The atmosphere at the party meeting was extremely oppressive. You Gou remained silent; Qi Huishen remained silent. The other comrades, upon hearing the news, also felt very uncomfortable. A perfectly good lecture had nearly resulted in a loss of life.

Chen Ke was questioning He Zudao, who had rushed back from the hospital.

"How is the situation at the hospital?"

"Those who were scratched have all been painted with gentian violet. They were also given a small injection," He Zudao replied.

Chen Ke nodded slightly. Syphilis wasn't something that had a vaccine; at least, Chen Ke had never heard of one. 914 was an arsenic-based drug; it couldn't be applied to wounds, so everyone was just given a low-dosage shot first.

People coming to demand injections were arriving in an endless stream. The previously failed chemical agents were still there, as were the rabbits. Chen Ke personally gathered those demanding shots together and administered a small injection to a rabbit in front of them, ending its life. Seeing this effect, those looking for a thrill scattered like birds and beasts. Even those who really needed the injection were terrified.

"Did you find out who instigated it?" Chen Ke asked next.

"We did. Big Brother Wu has already taken people to catch him."

As soon as this incident happened, Chen Ke had immediately sent someone to invite Wu Xingchen. Wu Xingchen was straightforward; he took his brothers and went to the hospital. To save their own lives, those two women would definitely give up the instigator. Wu Xingchen had asked with a grin at the time, "After we catch the person, what does Wenqing plan to do?"

"Does Brother Wu have any good suggestions?"

"For this kind of person, just tie them up and throw them into the Whampoa River."

"And then? We carry the blame for a murder?"

"If you report it to the officials, you'll have to pay another sum of money. Anyway, you can't let this kid come out alive. If you spare him today, more people will come at you tomorrow."

Chen Ke understood Wu Xingchen's meaning, and there was nothing wrong with what Wu Xingchen said. This era was just that cruel. If you couldn't severely punish your enemies, it meant the cost of being your enemy was too low. Then anyone would try to mess with you or blackmail you. But Chen Ke hadn't made up his mind yet. He decided to catch the person first, then vote on his fate at the party meeting.

"How is that crazy woman?"

"Doctor Wang said the injuries aren't serious."

Hearing that no one had died in public, Chen Ke let out a sigh of relief. For some reason, he suddenly remembered an event from 2008, the Beijing Olympics, 103 years after 1905. A foolish foreigner had made a banner about Tibet, planted it there, and sat down beneath it. He was spotted by some young people who knew English, who immediately pinned the foolish foreigner down and gave him a sound beating. But after this person was pulled out of the pile by "Uncle Police," aside from a bruised face, an examination revealed no internal injuries. According to "Uncle Police's" private remarks, "Those hitting him definitely didn't include our own people, otherwise the skin wouldn't be broken, but that kid would have suffered internally."

"But the people who were scratched are blocking the door, insisting on teaching that woman a lesson," He Zudao said, looking troubled.

"It's all my fault. If only I hadn't said she was beyond saving back then. If I had said she could also be cured, then none of this would have happened," You Gou suddenly said.

"We do chemistry, so we're just that literal," Chen Ke consoled her. "Don't say it's you; even I might not have been able to say it so smoothly."

"It's all my fault." You Gou seemed not to hear Chen Ke's words, her small fists clenched tight, still muttering.

Chen Ke shook his head helplessly. "Xingtai, is the press release written?"

Chen Tianhua raised his hand and passed a manuscript to Chen Ke. Chen Ke had provided the basic gist. Chen Tianhua's brilliant penmanship made the words truly earnest.

The original intention of holding the grand lecture, the effect of the lecture. The hardships Chen Ke and the others faced in developing new drugs to cure the sick and save lives. The intention to prepare to publish the formula for this drug to benefit the world. As a result, someone maliciously instigated a diseased prostitute to come and cause trouble. The prostitute attacked others after going mad and was immediately beaten down by the common people. Based on the conscience of a healer, Qi Huishen organized free treatment for the masses and even saved the prostitute's life.

