Qin Tongren kept a queue (braid), and the comrades from the Tianjin Machinery Bureau also kept queues. Chen Ke had always been afraid to ask a question: *Is it safe to operate a lathe with a queue?*

Chen Ke grew up in the family compound of a diesel engine factory. The female workers in the metalworking workshop also had braids. Long ponytails were not allowed when operating lathes. At that time, short hair like a boy's crew cut wasn't popular, so female workers also found it difficult. If the hair wasn't tied up, strands hanging in front of the eyes would delay work. If the hair was too long, tying it up was also troublesome. Because the workshop stipulated that long hair must be tucked inside the work clothes during work. Examples of female workers' long hair getting caught in machine tools, resulting in terrible work injuries, were simply too horrible to look at. But seeing Qin Tongren and other workers keeping queues, Chen Ke felt something was very wrong. *What does everyone do when working?*

Obviously, Chen Ke worried too much. When making the design drawings, the workers were divided into two groups; one group designed, and the other group followed Chen Ke to make furnace tiles. Firing furnace tiles wasn't troublesome; there was a brick kiln near the factory, and several batches of furnace tiles were quickly fired. This work didn't have high requirements for queues.

When it came time to start work, everyone skillfully coiled their queues around their necks and fixed the ends with hairpins, which was a method. Chen Ke's attempt to lobby everyone to cut their queues failed. Not only that, but the comrades were in good working condition. It only took four days for the equipment to basically take shape. The steel frame was replaced by a wooden frame, and the volume was much larger. The multi-hole large steel hammer became an iron-clad wooden mallet, weighted with stones. Watching the comrades turn his original design into a new design full of Chinese flavor, Chen Ke was speechless.

These days, Chen Ke organized the comrades' lives according to the factory management model of the new era. That is to say, get up at 7:30 in the morning, run collectively for ten minutes, and then wash up together. In these times, there was no toothpaste; brushing teeth was done by wiping with cloth. After the honeycomb briquette stove in the factory was repaired, boiling water was much more convenient. Everyone took turns cooking three meals a day. In the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, it was noodle soup, steamed buns (mantou), and pickles. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, it was millet porridge, pickles, and steamed buns. At noon, it was steamed buns and stir-fried dishes, four dishes and one soup, and there must be a meat dish. In the evening, the dishes from noon were heated up, and another soup was cooked.

After breakfast, work started promptly at 8:30. Before starting work, they sang "We Workers Have Strength" twice. When teaching this song, everyone still felt awkward. But after learning this song, the comrades immediately loved it. At first, they sang it before starting work; the next day, someone started singing it during work breaks; three days later, everyone started singing it when there was nothing to do at night. "We workers have strength, hey! We workers have strength! Busy working every day, hey! Busy working every day..."

Listening to this generous and heroic song echoing in the dormitory, Chen Ke believed a saying: "People need some spirit." This group of comrades with queues was enough to prove this.

Let's not talk about Qing dynasty dramas (*queue dramas*). If you really ask a 21st-century young man a question—"Do you like the Qing Dynasty?"—it is estimated that more than 95% of people will explicitly state, "Don't like it." This dynasty that started with slaughter, the dynasty that bowed and scraped to surrender to foreign countries, was destroyed silently. Even the very few remnants of the Manchu Qing lamented that when the Ming Dynasty perished, it was like a raging fire; when the Manchu Qing perished, it was like dust and dirt. The officials, army, and gentry who were once the pillars of this country all abandoned the Manchu Qing. If the Manchu Qing had been destroyed by an organization as powerful as the CPC, perhaps it would have saved some face for the Manchu Qing. However, the Xinhai Revolution was launched by just a few unknown people in the Wuchang Uprising, and these people didn't become prominent later either. Those few initiators triggered the disintegration and demise of the Manchu Qing. The Manchu Qing regime was thrown into the trash heap of history like dog shit.

Like ordinary history enthusiasts, Chen Ke sighed with regret over the demise of the Ming Dynasty, but he viewed the demise of the Manchu Qing with joy. Under such a mood, those officials and backbones of the Manchu Qing era were also despised by Chen Ke. Chen Ke sometimes thought that anyone with a queue on their head had nothing to admire. Risking one's life for a garbage regime was really not worth affirming. But regarding Qin Tongren, Chen Ke really couldn't despise him. Regarding these comrades from the Tianjin Machinery Bureau, Chen Ke couldn't despise them either.

These comrades were really good people; they loved their work, loved their country, and had fought against foreign invaders. If they weren't people of the Qing Dynasty but citizens of the Republic, they would definitely be heroes.

