The news that Xu Dian was suspended from judicial work spread through the upper echelons of the base area like flying; suspension represented extremely severe criticism and negation. This was the first time Chen Ke had publicly expressed such a severe attitude towards a party member. Although Xu Dian himself was still the Director of the Discipline Inspection Commission and an important cadre monitoring internal party discipline, still holding great power, the comrades looked at Xu Dian with quite different eyes.

The draft of the "Marriage Law" was brought to the Party Committee for discussion and was passed very quickly. Other comrades didn't have Xu Dian's attitude of regarding the law as supreme. Instead, Chen Ke emphasized at the meeting: "Since this law has been passed, all marriage issues within the base area in the future must be executed according to the 'Marriage Law.' Moreover, we must also start preparing for the work of legal interpretation. regarding doubts about the law within the base area, we must provide an explanation. Law is the realistic regulation of political concepts. Everyone must position their political stance correctly."

"Chairman Chen, according to the principle of equality between men and women and state protection of the personal rights and interests of the common people introduced earlier, should our work be more proactive?" The speaker was Ren Qiying. Many female members of the People's Party attended this Party Committee meeting. Ren Qiying knew very well the significance of Chen Ke's doing this; she took the lead in expressing a positive attitude.

Male party members were somewhat dismissive of this new comrade's positive statement. To tell the truth, although the attitude towards women in the People's Party was already the most equal in China, letting men really think that women were equal existences was just the beginning.

"Our purpose is to protect everyone's legitimate interests, not to stir up contradictions. Everyone can imagine that once this law starts to be propagated, there will definitely be many people who disapprove or even make strange remarks. Everyone shouldn't fight over high or low status. Nor engage in any struggle of will. What is the reason why I want women to share the same means of production? Who can talk about their thoughts?"

The men all fell silent. Comrades who didn't understand Chen Ke's meaning didn't know what to say. Comrades who roughly understood Chen Ke's meaning refused to speak. You Gou was a senior member of the People's Party and also a woman. It could be said that the People's Party comrades didn't dare to underestimate women too much, and You Gou contributed greatly. Her work achievements and the first-class work attitude shown in the harsh working environment of the cement factory made men have to be convinced.

Seeing no man willing to speak, while female party members each had their own concerns, You Gou stood up to speak: "Distributing the same means of production to women is just to show one thing: women can also support themselves through labor. I don't think women can occupy an advantage in physical strength, just as I don't think men are better than women in ordinary sewing. But as laborers, men and women are equal."

"Then why not use other ways to express this equality? For example, equal pay for equal work." Yuwen Badu asked. His words immediately received approving glances from many people. Seeing the approval of so many men, and the gazes of women that were by no means approving, Yuwen Badu was a bit timid. He was not afraid of women, but afraid of You Gou who also held the position of Secretary. And Chen Ke who proposed the concept of equality between men and women.

Yan Fu watched with interest as the party members debated; he had now joined the Party on the firing line. Although only a probationary member, Yan Fu had quite a status in the hearts of many People's Party members, and Chen Ke had already stated that he planned to let Yan Fu serve as the Minister of Education of the base area after completing the iron purchasing work. No one made irresponsible remarks about his attendance at this meeting. Yan Fu liked the meeting mode of the People's Party very much. Chen Ke, in the highest position of the organization, led everyone with theoretical and practical abilities exceeding everyone else; the Party emphasized practice and despised empty talk. It completely conformed to the organizational mode of the Legalists that Yan Fu longed for. And comrades could speak their minds freely without playing dirty tricks. Clarifying things directly on the table made Yan Fu feel especially satisfied.

Sitting side by side with Yan Fu was Chen Tianhua. These two knew each other's reputation and had read each other's books. Their stances on the matter of equality between men and women were very close.

Hearing Yuwen Badu say this, a trace of disdain appeared on the faces of both Yan Fu and Chen Tianhua.

"To right a wrong, one must exceed the proper limits. Although distributing land equally looks unreasonable, this is a matter of attitude." Chen Tianhua couldn't help speaking.

"That means it's still unfair. Since we want to interpret the law, we can't use this as a reason." Lu Huitian stood up to oppose. As the actual number one in civil affairs work, Lu Huitian was quite dissatisfied with Chen Ke's radical approach. "Distributing land to those girls who are still studying—this land is still farmed by their families. Rather than making those parents who don't like equality between men and women very dissatisfied in their hearts, why not wait until conditions change in the future to talk about it?"

