Chapter 46

  As soon as Chen Ke made up his mind to go north, the comrades didn't say anything else. The only problem was who would go with Chen Ke to the north. This made everyone feel embarrassed.

  When Chen Ke went to inspect the school building progress, he coincidentally arrived at lunchtime. The two of them had lunch together, and then Hua Xiongmao privately found Chen Ke, hoping to go north with him. The school's dormitory was almost topped out, the beams were already in place, and the roof tiles were being covered. After lunch, everyone would rest for a while, taking advantage of this opportunity, the two of them sat down on the top floor. Hua Xiongmao had a somewhat nervous expression. It seems he also knew that this wish might not necessarily come true.

  "Zheng Lan, I appreciate your kindness, but do you think you can go with me?" Chen Ke asked with a smile.

  "Does Wen Qing still think my work here is more important?" Huaxiong Mao said.

  "Of course it's very important."

  "Wen Qing, you're not in Shanghai and I always feel a bit lost. When I was following you around before, I never had this feeling. Being responsible for things on my own..." At this point, Hua Xiongmao furrowed his brow, suddenly unsure of what to say next.

  "What are you going to do by following me?" Chen Ke roughly understood what Hua Xiongmao meant.

  "You do what I do."

  "Then I'll have revolution, what about you?" Chen Kewan asked bluntly.

  "I've always felt that the revolution isn't what I thought it would be. These days, while doing my work, I've been thinking a lot too. There's just an indescribable feeling. It's completely different from the revolution I had imagined."

  After listening to Hua Xiongmao's words, Chen Ke stood up and the dormitory building had three floors. They were on the highest floor. The windows hadn't been installed yet, but from where they would be, you could see farmland, houses, and even more distant cities clearly. Chen Ke leaned against the windowsill, also not speaking for a while.

  Not only did Hua Xiongmao have doubts, but Chen Ke also had doubts. This era seemed to be a stagnant pool of water, no matter how turbulent the undercurrents were, the surface was still calm. It was an era that had not yet begun large-scale civil war, and small-scale peasant economies had not gone bankrupt on a large scale. Social contradictions were still sharp, but overall, for the people, the world was still operating according to its usual rules. Life was very difficult, but compared to previous generations, today's days weren't necessarily worse.

  Social change was still on paper, with fierce arguments within the Beijing imperial court. The uprisings of revolutionary parties in various places were like moths to a flame, and were immediately extinguished. There was no significant impact. Looking at the normal scenery outside, peasants carried their burdens, pushed small carts through the fields, heading to the market inside the city. Their footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, with some even looking carefree. In their view, life was just like that, today was just a copy of yesterday, and tomorrow would be just a copy of today.

  Looking at these scenes, without even mentioning the intense movement of revolution, just Chen Ke's description of the intense changes within society seems to be non-existent. All that can be seen is day after day, an unchanging life. Even Chen Ke himself has become somewhat accustomed to this kind of day.

  "Zheng Lan, this time in social survey, you also participate more. If you can't see the changes in society, you naturally won't believe that revolution will inevitably happen." Chen Ke finally said.

  "I understand." Huaxiong Mao's voice also lacked much passion, it seemed that building houses all day had consumed a lot of his energy. "Anyway, no matter what I say, you won't let me go, Wenyin."

  "That's right. You haven't finished the task assigned by the party, how can you go? Are you trying to shirk responsibility?"

  "Wen Qing, you're not in Shanghai, who are you going to hand over the Party's work to?" There was a hint of frustration in Hua Xiongmao's words.

  "If there's a problem, the party organization will discuss it. You also have the right to speak up. Don't say that comrades have opinions about you. Organizational discipline is paramount. This point you must remember in your heart." Chen Ke said with emphasis and sincerity. At this time, Chen Ke really couldn't say more, and his comrades had to take this step themselves, rather than working under Chen Ke's guidance from start to finish. This was also an important reason why Chen Ke had to leave for a while.

