Insufficient balance

  "Can it be changed after the revolution?" Zhou Yuanxiao asked in puzzlement.

  "Of course not." Chen Ke said very seriously. As soon as he spoke, You Yun glared at Chen Ke with anger, and Hua Xiongmao was almost amused.

  "Why should I go to the revolution." Zhou Yuanxiao was even more puzzled.

  "Brother Zhou, following your original approach, you'll spend this lifetime repeating regrets. When you're incapable, you regret; when you become capable, you still regret. This isn't just your problem, the world itself has problems. You can't expect a white rabbit to jump out of a pile of coal, it's impossible! Follow me and join the revolution, when you become a revolutionary, you'll become a brand new person."

  After finishing speaking, Chen Ke paused and felt that he had not said anything wrong, but rather that it was far from enough. The words spoken by Chen Ke were actually the kind of "grand theories" that he normally disliked the most. A sense of disgust from deep within his heart filled Chen Ke's inner world.

  The world is full of people seeking profit, the world is full of people pursuing gain. Human society is nothing but a pursuit of "fame and wealth". Even Chen Ke himself, who considers himself a communist fighter, is only pursuing the greatest benefit for all under heaven. This is the cruel and simple fact. When he searches his heart, Chen Ke is worried about one thing: the history he knows, the knowledge he grasps, if it falls into the hands of capable people, those people may not identify with Chen Ke's "ideals", may not identify with Chen Ke's "faith". And this ability will become a force against the "new world" that Chen Ke hopes to establish.

  Just as Chen Ke would never believe in the existence of so-called "gods", those who are capable also do not believe in Chen Ke's "faith". In the 21st century, Chen Ke has met many people who want to "preach the gospel" to him. Chen Ke is not a naturally tolerant "moralist". Chen Ke knows he can't do it, but if he could, he would unhesitatingly send all those who "believe in God" to Xinjiang to plant trees.

  The cruelest wars in the world are those that break out between "believers" and "believers". The reason why faith is cruel is because it is an emotional thing. Socialist beliefs, no matter how good or bad, still adhere to the "materialistic view of history", that is, socialist beliefs acknowledge human progress and social development. Other beliefs, without exception, want to perpetuate a certain system for "thousands of years". Christian faith, Islamic faith, feudal faith, capitalist faith... all want to perpetuate a certain system for "all eternity". Chen Ke, as a Chinese person, understands this obsession with "eternal unity" very well.

  Chen Ke knows that the materialistic view of history and political economics possess great power, which has been proven by history. Without mentioning the example of the collapse of the Soviet Union, China alone took only 60 years to become a world power that is taken seriously. The term "G2" was somewhat exaggerated in 2011, but by 2020 it will inevitably become a reality. Chen Ke comes from the 21st century, an era when China has already become a world power, and the dilemma China faces is how a powerful "new empire" can expand its sphere of influence, rather than the dilemma of being unable to defend itself that China faced in 1905.

  Chen Ke suddenly shuddered, and this thought made him clear about one thing. The goal he pursued, if from the lowest standard, was the thing in the bone marrow of Chinese people - "rejuvenating the glory of China". For the Chinese who had been leading the world for 20 centuries, what settled in the bone marrow of every Chinese person was a firm "faith" in the "Central Empire".

  "If the knowledge I spread does not achieve my ideals, but still promotes China's revolution and liberation, then is everything I've done meaningless? Or should I say, what I truly hope for is merely a China led by 'me' personally, rather than China's liberation." This thought flashed through Chen Ke's mind, and he suddenly felt a layer of cold sweat seeping out on his back.

  Am I just such a narrow-minded person?

  Chen Ke felt his face burning like hot coals, realizing his "arrogance" had truly made him feel ashamed and humiliated.

  Everyone looked at Chen Ke and suddenly fell silent, then his face turned bright red. "Wen Qing, are you sick?" You Yun asked with concern. Hua Xiong Mao and Zhou Yuan Xiao also looked at Chen Ke with worried eyes.

