Chapter Fifteen

  "Wen Qing brother, Wen Qing brother." Someone was calling out to Chen Ke. The distant voice echoed at the edge of Chen Ke's consciousness.

  "I've slept for a long time, now is not the time to sleep. I must set an example, I must get up and work." These days of repetitive brainwashing-like self-encouragement finally opened Chen Ke's eyes.

  Only Qi Hui and Hua Xiong Mao were seen standing on either side of him, both whispering: "Let's carry him back to the dorm."

  "No need to lift it. Zheng Lan, go find Wu Xiong and let him come." Chen Kejian said, looking up at the sky outside, which had already started to darken. He raised his watch to take a look, he had slept for less than two hours.

  "Did I sleep for a while or did I sleep for a whole day?" Chen Ke hastily asked.

  "You've slept for a whole time period. It's going to get dark soon and we're afraid you'll catch a chill, so we were just about to move you back to the dorm."

  After hearing this, Chen Ke only felt a sense of relief. "Fortunately, no time was wasted in treating He Zufu." He muttered to himself. Rubbing his face with his hand, Chen Ke suddenly remembered something important and hastily asked Hua Xiongmao: "Zheng Lan, how's the rabbit? Is it still alive?"

  "The rabbits are all alive. I just spoke with Hui deeply and fed the rabbits some water, it seems they can make it through to tomorrow."

  "That's right, new sand needs to be laid on the ground. Rabbit urine is toxic." Chen Ke said hastily.

  Looking at Chen Ke, who seemed a bit dazed and was muttering to himself, Hua Xiongmao advised, "Wen Qing brother, why don't you go rest for a while first? You're completely exhausted."

  "Everyone is tired. You guys aren't doing any better either. By the way, where's You Yun?"

  Hua Xiong pointed to another recliner, "You just lay down, and Miss You only said a sentence not to disturb you, then she sat down and fell asleep."

  Chen Ke took a look and saw that You Yun was lying on the chair with his face up to the sky, his complexion as white as snow, breathing rapidly, looking like a seriously ill patient. This gave Chen Ke a fright. "Quickly call in Xiao Lan. Heat up some congee. Let You Yun drink the congee and go rest. Don't exhaust him to the point of illness."

  Xiao Lan entered the house at the sound, just about to call You Ou to get out of bed. Chen Ke hurriedly stopped her. "First cook the porridge and let it cool down, also boil some hot water. You Ou is not in the mood to eat or wash her face right now. Xiao Lan, you feed You Ou half a bowl of porridge, then help her wash her face and soak her feet. Then send her back to sleep."

  Chen Ke spoke to Xiaolan in the same tone as a master ordering his servant, and Xiaolan's face immediately turned ugly. She was stunned for a moment, but didn't listen to Chen Ke's words. Xiaolan had already placed one hand on You Huan's shoulder, preparing to gently wake him up. Chen Ke grabbed Xiaolan's shoulder and pulled her away from You Huan's side with one swift motion.

  "Do you know how to serve people?" Chen Ke's voice was low, but his tone was extremely severe.

  Xiao Lan still understood some propriety, she just shrugged and broke free from Chen Ke's palm. Or maybe it was because she was surrounded by a group of big men, so she didn't dare to be presumptuous. Xiao Lan retreated several steps, finally turned her head and left the room, running back to the girls' dormitory in a hurry.

  Chen Ke also ignored her, and said to Hua Xiongmao, "Zheng Lan, you go find Wu Xiong, tell him the medicine is done. Ask him to find someone to test it as soon as possible. The sooner the better, now is best."

  "Alright." Hua Xiongmao looked at Chen Ke with concern, then glanced in the direction of the girls' dormitory. In the end, he still went out.

  "Let's get together and cook some rice porridge."

  "Wen Qing, you..." Qi Hui said half of it and then stopped, not because she was hesitant to speak, but because she didn't know what to say.

  "I'm meddling, I know you think I'm overstepping. But that's just the kind of person I am - since you're working under me, I have to take responsibility."

  "Otherwise, I'll have our family's maid come and attend to you?"

  "What are you doing?! This is Xiao Lan's job, isn't it?!" Chen Ke said in a low and angry tone as he pulled Qi Hui into the courtyard. "Everyone thinks serving others is a lowly task, this is a societal problem. In the new era, there will no longer be any distinction between high and low birth. There are only differences in work, not in status. But doing work isn't like that. If you scare her like this, what if she catches a cold?"

  "Brother Wenqing, this is after all a maid from the Youyuan family, it's not convenient for us to say. I'd better get my own maid..."