  After comforting Hua Xiongmao, Chen Ke returned to the workshop. He and Qi Hui had a deep discussion about the social survey. The courtyard was still lively, with a temporary open-air classroom built with wooden beams and thatched grass. A classmate was speaking in Wenzhou dialect on the blackboard, talking about the local situation in Wenzhou. Since the start of the social survey, the first thing they did was to discuss their hometowns by region, summarize the situation, and then go to the podium to share their experiences. It was clear that this classmate was a bit nervous, speaking hesitantly, and even contradicting himself at times. Among the students listening below was Chen Tianhua, who didn't say anything, but some of his classmates were already laughing.

  "How much grain can one mu of Wenzhou paddy fields produce? Is it 300 jin or 500 jin?" someone asked.

  "It depends on the situation." The classmate on stage answered very fluently this time.

  "How is the annual scenery divided?" The person below continued to ask relentlessly.

  Having heard this, Chen Ke felt that a good investigation method was so important. Such unstandardized question and answer would only be an idle chatter gathering.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As Chen Ke had expected, the person on stage was stumped. He couldn't help but scratch his head, and began to worry about how to organize his words.

  Chen Ke didn't want to listen anymore and entered the office. He saw Qi Hui Shen writing a document, "How is it?" Chen Ke asked.

  Here is the translation:

  "As for the part about land survey, I've already written it. Wen Qing, take a look. The other parts, I'm really struggling with now. I didn't pay attention to this before, what does a society actually look like? Let me write the social survey, but all I can do is re-read the social analysis report that Wen Qing wrote in his book and the relevant parts of the party documents, only then can I figure out how to start writing these things."

  Qi Hui deep looked worried too, he patted the stack of books and materials on the table. "Let me think about it myself, only then do I realize, I actually don't know what a society looks like. Wen Qing, why don't you stay for now, wait until the survey is on track, then you can go to Beijing."

  Chen Ke took out several documents he had written overnight from the drawer, "Take a look at these documents and discuss them with everyone at the party meeting. Many of my views are included here."

  "Wen Qing has even prepared a clever plan. Very good." Qi Hui Shen unexpectedly made a joke, it seems that writing the plan really brought him some gains.

  "What deep impressions will I have this time when I go to Beijing?"

  "What can I do if you want to go? Besides, wouldn't you not go even if I didn't let you, Wen Qing? If I could do that, I would definitely do it." As he spoke, Qi Hui Shen was deeply engrossed in the manuscript, and after a while, he became completely absorbed in it. The manuscript contained several articles on Chinese social analysis, which were far more insightful than Qi Hui Shen's current understanding. He stared intently at the text, unaware that Wu Xing Chen had entered the room.

  "Wen Qing, this time going north, let's go together." Wu Xingchen still had a gloomy face, but made people feel he was very serious.

  For such an unexpected event, Chen Ke thought it was quite interesting. Wu Xingchen joining the party was like hitching a lucky ride. Chen Ke really didn't expect Wu Xingchen to volunteer to go with him. What on earth was this brother from the gang thinking? Chen Ke was very curious.

  Wu Xingchen did not intend to let Chen Ke guess his thoughts, and he said straightforwardly: "My several northern friends want to stir up some trouble, I hope Wen Qing can go and help them come up with a plan."

  "Make some noise?" Chen Ke's eyes widened instantly. From Wu Xingchen's tone, his friend was going to rebel! He truly admired Wu Xingchen in his heart. As a revolutionary party member, the northern friends wanted to rebel, and the two sides were surprisingly compatible.

  "No problem. I'll go with Wu Ge. But I don't know how Wu Ge is going to introduce me to everyone?"

  "If Wen Qing agrees to go, then I'll set off for Hebei first and get in touch with my friends there. We can meet up in Beijing later." Wu Xingchen said.

  "Where are you rushing to Hebei? Who will take over Wu's work?" Chen Ke asked.

  "Now the hospital has a reputation, it's okay if I stay or leave. Besides, I don't plan to stay in Hebei for long, after we finish talking, I'll head back to Shanghai." Wu Xingchen said calmly.

  Since Wu Xingchen said so, Chen Ke didn't say anything else. The two of them discussed and confirmed the meeting address, wrote it down on paper, and then Wu Xingchen stood up to bid farewell.

  That night's party meeting, Chen Ke arranged some work, after discussion, the person who went to Beijing with him was finally determined as Chen Tianhua. Everyone also made detailed arrangements for how to contact each other in case of an emergency.