  "I'm fine." Chen Ke forced a smile and said. Then he continued, "Brother Zhou, you've also done business before. Now we're doing business too, our workshop is just a bit bigger than that. The business is already being extorted by someone who came to the door. If our business grows bigger, more people will come to grab a share of the profits. In this new era, those extortionists will all be sentenced to prison, some will be beheaded, others will serve hard labor. Not only won't the government extort us, but they'll also work hard to support the establishment and development of various enterprises. Brother Zhou, in the future, our printing and dyeing factory will be dozens of times bigger than it is now. A single factory will have thousands or tens of thousands of workers. With your abilities, you can become a factory director. Isn't this more glorious than just recovering the family business?"

  Everyone who heard Chen Ke's words couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. Zhou Yuanxiao's eyes sparkled with excitement, it seemed that Chen Ke's words had truly moved him. "If we have a revolution, will there really be such a future?" Zhou Yuanxiao asked.

  "The revolution is for a future like this!" Chen Ke said firmly.

  "What does that literary youth want me, Zhou Yuanxiao, to do?" Zhou Yuanxiao's tone was filled with the kind of determination that only someone who has regained hope can have.

  "Honestly work hard." Chen Ke's answer was very simple.

  Everyone was shocked beyond measure.

  "Haha!" You Yun laughed first, "Wen Qing, why are you always so funny when you talk?"

  "I'm just telling the truth."

  "May I also follow the revolution?" asked Hua Xiongmao.

  "Of course."

  "I'm going too," shouted You Yun, "I'm not afraid of hard work."

  "Welcome, Miss Yu Nu to join the revolution." Chen Ke's tone was calm as if he were inviting Yu Nu to dinner.

  Having heard this, You Yun couldn't help but laugh again. "Brother Zhou, are you going to participate?" You Yun asked after he had finished laughing.

  "If it's just about getting things done, I'll join in." Zhou Yuanxiao still had doubts, but he expressed his agreement nonetheless.

  "So we formed a revolutionary party." Chen Ke made the final summary speech.

  The next day, Qi Hui and He Zuodao arrived at the workshop very early.

  "Mr. Wen Qing, I have a favor to ask of you." Qi Hui said deeply.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I have a few friends who also want to come and work here, attend classes. Can Mr. Wenqing agree?" Qi Hui's expression was somewhat anxious.

  "Of course." Chen Ke smiled and said.

  "Then please wait for a moment, Mr. Wenqing, I'll go get them." After finishing speaking, Qi Hui quickly turned around and left in a hurry.

  As he watched Qi Hui's busy back, Chen Ke suddenly felt a sense of relief. Turning his head around, he saw that He Zuodao had already changed into a deep blue work uniform and was running to You Yun's side to take orders.

  "What an obedient bunch of kids!" Chen Ke felt even more relieved.

  Qī Huì Shēn brought five young people into the partnership, adding himself and He Zuodao, a total of seven young people joined the workshop. Chen Ke was truly in contact with the youth of this era for the first time. These young people were either Qī Huì Shēn's junior fellow students who graduated from church schools or friends he met during revolutionary propaganda who had studied at private academies. In Chen Ke's impression, they should be more eager to become teachers rather than working hard in this workshop.

  Chen Ke knew that the class he taught was indeed very special in this era, but Chen Ke also believed that unless it was a very special person, in this era, the status of pure mental laborers was still considered higher. How to arrange these young people made Chen Ke very worried. After thinking about it, he could only seek answers from past history.

  The answer was soon found, and the simplicity of the answer suddenly gave Chen Ke a strong urge to slap himself. Even in the 1940s, when the Communist Party was thriving, its membership was only around 10 million. Compared to the population of 100 million in the liberated areas, this was only one percent. This one percent of party members were extremely scarce in the liberated areas. Why did they have to be party members by their side? Could party members only come into contact with other party members?

