Grandpa Mao said in the book "On Contradiction": "We who are engaged in the Chinese revolution should not only understand the particularity of these contradictions in their totality, that is, in their interconnections, but should also study the aspects of each contradiction; only thus can we understand the totality. When we speak of understanding each aspect of a contradiction, we mean understanding what specific position each aspect occupies, what concrete forms it assumes in its interdependence and in its contradiction with its opposite, and what concrete methods it employs in the struggle with its opposite, when the two are both interdependent and in contradiction, and also after the interdependence breaks down. It is of great importance to study these problems."

regarding Shen Zengzhi's criticism that the troops in the base area were a "mob, unable to withstand a single blow," Chen Ke was not angry at all. It was not because Chen Ke had great self-restraint, but because he really thought Shen Zengzhi's words made a lot of sense. Countless vigorous forces were once invincible, but a single failure caused these forces to be completely destroyed. The miracle of Chinese civilization lies in the fact that no matter how many failures it has experienced, Chinese civilization can stand up again, and become more and more brilliant. A dynasty rises and falls. But Chinese civilization itself has never been destroyed.

This is not because China received God's blessing, but because before industrialization, China's philosophy and political concepts were to maximize the level of productive forces. China's production technology level had always ranked first in the world. It was not until after industrialization that China encountered a strong challenge for the first time. The Industrial Revolution created a productivity model superior to China's for the first time in the world. based on the productivity of this realistic base area, the armed forces of the People's Party were by no means invincible. If the Manchu Qing could really gather the power of the whole country, plus foreign military support, although it was unlikely to completely extinguish the revolutionary trend triggered by Chen Ke strategically, it was completely capable of thoroughly eliminating this revolution led by the People's Party tactically.

The People's Party did not have the foundation for being invincible now, and Chen Ke did not want to oppose this at all.

Seeing that Shen Zengzhi did not look provocative, Yan Fu was very puzzled in his heart. He finally couldn't help asking: "Brother Shen, what do you mean by this?"

"I think Fengtai County acts too ruthlessly with the people's strength. It looks magnificent now, but it is actually riddled with gaping wounds. After a disaster year, it is time to rest with the people, but looking at this big canal, one can imagine the hardship of the common people. People's strength is used on these things; where do the common people have the heart and strength to fight?" Shen Zengzhi said calmly.

Hearing this, a trace of surprise appeared on Yan Fu's face. He didn't expect Shen Zengzhi to say such words without hostility. having been a soldier for decades, Yan Fu actually didn't understand civil administration very well. Plus understanding industry, seeing the orderly appearance of Fengtai County under high-pressure governance, Yan Fu felt Chen Ke did a good job instead. Yan Fu didn't care much about people's hearts and people's strength; tens of thousands of foreign devils could breach Beijing city, so traditional people's hearts obviously didn't play any role.

On the contrary, although the guard didn't quite understand the meaning of these words, he had received some cultural education in the troops after all. Although the young guard didn't quite understand those flowery words, he could feel Shen Zengzhi's general meaning. He immediately became resentful towards this captured Manchu Qing official. Seeing that Chen Ke didn't refute, the guard couldn't help interrupting: "The land in Fengtai County has been distributed to our common people; everyone works for themselves. Why wouldn't we be willing to fight?"

"Wen Qing, you distributed the land?" Yan Fu was really shocked.

"Correct. After building the houses, we will distribute the land. Our People's Party confiscated all the land in Fengtai County. In the future, the land in Fengtai County will be distributed to the common people to cultivate and harvest. Except for thirty percent grain, the new civil government of Fengtai County doesn't want a single grain from the common people."

regarding Chen Ke's words, Yan Fu didn't know how to respond anymore. He had seen too many things along the way and thought Chen Ke had done his best to accomplish these things. He never expected that Chen Ke was still planning the move of distributing land.

Shen Zengzhi just showed a slightly surprised look, but soon he said: "It's just buying favor."

Hearing Shen Zengzhi say such things repeatedly, Yan Fu was very surprised. He couldn't help asking: "Brother Shen, what exactly do you mean?"

Seeing that Yan Fu still didn't understand his painstaking efforts, Shen Zengzhi finally sighed: "Brother Yan, since Chen Ke has already rebelled, that is an unpardonable crime. You can't save him. But Chen Ke's intention to win over Brother Yan is so clear; why should you follow him to rebel? Looking at Chen Ke's actions, he is dead set. As long as I don't mention Brother Yan's visit to Fengtai County, and Brother Yan keeps your mouth shut yourself, when Chen Ke is defeated, it won't implicate you. If you are confused by Chen Ke, plus having the intention to shield your disciple... Even if you don't consider yourself, you must think about your family, Brother Yan."

These words were not in classical Chinese; the guard understood them clearly. Before Yan Fu could speak, he shouted angrily: "Fart! We defeated? Do you think we attacked your Shouzhou first? This area..." Just as he said this, Chen Ke had already pressed the guard's shoulder. The young man was impulsive for a moment; being pressed by Chen Ke, the guard already knew he said too much. Although he closed his mouth, his face was still full of anger, and his eyes stared tightly at Shen Zengzhi.

regarding the guard's rage, Chen Ke felt on one hand that young people were really simple, but on the other hand, he couldn't help considering whether to change a guard. But the problem now was not to replace the guard immediately. Chen Ke asked: "Mr. Shen, I heard from Mr. Yan that you are a great Confucian scholar. I consider myself half a disciple of the Confucian school, but I only respect Confucius and Xunzi. Confucius speaks of Benevolence, Xunzi speaks of Ritual [Li/Propriety]. Our People's Party only speaks of productive forces determining social relations. I wonder which sage Mr. Shen respects?"