  On October 1, Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua boarded a ship heading north to Tianjin. As the ship slowly left the dock, Chen Ke looked out from the side of the boat. The one who came to see them off was You Yun, as other comrades were all busy to death, Chen Ke ordered everyone to work hard. Therefore, the party organization dispatched You Yun to come and see them off. Chen Ke slowly waved his hand at You Yun, and You Yun also waved back in response.

  The ship's railings were crowded with people, all waving goodbye to their loved ones and friends. Various farewell blessings echoed in Chen Ke's ears, but the dock and the boats on it were getting farther and farther away.

  No matter how worried Chen Ke is about the work in Shanghai, he is very clear that revolution has never been a one-man show. Without trustworthy comrades, revolution would be a big joke. The early work determines the foundation of the future. If mistakes are made, the losses will be great. However, the earlier it is, the more opportunities there are to adjust. At this stage, the more problems exposed, the more dangers can be avoided in the future revolution. Therefore, Chen Ke wants to hand over the work in Shanghai to everyone, because he believes in everyone and must believe in everyone.

  "Work hard! Comrades." Chen Ke said in a low voice.

  "Everyone can definitely do well." Tianhua Chen said with a smile.

  Chen Tianhua, who was standing beside him, had no other acquaintances. He simply waved his hand politely at You Yun and stood quietly beside Chen Ke. Chen Ke said to Chen Tianhua beside him, "Tianhua, go back to the cabin. I'll show you some documents."

  Chen Ke had been to Tianjin in the 1980s, so after disembarking in Tianjin, he felt a sense of familiarity with his surroundings in 1905. At least the roads were still familiar.

  As agreed, Chen Ke took the train from Tianjin to Beijing and then transferred to the Jinghan Line to get off at Xingtai. He went to visit Pang Zi with Wu Xingchen's letter. Standing at Tianjin Port, Chen Ke's short hair, thick cotton-padded jacket, denim pants, scuffed leather shoes, and double-shoulder backpack were really eye-catching. Seeing the gazes of people around him, Chen Ke took out a pack of hard-paper-boxed cigarettes that he had hidden for a long time, pulled one out and lit it with a fake zip lighter, then looked around at the guys staring at him with a childish air.

  This guy doesn't look like a good sort, the guys with queues around him all turned their heads. Chen Tianhua was dressed in his old student uniform, with long hair scattered to his shoulders. Chen Ke pulled out a cigarette and handed it to Chen Tianhua, who thought for a moment before taking it. The two of them puffed on their cigarettes, strutting along with their noses in the air, when they heard someone behind them cursing in Tianjin dialect: "Japanese devils."

  Chen Ke immediately lost his temper. He turned around to scold the person who had spoken, but no one paid attention to him. Chen Ke said to Chen Tianhua beside him: "Tianhua, have you ever seen a Japanese man as handsome as me?"

  Chen Tianhua had been talking about revolution and ideals with Chen Ke all along, and his impression of Chen Ke was that he was a very steady person. Suddenly hearing Chen Ke ask this question, he almost choked himself. "Wen Qing brother, I think you've never noticed that you don't have a queue?" Chen Tianhua asked.

  "I've had short hair since I was a kid and have no idea what it's like to have braids." Chen Ke replied, panting.

  "So that's how it is." After hearing such a straightforward and confident statement, Chen Tianhua also fell silent.

  When the two of them arrived at Tianjin Railway Station, it was already afternoon. At the ticket counter, they found that all tickets to Beijing had been sold out. By this time, it was already afternoon and taking other means of transportation didn't seem reliable either. Chen Ke thought about booking a ticket for the next day, but was told that those were also sold out. Chen Ke left the ticket counter in dismay.

  "Tianhua, let's hire a porter and go to Beijing tomorrow," said Chen Ke.

  Chen Tianhua wasn't particularly concerned about how to get to Beijing, anyway he was following Chen Ke, and the route had been arranged by him. What interested Chen Tianhua was Chen Ke's attitude, "Literary youth brother, why do you look so happy?"

  "It's natural to be happy when returning to one's old haunts." Chen Ke replied casually.

