Whether one is willing or not, objectively speaking, everyone has to experience twenty-four hours a day. Chen Ke's feeling was that there were too many things and not enough time. Wu Xingchen personally took charge of finding a house. Chen Tianhua took over Wu Xingchen's teaching pointer for lecturing. Chen Ke took Xie Mingxian to lecture at the Imperial University, and after coming back, he started preparing for the honeycomb briquette matter; this whole day passed.

The next day, early in the morning, the He family came to buy medicine, and then Pu Guanshui came to the door to treat Chen Ke and the others to a meal. After finally getting these things done, he continued lecturing in the afternoon. After returning from the lecture, Wu Xingchen took Chen Ke to look at houses.

Early on the third day, Chen Ke prepared to receive the people He Ruming had found. The gathering place was a teahouse not too far from the Beijing Railway Station. In these times, people didn't have a strong sense of time. At 10:30 in the morning, only thirteen of the agreed twenty people arrived. Facing such efficiency, He Ruming still felt it was quite good.

Chen Ke couldn't say anything, so he had to continue waiting. He recalled Chairman Mao's early journey back then. It is said that when the old man did things alone, he failed in business and didn't persist in the army for long either. Some accounts say the Chairman used the wedding money given by his father-in-law to pay the party entrance fee. Only then did he join the party organization. But by the time of the First National Congress, there were at least a dozen or twenty national representatives, and hundreds of party members nationwide. Chairman Mao had enough comrades to work together.

But starting from scratch himself, there were only eight party members at this stage. Some of these people couldn't even be called party members, just clerks. Not to mention guys like Wu Xingchen whose revolutionary stance was unclear. Whose method should he learn to open up the revolutionary situation? Thinking it over, he couldn't find any model. When Mr. Li Dazhao formed the party, he was already a world-renowned scholar, and Chen Duxiu was an even more famous literati. When they raised their arms and called, they always had great rallying power. Chen Ke also imitated these people, but the early party organization was even more unpredictable, and there was even an incident where a large number of anarchists withdrew from the party collectively. Compared with the party that possessed steel-like discipline later, the early party organization was like playing house.

The growth of the Party was completed in the test of blood and fire, and the prerequisite for the test was having enough manpower. Chen Ke reflected on the initial purpose of his trip to Beijing, which was to assemble enough manpower. And this group of people must be those dissatisfied with the existing system. If they just wanted to come to him to eat and drink, or work for money, as soon as they heard the news that the government army was coming to suppress them, they would immediately scatter like birds and beasts, or simply "strike back" and attack the People's Party.

Thinking of this, Chen Ke's gaze at those people also became critical.

He Ruming didn't pay attention to Chen Ke's expression; he just sat there putting on official airs. Although he was no longer an official of the Tianjin Machinery Bureau, he didn't want to change his way of doing things. Instead, he maintained his "official authority" all the time. Chen Ke saw the people below sitting at the table daring not to make a sound. They weren't very old, ranging from their twenties to thirties. There was also some unease in their eyes when looking at He Ruming. Chen Ke felt he couldn't let the dissatisfaction accumulated by He Ruming be directed at himself. He stood up and picked up the teapot to pour tea for everyone.

Doing things requires paying attention to details. Even in the 21st century, the rules for pouring tea are quite big. It is a universal habit to pour tea for those with high status and age first. Chen Ke just started pouring tea one by one counterclockwise. He Ruming wasn't the last one, but it was just very ordinary treatment. Although Chen Ke's attitude was exceptionally respectful when pouring tea for He Ruming, and he even said, "Lord He, please drink tea," He Ruming's expression was already quite dissatisfied. Chen Ke knew He Ruming noticed this detail. Whether others could notice it, Chen Ke wasn't too sure. But observant people should know the meaning of this move.

As expected, He Ruming didn't drink this tea; his face became unhappy. Originally, he had told Chen Ke that he wouldn't stay here for lunch at noon. Around eleven o'clock, He Ruming sat for a while and then got up to leave. Chen Ke didn't ask him to stay either. Watching the angrily grunting He Ruming leave, he continued to pour tea for everyone in the order just now.

As soon as He Ruming left, the atmosphere of the venue began to liven up. Some people let out a long breath, and some simply showed smiles; the oppressive atmosphere just now was swept away. Many people already had slight goodwill and respect in their eyes looking at Chen Ke.

"My name is Chen Ke. I am a disciple of Mr. Yan Fu, the Chief Instructor of the Naval Academy." Chen Ke stood up and introduced himself.

"You are Mr. Yan's disciple."

"Are you also a student of the Naval Academy?"

The Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau and the Beiyang Naval Academy had a deep origin. Hearing that Chen Ke was Yan Fu's disciple, everyone was immediately filled with respect for Chen Ke. Seeing this, Chen Ke regretted it; maybe he shouldn't have offended He Ruming just now. But as the saying goes, "spilt water cannot be gathered again" (what is done cannot be undone); unless Chen Ke transmigrated again, what was done definitely couldn't be redone.

"Are you all from the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau?" Chen Ke continued to ask.

"My name is Xu Tianqi; I'm from the steel workshop."

"My name is Xu Erba; I'm from the machinery workshop, and these three here are too."

Some people introduced themselves, and some helped introduce others after introducing themselves. These thirteen people who came were all from the Machinery Bureau. This really greatly exceeded Chen Ke's expectations. Originally, he didn't trust He Ruming's ability much, but he didn't expect the people found might really be qualified.

Although people from the 21st century might lack skills in associating with others, they were absolutely first-class in treating people equally. Chen Ke treated everyone equally. These young people were bluffed by Chen Ke's background, and seeing Chen Ke had none of He Ruming's "official authority," they all became enthusiastic.

While Chen Ke was chatting with everyone, people arrived one after another. Some were from the East Bureau, and some were from the West Bureau; they naturally sat on two sides, faintly forming two camps. Seeing enough people had arrived, the large private room was already crowded with people.

From the conversation just now, Chen Ke roughly understood that among the current eighteen people, there were eleven workers, five technicians, and two engineers, originally engaged in steam engine and firearms manufacturing in the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau. As for their origin, most were northerners; only Xu Tianqi and Xu Erba were from Anhui.

Chen Ke continued, "Everyone comes from all corners of the land, sitting here for a common goal. What exactly is this goal? Who can say?"

Everyone looked at each other; *for what goal did we gather here?* Since the Tianjin Machinery Bureau was destroyed in the Gengzi year, everyone had been basically in a semi-unemployed state. These people all relied on the Tianjin Machinery Bureau for a living. Once the Tianjin Machinery Bureau collapsed, they lost their source of income. As soon as He Ruming summoned everyone, in order to make a living, these people came to Beijing upon receiving the summons.

"Let me speak first." Xu Erba spoke first. "I am a poor scholar (*Xiucai*). Failing to pass the provincial examination (*Juren*), I came to Beijing wanting to find an opportunity. I worked in the Tianjin Machinery Bureau for only a few days, and the bureau collapsed. I came here to make money, so that when I return home, I can have some savings and won't be unable to lift my head when meeting fellow villagers."

Hearing this, the atmosphere became somewhat active. Yin Ergou, who came from a worker background, said, "I haven't thought about making big money. As long as I can eat my fill and marry a wife, it'll do."

Such a simple pursuit made many people laugh heartily.

"I'm already married and have no plan to marry another wife. But seeing my wife living frugally all day makes me feel bad. I want to make money." Xiao Qi, who came from a small landlord background, said.

In the end, the consensus reached by the attending young people was two words: "Make Money." Just as they were speaking, they saw a person standing at the door. The first to see this person was Xiao Qi; he immediately changed his face like a mouse seeing a cat. Seeing Xiao Qi's appearance, others looked towards the door coincidentally. First, the people from the East Bureau stopped making a sound, and then the people from the West Bureau also lost their words. The young people stood up one after another, but no one spoke. The originally lively welcome meeting immediately became silent, as if it suddenly turned into a memorial service.

The young man at the door looked about 30 years old, tall, long face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, with an indescribably serious expression. Combined with his pale complexion, Chen Ke's first impression was: *Could this person be possessed by the White Ghost (Bai Wuchang)?*

Seeing a bunch of acquaintances, this person stepped into the courtyard. Yin Ergou was already somewhat terrified. "Lord Qin." He called timidly. Judging from their expressions, everyone knew this person; he should be a high-ranking cadre of the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau.

That Lord Qin walked up to Chen Ke. "May I ask which one is Mr. Chen Ke?" His voice was thin and soft, but there was no emotion in it, very businesslike.

Chen Ke answered, "I am."

That Lord Qin sized up Chen Ke, then said, "My name is Qin Tongren. Lord He sent me here to participate in Mr. Chen's factory."

As soon as Qin Tongren joined, the atmosphere of the meeting changed immediately. The young people, who had a trend of harmony, now became trembling with fear. It seemed this Qin Tongren had quite some prestige and means back then.

