Crimson Dawn

Chapter 49

He didn't have breakfast when he got up in the morning, and he had already digested dinner at that point last night, Chen Ke felt his stomach growling.When you are a guest at someone's home, you have to obey the etiquette of the guests.Pang Zi didn't say a word, Chen Ke felt that they had to be hungry first.This year is not the 21st century, there are supermarkets and kiosks everywhere.If you dare to go out to buy food, the news will probably reach Pang Zi's ears soon.Pang Zi did not entertain the guests properly, forcing the guests to go out and buy food to satisfy their hunger.The so-called guest obeys the host, the guest must estimate the face of the host.Chen Ke came to make friends, not to make enemies.What's the point of making Pang Zi lose face.

Pang Zi and Chen Ke began to reflect on themselves, why did they not bring a bunch of gifts when they visited the guests.Thinking of Yan Fu's visit to him, he brought snacks.Chen Ke thought that he was really wrong.If he brought a bunch of food to the door, at least Pang Zi would not treat him so poorly.Thinking about it, there is no way to repeat the past.Chen Ke secretly observed Chen Tianhua, seeing that he was as peaceful as himself, so he felt relieved.

"Xingtai, let's not go out today."

Chen Tianhua didn't see Chen Ke backtracking, so he asked curiously: "Why? Didn't Wen Qing say that he would go to the society for investigation?"

Chen Ke told Chen Tianhua his concerns, since Pang Zi didn't say anything, it's not appropriate to go out rashly.Such worries are also quite reasonable, Pang Zi's hospitality is quite poor, let alone stir up any conflicts now.Chen Tianhua also had the same opinion, and the two of them simply chatted in the room without leaving the door of the wing room.

It was also not convenient to talk about the revolution, so the topic turned to personal issues.Chen Ke himself didn't dare to say his family background, and he couldn't ask Chen Tianhua's background either.There were very few topics left, and as we talked, everyone started talking about marriage.Chen Ke is 25 years old this year, Chen Tianhua and Qiu Jin are the same age, both are 30 today, they are "older" by five years than Chen Ke.When asked why Chen Tianhua didn't get married, the answer he got was very traditional, "If the Huns are not destroyed, why should they be at home."

Chen Tianhua thought that Chen Ke was probably the same as himself, so he asked Chen Ke casually.Chen Ke answered another kind of orthodoxy, "I haven't had time to find a wife yet."

"Wen Qing's family didn't make a promise to Wen Qing?"

"I've been reading all the time, so I don't have the heart to make arrangements for me at home. It was supposed to wait until I finished reading the book, but I just ran out."

"There are such twists and turns." Chen Tianhua sighed, "But I don't know what type of girl Wen Qing likes?"

"First, it can't be a little foot. Second, I want to find a lady who knows how to read and be polite. When I was at home, I was always criticized by my mother, thinking that I acted like a savage. If there is a good wife, at least someone can discuss it. These questions. Thirdly, the more beautiful the better." Chen Ke laughed out loud after speaking.He just laughed twice, but was afraid of disturbing Pang Zi, so he immediately suppressed the laughter behind him.

"When we come to the capital this time, Wen Qing can find out if there is such a suitable one." Chen Tianhua said jokingly.

"Besides. God knows what kind of virtues girls from government families are taught. If someone thinks they are superior, I absolutely don't want it. But Xingtai, if there is something suitable, I will definitely support it."

Chen Tianhua just laughed, but didn't answer whether he would like it or not.

Both of them were revolutionaries, even if they were just chatting, they naturally abducted back to the bank.

"I met Liang Qichao when I was in Japan, and I felt something when I heard him talk about reforms. At that time, it was the Russo-Japanese War, and the Manchu Qing had no ability to restrain the warring parties, so they had to declare "neutrality from outside the situation." In January 1905, Japan "Wan Chao Bao" published an article predicting that China would be partitioned soon, and our overseas students in Japan were all in an uproar after reading it. I wrote the "Request for National Salvation Opinion", demanding that the Manchu Qing government implement constitutional government and save the nation. It should be Carry out reforms, establish the country early, give local governments the right to self-government, and give the people the right to freedom, writing, speech, and assembly. At the same time, citizens should assume the obligations of serving as soldiers, paying rent and taxes, raising public debts, and running for the government.”

"Oh, I haven't had time to take a look at this masterpiece. I have to take a look when I have time."

"Wen Qing, don't laugh at me. I was still ignorant at that time. It wasn't until He Wenqing wrote this book that I realized it. I was wrong in everything I did before. But at that time, I was prepared to fight to the death and go to Beijing to write a letter. If it wasn't for The Japanese comrades persuaded me in every possible way, and I was afraid that I would go.”