*Perhaps my understanding of the world is wrong.* In every era, people's pursuit of an "equal and happy" life should be exactly the same. The only difference is just the era itself. *Perhaps this is the real reason why I feel everything has been going wrong these days.*

As if to verify Chen Ke's self-criticism, after the equipment construction was basically completed, Qin Tongren suddenly asked Chen Ke to go pick up a machine together. This was an old-style steam engine transported by train. Apart from the little steam engine knowledge learned in textbooks, Chen Ke had no practical understanding of steam engines. His only experience was sitting in the locomotive with his father when he was a child, learning to shovel coal into the boiler. Traveling north and south with his old dad during winter and summer vacations since childhood, Chen Ke could be considered to have paid a little fee with this coal shoveling game.

Looking at this steam engine that could almost be described as dilapidated, Chen Ke didn't know whether to ask "Can this machine work?" or "Mr. Qin, for what reason did you spend money like this?"

"Wenqing, I didn't spend much money. This machine has been scrapped for more than two years; I only spent a few dozen taels of silver when I bought it," Qin Tongren said calmly.

"Is it easy to repair?" Even though Chen Ke had a thousand thoughts, in the end, he only squeezed out this sentence.

Qin Tongren didn't say anything more; he directed people to load this machine onto a special heavy-duty ox cart. More than twenty sturdy young men first tied the machine with ropes, then lifted it layer by layer with levers like carrying a sixteen-bearer sedan chair. With a shout, more than twenty people exerted force simultaneously and actually lifted this ton-heavy steam engine. Of course, even twenty-some young men couldn't carry the steam engine from the train station to the factory. Not far away, a widened and thickened four-wheel ox cart was parked there.

Other ox carts used one ox or two oxen as power, while this ox cart had two rows, front and back, with two oxen in each row. It actually used four oxen as power. The cart body was all thickened, more than twice as thick as an ordinary cart. The whole body was coated with oil and looked pitch black; this was to prevent the wood from rotting. That heavy feeling could be known just by looking. The wheels, more than a meter high, were even more sturdy and heavy. Instead of rubber tires, iron sheets were used to bind them. It looked like no ordinary item at a glance.

Chen Ke was bluffed by this ox cart. Such a mighty ox cart, if in the 21st century, the price might not be cheaper than a small truck. But in the 21st century, a tattered small truck could transport this steam engine. Chen Ke finally understood the significance of steel to a country. A tattered small truck beat this heavy-duty ox cart by a thousand times. The power of industry actually made Chen Ke feel awe in this form. The tattered small truck won completely.

And it was fortunate that they were in Beijing to have such a heavy-duty vehicle. If it were elsewhere, no matter how much money was offered, such a vehicle capable of transporting a steam engine couldn't be found. *Must industrialize,* Chen Ke shouted in his heart.

Although it was early winter, the young men didn't wear cotton-padded jackets, presumably afraid of wearing them out. They wore vests, muscles bulging on their shoulders. One by one, they exerted all their strength to move the steam engine out, then walked up the earthen slopes on both sides of the cart, and unloaded the steam engine onto the cart. The driver was in his thirties, looking shrewd and capable. Being able to drive this imposing heavy-duty ox cart, he was also extremely spirited. First, he jumped lightly onto the driver's seat. The driver skillfully waved the long whip; the whip tip made a crisp crack in the air. With a shout, the driver began to drive the four oxen in front of the cart to march.

There were other ox carts along the way, but compared to this cart, they were like toys. Pedestrians on the roadside watched one after another; it was a mess of impressiveness. Qin Tongren and Chen Ke followed behind the cart. Looking at the puzzled Chen Ke, Qin Tongren asked, "Is Mr. Chen very surprised why I did this? You definitely think I have ulterior motives."

"That's right." Chen Ke didn't tell lies either.

"When I met Wenqing on the first day, do you remember what you said about the significance of honeycomb briquettes?" Qin Tongren said. This was the first time he addressed Chen Ke by his courtesy name directly.

Chen Ke certainly remembered. He had said those words many times and even wrote a draft to ponder in detail. Speaking with emotion and substance, it could probably compete with pyramid scheme propaganda. When meeting Qin Tongren for the first time, in order to boost everyone's morale, Chen Ke spoke even more reasonably. The use of honeycomb briquettes could greatly save fuel and incidentally drive the operation of an entire industrial chain. It was a project with a hundred benefits and no harm. To emphasize the significance of honeycomb briquettes, Chen Ke even used terms like "beneficial to the country and the people."

Recalling that time, the colleagues' reaction was good. Only Qin Tongren didn't show anything special then; unexpectedly, he cared about this matter so much in his heart.

