He Ruming's father was a traditional member of the gentry; he never hoped to put all his eggs in one basket. Under his arrangement, one of He Ruming's two younger brothers was in the Nanyang Navy, and the other in the Jiangnan Machinery Bureau. Although the old man was gone, He Ruming still had a sister to discuss things with. After recounting Chen Ke's situation and today's meeting experience to his sister, He Qian asked, "Regarding the honeycomb briquette matter Chen Ke mentioned, why didn't Big Brother agree right then?"

"That matter is obviously not easy to do," He Ruming replied.

"Does Big Brother think Chen Ke doesn't know that?" He Qian asked.

"Uh?" He Ruming really hadn't thought about this.

"In Chen Ke's book, the understanding of industrialization is quite deep; in my view, it's impossible for him not to know how difficult this matter is. Big Brother, you wouldn't feel his vision is insufficient just because he is young, would you?"

"Are you saying that Chen Ke came to trick me?"

"Why would he come to trick Big Brother? Is Big Brother that easy to trick?"

Hearing He Qian's seemingly contradictory words, He Ruming was somewhat puzzled. Fortunately, He Qian didn't have the habit of keeping people in suspense either. She explained her view: Chen Ke genuinely hoped for someone to cooperate. Since Yan Fu valued He Ruming relatively highly and sent the book specially, Chen Ke just pushed the boat with the current to talk about cooperation with He Ruming.

"In my view, since he already has a plan, he is now looking for people with intention to cooperate. Mentioning this matter to Big Brother today doesn't equate to this Chen Ke preparing to hang himself on Big Brother's tree. If Big Brother doesn't contact Chen Ke about this matter afterward, I think Chen Ke will absolutely not talk about this matter with Big Brother again."

Hearing his sister's explanation, He Ruming held back for a long time before choking out a sentence: "This Chen Wenqing is actually quite arrogant."

He Qian knew that although her big brother's official rank wasn't high, he cared very much about face in officialdom. Actually, her original intention wasn't to provoke a conflict between her big brother and Chen Ke. On the contrary, she hoped her big brother could seize any opportunity to go up a level. After the Tianjin Machinery Bureau was destroyed in the Gengzi year, the old Beiyang faction had been unable to recover. He Ruming had been idle at home for several years and managed to climb up connections to take office in Beijing with great difficulty. Now wasn't the time to "revitalize official prestige." On the contrary, now was the key period to climb up new connections by doing things seriously. Regarding her big brother's nature of loving face, He Qian actually disapproved very much. Compared to He Ruming, who was already in his early forties, that twenty-five-year-old Chen Ke He Ruming mentioned seemed more mature instead.

"Big Brother, you are of the Empress Dowager's faction, and that Yuan Weiting (Yuan Shikai) is also of the Empress Dowager's faction. We were in Tianjin and saw with our own eyes how Yuan Weiting rose. Although there was also the reason of luck, reorganizing the Beiyang New Army and establishing the police system—this wasn't luck, right? This Chen Ke has Yan Fu's recommendation; Mr. Yan Fu must want Chen Ke to achieve great things in the capital. According to what you told me, if Chen Ke's honeycomb briquette plan is introduced directly to Yuan Weiting? Do you think Yuan Weiting can do it?"

"Just relying on him? How could he possibly meet Yuan Weiting?" He Ruming was very disdainful.

"What if Yan Fu wrote a letter to Yuan Weiting? Holding Mr. Yan Fu's letter, I don't believe Yuan Weiting wouldn't be willing to see him."

Truly a word to awaken the dreamer; hearing this inference from his sister, He Ruming suddenly realized something. Following this train of thought, He Ruming immediately flew into a rage. At any rate, he was a fifth-rank capital official; feeling he had to give Yan Fu some face, only then did he meet Chen Ke personally. Unexpectedly, this Chen Ke looked respectful and submissive, but in his heart, he didn't put He Ruming in his eyes at all. According to his sister He Qian's inference, Chen Ke merely acted out of respect for Yan Fu; since Yan Fu sent the book to He Ruming, only then did he talk about the honeycomb briquette matter to He Ruming. But in Chen Ke's heart, he absolutely didn't take He Ruming seriously. In this plan, whether there was He Ruming or not was fundamentally irrelevant.

"Humph. This fellow puts on quite an air. Does he insist on waiting for me to beg at his door?" He Ruming said indignantly.

