The level of the Beijing Party Group meeting far exceeded that of the Shanghai Party Group; this was determined by the quality of the personnel. Party members from Manchu Qing official backgrounds had more practical work experience, and the party group's organizational model completely copied the party organization of later generations, focusing entirely on work. Therefore, abilities that were far from being brought into play within the Manchu Qing system were also fully utilized.

After meeting Official Sheng, according to regulations, Chen Ke needed to report on the same day. In fact, the bottom line for negotiation was also formulated by the Party Group; Chen Ke's own discretionary power wasn't large. After the report, Chen Ke talked about He Ruming's attitude. He Ruming believed that cooperation with Beiyang meant being completely swallowed by Beiyang. Regarding such alarmist talk, the comrades of the Party Group just listened. To expand capital accumulation, many industries in Beiyang were merchant-run, and existing enterprises began to be operated by merchants continuously, not to mention new-style enterprises. He Ruming's idea of wanting a share of the pie was so obvious that the comrades didn't even bother to comment on it.

Having been with everyone for almost a month, Chen Ke felt more and more accustomed to this way. After the meeting ended, Chen Ke pulled Qin Tongren aside, indicating he had something to say. Qin Tongren rarely saw a stiff expression on Chen Ke's face. Knowing that there were indeed some things inconvenient to say in public, he sat down seriously and listened to Chen Ke seriously.

"Does Brother Tongren know about Miss He Qian?" Chen Ke asked with a straight face.

"Old Master He's beloved daughter, quite smart." Qin Tongren recalled He Qian. He had been to Old Master He's house many times and had indeed drunk wine with He Qian, but not many times, so his impression of that little girl wasn't deep.

"Is Miss He engaged?" Chen Ke asked, still with a straight face.

"I don't know about this. Does Wenqing want to propose marriage?" Qin Tongren didn't think this was a big deal.

The two talked about this matter for a while. Qin Tongren didn't quite understand why Chen Ke wanted to get married at this time. Chen Ke told him that he didn't want to be unmarried before he died. Qin Tongren laughed loudly, a rare occurrence. He quite appreciated Chen Ke's straightforward attitude. However, regarding He Qian, Qin Tongren didn't think she was a good match for Chen Ke. "I think that Miss He is overly smart. By the way, does Wenqing know He Ruming has a daughter?"

"I've met her. I met her once at the cocktail party of the German Embassy and exchanged a couple of sentences."

"I also met her a few times when I was a guest at Old Master He's house. I think that girl is not bad. Wenqing, I know you like smart people, but in marriage, being smart isn't just shown in doing things. If Miss He Qian weren't a member of the Empress Party, she could be treated as a comrade. At any rate, I am married. In my opinion, Miss He Qian may not be suitable as a spouse. If you really want to get married, I think He Ruming's daughter is not bad." As a married person, Qin Tongren gave his advice.

"Then could I trouble Brother Qin to be the matchmaker?" After Chen Ke calmly spat out this sentence, the stiff expression he had been feigning finally collapsed, and he revealed a shy look. Humans are a species; facing danger, the instinct is to leave offspring. This is also why before WWI and WWII, large numbers of people got married. After the war ended, large numbers of people divorced. Chen Ke's mental state was very similar to this situation. The smoother the Beijing Party Group ran, the more it meant that revolutionary work was about to officially begin.

With the joining of Pu Guanshui as a military cadre and Shang Yuan as a local administrative reliance, Chen Ke's blueprint began to be perfected. Under the high-spirited emotions, as soon as Official Sheng mentioned marriage, Chen Ke suddenly resonated. Chen Ke knew that revolution meant working with one's head in one's hand (risking death), and once the revolution started, where would there be time to care about marriage problems? Chen Ke must lead the revolution with the face of an absolute Puritan. If Chen Ke was unmarried, it would be disadvantageous instead.

The so-called decisive style is because doing things only follows logic; looking forward and backward will only lead to losing one's bearings. Since there is this idea, then execute it. As for the future outcome, Chen Ke didn't want to consider it at all. In fact, when he asked Qin Tongren to propose marriage, he completely threw this matter to the back of his mind.

Chen Ke could treat this matter with a tough attitude, but He Ruming had no such preparation at all. When Qin Tongren came to propose marriage, He Ruming wondered if Chen Ke had taken the wrong medicine. He Ying's original engagement was indeed cancelled, and Chen Ke inadvertently helped. But this didn't mean He Ruming acknowledged this favor. So Qin Tongren's request was politely declined.

