Looking at the lecture notes before him, Chen Ke was extremely dissatisfied. This draft had already been revised several times, yet Chen Ke still wanted to scrap it and start over. Chen Ke knew why he was so discontent; it was because in this manuscript, he still hadn't told the "truth."

When he went to see Xu Xilin, Chen Ke had written a lengthy, eloquent piece. In that document, Chen Ke didn't need to speak any "truth"; he only needed to write what Xu Xilin could understand. "Seeking truth from facts" did not demand that one "tell the truth." Instead, it demanded that one understand the other party's needs and know their desires. To put it bluntly, Xu Xilin was a wealthy revolutionary whose property stemmed from the old system. Xu Xilin wished to overthrow the Manchu Qing, but that didn't mean Xu Xilin would agree to destroy the old system.

Chen Ke's goal was to obtain Xu Xilin's support, not to guide Xu Xilin onto the true path of revolution. Therefore, to achieve this goal, Chen Ke had to speak in accordance with the ideals Xu Xilin expected, making Xu Xilin believe he was a "like-minded" comrade. Of course, "moralists" might call Chen Ke a "liar," but such an evaluation was meaningless to Chen Ke himself. He was simply acting in accordance with the theory of "seeking truth from facts." Judging by the results, Chen Ke had achieved his goal.

In his association with Qiu Jin, with Cai Yuanpei and Tao Chengzhang, and including his associations with Hua Xiongmao, You Gou, Zhou Yuanxiao, and Qi Huishen, Chen Ke had to be like a chameleon, showing each person exactly what they expected to see. This, too, was the attitude of seeking truth from facts.

The lecture notes before him left Chen Ke feeling very conflicted. Knowledge is power, but power is not equivalent to justice. A kitchen knife is a necessity for cooking exquisite food, but it is also a lethal weapon for killing. From the perspective of seeking truth from facts, Chen Ke firmly believed that among those who learned the knowledge he imparted, some would inevitably choose a path different from his own.

As a communist and an inheritor of Chinese culture, Chen Ke knew the story of Shang Yang's reforms. Shang Yang first used the "Way of Emperors" to move Duke Xiao of Qin, who dismissed him saying, "How is he such a nonsense-spouting fellow?" Shang Yang then used the "Way of Kings" to move Duke Xiao, whose opinion was, "This man is alright; we can talk." Finally, Shang Yang used the "Way of Hegemons" to move Duke Xiao, and the Duke was so excited he spoke with Shang Yang for days and nights on end.

Chen Ke believed his own knowledge encompassed the "Way of Emperors," the "Way of Kings," and the "Way of Hegemons." He was not the least bit optimistic, believing these comrades would inevitably prefer the "Way of Hegemons." Chen Ke had little contact with contemporary intellectuals, but even in such a short time, the vast majority believed that as long as China had a revolution, it would instantly become a first-rate power. They did not understand the world, so they did not know the true gap between China and the Great Powers. If Chen Ke explained this immense gap clearly, how many of them would dedicate themselves to a "People's Revolution" that destroyed all old systems, rather than a "Bourgeois Revolution"?

Chen Ke had no certainty about this.

"Is this Wenqing's lecture draft for today?" Qi Huishen walked in from outside. He picked up a page and looked at it, seeing only a title. He looked at a few other pages; they were also just titles.

Qi Huishen frowned slightly. Since meeting Chen Ke, Qi Huishen had always felt Chen Ke was different from the rest. It was a fundamental difference. As far as the overseas students Qi Huishen had met were concerned, they always complained about everything under the sun, cursing the Manchu Qing and then the British Empire. They either complained about having no money and being unable to start factories, or they complained that equipment was too expensive, insufficient, or that workers were lazy. These were the ones who actually tried to do something. The frustrated ones would curse the heavens for being blind, lamenting that talented individuals like themselves were hitting walls everywhere with no opportunities. What followed was inevitably a torrent of grievances against the imperial court and the foreign powers. Finally, it would end with gnashing teeth and swearing oaths to revolt, to overthrow the Manchu Qing, and drive out the foreigners.

Yet, once this same batch of "revolutionaries" had the chance to infiltrate the government or join foreign firms, they immediately became arrogant and majestic. Although they would still curse while drinking in private, what they cursed then was how their superiors were bastards, or how the foreigners were bastards, to the extent that they couldn't get any benefits. This was exactly why Qi Huishen's father detested Qi Huishen involved in revolution.

Qi Huishen initially thought the court and the foreigners were indeed bastards, and while he felt this conclusion was correct, the reasoning process was wildly wrong. Those two were certainly bastards, but not the kind of bastards those former "revolutionary comrades" described. Qi Huishen had always hoped to figure out exactly where the error lay. No matter how many "revolutionary comrades" he befriended or how many "learned" people he asked, he never received a satisfactory answer. Until he met Chen Ke.

