Insufficient balance

  Wu Xingchen was tall and strong, his 195cm height making him look powerful and intimidating. Normally, his facial expression also had a somewhat dull and sluggish look that came with being tall. On his face was a sneer, but no fear.

  Chen Ke was absolutely not gloating because he had seen through Wu Xingchen's true nature, and at this moment, Chen Ke had no intention of blackmailing anyone. The party's history has always believed that blackmail cannot play any role. For the party, any member who has not been tested is untrustworthy. Not to mention expanding the party's power through coercion and temptation. This is not propaganda, but fact. Because that great political party recognized human nature and understood human psychology, it chose the most open and honest approach. Internally, those who did not sincerely join the party were not accepted. Externally, it did not engage in assassination or coercion.

  What benefits does Chen Ke have in threatening Wu Xingchen? Apart from forcing Wu Xingchen to get rid of him at all costs, there is no other possibility.

  The two men didn't speak for half a day. Chen Ke poured a cup of tea for Wu Xingchen and also for himself. Then Chen Ke took a sip first, before saying: "Brother Wu, what I want to say is that I am a revolutionary party member. Brother Wu, you also know how brutal the Qing government is towards the revolutionaries. It's not that I don't trust you, brother Wu, but rather I'm afraid of being targeted by the Qing myself."

  Wu Xingchen was not moved by Chen Ke's words, he looked at Chen Ke with a vigilant gaze and asked in an unyielding tone, "Exposing my secrets, what do you mean, Wen Qing?"

  Chen Ke understood Wu Xingchen's meaning, and in fact he was also regretting his impulsiveness at the time. "I know Brother Wu won't forgive me. Moreover, from my perspective, what Brother Wu is most worried about now is that I will use him as a gun and deceive him into sacrificing himself for me. This idea, all revolutionaries have this kind of moral character. I understand."

  After hearing this, Wu Xingchen's hostility dissipated slightly. "That literary youth shouldn't have pointed out my humble origins." Wu Xingchen continued to say.

  "Wu Xiong, since I've been reckless, I want to say two things. Firstly, I absolutely don't want you to sacrifice yourself for me. However, since we're cooperating, you'll definitely find out that I'm a revolutionary party member later on. I want to ask you, will you betray me? The reason I want to confirm whether you're a Boxer or not is that, at most, we won't cooperate with each other. But if you are a Boxer, you absolutely won't sell me out to the Qing government or to foreigners."

  Wu Xingchen did not answer directly, it can be seen that Chen Ke's words still made Wu Xingchen wary.

  "Secondly, I truly want to cooperate with Brother Wu. Is Brother Wu willing to continue cooperating with our revolutionary party? Let me be clear: at present, I definitely won't ask Brother Wu to join me in overthrowing the imperial court, nor will I do so in the future. Our revolutionary party only recruits voluntary members. Of course, we need to cooperate with many people. Brother Wu, I'm telling you this now just as a heads up; before we take action, we'll notify Brother Wu and won't let him bear the blame unjustly."

  Wu Xingchen still didn't say anything, just waiting for Chen Ke to continue speaking.

  "That's all." Chen Ke had already made it clear, and he could only accept the result. In fact, he was now somewhat regretful that a good opportunity for cooperation might be ruined by his own words.

  "Wen Qing is a revolutionary party, right?" Wu Xingchen finally spoke up.

  "Right."

  "So what does the literary youth want me to do?"

  "What we said before, is it still what it is now?"

  "Selling medicine? Escort?" Wu Xingchen looked at Chen Ke coldly and asked.

  "It's right, I should give Wu brother a share, but I won't be short of a single coin."

  "Is something going on with the literary youth in Shanghai?" Wu Xingchen asked, tilting his head slightly.

  "I would never start a riot in Shanghai. With the foreigners and government authorities having such great power here, starting a riot would be looking for death, wouldn't it? I still value my own life."

  "That literary youth shouldn't have inquired about my background." Wu Xingchen continued to say.

  "Yes, brother I was reckless today. I shouldn't have done this."

  Wu Xingchen stared at Chen Ke for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing. It was unclear whether he was happy or unhappy, but he seemed to have relaxed a bit. "Wen Qing, I've always thought you were no ordinary person. From your actions, I've always felt that you had big plans, but I never expected you to be a revolutionary party member. Ah, actually, I should have guessed it earlier." Saying this, Wu Xingchen looked Chen Ke up and down again, as if trying to re-understand him. "Which revolutionary party are you from, Wen Qing?"

  "I myself formed a party, those other revolutionary parties that are not up to par, I just can't see them in the same light."

  "Oh? Isn't Wen Qing not Mr. Kang's disciple?" Wu Xingchen asked tirelessly.

  Chen Ke thought for a moment before responding, "Mr. Kang? Kang Youwei?"