  Having figured out the problem, Chen Ke scolded his own foolishness in his heart. On this basis, after a simple thought, Chen Ke had already determined the current approach, building a new-style enterprise based on what he had learned. If there was any spare energy, he would also build modern schools.

  With Chen Ke and others who had gathered earlier, there are now eleven people available. The manpower that Chen Ke originally needed to guard against has gained a new perspective and instantly became usable labor. These people have culture and are precious labor forces in the new enterprise and school.

  In this era, people who have read books, especially those who graduated from church schools, still find it somewhat "embarrassing" to do manual labor. In Chen Ke's recent lectures, when describing the new country that will be established after the revolution succeeds, he always emphasizes that this is a new world where "labor is most glorious". Of course, when discussing the future of workshops, Chen Ke also presented his idea of setting up a new-style company to everyone. Especially when it comes to Chen Ke's plan to establish a new-style school, he spoke very seriously about it.

  The young people were originally invited by Qihui to attend the class, and they were not all rich. This little bit of work money was better than nothing for them. However, if Chen Ke had asked them to "do labor", the young people would definitely not have agreed. But after Chen Ke drew a beautiful pie in the sky for them, plus Chen Ke's class really broadened their horizons. The young people were lovely and impulsive. All of them said they would absolutely follow Chen Ke from now on.

  Looking at the enthusiastic young people, Chen Ke couldn't help but smile bitterly. He had been like that before, for a vague and distant future, he dared to go all out, charging forward without hesitation. In the end, except for getting hurt, there was no other outcome.

  "I hope I won't let them down." Chen Ke could only use this hope to calm his inner guilt.

  On June 26th, Chen Ke finally sold all the 1200 bolts of cloth. The other young people took their due money and politely excused themselves first. At this time, a stranger came to knock on the door. Generally speaking, opening the door was the responsibility of Hua Xiongmao and Chen Ke. Today, You Yun showed an unusual behavior, as soon as someone knocked on the door, she rushed to open it. The third time she opened the door, You Yun smiled and brought in a man who looked like a servant. The man carried away You Yun's silver and left the workshop. You Yun smiled and helped Zhou Yuanxiao move his silver and bid farewell together.

  Inside the workshop, only Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao were left. Facing the pile of silver coins and ingots, Chen Ke suddenly let out a meaningless complaint to Hua Xiongmao, "It would be great if we could open a money shop."

  "Does Wen Qing want to open a money house?" Hua Xiong Mao was very surprised.

  "That was just a joke." Chen Ke merely let out a sigh. This pile of money, in Chen Ke's opinion, wasn't wealth but rather a pile of shackles. Carrying this pile of money on his back could be exhausting, and hiding it at home made him fear theft. If there were modern banks, that would be easy to handle; he could just deposit it directly into the bank. But in these times, where would you find such good fortune?

  "Let's split the money first, then head back."

  Fortunately, these were silver coins and ingots. Chen Ke and Hua Xiong Mao each carried a bundle, which was just enough. If they had been copper coins, it would have been exhausting for the men.

  As soon as he returned home, Chen Ke first took the IOU and money to find Qiu Jin, "Sister Qiu, thank you for your help. I will pay back this money."

  Qiu Jin looked at the IOU and the silver, but didn't take them. She smiled and said, "Does Wen Qing want to take back his watch so badly?"

  "Hey, no need to misunderstand. Autumn sister is overthinking. You can keep the watch for as long as you want. I have so much silver here, I don't know where to put it. Let's first return Autumn sister's money, at least that will be one less thing to worry about."

  "That won't do, I've taken your money, so you have to return the watch. I know you're a generous and open-minded person, but I also can't take advantage of you like this." Qiu Jin still insisted on not taking the money.