That night he was beaten down by You Gou and dragged into the strange courtyard really gave Qi Huishen a fright. But after realizing it was a misunderstanding and learning that Chen Ke was actually a "revolutionary," Qi Huishen truly didn't believe it at first. People busily working in a workshop were "revolutionaries"? In Qi Huishen's experience with revolution, revolutionaries were all idle. Only people with nothing to do went to revolt; who would go revolt if they had serious business to attend to?

Qi Huishen had followed the revolution for too long, and for too long he had failed to find the path of revolution. He had even asked his father multiple times for money to study in Japan. No one knows a son like his father; Old Master Qi Si'e knew very well his son's purpose wasn't to study, but to go to Japan to find "revolutionary comrades." So he completely cut off Qi Huishen's financial sources.

The accidentally encountered Chen Ke appeared as a huge question mark in Qi Huishen's eyes. For Qi Huishen, who had no other roads left to walk, he could only gamble that perhaps this unique "revolutionary" could explain the many doubts he had held for so long.

Qi Huishen felt he had gambled correctly. Chen Ke's lectures were always able to reveal issues Qi Huishen couldn't figure out, leaving him in admiration. Chen Ke's style made Qi Huishen admire him even more. It wasn't just that Chen Ke held meetings for others; while Chen Ke was exhausted and resting, others would hold private meetings too. Chen Ke, who could start from scratch with just a few dozen taels of silver, was someone Qi Huishen had never seen before. Chen Ke, who could go days without sleep working desperately to make medicine for a colleague, was also someone Qi Huishen had never seen before. In this workshop, there were never sighs or blaming of fate, only work and laughter. This was what "revolution" should be; this was what "revolutionary comrades" should be.

Qi Huishen was very happy about Chen Ke resuming lectures. To be honest, Qi Huishen was very dissatisfied with Chen Ke's classes over the first few days. Compared to Chen Ke's previous courses, which were spoken from the heart, in these recent classes, Chen Ke had lost his former ease. The content was often contradictory and vague. Although no one said anything directly in class, whether it was Qi Huishen, You Gou, Hua Xiongmao, or even Zhou Yuanxiao, they had actually been unhappy in their private conversations for a long time.

After hesitating for a while, Qi Huishen finally spoke. "Wenqing, I have something I don't know if I should say."

"We are all comrades, what is there that should or shouldn't be said?"

"The things Wenqing has been saying always give me the feeling that you wish to speak but stop. I wonder if Wenqing has some hidden difficulties."

Chen Ke was slightly stunned. For Qi Huishen to say such words was definitely not accidental. It seemed he had felt this way for a while and only spoke out now because he couldn't hold it back. And the other comrades around couldn't possibly not have similar thoughts. Since that was the case, Chen Ke decided to tell the truth.

"I am afraid of leading everyone astray."

"Astray?" Qi Huishen was quite puzzled by the subtle choice of words. He probed, "Is it that Wenqing is leading us astray, or that our knowledge is insufficient and we are going astray?"

"I would like to compare myself to Xunzi, but Xunzi's two famous students were Han Fei and Li Si."

"What happened to them?" Qi Huishen's knowledge of ancient Chinese history wasn't high; he couldn't understand the analogy.

"Xunzi was a master of the Confucian school during the Warring States period. Han Fei and Li Si were representatives of the Legalist school. Han Fei's Legalist theories won the deep approval of Qin Shihuang and were implemented. Li Si was Qin Shihuang's Prime Minister and also promoted Legalist techniques."

"And then? The teacher and disciples had a dispute?" Qi Huishen still didn't understand Chen Ke's meaning.

"Not that. Although those two studied under Xunzi, they only learned a part of their teacher's knowledge and used it in a completely different direction. The Qin Dynasty united the world, abolished feudalism, established commanderies and counties, standardized writing, and standardized wheel gauges. Ten thousand generations bathed in the Ancestral Dragon's grace. But Xunzi had long said that there were major structural contradictions within the Qin system, and once the world was unified, these contradictions would thoroughly erupt. Sure enough, the Qin Dynasty perished in its second generation. The things I have learned include the Way of Kings and the Way of Hegemons. What I worry about is that everyone will not want to walk the arduous path of the Way of Kings, but will instead choose the quick success of the Way of Hegemons."

"So that is what Wenqing is worried about." Qi Huishen laughed.

Chen Ke used a line from the Huarong Path scene in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, "Facing this Huarong Path, why does the Prime Minister laugh?"

