Chapter Thirty

  The atmosphere of the party was very depressing. You Yun and Qi Hui did not speak, and other comrades felt uncomfortable after learning the news. A good lecture almost caused a loss of life.

  Chen Ke was asking He Zuodao who had just rushed back from the hospital.

  "How's the hospital?"

  "Those who were scratched were all daubed with iodine and also given a small injection." He Zuodao replied.

  Chen Ke nodded slightly. This venereal disease is not something that has a vaccine, at least Chen Ke had never heard of one. 914 is an arsenic-containing drug and cannot be applied to wounds. Can only give each person a low dose injection first.

  Those who came to ask for injections were endless. The failed medicine was still there, and the rabbits were also there. Chen Ke personally gathered those who asked for injections together, and a small dose of medicine in public resulted in the death of the rabbit. Seeing this effect, those who came to look for stimulation scattered like birds and beasts. Even people who really needed injections were nervous one by one.

  "Has it been found out who instigated this?" Chen Ke continued to ask.

  "It's been asked about. Wu Da Ge has already taken people to catch that person."

  As soon as this happened, Chen Ke immediately sent someone to invite Wu Xingchen. Wu Xingchen was also straightforward and took his brothers to the hospital. Those two women would definitely reveal who instigated them in order to save their own lives. Wu Xingchen asked with a smile: "After catching the person, what does Wen Qing plan to do?"

  "Does Wu Xiong have any good advice?"

  "Such people, might as well be bundled up and thrown into the Huangpu River."

  "So what? We're just carrying this black pot?"

  "If you report this to the authorities, you'll have to pay another sum of money. In short, we can't let this kid get away with it. If you spare him today, tomorrow even more people will come."

  Wu Xingchen's words made Chen Ke understand, and Wu Xingchen didn't say a single wrong thing. This era is so cruel, if you can't severely punish your enemies, it means that the cost of being an enemy to you is too low. Then anyone will try to bully you, blackmail you for a sum of money. But Chen Ke hadn't made up his mind yet, he decided to catch the person first, then let the party meeting vote to decide the fate of this person.

  "What's up with that crazy woman?"

  "Wang said the injury is not serious."

  It's said that as long as no one dies in public, Chen can breathe a sigh of relief. For some reason, he suddenly remembered something - the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 103 years after 1905. There was a foreign idiot who unfurled a banner about Tibet and planted it somewhere, then sat down underneath it. As a result, he was spotted by young people who understood English, and immediately got beaten up. However, after being pulled out of the crowd by "Police Uncle", apart from having a swollen face, he miraculously had no internal injuries after examination. According to "Police Uncle"'s private account, "the ones doing the beating were definitely not our own people - otherwise, even if the skin wasn't broken, they would have made this little guy drink a whole pot."

  "But those who were caught and wounded blocked the door, they must give that woman some lessons." He Tzu said with difficulty.

  "It's all my fault. If I hadn't said she couldn't be saved back then, it would have been fine. If I had said she could be cured back then, none of these things would have happened." Yu Yun suddenly said.

  "We're just being realistic about chemistry," Chen Ke said, "Don't mention you, even I may not be able to say it so smoothly."

  "It's all my fault." You Yun seemed to have not heard Chen Ke's words, her small fists clenched tightly, and she muttered to herself.

  Chen Ke shook his head helplessly, "Xing Tai, is the news draft ready?"

  Chen Tianhua handed a draft to Chen Ke. Chen Ke roughly provided the basic idea. The words written by Chen Tianhua were truly sincere and elegant.

  The original intention of holding a grand lecture is to achieve the effect of the lecture. Chen Ke and others, in order to cure diseases and save people, have worked hard to develop new medicines. After preparing to make the formula public, they had the intention of benefiting the world. As a result, someone maliciously instigated a prostitute who was infected with the disease to come and cause trouble. The prostitute went crazy and attacked others, and was immediately beaten down by the people. With the good conscience of medical practitioners being like parents, Qi Hui deeply organized the masses to receive free treatment, and even saved the life of the prostitute.

