Since Chen Ke had decided to go north, the comrades didn't say anything more. The only problem was who would go north with Chen Ke. This put everyone in a dilemma.

When Chen Ke went to inspect the progress of the school building, it happened to be mealtime. After the two ate lunch, Hua Xiongmao found Chen Ke privately, hoping to go north with him. The school dormitory was almost topped out; the beams were already set up, and they had started covering the roof tiles. Everyone had to rest for a while after lunch; taking advantage of this time, the two found a place to sit on the top floor. Hua Xiongmao looked somewhat uneasy. It seemed he also knew that this wish might not be realized.

"Zhenglan, I know your good intentions, but do you think you can go with me?" Chen Ke laughed.

"Wenqing still thinks my work here is more important?" Hua Xiongmao said.

"Of course it's very important."

"Wenqing, when you aren't in Shanghai, I always feel somewhat lost. I didn't have this feeling when working with you before. Being responsible for a side myself..." Speaking to this point, Hua Xiongmao frowned slightly, actually not knowing what to say.

"What do you follow me to do?" Chen Ke roughly understood Hua Xiongmao's meaning.

"Whatever you do, I do."

"Then I want revolution; what about you?" Chen Ke questioned gently.

"I always feel revolution isn't what I thought. I've thought a lot doing work these days. I always have an indescribable feeling. This is completely different from the revolution I thought of."

Hearing Hua Xiongmao's words, Chen Ke stood up. The dormitory building had three floors, and Chen Ke and the others were on the highest floor. The windows hadn't been installed yet. Looking out from the reserved window position from a commanding height, the distant farmland, houses, and the city even further away were clearly visible. Chen Ke held the windowsill and didn't speak for a moment.

Not only did Hua Xiongmao have doubts, but Chen Ke also had doubts. This era seemed like a pool of stagnant water; no matter how the undercurrents surged below, on the surface, it still looked very good. This was an era where large-scale civil war hadn't started yet, and the small-peasant economy hadn't gone bankrupt on a large scale either. Social contradictions were still sharp, but generally speaking, for the people, the world still proceeded according to previous laws. Although life was very arduous, compared with predecessors, present days might not be that much worse.

Social changes were still on paper, with fierce quarrels within the court in Beijing. Uprisings of revolutionary parties everywhere were also like moths flying into the fire, extinguished immediately. They didn't have any major impact. Looking at the normal scene outside, peasants carrying loads on shoulder poles or pushing wheelbarrows walked in the fields; their destination was the market in the city. Their steps were neither fast nor slow, even looking somewhat leisurely and contented. In their view, life was just like this; today was merely a copy of yesterday. Tomorrow would also merely be a copy of today.

Looking at these scenes, let alone fierce movements like revolution, even the fierce changes within society Chen Ke described to everyone seemed nonexistent. What could be seen was merely day after day of unchanging life. Even Chen Ke himself had actually become somewhat accustomed to this kind of life.

"Zhenglan, you should participate more in this social investigation too. Without seeing social changes, you naturally won't believe revolution will inevitably happen," Chen Ke finally said.

"Understood." Hua Xiongmao's voice didn't have much passion either; it seemed building houses all day had also consumed a lot of his spirit. "Anyway, no matter what I say, Wenqing, you won't let me go."

"Correct. You haven't completed the task the Party gave you; how can you go? Quit working?"

"Wenqing, if you aren't in Shanghai, who do you plan to hand over the Party's work to be responsible for?" There was some depressed meaning in Hua Xiongmao's words.

"If there are problems, the Party organization holds a meeting to discuss. You also have the right to speak. Don't speak as if the comrades have some opinion about you. Organizational discipline is the first priority. You must bear this firmly in mind," Chen Ke persuaded earnestly. At this time, Chen Ke really couldn't say more; the comrades must cross this hurdle themselves, rather than working under Chen Ke's command from beginning to end. This was also an important reason why Chen Ke insisted on leaving for a period.