Chen Ke didn't know there was such a thing. He wanted to come here and Chen Tianhua, the author of "Menghui" and "The Bell of the Alarm", who shouted anti-Qing revolution, would kneel down and kowtow three times and nine times under the dange of the Forbidden City in Beijing, appealing to the Qing emperor for permission to establish a constitution. This is undoubtedly a stimulant injection for the dying Qing government, which will definitely cause great damage to the revolutionary cause.It is also reasonable for Japanese comrades to stop it with all their strength.

"After we have opened up a base area, we will build our own government. There is no need for the Qing Dynasty to worry about saving the country." Chen Ke said with a smile.

Seeing that Chen Ke was full of confidence, Chen Tianhua showed a look of hesitation. After a while, he finally asked, "Wen Qing, comrades talked about you in private, and many people said that you must be the son of a high-ranking official. Otherwise, it is absolutely impossible Look at the problem from such a high-level view. You can see it from the perspective of the world."

Chen Tianhua knew that Chen Ke never talked about himself, so he didn't have much confidence in what he said. Seeing that Chen Ke didn't intend to answer, he immediately changed the subject, "Wen Qing, can China be saved? I used to talk about the subjugation of Poland. When India was subjugated, I only felt that the national weaknesses of the two countries were shared by China. I don’t know if Wen Qing can teach me about this.”

"National character is nonsense." Chen Ke's answer was blunt. "We talk about the materialist view of history, and we say that productivity determines social relations. Take the nonsense of the Chinese people as an example. China is an agricultural country, you see Looking at the countryside, everyone probably spends their whole life wandering within a radius of a hundred miles. If you don’t have any special relatives, who do you go to after a hundred miles? China is so big, so it looks like a mess. When we start industrialization in the future, When factories with thousands of people are built, and cities with a population of 10 are built, the folk customs will naturally have a basis for change. After the railway network is built, the people will also have money. You can go out and visit great rivers and mountains, visit and make friends everywhere , the folk customs will be even more different. So when it comes to nationality, it is pure nonsense. The Chinese people are a great people, because even an illiterate knows that a good moral order must be established and a strong government must be established. There are such people , There is absolutely no reason for China to perish. The gap between us now is the gap between an agricultural country and an industrial country, and it has nothing to do with nationality.”

Hearing Chen Ke's words, Chen Tianhua nodded repeatedly, "Wen Qing, these words are very subtle. You might as well write them down."

The proposal was very good, and the two of them had nothing else to do, so Chen Ke simply sat cross-legged on the kang, discussing with Chen Tianhua while writing this article.It was noon as I was writing.Pang Zi greeted the two in the yard, "Mr. Chen, let's go out for dinner."

With Pang Zi taking the lead, and with the fact that many people met Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua yesterday, the situation of the spectators was naturally much better.At least the children didn't crowd around to watch like yesterday.There is a family at the east end of the village with a rather large yard.Chen Ke had seen it before going to take a bath yesterday, but he didn't expect it to be a restaurant. Pang Zi brought two people in and greeted him for dinner.There is no menu here, Chen Ke waited for the boss to come over, and gave the boss two silver dollars first, "Check out after eating."

Pang Zi never expected that Chen Ke would do this. He said some polite words, but he didn't stop him.On the contrary, the owner of the restaurant had an embarrassing expression on his face, which made Chen Ke feel that something was wrong.He tentatively took out a few silver dollars and handed them to the boss. The boss' face immediately improved, but the boss still didn't intend to leave.Chen Ke guessed that Pang Zi probably owed a lot of food here, he looked at the boss's face, and stuffed another five silver dollars in the past, and the boss happily left the table to buy food and drinks.

"This won't work, this won't work. Mr. Chen is too polite. I'm so embarrassed." Pang Zi finally gave Chen Ke a real smile.

"Brother Pang will invite you next time. We are all brothers, so there is nothing to be embarrassed about."

While talking, wine and meat were brought up.Pang Zi enthusiastically added wine and vegetables to everyone, very proud of the Jianghu people.

The steaming smoked sausage was brought to the dining table, and it was fragrant. Chen Ke took a sip. The main ingredients of the smoked sausage were pork belly, eggs, and other spices. It tasted fat but not greasy. wonderful.

Chen Ke praised the deliciousness of the smoked sausage, and Pang Zi smiled and said, "I have an uncle in my family who sells smoked vegetables in flatbread rolls. That's delicious."