"I laugh at Zhuge Wenqing for not knowing strategy." Qi Huishen also matched the line. "Justice lies in the hearts of the people. Did Xunzi only have two disciples?"

"Many disciples."

"Were only Han Fei and Li Si famous?"

"Indeed so."

"Then are Xunzi's propositions known to people?"

"After Qin, Chinese politics actually utilized Xunzi's propositions quite a lot."

"Since Xunzi's propositions ultimately prevailed, why doesn't Brother Wenqing teach everything you know to everyone? We don't even know what Wenqing wants to teach, so how can we know who is right or wrong between the Way of Kings and the Way of Hegemons that Wenqing speaks of? You being so hesitant makes us itch with impatience. Is this what Wenqing calls—treating comrades with frankness?"

Qi Huishen's words were already quite frank. In fact, Chen Ke had originally prepared to teach everyone everything he knew as well.

"If you want me to lecture, that is fine. However, since Huishen mentioned the matter of Xunzi having many disciples, this matter of running a school needs Huishen to push it forward," Chen Ke laughed.

"Wenqing is really prepared to give everything?" Qi Huishen immediately became excited.

"If you want to hear my lectures, it is not that easy."

"What instructions does Brother Wenqing have?" Qi Huishen hurriedly sat down and picked up a pen.

"Gather the friends you think can listen to the lectures, and have You Gou gather the friends she thinks can listen as well. In addition, we need to post posters saying our school is about to open and the teacher will give trial lectures. Welcome parents who want their children to attend our school to come and listen. Also, say in the advertisement that we are also opening a workers' night school, welcoming worker brothers who are willing to listen to come."

"Wenqing wants to teach them revolution?" Qi Huishen felt Chen Ke was acting very strangely.

"Teaching them revolution, that's publicly inciting rebellion. I'm not that stupid. I will teach some basic courses, courses on how to recognize this world."

"Then what does this have to do with revolution?" Qi Huishen couldn't understand.

"How did I become a revolutionary? If I cannot have a correct view of the world, I cannot become a revolutionary. A revolutionary must inevitably have some understanding of the basic common sense of the world. I'll say this upfront, you all must attend this class. It is the foundation of everything."

Although Qi Huishen didn't understand very well, he still nodded.

"By the way, Huishen, how is my Shanghai dialect now? Can people understand it?" Chen Ke asked.

"I think it should be fine. Actually, Wenqing's Mandarin is also not bad."

"Since we are posting posters, many who come to listen will be locals. If I speak Mandarin, they may not necessarily understand. When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

These words sounded like the Chen Ke that Qi Huishen was familiar with—meticulous in thinking, considering problems as thoroughly as possible.

"Huishen, I'll list a class schedule now. Different classes will have different times. We'll discuss it together in a moment."

"Good, I'll go finalize the flyer matters first."

Having connections at the top really made a difference. A few days ago, after taking the British documents, Qi Huishen had moved unimpeded through the local Shanghai government. Although the documents requested the Shanghai government to allocate land and give money, Qi Huishen had the self-knowledge not to mention this. The paperwork for the school and the hospital was processed very quickly. The Shanghai Renxin Medical College formally opened on paper.

The affiliated hospital was the earliest to open. These days, Wu Xingchen had sold the medicine very well. In ten days, over sixty people had been treated. Doctor Wang Qinian, whom You Gou had found, had treated one person to death. Fortunately, a contract was signed before treatment, and the patient was a single member of the Tiandihui (Heaven and Earth Society), so the matter didn't blow up.

Chen Ke was quite grateful to Wu Xingchen at this moment. Wu Xingchen had already put the word out that this medicine was overly potent, and it was estimated that one in ten would die. Every patient was repeatedly informed of this fact before accepting treatment. So, it was managed peacefully.

In these times, venereal disease was an incurable illness. Having medicine to treat it was already something to thank Heaven and Earth for. Not to mention that at least nine out of ten could live. This probability, compared to traditional treatment methods of the past, could be said to be an epoch-making progress.

Qi Huishen had never printed advertisements so openly and honestly, only the content had changed from revolutionary propaganda to commercials. The manual silk-screen printing machine was newly bought and very handy to use. Qi Huishen was working the handle tirelessly when suddenly there was a commotion outside. Sticking his head out to look, he saw several foreign devils shouting something at the gate.

The hospital was just an ordinary courtyard with a two-story building. A curtain with a red cross painted on it hung over the door. Disinfectant had been sprinkled in the yard. Wang Qinian had been out practicing medicine these days, so there was no one in the hospital at all. Besides the foreign devils, there was a translator beside them. Seeing Qi Huishen come out, he asked arrogantly, "Are you the doctor?"

