiong Mao actually wanted to criticize a few sentences. But for some reason, he felt that You Feng was right. Criticizing You Feng's words, no matter what, couldn't be said insincerely. In this strange atmosphere, Chen Ke first smiled wryly in frustration, and suddenly, even he couldn't help but burst out laughing loudly. Since Chen Ke laughed, the other comrades naturally didn't try to hold back their laughter anymore. They all laughed loudly according to their own personalities.

  Wu Xingchen was switching between a cold laugh and a loud laugh, while You Yun and Hua Xiongmao were laughing like children. Chen Tianhua laughed with tears in his eyes, while Chen Ke and Qi Hui's deep laughter was filled with helplessness and an uncontrollable urge to laugh. He Zuodao and Qin Wuan were purely infected by the crowd's actions, and after laughing for a while, they looked at their comrades who were several years older than them with some confusion.

  Chen Ke didn't get angry, he had asked himself this question before. In the chaotic 21st century, as a communist, the first thing to establish is a firm moral compass, and it must be a genuine one. When he thoroughly understood from a rational perspective that this was necessary, Chen Ke's emotions suddenly burst forth, and he fell onto his bed in the room, laughing loudly. In the following days, no matter where he was, on the bus, riding his bike, or at work, as long as he thought of this question, Chen Ke couldn't help but laugh out loud. The curious, astonished, disgusted, and even contemptuous gazes of countless people couldn't diminish Chen Ke's laughter in the slightest.

  In 1905 and 2005, two years at the ends of a century, there is a strange kind of cyclical contrast. In 1905, old cultural traditions were on the verge of collapse under the impact of foreign industrialization, and moral principles such as benevolence, righteousness, and morality had thoroughly collapsed, with justice becoming merely a paper concept. This bears a strange resemblance to 2005. Chen Ke remembers that it was only in 2005 that he became certain about communist and socialist ideals, at a time when China's own industrialization was developing extremely rapidly, and old dogma was no longer respected. As the pinnacle of dogmatic thinking, "morality" was also subject to questioning.

  Chen Ke later had to be convinced of one thing, that materialism and communism itself is an ideological system, a moral system. Insistence on this ideological system will necessarily lead to the reconstruction of morality. In several years, someone suddenly criticized Chen Ke, "For you true leftists, you have faith."

  This sentence was like a sudden enlightenment, Chen Kecai suddenly realized his own change.

  Faith is a kind of firm belief. Chen Ke has been forced to use materialistic dialectics to look at problems, and then actively use materialistic dialectics to look at problems. He himself can't remember how long it took. However, Chen Ke still remembers the indescribable sense of absurdity that arose from his determination of moral significance back then, as well as the memory of the loud laughter that followed.

  Comrades had such a reaction, Chen Ke was not surprised at all. Chen Ke worked hard to instill in them the materialistic view of history, and these comrades indeed accepted it with an open mind, so they also felt the importance and necessity of morality just like Chen Ke did back then, and they could only burst out laughing. Chen Ke's work was still very effective.

  Chen Ke's smile faded, and his gaze also became firm unintentionally. The comrades gradually stopped laughing. Their eyes did not disperse, but were still full of vitality.

  "Do we think that we ourselves cannot be the moral standard of this era? Shouldn't we be the moral standard of this era? Or is it that benevolence, righteousness and morality are wrong from the start?" Chen Ke's voice was full of strength.

  "No, nothing's wrong. But when I think about it, thinking that I'm a person who is talked about behind my back as being useless, yet I'm also the embodiment of benevolence and morality, and even a saint...I just can't help but want to laugh." Yu Yun's face showed signs of wanting to smile. Or rather, the lower half of her face wanted to smile, but Yu Yun's eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes were red, and tears couldn't help but well up. Wiping away her tears with force, Yu Yun sat up straight with renewed energy. "Wen Qing, what do you want to do from now on? You say."

  Apart from Wu Xingchen, the other comrades also sat up straight, their eyes fixed firmly on Chen Ke, waiting for his command.

  "We represent the new moral values of China. We are also destined to establish the moral values of China for the next hundred years." Chen Ke's voice was powerful, but not arrogant. "What we need to do now is to promote our ideas among the people. Now, we are facing a Huangpu Bookstore. Later, we will also promote our ideas throughout all of China. Therefore, I want to emphasize again here that all party members must firmly implement the Three Great Styles of the People's Party: integrating theory with practice, closely linking with the masses, and criticism and self-criticism. There are still many things for everyone to learn in the future."

  Comrades have regained their composure, and everyone's attention is more focused than at the beginning. The unpleasantness of Fang Cai and Hua Xiongmao has long since flown to the ends of the earth.

  "Now let's divide up the work specifically. Let's arrange for the development of new party members to be done well. Let's start discussing," said Chen Ke.

  This meeting of the party went from 6 pm to 12 am, after comrades' analysis, discussion and adjustments, the new personnel arrangement finally reached was quite different from everyone's initial intuition.