"I've eaten a lot of pancakes and rolls in Shandong. What's the difference between ours and Shandong's?" Chen Ke was quite interested in this.

Pang Zi traveled all over the world, Chen Ke was well-informed, and Chen Tianhua also traveled abroad and at home. When they talked about the cuisines of various places, they hit it off quite well. A sip of wine and a sip of meat, while eating and talking, became interested. The delicacies I have eaten are listed one by one, from China to Japan, and even the owner of the restaurant can't help shouting envy. It turns out that there are so many delicious foods everywhere.

After drinking and eating, the boss wants to pay the bill.Taking advantage of his drunkenness, Chen Ke happened to be drunk and said: "Hang here first, we'll talk about it next time." After speaking, he got up and pulled Pang Zi and Chen Tianhua out.

When everyone returned to Pang Zi's house, they immediately got closer.It's still the bowl with a gap yesterday, and it's still plain water.Everyone was talking about everything.After chatting for a while, Pang Zi asked: "Mr. Chen, Brother Wu said you are a revolutionary party. Are you really going to rebel?"

"Of course I want to rebel. If I don't rebel, what kind of revolutionary party am I?"

"The two Mr. Chen are overseas students, don't you believe in foreign religions?" This question actually troubled Pang Zi.

Chen Ke replied without hesitation: "We don't believe in foreign religions at all. If we succeed in rebelling in the future, we must eradicate foreign religions from China."

"It must be eradicated, and all those who believe in foreign religions will be killed. They must all die!" Pang Zi gritted his teeth.

Chen Ke didn't intend to kill people, but seeing Pang Zi's gnashing of teeth and hatred, he didn't dare to say more, so he changed the subject, "Brother Pang, I am preparing for a revolution, and I must overthrow the Manchu government. So I have to prepare There are so many places for things. I don’t know how far Brother Pang is going to make a fuss?”

"This..." Pang Zi refused to speak.

"Brother Pang, let me not say how far you can go. This is your family's secret, and I can't inquire about it. But I want to talk about how I plan to make trouble. How about brother Pang giving me some pointers?"

Hearing Chen Ke's words, Pang Zi's expression darkened.

"I want to make trouble in the local area. It's nothing more than killing officials and rebelling, or letting the local officials turn them into decorations. Then I have to have a group of brothers who are determined to follow me. With this group of brothers, I have to let them Eat and drink enough." Chen Ke said, "If there are such 200 brothers, each person will eat a catty of grain every day. This year is 365 days, that is 73000 catties of grain. Where does this grain come from? Brother Pang, we in Hebei Can one mu of land produce four hundred catties of wheat?"

Pang Zi felt a little guilty when he heard Chen Ke talking about the numbers in such detail, "It's not that many."

"Two hundred brothers follow me. It costs half a tael a month. Well, let me do the math. There are 365 days in a year, um... a year will cost 3190 taels. Brother Pang, It's not easy to get enough money." Chen Ke said.

"It's almost enough to hit a few big families." After all, Pang Zi was young, and Chen Ke couldn't help but follow as soon as he started.

"Everyone is from the village. If you hit a big family, you are not allowed to follow your brothers. Some of them are related to the big family. If someone intercedes with you, will you fight or not?" Chen Ke asked.

"This?" Pang Zi felt that he really hadn't considered this matter.

"If you make a small fuss, it's fine. If you want to make a big fuss, make it a long time. You can't do it without thinking carefully first." Chen Ke concluded.

"What's the big fuss, what's the small fuss?" Pang Zi was completely interested.

Seeing Pang Zi's enthusiastic expression, Chen Ke said: "It's a big disturbance, first you find some brothers, get a few guns, surround the Yamen, and say that you want to rebel. The government will definitely come out to persuade everyone. And then brothers, don't agree. The government will definitely ask in the end what you want. At this time, Brother Pang, you come forward and say, we want to form an escort agency. The government will definitely agree."

"Okay!" Pang Zi patted the table.

"Then Brother Pang's escort agency started to set up some caravans and other things, transporting goods at the railway station. It is also a profitable business. Make some money here. In the village, Brother Pang should not hit big households. You want to pull the people down. Rent and interest reduction. In the village, if you have a wedding or a wedding, you may borrow some money casually, and your family may be ruined. Brother Pang, you have an escort agency, and you have pulled the villagers and big households to reduce rent and interest. They dare not not reduce it. You rely on the villagers, Every family will give you some money and food, and if you accumulate less, you will get more, and tens of thousands of catties of food is nothing."

"Wonderful!" Pang Zi's eyes were burning, "Mr. Chen will speak well."

