The arrival of Chen Tianhua allowed the backbones of the People's Party to gather basically completely in Fengyang Prefecture. Although everyone knew that the old party member Wu Xingchen was in Shandong, they had not been able to contact him. Moreover, although Comrade Wu Xingchen was an old party member, he always had a feeling of being neither close nor distant with other comrades of the People's Party, so even if he failed to arrive in Fengtai County, it couldn't be said to have any decisive influence on the meeting.

The First National Congress of the People's Party was officially convened on December 1, 1906.

There were only three truly critical topics in this meeting. The first topic was to determine the Party's action program. Chen Ke introduced the sequence of events of the communist movement within the social scope comprehensively for the first time. The comrades clearly knew for the first time the origin and source of the "people's revolution" always propagated by the beloved Secretary Chen. Of course, this did not make the comrades think Secretary Chen was a "foreign slave." Nor did it make the comrades yearn for Marx and Engels.

Chen Ke had always been very worried about the comrades' sentiment of worshipping things foreign; in history, the Party was also merciless in rectifying the "Comintern Faction." The leadership of the Chinese revolution absolutely cannot fall into the hands of foreigners; this was one of Chen Ke's bottom lines. In the future, the People's Party might at most become a branch of the Comintern in name, but any substantive command power must be controlled by China.

Obviously, no one among the People's Party comrades wanted foreigners to command Chinese people. They even lacked interest in Marx himself. The book *The Rise of Materialism and Chinese Cultural Inheritance* written by Chen Ke was already enough for these people to study. The attraction of authentic Chinese cultural theory books to the comrades was far greater than that of European names thousands of miles away.

Relieved, Chen Ke began to arrange the action direction of the First Party Congress. At the current stage, the work of the People's Party was to take Fengtai County as the core, take Fengyang Prefecture as the main operating direction, and launch the revolution in the whole of Anhui. The Party Central Committee was responsible for the main force troops to clear out the Manchu Qing government and official troops in various places, ensuring to the maximum extent that the enemy could not kill into the peripheral base areas.

With work arrangements came personnel arrangements. What surprised Chen Ke a bit was that among the original seven secretaries of the People's Party, only one took the initiative to express the desire to go work outside. The seven secretaries temporarily selected by the Central Secretariat were Chen Ke, Shang Yuan, Hua Xiongmao, You Gou, Qin Shou, Yuwen Badu, and Lu Huitian. Among them, You Gou managed industry, Hua Xiongmao managed the army, Yuwen Badu and Lu Huitian managed civil affairs; they all expressed unwillingness to leave. Qin Shou managed logistics; he never liked to talk, and this time he didn't express his attitude either. Only Shang Yuan expressed that he wanted to go to the new base area to work. On the contrary, the original middle-level cadres were eager to try one by one; they would take the breached forts as centers and become leaders of various districts. In terms of authority, they already possessed the same authority as when Chen Ke brought everyone to Fengtai County at the beginning.

Chen Tianhua actually had quite a resounding reputation among the comrades. Chen Ke very much hoped that Chen Tianhua would serve as the Minister of Propaganda within the Party. But Chen Tianhua gave Chen Ke another surprise; he firmly requested to return to Hebei to carry out revolutionary work. And he hoped the Party Central Committee would give strong personnel support to the future Hebei Base Area. regarding such a request, not only did Chen Ke not understand, but those comrades who admired Chen Tianhua very much, especially those Japanese comrades, also didn't understand very much.

However, many comrades were about to go to work in other places immediately, so there was no time to say much about this incomprehension. The second topic of the meeting: Chen Ke was elected as the Chairman of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee by a unanimous vote. There were not even competitors. Because the Party Chairman is not the Government Chairman; the Government Chairman has a term limit. The Party Chairman can be re-elected indefinitely. This formally confirmed Chen Ke's leadership status within the Party.

The third topic was the election of the People's Congress in Fengtai County. And the subsequent election and appointment of administrative agencies at all levels. The People's Party comrades actually didn't quite understand the significance of such an election. The People's Party had finally obtained actual power in Fengtai County with difficulty. According to everyone's traditional thinking, now was the excellent time for the People's Party to command the people of Fengtai County to establish a new order. Why hand over the power obtained with difficulty to the people? This was where most comrades didn't understand.

On this issue, Chairman Chen Ke adopted a high-pressure policy; he used high-pressure means to ensure the passage and execution of this topic. Chen Ke's explanation was very simple: Since the People's Party comrades firmly believe they are "serving the people," and the People's Party also has the ability to ensure its personnel advantage in the People's Congress and governments at all levels, then now is the time for the People's Party to accept the supervision of the people and accept the criticism of the people. See if they can truly stand on the people's stance to serve the people.