  Chen Ke understood the reason behind this and it wasn't that Qiu Jin intentionally wanted to take advantage of Chen Ke. Historically, Qiu Jin was about to go to Japan to participate in the establishment of the Tongmenghui. In this era, a watch like this represented more than just the watch itself, but also symbolized Qiu Jin's wealth. At the end of the 20th century, Chen Ke had seen some bosses who were penniless but still wanted to drive a Mercedes-Benz. This was all about proving one's wealth and gaining others' trust. Especially for a revolutionary like Qiu Jin, a "luxurious" watch could better reflect her "noble" background and gain others' admiration.

  To be honest, Chen Ke's aesthetic level has been declining since 1905, or rather, his own aesthetic level is getting closer and closer to this era. The watch that didn't seem like much in the 21st century now looks better and better with time. Qiu Jin was wealthy, but if she really had to spend her own money on a watch like this, she absolutely wouldn't have been able to afford it.

  Hua Xiongmao didn't care about money and material things, Zhou Yuanyao's own knot had not been untied yet. The two of them were considered unconventional. You Huan and Qi Hui deep came from unusual backgrounds, they were quite astonished by Chen Ke's watch. The young people brought by Qi Hui deep saw that Chen Ke actually used such a watch to keep time, their attitude towards Chen Ke immediately became respectful.

  In such an era, Chen Ke felt very unaccustomed, but this was also a characteristic of the times, and there was no way to change it. Since he couldn't repay Qiu Jin's money, Chen Ke had no choice but to invite everyone to have dinner together. Qiu Jin was considerate and went to a hotel outside to order food to be delivered back. After arriving in Shanghai, several people were busy all the time, and now they finally gathered together for dinner, talking about their respective affairs, and getting along quite harmoniously.

  "Wen Qing, I heard Mr. Cai speak highly of your school's charter," said Xue Xilin.

  A few days ago, Chen Ke wrote a school charter and handed it over to Cai Yuanpei. This was just a depiction of the middle school back then. The 21st-century middle school made Cai Yuanpei, who was from the early 20th century, feel very admiring, which was only natural at that time.

  "Does Brother Bohong also have the intention of building a school?" Chen Keming knew that in history, Xue Xilun had built several schools in Anhui as a base for gathering Tongmenghui comrades. He asked again, pretending to be ignorant.

  "Building a school requires money, I'm not poor myself, but it's far from enough to build a school," said Xú Xīlín with a big smile.

  Chen Ke knew that Xue Xilun was interested in the money he had, and Chen Ke had originally promised to fund Xue Xilun's school. "Brother Borong, if you want to start a school, let's do it this way. I'll give you 300 taels of silver first. You can go back and look for a location, discuss the rent. I also want to do some business, but I don't have any money on hand right now. Once you've confirmed the location, I'll continue to invest, how's that?"

  Xu Xilin also said bluntly: "This is very good."

  Chen Ke immediately went back to the house, took out that pile of silver, and gave Xu Xilin three hundred taels. The remaining five hundred taels didn't seem like a lot anymore. Chen Ke thought helplessly, every day carrying this money was just exercise for his body. What a great opportunity! Better than a sandbag!

  Xu Xilin has not returned to Shaoxing yet, actually he is waiting for Chen Ke's money. Although he still doesn't quite believe in Chen Ke, Xu Xilin temporarily has no other way to raise funds. Moreover, Qiu Jin firmly believes that Chen Ke will not cheat Xu Xilin. So Xu Xilin holds on to some hope and waits. As expected, Chen Ke gave himself a share. This made Xu Xilin breathe a sigh of relief, and he felt that helping Chen Ke come to Shanghai was the right thing to do after all. He had indeed not misjudged the person.

  While drinking, they talked. Since Chen Ke was so supportive of the revolution, Xu Xilin gradually brought up the topic of establishing a military school with Tao Chengzhang, which would later become the Datong Academy. The Guangfu Society had been preparing for a long time and had entered the period of recruiting personnel to launch an uprising. Tao Chengzhang had already rushed to Hangzhou to apply for a legitimate location to establish a school. However, Chen Ke's appearance sparked Cai Yuanpei's interest in establishing a school in Shanghai. Cai Yuanpei was renowned in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and after arriving in Shanghai, the local authorities were eager for him to establish a school. At that time, there was a strong call to abolish the imperial examination system, but after its abolition, how to replace it with a new education system was a problem. Students from new-style schools could not become officials immediately after graduation like before. Therefore, the new education system was in chaos domestically.

