Cai Yuanpei was a scholar, not an economist. The others in the room—Tao Chengzhang, Xu Xilin, Qiu Jin, and the rest—could hardly even be called scholars. When Chen Ke spoke of the cruelty of the capital accumulation phase, they didn't feel much at first. But once they understood, everyone looked somewhat shocked.

"Britain began plundering the world 300 years ago, and finally made its move on China in 1840. At that time, Britain had a population of only twenty or thirty million. China now has four hundred million people; copying Britain's example definitely won't work. The world is only so big. If China tries to learn from Britain in that way, are we to kill off the people of every other country in the world? China must have a completely new political system. Revolution isn't just about overthrowing the Manchu Qing dynasty. Overthrowing the Manchus is not the problem; overthrowing them merely marks the beginning of an even more arduous era."

Chen Ke spoke with fervor and assurance, indifferent to the fact that he was just a young man who had recently met everyone. He had already thought it through: since Xu Xilin had recommended him to Cai Yuanpei and the senior cadres of the Restoration Society as a revolutionary, he might as well expound on his own revolutionary concepts. What was the use of overthinking it? Chen Ke already had his preliminary social connections—Hua Xiongmao, You Gou, Zhou Yuanxiao, and even Qi Huishen, whom he had met not long ago. These were the partners Chen Ke would truly work with. They were the social relations Chen Ke would rely on in the future.

History had already proven that the revolutionary parties of this era would not achieve greatness. After the Xinhai Revolution, the Restoration Society vanished before long. The Alliance Society, after reorganization, became something completely different. So, what was the point of exhausting oneself to cater to these political parties with no future?

Chen Ke knew he wasn't a genius and certainly couldn't convince people he had just met with mere words. So, "do one's best and leave the rest to Heaven" would have to suffice.

After briefly outlining the rise of European and American nations, Chen Ke earnestly pointed out that their strength lay in the implementation of "industrialization." As an agricultural country, China must industrialize. Industrialization was a comprehensive "revolution" against China's existing agricultural system. Any system unsuitable for an industrial nation must be overthrown. Therefore, the Manchu Qing must be brought down.

Watching Chen Ke speak with such confidence before these prestigious Restoration Society cadres, Xu Xilin saw the Chen Ke who had discussed revolution with him back then. Xu Xilin had once thought Chen Ke wasn't actually a revolutionary, but an opportunist—a guy who just wanted to use his connections to find opportunities in Shanghai. Seeing Chen Ke perform like this again, Xu Xilin suddenly felt that the young man before him was truly incredible. Chen Ke never talked about *how* to overthrow the Qing, only about what kind of China to build afterward. It sounded reasonable, yet it didn't solve the immediate main problem. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Tao Chengzhang ask first, "Mr. Wenqing, I do not know how you intend to overthrow the Manchu Qing."

Everyone at the meeting’s eyes lit up at this question. This was what they cared about most. Chen Ke paused; he had considered how to answer this. Or rather, whether to tell the truth to these revolutionary seniors of the Restoration Society. Chen Ke had been indecisive, but seeing everyone staring at him, he actually felt a bit nervous. For some reason, he suddenly remembered a sentence his mother had once told him: "Dying first is easy; dying later is hard."

At that time, Chen Ke was still young, lacked confidence, yet desperately wanted to do everything well. The result was always a mess. Chen Ke couldn't forget the look of care mixed with anger on his mother's face as she said those words, one by one.

"Dying first is easy; dying later is hard. Do you think those traitors have a good life after defecting? They live in fear every day. If the Communist Party wins the world, will they spare them? Ordinarily, keep your posture soft. Don't bite off more than you can chew, agreeing to everything and promising anything. But once you've chosen a path, follow it to the end. Don't think about anything else, just work towards success. You must have your own position first, a position you can control and grasp. That is your foundation. If, in the end, Heaven wills you to die, then die calmly. To be a person, you must first be upright; don't engage in crooked ways. You must also be smart; don't seek your own death. And you must have backbone, daring to face the consequences. Once you've chosen something, absolutely never become a deserter or a traitor."

Back then, Chen Ke felt he always chose the wrong projects. Later, he had to painfully realize that he was always eager for quick success and instant benefits, choosing high-risk, uncontrollable paths. Projects that seemed to offer huge returns also meant terrifyingly high probabilities of failure.

Thinking of this, Chen Ke had to admit that close cooperation with the Restoration Society was a high-risk project. If he wanted to join them, he would inevitably face many "tests." The Restoration Society's radical program, the uprisings everywhere, the assassinations—one after another. Xu Xilin would go on to assassinate En Ming, the Governor of Anhui. Since Chen Ke didn't agree with this mode of revolution at all, he might as well speak his mind about his own revolutionary philosophy. It would be good for him, and good for the Restoration Society.

