Crimson Dawn

May 1905, 5, early summer.There is still a month before the rainy season, Shaoxing City is sunny and sunny, and the temperature is pleasant.On such a morning, Xu Xilin entertained guests at home.

The breeze carried the fragrance of flowers in the yard into the small living room.This is a common living room in Shaoxing, that is to say, there is a carved chair on each side of the table under the north wall, and the four chairs in the middle of the living room are arranged twice.Landscape calligraphy and paintings hang on the wall.The environment is quiet and comfortable, perfect for conversation.Screens are attached to the carved panes, and the sunlight falls on the screens, casting beautiful shadows in the house.It's really a classic flavor.

Xu Xilin with braids and a long gown and a man with short hair in a suit and leather shoes sat at the host and guest positions respectively.Xu Xilin is 32 years old this year. He has a thin body, a thin face, and two thick black eyebrows that are very eye-catching.The guest couldn't tell his specific age. He had a square face with sharp edges and corners in the north, high forehead, high cheekbones, high nose bridge, and beautiful big eyes shining in deep eye sockets.

Not long after Xu Xilin joined the Restoration Society at this time, this historically well-known revolutionary party member smiled and looked at the guest on the opposite side, Chen Ke.It's not that Xu Xilin has never seen a suit, but Chen Ke's suit looks too different.Chen Ke was not offended by Xu Xilin's curiosity. The dark yellow blended casual suit was a style with special leather elbow linings.Dark green shaded vertical stripe shirt, a dark blue tie, gold-plated tie clip, and a pair of crystal cufflinks on the shirt cuffs. Casual suits in the 21st century are not a trend in this era anyway, not even a niche.Xu Xilin looked over with only a little curiosity, not surprise.This is enough to prove the personal accomplishment of this famous revolutionary.

The meeting between Xu Xilin and Chen Ke was really too abrupt.Even Xu Xilin, who likes to make friends, finds it interesting in retrospect.

At noon yesterday, Qiu Jin suddenly sent someone to inform Xu Xilin that a man in a short-haired suit took a piece of paper with Xu Xilin's name on it, spoke strange Mandarin, saw someone who looked like a scholar, and asked how to find Xu Xilin.Qiu Jin wanted to know what relationship Xu Xilin had with this strange guy.After hearing the report from Qiu Jin's servant, Xu Xilin was quite surprised.He has a lot of friends, and there are also foreign students with braids cut in Shaoxing.But Qiu Jin's letter stated that Qiu Jin had never met this person.Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin are cousins ​​and revolutionary comrades. If Qiu Jin, who has a lot of friends, has never met this person, Xu Xilin probably doesn't know him.

Xu Xilin asked where this person is now.Qiu Jin's family replied that this person is not far from here.Xu Xilin asked again how this person looked. Qiu Jin's family thought about it for a while, but replied—either rich or expensive.With curiosity, Xu Xilin went to see it himself.

Chen Ke could be seen from far away at the intersection.People in the south are generally not tall. In this era of malnutrition, Chen Ke's height of 1.8 meters is a head taller than ordinary people, which is simply outstanding.At this time, several Shaoxing thugs were surrounding Chen Ke, provoking him in Shaoxing dialect.Chen Ke seemed to be listening attentively, and a trace of confusion appeared on that northern characteristic face.His demeanor is that of a scholar.

Those hooligans also understood at this time that the other party did not understand Shaoxing dialect, so they went up and prepared to push and shove.Chen Ke immediately understood this meaningful move.He raised his left hand, not fast but just right.The smooth and delicate slender fingers clamped the leader's neck like steel pliers.With a little force, that splashy face instantly turned into a liver color.Poppi's hands instinctively grasped the wrist that was suffocating him, trying to break it apart forcefully.Chen Ke took a step forward, swung his left hand vigorously and lightly, and Popi, who had started to roll his eyes, slammed into his accomplice.As if a gourd stand fell over, several guys were knocked to the ground together.There was a burst of happy laughter from the crowd of onlookers.

