Chapter 57

  The crisis at the end of the Qing dynasty greatly stimulated Chinese intellectuals, who also had many explorations on the road to saving the country. However, Chen Duxiu himself was not too impressed by the awakening of intellectuals at the end of the Qing dynasty. From the perspective of historical materialism, the efforts of these people were indeed the basis for the emergence of the party later on. Nevertheless, the direction of their efforts was mostly incorrect.

  To save the country, one must know the strategy to save it. History has proven that to save China, industrialization must be achieved in China. New China spent 61 years and by 2010, the total output value of industry and agriculture had historically surpassed that of the United States, achieving what Chairman Mao once said: "catch up with Britain and surpass America". The total steel production reached over 600 million tons, more than the combined total of the second to tenth places in the world. From 1949 to 1978, New China basically completed the establishment of an industrial system, forcibly transforming China from an agricultural country into a preliminary industrial country. It's true that the level of industrialization in China in 1978 was still relatively low, but nothing is accomplished overnight. In 1978, China was like holding a not-so-good knife to fight against opponents with sharp weapons. But at least everyone had taken up arms, which was a huge difference from being unarmed before 1949. Compared to building the country, whether it's the Qing dynasty, the Beiyang government, or Chiang Kai-shek's regime, they can all be ashamed and bow their heads in shame.

  And the foundation for achieving industrialization is to build a new order that conforms to industrialization. No matter how those people clamored that various movements were "destroying Chinese culture". But in Chen Ke's view, by 1978, various movements had thoroughly smashed the institutional and ideological obstacles that hindered the development of industrialization, and after that, China's industrialization process no longer had any substantial enemies, and it developed vigorously.

  Historically, Peking University produced many "public intellectuals" before the establishment of New China. As far as Chen Ke knows, these people did not play a significant role in promoting China's industrialization. On the contrary, there were many people among them who hindered the development of industrialization. Chen Ke still hopes to save these people through lectures as much as possible. In his imagination, if he could live to see the establishment of New China himself, he would not have any indulgent ideas towards liberal arts students. During Chairman Mao's anti-rightist era without the internet, if there was the internet at that time, it is estimated that the people would have hanged the rightists on lamp posts. Not to mention others, the "bring-the-road party" in the 21st century will absolutely not be spared.

  With this idea in mind, Chen Ke's class became even more straightforward. Facing the students of Beijing University, Chen Ke lectured on the development of productive forces, especially emphasizing industrialization. He spoke about the organizational model of modern industry and its differences with the current system of the Qing dynasty, as well as the conflicts between them. Chen Ke did not avoid these topics, but instead spoke directly and frankly.

  Listening to Chen's eloquent explanation of the modern industrial structure, the role of each department, and how to build and develop these departments. The Imperial University was initially silent, then everyone started whispering, and finally some people stopped listening altogether and began arguing.

  Chen Ke put down the chalk and stared silently at his classmates below. The students who were speaking in hushed tones gradually fell silent, while the arguing ones became more agitated. When they realized that there was no sound around them, everyone's eyes fell on them. After all, as students of the Imperial University, they still had some dignity. Since they had already disrupted the class, they didn't think it was anything to be ashamed of, and one of them simply stood up and spoke out, "Mr. Chen, your lecture is so wonderful. Developing industry seems effortless. Can you give us a simple example?"

  Luckily they didn't bother me with historical data. Chen Ke felt much more at ease. For example, Chen Ke quickly thought of the beehive coal project. He nodded and then briefed everyone on this project.

  In Beijing, the conditions for developing honeycomb coal are still very mature. Smokeless coal is available in Beijing, and the market for honeycomb coal is not lacking either. The mechanical equipment is also not difficult to obtain. This new product can strongly promote economic development, drive the development of many surrounding industries, and is a project with numerous benefits and no drawbacks.

  After explaining the project, Chen Ke asked: "How do you think this project is, fellow student?"

