Insufficient balance

  One of the Communist Party's summaries, "As long as there is a problem with the party organization, the development of the party will definitely be hindered." Chen Ke felt that it was indeed a high-level worry. He had spent a lot of effort and seized every opportunity to gather some momentum. Qi Hui and Hua Xiongmao became core members, and Zhou Yuanxiao, although his stance was unclear, would not betray the current party organization. As for Yu Yun's attitude, Chen Ke was very uncertain.

  You Fen is not a girl with a very deep city, although she is not happy to show her colors, but when she encounters things that she cares about, she can always see something on her face. After coming back from home, You Fen's situation was not quite right.

  Chen Ke and Qi Hui Shen went to He Zu Dao's house in the morning. The He brothers were still all swollen, which made Chen Ke feel a lot more at ease. Both of them recovered quite quickly, and after one night, even the festering boils had scabbed over. He Zu Dao was still feeling very ashamed and didn't dare speak to Chen Ke much. He Zu Dao's older brother really was a rascal, his face full of boils, he asked Chen Ke for some special medicine. Qi Hui Shen had warned Chen Ke about these things on the way, so they just ignored them, picked up their medical box and turned around to leave.

  When Chen Ke returned to the workshop, he was surprised to find that with Zhou Yuanxiao's help, You Yun had begun the comprehensive purification process of the medicine. The purification process was a very tedious task, and without complete equipment, it required two people to operate very carefully together. Zhou Yuanxiao understood chemistry, so assisting You Yun wasn't a problem. But these two were doing this in such an open and flagrant manner, with You Yun holding a stack of papers, using the large plastic clip extorted from Chen Ke to clamp them onto a thin wooden board. The top was filled with data. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like they were frantically stealing experimental parameters before parting ways.

  When doing her job, You Fen was more diligent than usual. When encountering work that shouldn't be hers, she would now rush to do it. Seeing You Fen's abnormal behavior, including Chen Ke and other colleagues, they silently took over the tasks that belonged to them from You Fen's hands, but didn't say much. Although You Fen felt embarrassed, she also didn't make any explanations or excuses. In less than a day, the atmosphere in the workshop became very strange.

  Chen Ke knew the reason for this atmosphere, Chen Ke actually missed this kind of atmosphere, he had done such things many times. This is what young people hope to get a large sum of money without damaging their economic demands and the organization's confidence in themselves. This contradictory emotion naturally led to distorted behavior.

  Distorted is not a person, Hua Xiongmao is another kind of distortion. Since following Chen Ke, Hua Xiongmao rarely acts alone. Yesterday, Chen Ke and Wu Xingchen reached an agreement, and that night Hua Xiongmao came back very late. The next morning he ran out early. If Chen Ke didn't guess wrong, Hua Xiongmao is desperately looking for other partners. Wu Xingchen is not a small figure in Shanghai, and Hua Xiongmao also has connections in Shanghai. Hua Xiongmao's desire to not fall behind Wu Xingchen, Chen Ke can fully understand. Surrounding the special medicine, comrades have different performances based on their own stance.

  There is a saying that "infighting among subordinates is conducive to the stability of the leader's position." Chen Ke somewhat agreed with this view when he was young. Now that he has become a "leader" himself, he realizes that what he thought made sense in the past is actually nonsense. If things are allowed to develop like this, Chen Ke believes that contradictions will soon intensify. And his own position will not be stable at all.

  Everything Chen Ke has painstakingly established so far is based on selfless labor and fair, just, and open distribution. Now starting to play what "divide and conquer", that is to personally dismantle one's own foundation, that is "hanging oneself". When an organization or regime tends to rigidify, all kinds of intrigue will be produced in large quantities. In an organization full of vitality, what should be pursued is "progress", not infighting, mutual deception.

  Hua Xiongmao returned to the workshop in the late afternoon, wearing a silk jacket with a horse pattern. After a day of running around, Hua Xiongmao was both tired and thirsty, hoping to sit down on the recliner in the courtyard immediately and drink tea from the teapot. The gate was closed, and the door nail wrapped in red string was inserted into the left door column. This was Chen Keding's secret signal to "close the door". What happened again? Hua Xiongmao became a little worried. According to the signal, he knocked on the big gate, which was quickly opened by Qi Huishen. Contrary to what Hua Xiongmao thought, everyone was sitting in the courtyard, and Chen Ke was joking, "As the poem says, 'light silk fan swats fireflies'. We're using a banana leaf fan to swat flies."