  Wu Xingchen nodded slightly, his expression implying "you'd better confess honestly".

  "Kang Youwei is nothing, he can't even assist the Emperor, letting Guangxu be imprisoned in Yingtai. He can't save his friends either, the Six Gentlemen were killed, and Kang Youwei himself escaped with his life, what face does he have to meet his friends underground? Moreover, in the end, he still instigated Dadao Wangwu to carry out assassinations, if you have the ability, just raise a flag to clear the imperial court, what kind of hero is this? That's also thanks to Wang Wu's exceptional abilities, otherwise, he would have lost his own life. This is also unforgivable to friends."

  After hearing these blunt words, Wu Xingchen just laughed "haha" and didn't say much.

  "Brother Wu, the Qing government has a warrant out for you, but it's just a temporary thing. After these few years have passed, it won't be considered anything anymore. However, the Qing government has never shown any mercy to revolutionaries. It's also because I'm timid and afraid of death that I've said a few more unnecessary words. Brother Wu is magnanimous, please forgive my difficulties."

  "I know." Wu Xingchen smiled, "But a cultured person wouldn't do something that betrays their friends, right?"

  "Absolutely not, Brother Wu is so clever, what benefits would I gain from cheating you?"

  "That's also true." Wu Xingchen said with a smile.

  "Well, I'll say one last thing. Wu Xiong, I won't let you die in vain, but you have to join my revolutionary party." Chen Ke said with a smile.

  "What?" Wu Xingchen stared at Chen Ke in shock. This request from Chen Ke was something he hadn't expected. "This is completely different from what Wen Qing just said."

  "The revolutionary party is also divided into party members and external organizations. The party members are the ones who make revolution, while the external organizations are the ones that make money to support the revolution. This is an internal and external separation. But for someone like Wu Xiong, we don't have a way to describe him, I don't believe it's possible to truly cooperate with Wu Xiong. This kind of superficial harmony but underlying discord is not beneficial to anyone. Either Wu Xiong should just break off relations with me completely, or he should cooperate with us. This hiding and concealing will eventually lead to trouble."

  Wu Xingchen looked at him with a tilted head, and Chen Ke smiled and said, "I still say what I said before. I won't let Brother Wu go to his death. Brother Wu will still do what we originally agreed upon. However, Brother Wu, so many Boxer brothers were killed by the Qing government. What's wrong with you adding some trouble for the Qing?"

  Wu Xingchen remained silent, listening to Chen Ke's provocation. Wu Xingchen was not without ideas. Originally, he was the master of the Hebei Hall of the Tiandihui, and had participated in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. However, Wu Xingchen had a deep-seated distrust of the Qing government. Therefore, he was always on guard, and upon learning that the Qing government was going to crack down on the Boxers, Wu Xingchen immediately fled with his brothers. This was how they managed to escape with their lives. So it wasn't Chen Ke's invitation that Wu Xingchen couldn't accept, but rather the way Chen Ke had extended the invitation.

  "Wu brother, since it's clear now, let's be straightforward. Either we work together or go our separate ways." Chen Ke said. Originally, Chen Ke didn't plan to mention joining forces again, but thinking about it, since everything was already exposed, not discussing cooperation would be too ridiculous. So he simply spoke his mind and put an end to it once and for all.

  Looking at Wu Xingchen not speaking, Chen Ke originally thought that this matter would be over like this. Unexpectedly, Wu Xingchen said: "Since Wen Qing is willing to tell the truth, I happen to have some things to ask for Wen Qing's help."

  "Brother Wu, just say it directly."

  "Wen Qing said before, this Shanghai business, no matter how many people are in charge, I have a share, right?"

  "That's right."

  "So, Wen Qing, give me two thousand taels of silver first, I have something to take care of."

  Upon hearing this number, Chen Ke couldn't help but look up at Wu Xingchen. He saw that Wu Xingchen had an air of calmness about him. Chen Ke thought for a moment and nodded, saying: "No problem."

  "These few brothers will follow Wen Qing for now and listen to his arrangements. I'll take the money, and come back in a few days," Wu Xingchen said.

  Let Qi Hui Shen, who acted as the cashier, give Wu Xingchen two thousand taels of silver and send him away. Chen Ke sighed regretfully, "I did something wrong." He muttered to himself.

  There are many times when it's best to just keep quiet. Clearly and explicitly stating one's position, without a common enemy, only serves to intensify conflicts. This is the outcome of being too clever for one's own good. But since mistakes have been made, they must be acknowledged. Chen Ke may be a time-traveler, but he's not someone who can turn back time at will. Besides accepting his fate, Chen Ke has no other choice.

  At the party meeting that night, Chen Ketong reported on this matter and also made self-criticism. Comrades didn't take it very seriously. What the People's Party is doing now is still absolutely "following the people". Even if Wu Xingchen goes to inform, Man Qing will just laugh it off.