  "No need. You've already exhausted yourself for today. Since the medicine is ready, from now on, she can just go to work normally during the day."

  The yard was quiet, Zhou Yuanxiao had already heard the quarrel, he maintained his consistent style and quietly started to light the stove and boil water. Seeing Zhou Yuanxiao's busy movements, Chen Ke's mind stirred. He had long wanted to get into the beehive coal business, but due to lack of funds, he couldn't start it up yet. If the profit from making medicine really reached his expected level, then the beehive coal project could truly begin.

  Chen Ke didn't speak, and Qi Hui suddenly said: "Wen Qing brother, I've heard of friends who are as close as liver and gallbladder. You saved He Zuodao, and you're taking care of us like this. You're really a good guy."

  "Huh?" Chen Ke was somewhat surprised that Qi Hui would say such a thing. "Qi Hui, aren't we fellow revolutionaries?"

  "Yes."

  "Is revolution just about killing fathers and mothers? Who dares to associate with such people? Once you know them, they'll make you die, die. Is this a revolution? This is urging death!"

  "The literati brother is right." Qi Hui Shen had gradually become accustomed to Chen Ke's ideas, and he was quite in agreement with Chen Ke's revolutionary views.

  Zhou Yuanxiao, who had been silent all along, suddenly interjected, "Wen Qing, didn't you say last time that revolution requires overthrowing the Manchu government? Doesn't this still require sacrificing lives and people dying?"

  As soon as Zhou Yuanxiao said this, Qi Hui's eyes shone brightly as he stared at Chen Ke. Zhou Yuanxiao was not wrong.

  Chen Ke did not expect Zhou Yuanxiao to ask such a question, and for a moment he really didn't know how to answer. But this question couldn't be avoided, if it was avoided, everything Chen Ke had said would be questioned. The feeling of fatigue disappeared instantly, and Chen Ke became clear-headed. Quickly turning his ideas around, Chen Ke replied: "Those who engage in military struggle, comrades-in-arms and fellow soldiers, naturally know they will encounter death. Those comrades and fellow soldiers must fear death - there's no one who has never been afraid of death. But since we've taken on this work, our task is to defend the new regime, to defend comrades who are doing other work. If the enemy wants to shoot at you, they'll have to step over our corpses first."

  These words made Qi Hui feel a thrill, he stared at Chen Ke, who seemed to have recovered from his fatigue. Although his face was still pale, the bloodshot in his eyes had quickly receded. However, Chen Ke did not have that complacent attitude, looking as if he had just said an ordinary sentence. He walked towards the well in the courtyard and drew water from it.

  Although he had thought about the possibility of death in revolution, Qi Hui didn't have a real feeling until he encountered it personally. The absolute trust between revolutionary comrades expressed by Chen Ke made Qi Hui feel proud. However, Chen Ke's ordinary actions not only did not weaken Qi Hui's sense of trust but also made him more convincing as someone who always stood at the forefront of work.

  Chen Ke washed his face and observed the rabbits' situation while the water quickly boiled, leaving some congee. Zhou Yuanxiao used a steamer to heat up the water, warming up the congee as well. Chen Ke went in to wake up You Yun, who got up dazedly and drank the congee in three or two mouthfuls in the courtyard, washing his face with hot water. Chen Ke also didn't want to let You Yun wash his feet openly in front of everyone. He watched as You Yun stumbled into the girls' dormitory. Chen Ke said: "Let's have dinner too."

  At this time, the Yu family should also send someone back. The Yu family was indeed punctual, and as usual, the butler carried a food box, politely and warmly greeting everyone. Today, Yu Yun's second brother also came along with him. These two siblings only looked similar in their facial shape and nose.

  "Thank you, Mr. You." Chen Ke smiled and walked over.

  The second young master of the You family scanned the workshop and laboratory, but did not see You Chen. He saw Chen Ke's pale face, and his dissatisfied expression eased a bit.

  "Mr. Chen, my sister hasn't been home for a long time. If Mr. Chen is not busy here, I'd like to take my sister back home once. My parents at home are really missing her." Young Master You Er's words were still quite polite.

  "It's okay, it's not that busy here anymore. Besides, Miss You has been busy for a long time, I think she should go home and get some rest." Chen Ke replied.

  "I'll call my sister to get up right now."

  Chen Ke originally wanted to stop him slightly, but he was worried that if this young master Yu Er encountered Wu Xingchen, it would easily lead to unnecessary trouble. He nodded.

  Second Master You entered the girls' dormitory, and after a while, Second Master You came out from inside with an angry face. Without explaining anything, Second Master You just nodded at Chen Ke and turned to leave.