Seeing Chen Ke asking with a provocative posture, Shen Zengzhi had two impulses in his heart: one was to ignore it, the other was to refute this rebellious madman. Seeing Chen Ke actually showing off learning in front of him, the second impulse gradually gained the upper hand.

"Rebels like you always have many excuses. In the final analysis, it is just for selfish interests. If you really have the heart for the common people, why not devote yourself to the state?" These words were actually very polite. Chen Ke could save so many common people in a disaster year; Shen Zengzhi actually knew that let alone himself, I'm afraid no official in Shouzhou or even the whole Anhui could achieve such a degree. If Chen Ke said the government was useless, Shen Zengzhi was not willing to use specious arguments, so he could only listen to Chen Ke bragging. So Shen Zengzhi led the topic to a higher level to avoid entanglement below.

"The state is now ruled by those princes and nobles above; they are the ones who are truly selfish. The new system I want to establish is completely for the common people to be masters of their own house. We are about to elect the People's Congress. These people's representatives are elected by the common people. regarding the things promoted by the new government of Fengtai County and the money spent, if it enters our pockets, do you think the common people can agree?"

Before Shen Zengzhi could speak, Yan Fu couldn't help interrupting in surprise: "Wen Qing, are you trying to implement Constitutionalism?" After arriving in Fengtai County, Chen Ke threw surprises at Yan Fu one after another. First, the common people were actually forcefully mobilized and managed, and there were preliminary mechanical factories, then land distribution. Now even the political system was going to change greatly. Yan Fu really didn't understand; Chen Ke actually dared to take the lead in implementing the Constitutionalism that the upper echelons were arguing about now.

Chen Ke corrected immediately: "Mr. Yan, we are not Constitutionalism. We are People's Democratic Dictatorship. Constitutionalism is rich people in power; our new system is the laboring common people having the final say. It's not the same thing at all."

Seeing Yan Fu dumbstruck and looking blank, Chen Ke continued to explain: "The Constitutionalism being argued now is the gentry and officials sharing power from the Manchu Qing court. Those who can be elected are all rich people. The foundation of the People's Democratic Dictatorship we engage in is state ownership of land, and the people possess land use rights. That is, land to the tiller. Anyone who supports relying on owning land, owning assets, enjoying power, and domineering over others is the object of dictatorship. The people, the common folks, that is, those 'muddy legs,' become masters of their own house."

Once these words came out, whether Yan Fu or Shen Zengzhi, both were speechless. After a long while, Shen Zengzhi said with a trembling voice of anger: "Absurd! Absurd! National affairs should be handled by capable people. The common people don't understand politics, only farming. To incite the common people, you actually invert heaven and earth like this."

"Politics is to make the common people live better. The common people only understand farming, so we rely on the common people for everyone to survive. Relying on the government, how many of these Fengtai County common people could survive?"

Although Shen Zengzhi was dizzy with anger by Chen Ke's theory, hearing Chen Ke's words, he also knew that in disaster relief, he indeed couldn't compete with Chen Ke. Enduring his anger, Shen Zengzhi asked back: "Then are you, Chen Ke, of farming origin? Is that Pu Guanshui of farming origin?"

"We don't farm, but we are people who make a living by serious labor. We are not that group of people high above. We and the common people only have differences in division of labor, not differences in status. In the new system we want to promote, laborers are the most glorious, and the people are the masters of the country."

"Sophistry! Winning the world is the Will of Heaven; this is fate [Qi number]."

"That's because the common people finally acquiesced, so he could sit firmly. Those people sitting in Beijing now look majestic, but when we destroy the Manchu Qing, they will all be sinners. Is this also the Will of Heaven? Then the Will of Heaven destined this bunch of people to be sinners? This is the heart of the people, not the Will of Heaven."

"The heart of the people still knows that the Imperial Court is the Imperial Court."

"Oh, you can say that now. Look again in half a year."

Seeing the old and the young starting to enter a struggle of will, Yan Fu quickly stopped Chen Ke from continuing. "Wen Qing, since you invited Mr. Shen out, presumably it wasn't for the momentary pleasure of tongue, right?"

Chen Ke also felt he went a bit too far. He smiled at Yan Fu, "I wanted to see how officials view my revolution. But looking at it now, everyone only recognizes strength, not anything else. It was my recklessness."

Hearing this, Shen Zengzhi was even more angry. Chen Ke simply considered his own concept absolutely correct. "It was my momentary oversight that let you succeed. But there won't be such good things in the future."

Chen Ke laughed, "At this time, Mr. Shen, you are still considered a pretty good Manchu Qing official, right? At least you didn't unleash soldiers to run to the base area to rob and didn't plague the common people. I appreciate your favor in this matter."

These words were a bit too poisonous. The meaning in Chen Ke's words was simple: Manchu Qing officials are all robbers. As an official, being insulted like this, Shen Zengzhi finally understood what mentality the rebels had.

Of course, Shen Zengzhi didn't expect that Chen Ke had already confirmed from Shen Zengzhi's performance just now that no officials would defect to him in the near future. Since this thought was confirmed, Chen Ke's original thought of treating captives well completely turned into an attitude of "making the best use of captives." Chen Ke treated enemies as cold as winter, so these officials, from "life to dignity," had become objects for Chen Ke to consider how to utilize. As for the officials themselves, there was no difference from dead pigs.