Chen Ke naturally couldn't let an outsider dominate the situation; not a single step of the process could be missing. Qin Tongren also had to introduce himself. This request didn't surprise Qin Tongren. He calmly narrated his resume. Studied at five, attended a Catholic mission school at ten, went to Germany for middle school at twelve, admitted to Humboldt University of Berlin with excellent grades at sixteen, graduated from Humboldt University majoring in mechanics at twenty, returned to China the same year, and began to take office in the Tianjin Machinery Bureau.

Hearing this, Chen Ke couldn't help asking, "I wonder if Mr. Qin knows You Gou and Wang Bin?"

Only then did Qin Tongren's expression change slightly. He replied, "The year I graduated, they just entered Humboldt University. Mr. Chen knows them?"

"They are my friends." Chen Ke replied.

Qin Tongren didn't care about this; he continued to introduce himself. In the Tianjin Machinery Bureau, Qin Tongren worked from engineer all the way to deputy chief engineer. It wasn't until after the Gengzi year that Qin Tongren was forced to leave. Qin Tongren had also been idle at home for these two years.

"Mr. Qin, everyone comes from all corners of the land, gathering here for a common goal. What does Mr. Qin think this goal is?" Chen Ke continued to the next question.

Qin Tongren scanned the crowd. "It should be to accomplish something so everyone can make some money."

Chen Ke originally thought this brother would sing some high-sounding tune; he didn't expect such an answer, which made him admire him a little.

Counting the number of people, nineteen people had arrived now, exactly twenty including Chen Ke. Chen Ke didn't plan to wait any longer and started talking about the factory construction plan directly. The plan had been talked about many times; nothing more than the benefits of honeycomb briquettes and the social significance of honeycomb briquettes. The purpose of these narrations was only one: this was a business beneficial to the country and the people and could make big money. Chen Ke was calm and full of confidence. The attendees had worked in factories after all, and military industrial enterprises at that; their insight was extraordinary. Listening to Chen Ke's clear statement, everyone became spirited.

Yin Ergou wanted to speak but didn't make a sound. He glanced at Qin Tongren. Qin Tongren looked calm and didn't mean to express his stance. Seeing Qin Tongren's expression, Yin Ergou swallowed his words back into his stomach. Others didn't dare to express opinions either.

Chen Ke saw the scene turn cold. If Qin Tongren didn't speak, others wouldn't dare to say anything either. He asked Qin Tongren directly, "Mr. Qin, what do you think?"

Qin Tongren thought for a moment. "Mr. Chen, you haven't finished talking about the key points; I don't know what to think now either."

This made sense. After Qin Tongren finished speaking, several people nodded slightly.

Chen Ke nodded. "How much is the coal transported here? Who knows?"

No one answered.

Chen Ke put a piece of paper on the table, told everyone the retail price of coal, then told everyone how ordinary families used coal, and then calculated the actual cost price of a honeycomb briquette. With this calculation, the price for a household to use honeycomb briquettes was actually half cheaper than burning coal balls. Everyone sighed coincidentally; everyone looked relaxed, feeling that this business would inevitably make a big profit.

Only Qin Tongren frowned slowly.

Seeing this, Chen Ke was secretly happy. *If the reason for Qin Tongren's frown is the same as what I think, that would be great.*

Chen Ke looked at everyone with a smile and began to list new data on the paper. A strong coal worker, if making honeycomb briquettes, could make a thousand a day. If these people went to homes to make coal personally, the price could be suppressed very low. One person earning 50 *wen* a day could cover living expenses. As long as the briquette maker could be popularized, the honeycomb briquette factory could close down. Of course, Chen Ke was calculating on the high side; no matter what kind of coal worker, they couldn't reach the quantity of one thousand a day even if exhausted to death. But this was to pave the way for later things.

Listening to this reasonable explanation, the people who originally looked relaxed darkened their faces. Qin Tongren was different from everyone else again; his face softened.

"To compete with these people who make coal themselves, and to win against them. There is only one way." Chen Ke said here but didn't continue. He wrote four big characters on the paper—"**Machine Production**."

Several people made an "En" sound coincidentally. Although Qin Tongren wanted to remain calm, a trace of a smile finally appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"We use machines to produce honeycomb briquettes. With twenty of us, we can produce one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand pieces a day. Establish a honeycomb briquette delivery system for the entire Beijing city. Absolutely cheaper than those who make coal themselves, and the coal is better than theirs. Even if we only earn twenty *wen* for a thousand pieces of coal, producing one hundred thousand pieces of coal every day is one hundred times that of those people. Everyone can earn nearly one thousand *wen* a day. And no one can compete with us. Only in this way can the honeycomb briquette factory survive."

