Insufficient balance

  As the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes. The first party meeting was scheduled for July 14, 1905. It wasn't until July 17 that it officially convened, three days later than planned.

  Chen Ke and Qi Hui were busy with school and medical matters, while Zhou Yuanxiao was in charge of guarding the workshop. During this time, Hua Xiongmao and You Ou also became uncontactable. You Ou claimed that she was recruiting some former collaborators, and she guaranteed that there were some very good talents among them.

  Because he had to complete the school's arrangements on paper, Qi Hui would often contact the British with his father and could not follow Chen Ke to treat patients. It was not impossible for one person to go and treat patients, but since Hua Xiongmao was willing to take charge of Fujian's medicine sales, Chen Ke felt that Hua Xiongmao should at least make a trip. Chen Ke couldn't follow Hua Xiongmao to Fujian now, so it was also very necessary for Hua Xiongmao to fully understand the use and efficacy of the special medicine.

  After going to practice medicine with Chen Ke twice, Hua Xiongmao expressed his apologies very seriously. "Wen Qing, I feel uncomfortable all over when I look at those patients, and I have nightmares at night. Wen Qing, please let me go sell medicine instead. I'm not cut out for this doctor business."

  No matter how Chen Ke explained the necessity of understanding the characteristics of the medicine, Hua Xiongmao always said that he had to recover for a period before continuing to come into contact with patients. Now when he sees patients, he feels nauseous and wants to vomit.

  After Hua Xiongmao fled, You Yun herself looked for a reliable Chinese Western doctor. Two days later, she brought over a doctor named Wang Qinyan. Wang Qinyan was from Guangdong and had many relatives who were overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. His uncle was a sailor, and Wang Qinyan relied on his uncle to graduate from some medical school in Marseille, France. Looking at Wang Qinyan's unclear expression, Chen Ke was very suspicious of the "medical school" teachers, and it was likely that they were just ship doctors.

  However, when it comes to intravenous injections, injection dosages, physiological saline solutions, and medication configurations, Wang Qinyan is quite fluent in her responses, and her actual operations are also quite skilled. She is fully capable of performing a doctor's duties. Chen Ke is worried about the background of this Dr. Wang, since there are overseas Chinese in his household, Dr. Wang's background won't be that simple. Wang Qinyan was recommended by You Xun's friend, and she suggested asking around to inquire about it.

  After going through so many things, on the morning of July 17th, the first party meeting was officially held. There were five people attending the meeting: Chen Ke, Qi Hui Shen, Hua Xiong Mao, You Ou, and Zhou Yuan Xiao. Although everyone had been talking about having a party, when they actually sat down at the table to have a real meeting under the name of the party, the familiar friends looked at each other with some embarrassment.

  Chen Ke slapped the table and said, "I declare, the first party meeting is officially started."

  No one applauded, no one spoke. Everyone quietly waited for Chen Ke to continue speaking.

  "Firstly, let's select this time's secretary."

  "What is a secretary?" asked Hua Xiongmao.

  "The secretary is responsible for recording every agenda, every speech and the final resolution. In addition, after the meeting, the secretary needs to organize the meeting summary..." Chen Ke thought these things were easy to understand, but what made him shocked was that after explaining the responsibilities of the secretary, everyone's opinions were vastly different."

  "I'm no good at writing, I won't be able to do it." Hua Xiongmao said first. If Hua Xiongmao didn't continue speaking from here, this would still be within the realm of understanding. Unexpectedly, Hua Xiongmao continued to ask: "This kind of thing is just miscellaneous work, let's find someone specifically to do it next time?"

  Chen Ke tried his best to understand Hua Xiongmao from a positive perspective. In Chen Ke's opinion, Hua Xiongmao's intention was probably that if one focuses on recording everyone's words, they won't be able to participate in the discussion. So this kind of work can just be done by someone who doesn't care about anything. Moreover, Chen Ke suspected that Hua Xiongmao thought being a secretary was a low-level position, and as "core cadres", these people shouldn't do this job.