Having made up his mind, Chen Ke looked at Tao Chengzhang and said very seriously, "My revolution is to lead the poor people who can no longer survive to rise up and overthrow the local government, establish the new system I mentioned, and fight region by region until all of China is liberated."

Seeing Chen Ke ponder for a while before uttering these words, the others looked at him with surprise. Listening to Chen Ke speak earlier about building China's industrialization, he had seemed like a "Reformist." They hadn't expected Chen Ke to not only advocate violent revolution but to be "extremely violent."

"Mr. Wenqing, why do you want to lead the poor? What do those people know about revolution?" a middle-aged man Chen Ke didn't know asked.

"I think they are the ones who truly need revolution. Most of the gentry today support a constitutional monarchy, thinking that if they share power with the Qing and run the country, things will improve. At the very least, their lives will be much better. If the Qing really establishes a constitution now and satisfies these people, they won't want a revolution. Even among the radical revolutionaries, as long as there is a constitution and queues are cut, I'm afraid many of them would accept it. As for the common people, they don't know how to write the word 'revolution,' and most are illiterate. But if this system in China doesn't change, their lives are destined to be incredibly hard. When they rise in revolution, they will inevitably overthrow this world completely and start anew. There are four hundred million common people in this world. The people currently in power, along with their subordinates, number at most five million. When four hundred million people stand up for revolution, can those five million stop this great tide?"

Chen Ke's voice wasn't loud, and he spoke slowly, word by word. Hearing his words, the expressions of everyone in the room became grave. Chen Ke swept his gaze over the crowd; apart from Hua Xiongmao, who couldn't help but show a hint of joy, the others didn't look very happy.

The room fell silent for a moment. Seeing the awkward pause, Cai Yuanpei smiled kindly. "Does Wenqing feel he knows how to establish this new system you speak of?"

"I lack much in the details, but I understand the basic principles," Chen Ke said without hesitation.

"Then what are Wenqing's plans for the near future?"

"I plan to open a cultural remedial class."

"Oh? Have the schoolhouse and teachers been settled?"

"I have the teachers, but not the schoolhouse."

Hearing this, Cai Yuanpei looked around at everyone. "Wenqing, I happen to have an opportunity here. The local community in Shanghai is preparing to start a school. They originally wanted me to lead it. According to them, the schoolhouse is settled. Since Wenqing says he can run a school, I wonder if you would be willing to take it over?" Cai Yuanpei gently dropped a heavy bombshell.

"Mr. Cai knows so many worthy gentlemen; how could it be my turn? Mr. Cai thinks too highly of me."

"This school isn't a Restoration Society school. And I heard from Bosun that Wenqing wishes to join the Restoration Society. Wenqing, take care of this matter first; consider it a favor to me," Cai Yuanpei said. Chen Ke looked around; everyone appeared composed, revealing nothing. *I'll just see what the trick is,* Chen Ke thought. "I will write a charter for Mr. Cai to review. If Mr. Cai gives me this opportunity, I can absolutely run it well," Chen Ke replied earnestly.

"That is good," Cai Yuanpei said with a smile. "I also think Wenqing should be able to run it well."

They exchanged a few more words before Qiu Jin signaled Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao with a glance. The two quickly stood up to take their leave. Cai Yuanpei nodded in approval.

Once outside, Chen Ke let out a long breath, as if to expel all the gloom from his chest.

"Wenqing, are you really going to open a school?" Hua Xiongmao asked.

"Why not?" Chen Ke countered.

"Have you ever run a school?" Hua Xiongmao was an interesting person; he always got to the point.

Being with a pragmatist like Hua Xiongmao made Chen Ke feel quite relaxed. He grinned and said, "Provincial Graduate Hua, I actually have run a school." This wasn't a joke; Chen Ke had run a cram school with friends in the 21st century. He was no stranger to these things. "What I'm worried about is the lack of a schoolhouse. As for running a school, that's nothing."

Hua Xiongmao had some faith in Chen Ke's words. He thought for a moment and suddenly laughed, "If Wenqing runs a school, I must go and be a student. Listening to Wenqing's lectures should be a joy."

"A joy?" Chen Ke laughed heartily at this. "Zhenglan, how many students have you seen who love going to school? Which one isn't driven to agony by their studies?"

Hearing this, Hua Xiongmao laughed too. "Although I took the military exam, I also attended a private school. I was beaten by the teacher every day back then. Being beaten by the teacher wasn't enough; if my parents found out, I'd get another beating at home. Truly agony."

"If Mr. Cai lets me run the school, I'll go and run it. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it; overthinking is useless. But we absolutely cannot drop our own cloth dyeing business." Chen Ke's words sounded more like he was persuading himself.

