Wu Xingchen was a giant of a man. Standing at 1.95 meters, he looked strong and ferocious. Usually, his expression carried that slightly dull look peculiar to such large men, but now his face wore a look of mockery, devoid of any fear.

Chen Ke felt absolutely no complacency about seeing through Wu Xingchen’s background. Right now, Chen Ke had absolutely no intention of coercing anyone. The Party’s history had never held that coercion could serve any useful purpose. For the Party, any member who had not undergone testing could not be trusted—let alone expanding the Party’s power through intimidation or bribery. This was not propaganda, but fact. Precisely because that great political party understood the human heart and human nature, it chose the path of ultimate light: internally, it accepted no one who did not join sincerely; externally, it engaged in no assassinations, intimidation, or bribery.

For Chen Ke, what benefit was there in threatening Wu Xingchen? Apart from forcing Wu Xingchen to eliminate him at all costs, he saw no other potential outcome.

Neither man spoke for a long time. Chen Ke poured a cup of tea for Wu Xingchen, then one for himself. Chen Ke took a sip before speaking. “Brother Wu, what I want to say is, I am a revolutionary. As you know, the Qing court’s slaughter of revolutionaries is severe. It’s not that I don’t trust you, Brother Wu, but that I am afraid of being targeted by the Manchus.”

Wu Xingchen was not moved by Chen Ke’s words. He looked at Chen Ke with wary eyes and asked in an unrelenting tone, “Revealing my background—what is your meaning, Wenqing?”

Chen Ke knew what Wu Xingchen meant. In fact, he was now regretting why he had been so impulsive earlier. “I know Brother Wu is unwilling to forgive me. And from my perspective, what Brother Wu worries about most is that I am using you as a weapon, deceiving you into selling your life for me. These days, revolutionaries all have that virtue. I know.”

Hearing this, Wu Xingchen’s hostility dissipated slightly. “Then you shouldn’t have pointed out my origins, Wenqing,” Wu Xingchen added.

“Brother Wu, since I have been rash, I want to say two things. First, I absolutely do not want you to sell your life for me. However, since we are cooperating, you would surely have found out eventually that I am a revolutionary. I wanted to ask you, Brother Wu, would you betray me? The reason I wanted to confirm if you were a Boxer is that, ultimately, I felt that at worst we just wouldn't cooperate. But as a Boxer, you would absolutely never sell me out to the Manchu court, nor to the foreigners.”

Wu Xingchen did not answer directly. It was clear that Chen Ke’s words still left him apprehensive.

“Second, I sincerely want to cooperate with you. Is Brother Wu willing to continue cooperating with a revolutionary like me? I must say upfront, I definitely will not ask you to overthrow the court with me now, nor will I in the future. My revolutionary party only recruits voluntary members. Of course, we will cooperate with many people. Brother Wu, I am telling you this now just to give you a heads-up. Before we rise up, we will notify you. We won’t let you take the blame for nothing.”

Wu Xingchen remained silent, waiting for Chen Ke to continue.

“That is all.” Since Chen Ke had already brought the topic into the open, he could only accept the result. He actually regretted it somewhat; a situation that could have been a good cooperation might now be ruined by a single sentence.

“Wenqing is a revolutionary, correct?” Wu Xingchen finally spoke.

“Correct.”

“Then what does Wenqing want me to do?”

“Whatever we agreed on before, stands now.”

“Selling medicine? Protection?” Wu Xingchen looked at Chen Ke coldly and asked.

“Correct. Whatever share Brother Wu is due, I won’t short you a single copper.”

“Is Wenqing going to stage an uprising in Shanghai?” Wu Xingchen tilted his head slightly and asked.

“I absolutely will not rise up in Shanghai. The power of the foreigners and the government is so great here; wouldn’t rising up be seeking death? I value my little life quite heavily.”

“Then you shouldn’t have probed into my background, Wenqing,” Wu Xingchen said again.

“Yes, I was rash today. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Wu Xingchen stared at Chen Ke for a while, then suddenly laughed. It was hard to tell if he was happy or not, but he seemed somewhat relaxed. “Wenqing, I felt long ago that you were not an ordinary person. Looking at your actions, I always felt you had grand ambitions, but I didn’t think you were actually a revolutionary. Sigh, actually, I should have thought of it earlier.” Saying this, Wu Xingchen looked Chen Ke up and down, as if to re-evaluate him. “I wonder which revolutionary party Wenqing belongs to?”

“I formed the party myself. I don’t regard those other revolutionaries who can’t get anything done.”

“Oh? Wenqing is not a disciple of Mr. Kang?” Wu Xingchen asked, his tone still unyielding.

Chen Ke thought for a moment before answering, “Mr. Kang? Kang Youwei?”