  "Zi Hui Shen has been through revolution after all, so his thinking is more reliable. 'We've discussed many things that need to be kept secret, how can we use outsiders?'"

  "I can't even write, I'm useless." You Yun followed up with a statement.

  Zhou Yuanxiao didn't say a word until Chen Ke looked at him, then he reluctantly said: "I can't do it."

  For everyone's point of view, Chen Ke felt very helpless. A small secretary looked like nothing, but in the Communist Party's internal positions, the highest level of secretary - the General Secretary is actually the first person within the party. There is only one true and legitimate party chairman. If Chen Ke is now the party chairman, then the second place would be the General Secretary. Many times, this kind of status is not something that can be fought for, whoever is suitable for this position doesn't need to fight for it.

  Seeing no one came forward to contest for the position of secretary, Qi Hui said: "I'll do it." No one objected.

  Chen Ke said: "The second item on the agenda is to elect a chairman for this meeting. I nominate myself."

  No one opposed this proposal, Chen Ke looked at Hui Shentong who had not moved his pen and urged: "Hui Shentong, take note."

  "This also needs to be remembered?" Zhi Hui was somewhat puzzled.

  "This is the rule for our future meetings. At the meeting, everything must be recorded." Chen Ke said very seriously.

  After hearing Chen Ke's words, Qi Hui began to record.

  "Thirdly, for every subsequent item on the agenda, a show of hands will be required and everyone must speak up. If you agree, raise your hand to indicate; if not, clearly state your opposition..."

  These rules that Chen Ke had learned in elementary school were brought up again as a topic and voted on by everyone. Everyone thought Chen Ke was going to say something important, but it turned out he just wanted to review the rules. At first, it was okay, but after a while, everyone felt very bored. Hua Xiongmao even started yawning.

  After great difficulty, the meeting rules were finally explained. Chen Ke looked at everyone and said: "What should the secretary do after this meeting is over?"

  Everyone did not understand what it meant, and Chen Ke had to ask again. The crowd couldn't remember, and Qi Hui also didn't recall. He hastily looked through the meeting records and quickly found the answer. "The secretary should write a summary of the meeting after the meeting."

  "This is why we need a secretary. This is also why, on the basis of keeping the original records of the meeting, we still need to write a summary of the meeting." Chen Ke said with a smile. To be more specific, Chen Ke's mouth corners pulled out a smile.

  As a traverser, Chen Ke has never felt his own advantages. In this strange era, in this strange world, Chen Ke always had to rely on himself to solve all the problems. Anyway, it's all starting from scratch, facing unfamiliar people, and revolutionaries are easier to get in touch with, easier to find common language. In 1905, Chen Ke became a revolutionary, which was actually easy for him.

  The meeting had just begun, and Chen Ke suddenly felt his own advantage. His true advantage was not in the knowledge of later generations, but in knowing how to build an organization to solve problems. The power of an organization is greater than that of an individual; three cobblers can surpass a Zhuge Liang. If there is a good organization, any genius with personal strength alone cannot resist.

  As a traverser, Chen Ke didn't know what those great men thought back then, but he knew what they did, what kind of organization they set up to operate and achieve their goals. The organizations that Chen Ke used to despise were all power holders, and for Chen Ke, they were even "oppressors". However, Chen Ke now understands that it is precisely because they are organized with strict discipline that they have such great power.

  "Hmm, it's profound, I'll have to read your summary report when you're done writing it." Huaxiongmao said with a teasing tone.

  Chen Ke glared at Hua Xiongmao and said, "Quickly, write down Zheng Lan's speech at this meeting."

  The implication was so clear that Hua Xiong hastily said: "No, no."

  Zi Hui Shen just smiled and didn't move his brush.

  The next topic became much more serious. Chen Ke asked everyone, what is the purpose of the revolution?

  "Establish a new system, save China." Hua Xiongmao was just criticized by Chen Ke, and upon hearing this serious matter, he hastily quoted Chen Ke's words.

  "So does everyone think what I said is right?"

  This issue has sparked widespread reflection.