  Chen Ke's charter was favored by Cai Yuanpei precisely because Chen Ke combined education with social production. In this regard, Chen Ke deliberately wrote unclearly, which happened to cater to Cai Yuanpei's taste. Because in official circles, you can't write too clearly. That's why Cai Yuanpei didn't make major revisions to the charter.

  There are currently two views within the Guangfu Society, one is to set up a school in Shanghai first, and the other is to set up schools in both Shanghai and Hangzhou simultaneously. In terms of funding, if they can get support from the government in Shanghai, with the wealth of the Shanghai Customs, there will be more than enough money for the school. The Guangfu Society not only can set up a school but also can get financial support. However, there are many people within the Guangfu Society who are eager to take action as soon as possible. If they set up schools in both Hangzhou and Shanghai at the same time, they can start taking action earlier.

  Regarding these, Guangfu argued endlessly. Chen Ke's school regulations were evaluated by others as "having a suspicion of being loyal to the Qing government".

  After listening to Xú Xī Lǐn's introduction, Chén Kè finally understood his position in this matter.

  When the Guangfu Hui would take action was not a problem for Chen Ke. Chen Ke's temperament was originally anxious, he always had a feeling that as long as China could seize the opportunity during World War I, it would be fine. Therefore, Chen Ke hoped to make preparations before that. Moreover, what Chen Ke hoped for even more was to quickly earn money and go to Anhui. The rural areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang were barely able to maintain themselves at present, but according to historical records, the peasant resistance movement in Anhui from 1906 to 1910 was indeed a stormy period. If they could not seize this opportunity to establish a new regime, they would miss the best chance. Chen Ke knew that Xu Xilin had first established a school in Shaoxing and then went to Anhui. This was also why Chen Ke looked for Xu Xilin first.

  Chen Ke was deep in thought when Xue Xilie suddenly asked, "Is Wen Qing troubled by something?"

  "Yes, I feel that the preparations before the revolution are complicated and overwhelming. I was just distracted for a moment." Chen Ke replied.

  Xu Xilin was somewhat perplexed by this response. Chen Ke's business was doing well now, and according to Xu Xilin's thinking, Chen Ke would strive to make more money. Unexpectedly, Chen Ke was actually thinking about revolution.

  Hua Xiongmao didn't say much, he ate and drank slowly like nothing was wrong. Qiu Zhi was a bit surprised, "Xiongmao, being with Wen Qing for so long has even changed your temperament? You used to be hot-headed, now you can even sit still." Qiu Zhi said with a smile.

  "Aunt, my nature hasn't changed. I've just decided to join the revolution and be with Wen Qing. I think revolution isn't a bad thing either. If Wen Qing is willing to lead, I'll definitely go through life and death with him." Hua Xiong Mao's tone was calm. Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin listened to these words, their faces didn't change much, but in their hearts, they weren't too pleased.

  As the saying goes, "blood is thicker than water." Huayong Mao was their relative after all. They had discussed revolution with him before, but he thought it wasn't a good choice either. Unexpectedly, after knowing Chen Ke for only a month, Huayong Mao and Chen Ke were doing business together, and they even turned the business into a revolutionary party. What on earth was Chen Ke up to?

  Chen Ke also didn't dare to speak at this time, and had no choice but to pretend he hadn't heard. After drinking for a while longer, the banquet dispersed.

  In the evening, Hua Xiongmao and Chen Ke went for a walk outside together. There were not many people on the street, and Hua Xiongmao suddenly thought of something. He asked: "Wen Qing, do you think Qi Hui won't go to the workshop tonight?"

  Chen Ke thought for a moment, "I've already told him, no need to go today."