Qin Tongren's response to this was simple: mentioning this matter at the Party meeting. After listening to the introduction, ridicule was inevitable. Zheng Wenjie simply laughed out loud. Chen Ke couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him. The Party back then conducted political reviews on the marriages of high-ranking cadres. Chen Ke decided to get married now, in a sense, also to avoid this hurdle of political review.

Ridicule aside, since a problem was raised, it had to be solved. Shang Yuan pondered for three minutes, then asked Chen Ke, "Send that batch of gifts for Yuan Weiting tomorrow. You can just mention this matter."

Everyone at the meeting was proficient in officialdom; hearing this, they understood what it meant. As long as Yuan Shikai said a word casually, people like He Ruming wouldn't dare to resist even if beaten to death; maybe they would even be proud of it.

While the Party meeting was discussing this matter, He Qian was also talking about it with her eldest brother He Ruming. "Brother, if that Chen Ke asks Lord Yuan to come forward and speak about this matter, do you dare to refuse?"

He Qian was completely disappointed with her eldest brother. A person almost forty years old, couldn't he use his brain more? Qin Tongren was introduced to Chen Ke by He Ruming, and now he could help Chen Ke propose marriage. Chen Ke, who could build such a close relationship with Qin Tongren so quickly, wouldn't be a boring person anyway. Since he came to propose marriage, it seemed he was determined to get it done.

Regarding marriage with Chen Ke, He Qian's attitude was very subtle. Resolutely not marrying Chen Ke, and resolutely marrying Chen Ke—these two diametrically opposed attitudes each occupied half, and neither could overwhelm the other. Moreover, for some reason, He Qian felt Chen Ke would leave Beijing soon. He Qian was also a bit puzzled why she had such intuition. She simply ignored her eldest brother who was silent with frowned brows, and concentrated on considering this issue.

Hearing the prospect described by his sister, He Ruming was equally conflicted in his heart. Chen Ke had always not given him face; this was a sore point in He Ruming's heart. When Qin Tongren came to propose marriage, He Ruming felt a burst of malicious joy in his heart; Chen Ke finally begged at his door. So he didn't consider the marriage matter at all; he put on airs first. Moreover, when Old Master He was alive, he always praised Qin Tongren's character and talent greatly; He Ruming had never received such praise from his father. He had always been very jealous in his heart. Now being able to put on such airs in front of Qin Tongren, embarrassing two people he didn't like at the same time, that joy was truly indescribable. But hearing his sister mention the possibility of Chen Ke using Yuan Shikai's connection to propose marriage, He Ruming was absolutely inexplicably happy about this; this face would be boundless. He had always wanted to get on the Beiyang boat; this opportunity was simply dropped from the sky. Thinking it over and over, He Ruming found that apart from his dissatisfaction with Chen Ke himself, he actually had no objections to this marriage.

He Qian had figured out at this time why she felt Chen Ke was leaving Beijing now. Seeing her brother's furrowed brows and the smile appearing on his face, He Qian knew He Ruming's thoughts very well. *If Chen Ke is really as I think...* He Qian suddenly felt a burst of irritability. She stood up. "Brother, I'm going to talk to Ying'er for a while."

He Ying was reading in the room. Seeing her aunt come in, she put down the music score.

"Someone came to propose marriage today. It's that Chen Ke you saw at the cocktail party last time," He Qian said straightforwardly.

Hearing this, He Ying recalled for a moment before answering, "Is it the person who asked if I was full?"

Hearing this, He Qian felt something was wrong. She was only two years older than He Ying. The two had been together since childhood; although they were aunt and niece, they were actually more like sisters. She knew this niece-cum-sister quite well.

He Qian had a resolute character and never cared whether she went hungry. Moreover, in Old Master He's habit, before going to someone else's house for dinner, he always had to eat something to be half full first. Every time Old Master He took He Qian out, He Qian always obediently brought snacks. The Old Master ate himself and also stuffed two pieces of snacks for He Qian. The father and daughter pushing and yielding, eating snacks together, it was truly family happiness and harmony. He Ruming didn't have this magnanimity. It was okay for He Qian to eat snacks before setting off, but He Ying dared not. After He Ruming met the superior at the cocktail party, he ran to fawn and flatter *pidian* (scurrying eagerly), leaving He Qian and He Ying aside. He Qian was fine, but He Ying was really hungry until her chest stuck to her back. It seemed she had a good impression of Chen Ke, the only one who cared whether she was hungry.