  The one who stood up to question Chen Ke was tongue-tied and couldn't say a word. Chen Ke explained very clearly, but after listening, he felt that something key was missing inside. However, he also felt that he couldn't grasp the thread of it. He wanted to say something, but couldn't get it out. Adding to this, with everyone's eyes on him at this time, he felt even more uncomfortable. This brother looked like he was almost thirty years old, with a queue (braid) left over, and although it was autumn, the auditorium wasn't hot, but his forehead still brightened up, as if he had broken out in sweat. Chen Ke didn't want to make things difficult for him, so he waved his hand and let him sit down.

  Chen Ke turned around, wrote the several elements he had just mentioned on the blackboard, and drew a few lines on these elements pointing to the blank space in the center of the elements. Chen Ke heavily wrote two big words in the blank space: Government.

  "This project seems simple, but in fact, the departments that need to be contacted are not simple. Mines, transportation, steel, these basic industrial sectors all need to be contacted. Moreover, it also involves urban land use, factory area selection and other municipal construction issues. If it were a mature industrialized government, these would be easy. But with the current government, there is a problem of incomplete functions."

  Chen Ke glanced over the students below again, and compared with the students of Fudan Public School in his memory, everyone's expression was not very friendly. Chen Ke smiled: "I know. Those who can come to Beijing University to study are all talents at this time. If you think this project is interesting, I welcome ambitious people to work with me on this project."

  The students' reaction was not very enthusiastic, and just as they were about to take a temporary break, the young man who had asked questions yesterday stood up. "Mr. Chen, your knowledge is quite impressive, and I am very admiring of it. However, why do I feel that you always seem to be holding something back? What are your views on the government, Mr. Chen?" After finishing speaking, the student's eyes stared intensely at Chen Ke, as if trying to read the answer from his face.

  After hearing these blunt words, Chen Ke smiled and said, "To be honest, I don't know what you all are thinking. If I have time in the next few days, I will ask for your advice. But in my opinion, the government's goal should be to develop productive forces. In the process of developing productive forces, we allow everyone to get rich. However, whether it is the Chinese government or foreign governments, their current goal is to get rich, and they are forced to develop productive forces in order to get rich. In my opinion, this is a case of putting the cart before the horse. If China wants to surpass Europe and America, it must establish a government that takes developing productive forces as its core, a government that enriches the people rather than enriching officials and nobles."

  After hearing Chen Ke's words, a buzz arose among the students. Chen Ke didn't care about that much. "Now rest for 15 minutes first, then continue with the lesson."

  "Enriching the people, rather than enriching officials or scholars. Is that possible?" someone said with a mocking tone.

  "This logic is indeed correct." There was a lack of confidence in this voice.

  "Isn't this going to cause trouble?"

  "The common people are the foundation of the world. What is this rebellion?" Someone retorted immediately.

  "It is governing the world with the scholar-officials, not governing the world with the common people."

  "One person should rule the world, but the world should not serve one person."

  The students were in an uproar. Chen Ke didn't care about that, and walked straight out of the auditorium. The sky was very blue, and the warm sunshine on his face felt nice, but the temperature had really dropped a lot. When the wind blew, it was still cool. Who knows what kind of path these students will choose in the end? Chen Ke hadn't made any comparisons before - how big is the difference between Confucius' Great Unity thought and Marx's communism? Or, where is the difference between socialism and the Great Unity world? This might be a good topic. Just as he was thinking randomly, he saw that young student who had asked the question earlier come over, "Mr. Chen, you said earlier that you wanted to make that honeycomb coal, is that true?"

  "Hmm, it's true." After saying that, Chen Ke sized up the young man, "May I ask your honorable surname? My surname is Su, Su Wuming."

  Wu Ming? Why not call Wu Kong instead?

  Looking at Chen Ke's expression, Su Wuming smiled and said, "My father believes in Buddhism, so he gave me this name."

  "Judging from your accent, are you from Shaanxi Province?"

  "Xian people, where is Brother Chen?"

  "Person from Zhengzhou, Henan."

  "Mr. Chen's remarks about beehive coal are quite interesting, I happen to have a few friends. If Mr. Chen is really interested, I can help him get in touch."

  "That's the best."

  "Mr. Chen, I've heard what you said about the government. It seems to have immense power. I wonder what kind of government it should be."