  At the end of the press release, Huangpu Xueshe officially announced that this is the whole truth about the matter. If there are still people who spread rumors and slander against Huangpu Xueshe, they will definitely be reported to the authorities.

  "Good job. You've worked hard."

  Chen Ke put down his manuscript and clapped his hands, "Comrades, let's have a meeting."

  "This time, everyone did a great job. You didn't forget the organization's decision and made a public announcement at the best time. Moreover, Comrade You Yun risked being infected and persisted in his work. Here, we pay our respects to Comrade You Yun."

  Chen Ke was the first to applaud. The comrades also heard about You Yun's experience and applauded, the sincere emotions in the applause were not fake.

  "He's also very capable. At least this compassionate heart is what we should have. That car looks good to me, and we need to buy a dedicated vehicle."

  Having heard Chen Ke's words, some people couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  "The only shortcoming is that you should have brought the injured people around you to our hospital together. Just this little shortcoming. But I understand you, our medicine can't cure third-stage diseases. You often go with me to treat illnesses, and sometimes when I treat people, I also feel a bit guilty. Everyone has a heart of compassion."

  Seeing his comrades nodding in agreement, Chen Ke said: "I've finished speaking, who's next?"

  No one wants to speak out, Chen Ke's words can represent the attitude of the masses. This is a sudden event, just thinking about it at that time, many people feel uncomfortable all over. If you must say what Yu Huan and Qi Huai did wrong, it doesn't make sense.

  "He let me say a few words." He Nuodao said with some trepidation. Seeing that everyone did not refuse, He Nuodao plucked up the courage to continue, "At that time, those people used stools to hit others, it was terrifying to watch. It wasn't until then that Sister Youhuan let us go rescue those women. Sister Youhuan is a good person. Don't blame her."

  "What are you talking about? Who wants to blame You Yun?" Hua Xiongmao said, "Don't mention You Yun, even if it were me, I would be at a loss for what to do."

  "That's nonsense! Where did Yu Fen lose her composure? She just didn't want to see those few women get beaten to death." Chen Ke cursed with a smile.

  "It's true. You really have a Bodhisattva heart." Hua Xiongmao sighed.

  "Our school's open class ended up with loss of life. What is this? We are a school, not a gang. This has resulted in bloodshed and if word gets out, what will become of our reputation? You're more cunning than I thought."

  Hua Xiongmao also fell silent after hearing this.

  "If no one wants to speak up, I'd like to say something. Wu Xiong has gone to catch that person. If he's caught, how should we deal with him? Does anyone have any ideas?"

  "Let's first ask who is behind him. Let's see what his background is before we talk." Hua Xiongmao said this, which must be the rules of the Taoist sect. Chen Ke felt that it was very reasonable.

  "Wu Xiong doesn't know when he'll be back either. Let's send You Yun back first. Everyone can disperse then. After catching that person, we'll set him aside for now and talk about it tomorrow."

  You Yu didn't get up, Chen Ke knew that You Yu's knot had not been untied.

  "What is the fundamental purpose of our holding this lecture?"

  Zi Hui Shen heard Chen Ke call his name and thought for a moment before answering: "To popularize cultural knowledge."

  "No, go on."

  "In order to publicize our school and enhance the reputation of our school."

  "Indeed, you're right. Youyuan, what's your job?"

  The man remained silent. After a while, Chen Ke continued to ask: "What is your job? Answer me."

  "Give a lecture."

  "That's right. Then why are you so down in the dumps?"

  Yu Fen didn't say anything either.

  "No one has died from giving lectures. All the propaganda that needs to be done has been done. The work assigned to you by the Party, you have done well. And as for Yu Xun, that woman was simply asking for her own destruction. I can understand your sympathy. But is it pitiful for those who were scratched by that woman? As a Party member, you must take responsibility for the Party's cause. Obey the Party's command. Therefore, Comrade Yu Xun, I now require you in my capacity as chairman of this meeting to go home and rest immediately. Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, be prepared to report back here. There is new work assigned to you."

  The stern attitude drove away the tourists, and Zhou Yuanxiao also left. Qi Hui Shen, however, refused to leave, while others were staying in the workshop. Everyone felt that today's events were too absurd and began to speculate who was behind this ghostly idea.