  Chen Tianhua found it somewhat strange, "But I think Wen Qing brother isn't very familiar with the road either."

  "Last time I came, I took a car. Who walks for no reason?" Chen Ke looked around and spoke the truth casually.

  Chen Tianhua had seen cars in Japan and knew what kind of people could ride them. After hearing Chen Ke's words, Chen Tianhua fell silent. Chen Ke didn't mind either, he just looked around for a mule cart.

  They asked several people on the road, and when they saw Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua's attire, they all said they didn't know where the mule station was. This kind of perfunctory remark made Chen Ke quite annoyed. The two walked while looking around left and right. Suddenly, Chen Ke saw a banner hanging outside a fabric store: "This store does not sell foreign goods." There were quite a few people going in and out of the fabric store.

  "So that's how it is." Chen Ke said to himself.

  Chen Ke's voice was not loud, and Chen Tianhua beside him didn't hear clearly. He asked: "What's wrong?"

  Just as he was about to answer, a gust of early autumn wind blew over, and the cool breeze from the north refreshed his spirit. Chen Ke's intended explanation turned into something else, "I know where the mule is going." After saying that, Chen Ke turned left and headed in the direction of the wind.

  Every time they walked a bit, Chen Ke would slightly lift his head and sniff the air. This unusual behavior made Chen Tianhua feel uneasy. However, after walking out for not too long, Chen Tianhua already understood what was going on. Because he had also smelled that very special smell in the air.

  Two people stopped in front of a courtyard, on the gate of which hung a large sign that read "Shun Feng Che Xing". As soon as they entered the gate, it was clear that the courtyard was quite large. On both sides of the east and west walls, there were rows of animal sheds built. Judging from the scale of the animal sheds alone, they were not small at all. In front of the animal sheds, there were feeding troughs and water troughs. Inside, a small number of mules or horses were either resting or lowering their heads to eat grass and drink water. The ground was swept relatively clean, with the mule dung piled up in one corner, and the air was filled with a smell produced by herbivores that was unpleasant but not nauseating.

  When he saw guests arriving, the boss hurried out to greet them. After taking a clear look at Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua's attire, the smile on the boss's face became increasingly hypocritical.

  "Boss, how much does it cost to rent a car to Beijing?" Chen Ke asked.

  The boss, dressed in a long gown, looked at Chen Ke's short hair and his outlandish clothes, and replied warmly: "Fifty taels of silver."

  "Why don't you go out and rob some money?" Chen Ke asked solemnly.

  "This gentleman," the boss replied very seriously, "am I not robbing you right now?"

  For the boss's irrefutable answer, Chen Ke really couldn't think of a way to respond. He could only say: "It's too expensive."

  "The car rented to Japanese is expensive like this. If you think it's expensive, go find another place." The boss's face showed a sly smile again.

  Chen Ke hastily explained: "Have you ever seen a Japanese person who can speak Chinese as well as I can?"

  "I wasn't talking about you, I was referring to that person behind you." The boss explained to Chen Ke.

  Upon hearing this, Chen Tianhua, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "I am not Japanese, I am from Hunan." Chen Tianhua's Hunan dialect was very authentic, and even Chen Keduan couldn't quite understand it.

  The boss of the mule cart was also a worldly man who could understand dialects from all over. After hearing Chen Tianhua's words, the boss hastily smiled and said, "I made a mistake. Sorry, sorry, gentlemen. Since you two are not Japanese, then thirty taels of silver will do."

  "Thirty taels is also expensive." Chen Ke was heartbroken about the silver.

  "Sir, come and take a look." The boss led Chen Ke to the front of the mule shed, pointing at a batch of mules and horses, saying: "Take a look at these animals, such tall and strong ones, how many families in Tianjin have them? Take another look at our carts." The boss said while pointing to where the big carts were parked, "Such good carts, how many families in Tianjin have them?"

  After saying that, the boss said with a smile unique to businessmen: "Our stable is so big, but you see there are not many mules and horses. That's because they have all been rented out. The best carriages have also been rented out. Those who come to rent our carriages are all officials from Tianjin. Although you've never been here before, you really have come to the right place."

  The 46th