  Yu Ershao walked for less than fifteen minutes before Wu Xingchen and Hua Xiongmao entered the courtyard together. Chen Ke was secretly delighted that he hadn't let the two meet.

  "Can the medicine be used?" Wu Xingchen asked in a low voice as soon as he entered the laboratory.

  "It's ready to use." Chen Ke had already checked the workbench, and no one had touched anything on it. This batch of medicine was produced from raw materials that had been purified for the second time, and the total amount was not small. It could treat thirty or fifty people without any problem.

  "Then let's set off." Wu Xingchen said.

  Chen Ke put the syringe and seven needles, along with some physiological saline solution, alcohol swabs and other things that he had prepared earlier into his medical box. After checking everything once, Chen Ke said, "Hui Sheng, you come with me."

  Hua Xiongmao's expression, which had been eager to try, suddenly became somewhat disheartened after hearing this. Wu Xingchen and Qi Hui quickly arrived at the door, and Chen Ke only then called out to Hua Xiongmao, "From today on, except for our five people, no one else is allowed into the laboratory. Especially that little Lan. Keep a close eye on her."

  "Don't worry, I've been paying attention all along." Hua Xiongmao's mouth curled up into a firm smile as he said seriously.

  "I certainly believe in Masaki."

  After finishing speaking, Chen Ke picked up a horse lantern and checked the flashlight in his pocket before following Wu Xingchen and the others.

  The door opened again, and Chen Ke and Qi Hui entered the house together, both wearing masks. The sky had already darkened, and under the light of the lanterns, the interior of the house was like a gathering of ghosts.

  The smell inside the house was still nauseating, and the women looked even weaker. The abscesses on their faces had worsened over the past few days, with a ghastly pale complexion and red abscesses that looked even more terrifying. The women still remembered Chen Ke, but Chen Ke didn't go to listen to what they were saying. He let Qi Hui deep hold up a lantern and injected a dose of medicine into each woman's vein one by one.

  Maybe it was the last "visit" that made Chen Ke slightly more used to it, or maybe Chen Ke's gaze was only focused on the women's arms. Or perhaps it was Qi Hui's presence by his side that made him feel a little at ease. This time Chen Ke's feeling was obviously not as terrifying as last time, but Qi Hui's arm holding the lantern was still slightly trembling. In the end, Qi Hui had to put the lantern on the edge of the women's "bed".

  The injection speed cannot be fast, Chen Ke looked at his watch and slowly pushed the syringe. Before coming in, he asked the brothel owner again, and the owner confirmed that there were indeed five people who first fell ill here. But whether it was the first time they fell ill, he also dared not guarantee. The appearance of the kind-hearted woman and another woman Chen Ke barely remembered. It has to be said that even if he couldn't remember, Chen Ke would never dare ask them again.

  Five other women were given injections of the drug, Chen Keqiang restrained himself from giving the two women an antidote and only gave them two shots of saline. The medicine was toxic, no matter what angle you looked at it, injecting them would be dangerous and unreasonable. Apart from Chen Ke's compassionate heart opposing it, there was no other reason not to do so.

  After getting vaccinated, Chen Ke hardened his heart and didn't listen to what the women had to say. He took Qi Hui deep and left.

  Wu Xingchen was seen whispering to the brothel owner in a corner. Chen Ke didn't bother with them and left the yard directly with Qi Hui.

  They walked all the way to the street, and Qi Hui Shen didn't say a word. It wasn't until they were almost at the workshop that Qi Hui Shen spoke up in a low voice, "It's really miserable."

  "Hmm." Chen Ke just responded with a single grunt and didn't want to say another word.

  "This is something I've never seen before."

  "Uh-huh."

  Qī Huì Shēn wanted to say something, but seeing that Chén Kè wasn't explaining things to him like before, he thought about how hard Chén Kè had been working all these years without rest or sleep, and Qī Huì Shēn also fell silent.

  After dinner, Chen Ke called everyone together. Du Zhenghui and a few others couldn't bear the late night and boredom, plus the boys' dormitory was not big, they had only come during the day and left at night. Now You Ou was still asleep, Chen Ke only said two sentences to his comrades, "No one should leak this news out. I'm going to sleep." After finishing speaking, Chen Ke walked back to the dormitory, fell onto his own bed, covered himself with a quilt, and then entered dreamland.

  Chen Ke woke up once in the middle, turned over and fell asleep again. Later, around 12 o'clock, Chen Ke was woken up by hunger, his stomach growling as he left the dormitory, only to see that there were dishes on the table in the courtyard, covered with a mesh screen. Wu Xingchen and several others were sitting at the table chatting.

