Anqing is located in southern Anhui, on the north bank of the Yangtze River, and is the provincial capital of Anhui. Since En Ming became the Governor of Anhui, he had been committed to promoting the New Policies. As En Ming's disciple and capable subordinate, Xu Xilin was able to become the main person in charge of the Anqing Army Elementary School and the Police School.

On January 12, 1907, Xu Xilin finished his daily work and went to visit En Ming to hear if En Ming had any instructions. Coming out of the courtyard of the Police School, he hadn't walked far when he saw a flatbed cart piled with several skeletal corpses heading towards the South Gate by the Yangtze River. Among the many disaster victims begging along the streets, people starved to death every day. Especially since winter began, corpses were originally cleared once every two days, but now they were cleared almost twice a day. Looking at these starving common people, Xu Xilin also felt somewhat unbearable in his heart. However, this emotion did not last too long. After passing the cart transporting corpses, Xu Xilin soon threw this pity to the back of his mind. He did not know that Fengyang Prefecture had been conquered by the People's Party led by Chen Ke at this time. The battle deployment for attacking Anqing was also underway intensely. Xu Xilin's mind was full of other things.

A month ago, he received a letter from Chen Ke. The letter stated that Chen Ke might lead troops to attack Anqing around the Spring Festival, hoping Xu Xilin could prepare enough manpower before then. After Chen Ke took Anqing, he would retreat to the Fengyang Prefecture area, and Anqing would be handed over to Xu Xilin.

regarding what Chen Ke said in the letter, Xu Xilin couldn't even talk about being half-believing and half-doubting at first; he thought Chen Ke was talking nonsense. It wasn't until Xu Xilin saw the People's Party fleet and the strange red flag with a hammer and sickle on the fleet that he believed Chen Ke's words a little. At that time, one of the persons in charge of the fleet was actually Yan Fu, and Yan Fu was actually Chen Ke's teacher. This gave Xu Xilin quite a shock.

After Xu Xilin left Shanghai, he originally wanted to go to a Japanese military academy to study. However, because Japan began to strictly prohibit the revolutionary actions of Chinese students, setting many restrictions, he had to return to China, and thus the idea of "toppling the Qing court with tactics" arose. So by mobilizing and using relationships from all sides, Xu Xilin sought to organize the Anqing Army Elementary School. Later, due to the recommendation of his uncle Yu Liansan and Xu Xilin's own shrewdness and capability, he was finally reused by Anhui Governor En Ming. And Xu Xilin even took En Ming as his teacher and became En Ming's confidant. Unexpectedly, Chen Ke actually took a similar route, studying under Yan Fu. Not knowing what great help he received from Yan Fu, Chen Ke could actually build a fleet and even considered himself strong enough to attack Anqing Prefecture. This stimulation to Xu Xilin was very huge.

Yan Fu was extremely tight-lipped and deliberately avoided Xu Xilin, so Xu Xilin had no way to be alone with Yan Fu. The fleet came and went, leaving Xu Xilin with a pile of mysteries. Qiu Jin was also supervising the Anqing Girls' School in Anqing, and the two discussed this matter in depth. Chen Ke met Xu Xilin first before meeting Qiu Jin. But Qiu Jin and Chen Ke had more cooperation. Xu Xilin felt that Qiu Jin evaluated Chen Ke very highly. Chen Ke could set up the Renxin Medical College in Shanghai, make medicine to earn money, and recruit Chen Tianhua to his banner; just these three things made Qiu Jin feel that Chen Ke was by no means an ordinary person.

But Xu Xilin's view was quite different. He felt that Chen Ke's attitude towards the Guangfuhui [Restoration Society] was very cold. Although polite enough and loyal enough to Xu Xilin, he didn't mean to open his heart. Of course, when Chen Ke first met Xu Xilin, he also said that he wanted to borrow Xu Xilin's help to go to Shanghai. After Chen Ke made a name for himself in Shanghai, he didn't interact much with Xu Xilin who was also in Shanghai. Although he didn't mention it with his mouth, Xu Xilin felt very uncomfortable in his heart. "The whole world bustles for profit"; Xu Xilin knew this saying and agreed with it. But to achieve Chen Ke's degree of "tea cooling as soon as the person leaves" [ignoring people once they are no longer useful] could be considered calculated to the extreme.

Xu Xilin thought, just like the first time he met him, Chen Ke threw over a big steamed bun that he absolutely couldn't ignore. What was the calculation behind that?

Qiu Jin had a straightforward personality. After reading the letter, she said: "Wen Qing also made it clear in the letter. We don't need to exert effort to attack Anqing; after taking Anqing, he will hand Anqing over to us. Although managing Anqing is by no means easy, our Guangfuhui can gather hundreds of people anyway, so at least we can manage Anqing well. Besides, with Wen Qing echoing in Anhui, what are we afraid of?"

Hearing such optimistic words, Xu Xilin felt things were definitely not that simple. He just shook his head but didn't speak.

Seeing Xu Xilin looking worried, Qiu Jin suddenly laughed: "Haha, Bosun, actually I think Wen Qing just didn't say some things directly. Wen Qing is humble and polite; didn't you see through it, Bosun?"

Compared with Xu Xilin, Qiu Jin was not particularly proficient in interpersonal relationships. Hearing Qiu Jin say this, Xu Xilin didn't quite believe that Qiu Jin could really propose a better explanation. He still frowned and asked: "What didn't I see through?"