Chen Tianhua retorted unceremoniously: "Talking about it later means admitting inequality between men and women now. We admit inequality between men and women now, and then change to equality between men and women later; does this mean our People's Party changes orders in the morning and alters them in the evening?"

The eyes of female party members looking at Chen Tianhua immediately became warm. This was the first male party member besides Chen Ke who truly stood up to express absolute support for "equality between men and women." In the past, the one who supported equality between men and women most was He Zudao, but He Zudao had difficulty understanding women's thoughts, and his image in women's minds was actually not that positive. In the base area, everyone didn't say it with their mouths, but knew in their hearts that He Zudao admired You Gou very much. In the minds of women, because He Zudao lacked "manliness," he was treated as a "little brother." He lost a lot of points. And Chen Tianhua, as a famous revolutionary, supporting equality between men and women so firmly, became an absolutely positive character.

"Although the theory is very good, there will definitely be many problems in actual implementation. If we do this, not only will men not be sincerely convinced, but women might not necessarily appreciate it." Lu Huitian had been engaged in practical work these days, and he was very worried about the execution of this concept.

You Gou counterattacked immediately: "Labor is most glorious! The foundation of equality between men and women is that labor is most glorious! Lazy people are not distinguished by gender. If lazy women are used as an excuse to attack equality between men and women, that is deliberately distorting facts; that is sophistry. If lazy women are used as an excuse that men and women shouldn't be equal, then does the existence of lazy men mean men and women shouldn't be equal even more?"

These words coming from the mouth of the hardworking You Gou carried extra weight. Quite a few comrades who actually didn't support equality between men and women in their hearts immediately dared not make a sound. You Gou's status and prestige were earned by her work; no one in the base area dared to question You Gou's work. Lu Huitian dared not either.

Xu Dian listened silently to everyone's debate, with mixed feelings in his heart. The supervision department was originally an offending position, and everyone's personal friendship with Xu Dian wasn't great. Moreover, after Chen Ke punished Xu Dian, no one dared to stand up for Xu Dian. Except for Hua Xiongmao who personally ran to ask the reason, no one else even came to ask Xu Dian. This feeling of isolation and helplessness was terrible; although Xu Dian was in a venue full of people, he felt completely isolated.

But listening carefully to everyone's discussion, Xu Dian had some new discoveries. Xu Dian knew Chen Ke was right; the execution of any law requires much cooperation. On this point, Xu Dian did not think the judicial system should override other organizations. Just like the political concept of equality between men and women, every department would encounter problems when executing it. Xu Dian also knew that law was not omnipotent. What Xu Dian couldn't accept was actually only one thing: law cannot become the final fig leaf. In fact, whether in the Manchu Qing or in Japan, law was the final fig leaf. On ordinary days, the law was also maintaining the basic order functions of society, looking majestic. But once power intervened, the law immediately became a tool manipulated by others.

Xu Dian's professors at the Law Department of Tokyo University were very dissatisfied with this; they believed the law should not be allowed to be defiled like this. And the Meiji Restoration in Japan simply did not establish the concept of a society ruled by law. Before the law, everyone was by no means equal. Xu Dian followed Chen Ke to Anhui for the revolution instead of staying in Beijing to find a job because the people's revolution described by Chen Ke gave Xu Dian a feeling that a true society ruled by law would inevitably be built. Since the people are masters of their own house, then obeying the law should be the people's obligation. But Chen Ke disappointed Xu Dian; even a revolutionary like Chen Ke did not agree with the inviolable sanctity of the law.

This is not to say that Xu Dian himself was a young lad who didn't understand the ways of the world at all. Even in the law major, no matter what everyone said with their mouths, they knew in their hearts that the law was not omnipotent. Take a simple example: "In civil law, if people don't sue, officials don't investigate." That is to say, if no one reports to the officials, inequality or even illegal acts can continue to exist. Just like in the Marriage Law, regarding the land separating from the parents' family after a woman marries and automatically transferring to the newly formed family with the married woman, if someone plays tricks privately, as long as no one reports to the officials, such things can exist.

Xu Dian didn't think the law could be perfect. He was dissatisfied with only one point: Chen Ke couldn't accept that the law was not affected by other things; Chen Ke didn't think the law shouldn't be controlled by politics. If Chen Ke were in power, Xu Dian still had confidence in Chen Ke. He didn't believe Chen Ke would achieve personal goals by manipulating the law. But the rule of man has no future; without establishing a system where the law will not be manipulated and distorted, what to do after Chen Ke dies?