  "I posted revolutionary posters and was caught many times. It was always the patrol house that caught me." Qi Hui said with a deep sense of indifference.

  "This year, those who returned from studying abroad, some didn't shout 'revolution', some didn't shout 'overthrow'. If even this is caught, the Qing government will probably have to arrest a large number of its own officials." You Yun was also completely unbothered.

  Chen Tianhua had experience of being wanted, but even so, he could still easily enter and exit China and Japan, with the Qing government's execution power, this is simply nothing.

  "I'm saying that I was wrong about this matter, it's not that I'm afraid of Man Qing. I'm worried that doing so will affect my cooperation with Wu Xingchen," said Chen Ke.

  "Come on, Wen Qing, you know about Da Dao Wang Wu's situation. In these times, the brothers of the Tao and the revolutionaries are all cooperating with each other. Wu Xiong is from the Yihequan, if he doesn't cooperate with the revolutionaries, would it be possible for him to cooperate with the Manchu Qing instead? You're being overly cautious." Hua Xiong Mao was also comforting Chen Ke.

  Comrades advised him like this, and Chen Ke also had nothing more to say.

  Just as they were talking, the gate was knocked loudly. The person outside knocked on the door with force while shouting loudly: "You Yun, open the door."

  Yu Feng's face changed upon hearing this voice. "It's my brother."

  "Oh? Then let's welcome them in." Chen Ke said.

  "Drive them away." Yu Yun immediately rejected Chen Ke's statement and instead made such a request.

  "What's wrong?" Everyone looked at You Yun in surprise.

  "Listen to me, I'm right." You Yun said fiercely. She had never used such a tone before, and it startled everyone.

  Chen Ke nodded, "Let's do it as You Yun said. Everyone get ready. But after the door opens later, act according to the situation." Chen Ke said.

  Everyone responded with a sound, and then began to prepare. Chen Ke walked into the yard, shouting loudly, "Wait a minute." Just as he was about to open the door, he thought of something else. He went back inside to fetch a flashlight. Testing it out, the flashlight worked fine, and the battery was still quite full. Chen Ke handed one flashlight to Hua Xiongmao, and then the two walked to the gate and opened it.

  Several people rushed in as soon as the door opened. Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao retreated at the same time, giving way to the momentum of these few people. Then two dazzling flashlight beams shone fiercely on the faces of these few people. The eyes of those people suddenly contacted the strong light, subconsciously closing their eyes or raising their hands to block the light.

  Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao saw clearly that the four people who rushed in had two men holding wooden sticks. The two men didn't say a word, Hua Xiongmao's sturdy arm wrapped around one guy's neck, and with just one exertion of force, that guy was already knocked unconscious. Chen Ke chopped his palm onto another guy's carotid artery, and that fellow was struck by this sudden blow, his eyes rolled back, and he fell to the ground limply.

  Hua Xiong Mao let out a loud whistle, and the two good men rushed out shoulder to shoulder. Outside, there was a flurry of punching and kicking sounds, mixed with several cries of pain. Soon, the two good men dragged two people in. The two had bruises on their faces, apparently having suffered greatly when they resisted earlier. After all, they were You Yun's brothers, so everyone didn't want to be too excessive. They let them into the house and even gave them stools to sit on. When the two saw the various glass instruments inside the laboratory, their eyes lit up. You Yun found the highest stool in the laboratory to sit on. The height of this stool was comparable to that of a high-legged chair in a bar, and You Yun looked down at his two brothers from above, asking: "What brings you here?"

  Chen Ke looked at the two of them, who were probably around thirty years old. They resembled each other in appearance and had a somewhat delicate look.

  Seeing his sister's arrogant appearance, the two of them suddenly became angry. One of them shouted: "Is this how you let someone beat up your brother?"

  Chen Ke immediately interrupted him, "Do you know what kind of place this is?"

  That man was the one who had his neck twisted by Chen Ke. He turned his head to look at Chen Ke, and saw that Chen Ke's face didn't have a ferocious or evil expression, but rather seemed to be smiling ambiguously, with an air of superiority and an aura that brooked no resistance. Looking around at the gloomy faces of the people nearby, he was immediately intimidated into retreating.

  Chen Ke continued: "Since you are the elder brother of You Yun, you must know what this place is for. You just rushed in like this, how do we know you're not here to rob us?"

  "This is our fault." The person beside him spoke up, "We've disturbed all of you, I apologize first."

  It was also You Yu's older brother, and this contrast made everyone quite surprised. Everyone's eyes fell on him at the same time.

  That person glanced around the room before continuing, "Fourth sister, since you don't believe your family members, and this is something that should be said among our own people, I'll say it in front of everyone. You think now that you're making money, your family will start controlling you. When you went to study in Germany, spending so much money, what did your family say?"