After comforting Hua Xiongmao, Chen Ke returned to the workshop. He and Qi Huishen had to discuss the social investigation. The courtyard was still very lively. In the open-air classroom temporarily built with wooden beams and thatch in the courtyard, a student was speaking Wenzhou dialect in front of the blackboard, talking about the local situation in Wenzhou. Since the social investigation began, the first thing was for everyone to discuss according to region; after summarizing the situation of their hometowns, they would first go to the podium to narrate their own knowledge. It was obviously visible that this student already had some stage fright; he spoke hesitantly, even somewhat incoherently. Among those listening below was actually Chen Tianhua; he didn't say anything, but some other students listening had already started laughing.

"How much grain does one *mu* of paddy field in Wenzhou actually produce? 300 catties or 500 catties?" someone asked.

"This depends on the harvest year." The student on stage answered very fluently this time.

"How is the harvest year divided?" The person below continued to ask relentlessly.

Hearing this, Chen Ke felt how important a good investigation method was. Such standardless questions and answers would only be a large collection of idle chatter.

Sure enough, as Chen Ke thought, the person on stage was stumped immediately. He couldn't help scratching his head and started thinking annoyedly about how to organize his language.

Chen Ke didn't want to listen further either; he entered the office. He saw Qi Huishen compiling documents. "How is it going?" Chen Ke asked.

"I've already compiled the part about land investigation. Wenqing, take a look. Other parts, I feel really difficult now. I didn't pay attention to this matter before—what exactly a society looks like. Letting me write a social investigation, I can only take out the social analysis report Wenqing wrote in Wenqing's book and the relevant parts in the Party meeting documents to reread, only then knowing how to start writing these things." Qi Huishen also seemed annoyed to the extreme; he patted the books and materials piled on the table. "Letting me think for myself, only then did I know I fundamentally don't know what society looks like. Wenqing, how about you don't go first; wait until the investigation is on the right track, then you go to Beijing."

Chen Ke took out a few documents he had stayed up late to write from the drawer. "Take a look at these documents, then discuss them with everyone at the Party meeting. Many of my views are in here."

"Wenqing even prepared silk bags with clever plans. Very good." Qi Huishen actually started joking; it seemed compiling the plan really gave him quite a lot of gain.

"What view does Huishen have on my trip to Beijing this time?"

"Since you want to go, what view can I have? Besides, if I don't let Wenqing go, you won't go? If I could do this, I would absolutely do it." While speaking, Qi Huishen looked at the manuscripts; a moment later, he was absorbed. The manuscripts contained several articles on the analysis of Chinese society, much more brilliant than Qi Huishen's current understanding. Qi Huishen watched intently, actually not noticing Wu Xingchen coming in.

"Wenqing, this time going north, let me go with you." Wu Xingchen's face was still cold, but it made people feel he was very serious.

Regarding such an unexpected thing, Chen Ke felt it was very interesting. Wu Xingchen joining the Party counted as hitching a ride. Chen Ke really didn't expect Wu Xingchen to actually volunteer to go with him. What exactly was this gang brother thinking? Chen Ke was very curious.

Wu Xingchen didn't intend to let Chen Ke guess his mind either; he said straightforwardly, "A few northern friends of mine want to rise up and make a disturbance. I hope Wenqing can go help them with ideas."

"Make a disturbance?" Chen Ke's eyes widened instantly. Listening to Wu Xingchen's meaning, his friends were going to rebel! He really admired Wu Xingchen quite a bit in his heart. Chen Ke was a revolutionary, and the northern friends wanted to rebel; the two sides hit it off instantly.

"No problem. I'll go with Brother Wu. I wonder how Brother Wu plans to introduce me to everyone?"

"If Wenqing agrees to go, then I'll depart first to Hebei to contact those friends of mine well. Let's meet in Beijing then," Wu Xingchen said.

"You running all the way to Hebei like this, who will Brother Wu's work be handed over to?" Chen Ke asked.

"Now the hospital already has a reputation; it's fine whoever does it on my side. Moreover, I don't plan to stay long in Hebei; after everyone meets and finishes chatting, I'll return to Shanghai," Wu Xingchen said calmly.

Since Wu Xingchen said so, Chen Ke didn't say anything more. The two discussed the meeting address clearly and wrote it on paper. Wu Xingchen then rose to take his leave.