Wu Xingchen nodded, his expression implying, *Just confess honestly.*

“What kind of thing is Kang Youwei? Above, he couldn’t assist the Emperor, leaving Guangxu imprisoned in Yingtai. Below, he couldn’t save his friends; the Six Gentlemen were killed while Kang Youwei escaped with his life. What face does he have to meet his friends in the underworld? And in the end, he incited Big Sword Wang Wu to attempt assassination. If he had the ability, he should have raised a banner to ‘clear the court.’ Engaging in assassination—what kind of hero is that? It was only because Brother Wang Wu was highly skilled that he didn’t lose his life in that. That was letting down friends again.”

Hearing these blunt words, Wu Xingchen just laughed “Haha,” but said nothing more.

“Brother Wu, the Manchu warrant for your arrest is just a passing wind. After these few years, it hardly counts for anything anymore. But the Manchus have never shown mercy to revolutionaries. Being timid as a mouse, I spoke a few extra rubbish words. Brother Wu, you have a big heart; please understand my difficulties.”

“I know,” Wu Xingchen smiled. “But Wenqing won’t do things that let down friends, right?”

“Absolutely not. Brother Wu is such a clever person; if I wanted to cheat you, what benefit would it bring me?”

“That is true,” Wu Xingchen laughed.

“Then, let me say one last thing. Brother Wu, I won’t ask you to sell your life, but you must join my revolutionary party,” Chen Ke said with a smile.

“What?” Wu Xingchen looked at Chen Ke in astonishment. He hadn’t expected this request. “This is different from what Wenqing just said.”

“The revolutionary party is divided into party members and peripheral organizations. Party members make the revolution; peripheral organizations make money to support the revolution. These are separated inside and out. But for a figure like Brother Wu, if we don’t have a formal arrangement, I don’t believe we can truly cooperate. This kind of outwardly united but inwardly divided way benefits no one. Either you break with me completely, or you cooperate with us. Hiding and tucking things away will eventually lead to trouble.”

Seeing Wu Xingchen tilting his head and looking at him, Chen Ke laughed, “I still say the same thing: I won’t let you go to your death. You will still do what we agreed upon. But, Brother Wu, so many Boxer brothers were pitted by the Manchus. What is wrong with causing the Manchus some trouble?”

Wu Xingchen remained silent. Hearing Chen Ke’s instigation, he was not without thoughts. Wu Xingchen was originally a hall master of the Heaven and Earth Society’s Hebei branch and had participated in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. But he had a deep-rooted distrust of the Manchus. So, he was always on guard, and upon learning that the Manchus were going to move against the Boxers, Wu Xingchen immediately fled with his brothers. That was how he escaped with his life. So, Chen Ke’s invitation was not something Wu Xingchen couldn’t accept. What he couldn’t accept was Chen Ke’s method of invitation.

“Brother Wu, since we’ve opened it up, let’s be straightforward. Either we do this together, or we go our separate ways,” Chen Ke said. Originally, Chen Ke wasn’t planning to mention joining the party, but thinking about it, since everything was exposed, it would be ridiculous not to talk about cooperation, right? So he simply spoke his mind to the end to prevent future trouble.

Seeing Wu Xingchen silent, Chen Ke thought the matter would end there, but unexpectedly Wu Xingchen said, “Since Wenqing is willing to tell the truth, I actually have some matters where I need your help.”

“Brother Wu, please speak frankly.”

“Wenqing said before that for the business in Shanghai, no matter how many people are treated, I have a share, right?”

“Correct.”

“Then give me two thousand taels of silver first. I have something to handle.”

Hearing this amount, Chen Ke couldn’t help but look up at Wu Xingchen. He saw Wu Xingchen looking perfectly composed. Chen Ke calculated briefly, then nodded. “No problem.”

“These few brothers will follow Wenqing for the time being and listen to your arrangements. I’ll take the money and come back in a few days,” Wu Xingchen said.

After having Qi Huishen, who acted as the cashier, give Wu Xingchen two thousand taels of silver and sending him away, Chen Ke sighed with regret. “I did something wrong,” he muttered to himself.

There are many times when leaving things unsaid is the best state. laying out one's identity so clearly when there is no common enemy only intensifies contradictions. This is the consequence of trying to be too clever. But since a mistake was made, one had to own it. Although Chen Ke was a time traveler, he wasn't a guy who could rewind time at will. Aside from accepting his fate, Chen Ke had no other choice.

At the evening Party meeting, Chen Ke reported the matter and made a self-criticism. The comrades didn't care much. The actions of the People's Party right now were still absolutely those of "obedient subjects." Even if Wu Xingchen went to inform on them, the Manchus would only laugh it off.