  "What's the point of guessing blindly? Wait for Wu brother to bring people back, and everything will be clear!" Chen Ke said.

  "Wen Qing, you really have a lot of patience." Hua Xiong Mao praised.

  "It's no use rushing. Alright, Zheng Lan, you take Dao and Wu An to the hospital together. Don't let anything happen at the hospital."

  After the three of them went out, Chen Ke let the others go to sleep first. If Wu Xingchen comes back, Chen Ke will call them up.

  By midnight, Wu Xingchen and two other brothers dragged back a hemp rope.

  "It's finally caught." Wu Xingchen said as he kicked the sack with his foot.

  Qī Huì Shēn was already awake and came out upon hearing the noise. The crowd pulled the person out of the bag, and Qī Huì Shēn shone his flashlight on the person's face, carefully identifying them. Qī Huì Shēn couldn't help but furrow his brow and ask: "Wén Qīng this person..."

  "That's right, we met at the hospital last time. You even hit him."

  This guy is the translator who was severely beaten by Qi Hui last time at the hospital. At this moment, he has a terrified look on his face, and his face is distorted because of being tied up with cloth strips. If it weren't for this, Qi Hui and Chen Ke would have recognized him much earlier.

  "Will you hit him?" Chen Ke smiled and pointed to the guy on the ground. Qi Hui Shen kicked the guy's shoulder with one foot, but didn't continue hitting him afterwards.

  Everyone returned to the house, Wu Xingchen asked: "I brought you people. What are you going to do?"

  "I don't want to kill people," Chen Ke said bluntly.

  Qizhui Shen's face was full of anger, but he nodded. "I saw him being beaten like that today, and I really don't want to kill anyone."

  Wu Xingchen sat down comfortably and asked, "What are you thinking?"

  "Wu brother, this person didn't actually do anything that serious. It was the prostitute who went crazy herself. To kill someone over this is something we can't do. As I've already said today, tomorrow at the party meeting we will openly discuss this matter. Wu brother, you should attend too."

  "Do you still remember what happened a few days ago?" Wu Xingchen asked with a smile.

  "Of course, what does Wu mean?"

  "I can come and listen, but don't ask me to risk my life."

  "That's okay."

  The next day, You Yun came very early, and saw that her eyes were red all over, and it was unknown whether she had cried or not slept. Zhou Yuanxiao also arrived early.

  As soon as she heard that the person in the corner of the yard was the culprit, Yu Yun didn't say a word and went up with a broom. The guy was tied up for half the night, and with one swipe of the broom, he didn't make much noise. Yu Yun wanted to hit him again, but seeing that the guy was lying on the ground like a dead fish, she still couldn't bring herself to do it. In the end, she threw down the broom and ran back into the house.

  After waiting for a while, Hua Xiongmao, He Zudao, Qin Wuan and Wu Xingchen all arrived. Seeing that everyone was present, Chen Ke still shouted in his nonchalant tone, "Let's start the meeting."

  "Wen Qing, aren't you angry?" You Yun asked after a long time.

  In response to You Yu's questioning, Chen Ke thought it was very cute. He himself had once had the same kind of sympathy, so Chen Ke would never think that You Yu was childish. But children will eventually grow up. Chen Ke thought he had grown up a lot. "I said long ago, if this didn't happen in this era, then it's like a white rabbit jumping out of a coal heap. If we establish a new China, without prostitutes, with enough hospitals and plenty of medicine, everyone can eat their fill, where will there be so many broken things? Of course, such things will still exist, but they won't manifest in such an extreme way."

  "Revolution! Revolution! We must build a country like that!" Yu Yun roared.

  Others were very much in favor of You Yun's idea. So no one interrupted. It was Wu Xingchen who just smiled and didn't say a word.

  "So, I said yesterday, how to deal with this person. I have three suggestions. First, let's kill him. Second, let's beat him up and then release him. Third, let's send him to the authorities and clear our names. What do you all think?"