At the end of the press release, the Whampoa Society formally announced that this was the whole truth of the matter. If anyone continued to spread rumors and smear the Whampoa Society, they would certainly be reported to the officials.

"Very good. Thank you for your hard work."

Putting down the manuscript, Chen Ke clapped his hands. "Comrades, let's hold a meeting."

"Everyone did very well in this incident. You Gou didn't forget the organization's decision and made the public announcement at the optimal time. Moreover, Comrade You Gou risked infection to stick to her work. Here, we express our respect to Comrade You Gou."

After speaking, Chen Ke led the applause. The comrades had all heard about You Gou's experience and applauded as well; the sincere emotion in the applause was by no means fake.

"Huishen also did very well. At least this heart of compassion and mercy is something one should have. That carriage looked nice to me; we also need to buy a dedicated carriage."

Hearing Chen Ke's words, someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"The only shortcoming is that Huishen, you should have called the injured people around you together and taken them to our hospital. Just this one shortcoming. But I understand you. Our medicine doesn't cure stage three syphilis. You often go with me to treat patients; sometimes when I treat people, I also feel some guilt. Everyone has compassion. This feeling is normal."

Seeing the comrades nodding one after another, Chen Ke said, "I've finished speaking. Who's next?"

No one wanted to speak. Chen Ke's words could represent everyone's attitude, and this matter was a sudden incident. Just thinking about the scene back then made many people feel uncomfortable all over. If one had to say You Gou and Qi Huishen did something wrong, it wouldn't be reasonable.

"I'll say a few words," He Zudao said somewhat timidly. Seeing that no one refused, He Zudao summoned his courage. "At that time, those people were smashing people with benches; it looked terrifying. That's why Sister You Gou let Huishen save those women. You Gou is a good person. Everyone shouldn't blame her."

"What are you talking about? Who is blaming You Gou?" Hua Xiongmao said. "Never mind You Gou, even I would have been at a loss."

"You're talking nonsense. How was You Gou at a loss? She just didn't want to watch those women get beaten to death," Chen Ke scolded laughingly.

"True. You Gou really has the heart of a Bodhisattva," Hua Xiongmao sighed.

"Our public class ended up causing a loss of life. What is this? We are a school, not a gang. Making it all flesh and blood flying everywhere... if word gets out, what will our reputation become? You Gou thought about it much more carefully than you."

Hearing this, Hua Xiongmao stopped talking.

"If no one else wants to speak, I want to say something. Brother Wu has gone to catch that person. If he's caught, how do we deal with him? Does anyone have any ideas?"

"Ask who instigated him first. See what background he has," Hua Xiongmao spoke up. This was definitely the rule of the underworld. Chen Ke felt it was very appropriate.

"We don't know when Brother Wu will return. Let's send You Gou back first. Everyone should disperse as well. After that person is brought back, we'll leave him aside first and wait until tomorrow to discuss it."

Seeing that You Gou had no intention of getting up, Chen Ke knew her knot of the heart hadn't been untied.

"Huishen, what was the fundamental purpose of us holding this lecture?"

Hearing Chen Ke call his name, Qi Huishen thought for a while before answering, "To popularize cultural knowledge."

"Incorrect. Keep going."

Qi Huishen thought carefully again and said, "To promote our school. To increase our school's prestige."

"Huishen is right. You Gou, what is your job?"

You Gou didn't make a sound. After waiting a while, Chen Ke continued to ask, "What is your job? Answer me."

"Lecturing."

"That's right. Then why are you so dejected?"

You Gou remained silent.

"No one died during the lecture. What needed to be promoted was promoted. You did the work assigned to you by the Party very well. Furthermore, You Gou, that woman was simply bringing about her own destruction. I can understand your sympathy. But aren't those scratched by that woman pitiable? As a Party member, you must be responsible for the Party's cause. Obey the Party's command. Therefore, Comrade You Gou, as the chairman of this party meeting, I now require you to go home immediately and rest well. Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, be prepared to report here to me. There is new work assigned to you."

After sternly chasing You Gou away, Zhou Yuanxiao also went back. Qi Huishen refused to leave, and the others were permanently stationed in the workshop. Everyone felt that today's events were too outrageous and speculated one after another about who was behind this ghostly scheme.