“I’ve been caught many times posting revolutionary posters. Caught by the police patrol, too. So what?” Qi Huishen said nonchalantly.

“These days, of those returning from studies abroad, who hasn’t shouted about revolution? Who hasn’t shouted about rebellion? If they arrested people for even that, the Manchus would probably have to arrest a large batch of their own officials.” You Gou also didn't care in the slightest.

Chen Tianhua had experience being wanted; even so, he could easily travel between China and Japan. With the Manchus' level of execution, this was nothing at all.

“I’m saying I handled this incorrectly, not that I’m afraid of the Manchus. I’m worried this will affect the cooperation with Wu Xingchen,” Chen Ke said.

“Tch, Wenqing, you know about Big Sword Wang Wu. These days, brothers on the chaotic path and revolutionaries cooperate all the time. Brother Wu is of Boxer origin; if he doesn’t cooperate with revolutionaries, would he cooperate with the Manchus instead? You worry too much,” Hua Xiongmao comforted Chen Ke.

With his comrades persuading him like this, Chen Ke couldn't say much more.

While they were speaking, the main gate was banged on violently. The person outside knocked hard while shouting loudly, “You Gou, open the door.”

Hearing this voice, You Gou’s face changed color. “It’s my brother.”

“Oh? Then let’s welcome them in,” Chen Ke said.

“Drive them away.” You Gou immediately rejected Chen Ke’s suggestion and instead made this demand.

“What’s wrong?” Everyone looked at You Gou in surprise.

“Listen to me, I’m right,” You Gou said fiercely. She had never used such a tone before, which startled everyone.

Chen Ke nodded. “We’ll do as You Gou says. Everyone, get your gear ready. But after opening the door, act according to the situation,” Chen Ke said.

Everyone responded and began to prepare. Chen Ke walked into the courtyard and shouted, “Wait a moment.” Just as he was about to open the door, he remembered something. He went back into the room and brought out flashlights. Testing them, they worked, and the batteries were full. Chen Ke gave a flashlight to Hua Xiongmao, and the two walked to the gate and opened it.

As soon as the door opened, several people rushed in violently. Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao stepped back simultaneously, yielding to the momentum of the rush. Then, two beams of snow-white flashlight beams shone wildly on the faces of these people. Their eyes, suddenly meeting the intense light, instinctively closed, or they raised their hands to block the glare.

Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao saw clearly: of the four men who rushed in at the front, two were holding wooden clubs. The two defenders didn't speak; Hua Xiongmao’s sturdy arm wrapped around one fellow’s neck, and with a exertion of force, the guy was choked into unconsciousness. Chen Ke chopped a palm onto the carotid artery of another fellow; struck by this sudden blow, the guy’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed limply to the ground.

With a whistle from Hua Xiongmao, the two heroes charged out side by side. Sounds of punching and kicking came from outside, mixed with a few screams. Soon, the two heroes dragged two people inside. Both were bruised and swollen; it seemed they had suffered quite a bit during their resistance. Since they were You Gou’s brothers, the group didn’t want to be too excessive. After letting them into the room, they even gave them stools to sit on. The two men’s eyes lit up when they saw the various glass instruments in the laboratory. You Gou found the highest stool in the lab to sit on. This stool was as high as a bar stool, allowing You Gou to look down on her two brothers from above. She asked, “What is your business here?”

Chen Ke looked at the two men. They were about thirty years old, and their features really did resemble You Gou’s, quite handsome and delicate.

Seeing their sister’s arrogant manner, the two immediately became angry. One of them shouted, “Is this how you let people beat your brothers?”

Chen Ke immediately interrupted him. “You know what this place is, right?”

That man was the one Chen Ke had choked. He turned his head to glance at Chen Ke. He saw that Chen Ke’s face was not fiendish, appearing to have a faint smile yet not quite a smile, but his towering posture held an irresistible imposing manner. Looking at the gloomy faces of the others around him, his arrogance was instantly frightened back down.

Chen Ke continued, “Since you are You Gou’s brothers, you must know what we do here. You barged in like this; how were we to know you weren’t here to rob us?”

“That was our presumption,” the other man spoke up. “We startled everyone; I apologize first.”

Also being You Gou’s brother, such a contrast surprised everyone, and all eyes fell on him.

The man looked around the circle before continuing, “Fourth Sister, since you don’t trust your family, words that should be said amongst ourselves, I’ll say in front of everyone. You think that because you’ve finally earned money, the family is starting to control you. When you went to Germany to study, spending so much money, did the family say anything?”

Hearing this, You Gou immediately retorted, “I said I don’t want a dowry anymore.” Her voice was still stiff, but she had begun to show some diffidence.