By the time the two returned to the workshop, it was almost noon. Entering the gate, they saw three people working in the courtyard. Looking closely, the person helping hang the cloth under You Gou's command was Qi Huishen, whom they had just met yesterday. Qi Huishen was also wearing deep blue work clothes, pulling a rope with his head tilted back. "Aren't you tired looking up like that?" You Gou ordered. "Pull the rope down first. There's a loop at this end; put the loop over the corresponding hook. Then go adjust the position."

Ten square wooden beams corresponding to the ones above were placed on the ground, with iron hooks nailed to them. To prevent snagging people, the iron hooks looked almost like iron rings with a small gap cut out. This was Hua Xiongmao's suggestion.

Qi Huishen did as You Gou said. He looked up at the cloth above; it was hung very unevenly. You Gou pulled a rope on one of the walls. The bamboo poles for drying the cloth had their spacing adjusted by this rope. Once the rope was tightened, the distance between the bamboo poles became uniform. Qi Huishen found this design magical. Just as he looked up to examine it carefully, he heard You Gou shout, "Look after you finish working; continue hanging the cloth now." Roared at by You Gou, Qi Huishen immediately lowered his head and prepared to drape cloth over the lowered bamboo poles. Then he saw Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao standing at the door, looking at him in surprise.

"Wenqing, this Mr. Qi came to ask you for advice. I figured you wouldn't charge him tuition, so I let him use labor to replace the fees," You Gou shouted while deftly draping cloth over the bamboo poles.

"Mr. Qi, is that really so?" Chen Ke asked with a smile.

"It wasn't Miss You forcing me to work. I asked to help myself. Last time I saw Mr. Wenqing working with everyone, I wanted to see how tiring your work is."

"Then continue. I'll come over and join you right away."

The number of people working in the courtyard went from four to five. Everyone let Qi Huishen do the lightest tasks, yet with just one extra person, the efficiency improved significantly.

By evening, when fifty bolts of cloth filled the courtyard, the five people gathered around the table, rubbing their sore necks and shoulders. Qi Huishen looked back at the dense rows of cloth, unable to believe he had participated in so much work.

"Mr. Wenqing..." Qi Huishen said.

"No need for 'Mr.', just call me Wenqing."

"Brother Wenqing, yesterday you spoke of revolution, specifically saying that revolution requires the people to revolt. Can you explain that in detail today?"

"Brother Huishen, given your work efficiency, I think... if you work here, I'll give you 15 *wen* per bolt of cloth, plus free lectures. How about that?" Chen Ke threw out his requirement.

"..." Qi Huishen hadn't expected Chen Ke to propose such a bizarre requirement. After thinking it over, he said, "I have a friend. I'd like to ask him to come work and listen to the lectures together. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Today counts as volunteer work. Starting tomorrow, come to work with your friend. Also, I have things to do today, so I can't lecture. If there's nothing else, I'll be going first." As he spoke, Chen Ke stood up.

Qi Huishen didn't look angry at all. He also stood up. "Then I'll take my leave first."

Once Qi Huishen left the courtyard, Hua Xiongmao asked curiously, "Wenqing, why torment the guy like that?"

"Revolution relies on doing. People unwilling to do a bit of work aren't qualified to participate in my revolution," Chen Ke said with a smile. After meeting Cai Yuanpei and the others during the day, Chen Ke no longer wanted to be hesitant about revolution. The Communist Party started with just a few people back then, yet they liberated China in '28. Since he was willing to make a revolution, he should gather comrades willing to revolt and willing to work, just like those predecessors. Hard struggle was all it took. "Dying first is easy; dying later is hard." If the day truly came to sacrifice himself for the revolution, he would just die without regret. Why think so much?

When he returned to his residence, it was already dark. It was Qiu Jin's maid, Lin Jian, who opened the door. Entering the courtyard, he saw lights on in both Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin's rooms. The sound of an argument came from Xu Xilin's room. Hearing the noise at the gate, the people inside paused, and a moment later Xu Xilin walked out. "You two, come in." Judging by his voice, Xu Xilin's tone was quite stern.

As soon as they entered the room, Xu Xilin said to Chen Ke, "Wenqing, what did you say to Mr. Cai today?"

"I spoke frankly about revolutionary matters."

"I'm not talking about the earlier parts. Mr. Cai said he wants to build a school, and you dared to accept?" Xu Xilin's voice sounded stern, but Chen Ke sensed no malice.

"Mr. Cai gave the order, and I also felt this matter was doable. I will produce a charter for Mr. Cai within five days. If Mr. Cai thinks it's okay, I'll do it. If he thinks it's not, I'll obey his instructions. Did I offend some gentleman of the Restoration Society?"

Hearing this, Xu Xilin hesitated. The person offended was actually Xu Xilin himself. He had already discussed with Tao Chengzhang the plan to run a school in Shaoxing. If Chen Ke ran a school in Shanghai, he certainly couldn't help with their efforts. Xu Xilin was somewhat dissatisfied with this.