  "I hope the government is like this. This is incomparable to the Qing dynasty. Firstly, all land in the world no longer has private ownership, and all land belongs to the state. The industrial system is also under government control, with countless large factories being state-owned. The examination system is at least a million times more extensive than the current imperial examination. All citizens, whether they like it or not, must go to school and learn knowledge, which is also part of the imperial examination. In short, the emperor's power does not extend below the county level, this approach does not exist in the new government. The government can directly manage anyone in the village."

  Listening to Chen Ke's garrulous talk, Su Wuming's eyes widened in surprise. "This, this isn't a joke, is it?"

  "What can be done, believe me," said Chen Ke. In the year when Chairman Mao was alive, the party established an unprecedentedly powerful social management system. What Chen Ke said were all realities that had been achieved.

  "Then this world would no longer be ruled by the Aisin Gioro clan?" Su Wuming asked in a low voice.

  Chen Ke looked at Su Wuming without any malice, but rather with a somewhat excited expression. The Imperial Academy was also equivalent to the Guozijian. Students of the Guozijian all had such questions. This fate of the Qing dynasty... But Chen Ke couldn't openly express his opinion, so he asked instead: "What do you think?"

  Su Wuming just dryly laughed twice and didn't make another sound.

  The following classes are both smooth and not smooth. The students have many questions. Everyone is very interested in the new government proposed by Chen Ke. The students of Beijing University are not easy to deal with, and their questions are quite sharp. What is the relationship between the design of the new government's departmental settings, functional design, and productivity? Everyone's thinking is quite clear. It seems that they have studied the new policy.

  Chen Ke wasn't afraid of being asked questions, and he also knew that these questions wouldn't make him lose face. After all, he was a traverser, and he was quite clear about the organization of the new national machine. But if he really explained it clearly, everyone would probably know that Chen Ke was a revolutionary party member. Finally finishing his lesson, Chen Ke hastily left the school, this place of right and wrong. Before nightfall, he finally entered the door.

  The originally empty yard now has a lot of things piled up. Chen Ke left a list of items to be purchased when he walked away at noon. Now, large jars, wooden blocks, coal balls, red soil, and rope-like tools are piled up like a small mountain.

  When Chen Ke returned, Chen Tianhua said: "Wen Qing is back. Except for that iron thing you mentioned, everything else has been bought. The blacksmith said that the thing you want can only be taken out tomorrow."

  "Let's get started." Chen Ke changed into a coarse linen outfit and called Wu Xingchen, Pang Zi, and several other friends to get busy.

  The hole has been drilled at the bottom of the large barrel, near the wind door. Chen Tianhua and his team have asked a carpenter to cut a wooden stake into eight pieces according to Chen Ke's drawing. However, they are not evenly divided, but rather four outer larger inner smaller, and four outer smaller inner larger. After cutting away the core in the middle of the eight wood blocks, reassemble them into a circular shape, insert an ordinary thick wooden stick in the middle, and tie the outside with rope.

  In the afternoon, Pang Zi saw that Chen Ke was going to cut open a piece of wood with great difficulty and didn't understand why. Chen Ke didn't explain either, but first filled the large vat with soil, filling one layer at a time, and then used a wooden mallet to compact the red soil. Everyone was young and energetic, and they worked efficiently. After the soil level exceeded the position of the wind opening on the side of the vat, Chen Ke put several iron nails into the vat, adjusting them to a 90-degree angle with the air vent. Then he placed that strange wooden stake in the vat and continued filling and compacting the soil. After compacting the red soil, Chen Ke stood on the soil inside the large vat and pulled out the thick wooden stick tied up in the middle of the bundle of strange objects with great effort. Next, because the eight pieces of wood outside were somewhat smaller on the outside and larger on the inside, they could be easily pulled down and dismantled. The ropes outside were also easily removed. In the red soil, an irregular empty hole was created.

  Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua then used a wooden stick to grind the hollow into a circle, and then used an iron poker to dig through the hole from the position of the wind door. By the time it was dark, they had managed to make a rough simple beehive coal stove.