  "How did that guy think of coming to bother us?" asked Hua Xiongmao.

  Qī let out a deep sigh and told him about his conflict with the foreign translator.

  "So it is. Then let's send him off." said Hua Xiong Mao upon hearing that the matter was not serious.

  "Can't we give him another beating before sending him to the officials?" Yu Yun was still seething with anger.

  "Let's decide by vote."

  "Never mind. Waste of time." Yu Yun said disdainfully.

  "Then I have something, this busy brother, has to pay labor costs." Wu Xingchen spoke up.

  "We are only responsible for a monthly salary of ten taels of silver, with food and lodging included. As for the rest, you can give it to the other martial brothers." Chen Ke said.

  "Alright."

  After the conversation, the comrades were either listless or in a state of emotional anxiety. If it were in the past, Chen Ke would have discussed the matter in detail, but today he was unusually stern and assigned tasks in the name of "party organization". Everyone left with their tasks, feeling somewhat defeated. Chen Ke waved his hand at Qi Hui, who was allowed to stay behind. "Go to work." Qi Hui knew he couldn't argue with Chen Ke, so he simply took the bound man out with Hua Xiongmao.

  After sending the guy to the government, Chen Ke announced the news on major newspapers. Then proposed to publicly display the medicine in the hospital on August 8th. The next day, Chen Ke wrote a special issue on the pathology, cause, and transmission route of syphilis, including the molecular formula of 606, all of which were made public. Because he had to write an article, Chen Ke simply didn't go. The grand occasion of the announcement meeting was not worth telling Chen Ke about.

  When Chi Hui-shen delivered over a thousand copies of the Huangpu Review, they appeared at the hospital gate and the car couldn't even get in. Inside and outside, three layers deep, were packed with Chinese and foreigners. As soon as the Huangpu Review was distributed, it was snatched up like crazy. Many people, including foreigners, pulled Chi Hui-shen to ask him this and that, later the British Consulate specially sent a car to take Chi Hui-shen away.

  After listening to the report, Chen Ke simply said three words, "I know." and continued writing with his head down. Comrades' growth period Chen Ke has all gone through, now what is most needed is this manuscript in hand. The materialist historical view will be the basic textbook of the People's Party, in the rapid growth period of young people's thoughts, they must be led to the road of revolution through this textbook. This textbook is not omnipotent, but without it, it is absolutely impossible. For this reason, Chen Ke has assigned all tasks to his comrades. His only task now is to complete this textbook as soon as possible.

  On August 15th, Chen Ke finished reading the last word and put down the manuscript. He stood up and shook hands with Chen Tianhua warmly, "Thank you, Xing Tai."

  "The Inheritance of Chinese Culture and the Rise of Materialism" is finally compiled.

  "It's me who should thank Wenching instead. If it weren't for Wenching, I wouldn't have known that there was such a thing as productive forces in the world. Guan Zhong said, 'When the granaries are full, one knows etiquette; when clothes and food are sufficient, one knows honor and shame.' If we talk about productive forces, I really feel enlightened." Chen Tianhua said seriously.

  "A single gain is foolish." Chen Ke laughed and said.

  "Thanks a lot, Ming Xuan. If you hadn't come to help, Star and I would have been exhausted to death."

  Xie Mingxian has been helping Chen Ke, and he never speaks up. When everyone is in a meeting, he returns to the dormitory to continue searching for materials. Chen Ke feels that Xie Mingxian has always had some inexplicable hostility towards him. Recently, with fewer things on his plate, he even has time to review the manuscripts he edited, and his attitude towards Chen Ke has improved.

  After hearing Chen Ke's words and seeing Chen Ke's smiling hand stretched out, Xie Mingxian, who was not used to it, stretched out his hand, and the two shook hands. However, he heard Xie Mingxian ask: "Mr. Wenqing, you don't need me here anymore, do you?"

  "Where can I go with this bright moon?"

  "Not for now."

  "How about working here first? We've started a magazine called 'Huangpu Review', which needs many editors. If Ming Xuan doesn't mind, we can formally hire you."

  "I won't write articles." Xie Mingxian still spoke in his usual straightforward manner.