  Hua Xiong Mao smiled and said, "What Wen Qing said sounds reasonable. Besides, this world is bound to be in chaos. I naturally listen to Wen Qing. Moreover, I was so busy before, where did I have the time to explain this in detail?"

  "So we must form study groups and make clear the revolutionary theory."

  "I've been waiting for Wen Qing to give a lecture." Qi Hui Shen was very much in favor of this suggestion. While speaking, Qi Hui Shen quickly jotted down notes on paper.

  "This raises a problem - when can we give lectures? Everyone is so busy, the doctors are treating illnesses, the pharmacists are selling medicine. The school is about to open, how can we squeeze out time for this?"

  This is indeed a big problem. Everyone is busy during the day and only has free time at night. Everyone's eyes involuntarily fall on You Yun, among everyone, You Yun can't come out at night.

  "Don't worry about me, I won't delay everyone's business. I appreciate your kind intentions, and I will definitely come to attend the lecture tonight." You Yun hastily said.

  So the party class was scheduled for 6 o'clock in the evening.

  "This is not enough, we already have so many things on hand now, and we must recruit people. Now I will report to everyone the things that I think need to be done in the next year." Chen Ke took out his notebook that he always carried with him and said to the crowd.

  According to Chen Ke's plan, in the next year, a medical college will be established with the British, and a school affiliated to the medical college and a nursing school affiliated to the medical college will be set up under it. A hospital affiliated to the medical college will also be established.

  The hospital needs a lot of equipment, not to mention other devices, and if all the glassware is purchased, it would be too wasteful. Chen Ke thinks that a glass factory should be set up. If a glass factory is to be set up, then a large amount of coal will be needed, and small-scale purchases are inefficient. Chen Ke told everyone that he was preparing to build a beehive coke factory.

  This plan is essentially a very incomplete related industry complex. Everyone can understand that. Next, Chen Ke told everyone about his overall design for the school and factory.

  From the construction of schools to the employment of teachers, from the construction of hospitals to the employment of doctors and nurses. As for the beehive coal factory, it's even more complicated. From equipment design, procurement, to purchasing smokeless coal, clay, straw, and selecting a site for the factory. Sales of products, sorting out various social relationships. Qi Hui had interrupted Chen Ke's statement six times in over half an hour, asking him to pause so that he could finish writing down the current record.

  When Ziwu was writing diligently, You Yu said: "Wenchang, we don't have enough people. We need to recruit some."

  "That's right, how are we going to recruit people?"

  "I can find some people from the countryside," said Hua Xiongmao. "Anyway, there are so many people with nothing to do these days."

  "How are those people doing their job? Can they finish the work we assigned to them?" Chen Ke asked.

  "If they don't listen, I'll take them down," said Hua Xiong Mao.

  You Yun glanced at Hua Xiong Mao with disdain, "It's better to recruit people in Shanghai."

  "Can people from Shanghai do a good job? Do you know them inside out?" Hua Xiongmao retorted.

  "If you don't work well, you won't get paid. And can those teachers, doctors, and nurses be found in the countryside?" You Yun asked back.

  "Can't those people at least listen?"

  "Hmm! Listen to me! I used to run a factory with others, and I've never seen those rural relatives being so obedient. Clumsy and incompetent, they can't do anything right. If you scold them a couple of times, they'll start arguing with you first. Even if they know they're wrong, those country folks won't say it to your face, but when working, they'll secretly sabotage you behind your back. Compared to these obedient people, I'd rather hire those disobedient workers. At least after hiring them, they work for their wages, and if they don't do well, they know they won't get paid."

  It seems that You Yun has failed many times before, and the resentment in these words is extremely strong.

  "So you're saying all your relatives in the countryside are bad people."

  "There should be good people, but can good people still not make a living in the countryside and have to run to the city? I haven't seen many of this kind of good people."

  "Nonsense! The workers in the city are deceitful and cunning, what good things can they have?"

  ……

  ……

  You Yun and Hua Xiongmao started arguing. Neither of them could convince the other, but their emotions became more and more intense. Chen Ke watched them argue without saying a word, just sneaking a smile. Qi Hui deep down couldn't take it anymore, he put down his pen, "Do you want me to record your words too?"