Just as Xu Dian was thinking left and right, the debate on the issue of equality between men and women had reached the end. After You Gou proposed the political concept of "Labor is most glorious," no other comrades were willing to come out to oppose. The draft of the "Marriage Law" was subsequently passed. Seeing this result, Xu Dian secretly breathed a sigh of relief; at least the discussions so far were within the range he could accept. Chen Ke stuck to the stance and attitude that Xu Dian had always admired. Although it was the same Chen Ke who unceremoniously suspended Xu Dian's judicial work.

The next topic of the meeting had nothing to do with law. The base area had made a decision: as long as Yan Fu and the others brought the iron back this time, the troops would expand the military operations of the liberation war. In fact, when the base area breached forts, there were also fish that slipped through the net in several places. The expansion of the revolutionary war was already unavoidable.

Hearing about fighting, the young people became enthusiastic. So far, the troops had always been invincible, overwhelming all enemies with absolute superiority. Such a status quo made the comrades believe that the enemy was nothing big.

But the premise of this large-scale military operation was to transport the iron back. This matter had to rely entirely on Yan Fu's connections. Many comrades were not unfamiliar with Yan Fu; comrades were very happy that this highly respected scholar joined the People's Party. Everyone expressed enthusiastic support for Comrade Yan Fu. Yan Fu also liked being with these vigorous young people, but he refused to show it so clearly, just greeting everyone very politely.

After the meeting ended, Hua Xiongmao stopped Xu Dian; the two were old comrades-in-arms who had experienced life and death together. Hua Xiongmao said seriously: "Xu Dian, go admit your mistake to Chairman Chen, say you realized your political mistake, and request to resume work. Chairman Chen is not a petty person; if he were really dissatisfied with you, it would be impossible to bring out your program for discussion. I asked Chairman Chen about your matter; what nonsense were you talking at that time? Law cannot be interfered with by politics? He scolded you for being confused right then. Guess what Chairman Chen said?"

Xu Dian didn't expect Hua Xiongmao to scold his viewpoint too; he was even more disappointed in his heart. But Hua Xiongmao was willing to speak to him; this was already the utmost benevolence and righteousness. To show politeness, Xu Dian braced himself and asked: "What did Chairman Chen say?"

"Chairman Chen said, Comrade Xu Dian is just afraid of hardship and wants to take a shortcut. He thinks if I come out and say a word, everyone will listen? This kind of thinking simply misses the point. This is not the attitude of Xu Dian wanting to complete the work. This is an attitude of evading responsibility. He should say these things to those who try to interfere with judicial justice, not to me. He should make the people accept the concept of the legal system through his own hard work, make everyone understand that when encountering things, they should solve problems through laws and systems. Not looking for acquaintances and pulling strings. If Xu Dian is really as he thinks, so loyal to justice, he should complete his concept in work, not wanting to find a shortcut once and for all. Revolution is always ongoing; encountering difficulties and not thinking of ways himself—this is not making revolution, this is wanting to be a master [Lao Ye]. Wanting his one sentence to be the truth, others must listen to him, and not listening to him is wrong. That's why I wanted to suspend his judicial work and let him reflect."

Hearing this, even if Xu Dian was dull, he could understand Chen Ke's meaning. Seeing Xu Dian silent, Hua Xiongmao misunderstood the meaning of this silence. "Comrade Xu Dian, I think as revolutionary comrades, we have to be considerate of Chairman Chen's difficulties. Sometimes he can't say too much. In our current situation, many things can't be done. Just like this 'Marriage Law,' it absolutely must be strictly enforced in the army, but I just can't tell the soldiers directly about this matter now. I have to finish these basic works first. Including legal provisions and regulations for land distribution—without preparing these well, if I boast about new-style marriage, it will have no other effect than causing chaos..."

Xu Dian's face, tanned dark over more than half a year, turned purple-red. He couldn't help interrupting Hua Xiongmao. "Brigade Commander Hua, you don't need to say more. I know I was wrong. I will go find Chairman Chen to admit my mistake now. I request to resume work; I will never be emotional again in the future."

Hua Xiongmao was also quite busy originally. Seeing Xu Dian's words were very sincere, he didn't waste time anymore. "Go now, go immediately. Self-criticism must be sincere. Chairman Chen values you very much. You are the only one studying law in the base area; don't cause trouble." After speaking, Hua Xiongmao walked away with big strides.