"Lord He wrote to me specifically a while ago, saying Mr. Chen is a rare talent and wanted me to come help you. Lord He's father took great care of me back then; otherwise, I absolutely wouldn't have come to such a small factory." There was a haughtiness in Qin Tongren's tone; Chen Ke didn't find this repulsive.

"After I returned from Germany, I always hoped to start large-scale mechanical production instead of this manual workshop-like production. Although we had to change Mr. Chen's design, the more I think back, the more I feel the exquisiteness of Mr. Chen's design. Fully automatic coal powder filling and automatic coal discharge system—I have really never seen such a design train of thought that rivals nature (superb craftsmanship) elsewhere."

Chen Ke grew up in a diesel engine factory since childhood. At the age of 10, he had already started learning to operate machine tools and play with micrometers. He had been to every workshop. Later, one of his entertainments became learning drafting. Compared with equipment like diesel engines, equipment like steam briquette machines basically had no difficulty to speak of; it was just simple combined production. In Chen Ke's future design, CNC machine tool production lines were the ultimate king of industry. But thinking from another angle, in China in 1905, this design was considered clever enough.

"Mr. Chen is not only proficient in machinery but also has unique insight into industry. I came to our factory really not to make money. Just listening to Mr. Chen's brilliant views on establishing national industrial channels, I was truly enlightened. Before, I always thought doing big things was saving the country and developing industry. Unexpectedly, just such a small honeycomb briquette can also achieve such a purpose. I truly admire it. That's why I wanted to see to what extent this honeycomb briquette factory can actually go."

Chen Ke smiled. This enthusiasm of Qin Tongren greatly exceeded his expectations. *So I also have "Tyrant's Qi" (charisma).* Chen Ke thought self-mockingly. He didn't have any good intentions when planning to start this factory initially; he just wanted to pull these people in, and after the industry failed, he could get a batch of urgently needed engineering and technical personnel from among them. But after getting along with these friends, Chen Ke started to feel that what he did was very unethical. Yet unexpectedly, he actually moved Qin Tongren, who came from a deputy chief engineer background.

"This kind of thing is easier said than done." Chen Ke said somewhat apologetically. "I pulled Brother Qin into this pit; Brother Qin is a smart person, you must have noticed something."

"Noticed... haha." Qin Tongren actually laughed. "Wenqing definitely knows about officialdom matters; I also know some. If this honeycomb briquette factory doesn't make money, it's fine. If it really makes money as Wenqing said, that might not be a good thing."

"Indeed so." Chen Ke felt this was the normal Qin Tongren. Being able to achieve deputy chief engineer, he was definitely not a bookworm ignorant of affairs.

"I don't lack this little money, nor did I think about how much money to make. To be honest, Wenqing, I would rather this honeycomb briquette factory make big money and then be made difficult for."

Chen Ke was shocked by these words. "I say, Brother Qin, the *Gongche Shangshu* movement (petition by exam candidates) didn't have any good result either. If you make a fuss because of such a small matter, even fewer people will support you."

"The country has reached this state; it won't do not to make a fuss." Qin Tongren had a bit of the posture of "though millions of people oppose me, I shall go."

Chen Ke originally wanted to dissuade him, but on second thought, he asked, "I wonder where Brother Qin thinks the peril of this world comes from?"

"European industry is too powerful. When I was studying in Germany, I also traveled during holidays. I saw mines and factories everywhere, and railways everywhere. Others see that many factories mean power, but in my opinion, the industrial system operating behind these industries is truly amazing."

Chen Ke didn't object to this. In the 21st century, amidst the withering of European industry, Germany still maintained a considerably powerful industry, enough to show its strength.

"If China cannot build such a system, the country will inevitably perish. That's why I fully support Wenqing, really because Wenqing's words are reasonable. A small honeycomb briquette can be linked to the rise and fall of many industries. I have never heard anyone else say such a principle. I want to get such a project going."

"Brother Qin seems to advocate saving the country through industry."

"Without industry, China will perish."

It was the first time Chen Ke met a genuine "Industrial Salvation Faction" adherent, and he found it quite interesting. He laughed, "Perishing only means the perishing of the Manchu Qing; wanting China to perish is impossible. With people like Brother Qin, China will definitely not perish. If only the Manchu Qing perishes, it may not be a bad thing."

"Hmph, still that talk of the Revolutionary Party. If it weren't for Wenqing being so honest and willing to work these days, I would think Wenqing looks like a revolutionary."

These words made Chen Ke feel between laughter and tears. He, a genuine revolutionary, was actually not a revolutionary in Qin Tongren's view. And the specific reason was actually "honest and willing to work."