Xu Xilin admired Chen Ke's performance very much. In this era when scholars are generally weak, such skills are extremely rare.When Chen Ke taught Pompey a lesson, he didn't have the most common grumpy look on his face.Not only that, Chen Ke's attire is not the same as those of those foreign students, the fabric of the clothes is very bright, not as bright as silk and satin, it looks a little old, but it is clean and tidy, no matter how you look at it, it is comfortable.

Xu Xilin pushed the stunned family members, asked them to give Chen Ke a name card, and made an appointment to visit Chen Ke the next day.From a distance, Xu Xilin saw Chen Ke and his family struggling to communicate for a while, and then the family ran back in a hurry. Chen Ke glanced at Xu Xilin and smiled.

Xu Xilin was very satisfied with the news brought back by his family. Chen Ke said that the inn he lived in was very simple, and asked if he could visit Xu's mansion in person the next day.Xu Xilin loves to make friends by nature, so he immediately sent word to his family that he would wait for Chen Ke at home the next day.

In China in 1905, revolutionaries from all over the country were connecting with each other. Xu Xilin had already joined the Restoration Association and got acquainted with Tao Chengzhang.Tao Chengzhang had little ambition, and took it as his duty to fight against the Qing Dynasty. He went to Beijing twice to assassinate the Empress Dowager Cixi but failed, and then went east to Japan alone to study the army.After returning to China the following year, he actively participated in revolutionary activities, ran around the revolution in rags and clothes, and traveled around Zhejiang, Fujian, and Anhui to contact revolutionaries.He often wears hemp rope around his waist and straw sandals on his feet, and travels all over Zhejiang, "walking 110 miles a day, working tirelessly."Hangzhou is just across the water from his home, but he "goes to Hangzhou four times and never returns".

Xu Xilin decided to meet Chen Ke after seeing Chen Ke's short hair.In the late Qing Dynasty, that short hair had already explained a lot of things. If Xu Xilin, a revolutionary, turned away a young man with short hair who came to visit, it would be a big joke.

"Mr. Xu, it's already rude for me to come to visit. I'm very grateful that you took time out of your busy schedule to receive him." Chen Ke said in standard 21st century Mandarin.

Xu Xilin smiled and was about to speak when the servant had already brought in tea and put two tea bowls in front of everyone.Then stand down.

"Mr. Chen, drink tea." Xu Xilin also spoke Mandarin, with a strong Shaoxing accent in his accent.

Chen Ke nodded to indicate that one of the two cups of tea was white water, and the other was clear tea.Chen Ke came early in the morning and hadn't drank any water yet. When he saw white water, he felt really thirsty. He took the white water and drank it all in one gulp.The servant stood behind Chen Ke, and when he saw this, a mocking expression appeared on his face.Xu Xilin glared at the servant, then took up the white water and drank it in one gulp, then waved his hand.The servant took down the tea bowl containing mouthwash, and Xu Xilin picked up the tea bowl, "Mr. Chen, please drink tea."

Both of them picked up their teacups and took a sip, then Xu Xilin asked, "Where is Mr. Chen from?"

"From Zhengzhou, Henan." Chen Ke then replied.

Chen Ke's beard was clean-shaven, but his short hair seemed to be cut unevenly on purpose.Looks very energetic.Xu Xilin had been guessing Chen Ke's age for a long time, but only got the result that he was between 35 and 20 years old.In terms of appearance alone, Chen Ke looks like he is [-] years old at most, and occasionally smiles a few times, making him look very young.But when Chen Ke put away his smile, his serious demeanor, especially his calm eyes, made him look far more mature than his appearance.

"It's a long way from Henan to here, what advice does Mr. Chen have?" Xu Xilin continued to ask.