  Yu Yun had something on his mind, and Zhou Yuanxiao was not in the mood to speak. On the other hand, Qi Hui, who was far away from opening the door, burst out laughing. Seeing that everyone was gathered, Chen Ke also stopped teasing. As usual, Chen Ke's words went straight to the point. "How do you all plan to split the money from selling the medicine?"

  No one uttered a word.

  "You're hesitating, I know you want to ask me for a large sum of money. Otherwise, you go first?"

  You Yun didn't expect Chen Ke, who looked as calm as usual, to say what she wanted to say first. You Yun's face suddenly turned red, and she quickly explained: "Wen Qing, I don't want the money myself."

  "You just want to repay your parents for the money they spent on you all these years. I'm very clear about it, and I completely understand how you feel." Chen Ke said in a gentle voice.

  "Hmm..." Yu Yun lowered his head and nodded. A moment later, he raised his head again, "Wen Qing brother, this medicine is the result of your hard work. No matter what, I will not secretly take your formula out to sell it. I also very much want to work with Wen Qing brother in the future, to create a new venture together. However..."

  "But you haven't paid back the money you owe your parents. Every time they mention money, you feel ashamed." Chen Ke continued to say.

  "......How did you know, Wen Qing?" Yan Danfeng's eyes widened in surprise.

  Chen Ke smiled wryly and said, "I used to do what you're doing back in the day. I'm quite familiar with it."

  Kan Youyun no longer made a sound, Chen Ke continued to ask Hua Xiongmao, "Zhenglan, I'm just guessing, you're in contact with Fujian's business, right?"

  There were precedents for such a situation, and Hua Xiongmao didn't find it particularly unusual. He nodded, "That's right. How did Brother Wenqing guess?"

  "This syphilis was contracted by the foreigners from South America and later brought to China. In recent years, so many ports have been opened, and it's certain that more people in Fujian are infected than in Shaoxing."

  "The literary youth is really clever..."

  "Don't say it's useless, Zheng Lan, what do you plan to do?"

  "Shanghai can let Wu Xingchen come and do it, but outside of Shanghai, I'll take care of it elsewhere."

  Looking at Hua Xiongmao, the district manager, Chen Ke couldn't help but laugh. "You can't handle something so big. And Zheng Lan, do you...do you know the characteristics of this medicine? Shelf life? Efficacy? Usage method? Do you know?"

  Hua Xiongmao isn't a fool either, although he was taken advantage of this time, but he already understood these things on the way. When Chen Ke asked: "What does that Wen Qing mean?"

  "Have you contacted your brother in Fujian?" Chen Ke still remembered very clearly, the last time that Wenzhou businessman was the one who sold cloth to Fujian.

  "They've already contacted me. The brothers on the other side asked me to take care of two people for them." Hua Xiongmao said, trying to suppress his self-satisfied emotions, "As for the money, I didn't discuss it with them, let's see what Wencang says."

  Chen Ke originally wanted to let Hua Xiongmao and Wu Xingchen work together to build a team, with his own people and without his own people being worlds apart. Now it seems that Hua Xiongmao is determined to compete with Wu Xingchen, so this plan will definitely not come true.

  "How much does it cost for the trip to Lhasa?"

  "I'm like You Yun, I want to leave some money for my parents. I've decided to join the Wen Qing Revolution, and if possible, I won't return home. If I don't leave any money for my parents, I'll feel guilty." When he said this, it's hard to tell whether it was because of Hua Xiongmao's acting skills or something else. Although he looked carefree, his tone had already revealed a hint of apology.

  Chen Ke looked at Qi Hui deep, didn't wait for Chen Ke to speak, Qi Hui deep himself spoke. "Wen Qing, I don't need to give my parents any money, it's just that my father opposes me from participating in the revolutionary cause, so this pocket is very tight. As long as I have 50 taels of silver every month, it's enough."

  These words are really true, at least after hearing them, there is some remorse on his face. Chen Ke looked very clearly, he secretly laughed in his heart, when Chen Ke himself repaid the first sum of money to his parents, there were twenty yuan left in his pocket. When repaying the money, he was spirited and proud, then within a month, with five yuan weekly for food expenses, Chen Ke persisted. Recalling that era, it was really an innocent and lovely era.