Hearing He Ying say this, He Qian already knew He Ying's attitude towards Chen Ke. Some other words didn't need to be said. "If he is determined to marry you, my brother can't stop it."

He Ying's face flushed red. She lowered her head, and after a long while, she responded, "I know."

Chen Ke didn't waste time. Revolutionaries weren't afraid of death; were they afraid of getting married? According to the suggestion of the Party Group, Chen Ke went to visit Yuan Shikai again. Of course, the main purpose this time wasn't for the marriage matter, but to give gifts and listen to Yuan Shikai's attitude towards the honeycomb briquette factory. Finally, he would casually propose asking Yuan Shikai to be a matchmaker.

It was still the same notification process as the last time he asked to see Yuan Shikai. The one responsible for notification was still that Officer Wu. After he took Chen Ke's gift and a letter in, he came out not long after. This time Yuan Shikai didn't meet Chen Ke directly. Officer Wu brought back Yuan Shikai's reply. "I know."

Since Yuan Shikai already "knew," Chen Ke went back to Beijing. What he didn't know was that while Officer Wu went out to send Chen Ke back, Wang Shizhen happened to be beside Yuan Shikai. "Lord Yuan, this Chen Ke is a bit too ignorant of what's good for him, isn't he?" Wang Shizhen said flatly.

"He begged at my door; this is already knowing what's good for him very well. Pinqing, the Old Buddha (Empress Dowager Cixi) likes that military music very much," Yuan Shikai answered calmly.

Wang Shizhen knew Yuan Shikai's personality was very chivalrous and could be anxious about others' urgency. Even if Chen Ke only wrote such a tune that satisfied him very much, Yuan Shikai wouldn't completely ignore Chen Ke's request. Not to mention Chen Ke was Yan Fu's disciple and expressed his intention to defect completely. He had also met Chen Ke last time, but to be honest, Wang Shizhen's impression of Chen Ke wasn't very good. As Yan Fu's disciple, a young man who could accomplish something at a young age, having a rebellious flavor in his bones was normal. But in the gaze Chen Ke used to look at Yuan Shikai, although it was also intimate and excited, it made Wang Shizhen feel a bit like looking at a "rare beast." That wasn't the gaze looking at a living person, but the gaze of paying respects to a dead person's tombstone.

Yuan Shikai was a hero, and when he met Chen Ke, he held a mentality of looking at a junior. So he definitely didn't notice, but Wang Shizhen did. Wang Shizhen's mind was very meticulous and could detect deeper things from small matters. Eyes can't deceive people. Since Chen Ke had such eyes, there must be a problem behind it. But such a small matter absolutely couldn't be said. Wang Shizhen had decided to conduct a serious investigation on Chen Ke. Even if Chen Ke was an arrogant and rebellious person, it was not worth mentioning. The Beiyang Army had killed too many such guys in Shandong. Driving Chen Ke out of Beijing was just a lifting of a hand.

After returning to Beijing, Chen Ke reported the situation to the Party Group. Then he stated that he prepared to return to Shanghai after getting married. This was the truth, and also not the truth.

Hearing Chen Ke's statement, the crowd of the Party Group didn't insist on Chen Ke staying. Recently, the momentum of Beijing Party member development was very good, and the number of people increased greatly. Facing these new Party members, Shang Yuan, who had relatively older qualifications, still strove to maintain Chen Ke's status. Everyone dared not offend him too much originally. After all, Shang Yuan was someone who was going to be a county magistrate. Those preparing to go south estimated they would still be under Shang Yuan's rule then. But with the increase in numbers, other choices that could replace Shang Yuan had appeared one after another. Especially in recent days, several new comrades who were going to be county magistrates in Zhili, Sichuan, and Hunan were developed. Those who were originally somewhat dissatisfied with Chen Ke, and Shang Yuan who strove to maintain Chen Ke, found new choices. Chen Ke was lecturing here after all; if they had to say it, these Party members also had to respectfully call Chen Ke "Teacher." Chen Ke automatically requesting to withdraw like this was truly an unexpected surprise for those who felt they no longer needed Chen Ke.

The voting result was five votes against and twenty votes in support. Chen Ke finally unloaded his responsibility as a teacher.