Chen Ke didn't rush to answer this question.After returning to this era, Chen Ke pondered over his future.He absolutely had no intention of being buried with the Qing Dynasty. As a modern person, revolution is actually the only path Chen Ke can choose.But Chen Ke didn't like the Tongmenghui. After much deliberation, the only organization he could join was the Guangfuhui.The leaders of the Restoration Association that Chen Ke can remember are Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin.It was only then that he came all the way to Shaoxing to "search for an organization."However, the Restoration Society itself is a local revolutionary party in Zhejiang. As a foreigner, it is extremely difficult to join this organization smoothly.How to gain Xu Xilin's trust was the main issue Chen Ke considered along the way.

Chen Ke spoke, although he considered his words many times, he was still not confident.Chen Ke knew nothing about Xu Xilin's "brilliant deeds" recorded in some textbooks.Since someone who dared to rebel and could become an important figure in Anhui officialdom, it is naturally impossible to be an idiot.Therefore, Chen Ke's speech was not fast, and he sounded a little hesitant, "Xu Gong, I have come from a long way, so I naturally need you. Today's world has become so decadent, and there is no revolution without revolution. The Gengzi Incident is now It has been five or six years, and the Manchu Qing Dynasty seems to have returned to its glory, but in fact it is irreparable. But now the constitutionalists are rampant, and I look down on them. The so-called New Deal of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is just to appease the world and deceive scholars. It’s just for people’s interests. Not to mention that everything the Manchus did missed the point at all. To tell you the truth, I have been studying overseas and only returned to my hometown this year. Overseas, foreigners looked down on Chinese. When I arrived in China, I saw China is so stupid that they don't know where China is going. It is really heartbreaking. There is no revolutionary party in Henan. I heard that Mr. Xu Gong and Mr. Cai Yuanpei are the leaders of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Therefore, I have a confidant to tell Xu Gong. I hope Xu Gong will listen to it. .”

While listening, Xu Xilin looked at Chen Ke.The appearance of Chen Ke's clothes should be from overseas.Maybe Tao Chengzhang also made friends with heroes from all over the world?Xu Xilin thought to himself, he never thought that the revolutionary comrades far away in Henan would have heard of his name.Thinking of this, Xu Xilin couldn't help but smile.

But Chen Ke is a foreigner after all, and he bluntly talked about his relationship with Cai Yuanpei.Now the Manchu Qing appeases the gentry, and at the same time sends spies everywhere to hunt down the revolutionaries.It wasn't long before the Restoration Society was established, and the local people in Henan shouldn't have known about it, but Chen Ke, a native of Henan, actually knew about it, which made Xu Xilin feel incredible.

"I don't know what advice Mr. Chen has." Xu Xilin asked.

Chen Ke said frankly: "Mr. Xu, I wrote something, please take a look." After speaking, he took out a stack of manuscripts from the satchel he carried with him.

Xu Xilin took the manuscript, and the cover was a piece of plain white paper. After opening it, on the very good paper, the traces of vertical lines pressed out were arranged very neatly. Just looking at this paper, it is very precious.After a few casual glances, Xu Xilin showed a look of surprise on his face, and then he suppressed the mocking expression and continued to look down.This is not an article written with a brush. The handwriting is slender, like writing with a pen, but thinner than the writing with a pen.Moreover, the handwriting is really ugly. From Xu Xilin's point of view, Chen Ke's handwriting is not as good as a child's drawing red.Not only that, all the manuscripts use simplified characters, and some characters are even simplified beyond recognition.

The title on the right side of the first page is "Who is China's Enemy?" Xu Xilin felt that it was within his tolerance.Just looking at the writing, Xu Xilin had contempt for Chen Ke, but after thinking about it, Chen Ke was literate, so he came from an extraordinary family.I looked at the manuscript again, and there are more than 30 pages. There are so many words written in such a dense manner, there must be tens of thousands.These days, it is not easy to write so many words eloquently.At any rate, you have to be more tolerant.

"It seems that Mr. Chen took a lot of effort to write these things. Let me take a look at it slowly. Please wait a moment, Mr. Chen." Xu Xilin said.