Chen Ke smiled, "After that, I think that if Brother Pang makes a big fuss, there will be a revolution in the end."

As soon as Chen Ke talked about the revolution, Pang Zi immediately lost interest.He asked, "What do you say about this little trouble?"

"Small trouble, forgive me, brother Pang, you can make trouble as you like. Anyway, the government will send people to arrest and kill you and your brother, and the end will definitely be death. So you can make trouble." Chen Ke said bluntly. Said.

After hearing Chen Ke's words, Pang Zi jumped up, "Your mother!"

It was just like this, Pang Zi left the table angrily, Chen Ke was not angry either, and after drinking the water in the bowl, he and Chen Tianhua went back to the wing room and continued to write the article in the morning.In the evening, the two of them went out to take a shower just like yesterday.

In the northern autumn night, the sky is full of stars.Without polluting the atmosphere, the starry sky seems to be so low that it is within reach.The sound of various insects in the grass and trees, as well as the sound of the wind blowing through the jujube forest surrounding the village, is so comfortable that it makes people drowsy.

Chen Ke and Chen Tianhua walked slowly on the field ridge outside the village after taking a bath, it was always inconvenient to talk inside the house.Chen Tianhua saw that there was no one around, so he said: "Wen Qing, why don't you join this old man Pang in an incident here?"

Chen Ke knew that Chen Tianhua wanted to rebel and overthrow the Manchu Qing very much, so he didn't directly explain Chen Tianhua's thoughts, but just praised, "Good question from Xingtai. Why did you talk about rebellion instead of revolution?"

"After listening to Wen Qing's talk about revolution, I don't dare to talk about revolution now."

"Even if Brother Pang is starting a rebellion now, it's not a revolution. What's more, it's uncertain whether Brother Pang is really going to start a rebellion, so why should I get involved." Chen Ke's voice was as calm as if he was discussing what to have for dinner.

Hearing Chen Ke's obvious refusal to participate in Pang Zi's rebellion, Chen Tianhua's voice was a little excited, "Wen Qing, are you going to let this opportunity go for nothing? At least you have to explain the truth of revolution to Brother Pang."

"Revolutionary principles? Haha." Chen Ke smiled, "I've already said it today. Brother Pang won't listen to it, and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Have you already said it?" Chen Tianhua was a little surprised.

"Revolution requires money, people, and mobilization of the people. What we discuss is not revolution, but only revolutionary theory."

"Wen Qing thinks Brother Pang doesn't understand revolutionary theory?" Chen Tianhua felt that he understood what Chen Ke meant.

"It's not that Brother Pang doesn't understand revolutionary theory, it's that Brother Pang doesn't understand revolutionary theory. In Brother Pang's view, rebellion means fighting against the government. This is true, but how to fight against the government and what to do. I know. I suggested that he and the common people ask for a reduction in rent and interest, but Brother Pang refused to listen. I have no choice." Chen Ke still said leisurely.

Chen Tianhua stopped talking, and the two walked for a while.Only then did Chen Tianhua break the silence, "Wen Qing, can you tell me what will happen to Brother Pang if he does what you say?"

"The landlords will unite against him." Chen Ke replied without hesitation, "Tianhua, today's world is dominated by rentiers. The Manchu Qing ruled the political power, collected taxes, and customs, and they lived on this. Officials Controlling the local power, the so-called corrupt officials are just these people who use the power in their hands to rent profits. Landlords and gentry live on land rent. Rich people lend money. Compradors make a living by controlling some domestic sales channels. Read the book People who live on monopolizing this knowledge live. In the whole of China, the Manchus, officials, landlords, rich people, and scholars all work together to oppress the people, and the people who honestly depend on labor cannot survive.”

After hearing Chen Ke's words, Chen Tianhua replied depressedly: "It's not easy for the common people."

"If there is injustice, there will be a cry. If the world is peaceful, who will revolutionize with you? If the people want to survive, they can only rely on revolution. The firewood of this revolution has long existed among the people. Our People's Party is just a spark. The stars A fire can start a prairie fire. It depends on where your spark falls. How to mobilize the people and what is the purpose of this revolution.”

"Is this the difference between the people's revolution and the property owners' revolution that Wen Qing said?" Chen Tianhua sighed.

"Brother Pang is a rebel, but he is not yet a revolutionary. We have so many things to do, and it is impossible to spend so much energy to get him into the party now. So I don't speak well today, but there is nothing I can do. Do my best."

Chen Tianhua thought about what Chen Ke said, and finally nodded, "That's the only way."

Chapter 49

No. 49, to URL