Chen Ke even used "threatening" language: anyone who dared not accept the supervision of the people was not a qualified People's Party member.

Since Chen Ke had already elevated the problem to the height of whether a party member was qualified, although everyone still half-understood Chen Ke's words, they also tactfully expressed agreement.

The Party Congress lasted until December 5th before closing. The meeting elected a new Central Committee, with a total of 120 party members elected as committee members. And these 120 people elected 25 members of the Central Secretariat, that is, Politburo members. Among the 25 people, seven Standing Committee members were elected again. The only difference from the last time was that Shang Yuan was not re-elected, and Qi Huishen replaced Shang Yuan's position.

After the meeting ended, 20 comrades set out immediately, heading to various liberated areas. The Military Commission and others began to plan two imminent major military actions: attacking Fengyang Prefecture and attacking Anqing Prefecture. Pu Guanshui had been designated as the Commander of the Fengyang Prefecture Military Region and formally became a member of the Politburo. The Chairman of the Military Commission was naturally concurrently held by the Party Chairman; Chen Ke was now the highest leader of the army. And He Zudao did not become a local cadre, but became the Vice Chairman in charge of military administration, and Hua Xiongmao became the Vice Chairman in charge of military orders.

After the First National Congress, Chen Ke finally had time to chat formally with Chen Tianhua. Like Chen Ke, Chen Tianhua's changes were also huge. This young man who drowned himself in the sea in history was by no means a gentle person. When with Chen Ke, Chen Tianhua was quite intense; singing generously when excited, or shedding tears sorrowfully was not rare. In history, at the end of 1904, due to participating in the attempted Changsha Uprising led by Huang Xing and being hunted, Chen Tianhua had to flee east to Japan. He entered hosei University and began to study modern Western political and social theories. These theories impacted Chen Tianhua's thoughts, but defeats all the way also made him doubt whether this could be realized in China. Because of worrying day and night about the future of the country and the nation, Chen Tianhua was "pessimistic in mood, haggard in appearance; whenever mentioning world affairs with friends, tears flowed before words; sometimes tears almost never dried all day long."

It was during the Russo-Japanese War. This slaughter fighting for spheres of influence in China was carried out within Northeast China. The Qing government had no ability to restrain the warring parties, so it had to declare "neutrality." In January 1905, the Japanese newspaper *Wanchao Bao* [Yorozu Choho] published an article predicting that China was about to be partitioned, which caused a disturbance among Chinese students in Japan.

Chen Tianhua immediately wrote the *Opinion on Saving the Nation*, demanding the Manchu Qing government implement constitutionalism and save the nation from extinction. He proposed that reforms should be implemented, national policy should be decided early, giving local areas the right of autonomy, and giving the people the rights of freedom, writing, speech, and assembly. At the same time, citizens should bear the obligations of serving in the army, paying rent and taxes, raising public bonds, and running around to enlighten the government.

Chen Tianhua further decided to practice what he preached, preparing to risk death to go to Beijing to submit a petition. This caused an uproar among students in Japan.

It was shortly after this that Chen Tianhua received the letter Chen Ke entrusted Qiu Jin to send. In a depressed mood, he embarked on the road back to China to see Chen Ke.

At the end of 1906, one year after Chen Tianhua committed suicide by jumping into the sea in history, Chen Tianhua had not only become deep and steady, but even his way of doing things had become extremely different. After returning to Fengtai County, Chen Tianhua expressed happiness at the warm welcome of the comrades, but it was just happiness. He declined all visits from friends. Besides attending meetings, he first wrote a detailed report on the peasant movement in Hebei, and then buried his head in the internal documents of the People's Party to start reading. He only met Chen Ke on official business, and when meeting, he listened more and spoke less. The high-spirited and excited youth of before could no longer be found.

Even when Chen Ke specifically asked Chen Tianhua to come for a talk, Chen Tianhua still sat very steadily in front of Chen Ke. In comparison, Chen Ke appeared somewhat anxious because of his busy work recently.

Chen Ke said straight to the point: "Xingtai [Star Stage], I read your report. Are you still sure you want to go to Hebei to work?"

"Yes, I have promised the fellow villagers that I will definitely return to Hebei within half a year." Chen Tianhua answered Chen Ke's question.