Although knowing her big brother had such a temper, He Qian still couldn't help sighing in her heart. In He Ruming's view, Chen Ke was arrogant and rude. But He Qian felt Chen Ke was already very considerate of He Ruming's dignity. Of course, He Qian felt Chen Ke wasn't mature enough either. Although Chen Ke had good intentions, if it were He Qian, she fundamentally wouldn't mention this matter to He Ruming. Most of the time, good intentions won't be rewarded.

However, since things had already developed to this stage, He Qian had to push this matter in a direction beneficial to He Ruming no matter what. But He Qian couldn't help having a little complaint in her heart: "If only I were the big brother. Many things would be handled better."

Thinking of this, He Qian couldn't help thinking of Empress Dowager Cixi in the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Influenced by the family, He Qian was also of the Empress Dowager's faction. He Qian suddenly sympathized very much with that old lady deep in the palace. I'm afraid she also faced a large group of officials similar to her own big brother; on one hand, she had to suppress various guys plotting misdeeds, and on the other hand, she had to try every way to promote the New Deal, striving to maintain the Great Qing's country.

He Qian and her big brother He Ruming actually had a very good relationship; even so, most of the time, to consider her big brother's bit of "ridiculous dignity," He Qian had to speak and act "tactfully." He Qian actually missed the time when her father was alive very much; at that time, the old man's word was law at home. If he saw He Ruming's performance like this, he would probably have darkened his face and scolded him roundly long ago. Is face that important? Why did He Ruming hold onto it tightly and not let go? Back then, it was He Ruming who taught He Qian the *Analects*, but He Qian firmly believed that Big Brother He Ruming had never learned the *Analects* at all. He just recognized the characters in the *Analects*.

But no matter how she complained in her heart, He Qian wouldn't show it. Not only could she not show it, but He Qian also tried hard to persuade He Ruming following his habits, insisting on limited cooperation with Chen Ke. Since Chen Ke might spread this honeycomb briquette project, He Ruming's early participation was a necessity.

Chen Ke didn't know someone was already calculating him; he was explaining his idea to Chen Tianhua.

The biggest advantage of the honeycomb briquette project lay in greatly improving the efficiency of fuel use. And large-scale use would inevitably be able to comprehensively reduce the living expenses of Beijing residents. In this aspect, with such a broad market, this project absolutely had no problem.

"The trees around Beijing have been chopped down, so once the wind blows, the sky is full of sand and dust. The fuel for Beijing citizens has also long been coal. Western Hills anthracite, market demand, all are there. As for honeycomb briquette equipment, although the Tianjin Machinery Bureau is already dilapidated, the remaining bits and pieces are enough to use at any rate. If it really doesn't work, buying equipment from the Jiangnan Machinery Bureau is also in time. Moreover, this can also promote new-style iron stoves. The iron output of Hanyang Iron Works is enough to manufacture these things." Chen Ke proposed the basic conditions in various aspects one by one.

"Then isn't everything ready, only owing the east wind?" Chen Tianhua asked hesitantly. If it were before, after getting this news, Chen Tianhua would immediately be overjoyed, thinking that promoting China's progress, even a tiny bit of progress, was a great good thing and could be started immediately. Following Chen Ke for so long, Chen Tianhua's enthusiasm remained, but his angle of considering problems was much more comprehensive. What's more, Chen Ke was absolutely not a person who would act recklessly once he had an idea; being able to propose these, there must be a more profound follow-up move inside. Serving the Manchu Qing for nothing was absolutely not Chen Ke's style.

"The greed of Manchu Qing officials is like wild dogs. For any opportunity to make money, the handlers will absolutely not stop until they scoop all the money into their own pockets. Xingtai, what is the future regime of our People's Party for?"

"Hmm, developing productive forces. Promoting national progress." These days, following Chen Ke, these words had become a habit for Chen Tianhua. Of course, this wasn't Chen Tianhua learning Party jargon, but the certainty finally obtained after such long profound study and discussion.

"So when we plan this matter, we absolutely cannot treat it with our attitude. We must follow the current train of thought of the Manchu Qing; otherwise, that would not be seeking truth from facts."

"But if this matter is done, won't it benefit the Manchu Qing for nothing?" Chen Tianhua still didn't believe Chen Ke really hoped to get this matter done.

"What we need to do now is to get this matter started; do you think this matter can succeed? It is destined to fail."

"If Wenqing takes the lead, I think this matter can definitely be done."