  Zhou Yuanxiao looked at Chen Ke, who was staring at him, and took the initiative to speak. "Firstly, I want a sum of money. Secondly, I can do some startup work with everyone, but I won't engage in any fighting or killing. If Wenyu thinks it's feasible, I'll follow you."

  "I've taken note of the conditions everyone has proposed. I can accept them. Let's all go back and think carefully about what we want, then have another meeting tomorrow morning. We'll openly discuss each person's needs. If everyone thinks it's okay, we'll figure out how to implement it."

  "Why tomorrow?" You Yun was somewhat puzzled.

  "Today everyone has expressed their willingness to join the party, and now our party is established. As the person in charge for now, I tell you that the first rule of our party is to obey discipline and follow orders. So I ask you all to go back and think carefully about this matter, and then come back home and make it clear to me. The second rule of our party is democracy. It's not just one person who has the final say, or just you who have the final say. For all matters, if everyone does not agree, then no one's opinion counts."

  Chen Ke said this logically contradictory words, looking at his comrades. The first to understand, or more accurately, the first to say it out loud after understanding was Hua Xiongmao, "Wen Qing, are we listening to you or our comrades?"

  "All actions are subject to command, we must listen to the Party." Chen Ke gave a vague answer to Hua Xiongmao, "Now disperse. I and Secretary Wei will go to treat He Zuodao's illness."

  The plan was overtaken by events, and the next morning's meeting had to be adjourned within five minutes. All comrades present reached the Party's first resolution: "Call another meeting when there is a spare moment."

  Wu Xingchen arrived at the workshop at 10:05, and by then the workshop was already bustling with people. After He Zuodao's condition improved, not only did the revolutionary youths who had previously worked there admire Chen Ke and You Huan to the point of worship, but also young people who came to pay their respects as well as those "who came to seek medicine for their relatives and friends" seemed to emerge from underground.

  Seeing so many people in the workshop, Wu Xingchen was really startled. Of course, Wu Xingchen's height and build also startled the young men in the workshop. You Yun wore a suit today, with her long hair tied back behind her head, hanging straight down. Seeing Wu Xingchen arrive, You Yun came forward to greet him with a big smile. "Brother Wu, hello."

  "You're looking well, Miss You." Wu Xingchen replied, "Is Brother Chen in?"

  You Yu took out his pocket watch from his pocket and looked at it, "Wen Qing brother has gone to the Wu's house, he will be back soon."

  As they walked out of the courtyard, Wu Xingchen smiled and asked, "Where did these people come from?"

  He shrugged helplessly, "I don't know either. They just came anyway."

  Two men walked and chatted, and after a while they stopped at the crossroads. You Yun looked around and saw that there were no idle people nearby, so he said: "Before Brother Wen Qing left, he told me to ask Brother Wu to wait for him here. He won't be returning to the workshop today."

  Wu Xingchen thought of the people in the courtyard and naturally understood Chen Ke's difficulties. He was about to say a few more words to You Huan, when he saw You Huan smile and say: "Wen Qing brother has already returned, Wu brother can go over himself." Wu Xingchen looked up and saw that on the opposite street corner, Chen Ke and Qi Huishen were standing there. He turned his head to look at You Huan, but she had already gone back to the workshop. If You Huan had pointed in Chen Ke's direction, it might have caused some unnecessary trouble for someone who saw it. That's why You Huan quietly went back without a word. A woman who handled things so efficiently, Chen Ke really had gathered many talents around him.

  One side secretly admired, Wu Xingchen rushed to Chen Ke and smiled. Chen Ke and Qi Hui also smiled at Wu Xingchen. Within the next half minute, Wu Xingchen saw Qi Hui's face change from a smile to embarrassment. Three yellow taxis stopped in front of Qi Hui. Wu Xingchen was blocked from view and couldn't see clearly what happened. Anyway, Chen Ke and Qi Hui didn't seem to be forced, but got on the taxi. The three cars disappeared around the corner. This sudden change made Wu Xingchen feel quite strange.

  The person who got off the rickshaw was the butler of Qi Hui's father. The butler was very polite, and after a brief introduction by Qi Hui, he said: "My master invites Mr. Chen to our house for a chat. This is an urgent matter, please forgive us, Mr. Chen."

  "What about me?" Zhi Hui couldn't help but ask.