  "It doesn't matter if you can write or not. Ming Xian is exceptionally talented, and ordinary people will always complain about things. But Ming Xian has never been one to blame others or make excuses. A talent like this, I won't let go of easily." Chen Ke said with a hearty laugh.

  "How much is the salary."

  "Eight taels in one month."

  "Too little."

  "How much does Ming Xian want?"

  "20 taels."

  "I can only offer 8 taels. However, I can arrange for Ming Xian to teach at the new medical school while studying there at the same time. The salary will be separate then. Is that acceptable?"

  "Okay."

  He Xie Ming had established a new labor relationship, and Chen Ke was in high spirits. As the saying goes, "Don't worry about not having good things, just worry about not having good people." Since Chen Ke returned to this era, he has been thinking about how to cooperate with others. After some consideration, Chen Ke felt that it would be enough to demand himself according to the standard of a party member. Enduring hardships and working hard first, enjoying leisure later. Since Chen Ke demanded this of himself, naturally the comrades who gathered around him were also "willing to work hard and bear hardships, steadfast and diligent". From what can be seen now, there is nothing wrong with this.

  Nowadays, the world is not good, anyone who works hard and bears grievances will suffer losses. There is no one who does not harbor resentment in their heart. In a party organization, people can unite more easily. The party's combat effectiveness is guaranteed. A gentleman also needs an environment to maintain himself.

  "Sir, I have a matter to discuss with you." Chen Tianhua said as he finally saw Chen Ke pulling Xie Mingxian under his command.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Can hipsters go with me on a trip to Japan?"

  "I haven't been able to go recently."

  Chen Tianhua didn't have much hope before the invitation, but he still wanted to give it a try. Seeing Chen Ke's disagreement, Chen Tianhua said: "Since Wen Qing won't go, then forget it. Besides, I want to bid farewell to Wen Qing?"

  This resignation was beyond Chen's expectations. The founding conference of the Alliance Society was held in Japan, and Chen had never thought of stopping Chen Tianhua from attending.

  "How long will you be back?" Chen Ke asked.

  This stopped Chen Tianhua in his tracks, Chen Tianhua had never thought about coming back.

  "Mr. Tianhua, I hope you can stay here." Xie Mingxian unexpectedly chimed in.

  "I have some friends in Japan waiting for me, and I should have set off a few days ago. But I really couldn't give up on this masterpiece of Wen Qing's. So I persisted until today. Now that the manuscript is complete, I shouldn't delay any further." Chen Tianhua still didn't say whether he would return or not in the end.

  Chen Ke saw that he had made up his mind and immediately expressed his agreement.

  Qī jiā really is omnipotent, early in the morning he took action, by noon he had already obtained that day's evening boat ticket to Japan. Comrades also tried to persuade him to stay for a while, but Chen Tianhua was determined to leave. Everyone saw that even Chen Ke couldn't keep Chen Tianhua from leaving, so they could only bid farewell to Chen Tianhua.

  In the evening, Chen Ke and Qi Hui sent Chen Tianhua to the boat. Chen Tianhua patted his shoulder bag, which was Chen Ke's single-shoulder bag, containing the silver, pounds, and a copy of the manuscript. "Wen Qing, I also claim to have read extensively. But with this manuscript out, Wen Qing will surely become famous all over the world. When I read 'Tian Yan Lun' that year, I was shocked. But after reading Wen Qing's manuscript, I realized that there is a higher sky beyond the sky..."

  Chen Ke smiled and interrupted Chen Tianhua's words, "Xing Tai, let's not make it like Liu Bei sending Xu Shu away. You're just going to Japan for a trip. You are still the Minister of Propaganda of our People's Party. Comrades are waiting for your early return. Don't keep everyone waiting too long."

  That's about it, there's nothing more to say. The two parties shook hands and bid each other farewell.

  Chen Ke watched as the steamer sailed away and disappeared into the distance, then turned to Qi Hui and said deeply: "From today on, the revolution has boarded the express train." Ignoring Qi Hui's puzzled expression, Chen Ke turned around and left the harbor first.