  "But maybe not. Let's go and see." Huaxiong Mao said with a smile.

  Chen Ke didn't refuse and asked Hua Xiongmao as they walked, "Why did you think of Qi Hui going to the workshop late at night?"

  Hua Xiongmao laughed and said, "These days I've been listening to Wen Qing's lectures all the time. After drinking wine, I feel like listening to Wen Qing's lectures again. I'm already like this, let alone Qi Hui who is even more deeply influenced. The things Wen Qing talks about, that Capital Theory, the more I think about it, the more reasonable it seems. It's just that now I'm still shallow in my studies and can't express much. But as soon as I listen to Wen Qing's lectures, I feel like I see a whole new world. It's really addictive."

  Chen Ke listened and asked tentatively: "Zheng Lan, you really want to join the revolution?"

  After hearing Chen Ke's words, Hua Xiongmao turned his head to look at Chen Ke. In the darkness of night, he couldn't see Chen Ke's expression, so he replied: "I've said it before, if the intellectuals lead the revolution, I'll naturally join in. If someone else leads the revolution, my life is still worth something, and I won't give it up for them."

  Here is the translation:

  "Speaking of which, Hua Xiongmao suddenly asked in return: "Wen Qing, how about this? I want to ask you something. You tell me, why should I follow you to make revolution? If what you say is right, then I, Hua Xiongmao, will follow you and do it. But if what you say isn't right, then we'll just continue as before, doing business together and making money. That way, you won't always think that I'm talking big."

  "Haha. Zheng Lan, are you asking me to revolt or for you to revolt? This question is quite sharp." Chen Ke laughed and said. After laughing, Chen Ke thought for a moment, "My revolution, speaking of it, is both trendy and not trendy. Pursuing the great unity of the world, our ancestors have been talking about it for thousands of years. Since everyone thinks this principle is correct, then this revolution must be carried out."

  Although it was in the dark, Chen Ke still vaguely saw Hua Xiongmao nodding.

  "If we say new trend, then China needs to be industrialized. China is now an agricultural country, just like a person originally had two hands." Chen Ke felt that his analogy was wrong and changed his words, "Just like China originally only had one arm, now it has become two arms. Everything naturally wants to start all over again. Two arms and one arm are completely different things. The new system established by the revolution must conform to the industrialized system. This is the new system."

  Hua Xiongmao still nodded, but didn't speak.

  Chen Ke knew that he had not yet reached the heart of Hua Xiongmao, so after a moment's thought, Chen Ke made up his mind and continued: "And this revolutionary comrade is not asking you to be a lord. It's not about being high above, but about leading the people to live a good life. A man should do great things, do good deeds, and be a good person."

  Hua Xiongmao burst out laughing upon hearing this, and while still chuckling, he patted Chen Ke's shoulder with force, "Literary youth, you're absolutely right. That's exactly what I like about you."

  Chen Ke blocked Hua Xiongmao's arm, and as someone who had practiced martial arts, Hua Xiongmao's strength was considerable, causing a stinging sensation on his shoulder. Hua Xiongmao stopped laughing and said confidently: "If those Confucian scholars said this, I wouldn't believe it. But when you, Wen Qing, say these words, I think they're reliable. It's not just because of what you said, but also because you've always been willing to work hard without complaint. Your words are reasonable and don't deceive people. When I listen to you, I can understand, and understanding leads to solving many problems. Wen Qing, if others had your insight, they would have long gone to swindle and cheat. But you're not that kind of person. In my years of adventuring outside, I've met many people who are righteous on the surface but unscrupulous behind closed doors. Being with you is a joy."

  "This world is no good, those people can't do anything about it." Chen Ke replied.

  Hua Xiongmao said excitedly, "That's right, this world has indeed become so bad that it can't be saved. If there is no revolution, the world will eventually die completely. I also think that a revolution is necessary. But who to follow in the revolution, that's my question. Let me go and make a revolution by myself, that won't do. Before meeting you, Wen Qing, I had heard enough of those revolutionary parties' nonsense. It's really like a snail shell being used as a temple, the world described by Wen Qing is the real world. What to do, why it should be done this way, after listening, I feel that it can be done. If not with you, who will I follow?"