"Shouldn't revolutionaries do practical things? Relying only on opening mouths, that's what beggars along the street do, right?"

"Wenqing speaks very humorously." Qin Tongren couldn't help laughing.

Chen Ke originally wanted to persuade Qin Tongren again, hoping to pull him closer to the revolutionary line, but felt this entry point was wrong, so he simply stopped talking.

The steam engine was extremely heavy; it took a lot of effort to transport it to the factory. The factory comrades came out to watch one after another. The steam engine wasn't rare to these people; this ox cart was what made everyone marvel endlessly. The ropes and levers were still there. The workers had strong organizational discipline. Under Chen Ke's command, after several attempts, everyone finally unloaded the steam engine and moved it into the courtyard.

A lot of anthracite had been bought long ago. Qin Tongren repaired the steam engine simply and then let it undergo a trial run. After filling it with coal, not long after, the steam engine actually started working. Chen Ke secretly asked Qin Tongren, "Brother Tongren, didn't you say this steam engine was broken?"

"It was indeed broken when I bought it." Qin Tongren gave Chen Ke such an answer.

*So you repaired it long ago,* Chen Ke thought. "Then let's start installation and debugging."

The debugging process was long. Any design turning into reality required a process. During this process, not only did the equipment need to be debugged, but even the design had to be changed. The larger the equipment, the more so; it wasn't too rare for the final result to be unrecognizable from the initial design.

Just two days after starting debugging, which was November 1st, Qin Tongren told Chen Ke that a friend would come to visit at noon. At 10:30, that friend arrived on time. Qin Tongren's introduction was simple; this brother was a Provincial Graduate (*Juren*). Surname Shang, given name Yuan, courtesy name Wangshan. Pulling a *Juren* master to this honeycomb briquette factory was really a surprising thing. In these times, being able to pass the provincial examination meant stepping into the bureaucratic class. Normally speaking, Metropolitan Graduates (*Jinshi*) were already absolute officials. But the number of *Jinshi* wasn't enough. Within the county magistrate class, as long as one was willing to spend money, many county magistrates were of *Juren* origin. *Juren* were the source of true grassroots officials.

Chen Ke didn't know much about the Manchu Qing's system, nor did he want to spend too much effort understanding it. But he also knew one thing: the officials (*guan*) and clerks (*li*) of the Manchu Qing were not the same system. Unlike the model of integrated officials and clerks in New China, Manchu Qing officials passed through imperial examinations, while clerks came up through various assorted channels. A *Juren* could directly become an official; a clerk would remain a clerk for life unless encountering some special opportunity.

Qin Tongren actually found a *Juren* to come to the honeycomb briquette factory; this was really a very rare thing.

Shang Yuan was tall and thin, in his thirties, with a long face, high forehead, high nose bridge, slightly triangular eyes, a very calm gaze, and a very indifferent expression. He looked like he had the style of a *Juren*. After politely exchanging names with Chen Ke, Shang Yuan stopped making a sound. Chen Ke didn't know what to say to this *Juren* master either, and the scene soon turned cold.

Hua Xiongmao was also a *Juren*, but he was a Military Graduate (*Wuju*). Plus Hua Xiongmao's enthusiastic personality, Chen Ke would only address Hua Xiongmao as "Graduate Hua" when joking. Hua Xiongmao never minded this either. Facing Graduate Shang Yuan, Chen Ke wouldn't be stupid enough to joke randomly. As the intermediary, Qin Tongren led the two to the dormitory. That place was quiet enough to talk about things.

Shang Yuan didn't like to talk but liked to observe. Chen Ke saw Shang Yuan naturally looked at everything he could see but didn't say a word. Not only that, when Qin Tongren introduced the situation of the honeycomb briquette factory and the significance of honeycomb briquettes, Shang Yuan just listened and made no move to express his own opinion.

Apart from work, Qin Tongren rarely spoke usually. This Graduate Shang seemed even more silent than Qin Tongren. Just as Chen Ke defined Shang Yuan, he heard Shang Yuan speak. It was a Shangqiu accent.

Shang Yuan wasn't very optimistic about the future of the honeycomb briquette factory, and he stated his view directly. In the impression formed by Chen Ke's reading, these high-level intellectuals didn't like to state their opposing views so directly. They either quoted classics and spoke grandly but inappropriately, or pushed and shoved, refusing to express their viewpoints. Graduate Shang Yuan completely overturned Chen Ke's stereotype.

"This honeycomb briquette factory can't be run successfully!" Shang Yuan expressed his attitude straightforwardly.