"What's the use of guessing blindly? Won't everything be clear when Brother Wu brings the person back?" Chen Ke said.

"Wenqing, you really can keep your cool," Hua Xiongmao praised.

"It's useless for me to be anxious. By the way, Zhenglan, take Zudao and Wuan to the hospital together. Don't let anything happen at the hospital."

After the three went out, Chen Ke let the others go to sleep first. If Wu Xingchen came back, Chen Ke would wake them up.

In the latter half of the night, Wu Xingchen and two other brothers dragged back a sack.

"Finally caught him," Wu Xingchen said as he kicked the sack.

Qi Huishen hadn't been asleep anyway, so he came out when he heard the commotion. The crowd dragged the person out of the sack. Qi Huishen shone a flashlight on the person's face. After identifying him carefully, Qi Huishen couldn't help but frown and ask, "Wenqing, this person..."

"That's right. We met him together at the hospital last time. It seems you even beat him."

This guy was the interpreter who had been soundly beaten by Qi Huishen at the hospital last time. At this moment, his face was full of terror, his mouth was bound with a strip of cloth, and his face was somewhat twisted. If not for this, Qi Huishen and Chen Ke would have recognized him sooner.

"Huishen, want to hit him?" Chen Ke laughed and pointed at the guy on the ground. Qi Huishen kicked the guy in the shoulder. But it was just one kick; he didn't continue the beating.

Everyone went back into the room. Wu Xingchen asked, "I brought the person to you. What do you plan to do?"

"I don't want to kill anyone," Chen Ke said straightforwardly.

Although Qi Huishen had a face full of anger, he also nodded. "Seeing people beaten like that today, I really don't want to kill anyone either."

Wu Xingchen sat down comfortably. "What are you thinking?"

"Brother Wu, this person didn't cause any earth-shattering trouble originally. It was that prostitute who went crazy herself. We can't kill someone over this. How about this, I already said today that we will discuss this matter publicly at the party meeting tomorrow. Brother Wu, you participate tomorrow too."

"Does Wenqing still remember the matter from a few days ago?" Wu Xingchen laughed mockingly.

"Of course. What does Brother Wu mean?"

"I can come and listen, but don't expect me to sell my life for you."

"That's no problem."

The next day, You Gou arrived very early. Her eyes were red; it was unclear whether from crying or lack of sleep. Zhou Yuanxiao also rushed over early.

Upon hearing that the person in the corner of the courtyard was the culprit, You Gou didn't say a word. She picked up a broom and went up to give him a whack. That guy had been tied up for most of the night, and one broom strike didn't cause much of a reaction. You Gou wanted to hit him again, but seeing the guy lying on the ground like a dead fish, You Gou couldn't bring herself to do it. Finally, she threw down the broom and ran back into the room.

After waiting a while longer, Hua Xiongmao, He Zudao, Qin Wuan, and Wu Xingchen all arrived. Seeing that everyone was present, Chen Ke shouted in that indifferent tone, "Meeting, meeting."

"Wenqing, aren't you angry?" You Gou had been holding it in for a long time, and she questioned him.

Chen Ke found You Gou's questioning very cute. He himself had once had exactly the same feelings of pity, so Chen Ke definitely wouldn't think You Gou was childish. But children eventually have to grow up. Chen Ke considered himself to have grown up quite a bit. "I said long ago, in these times, if something like this didn't happen, it would be like a white rabbit jumping out of a coal pile. If we establish a New China, with no prostitutes, enough hospitals, plenty of medicine, and everyone having enough to eat, where would there be so many crappy matters? Of course, such things will still happen, but they won't manifest so extremely."

"Revolution! Revolution! We must build that kind of country," You Gou roared.

The others were quite in agreement with You Gou's thoughts, so no one interrupted. Wu Xingchen, however, just grinned but didn't make a sound.

"Here's the thing. Yesterday I talked about how to deal with this person. I have three suggestions. First, kill him. Second, we beat him up violently and then release him. Third, we hand him over to the officials to clear our name. What does everyone think?"