  You Yu heard this and immediately retorted, "I said it, I don't want a dowry." Her voice was still stiff, but had begun to show some signs of nervousness.

  "You said you didn't want a dowry, so Dad and Mom won't prepare one for you?" Youshuang's brother continued, "After you came back, you started a dyeing and mending factory with Zhou Yuanxiao, then wanted to start a chemical plant, and also made a fuss about doing business with Wang Bin. How much money did our family lose? You're not unaware of this, are you?"

  Yu Yun's face turned bright red upon hearing this, but she didn't retort.

  "You took the money and rushed home, proudly putting it on the table. That's right, you did earn a lot of money, more than you spent by several hundred taels. But still, shouldn't you thank your parents first?" At this point, You Yun's brother stopped talking and looked at him with an accusing gaze.

  She covered her face with her sleeve and still didn't say a word.

  "We've trained you for two sentences, but we're very happy. You went abroad to study and learned a skill. People have good luck and bad luck. Now that you're having good luck, we naturally hope you can continue making money. So everyone wants to help arrange things for you. Fourth sister, you're so old and still running around outside, showing off everywhere. Do you think Mom and Dad aren't worried about you? The people you associate with are okay, but... Mom and Dad love you and trust you, that's why they don't say anything. But I've had enough of this brother of mine! How many people have said unpleasant things about you in front of Mom and Dad, and they just didn't tell you. You're always running around outside, but I've heard plenty at home." By now, Yu Sou's brother was getting angry.

  "Fourth sister, you should think for our family." The person beside her chimed in.

  "Second brother, shut up for me. As the eldest brother, I'm not afraid of losing face, so don't follow me and lose face together." Yu Yun's brother, who had been speaking earlier, scolded.

  It turned out that this man was the big brother, and he really had the demeanor of a big brother. Chen Ke thought to himself. Just as he was thinking, the big brother who was surrounded by people looked over at Chen Ke, "Is this Mr. Chen Ke?"

  Chen Ke was taken aback and thought, "How did I get mentioned?" But with basic courtesy, Chen Ke replied, "I am Chen Ke."

  The big brother of the Yu family smiled slightly, "Mr. Chen, I must say, I let my fourth sister make medicine and earn money, which is indeed very unfair to you. However, as her older brother, I think I should prioritize being fair to my sister first. Moreover, before seeing this laboratory, I actually had doubts that the prescription was created by my sister, and you just took advantage of it. My sister is a foolish child, whoever says something, she easily gets deceived. After seeing this laboratory, I am convinced that my sister couldn't have come up with this."

  Chen Ke smiled and said, "Yu Yun also made a lot of effort. Our experiments were all night long, and it's not easy for a girl to stick with it."

  "Mr. Chen, I know you and Qi Si'e are collaborating, he introduced you to open a medical school. This medicine thing is making a big noise in Shanghai now. What idea did Qi Si'e come up with for Mr. Chen?"

  "Didn't Zhibo have contact with the You family?" Chen Ke asked back.

  The big brother of You Yun smiled and said, "Of course, we have been in contact. Does Brother Chen know what he is talking about?"

  "Mr. You is convenient to tell me?" Chen Ke pretended to be surprised.

  "Qī Sī'ěr said that if it were his sister who took out the prescription and cooperated with him, their two families would split the profit in half." Yóu Chōu's older brother said.

  "I didn't hear about this matter." Chen Kesai said frankly.

  The big brother of You Yun looked at Chen Ke and saw no reaction, then continued: "Mr. Chen, didn't Qi Si'e tell you that I'm going to do something unfavorable to you?"

  "I haven't heard of it." Chen Ke said with the same expression as before.

  "Big Brother Yu carefully considered Chen Ke for a moment before continuing, 'Mr. Chen, the Qi family's prosperity in Shanghai is all thanks to him being ruthless towards others. If he had been honest and kind, there wouldn't be a Qi family today. Yu Xuan is my sister, no matter what you say about making money, I still don't want my sister to get into trouble. Therefore, Mr. Chen, I think it's best if my sister doesn't come here again in the future.'"

  After hearing this, Chen Ke felt a burst of clarity in his heart. This must be what the You family wanted to say all along.

  "Our lab really needs Yu Fen, she can't leave. Yu Fen is also an adult and doing her own business, I think it's reasonable." Chen Ke directly retorted, "If Mr. Yu thinks this place is not safe," Chen Ke pointed to Qi Hui Shen, "The young master of the Qi family works in our lab. If this place is not safe, I think Old Man Qi will definitely not ignore it."

  The big brother of You Yun looked at Qi Hui Shen in surprise, "Is this the young master of the Qi family?"

  "Money back if not satisfied." Chen Ke smiled and said.

  It's actually unnecessary to continue at this point. Chen Ke had the four people who were tied up in the courtyard for half a day untied, and then sent everyone out of the door.