"Why should I get this matter done? My doing this matter is in itself to intensify contradictions. Blocking people's way to wealth is worse than killing their parents. In these years, many people want to make money but simply can't find a way. We give them opportunities, give them hope. Then the corruption of the Manchu Qing will inevitably destroy these opportunities. Making those who had hope despair again. Hmm, I should say, they will be even more desperate. At this time, we develop Party members and ask Party members to follow us to revolt; isn't it much more effective than that empty-mouthed persuasion?"

"..." Chen Tianhua was speechless. He knew Chen Ke wasn't a childish person, but such means, such planning, didn't look like the actions of an upright gentleman no matter how one looked. And in Chen Tianhua's impression, Chen Ke was a true gentleman.

"Xingtai, the Manchu Qing will inevitably perish. We are saving some people from this broken ship now; could it be that we are wrong? Have we spoiled our conscience?" Chen Ke understood the reason for Chen Tianhua's silence and said.

Since ancient times, heroes have not been kind types! Such a sentence suddenly flashed through Chen Tianhua's mind. Being with Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren in the Huaxinghui, Chen Tianhua hadn't not seen any schemes and intrigues. But those calculations were all small tricks without exception. Either sadness and revenge, awakening the gentry's memories of those broken matters of being oppressed. or empty promises, vigorously advocating what prominent official positions and huge power everyone could get after the revolution succeeded. Utilizing the urgent mood of fellow villagers trying to scoop a profit. Or a two-pronged approach, both inciting sad hatred and promising official positions. The result was just failure after failure.

Chen Ke's calculation this time was completely different from those conspiracies Chen Tianhua had seen before. The Huaxinghui's conspiracy, to put it nicely, was "seeking wealth and honor in danger." regarding Chen Ke's plan this time, Chen Tianhua felt that after the final destruction ending could be seen long ago, those who could not be completely beaten down by this blow would inevitably follow Chen Ke on the road of revolution.

This feeling wasn't some theoretical summary. Getting along with Chen Ke for so long, Chen Tianhua felt there was something indescribable about Chen Ke, as if he could see through the future. No matter what kind of tragic ending, if one believed Chen Ke's explanation, it was just a small setback. The sky wouldn't fall, and the earth wouldn't sink. As long as one walked on the correct road, there was an infinite future to be seen.

Chen Tianhua admired Chen Ke's arrangement very much, but had a sense of incongruity from the bottom of his heart. He looked at Chen Ke carefully; Chen Ke was drawing some sketches at this time. Whenever working, Chen Ke had an indescribable focus. As if even if the sky collapsed and the earth split, Chen Ke wouldn't waver in the slightest. From seeing Chen Ke until now, the Chen Ke Chen Tianhua saw had always been doing things like this. Chen Ke never engaged in wishful thinking; he just did his own things calmly and firmly.

Looking at Chen Ke's familiar demeanor, Chen Tianhua felt Chen Ke was so incomprehensible. This person was enthusiastic and also indifferent; kind, yet also having an indescribable cruelty. Except for a very few times, Chen Ke never revealed his emotions. Chen Tianhua was also 30 years old this year, standing firm at thirty, and Chen Tianhua had had so many experiences. In terms of insight alone, he was also a person of the moment. But Chen Tianhua found that he was still very easily influenced by the outside world. To put it unpleasantly, as long as others spoke reasonably, Chen Tianhua would be influenced involuntarily. In comparison, Chen Ke was only twenty-five, but this person was firm to a terrifying degree. Nothing could make Chen Ke change his mind. No theory of others could make Chen Ke change his original intention.

It wasn't that Chen Ke could be consistently correct; regarding some things, Chen Tianhua felt what Chen Ke did wasn't that correct. But Chen Ke was also changing gradually. If it were when they first met, Chen Ke would absolutely not have proposed such a "conspiracy" directly. At that time, Chen Ke would have tried harder to persuade others. Instead of waiting for others to be at a dead end like this, and then extending his hand only when others fell. Chen Ke was changing, like a sword being slowly drawn from the scabbard; the revealed light was still gentle as water, but the closer one got to this sword, the more one could feel that piercing sharpness. This was a high spirit that made people feel dangerous. Chen Tianhua didn't want to criticize; this faint feeling actually had the flavor of really being able to split this dark world.

The drawing was done quickly. Chen Ke put down the pen and looked at his wristwatch. "Time to visit Mr. Gu Hongming. Pack up; let's set off."

There were many people on the streets. Since the capital began to imitate Tianjin to establish a police system, there were not only patrol police but even traffic police on the streets. The only thing Chen Ke wasn't used to was that the traffic imitated Japan; vehicles all kept to the left. It ran counter to the right-hand traffic of New China. "When liberated, we must restore right-hand traffic," Chen Ke thought to himself.

