Since ancient times, there has been the practice of comforting the troops (*lao jun*). Regularly improving treatment and improving life is a very important job.

After Chen Ke finished talking about the unstable mood of the troops proposed by Chai Qingguo today and the idea of getting a few pigs to comfort the troops, Shang Yuan agreed very much, "Having worked hard for so long, we have to let everyone eat a good meal at any rate."

Most of the People's Party members and cadres were on the front line at this time. After Chen Ke and Shang Yuan, the two "leaders" of the People's Party, reached a consensus on comforting the troops, they no longer convened a Party meeting to discuss this matter. Umekawa Kamiyoshi, the Section Chief responsible for agricultural and sideline products in the logistics department, was quickly called over, "Comrade Umekawa, go and catch ten pigs now. We want boars; absolutely don't touch the sows."

"Secretary Chen, we only have fifty-some pigs. If you take away ten in one go, isn't it a bit..." Umekawa asked with a troubled expression.

"Comrade Umekawa, you've worked hard," Chen Ke suddenly said.

"Uh?" Umekawa was baffled by these words. He just made a small suggestion; why did Chen Ke suddenly become so polite? As a Japanese, Umekawa didn't understand.

Chen Ke looked solemn. He walked up to Umekawa and held Umekawa's hand, "Comrade Umekawa, during the flood, the pig farm moved every few days. You also had to raise earthworms, ret manure, cut grass, and reserve various feeds. If it were someone else, we couldn't have turned twenty-some pigs into fifty-some. Your work has been fruitful. I am going to comfort the troops soon. I will specially mention your hard work in this troop-comforting activity and praise your serious work attitude. You are the example everyone should learn from."

Hearing this, Umekawa's eyes suddenly turned red, and he almost cried out. The hardship of these days really couldn't be explained in a few words. Japanese people have a strong sense of hierarchy and obedience, and their work attitude is considered serious. If Umekawa worked like this in Japan, he would absolutely not get any support. This was a matter of course in Japan; if Umekawa did it, it was only right and proper. If he didn't do it well, he would be scolded and punished instead. Hearing Chen Ke's high-profile evaluation, Umekawa's lips trembled, and he held back for a long time before squeezing out a sentence, "Hai!"

"Comrade Umekawa, laborers are the most glorious. This is the honor you deserve," Chen Ke said seriously.

"Hai!" Umekawa still responded with this emotionally charged phrase under excitement.

Japanese comrades had a subtle status in the Insurance Corps. Chen Ke really appointed them based on ability. Japanese comrades' obedience and discipline in the organization were very good. Moreover, they were "outsiders"; their "loyalty" was first directed at Chen Tianhua himself. Chen Tianhua was now working in Hebei. Chen Tianhua was a supporter of Chen Ke's philosophy. That book *Chinese Historical Inheritance and the Rise of Materialism* convinced these Japanese youths seeking a revolutionary path. So the loyalty of these comrades shifted to Chen Ke, who had the highest status in the People's Party.

Chen Ke knew this. At this stage, there were not many people who could be unconditionally loyal to Chen Ke, and even fewer who could obey Chen Ke unconditionally. In order to promote his own revolutionary line, Chen Ke would entrust these comrades, whether Chinese or foreigners, with important tasks. So he smiled and said: "Comrade Umekawa, in view of your work performance, we will have further work arrangements for you. As for the specific work adjustment, this can only be decided after discussion later. I want to tell you, you are raising fifty pigs now. In the future, you will lead many people to raise fifty thousand, five hundred thousand pigs. You have to be mentally prepared for this."

Umekawa's family was a "landlord" in Japan. By Japanese standards, they were not even "small landlords." However, after arriving in China, he found that his family's few hundred *mu* of land was nothing at all. After Chen Ke taught the method of raising earthworms and pigs to Umekawa, Umekawa worked with the unique seriousness of the Japanese. Hearing Chen Ke mention the number "fifty thousand, five hundred thousand," Umekawa was still shocked. The relationship between superiors and subordinates in Japan was very stiff. According to Japanese rules, Chen Ke was Umekawa's superior; whatever he said, Umekawa had to do. But Umekawa was a revolutionary youth after all, and having stayed in the People's Party for so long, he finally had some habits of inner-party democracy, "Brigade Commander Chen, just with these people responsible for raising pigs now..." Umekawa asked.

"Manpower will be added for you in the future. More importantly, you must learn scientific breeding. Science and the people being masters of their own affairs are what we revolutionaries pursue. A revolutionary must be a person who stresses science. Comrade Umekawa, you must constantly learn and constantly improve."

For such a clear requirement, Umekawa stood straight, looked serious, his eyes burning with spirit. He said from the bottom of his heart: "Hai!"

"In the next three to five years, you will only do this one thing. Can you accept it?" Chen Ke asked seriously.

"Hai!" Umekawa still had the serious look just now, and the same answer.

Having received Umekawa's accurate answer, Chen Ke nodded. He said: "Sows must be kept for breeding, so they absolutely cannot be killed. Except for that boar used for breeding, you find ten big ones and catch them."

"Hai!" Umekawa responded.