Qiu Jin didn't mind Xu Xilin's expression. She said frankly: "When Wen Qing was down and out back then, he begged at your door. Now Wen Qing should have some family assets. Let's not talk about whether he can take Anqing. Just say if he really takes Anqing, and you are supervising schools in Anqing, how will he treat you, his benefactor, then?"

"Hmm?" Xu Xilin felt this line of thought was something he hadn't thought of. Hearing this, Xu Xilin's spirit lifted. "You mean, Wen Qing is afraid of having a dispute with me in Anqing?"

"Not only afraid of having a dispute with you in Anqing. Wen Qing knows we are comrades of the Guangfuhui. After Chen Tianhua defected to Wen Qing, the matter of the Tongmenghui couldn't be hidden from Wen Qing either. Wen Qing should be worried about conflicting with the Guangfuhui. If Wen Qing asks us to help first, and the attack on Anqing is unsuccessful, won't both sides tear their faces apart afterwards? If successful, I'm afraid both sides will have to say who listens to whose command, right? At that time, you and I are in Anqing; Wen Qing has to give us some face. I see Wen Qing acts very decisively. I guess he feels that rather than tearing faces apart with the Guangfuhui, it's better to simply give Anqing to us."

The previous analysis made sense, but Xu Xilin simply didn't believe that Anqing would be given up just to avoid tearing faces apart. "I see Wen Qing has great spirit [daring]. If it's just a matter of face, I'm afraid he wouldn't be so scrupulous. There must be other reasons." Xu Xilin said, "Moreover, although Anqing has convenient transportation, it is difficult to defend. In our original plan, we prepared to develop comrades in schools first, and then persuade the New Army to rise up together. If according to what Wen Qing said, we don't have so many revolutionary comrades in Anqing. Gaining such an Anqing for nothing, what use is it?"

"This is where Wen Qing knows how to conduct himself. Since we know that it is difficult to hold Anqing with our strength, then there are two roads left. Either we don't want Anqing, or we beg Wen Qing and ask to join Wen Qing's side. Anyway, no matter what, Wen Qing considered everyone's face and can still get Anqing."

Hearing this, Xu Xilin couldn't help changing his expression. Originally he didn't believe Chen Ke could really take Anqing. Now his thought was that even if Chen Ke took Anqing, Xu Xilin wouldn't hand Anqing over to Chen Ke like this. But the situation is stronger than people. Since Xu Xilin had limited strength in his hands, and there was little time left before what Chen Ke said, he only had two roads now. Either be calculated by Chen Ke like this, or ask the Guangfuhui in Jiangsu and Zhejiang for reinforcements. Xu Xilin immediately decided to take the second road.

Since making up his mind, on one hand, Xu Xilin seized the time to propagate revolutionary ideas and recruit comrades in the Army Elementary School and Police School. On the other hand, he reported work to Anhui Governor En Ming more to get more news. At the same time, he anxiously waited for news from the Guangfuhui comrades in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Half a month later, Tao Chengzhang actually came to Anqing in person. He brought news from the Guangfuhui comrades in Jiangsu and Zhejiang: If Chen Ke could really take Anqing, then the Guangfuhui would immediately reinforce manpower to Anqing. No matter what, Anqing could not be handed over to Chen Ke.

After discussing with Xu Xilin, Tao Chengzhang believed that Xu Xilin could well cooperate with Chen Ke temporarily to help Chen Ke take Anqing. Within the time agreed by everyone, the Guangfuhui would send manpower on the road in batches. If Chen Ke really took Anqing, troops from all routes would contact each other and rush to Anqing city. Make Chen Ke honor his promise and hand over Anqing. If Chen Ke didn't take Anqing, troops from all routes would return to Shaoxing to continue the local revolutionary cause. regarding the news provided by Xu Xilin that Chen Ke studied under Yan Fu, Tao Chengzhang expressed that Cai Yuanpei and Yan Fu were both old friends of Mr. Ma Xiangbo. The Guangfuhui had already used this relationship to contact Yan Fu, hoping Yan Fu could cooperate with the Guangfuhui.

After discussing these, Tao Chengzhang asked Xu Xilin again how likely it was that Chen Ke was telling lies.

Xu Xilin thought for a good while before answering: "Up to now, there has been no news of rebellion in other places from Anqing. That fleet had at least four or five hundred people. Wen Qing could send such a large fleet out; presumably, he must have about a thousand people in his hands. Moreover, he stated clearly in the letter that he didn't need our help to attack Anqing. Up to now, he hasn't sent any other news. As I think, 30% should be true, and 70% is probably just his wishful thinking."

Hearing this evaluation, a disappointed look appeared on Tao Chengzhang's face slightly. Sighing, Tao Chengzhang said: "I actually hope this person Chen Ke isn't telling lies."

Tao Chengzhang didn't stay too long and left. Xu Xilin originally thought Chen Ke had ulterior motives, but unexpectedly a messenger came again yesterday. Chen Ke told Xu Xilin that he would attack Anqing before the Spring Festival and hoped Xu Xilin would be ready. Xu Xilin asked the messenger where exactly Chen Ke was. The messenger finally told Xu Xilin clearly that Chen Ke had already established a foothold in Fengtai County. Sending away the messenger, Xu Xilin immediately wrote a letter to report the situation to the Guangfuhui comrades in Shaoxing on one hand, and on the other hand, he was also considering whether to stay in Anqing or go to Fengtai County personally to see what was happening.