“You say you don’t want a dowry, so Mom and Dad won’t prepare a dowry for you?” You Gou’s brother continued. “After you came back, you opened a dyeing factory with Zhou Yuanxiao, then wanted to open a chemical plant yourself, then clamored to do business with Wang Bin. How much money did the family lose? You aren’t unaware, are you?”

Hearing this, You Gou’s face turned bright red, but she did not refute it.

“You took the money and went home excitedly, putting it on the table so triumphantly. Yes, you did earn big money, a few hundred taels more than what you spent. But, shouldn't you at least thank Mom and Dad first?” Speaking to this point, You Gou’s brother paused and looked at her with blaming eyes.

You Gou turned her face away and remained silent.

“We scolded you a bit, but we are very happy. You came back from your studies and learned skills. People have times of good luck and times of bad luck. You are lucky now, so naturally, we hope you can continue to make money. That’s why everyone wants to help arrange things for you. Fourth Sister, you aren’t young anymore, showing your face in public all day, wandering around everywhere. Do you think Mom and Dad aren’t worried about you? It’s just that the people you associate with are fairly decent. Mom and Dad love you and trust you, so they didn’t say anything. But as your brother, I couldn’t stand it long ago. How many people have said unpleasant things about you in front of Mom and Dad? Mom and Dad just didn’t tell you. You wander around outside all day; I’ve heard plenty at home.” At this point, You Gou’s brother was starting to get angry.

“Fourth Sister, you have to think about our family,” the other man chimed in.

“Second Brother, shut your mouth. I, the eldest brother, am not afraid of losing face, but don’t you join in losing face,” the brother who had been speaking scolded.

So this person was the eldest brother; he really had the air of one. Chen Ke thought to himself. While he was thinking, You Gou’s eldest brother looked over at him. “This must be Mr. Chen Ke, correct?”

Chen Ke paused, thinking, *Why bring me up?* But basic politeness was required, so he answered, “I am Chen Ke.”

You Gou’s eldest brother smiled slightly. “Mr. Chen, I have to be direct. I let my Fourth Sister make medicine and earn money on her own, which is indeed unfair to you. But as the eldest brother, I feel I must first do right by my sister. Moreover, before seeing this laboratory, I actually suspected that my sister came up with the prescription and you were just plucking the peaches. My sister is a silly child; if someone says something, she is easily deceived. Seeing this laboratory, I am now convinced that my sister couldn't have come up with these things.”

Chen Ke smiled amiably. “You Gou also put in a lot of effort. We experimented through the night; for a girl to persist through that is not easy.”

You Gou’s eldest brother asked, “Mr. Chen, I know you are cooperating with Qi Si’e, and he introduced you to open a medical school. The matter of this medicine is making a loud noise in Shanghai now. I wonder what advice Qi Si’e gave Mr. Chen?”

“Did Uncle Qi not contact the You family?” Chen Ke asked in return.

You Gou’s eldest brother smiled. “Contact, he certainly contacted. Does Brother Chen know what he said?”

“Is it convenient for Mr. You to tell me?” Chen Ke feigned a surprised expression.

“Qi Si’e said that if my sister brought out the formula and cooperated with him, our two families would split the dividends half and half,” You Gou’s eldest brother said.

“I actually haven’t heard of this,” Chen Ke said truthfully.

Seeing Chen Ke had no reaction, You Gou’s eldest brother continued, “Mr. Chen, I’m afraid Qi Si’e also told you that I intended to do you harm, right?”

“I haven’t heard that either,” Chen Ke said with the same expression as before.

You Gou’s eldest brother sized Chen Ke up carefully before speaking again. “Mr. Chen, the Qi family mixes so successfully in Shanghai; he says others want to move against people, but if he were honest and well-behaved, how would the Qi family be where it is today? You Gou is my sister. No matter what is said about making money, I still don’t want anything to happen to my sister. Therefore, Mr. Chen, I think my sister shouldn’t come here anymore in the future.”

Hearing this, Chen Ke felt a burst of clarity in his heart. This was what the You family wanted to say most.

“Our laboratory needs You Gou very much; she absolutely cannot leave. You Gou is an adult, and doing her own business seems reasonable and fair to me,” Chen Ke pushed the words right back. “If Mr. You feels it is unsafe here,” Chen Ke pointed to Qi Huishen, “Young Master Qi works in our laboratory. If it were unsafe here, I imagine Uncle Qi would certainly not sit by and ignore it.”

You Gou’s eldest brother looked at Qi Huishen in surprise. “This is the Qi family’s young master?”

“Guaranteed to be the real thing,” Chen Ke laughed.

With the conversation at this stage, there was really no need to continue. Chen Ke had someone untie the four men who had been bound in the courtyard for a long time, and then saw the group out the door.