"The doctor is not here," Qi Huishen answered coldly. Looking closely at the few foreign devils, they were all infected with venereal disease. Each one had pus-filled sores on their faces and around their mouths; it looked quite disgusting.

"Come back the day after tomorrow. There is no doctor sitting for consultations today or tomorrow," Qi Huishen said rudely.

The translator saw that Qi Huishen showed no sign of weakness and his words already implied chasing them away. He hurriedly turned and spoke a few sentences to the foreign devils. To Qi Huishen's surprise, the foreign devils shouted a few sentences at the translator, then smiled kindly at Qi Huishen. Although the smiles were very polite, combined with those large sores, they were even more disgusting. Qi Huishen had graduated from a missionary school after all, and he hadn't lost his English. Those foreign devils were very dissatisfied with the translator's attitude. However, Qi Huishen couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the foreign devils, so he pretended not to understand their language.

After being shouted at, the translator's arrogance immediately disappeared. He put on a fake smile and said, "May I ask how to address this gentleman?"

Qi Huishen was still not polite enough. "My name is Qi Huishen, the Dean of the Medical College. I am not a doctor; I do not know how to cure diseases."

"Then, Mr. Qi, when will the doctor be able to return?" the translator asked, still with a fake smile.

At any rate, this hospital hung a British title, so Qi Huishen was embarrassed to shut the foreign devils out. He took out his pocket watch and checked: 11:40. Wang Qinian had said he would come to pick up medicine at noon. He should be back around now. Qi Huishen replied, "Wait a while, the doctor should be back soon."

The hospital didn't have an outpatient room at all. Although Chen Ke had this item in the construction clauses, Chen Ke was too busy making medicine with You Gou right now to have the energy to attend to this. Qi Huishen found a random patient room and let the few people in. Qi Huishen had heard Chen Ke describe the transmission routes of venereal diseases; he felt disgusted in his heart, so he left the patient room himself. Just then, Wang Qinian returned. Qi Huishen explained the situation to Wang Qinian with a sense of relief, then hurriedly hid back in the mimeograph room to continue printing his flyers.

The printing didn't go on for too long before a quarrel came from the patient room. It couldn't really be called a quarrel; the translator was almost screaming inside the room. The few foreign devils were also speaking, but their voices weren't loud. Qi Huishen sighed; how come these lousy matters never ended? He had to go over to resolve it. As Qi Huishen had expected, Wang Qinian told the foreign devils they must sign a liability waiver contract. This medicine could potentially cause the patient's death. While the foreign devils hadn't said anything, the translator had started howling first.

Wang Qinian had made people sign this kind of contract quite a few times these days, and he told the translator without yielding that they either sign the contract and get treated, or get out. Playing deaf and dumb wouldn't work anymore. Qi Huishen asked in English, "Gentlemen, our rule is either sign the contract or leave. There is no other choice. Especially with you foreigners, if something happens, we can't afford the trouble."

Neither the foreign devils nor the translator expected that this Qi Huishen before them—wearing a dark blue short coat with sleeves rolled high and hands stained with quite a bit of ink—could speak fluent English.

After the foreign devils inquired about the drug's efficacy, Qi Huishen told them the medicine was very strong, with a death rate close to one in ten. The foreign devils thought it over and discussed it for a while. Finally, they agreed. Qi Huishen had Wang Qinian follow him to the mimeograph room, took out a printed receipt, and set a medicine price of ten pounds per person.

"This price..." Wang Qinian stopped halfway.

"Doctor Wang thinks the price is high?" Qi Huishen asked.

"I think it's low," Wang Qinian answered honestly.

"It's just two shots, not the full course of treatment. I think it's very reasonable," Qi Huishen said lightly.

"Then it's reasonable," Wang Qinian replied.

Qi Huishen stared at Wang Qinian for a few moments, seeing that Wang Qinian didn't seem to care much when talking about money. He was quite curious. But right now, attention had to be paid to the foreign devils outside; the investigation could only be left for later.

This price was really expensive. Qi Huishen didn't quite believe the foreign devils could afford this price. The reason for setting this price was, firstly, because it was the price Chen Ke had argued for in the meeting. Secondly, Qi Huishen didn't really want to treat the foreign devils. If they were scared off by this price, it would truly be the most wonderful thing.

Just as Qi Huishen thought, after reading the medicine bill written in English, the five foreign devils showed looks of difficulty on their faces. They gathered together and muttered for a while.

*Hurry up and get out*, Qi Huishen thought.

The discussion finally reached a result. The foreign devil who was sickest stood forward. "I'll sign first."

Although disappointed in his heart, Qi Huishen had no reason to kick the patient out. Watching the foreign devil sign the liability waiver and hand over ten pounds, Qi Huishen signaled Wang Qinian to start treating the foreign devil.