  This was the first time Wu Xingchen had given Chen Ke a good look, and it could be seen that he was smiling from the heart. "Brother Chen, you're up. I reckon you should get up too. The wine and dishes on this table weren't prepared for a short while."

  Chen Ke and Wu Xingchen exchanged greetings, but rushed straight to the toilet. After finishing their business, Chen Ke let out a comfortable sigh, washed his face, and sat down. He then asked, "How's everyone?"

  "The abscess has started to heal."

  "What about him?"

  "We're all alive."

  Chen Ke let out a long sigh, but after hearing Wu Xingchen say that, he couldn't help but notice that except for a few of his own people, there was no one else around.

  "Wen Qing, this is my own decision. You're so tired, you need to rest more. I've let everyone else go back and rest already." Qi Hui knew what Chen Ke was worried about, he said, "This morning, Miss You got up and said she was also very tired, and went home first."

  In the blink of an eye, Chen Ke had already downed a bowl of porridge.

  "Where's the rabbit?" Chen Ke asked.

  "They're all alive."

  "Wen Qing, you don't need to say so much. I'm watching your abilities, Wen Qing is going to say what about this medicine." Wu Xingchen was in a good mood. This afternoon, he forced the boss to open the door and forced the old prostitute to go in and take a look. The old prostitute went in with an angry face, but came out with a happy face. Seeing that the disease was cured so quickly, it's estimated that those prostitutes will be able to receive customers soon, plus this treatment is free, it's a good thing like manna from heaven, the old prostitute is naturally delighted."

  The brothel owner was even more cunning, he knew that this medicine was so effective, it meant a big business. He was extremely flattering to Wu Xingchen. He also enthusiastically invited Wu Xingchen back to his place, to find the most beautiful one for Wu Xingchen, and play together. This made Wu Xingchen feel nauseous, he nodded towards the small black house. The brothel owner immediately felt that he had misspoken, he awkwardly laughed and hurriedly apologized to Wu Xingchen.

  "Brother Wu said it's definitely not just about dividing the money, right?" Chen Ke asked while eating with his head down.

  "Wen Qing, I don't care how you communicate with foreigners. But what about the brothers in Taoism? You have to give them an explanation. Today, that brothel owner dared to follow me, and if Wen Qing continues to treat those people's illnesses, they will definitely come knocking on his door. Those rascals are not easy to deal with. As the saying goes, 'good shoes don't tread on stinky dog shit.' Why must Wen Qing get entangled with those people? Those scoundrels are crazy for money and will do anything."

  "Hmm, what plans does Wu have?"

  "Let me hear what you hipsters have in mind."

  Chen Ke said: "Wu brother, you said I don't know how to deal with foreigners, but you don't care. You are familiar with the Taoist affairs, these things shouldn't be said by me, it's Wu brother who should instruct me."

  Wu Xingchen saw Chen Ke's determined attitude, and only then said "There are two paths. One is that I introduce you to Wen Qing and have him bring you into the Tiandihui. From then on, no one on the road will dare to move against you."

  "What about another one?"

  "Wen Qing has helped me treat thirty people in the past few days. From now on, I'll come to Wen Qing's place to get medicine, and I want 30%. 70% will go to Wen Qing. So this little trouble today doesn't count for anything."

  "Brother Wu, you're really being honest." Chen Ke heard these two conditions and couldn't help but laugh, "I've said it before, this medicine is highly toxic, out of a hundred people, several will die. I won't mention anything else, if I were to offer it to the Heaven and Earth Society, and they asked me to treat those thirty people for free first, I'm afraid there would be brothers from the Heaven and Earth Society among them. If my medicine kills people, wouldn't that be betraying my ancestors? Brother Wu wants me to atone for my sins with three knives and six holes?"

  Wu Xingchen just smiled after hearing that, Chen Ke had already refused to join the Tiandihui. In fact, Wu Xingchen didn't hope for Chen Ke to do so either.

  "Brother Wu, what about the second point? If I cooperate with foreigners, naturally there will be a new brand of medicine to reveal. When this brand becomes popular, won't you be afraid that foreigners will find trouble with you if you privately sell this medicine? My cooperation with Brother Wu is to let him make money, we have many things to do in the future and many places where we need Brother Wu's help. We are just doing business, but our vision seems a bit short-sighted."

  "What does 'wenqing' actually mean?"

  "Wu Xiong's ability, shouldn't be limited to just selling that kind of goods. Although I don't know how brothers on the road operate, this money is unavoidable. If Wu Xiong comes here to buy medicine, he'll have to pay 30% of the cost, how much can he make? My point is, why not just join us and we'll give Wu Xiong money, then Wu Xiong can gather his brothers and take care of friends on the road. Isn't that better?"