Chen Ke originally wanted to persuade Chen Tianhua to stay in the base area, but seeing Chen Tianhua's demeanor, he no longer wanted to continue persuading. If Chen Tianhua really wanted to promote revolution, then no matter how Chen Ke persuaded, it wouldn't work. If Chen Ke's persuasion could make Chen Tianhua change his mind about saving the common people, then Chen Ke would be disappointed instead.

Since Chen Tianhua was so firm, Chen Ke stopped persuading. He said crisply: "I am about to start organizing the People's Congress of Fengtai County locally. And the election and construction of governments at all levels. Also have to fight wars. Since you want to leave, you might as well follow me and help me finish these before leaving. I only told you why to revolutionize before, but regarding the construction of grassroots political power after the revolution is roughly completed, as well as the purpose and concept of construction, you still need to study again."

"Okay. I will definitely study seriously." Chen Tianhua's answer was still simple and brisk.

Chen Ke moved a stack of manuscripts over. "This is the curriculum of the Party School. Take it back and read it first. Tell me if there is anything you don't understand."

"Good." Chen Tianhua took the manuscripts and spoke no more.

The room instantly fell into a speechless state, which Chen Ke was very unaccustomed to. He probed: "Xingtai, what exactly happened to you? Speak it out. Don't think revolution is your personal matter; revolution is the common cause of so many of our People's Party comrades. Don't bring personal feelings and grudges into the revolutionary cause."

These words seemed to hit the mark. Chen Tianhua's dignified face finally changed slightly. He first lowered his head, and when he raised his head, his face finally looked a bit franker. "Wen Qing, the peasant association I organized in Nangong County, an old man named Jing Tingwen died. He was not massacred, but died in battle."

Chen Ke just nodded but did not interrupt Chen Tianhua.

"Xingtai [County] is not Fengtai; there were not many people in the peasant association over there. When the Beiyang Army attacked, only seven or eight were left." Chen Tianhua spoke slowly. As soon as the Beiyang Army came, the fellow villagers scattered to avoid the military disaster. Chen Tianhua originally also wanted to rush back to Anhui to join Chen Ke. But he was worried no matter what, so he simply disguised himself as a traveling merchant, hired a mule driver from the county town, and returned to the Gaojia Village side of Nangong County pretending to pass by.

At that time, Pang Zi's team had been completely defeated, and the Beiyang Army had occupied Gaojia Village. Although he knew he shouldn't continue to take risks, Chen Tianhua really couldn't resist the impulse in his heart; this was the peasant association he built with his own hands. On the day of the peasant association's end, Chen Tianhua still wanted to take another look. He finally decided to walk along the main road. If the Beiyang Army asked what he did, he would pretend to be a foreign merchant coming here to buy duck eggs. Anyway, the duck eggs of Gaojia Village in Nangong County were already famous outside; such an excuse wouldn't reveal any flaws. At most, he would be extorted by the Beiyang Army.

Perhaps it was the will of heaven; when Chen Tianhua arrived near the peasant association's breeding farm, he saw the Beiyang Army lining up outside the breeding farm. Then they dragged out a person he recognized, who was actually Old Man Jing Tingwen, bound with ropes and covered in blood. There were no onlookers among the common people; they should have finished retreating, and there were few pedestrians on the road. Seeing the posture of the Beiyang Army, everyone watched from afar.

Chen Tianhua still remembered that when he persuaded the old man to leave, the old man just laughed: "I am an old man; what can they do to me? If no one leads them to rob a round and lets these people get some things, I'm afraid these people will plague the village. If they burn everyone's houses, how can we pass the winter?"

The old man's words made sense, and Chen Tianhua knew the old man had no family left. The old man refused to leave himself, and Chen Tianhua couldn't force him. Finally, he had to repeatedly advise the old man to take care of himself.

Seeing hundreds of Beiyang soldiers facing Old Man Jing Tingwen alone, Chen Tianhua was really at a loss. An officer said something to the old man; the voice was not loud and couldn't be heard clearly. But the old man, tied up firmly, stood there straight. Chen Tianhua knew the old man had already seen him, because the old man first gazed at him for a moment, but deliberately turned his eyes away.

Then, Chen Tianhua heard the old man suddenly shout: "You things that eat people without spitting bones! A few years ago, you killed my two sons together with the foreigners. Burned my house. Now you come to our peasant association to rob again; if I don't kill you, whom should I kill? Today you can kill me, but your grandpa [I] am not afraid. I am waiting to see underground; someone will definitely avenge us. Until you things are killed clean!"