"It's my honor for Mr. Xu to give you advice. Please take your time, Mr. Xu." Chen Ke responded quickly.

The outline of this article is listed in the front, and the full text is divided into five parts. The first part tells the difference between China and Europe in terms of industrialization.This is why there is such a huge gap between the national strengths of the two countries.The second part is about the prediction of the future development of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.The third part tells about how European and American capitalism is going on.The fourth part is China's national power.The fifth part is about how to build a new China.

The text is half-literal and half-white, making it uncomfortable to read.Only then did Xu Xilin understand why the manuscript was so long.For some simple narratives, Chen Ke can still use classical Chinese. When explaining new things, he couldn't find classical Chinese that could be expressed, so he went directly to vernacular.Although it was quite uncomfortable to read, Xu Xilin was quickly attracted by the content of the article.

The content described in the article is just a very common point of view in the 21st century. Industrialized Europe and the United States are not much richer than China, but the country has a huge amount of materials that can be invested in the war.The system of the Qing Dynasty and the current situation of China's agricultural country made the materials that China could invest in the war completely disproportionate.From the point of view of the Internet in the 21st century, the data is not detailed enough, and there are not enough "dry goods".But for Xu Xilin in 1905, this was a material he had never seen before.In all fairness, even the Qing government could not come up with such detailed data as the basis for national policy.Not to mention Xu Xilin, who is just an ordinary gentry in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

After just reading this part, Xu Xilin was already greatly moved.Since the Opium War brought down the Eight-Power Allied Forces, China has been repeatedly defeated in wars with foreign countries. In Xu Xilin's view, it is really a shame and a great humiliation.Chen Ke's article analyzed these wars clearly, why they fought, and how the armies of both sides fought.The organizational model of the armies of both sides, the way and process of the battle, the results of the battle and the results of the war, tables are used in many places to compare and list the specific data of the two sides.The introduction and summary are well organized.

After reading these, Xu Xilin put down his manuscript and stood up, "Mr. Chen is a great talent, Xu has eyes that don't know Mount Tai, so I'm being rude." After speaking, Xu Xilin cupped his hands.

Seeing Xu Xilin standing up, Chen Ke also got up quickly.Seeing Xu Xilin bowing, Chen Ke hurriedly returned the salute. "Miao Zan, Mr. Xu, if it weren't for Mr. Xu, how could he understand my stuff. I wrote this article, but I have not thought carefully. I hope Mr. Xu can give me advice."

Repressing his excitement, Xu Xilin asked Chen Ke to take a seat, "Mr. Chen, I have to finish this manuscript now. Please wait a moment, Mr. Chen."

"Don't be defensive. I came here today just to ask Mr. Xu to look at my things. If Mr. Xu can't bear to look at them, I'm here for nothing." Chen Ke said with a smile.

"Serve tea and refreshments." Xu Xilin shouted to the outside, and after hearing the servant's response, Xu Xilin hurriedly picked up the manuscript and continued to read.After the analysis of the gap between China and Europe in this manuscript, it is the prediction of the future development of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.In this part, Chen Ke directly copied the history books briefly, from the preparation of the constitution, to the establishment of consultative bureaus in various places, to some improvements in the New Deal, and then the Manchu Qing finally launched the "royal cabinet", and the conference bureaus in various places Disappointed, until I sit back and watch Manqing fall.

Xu Xilin was shocked by this part of the content.He is always good at commenting on state affairs, and birds of a feather flock together, and so do the friends around him.But when everyone talks about the revolution, it is nothing more than the overthrow of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.As for how to overthrow, most people advocate violent revolution.Either engage in assassination, or cause an uprising.When it was said, everyone was full of enthusiasm and high spirits.But if you really want to do it, it feels extremely difficult. No one has ever been able to look at national affairs from the height of the country.

The description of the Manchu Qing in Chen Ke's manuscript is clear and clear. When describing the Manchu Qing, the words and sentences are full of indifference.For Xu Xilin, Man Qing is a living, powerful existence with flesh and blood.According to the description in Chen Ke's article, the Manchu Qing Dynasty is a dead body in the tomb, like a walking corpse.After reading these words, Xu Xilin felt that it was so easy to defeat Man Qing.