This kind of naked modern competition mechanism relied on efficiency and price to overwhelm all competitors. Yin Ergou was quite smart; after hearing this, his breathing quickened a lot. "Mr. Chen, I'll follow you." Speaking of this, he didn't care about others' eyes gathering on him. "Lord He said very clearly that I have to do any hard labor when I come here. Hearing your words, I think it can be done. I will definitely follow you and work hard."

Contrary to everyone's expectations, Qin Tongren said in that consistently calm tone, "This matter can be done." Everyone's eyes fell on Qin Tongren. Everyone followed Qin Tongren to express their stance one after another, saying they would work hard here.

Although Wu Xingchen had left Beijing for a long time, his connections still remained. Plus, after the Gengzi Incident, many people in the capital were killed, and many fled to other places. As a result, Wu Xingchen actually rented a huge house. This was originally a cart and horse shop. Outside Beijing city, it was occupied when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded. The shop owner and his two sons were killed, and the mules, horses, and carts were looted clean. It was tantamount to family ruin and death, leaving only such a courtyard. Wu Xingchen rented it for two years with one hundred and thirty taels of silver. In Chen Ke's view, it was indeed a very cost-effective deal.

Leading everyone here, they saw it was quite dilapidated. Except for being big, it could be said to have no merit. The courtyard walls were dilapidated, and the houses were dilapidated. Living people was a problem.

Chairman Mao said, "Self-reliance, ample food and clothing." Chen Ke firmly believed in this. Pointing to this dilapidated house, Chen Ke laughed, "Do you believe we can restore this place to its old look very quickly?"

Although everyone hadn't met for long, they could already see that Chen Ke had no airs and could be talked to. Xu Erba summoned up his courage and said, "Mr. Chen, I have repaired houses in the countryside. If we want to repair this place, I'm afraid it won't work without ten days or so."

"Besides Brother Xu, has anyone else repaired houses?" Chen Ke asked.

Technician Gao Huaide stood out. He came from a rich family in Tianjin, attended private school, and later entered the Tianjin Machinery Bureau. "Mr. Chen, I have also repaired houses."

Chen Ke didn't know if others had similar experiences. He saw a few people making eyes at each other but refusing to stand up and speak. Ignoring those people, Chen Ke asked, "If I let the two of you lead twenty people to repair the house. How many days do you think it will take to finish?"

"This, with twenty people. It would also take five or six days." Gao Huaide said.

"About that long." Xu Erba also agreed.

"Then it's simple. Aren't there twenty people here? You two take the lead, and we all repair the house together."

As soon as Chen Ke finished speaking, there was a commotion in the team.

"Mr. Chen, you want to repair this house yourself?"

"I don't know how to repair houses."

There were those surprised that Chen Ke did this, and those expressing they didn't want to participate. Opinions varied.

Chen Ke stood at the front of the team and scanned everyone. Seeing Chen Ke's resolute gaze, those who were speaking stopped subconsciously.

"Lord He should have mentioned my rules here before inviting you. Everyone has to work. This is our future factory, so we have to do everything ourselves. If there are people who want to come here just to do their skilled jobs, I can't support them. Let me state my position here: I can't repair houses, nor do I understand repairing houses. But asking me to exert this strength, I can. And I am willing." After saying this, Chen Ke scanned the team again. He saw some were awed, some had indifferent expressions. There were also those unconvinced who wanted to speak but stopped.

"Lord He invited everyone here; I can't embarrass Lord He. Nor can I let everyone make a trip in vain. How about this: if you feel it won't work and can't accept this rule of mine, you can propose to leave here now. I will immediately present five silver dollars as travel expenses." After speaking, Chen Ke took out a money bag from his satchel and weighed it in his hand. The money bag was heavy with many silver dollars, making a dull clattering sound.

"Don't worry, I said I would present five silver dollars, and I will honor it."

Seeing Chen Ke so firm, and the money bag should contain real stuff, many people seemed convinced. But two people still expressed they wanted to leave. Chen Ke distributed the money in public and shook hands with them sincerely to bid farewell, wishing them a safe journey. Others didn't expect Chen Ke to be so decisive, and there was no movement instead.

"If no one wants to leave, let's start. I am a layman regarding house repair. So regarding how to repair the house, I think those with experience have more right to speak. My request is to let everyone move in quickly. As for exactly what to do, I listen to everyone." Chen Ke laughed.

Although he said leading the house repair, Chen Ke didn't really let those two have the final say. On the contrary, according to the Party's knack back then, the first thing was to mobilize the masses. One of the cores of mobilizing the masses was to let everyone participate. Including Chen Ke, these eighteen heroes were all working class. The working class was the most organized.