Xu Dian immediately went to find Chen Ke. He saw Chen Ke walking towards the dock with a group of cadres participating in the iron transport mission. Yan Fu and Chen Ke were walking side by side, talking. He didn't dare to interrupt, so he simply followed the team from a distance.

Yan Fu was saying goodbye to Chen Ke. Under Yan Fu's command, the fleet's operation plan had been completed. Now Anqing Prefecture hadn't received any news of the revolutionary party; as long as this transaction was fast, there was no need to worry too much about being intercepted.

"Wen Qing... Chairman Chen, before I came this time, Yuan Weiting [Yuan Shikai] sent a letter, wanting me and you to go to Beijing together to participate in the constitutional outline matters. It seems he is starting to prepare for implementing the constitution over there."

"It seems Mr. Yuan Weiting's good days are also coming to an end." Chen Ke laughed. This wasn't mockery, but had some meaning of sympathy in it. Although Yuan Shikai brought it on himself, a perfectly good "Heavenly Ready Hand" [winning hand] was played into an "Ineligible Hand" [losing/dead hand] by his foolish action of proclaiming himself Emperor. Chen Ke always felt it was a pity for Yuan Shikai.

"The situation in Beijing is going to change. Chaos is not a bad thing for us." Yan Fu was not a bad person, nor was he a "good person" with womanly benevolence towards enemies. Beijing changed because of constitutional matters; the court situation was chaotic, and the reaction to the Anhui revolution would naturally be much slower.

"I entrust the matters in Hanyang to you, Comrade Yan Fu." Chen Ke smiled.

"I will go early and return early. When I went to see last time, the scrap iron in Hanyang piled up like a mountain. Presumably, Hanyang also hopes to get rid of it early."

Amidst laughter, the group shook hands and said goodbye. Seeing Yan Fu and the others leave, Xu Dian hurried over to stop Chen Ke. "Chairman Chen, I have realized my mistake. I request to resume work."

Chen Ke sized up Xu Dian. Seeing Xu Dian no longer had a resentful expression and was truly revitalized, he said: "Resuming work is possible, but you have to write a self-criticism for me first. After writing it, you have to read it at the party meeting. You have to get everyone's approval."

"Yes." Xu Dian answered immediately.

"Remember clearly for me: as the person in charge of the judicial department, your job is to fight against illegal and criminal activities, not to bargain with comrades and ask for treatment. Do you understand?"

Xu Dian stood straight and answered loudly: "I understand. I will go write the self-criticism now."

"Go!" Chen Ke ordered.

Xu Dian's self-criticism was passed at the party meeting. Everyone actually quite admired Xu Dian's courage to dare to threaten Chen Ke. Chen Ke only suspended Xu Dian's judicial work duties at first, and didn't completely suspend Xu Dian and then banish him to raise pigs. Everyone felt Chairman Chen Ke's temper was really too good.

But those comrades who could understand politics could understand Chen Ke's intention. Chen Ke not only wanted to beat Xu Dian [metaphorically], but Chen Ke wanted to express two attitudes through Xu Dian's self-criticism: "First, nothing can be used as a reason to dictate to the Party. Second, no one can interfere with judicial justice." Because after Xu Dian finished reading the self-criticism, Chen Ke personally stated that maintaining judicial justice is not a short-term act, and the forces trying to interfere with judicial justice absolutely do not come only from outside. History proves that more forces trying to interfere with justice come from inside. Chen Ke believed that in the new system to be established by the people's revolution, judicial justice is absolutely a principle that must be adhered to.

Xu Dian resumed judicial work. Lin Shenhe, who attended the meeting, also confirmed one thing: as one of the three heads of the Public Security, Procuratorate, and Court, he would definitely be promoted soon. If Chen Ke wasn't joking, the judicial system would soon expand its organizational scale. His opportunity was finally coming.

Sure enough, as Lin Shenhe expected, two days later, the draft for establishing Public Security, Procuratorate, and Court institutions was officially announced. Xu Dian became the person in charge of the Court system, and the Public Security system was responsible by Dai Enze. The Procuratorate system had no special person in charge assigned for the time being; Lin Shenhe, as the deputy of the Public Security system, was temporarily responsible for the prosecution work of the Procuratorate. The framework of the base area's judicial system was preliminarily set up.