  "Being a party member isn't that easy. If it's a revolution, then your head will be chopped off and hung from your belt. And once you become a party member, you'll have to devote yourself to the party and serve the people for the rest of your life." Chen Ke hurriedly poured cold water on Hua Xiongmao to calm him down.

  It turned out that Hua Xiongmao couldn't help but laugh, "I just like the spirit of Wen Qing being honest. The revolutionaries talk about revolution as if one revolution would immediately bring peace and prosperity to the world. Deceiving others might be okay, but deceiving me is not. Wen Qing doesn't deceive people."

  After hearing Hua Xiongmao's words, Chen Ke also laughed and said, "I'm a person who can't tolerate nonsense. I want to tell the truth but can't say it out loud, and when I try to talk nonsense, I just can't do it."

  Two people were talking, and suddenly a person rushed out of the shadows on the side of the road and ran towards them. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Qi Hui Shen. Qi Hui Shen smiled and said: "Wen Qing said he was going out tonight, but I always felt like talking to Wen Qing, so I came over to take a look. There's no one at the workshop, but I met Wen Qing halfway here. This is really a case of 'heart-to-heart'." As they spoke, three more people followed behind, and Chen Ke saw that they were young people who had always come with Qi Hui Shen to attend classes. Everyone gathered together and went to the workshop in a lively and noisy manner.

  Everyone sat down in the workshop, and Chen Ke suddenly asked Qi Hui Shen, "Why didn't He Zu Dao come?"

  These past few days, He Zudao suddenly disappeared. Chen Ke didn't ask much and wasn't willing to come if he didn't want to. Today's mood isn't bad, casually asked a sentence like this.

  Qī Huìshēn's face immediately turned awkward, he looked around and said in a low voice: "He doesn't know how to talk about it, alas, this guy has contracted a venereal disease." Upon saying this, Qī Huìshēn let out another sigh.

  Syphilis is a contagious disease, and it's not necessarily caused by relationships between men and women. In Chen Ke's impression, He Zuodao was a thin and weak person who didn't look like a lecher.

  "It's unfair. He Fudao lives with his brother, and his brother indulges in drinking and womanizing. Yet it's He Fudao who gets infected with syphilis. Alas..." Qi Hui Shen sighed again.

  "This must be an infectious disease. Chen Ke asked everyone to sit down and drew a spiral shape on the blackboard. Then he asked, 'Do you know what kind of bacteria looks like this?'"

  Chen Ke mentioned some basic biology, at least everyone has heard of the problem of bacterial pathogenicity. Everyone looked at each other in dismay, and Hua Xiongmao suddenly asked: "It can't be syphilis, can it?"

  Several people laughed after hearing it, then thought it was not quite appropriate and sat up straight with a serious expression.

  Chen Ke nodded, "That's right, it's a spiral body."

  Qī Huì's face lit up with joy, "Is there a cure for being cultured? Is there a good medicine?"

  "What I want to say is the preparation method of this medicine." Chen Ke finished speaking, and wrote a string of equations on the blackboard, along with their Chinese names. "Arsenic vanadium mine, if it's a plum... This first stage, second stage, can still be treated. If it's the third stage, then this medicine is useless. Of course, everyone sees this arsenic." Chen Ke said to this point, and thought of the people below who had not yet studied the periodic table. He said in a way that everyone could understand: "Arsenic, is the main component of arsenolite."

  "Using poison to counteract poison? I've heard that some people use mercury." The speaker was Du Zhenghui. He came from a family of doctors, but he had no interest in medicine and instead had a passion for building houses.

  "You see, He Fu's body was treated with mercury, I don't dare guarantee whether the bacteria died first or he did," Chen Ke said to Du Zhenghui.