At the Party meeting that night, Chen Ke assigned some work. After discussion, the person chosen to go to Beijing with him was finally Chen Tianhua. Everyone also agreed in detail on how to contact each other if there was an urgent matter.

On October 1, Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua boarded the steamship going north to Tianjin. As the steamship slowly left the dock, Chen Ke looked down from the ship's rail. The one who came to see them off was You Gou; other comrades were busy to death, and Chen Ke ordered everyone to work hard. So the Party organization appointed You Gou to come see them off. Chen Ke waved slowly to You Gou, and You Gou also waved in response.

The ship's rail was full of people; everyone waved to the relatives and friends seeing them off. Various parting blessing words rose one after another in Chen Ke's ears. But the dock and You Gou on the dock became further and further away.

No matter how worried he was about the work in Shanghai, Chen Ke was very clear that revolution was never a one-man job. Without trustworthy comrades, revolution was simply a big joke. Early work determined the future foundation; if mistakes were made, the loss would be great. But the earlier it was, the more opportunities there were for adjustment. At this stage, exposing more problems would allow the future revolution to avoid more dangers. So Chen Ke wanted to hand over the work in Shanghai to everyone because he believed in everyone, and he had to believe in everyone.

"Do well! Comrades," Chen Ke said in a low voice.

"Everyone can definitely do well. Wenqing," Chen Tianhua laughed.

Chen Tianhua standing beside him had no other acquaintances; he merely waved politely to You Gou and stood quietly beside Chen Ke. Chen Ke said to Chen Tianhua beside him, "Tianhua, let's go back to the cabin. I'll show you some documents."

Chen Ke had been to Tianjin in the 80s, so after disembarking in Tianjin, the surrounding environment of 1905 actually felt somewhat familiar. At least the roads were still very familiar.

According to the agreement, Chen Ke would take the train from Tianjin to Beijing, then take the Beijing-Hankou line to get off at Xingtai. Taking Wu Xingchen's letter to visit Pang Zi. Standing at Tianjin Port, Chen Ke's short hair, thick cotton shirt, denim trousers, matte leather shoes, and the double-shoulder backpack on his back were really eye-catching. Watching the gazes of people around, Chen Ke simply took out the hard cardboard box of cigarettes he had hidden for a long time, took one out and held it in his mouth, lit the cigarette with an imitation Zippo lighter, and then looked around rather childishly at the guys watching him.

This style looked like no good kind at a glance; the guys with queues around turned their heads one after another. Chen Tianhua wore a student suit of those years, with hair reaching his shoulders draped loose. Chen Ke took out a cigarette and handed it to Chen Tianhua. Chen Tianhua thought for a moment and took it. The two held cigarettes in their mouths and walked just a few steps arrogantly. They heard someone curse in Tianjin dialect from behind: "Japanese devil."

Chen Ke was deflated instantly. Turning back to look at the person cursing him, no one paid attention to Chen Ke. Chen Ke said to Chen Tianhua beside him, "Tianhua, have you ever seen a Japanese as handsome as me?"

Chen Tianhua had been talking about revolution and ideals with Chen Ke all the way, and his impression of Chen Ke was a very steady person. Suddenly hearing Chen Ke ask this, he almost choked himself. "Brother Wenqing, I see you seem never to have cared about not wearing a queue yourself, right?" Chen Tianhua asked.

"I've had this short hair since I was little; I simply don't know what wearing a queue is about," Chen Ke answered angrily.

"So that's how it is." Hearing such righteous and confident words, Chen Tianhua didn't make a sound either.

By the time the two walked to Tianjin Railway Station, it was already afternoon. The train tickets to Beijing at the ticket window were actually sold out. It was already afternoon; taking other means of transportation was also unreliable. Chen Ke wanted to book tickets for the next day, but was told they were also sold out. Chen Ke left the ticket window helplessly.

"Tianhua, let's hire an animal to go to Beijing tomorrow," Chen Ke said.

Chen Tianhua didn't care much about how to go to Beijing; anyway, following Chen Ke, he would arrange it on the way. What Chen Tianhua was interested in was Chen Ke's attitude. "Brother Wenqing, why do you look very happy?"