  Qihui Shen is in charge of the production department's work. Qihui Shen is fully responsible for school construction and hospital management. After all, this line was brought by Qihui Shen. You Huan is in charge of drug production and chemistry lectures, and also undertakes the teaching arrangement work of the headquarters. Wu Xingchen is in charge of drug sales. The original customers brought by Huaxiong Mao were handed over to Hezudao. Huaxiong Mao and Qinwu An are responsible for labor on the construction site and personnel observation work. Qinwu An also undertakes accounting work. Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua fully grasp the propaganda work.

  After the work was divided, everyone immediately felt a great deal of pressure, and they all hastily came up with ideas to recruit new party members. Even Hua Xiongmao didn't want to be under Qi Huishan's leadership now, but he didn't have the energy to worry about this issue at present. Originally, it was Hua Xiongmao himself who had eagerly hoped to take on the assessment work on the construction site, and now that all the work had been handed over to him to be in charge of, he began to worry whether he could do a good job or not.

  What Yóu Yīn said was right, let Huá Xióng Mào do it like Chén Kè, calmly and unhurriedly, with order and reason, humble and cautious in directing everyone's work. He didn't think he could reach Chén Kè's level. However, this task was his own request, and suddenly refusing would be inappropriate.

  Chen Ke glanced at his watch, "It's twelve o'clock, let's adjourn the meeting. Zheng Lan, you and Zu Dao send You Ou back home."

  Hua Xiongmao was delighted, You Yunbo was also a person with considerable organizational skills, and sending him back would be a good opportunity to learn from him. Moreover, He Zuodao was a good kid who wouldn't speak ill of others behind their backs. Even if he apologized to You Yunbo in front of He Zuodao, it wouldn't be embarrassing. He Zuodao was equally thrilled, since Hua Xiongmao's clients would be handed over to him in the future, and being able to work with Hua Xiongmao also meant having the chance to learn from him.

  The three of them got up and left. Everyone else also went to rest, leaving only Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua in the meeting room.

  "Wen Qing, how should this propaganda be carried out? Shouldn't Wen Qing have a charter by now?" Chen Tianhua asked.

  "I want to write something, Xing Tai you first say your ideas. I'll write while listening, okay?"

  Chen Tianhua looked at Chen Ke preparing paper and pen, couldn't help but laugh, "Another sleepless night, huh."

  "We've been pulling all-nighters together for a long time, comrade. Let's get started."

  "Is the article long?" Chen Tianhua asked.

  "It's over an hour."

  "You write and I'll read it, then we can talk after you're done."

  "Whatever."

  Chen Ke finished speaking and began to write, not creating anything new, but rather copying Chairman Mao's famous "Oppose Bookism" outline. Chen Ke scribbled down the outline with a flourish.

  No investigation, no right to speak.

  Two, investigation is to solve problems.

  Oppose Pen-Pen-ism.

  Fourthly, leaving actual investigation is bound to produce subjective estimates of class forces and a-historical guidance in work, so its result can only be either opportunism or blind activism.

  5. Social and economic investigation is for obtaining correct class estimates, then determining the correct struggle strategy.

  Sixth, the victory of China's revolutionary struggle depends on the comrades of the People's Party understanding the situation in China.

  Seven, survey technology.

  After finishing the outline, Chen Ke handed this page to Chen Tianhua. "How does Xing Tai look?"

  Chen Tianhua looked at him for a while and said, "A cultural youth wants to conduct a social survey? What's going on here?"

  "If you know yourself and your enemy, you will win every battle. If we want to make revolution, we must first understand what China is like. We sit here eating and drinking, talking about revolution - it's easy."

  "China has now reached this point, what else is unknown?" Chen Tianhua was very puzzled.

  "Let Starry say it, what is China's current situation, you tell me, I'll listen."

  Chen Tianhua naturally talked about the things on the surface, losing power and dignity, people struggling to survive, ceding territory and paying indemnities. To sum it up, it was still that old stuff Chen Ke had heard many times before. Chen Ke wrote quickly with his brush, and when Chen Tianhua spoke passionately, Chen Ke also nodded in agreement, humming a couple of times to show his approval.

  These words are not many, and Chen Tianhua knows that Chen Ke is very clear about this. In less than ten minutes, he can't say anything more. Chen Ke raised his head and asked: "So I'll ask a question, ceding territory and paying indemnities, the people are struggling to survive. What is the specific connection between these two issues? How does ceding territory and paying indemnities lead step by step to the people's struggle to survive? Can Xing Tai explain?"

  "Huh?" Chen Tianhua was stunned. He had thought that Chen Ke was concentrating on writing and considering his emotions, which is why he let him speak. Unexpectedly, Chen Ke directly questioned his words, leaving him somewhat unadapted.

  "We spread propaganda to push the revolution, to get more people to join our organization, to join our ranks. Now, you take me as an object to be persuaded. I am a young man, I am a peasant. I want to ask, I know that ceding territory and paying indemnities is a problem, but how exactly has it made my life unbearable? How does this bad thing specifically operate, how does it make my life worse and worse? In this bad thing, who are the villains, where exactly are they bad? Xing Tai, you come tell me."

  Chen Ke finished speaking and continued writing his draft. Chen Tianhua opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something, but found he had nothing to say. He himself was truly clueless about the matter.

  After a long silence, Chen Ke put the part he had already written in front of Chen Tianhua and continued to write with his head down. Chen Tianhua hastily picked up the paper and began to read.

  Article 37