  "Master, the old master said that today's guest is Mr. Chen Ke. Master, would you like to accompany Mr. Chen back home together? We have three cars, enough for everyone to sit in. If you don't want to see the old master, you can do as you please."

  This directly made Qihui deep to be stunned, Chen Ke had heard Qihui deep and Huaxiong Mao say about the power of Qihui deep's family. Moreover, Qihui deep told himself today that he went home last night and told his father that he wanted to open a hospital at home. Although it was too hasty to find him at this time, Chen Ke couldn't just refuse him either. Seeing Chen Ke get on the car, Qihui deep naturally wouldn't really let Chen Ke go see his father alone.

  Three cars stopped in front of a very luxurious mansion. The butler led two people inside, and the old man was waiting for Chen Ke in the living room. Qi Hui's father was named Qi Si'e, with a common appearance in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Except for his sharp eyes, there was nothing particularly special about him.

  Chen Ke bade farewell to the old master, and everyone took their seats. "You," said Qi Si'e, pointing at his son, "go see your mother now." Qi Hui Shen didn't dare hesitate and obediently went towards the back.

  Chen Ke heard this and suddenly realized that Qi Hui Shen had been staying at his place for ten days. While the Yu family was bustling with visitors every day, Qi Hui Shen was enjoying a carefree life alone.

  "Mr. Chen Ke seems like a literary youth?" Qī Sī'é asked seemingly unintentionally.

  "Uncle, it is indeed so."

  "Wen Qing, this foolish son of mine has finally found someone who is willing to make money after all these years. Wen Qing, you dyeing and making medicine are quite good. Much better than this foolish son of mine."

  Chen Ke felt that he couldn't respond to the old man's words and could only silently listen.

  The old man didn't want Chen Ke to continue speaking, he took out a silver ticket, "My son has always been up to no good, he came back and said he was going to open a hospital and even set up some kind of medical college. As it happens, I have some connections with the British who want me to invest in opening a hospital. They're asking for a lot of money, just like you're planning to do. So I thought I'd invite Mr. Wen over to discuss this matter. This is a 5,000 yuan silver ticket. I can only take out that much. Whether you succeed or fail doesn't matter to me, at least I've made an effort and have something to show for it."

  When he said this, Qi Si'e seemed careless, but his eyes had scanned Chen Ke's face several times. When he finished speaking, Chen Ke smiled and said: "Qi BoBo, do you think I'm a swindler?"

  After hearing this, Qi Hui burst out laughing, "My son may not be promising and is not serious about his work, but the people he strongly recommends will never be swindlers. If we really encounter swindlers, just throw them into the Huangpu River and that's it, no need to worry so much about meeting someone. Wenching, I know a few people in Shanghai, don't worry, there won't be anyone who can make things difficult for your hospital. However, Wenching needs to go meet the British personally." Qi Siyi handed the silver ticket to Chen Ke, "I don't understand this business of running a hospital either, so I'll have to trouble Wenching to find the British people. As long as the British agree, once they sign this silver ticket, the matter will be settled."

  Chen Ke only understood after hearing this, that Qi Si'e had given him a silver note to deal with the British. What kind of play is this? The style of the Qi family is really quite unusual. Chen Ke was still worried and asked Qi Si'e again, who indicated that Chen Ke's understanding was correct. He had already discussed this matter with the British and was about to start the official procedures in the next few days. Last night, Qi Hui Shen suddenly came up with this idea, so Qi Si'e called Chen Ke over to handle it.

  The rickshaw driver's body was still quite sturdy, and his running speed wasn't slow. Qi Hui and Chen Ke sat in the same car, and Chen Ke couldn't help but think of what had just happened, finding it very amusing.

  Qī Sī'é proposed this opportunity, giving money and connections, Chén Kè aside from thinking it was a huge trap, didn't think there were other reasons to refuse. Qī Sī'é ignored Chén Kè, letting the butler call over Qī Huìshēn. As soon as Qī Huìshēn arrived in the living room, Qī Sī'é let the butler take the two of them together to meet the Englishman, to quickly settle this matter. Next, without even inviting Chén Kè for lunch, Qī Sī'é drove the two young men out the door.

  "Really swift and decisive, just like a thunderstorm. Chen Ke couldn't think of any other way to describe it."

  "That's because as long as I don't join the revolution, whatever I do, my dad will support me." Qi Hui gave the correct answer.