"Go." Chen Ke waved his hand.

After Umekawa left, Shang Yuan asked: "Wenqing, you are starting to promote cadres."

"Yes, the stall has been spread out; it won't do not to promote people. But Brother Wangshan, the work of the supervision department will be very heavy in the future. I have actually always wanted you to undertake the job of Director of the Political Department, specifically leading the political work and supervision departments. If the revolution wants to succeed, there must be discipline and rules." Speaking of this, Chen Ke suddenly sighed. He didn't continue.

Seeing Chen Ke look somewhat helpless, Shang Yuan couldn't help laughing: "If a country has discipline, rules, stresses science, and the people are masters of their own affairs, wouldn't this revolution have completely succeeded already? Then what do we need to do? So Wenqing, you don't need to worry."

"How can I not worry? Socialist revolution, communist revolution, many places are anti-human nature. Eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, fame and status, these vulgar interests are all things human nature loves to see and hear; they are all instincts." Chen Ke complained rarely.

"Haha, Wenqing. Why did you suddenly talk about this? Are the two of us going to hold some criticism and self-criticism meeting?" Although Shang Yuan looked like he was smiling, the smile wasn't strong.

"I've been so busy during this time; things have just taken shape. As soon as my heart relaxes, I want to grumble and talk. If supplies weren't so scarce now and conditions didn't allow, I would really like to drink wine with Brother Wangshan."

"Drinking water is the same." Hearing Chen Ke say this, Shang Yuan pushed a water bowl in front of Chen Ke. He poured water into it, and also poured water into the water bowl in front of himself. This already meant holding a meeting with Chen Ke.

Chen Ke wanted to speak but stopped. A shrewd person like Shang Yuan had already guessed Chen Ke's thought, "Wenqing, you feel you should hold this meeting with Zhenglan, Zudao, and some other comrades who performed very excellently. I know. I should have suggested you hold this meeting when comforting the troops. But this time I have some words I want to say to you."

Hearing Shang Yuan say this, Chen Ke was somewhat surprised. He only cared about the depression in his own heart and only considered himself. But he didn't notice that Shang Yuan, who also endured arduous work, would also have depression. Thinking of this, his face turned slightly red, already meaning some guilt.

Shang Yuan saw it clearly. He stretched comfortably, placing his forearms flat on the table to support his upper body. "Wenqing, do you remember the matter of us visiting my teacher Mr. Li Hongqi together?"

"Remember," Chen Ke responded.

"Actually, Mr. Li opposed me following you at that time."

"Mr. Li is a true Confucian. I am far behind him."

"I followed you at that time only because you had foresight. As for you yourself, you are far behind your book. I wanted to save the country at that time. Although you have many problems, there is always the benefit of foresight. So I thought, make do with it. I have seen people better than you."

If it was when he just returned to 1905, Chen Ke would have been modest for a few sentences. If it was in the twenty-first century, Chen Ke would probably have snorted coldly, and then listened to what bad things Shang Yuan wanted to say about him with a completely resistant mood. But Chen Ke had changed. His heart was peaceful, just listening quietly. Chen Ke's heart had never been so calm.

With peace in his heart, his expression was naturally completely relaxed, and his manner was very focused. Shang Yuan couldn't help laughing loudly after seeing it. "Wenqing, if you were like this when meeting Teacher Li Hongqi, Teacher Li would absolutely not have refused me following you to revolutionize."

"That may not be necessarily true. Teacher Li loves you, this student, dearly. Making revolution means living precariously; he wouldn't be willing for you to follow anyone." Chen Ke felt he had no feeling about Shang Yuan's praise, but for Teacher Li Hongqi whom he also respected, he had to say this. Because this was Teacher Li Hongqi's true thought.

Shang Yuan knew what Chen Ke said was indeed his teacher's true thought. Thinking of his teacher's care for him, Shang Yuan felt warm in his heart and couldn't speak for a moment. Moreover, he originally wanted to say some sharp words to Chen Ke, but as his mood changed, his emotions changed accordingly. When he wanted to open his mouth again, he found the original train of thought couldn't connect. Looking up at Chen Ke, seeing Chen Ke still looking at himself with a tranquil expression and focused attitude, Shang Yuan felt somewhat soft-hearted.

"Wenqing, actually when coming to Anhui, I originally thought I would dominate the situation," Shang Yuan tentatively spoke his heart.

"Revolutionary matters mean 'who else but me'. Capable people naturally should dominate the situation," Chen Ke said with empathy. These words were originally words of demonstration. If it weren't for his attitude at this time, and the sincerity revealed in his tone and demeanor that would absolutely not cause ambiguity to Shang Yuan, just these words would have made the two estranged.

Shang Yuan didn't misunderstand Chen Ke's meaning. Seeing Chen Ke so open-minded, he was very happy. "I don't think so now. If you can work hard like this, I will assist you wholeheartedly. You have many problems, but in matters of revolution, you are stronger than me."

Looking at Shang Yuan's sincere face, Chen Ke sighed: "Brother Wangshan, revolution is not something that can be done by a few people like you with noble character and integrity who can eliminate vulgar interests getting together. Our People's Party members must all be able to do this. Our Insurance Corps soldiers also need to do this, and our cadres also need to do this. Only then can we face those powerful enemies. Otherwise, we will definitely fail."