  This actually worked quite well, and the argument ended immediately.

  You Yun glared at Hua Xiong Mao with a fierce gaze, and Hua Xiong Mao let out a cold snort, turning his head away to ignore You Yun.

  As both of them fell silent, Chen Ke said: "Revolution must have its own logic. I know that the revolutionary logic has something to say about what you two were just arguing about."

  "Wen Qing, you'd better say it quickly, was I right or was Zheng Lan right?" You Yun said immediately.

  "That's right! The literary youth must make this clear." Hua Xiongmao was also unyielding.

  "First of all, what you said is true, and it's something that you've seen with your own eyes. I can confirm this."

  "Hmm!" Yu Yun and Hua Xiong Mao hummed in unison.

  "Why is this the case? The principles of revolution have discussed this issue from several aspects. However, we are not having a party lesson now, and the party lesson will start in the evening. So let's continue with our current agenda. Work plan for the next year."

  Kan Youhui and Hua Xiongmao both looked somewhat dissatisfied, while Chen Ke simply nodded in agreement without saying a word. Zhou Yuanxiao, who had been silent until then, spoke up: "Brother Zhou, you've also run a factory before. This topic really needs an example of someone starting a business. Brother Zhou, can you take charge of preparing this example?"

  Zhou Yuanxiao's face twitched, the failure of his factory was something he didn't want to mention, and Chen Ke actually brought up this example. Zhou Yuanxiao felt extremely uncomfortable inside. "Forget it, Wenching. I don't want to bring this up."

  Chen Ke didn't agree with Zhou Yuanxiao's view, "Brother Zhou, this kind of thing must be made clear. If the thing is done, then it has a bit of heavenly will. But if the thing isn't done, it's definitely because we didn't do well. Since we spent so much money and put out so much effort, how could we fail? We have to make it clear."

  "I admit it, let's just drop it." Zhou Yuanxiao said with a depressed tone.

  "No, Brother Zhou, you should speak up and let's see how those people actually ruined your factory." After saying that, she didn't care about Hua Xiongmao's dissatisfied gaze. "How your rural relatives ruined your factory should be made clear, as a lesson from the past to guide future actions. Since we want to continue running the factory, these mistakes cannot happen again."

  "That's right, Brother Zhou, you must speak." Hua Xiongmao said in a tone that was both humble and resistant.

  "We are all comrades, don't spoil the harmony." Qi Hui deeply advised, "Wen Qing, you also say something to them, this kind of talk is not right."

  Chen Kesheng said, "The reason I want to drag everyone into the revolution is that a true party member can see through the entire world. Now, You Yun and Zheng Lian are arguing because they are using their own perspectives to look at the world, rather than trying to understand what the world really looks like. I think they're just like little kids fighting, completely missing the point."

  "Even kids' squabbles can be hurtful." Zhi Hui Shen understood Chen Ke's meaning and smiled.

  "What's wrong with kids? Yesterday I said I wouldn't play with you, but after a few days we're still playing happily together. This kind of thing can't be advised against."

  After hearing this, You Yun said angrily: "I'm the one who's still a kid. I'm talking about reason."

  "Oh, let's be reasonable, then let's continue the meeting. We're here for a meeting today, not to quarrel. Right?"

  Yu Yun had no choice but to remain silent in the face of Chen Ke's tolerant and mature words.

  "I once spoke about Das Kapital. It talked about the development of enterprises. I also mentioned that in Sweden, 30% of child laborers died in factories before they reached adulthood. In the UK, it was guaranteed that workers would be worked to death within three years of entering a factory. These are all true stories. The operation of capital has always been bloody. However, our Chinese textile factories have regular working hours, and workers get to rest during holidays and eat meat occasionally. They also earn enough money to buy the cloth they produce themselves. As a result, foreign goods are cheaper than ours. So when foreign goods flood in, our domestic products can't compete. Now that I'm telling you all this, I want to emphasize that I don't want such things to happen again. At least I myself won't do such things. How can we avoid such things from happening?"