In the evening, Chen Ke was discussing the marriage matter with Xie Mingxian when Shang Yuan, Qin Tongren, Qin Shou, Xu Dian, and Mao Yibo came together. Xie Mingxian naturally voted with Chen Ke; if Chen Ke wanted to go, Xie Mingxian naturally voted in favor. And these five people all voted against. Chen Ke felt perhaps he could treat them as people who supported him. After letting everyone into the room, Shang Yuan opened his mouth and asked, "Is Wenqing preparing to draw a clear line with the Beijing comrades?"

It wasn't that Shang Yuan couldn't say polite words; in fact, Shang Yuan's level in dealing with people and things was much higher than Chen Ke's. But he had always been straightforward with Chen Ke. In this aspect, Chen Ke liked it very much.

"It is the Beijing comrades who want to draw a clear line with me. Brother Wangshan, don't say it the other way around." Chen Ke invited everyone to sit down while speaking.

"I see Wenqing looks relieved instead. Could it be that Brother Chai's matter last time still makes Wenqing brood?" Xu Dian hit it off with Chen Ke very well because Xu Dian found that the only person in China who truly understood the modern legal system was Chen Ke.

"What does revolution have to do with the common people? Although Brother Chai did something a bit excessive, I think it wasn't wrong." Qin Tongren expressed his consistent stance.

"Let's not talk about these. Anyway, I am preparing for the marriage. Waiting four more days, if there is no news from Yuan Weiting, I will leave." Chen Ke didn't want to entangle with Chai Qingguo's matter either. Chai Qingguo himself went to Pang Zi's place. After Chen Ke left Beijing, the first thing was to go to Pang Zi's place.

Everyone didn't expect Chen Ke's attitude to be so firm. Words originally intended to persuade Chen Ke naturally couldn't be said anymore. The scene was awkward for a moment. Xie Mingxian looked at everyone with interest. After all, he had followed Chen Ke for so long; he himself didn't have many thoughts about Chai Qingguo's departure. The only thing he cared about was Chen Ke's attitude. Originally, he was a bit disappointed, seeing Chen Ke seemed to have the intention of staying in Beijing. Although Xie Mingxian already agreed with the revolution, he still hoped to be closer to home. Going home for revolution, the future was unpredictable; if it failed, it would immediately implicate the family. Revolution in the north was too far; the distance between Anhui and Hunan was precisely within Xie Mingxian's psychological tolerance range. Learning that Chen Ke prepared to return to Shanghai and then go to Anhui, Xie Mingxian himself was very supportive.

Holding such a mentality, Xie Mingxian was completely relaxed. Seeing the usually talkative crowd silent, Xie Mingxian felt it was quite interesting. While guessing who would speak first, he saw Shang Yuan speak. "Wenqing, let this matter be so. But I have a worry I must say upfront."

"Please speak."

"Regarding Brother Chai's matter last time, when voting, Wenqing said that Party members must obey the resolution of the party organization. I think it's very correct. Wenqing, you dealing with these comrades politely but insincerely (*xu yu wei yi*), I can understand and accept. But when you arrive in Anhui, Wenqing, you must absolutely not do this."

Hearing Shang Yuan say this, the expressions of several others changed a bit.

"Beijing is a party organization; is Anhui not a party organization?" Mao Yibo immediately became unhappy. This old cynic had suffered a lot in worldly wisdom. Hearing Chen Ke actually play this hand, he was the first to come out and uphold justice.

"Beijing is a Party Group. What Wenqing established in Shanghai is the real People's Party. It's different." Shang Yuan gave an accurate explanation. "Whether to join the People's Party or join the Beijing Party Group, everyone can choose for themselves."

As soon as these words came out, Chen Ke felt this attitude was a bit too intense. But these words were Chen Ke's true feelings. Since the Beijing Party Group began to be established, Chen Ke positioned it as a "peripheral organization." This was just some kind of "internship" for Chen Ke. In Shanghai, Chen Ke dared not do wrong things; so many comrades were waiting for Chen Ke's leadership, and Chen Ke had obligations to them. But Chen Ke had no obligations to the Beijing Party Group; he was just an ordinary member of the Beijing Party Group. And the members of the Party Group also recognized this.

*Shang Yuan, this comrade, is not simple.* Chen Ke had this cognition again.