"Why did that guy think of looking for trouble with us?" Hua Xiongmao asked.

Qi Huishen sighed and recounted the conflict with this foreign interpreter.

"So that's how it is. Then hand him over to the officials," Hua Xiongmao said upon hearing that the matter wasn't major.

"Can we beat him up again before sending him to the officials?" You Gou's anger hadn't subsided.

"Let's vote."

"Forget it then. Waste of time," You Gou said disdainfully.

"I have something to say. The brothers who worked on this need a hardship fee," Wu Xingchen spoke up.

"We only cover a monthly salary of ten taels of silver, plus room and board. Anything else, you give, Brother Wu," Chen Ke said.

"That works too."

After the talk, the comrades were either listless or in a state of emotional agitation. If it were before, Chen Ke would certainly have discussed the matter on its own merits and explained it in detail. But today, contrary to his usual persuasive manner, Chen Ke adopted a tough attitude and assigned work in the name of the "Party Organization." Everyone sort of resigned themselves to the situation, and each took their tasks and left. Chen Ke waved to Qi Huishen, who could stay till the last. "Go work." Qi Huishen knew he couldn't twist Chen Ke's arm, so he simply dragged that bound bastard out the door with Hua Xiongmao.

After handing that guy over to the officials, Chen Ke published the news in major newspapers. Then he proposed to publicly display the medicine at the hospital on August 8th. The next day, Chen Ke wrote a special issue on the pathology, causes, and transmission routes of syphilis, even publishing the molecular formula of 606. Because he had to write manuscripts, Chen Ke simply didn't go. He Zudao told Chen Ke about the grand occasion of the announcement meeting.

When Qi Huishen appeared at the hospital entrance with over a thousand copies of *The Whampoa Review*, the cart couldn't get in at all. Outside, it was packed three layers deep with Chinese and foreigners. As soon as distribution of *The Whampoa Review* started, it was a mad grab. Many people, including foreigners, pulled Qi Huishen to ask this and that. Later, the British Consulate specially sent a car to pick up Qi Huishen and took him away.

Listening to the report, Chen Ke simply said three words, "Understood," and continued to bury his head in writing. Chen Ke had experienced the growth period of comrades, and what was most needed now was the manuscript in his hand. The materialist view of history would be the basic textbook of the People's Party. During the period of rapid ideological growth of young people, they must be led onto the path of revolution through this textbook. This textbook wasn't omnipotent, but without this textbook, it was absolutely impossible. For this reason, Chen Ke had assigned all the work to the comrades. His only task was to complete this textbook as early as possible.

Early on the morning of August 15th, Chen Ke finished reading the last word and put down the manuscript. He stood up and shook hands warmly with Chen Tianhua. "Many thanks, Xingtai."

The book *Chinese Cultural Inheritance and the Rise of Materialism* was finally compiled.

"Actually, I should be the one thanking Wenqing. If not for Wenqing, I wouldn't have known the principle of 'productive forces' existed in the world. Guan Zhong said, 'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when food and clothing are sufficient, people know honor and disgrace.' Explaining this in terms of productive forces, I am truly enlightened," Chen Tianhua said very seriously.

"Just a foolish opinion," Chen Ke laughed.

After speaking, Chen Ke turned around. "Mingxian, thank you very much this time. If you hadn't come to help, Xingtai and I would have been worked to death."

Since Xie Mingxian came to help Chen Ke, he had never made a sound. When everyone held meetings, he would go back to the dormitory to continue looking for materials. Chen Ke felt that Xie Mingxian had always had some inexplicable hostility towards him. In recent days, Xie Mingxian didn't have much to do, and he could even spare time to read the compiled manuscript; only then did his attitude towards Chen Ke improve.

Hearing Chen Ke's words and seeing Chen Ke's smiling extended hand, Xie Mingxian extended his hand unaccustomedly. The two shook hands, but then he heard Xie Mingxian ask, "Mr. Wenqing, you don't need me here anymore, right?"

"Does Mingxian have a place to go?"

"Temporarily, no."