At some point, the manuscript had turned to the last page, and Xu Xilin found that the last word was only the middle part of a sentence in the manuscript, and the whole article just disappeared.

"Mr. Chen, this manuscript seems to be unfinished." Xu Xilin stared at Chen Ke with burning eyes, as if he wanted to squeeze the rest of the manuscript from Chen Ke's face.

"In a hurry, the article hasn't been finished." Xu Xilin's enthusiastic gaze made Chen Ke very uncomfortable. He picked up the teacup, trying to ease the atmosphere by drinking tea, only to find that the tea had been drained.Xu Xilin saw through Chen Ke's unnatural movements at a glance, he got up and went out to call the servant over, and gave some instructions in a low voice.The servant looked up at Xu Xilin in surprise, Xu Xilin gave some more instructions, and the servant turned and left.

After Xu Xilin returned to the living room, he continued to serve tea to Chen Ke himself. After the two sat down again, Xu Xilin said energetically, "I prepared a table of thin wine for lunch, and I want to have a few drinks with Mr. Chen." Looking at the manuscript on the coffee table, "I've just read Mr. Chen's masterpiece. I'm not very talented, and there are some things I can't comprehend. I hope Mr. Chen can enlighten me."

"I took the liberty to visit because I wanted to make friends with Mr. Xu. The article below is very rough, and some things are just my own random guesses. I want to ask Mr. Xu to give pointers on many things. I will not bother you during this meal." Chen While being polite, Ke breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.It seems that this first step is finally on the right track.

"Mr. Chen, Gui Geng."

"I was born in 1880 in the western calendar, and I am 25 years old this year." Chen Ke put his birth in advance by 100 years. "Mr. Xu Guigeng."

"I'm 32 years old, and I've grown up for a few years. Mr. Chen is so young. But in today's world, there are many young people who are emerging, such as Chen Tianhua and Zou Rong, who were only in their 20s when they became famous." Xu Xilin praised, " Where did Mr. Chen study overseas?"

"I have studied overseas for several years, but I really can't tell you where I studied. I hope Mr. Xu will forgive me."

"Why?" Xu Xilin asked in surprise.

"I have decided to join the revolution, and I have nothing to do with my family from now on. So I can't tell you about these things." Chen Ke replied solemnly.

Xu Xilin thought for a while, then suddenly asked: "Could it be that Mr. Chen is full of people?"

Hearing this suddenly, Chen Ke's eyes widened in astonishment, "How did I become a Manchu? My family has been Han people from the north for generations. Maybe my ancestors were descendants of the Huns who were taken domestically, but they are definitely not Manchus. And Tai Shigong's " "Historical Records" records that the Huns are also descendants of Yanhuang Miao, but I am a genuine Yanhuang Miao descendant. How did I become a Manchu?"

"Reading Mr. Chen's articles, I also know a lot about political affairs. I am a little worried that Mr. Chen is a Manchurian. I will never make friends with this Manchurian." Xu Xilin replied seriously.

"If I were a Manchu, I would be destroyed by heaven and earth." Chen Ke also said seriously, "I am a descendant of Yanhuang, and the Manchus are just barbarians stealing China. I will not be willing to be a barbarian. I still have this sense of shame."

Xu Xilin looked at Chen Ke's serious expression and heard the oath of heaven and earth, so he believed it in his heart, "Looking at Mr. Chen's clothes, and Mr. Chen's knowledge, is it possible that Mr. Chen's family is a senior official of the court?"

Hearing this, Chen Ke stood up and said loudly: "After I joined the revolution, I have nothing to do with my family. I grew up overseas and would never be loyal to the Manchu Qing. Although I never had a braid, But I also have ancestors. I can’t say that my ancestors didn’t have braids. So I am me, and my family is my family. After I walked out of the house, the two have nothing to do with each other. Regarding my origin, I don’t want to make it up to deceive Xu Brother Xu, but I can't tell Brother Xu. I hope Brother Xu will forgive me." After finishing speaking, Chen Ke gave a deep bow.