These were just very ordinary words. Chen Tianhua could roughly guess that the old man was not as he said, that he wouldn't make a move against the Beiyang Army. The old man must have used the opportunity to attack the Beiyang Army people. As retaliation, now the Beiyang Army wanted to execute the old man.

After understanding these, Chen Tianhua felt an emotion he had never experienced before. This was a comrade in the revolutionary organization personally founded by Chen Tianhua. On ordinary days, the old man didn't talk much but did a lot of work. He was a person who looked not very approachable, but Chen Tianhua slowly discovered that if things were handed over to Old Man Jing Tingwen, he could always rest assured. When other peasant association cadres scattered in an uproar, only Old Man Jing Tingwen persisted to the end. Chen Tianhua once envisaged that once the peasant association resumed operation, he would entrust some more important work to the old man. But reality broke Chen Tianhua's design. The old man was destined not to have the opportunity to cooperate with Chen Tianhua again.

The Beiyang officer cursed angrily for a few sentences, and then several Beiyang soldiers carrying sabers came up. The old man struggled and shouted: "I won't kneel! If you want to kill, kill standing up! When you killed my sons, they didn't kneel; I won't lose face for my sons."

The Beiyang Army seemed awed by the old man's momentum, and their hands didn't use too much force; they couldn't make the old man kneel no matter what. Then seeing that officer fly into a rage out of humiliation, he let the soldiers stand aside, pulled out a pistol, and fired several shots at the old man's face. Old Man Jing Tingwen finally fell down.

After Chen Tianhua finished his statement, Chen Ke didn't make a sound. Chen Tianhua neither shed tears nor said what he did afterwards. He was silent for a moment before saying: "I want to go back to Nangong County. I promised the old man I would definitely return to Nangong County."

"Xingtai, do you think the old man died because you organized the peasant association?" Chen Ke asked. He was very worried that Chen Tianhua's revolutionary enthusiasm came from a kind of self-blame.

"No, the old man didn't die for me; the old man died for himself." Chen Tianhua shook his head subconsciously. "I used to only see China forfeiting its sovereignty and humiliating the country, and felt heartbroken. But now I feel that's not important. So what if there is a constitution or a republic? Those people I've met who talk about these principles speak louder than anyone, but not a single one dared to stay calmly until the end like the old man."

Hearing this, Chen Ke began to worry again that Chen Tianhua had now embarked on the wrong path of wanting to avenge Old Man Jing Tingwen.

But he heard Chen Tianhua continue: "Only the people really dare to revolutionize, because the people and the Manchu Qing have irreconcilable hatred. It's just that the people don't know that what oppresses them is this Manchu Qing system. Anyone who knows, there is not one who doesn't hate the Manchu Qing to the bone. There is no one who doesn't want to kill these dog things clean. So I want to return to Nangong County to promote the people's revolution."

Chen Ke didn't know what to say either. Such an attitude absolutely couldn't be counted as wrong. Moreover, the situation in Hebei was far more dangerous than in Anhui. If one didn't recognize the hatred, it would be difficult for the revolution to survive in Hebei.

Chen Tianhua just left, and Shang Yuan came in. As soon as he entered the door, Shang Yuan said: "I want to go to Hebei with Xingtai."

These words startled Chen Ke. Did Shang Yuan contact Chen Tianhua sometime?

Shang Yuan continued: "I feel very unaccustomed in Fengtai County. The folk customs here are very different from the north. I feel going to the north suits me better."

"But Brother Wangshan, you can't leave now." Chen Ke immediately rejected Shang Yuan's request. "Was my speaking a bit heavy earlier?" Since the disaster victim disturbance, and since Chen Ke asked comrades to build new base areas, Shang Yuan's mood had not been high. Chen Ke felt whether he had offended Shang Yuan with some words.

"Wen Qing thinks too much. These days I have also been considering why I always felt something wasn't quite right. These days I have some realization. Wen Qing, what you are building in Fengtai County now is the situation after the success of the revolution. And I actually treated this situation as the revolution itself. So I don't blame Wen Qing for being angry. I really didn't expect that if the revolution succeeds, it can actually turn the world upside down like this. being able to see such a situation with my own eyes, I also feel very gratified."

This was also Chen Ke's own realization. What he was doing now was not revolution, but construction.

"So, I want to go to Hebei now to create a revolutionary situation. I am more familiar with that place and more adapted to it." Shang Yuan stated his reason.

"Alright, but you have to wait for a while." Chen Ke gave Shang Yuan an answer.