"Does that mean Brother Wangshan is preparing to break away from the Beijing Party Group?" Mao Yibo also asked frankly.

"I want to join the People's Party and become a formal Party member. I see everyone supports Wenqing; I wonder what everyone's meaning is?" Shang Yuan spoke with clear logic as always. This clear logic directly forced everyone into a situation where they must make a choice.

"Let me say it one last time. When I arrive in Anhui, I will be this county magistrate as a People's Party member, not as a member of the Beijing Party Group. No matter how everyone chooses, my stance will not change."

Except for Shang Yuan, the others originally wanted to persuade Chen Ke to stay in Beijing. Unexpectedly, such a result came out. Everyone was forced to make a choice instead.

To be honest, the only person Chen Ke cared about in the Beijing Party Group was Shang Yuan. Hearing Shang Yuan express his stance, Chen Ke felt other things didn't matter anymore.

That night, no one else expressed their stance, so they dispersed resentfully. After they left, Xie Mingxian closed the door carefully and then asked, "Wenqing, will these people spread these words?"

"If they say it, they say it. If you don't let them say it, will they not say it?" Chen Ke didn't care much about this. In fact, being able to part ways so neatly, Chen Ke was quite happy.

"But what if we need them to provide intelligence in the future, and they hold a grudge?" Xie Mingxian still felt a bit worried.

"Mingxian, although you came a bit late, you did most things with me. Have you ever seen me beg others?"

Hearing Chen Ke's confident words, Xie Mingxian felt embarrassed to say, *Didn't Chen Ke just go to beg Yuan Shikai?*

Seeing Xie Mingxian's expression, Chen Ke knew what he was thinking. "My relationship with Yuan Shikai is just a cooperative relationship. I haven't let Yuan Shikai grasp my lifeline. I relied on myself to know Shang Yuan and Qin Tongren; what does this have to do with Yuan Shikai? Rely on the mountain, the mountain falls; rely on the river, the river dries. Self-reliance, ample food and clothing. The factory was built by you, me, and these comrades together. We use the factory to cooperate with Yuan Shikai. This isn't called begging. Wait until we start working in Anhui and can accomplish things. Those people will naturally cooperate with us sincerely. If we fail, they won't betray us just for fear of being implicated by us. There is no such thing as holding a grudge."

Hearing Chen Ke point out the iron-like facts calmly, Xie Mingxian just felt heroism rising. These words were absolutely correct. As long as one was strong, there was no need to fear how others were. Thinking of this, Xie Mingxian couldn't help asking, "Wenqing, I want to join the Party when I return to Shanghai; is that okay?"

"I'll be your introducer to the Party." Chen Ke expressed his stance immediately.

Yuan Shikai did things quite resolutely. The next afternoon, after Chen Ke had finished organizing his luggage, someone came to notify Chen Ke to go to Xiaozhan tomorrow. Arriving at Xiaozhan, He Ruming was also there. In Chen Ke's memory of this meeting, He Ruming's practiced official etiquette left the deepest impression on him. There was nothing else; Yuan Shikai proposed the marriage, and He Ruming agreed readily.

Chen Ke expressed that he wanted to return to Shanghai and hoped to get married as soon as possible. Yuan Shikai didn't say anything, and He Ruming actually accepted such harsh conditions.

The wedding was set for five days later, which was New Year's Day, 1906. Time was tight and the task was heavy. Chen Ke began to handle it upon returning to Beijing. The Party Group matters were settled. Chen Ke and Xie Mingxian moved back to the city. After being busy for two days, Wu Xingchen and Chen Tianhua brought Chai Qingguo into the residence. Seeing the house decorated with lanterns and festoons, the three were stunned.

"I'm getting married." As soon as Chen Ke finished speaking, the faces of the three people changed greatly. Before they could flare up, Chen Ke continued, "After getting married, I will return to Shanghai immediately. I'm taking the train back this time and planned to go to Nangong to see everyone first. I didn't expect everyone to come. Very good."

"Wenqing is not preparing to muddle along with that group of official lords?" Wu Xingchen's tone was full of ridicule. "Did they vote to kick you out?"

"Brother Wu guessed right at once; smart." Chen Ke laughed.

Chen Tianhua didn't want his comrades to start making a scene like this first. He quickly smoothed things over, "Let's go inside and talk."

Wu Xingchen indeed didn't want to make such a scene outside. He snorted and entered the main room first.