"Revisiting an old haunt, naturally I am happy," Chen Ke answered casually.

Chen Tianhua was somewhat strange. "But I see Brother Wenqing doesn't seem very familiar with the road either."

"Last time I came, I took a car. Who walks when they have nothing to do?" Chen Ke looked left and right and told the truth casually.

Chen Tianhua had seen cars in Japan and knew what kind of people could ride in cars. Hearing Chen Ke's words, Chen Tianhua didn't make a sound. Chen Ke didn't care either, just looking around for a mule and horse dealership.

Asking a few people on the road, seeing Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua's attire, they all said they didn't know where there was a mule and horse dealership. Such words that were perfunctory at a glance made Chen Ke quite depressed. The two walked while looking left and right. Suddenly, Chen Ke saw a banner hanging outside a cloth shop: "This shop does not sell foreign goods." There were quite a few people going in and out of the cloth shop.

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

Chen Ke's voice wasn't loud; Chen Tianhua beside him didn't hear clearly. He asked, "What's wrong?"

Just as he wanted to answer, a gust of early autumn wind blew over; the cool northern wind refreshed one's spirit. The words Chen Ke wanted to explain turned into other content. "I know where the mule and horse dealership is." After speaking, Chen Ke turned left and went in the upwind direction.

Every once in a while, Chen Ke would look up slightly and sniff the air. Such an abnormal appearance made Chen Tianhua feel something was wrong. But after walking not too far, Chen Tianhua already understood what was going on. Because he had also smelled that very special smell in the air.

The two stopped in front of a courtyard; a big signboard hung on the courtyard gate: "Shunfeng Car Dealership." Walking into the gate, one could see that the courtyard was very large. A row of animal sheds was built under the east and west walls respectively. Just looking at the scale of the animal sheds, it was really not small. In front of the animal sheds were feeding troughs and water troughs. The not-so-numerous mules and horses inside were either resting or lowering their heads to eat grass and drink water. The ground was swept fairly clean; the manure of mules and horses was piled in a corner, and the air was filled with a smell produced by herbivores. Annoying but not disgusting.

Seeing guests arrive, the boss walked out quickly to welcome them. Seeing Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua's attire clearly, the smile on the boss's face became increasingly hypocritical.

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

The boss wearing a long gown looked at Chen Ke's short hair and outrageous clothes, and answered enthusiastically, "Fifty taels of silver."

"Why don't you go rob people on the street?" Chen Ke asked seriously.

"This gentleman," the boss also answered seriously, "Am I not robbing you right now?"

For the boss's irrefutable answer, Chen Ke really couldn't think of any way to respond. He had to say, "Too expensive."

"Carts rented to Japanese people are just this expensive. If you think it's expensive, find another house." The smile of a profiteer surfaced on the boss's face again.

Hearing this, Chen Ke explained hurriedly, "Have you ever seen a Japanese like me who can speak Chinese so well?"

"I'm not talking about you; I'm talking about that one behind you," the boss also explained to Chen Ke.

Hearing this, Chen Tianhua, who hadn't made a sound all along, spoke. "I am not Japanese; I am from Hunan." Chen Tianhua's Hunan dialect was very authentic; Chen Ke couldn't even understand it very well.

The boss of the mule and horse dealership was also knowledgeable and could understand dialects from various places. Hearing Chen Tianhua's words, the boss laughed embarrassedly immediately. "I made a mistake. These two guests, sorry, sorry. Since the two aren't Japanese, then thirty taels of silver will do."

"Thirty taels is also expensive." Chen Ke felt heartache for the silver.

"This gentleman, come and take a look." The boss led Chen Ke to the animal shed, pointing at batches of mules and horses and saying, "Look at these animals; how many houses in Tianjin can have such tall and big animals? Look at our carts again." The boss pointed to the place where carts were parked while speaking. "How many houses in Tianjin can have such good carts?"

After saying this, the boss said with that smile unique to business people, "With such a big animal shed of ours, you see there aren't many mules and horses; that's because the animals have all been rented out. The best carts have also been rented out. Those who come to rent our carts are all officials in Tianjin. Although you haven't been here before, you really came to the right place."