"Eating, drinking, whoring, gambling are all normal desires. Wenqing, how did you get rid of them?" Shang Yuan asked.

"Because some things are more important to me. If I indulge in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, I can't do these things." Chen Ke gave an explanation.

"I'm afraid these words didn't hit the root," Shang Yuan said with a calm expression.

Chen Ke nodded, "Mn, true. If I say what I really got rid of, it's only gambling. When I was in school back then, I was still young. At that time, my fingers were soft and flexible, and I put a lot of effort into rolling dice. Not to say I could roll whatever points I wanted, but I was much better than ordinary people. One day I played dice with a classmate. It was a female classmate. I originally thought I could definitely win, but unexpectedly I lost every battle and lost twenty cents (*fen*). Oh, it was twenty wen (*wen*). At the beginning, the more I lost, the more I wanted to win. But no matter how well I rolled, I still lost without a doubt. Later I suddenly thought of something. I lost twenty wen now and wanted to win it back. If I participate in gambling in the future and lose two hundred taels, how much would I want to win it back? The old saying goes, one loses every time one gambles. I knew I couldn't deceive myself; what I wanted was to win. Since then, I knew gambling would absolutely not win, and I would absolutely not participate in such things. If I just meet everyone by chance and can't avoid such a scene, it's fine to lose some money appropriately to join the fun. But if it's real gambling, I won't participate with a single wen. I know, as long as I participate, it's losing."

"This is very good," Shang Yuan praised, "But what worries does Wenqing have for other comrades?"

"Human hearts are weak and can't withstand temptation. Brother Wangshan, after I figured out the harm of gambling back then, I was really sweating profusely and terrified. Because when I wanted to win back that twenty wen, in order to gamble and win, my mood was so urgent, so focused, that I really wouldn't regret even dying nine times. When I realized I was on a road to death and circled before the Gates of Hell, that kind of rejoicing and lingering fear after surviving a disaster, I still remember clearly to this day. People cherish their lives after all. When they have no money and can't gamble, many people still believe in gambling in their hearts. I occasionally have to participate, but I don't believe in gambling at all in my heart. Don't look at them not gambling; I am participating in gambling instead. This is completely different."

"Is this the reason you want to commend Comrade Umekawa?" Shang Yuan asked.

"Yes." Chen Ke answered decisively: "Comrade Umekawa, as a Japanese, believes there should be a better system in the world. The current world is so tyrannical; there must be a revolution. So he crossed the ocean to China to seek revolution. This is his revolutionary stance. As for work, he bears the burden of office willingly and wholeheartedly. For the work of raising pigs, other comrades in our People's Party are unwilling to do it. Mn, can't say so either. If I let He Zudao do it, I believe he will also do it seriously like this. This is the attitude towards revolutionary work. Comrade Chai Qingguo ran over this time to say everyone's mood is fluctuating; this is because our political ideological work is not in place. I plan to strengthen political ideological work."

Shang Yuan nodded slightly. Chen Ke's words completely attracted him. When Shang Yuan first met Chen Ke, to be honest, he didn't really take Chen Ke's own virtue and ability seriously. Chen Ke had no interest in the "valuable things" of this era. From his conversation, one could also know that Chen Ke was extremely "extravagant" in eating, drinking, using, and living. Although Chen Ke's ideas made Shang Yuan admire him, Chen Ke was still a very impetuous youth at that time. He knew some principles but couldn't effectively turn these principles into practical actions at all. What was embodied in Chen Ke was merely that he had received extremely good education. As for Chen Ke himself, he was too far from being respectable. And this contrast made Shang Yuan's evaluation of Chen Ke lower. Even an ordinary person, growing up in such a superior environment and receiving such excellent education, should behave even more outstandingly.

The reason he showed respect for Chen Ke in Party affairs was merely that Shang Yuan knew this was what he should do. No matter how incapable Chen Ke was, if Shang Yuan couldn't show this, the Party organization itself would become chaotic first. Even out of respect for himself, Shang Yuan couldn't help but prop Chen Ke up.

But since arriving in this Fengtai County, Shang Yuan felt his thoughts were shaken. Perhaps some people are really heroes of troubled times. Whether natural disasters or man-made disasters, Chen Ke could always come up with countermeasures immediately. Afterwards, it was proven that Chen Ke's countermeasures were still the most effective. If this was the result of Chen Ke's education, then Chen Ke's educational environment was already a superiority Shang Yuan couldn't imagine. Moreover, Chen Ke was also changing. After experiencing each thing, he would have some explicit or implicit changes. He was still growing.

So Shang Yuan wanted to have a good talk with Chen Ke. Not necessarily with any purpose, but Shang Yuan already held a true expectation for Chen Ke. Listening to Chen Ke's narration, Shang Yuan felt his expectation was correct. Perhaps this person Chen Ke, Chen Ke himself, not those theories of Chen Ke, perhaps Chen Ke himself really had the value worth following. Shang Yuan couldn't help thinking.