Qiu Jin knew Xu Xilin's thoughts. Knowing it wasn't good to speak directly, she smoothed things over. "Wenqing, Mr. Cai thinks quite highly of you. He said a pragmatic man like you is rare. Mr. Cai also feels you have spirit and a sense of responsibility. I'm very optimistic about you building the school."

Chen Ke didn't know the twists and turns involved. For him, getting the current task done was all that mattered. "I will come up with a charter within seven days," Chen Ke said.

Hearing Qiu Jin and Chen Ke say this, Xu Xilin couldn't say much more. He continued, "Xuanqing and I will be away for a while. I wonder if Wenqing will be used to staying in Shanghai?"

Chen Ke asked curiously, "Where are you two going?"

"Xuanqing is going to Japan. I have to return to Shaoxing."

It turned out that when Cai Yuanpei sought out Xu Xilin this time, they had been discussing Sun Yat-sen's invitation for revolutionary parties everywhere to gather in Japan to discuss cooperation. Several key cadres of the Restoration Society would be going. Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin were also invitees. Xu Xilin was already dissatisfied with Japan, and even less fond of the group of "overseas revolutionaries" hiding there. He simply declined the matter.

"Brother Bosun, could you wait for me for a few days?"

"What is the matter, Wenqing?"

"In a few more days, I'll finish dyeing and selling the cloth on hand. I'll make a little bit of money. Brother Bosun has treated me so kindly, I'd like to give you a small token of appreciation."

Xu Xilin recalled his conversation with Qiu Jin yesterday. Qiu Jin believed Chen Ke was not a heartless person. Hearing Chen Ke say this today, Xu Xilin's dissatisfaction with him dissipated considerably. He made a few polite remarks but did not refuse.

What Chen Ke didn't know was that Xu Xilin was very short of money. Historically, the Restoration Society planned to found a school to provide military training to backbone members of secret societies across Zhejiang under the guise of education, preparing to launch an armed uprising to overthrow feudal autocratic rule. Tao Chengzhang, along with Xu Xilin and others, began preparing for the Datong School. Founding a school first faced the difficulty of funding. Cai Yuanpei's younger brother, Cai Yuankang, suggested to Xu Xilin that they rob a bank to raise funds. Xu Xilin agreed and acted immediately, borrowing 5,000 silver dollars from Xu Zhongqing, a wealthy merchant in Shaoxing and a Restoration Society member. Under the pretext of gymnastic exercises for students of the Shaoxing Prefectural School, he asked Shaoxing Prefect Xiong Qipan for approval and purchased 50 breech-loading nine-shot rifles and 20,000 rounds of ammunition from Shanghai. Xu Xilin also instructed Zhu Shaokang to return to Sheng County and select over 20 strong young secret society members to come to Shaoxing. Issuing each person 20 dollars for expenses, Xu Xilin personally led and trained them at East Lake, preparing to execute the robbery plan once the time was right. Tao Chengzhang strenuously opposed this, believing that funding through improper means would damage the overall situation. Because once the plan was implemented, it would inevitably cause a huge social backlash, not only exposing them but also smearing the Restoration Society, ultimately doing more harm than good.

This was why Xu Xilin was quite surprised that Chen Ke actually accepted the task of running a school in Shanghai. But since Chen Ke voluntarily mentioned providing him with a sum of money, Xu Xilin naturally wouldn't refuse.

Qiu Jin then offered Chen Ke a few words of encouragement, and the meeting adjourned.

The next day, Qi Huishen indeed brought his companion. Qi Huishen was already a relatively thin and weak Jiangnan youth, but this classmate named He Zudao was a slender Jiangnan lad. He Zudao even wore a queue and seemed very shy and polite.

Fortunately, there were plenty of work clothes. Everyone put them on and started working. Qi Huishen and He Zudao worked very hard. You Gou had always been in charge of low-intensity labor, and now with two subordinates, she worked even more happily.

At noon, Wu Xingchen appeared at the door. Looking at the dense rows of cloth hanging in the courtyard, Wu Xingchen felt quite regretful. When he saw Chen Ke last time, if not for He Yifa messing around in the middle, Chen Ke would probably have signed an agreement with him already. With a courtyard full of cloth, he could have made quite a bit. After He Yifa went back, he started looking for buyers, but that guy, in local Shanghai dialect, was a "Little Biesan" (rascal). Otherwise, at his age, he wouldn't have only reached the status of an ordinary gang member. When he went to find people, no one paid him any attention. To be honest, although he was angry at the time and very wary of Chen Ke's special visit last time, Wu Xingchen didn't dislike Chen Ke. So he simply found an excuse to send He Yifa out on an errand, which spared Chen Ke from any harassment.

Arriving today at the time agreed with Chen Ke, Wu Xingchen wanted to see exactly what Chen Ke was up to. That way, he could act according to the situation.