First, Xu Erba and Gao Huaide explained the architectural features of the house, and then how to repair those damaged parts. The Party relied on "Democratic Life Meetings" and "Soldier Committees" to organize a group of farmers back then. For workers, this mode was more efficient. Taking less than an afternoon, everyone had formulated a plan to repair the house.

Everyone had never experienced such an organizational model. In their previous lives, everyone was arranged to do some work. Possessing different authorities according to the level of status. Even incompetent people could order people around as long as they could obtain authority. Chen Ke's new model was appointing people on their merits. Xu Erba and Gao Huaide had indeed repaired houses; after getting the opportunity to perform, they also performed fully. Seeing Chen Ke having no airs at all but listening to their explanation seriously instead, others were a bit dissatisfied. Xu Erba was a mechanic, and Gao Huaide was a worker; their status in the Tianjin Machinery Bureau wasn't considered high. Shen Songwen, born as a steam engine engineer, felt dissatisfied; he also joined the discussion. But he had no civil engineering experience after all and was quickly refuted.

Seeing that Chen Ke really hoped everyone could participate, two people who dared not speak before also stood out. They also had experience repairing houses. They raised different viewpoints against Xu Erba and Gao Huaide's statements. After arguments, two plans were finally reached. The few people arguing red in the face looked at Chen Ke, waiting for him to make a decision.

"This factory is our factory. Although I pay for it, everyone has to participate in the factory production and construction. So my idea is, this matter needs voting. Let me say this upfront: what does everyone voting mean? It means that after you vote, even if someone else's opinion is passed, you must accept the final plan."

After explaining the game rules of this "democratic voting," everyone looked at each other. Voting was good, but in case the plan one supported wasn't passed, one still had to listen to others. Then what was the meaning of this voting for oneself?

Shen Songwen came from an engineering background after all; his brain was quite flexible. Seeing everyone was thinking, feeling the opportunity was rare, he proposed a set of his own insights. Obviously, Shen Songwen absorbed parts of the viewpoints of the two plans and then summarized them according to his own train of thought. The core content was equivalent to a compromise plan. This plan immediately received partial support. Seeing the two plans turning into three opposing attitudes.

Qin Tongren, who had been silent and watching, finally opened his mouth. Once this deputy chief engineer spoke, it was indeed very different. Qin Tongren suggested first completing the repair of several large damaged parts of the house quickly. Then repair the damaged parts of the roof and walls to let everyone move in. Repair other places later. This plan was obviously much better than Shen Songwen's. Clinging to this "quick move-in," the rationality of the plan was clear at a glance.

This was a secret ballot. Finally, with sixteen votes in favor of Qin Tongren and two votes in favor of Shen Songwen, Qin Tongren's plan was passed. Next, Chen Ke entrusted the four brothers with civil engineering experience to come up with a comprehensive plan tomorrow.

Party members mimicking a leading role had always been the key point; Chen Ke already had sufficient experience in Shanghai. In the following three days, he neither challenged the final plan nor evaded work. With him taking the lead, and Qin Tongren showing a style like Chen Ke's, others naturally had nothing to say. The division of labor for each project was formulated after everyone's collective discussion. It wasn't that no one slacked off, but "thousands of accusing fingers make one die without a disease" (public censure makes it hard to continue). While others were working hard, the lazy ones appeared extremely conspicuous. Thus the project proceeded smoothly. By the afternoon of the third day, the dormitory repaired first could be moved into. On the sixth day, other houses could also be put into use. Chen Ke also found lime to whitewash the inside of the room slightly. The houses that looked dilapidated a few days ago actually had a feeling of taking on a new look.

In this process, Qin Tongren's performance was extremely outstanding. Although under the command of a few ordinary mechanics and workers, although doing physical labor. Qin Tongren, this foreign student, never made a sound about the hard work. Qin Tongren, this senior engineer, did the physical work of moving bricks and mixing mud very seriously. *Could this brother also be a transmigrator?*

There was a rule in Chen Ke's family education: if you look down on work like digging manure after reading books, it only shows that your reading was in vain. The so-called "A gentleman is not a utensil" (a gentleman is not limited to one function) means there is only work that needs to be done, not work that one can only do. Foreign students of this era all felt they should do big things, not these "low-level" jobs. Qin Tongren's performance made Chen Ke's glasses drop (greatly surprised).

Moreover, such serious labor didn't make others feel arrogant. On the contrary, as long as Qin Tongren stood there, everyone's work seemed to immediately get on the right track. The prestige brought by this quality and performance was the hardest to establish, and once established, it was also the hardest to shake. Chen Ke felt something wasn't quite right. According to Qin Tongren's way of doing things, don't let him really succeed with the honeycomb briquette project? Then he would be doing work for others' benefit (making wedding clothes for others)!