On the way, they also saw disputes between vehicles a few times. And at the locations of disputes, there were also traffic police mediating conflicts and maintaining order. There were also some notices at every intersection; Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua stopped to watch—they were nothing more than notices introducing various new orders. Starting from 1904, Beijing began to repair new streets; at least the road surface from Chen Ke's residence to the Imperial University of Peking was a crushed stone road. Moreover, people were constantly sprinkling water on the road surface all day, so the dust wasn't flying that much. With people managing and maintaining order, the market naturally looked quite peaceful. The populace walked briskly, looking nothing like having no means of livelihood.

No wonder those Qing fans would declare that the failure of the Late Qing New Deal was a tragedy; if one just looked at this section of road surface, perhaps it could provide quite a few "powerful evidences" for Qing fans. Chen Ke thought mockingly. Chen Tianhua was also observing the surroundings; looking at this road surface, the police, and the orderly street scene, he misunderstood the trace of a smile at the corner of Chen Ke's mouth. "Wenqing, as long as the New Deal is adopted, China's affairs can also be handled well."

It wasn't convenient for Chen Ke to discuss sensitive issues on the street. He just answered in a tone full of mockery: "Flash of lucidity before death (terminal lucidity)."

Hearing this, Chen Tianhua frowned slightly. Chen Ke's evaluation was so vicious; to Chen Tianhua's ears, it was a bit excessive. To say such a scene was terminal lucidity was a bit too mean. But discussing these things loudly at this time was indeed inappropriate. Chen Tianhua decided to discuss this issue again when it was safe.

The gatekeeper of the Imperial University of Peking was in his thirties, a tall and thin fellow. Hearing Chen Ke's request to see Gu Hongming, he looked at these two short-haired youths with a suspicious look.

"Mr. Yan Fu sent us from Shanghai."

Hearing this, the gatekeeper immediately changed to an expression of sudden realization. Chen Ke handed Yan Fu's letter to the gatekeeper, asking him to deliver the letter to Mr. Gu Hongming. While waiting for the gatekeeper to trot into the school, seeing no one around, Chen Ke laughed, "Xingtai, you fought against injustice for this school back then."

Chen Tianhua didn't answer but sized up this currently highest institution of learning in China carefully. The Imperial University of Peking was the first national comprehensive university in modern Chinese history; it was both the highest institution of learning in the country and the highest national educational administrative organ, governing schools in all provinces. Chen Tianhua's *Meng Hui Tou* (Sudden Look Back), which spread throughout the Divine Land, once mentioned the Imperial University of Peking: "Let alone that, to build a university in the capital costs three hundred thousand taels of silver; the government said the cost was too big and hasn't built it to this day. The Empress Dowager managed to get tens of millions of taels for restoring the Summer Palace. Every year handling imperial tomb missions, moving millions is also common. Only this three hundred thousand, can you say it can't be found?"

Now this school stood solidly in front of Chen Tianhua. Looking at the numerous school buildings, there were also quite a few students on the playground. Outside the brick walls of the campus, quite a few willow trees were actually planted; it really had that scholarly feeling only a true university has. Chen Tianhua's heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Chen Ke could roughly guess Chen Tianhua's feelings. He didn't want Chen Tianhua's confidence to waver. With a mocking tone, Chen Ke said, "The New Deal can't save China. The only effect of the New Deal is the Manchu Qing digging its own grave. Of course, without the New Deal, the Manchu Qing is also destined to perish, but with the New Deal, the Manchu Qing will inevitably die faster."

Hearing Chen Ke's cold prophecy, Chen Tianhua felt some resistance in his heart. Other provinces in China, whether rural or urban, were gradually decaying. Seeing some improvement in Beijing, although Chen Tianhua wouldn't feel gratitude toward the Manchu Qing, he couldn't help being touched by the refreshing sight. Chen Ke's words, however, bluntly belittled this tiny bit of beautiful change as worthless. It inevitably had a flavor of being a wet blanket.

However, Chen Tianhua had no desire to defend the Manchu Qing either. The two waited for a while like this. From afar, they saw the gatekeeper running over quickly, the queue behind his back bouncing up and down; it was evident he also wanted to rush over as soon as possible.

Arriving in front of the two, the gatekeeper said quite respectfully, "Two gentlemen, Mr. Gu invites you."

"Then please lead the way," Chen Ke said.

Following behind the gatekeeper, Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua walked into the school gate of the Imperial University of Peking.