"How about working here with me for now? We started *The Whampoa Review* and need many editors. If Mingxian doesn't mind, we can formally hire you."

"I don't know how to write articles," Xie Mingxian said with his usual directness.

"Whether you can write articles isn't a big deal. Mingxian has excellent talent. If it were an ordinary person, they would always complain when doing things. Mingxian is always meticulous and never blames others. I won't easily let go of such talent," Chen Ke said, laughing loudly.

"How much is the salary?"

"8 taels a month."

"Too little."

"How much does Mingxian want?"

"20 taels."

"I can only pay 8 taels. However, I can let Mingxian teach at the new medical school while studying. The salary for that will be calculated separately. Is that okay?"

"Okay."

Having established a new labor relationship with Xie Mingxian, Chen Ke was in an excellent mood. As the saying goes, one doesn't fear a lack of good things, but a lack of good people. Since returning to this era, Chen Ke had been considering how to cooperate with people. After some consideration, Chen Ke felt it was best to demand of himself the standards of a Party member. Endure hardship and hard work, work first, enjoy later. Since Chen Ke demanded this of himself, the comrades gathered naturally sought out those who "bear the burden of office willingly and are firm and hardworking." Looking at it now, this was not wrong.

The current world was bad; those who bore burdens willingly never failed to suffer losses, and never failed to be full of resentment. Within the Party organization, it was easier for everyone to unite. The Party's combat effectiveness was guaranteed. Upright gentlemen also needed an environment to maintain themselves.

"Wenqing, I have a matter to discuss." Seeing that Chen Ke had finally brought Xie Mingxian under his banner, Chen Tianhua spoke.

"What matter?"

"Can Wenqing go to Japan with me?"

"I can't go recently."

Before inviting him, Chen Tianhua felt there wasn't much hope. But he still wanted to try. Seeing Chen Ke disagree, Chen Tianhua said, "Since Wenqing isn't willing to go, then forget it. Also, I want to bid farewell to Wenqing?"

This farewell was not unexpected to Chen Ke. The founding ceremony of the Tongmenghui was held in Japan, and Chen Ke had no thought of stopping Chen Tianhua from participating.

"When will you return?" Chen Ke asked.

This question stumped Chen Tianhua; he hadn't thought about returning.

"Mr. Tianhua, I hope you can stay here," Xie Mingxian interrupted unexpectedly.

"I have some friends in Japan waiting for me. I should have set off some days ago. But I really couldn't abandon Wenqing's masterpiece. That's why I persisted until today. Now that the manuscript is done, I can't delay anymore." Chen Tianhua didn't say whether he would return until the end.

Chen Ke saw that his determination to go was fixed. He immediately expressed his agreement.

The Qi family was indeed magically powerful; they acted in the morning and by noon had brought a boat ticket for that very night to Japan. The comrades also tried to persuade him to stay for a while, but Chen Tianhua was determined to leave. Seeing that even Chen Ke couldn't keep Chen Tianhua, everyone had to bid him a reluctant farewell.

In the evening, Chen Ke and Qi Huishen saw Chen Tianhua onto the ship. Chen Tianhua patted the satchel he was carrying; it was Chen Ke's shoulder bag, containing the silver and pounds Chen Ke gave him, as well as a copy of the manuscript. "Wenqing, I also pride myself on being well-read. But once this manuscript is released, Wenqing will inevitably become famous throughout the world. When I read *Evolution and Ethics* back then, I was already shocked. But reading Wenqing's manuscript, I know that there is a sky beyond the sky..."

Chen Ke smiled and interrupted Chen Tianhua, "Xingtai, let's not make it like Liu Bei seeing off Xu Shu. You're just going to Japan for a trip. You are still the Minister of Propaganda for our People's Party. Comrades are waiting for your early return. Don't make everyone wait too long."

Having said this much, there wasn't really anything else to say. Both sides shook hands and bid farewell.

Chen Ke watched the steamship get further and further away after leaving the port. He said to Qi Huishen, "Starting today, the revolution has entered the fast lane." Ignoring Qi Huishen's puzzled look, Chen Ke turned and left the port first.