Before Xu Xilin could speak, he heard a hearty female voice outside the living room, "This is the same as Chen Tianhua's "Revolutionary Army". If it is really because of his dedication to the revolution, he has nothing to do with his family. Everyone has his own aspirations. Bersun doesn't have to force it." "Bosun is Xu Xilin's name, Xu Xilin's voice is very familiar, just now he asked his servant to invite Qiu Jin, but he didn't expect her to come so soon.

Chen Ke looked out the door and saw a woman in her 30s striding into the living room.She has a long oval face, delicate eyebrows, and a heroic spirit.Xu Xilin stood up and said a few words in Shaoxing. Chen Ke didn't understand Shaoxing dialect at all, at least he could understand Shaoxing official dialect. Xu Xilin probably meant, "Xuanqing, I just sent someone to find You, I didn't expect you to come so soon."

Although not sure, Chen Ke guessed that it was Qiu Jin who came.The three of them stood still in the hall. Before Xu Xilin could introduce him, Chen Ke couldn't help asking, "Could this be Mr. Qiu Jin?"

Both Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin were shocked. Qiu Jin looked Chen Ke up and down, "I don't know what to call this gentleman?" Qiu Jin spoke Henan dialect, which he was not proficient in, but his voice was more of a southern accent. It's more like Hakka dialect, with that kind of Henan flavor, Chen Ke suddenly gave birth to a kind of local accent and nostalgia.

"I'm Chen Ke. It's a great honor to meet Mr. Qiu." Chen Ke quickly replied in Henan dialect.

Qiu Jin was taken aback when she heard Chen Ke's Henan dialect, and then burst out laughing. "It turns out that Mr. Chen Ke is from Henan. In this capital, Henan dialect is considered an official language. No wonder Mr. Chen refuses to talk about his family background."

In the official circles in the late Qing Dynasty, most people used Henan dialect instead of the fluent Beijing accent.In the early years of the Republic of China, the official dialect was discussed. If Yuan Shikai, who was born in Henan, had not fallen from power, and there were too few Henan people in power, Henan dialect might have been elected as the official dialect of the Republic of China.

After the three sat down, Xu Xilin handed Chen Ke's manuscript to Qiu Jin.Qiu Jin read it ten lines at a glance, and after only a few pages, she was already excited. "Even if I can only see this masterpiece today, it's a worthwhile trip. Who wrote it?" As soon as the words fell, Qiu Jin continued: "It seems that Mr. Chen Kechen wrote it."

"Exactly." Xu Xilin replied.

Qiu Jin looked Chen Ke up and down, but said to Xu Xilin, "If you hear the truth in the morning, you will die in the evening. Bosun, I invite everyone to drink today."

Xu Xilin said with a smile: "I've already asked someone to prepare thin wine. If Xuan Qing is willing to buy a drink, I'll bother you with Mr. Chen Ke next time."

Hearing this, everyone laughed together.Qiu Jin said resolutely, "Bosun, I have to take this manuscript with me. I will return it to you when I invite you to drink next time."

"This manuscript is not complete. The next time Xuanqing invites us to drink, Mr. Chen Ke must bring all the manuscripts." Xu Xilin said jokingly.

"It's not complete after writing so much?" Qiu Jin was really surprised.

"Xuan Qing will know after reading it." Xu Xilin said.

At this moment, a servant from the Xu family came in to announce that the banquet was ready.

"If you're hungry, go drink first. I'm going to finish reading this manuscript first." After Qiu Jin finished speaking, she sat back in her chair and continued to read the content just now.

Xu Xilin waved to the servant, and the servant retreated knowingly.The two men in the living room sat back in their chairs. In the quiet living room, there was only the sound of flipping papers from time to time.