  Wu Xingchen did not expect Chen Ke to make such a request. In this era, who among the influential people in Shanghai does not have someone in their pocket? Wu Xingchen was not unwilling to do so, but he was short of money. Moreover, as an outsider, he had the title of Tangzhu, but was restricted everywhere. If what Chen Ke said was not nonsense, Wu Xingchen could really show off his skills.

  "Why do you have to treat me like this, Wen Qing? We didn't know each other before, but now that you're spending money, I'll naturally help if I can. But aren't you afraid that after I become powerful, it will be disadvantageous for you?" Wu Xingchen wanted to know what Chen Ke was thinking no matter what.

  "I'm in Shanghai, and among all the brothers I've met on this path, there's only one, Wu Xiong. This is fate. I believe in fate. Moreover, Wu Xiong has a high moral standing, he knows how to conduct himself, and he can endure. He's not an ordinary person. If I don't cooperate with Wu Xiong, who would I cooperate with? In this life, it all comes down to the word 'profit'. When Wu Xiong and I work together to make money, it's all about profit. As long as we're clear about that, everything is fine. And I've always believed that everyone has a sense of justice in their heart. Before Wu Xiong cooperated with me, he was someone who valued integrity and justice. If I were to stab him in the back, that would only prove that I'm the one who's gone too far. That would definitely be my fault, what does it have to do with Wu Xiong?"

  Although it's not very satisfactory, this reply is at least within Wu Xingchen's acceptable range.

  "Since the literary youth said so, I'll believe him this time. As I said earlier, such a big business is not something one person can swallow alone. Greasing the wheels of various connections and bribing friends along the way will cost a pretty penny."

  "I don't have much money on me right now, but I can help Brother Wu with the matter of treating those thirty people. However, Brother Wu, from now on, I'll need to charge for each person I treat. Let's agree that for this month, we'll start by charging 50 taels per person."

  "Isn't 50 taels too expensive?" Wu Xingchen was shocked at this price.

  "This month is considered a trial period, and the price is still relatively low. Later when I sell medicine to British people, the price will be higher. At that time, we can discuss adjusting the price again."

  Having settled the matter, Chen Ke wanted to continue treating those prostitutes. Wu Xingchen suggested not going again. Chen Ke simply said: "This medicine has not been tested yet. The medicine must be tested."

  When the three went again, the brothel owner asked enthusiastically, Wu Xingchen was responsible for dealing with the boss, Chen Ke and Qi Hui did not say a word. They just injected the medicine and left. The prostitutes' condition improved greatly, naturally they were happy. Even those two prostitutes who didn't recover had a somewhat radiant look.

  In the evening, Chen Ke injected them with another dose of medicine. No one died. Chen Ke finally felt at ease. Wu Xingchen took Chen Ke on a wild goose chase in Shanghai to shake off their pursuers. Qi Hui Shen took Chen Ke to He Zuodao's home.

  As expected, He Zuodao's illness had taken a turn for the worse and his crying voice was already hoarse when Chen Ke and Qi Huishen arrived. Moreover, as Chen Ke had suspected, He Zuodao's brother also started showing symptoms of the disease. After administering medication to both of them and finding no signs of poisoning, Chen Ke finally returned with Qi Huishen.

  "Wen Qing, why must you cooperate with this martial brother like this?" Zhi Hui couldn't understand.

  Chen Ke pointed to the white coats on both of them, "The last time I wore this coat to treat someone's illness, I knew our matter couldn't be hidden. If someone really wants to investigate us, they'll definitely find out."

  "What's on his mind?"

  "This thing, except for not being able to cooperate with the Qing officials, can cooperate with anyone. Whether it's foreigners, brothers in Taoism, or some comprador merchants. Everyone is after wealth, although they all want to take more, but they can all come to an agreement. However, the greed of the Qing has reached a point where they won't even leave you any benefits, so absolutely cannot cooperate with them. If it really doesn't work out, I'll just get up and leave. Originally, I only made this medicine to save He Zuodao, I also know that once this medicine is made, it will be endless trouble."

  "Wen Qing, if you want to leave, I and He Zuodao will go with you." Qi Hui said very seriously.

  "I originally said I was going to leave, but at that time no one said they wanted to follow me in revolution. Now we have so many trustworthy comrades and have met so many people, why should we leave? Believe me, it will be deep. As a party member, you have grasped the knowledge that party members should grasp, nothing can stump us." Chen Ke said confidently.