  The firewood is burning inside the stove, this is for drying. When the beehive coal is dug out tomorrow, it can be used.

  Everyone poured water into the newly bought kettle and put it on the stove to boil, standing by the fire, feeling warm and cozy. At this moment, someone knocked on the door. Chen Tianhua went to open the door, and his Mandarin pronunciation had improved a lot in recent days. He asked in a Hunan accent: "May I ask..." but then stopped abruptly. Chen Ke felt strange and turned around, only to hear someone outside asking: "Is Mr. Wenqing in?" It was the voice of He Guanjia.

  "I am." Chen Ke replied.

  "Mr. Wenqing, my master invites you over." He Guan's voice was very respectful and somewhat unusual.

  "I'm going right now."

  A horse carriage was parked at the entrance of He's house, which wasn't there when Chen Ke came back just now, so it must have arrived recently. Following the butler into the living room of He's mansion, He Ruoming stood with his hands behind his back inside the living room. Seeing Chen Ke, he immediately walked up to him and said, "Wen Qing has come."

  After Chen Ke and He Ruming exchanged greetings, their eyes fell on another person in the living room. It was a soldier with a long face, a queue, and a faint scar above his left cheekbone. What caught their attention even more was the blue military uniform he wore, with four pockets on the jacket, riding breeches, and a military leather belt. Except for an incongruous trinket resembling a topknot button on his hat, it was basically indistinguishable from modern military uniforms.

  It wouldn't be that something went wrong with his class this afternoon, would it? This was Chen Ke's first thought. He then thought that the students in school shouldn't be so bored as to report him. So why did He Ruoming bring a military officer to find him? Turning his head back to look at He Ruoming, he saw that his expression was mixed with anger, helplessness, and some anxiety. Before Chen Ke could ask, He Ruoming said: "Wen Qing, do you have some of that new medicine on you?"

  "There's a little bit." Chen Ke had brought enough medicine for over a hundred people, but he didn't dare to say so.

  "How many people can be cured?"

  "I don't know how many people Master wants to execute?"

  "Is there medicine for the first ten people?"

  "Yes."

  "That's great." He Qiuming obviously breathed a sigh of relief. "I'd like to ask Dr. Wenqing to take a look at the illness for a few people."

  "Mr. He, that medicine of mine is highly toxic. When I was in Shanghai, I had to get patients to sign a waiver before treating them. If someone died, I couldn't be held responsible."

  "I've read about this in the newspaper and know a bit. Don't worry, we'll sign a receipt here too. But treating the illness is urgent. I hope you can help."

  Chen Ke glanced at He Ruming, it shouldn't be this old fellow who got sick. If someone in his family was sick, why would there be a military officer in the living room?

  "Don't know where to go for medical treatment?"

  "Let me introduce him, this is the new military second-class, Lieutenant Colonel Bu."

  The official title of the Beiyang government was quite long, and Chen Ke didn't understand it either. However, that military officer, upon hearing He Ruming's introduction, stood at attention with a crisp salute, his heels clicking together as he bowed to Chen Ke. "I am Bu Guan Shui."

  Chen Ke hastily went up and shook hands with the officer, "I'm Chen Ke."

  "Mr. Chen, I have a few patients here, please come and take a look." Bo Guanshui said politely, he should know what kind of illness it was, so his expression was somewhat embarrassed.

  "Alright, alright. I'll go get the medicine now."

  He went back to fetch the medicine, and Chen Ke also told everyone that he was going out. He estimated that it would be very late before he returned, or maybe he wouldn't return at all. Let everyone rest early. However, Chen Ke didn't dare let everyone send him off at the door. Yesterday, after listening to Wu Xingchen and Pang Zi's account of history, this house full of people and the Beiyang Army were sworn enemies. If they saw Chen Ke mixing with a Beiyang military officer, heaven knows what would happen.

  Back at the He mansion, He Ruoming and Bo Guanshui were already waiting in the courtyard. Chen Ke got into the carriage under Bo Guanshui's lead, the coachman urged the horses on, and amidst the rumbling of the carriage wheels, the carriage disappeared from He Ruoming's sight into the darkness of night.

  The 57th