The election continued. Chen Ke felt there was no need to watch any further halfway through. But having a beginning and an end is the key to doing things. Since Chen Ke could understand speech, his family instilled this concept in him. But until before the time travel, Chen Ke couldn't do it. He felt he could control the situation, and it wasn't impossible not to see some things through to the end. Moreover, Chen Ke's mind was not on the election at all now. Even if he forced himself to watch, he couldn't concentrate on gaining any insight from the election. After weighing for a while, Chen Ke finally decided to leave the venue.

Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren followed Chen Ke back to the barracks of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army near Yuezhangji. Finally able to have a face-to-face talk with Chen Ke, both felt a little nervous. Along the way, they saw that the People's Party governed the base area in an orderly manner. Although the people's lives didn't seem to have improved significantly, they were not necessarily worse than those in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. One must know that this was not an ordinary year; Anhui had just suffered a flood last year. Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren saw many refugees in Nanjing who hadn't been able to return to their hometowns until now. Compared with those ragged refugees, the life in Fengtai County, which was similar to ordinary years, seemed very abnormal.

After sorting out his mood, Huang Xing said, "Mr. Chen, our Tongmenghui President, Mr. Sun Yat-sen, invites the People's Party to join the Tongmenghui. Mr. Sun said that with the revolutionary achievements of the People's Party, after joining the Tongmenghui, we will definitely let you serve as the Vice President of the Tongmenghui."

While Huang Xing was speaking, Chen Ke kept his eyes focused on Huang Xing. The bright gaze made Huang Xing feel very uncomfortable. In a moment of distraction, Huang Xing couldn't continue. He paused before continuing, "I wonder what Mr. Chen thinks."

Chen Ke said frankly, "Mr. Huang, I am very grateful for Mr. Sun's kind invitation, but now the Manchu Qing army is about to press on the border. We really have no time to deal with this matter. Why don't we discuss this matter after we beat back the Manchu Qing? What do you think, Mr. Huang?"

What Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren feared most was this. If the People's Party beat back the Manchu Qing alone, then this victory would have nothing to do with the Tongmenghui. Sun Yat-sen's meaning was clear: the Tongmenghui must pull the People's Party along no matter what. This was a major event concerning the future development of the Tongmenghui. The Restoration Society accused the leaders of the Tongmenghui of hiding abroad, not looking like revolutionaries at all. Although the Tongmenghui also launched many uprisings, each uprising ended in complete failure. Just one victory—what the Tongmenghui needed now was just a victory that could prove their strength.

If according to what Chen Ke said, Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren would have to return to Japan now. It was unknown when they could negotiate with the People's Party again. Huang Xing had an impatient temper. Only because of his high prestige and Sun Yat-sen's unwillingness to return to China, Huang Xing had to serve as the negotiator this time. After being skillfully rejected by Chen Ke, Huang Xing didn't know how to continue the topic.

Seeing Huang Xing tongue-tied and unable to continue speaking, Song Jiaoren hurriedly took over the conversation. "Mr. Chen, Mr. Sun has already said that the position of Vice President of the Tongmenghui is now vacant waiting for you, Mr. Chen. You are busy with military affairs now, so you don't need to go to Japan personally. Just say a word, and the Vice President of the Tongmenghui is yours."

Chen Ke knew Sun Yat-sen's plan like a mirror in his heart. As the President of the Tongmenghui, Sun Yat-sen had to do his best for the political interests of the Tongmenghui. Chen Ke could understand Sun Yat-sen very well, but Chen Ke would not have the slightest bias towards the Tongmenghui because of Sun Yat-sen's reputation in history. As the Chairman of the People's Party, Chen Ke also had the obligation to maximize the interests of the People's Party. The constitution of the People's Party clearly stipulated: "Members of the Chinese People's Party must sever all ties with parties and groups that run counter to our program before joining our ranks."

History has proved that the political programs of the Tongmenghui and the Kuomintang derived from the Tongmenghui run counter to communism. What Sun Yat-sen and the others tried to establish was a capitalist republic, while the People's Party wanted to establish a socialist country. The two were basically incompatible like water and fire. Chen Ke regarded the Tongmenghui as a potential enemy of the People's Party. For this reason alone, Chen Ke could not only not agree to cooperate with the Tongmenghui but also would not let the Tongmenghui use the name of the People's Party.

Looking at Song Jiaoren's expectant gaze, Chen Ke didn't feel moved at all. He said calmly, "The reputation of our People's Party is exchanged by the hard work of the People's Party comrades and the sacrifice of those revolutionary martyrs. I cannot link the reputation of the People's Party with other political parties. This is our principle. I appreciate the revolutionary enthusiasm of Mr. Sun Yat-sen and everyone in the Tongmenghui, and I thank Mr. Sun again for his kindness, but I will absolutely not take the position of Vice President of the Tongmenghui. Before the People's Party Committee holds a full representative meeting for discussion, I cannot allow any connection between the People's Party and the Tongmenghui to happen."

This diplomatic rhetoric confused Huang Xing for a moment. He thought carefully before understanding what Chen Ke meant. Huang Xing's eyes widened, and his voice was full of humiliation and indignation. "Mr. Chen, does this mean you absolutely will not cooperate with our Tongmenghui?"

"For the interests of the Chinese revolution, we will cooperate when everyone needs it. Now I don't see the basis for cooperation for the time being. If you two have nothing else..."

"Mr. Chen," Song Jiaoren knew Huang Xing was not good with words, so he interrupted Chen Ke, "Mr. Chen, why must revolution always be divided between you and us? Isn't it good to cooperate to overthrow the Manchu Qing?"

Looking at Song Jiaoren's face full of anxiety and Huang Xing's face full of anger, Chen Ke couldn't decide for a moment whether he wanted to tear his face completely. He had no experience in fighting with outside political parties. With Chen Ke's temper, once he tore his face, there would absolutely be no tolerance left. Although Chen Ke didn't have the character of "a small person taking revenge from morning to night," once someone offended him, he could also make the choice of never interacting till death. But the moral conduct of the Tongmenghui in history was not as tolerant as Chen Ke. The matter of the Tongmenghui killing the Restoration Society members after the Xinhai Revolution was known even to people like Chen Ke who didn't know much about the history of the Restoration Society. Not only against the Restoration Society outside the Tongmenghui, but Song Jiaoren, one of the leaders of the Tongmenghui who showed an inexplicable look in front of Chen Ke now, was also a victim. The assassination of Song Jiaoren was confusing and confusing. Many people believed that the mastermind behind the assassination of Song Jiaoren was Sun Yat-sen, or at least Sun Yat-sen knew and acquiesced.

Chen Ke's nature was very afraid of unnecessary trouble. He believed that dealing with that group of hooligans in the Tongmenghui, once faces were torn, the only way was to exterminate them completely. Chen Ke also knew that he was not the kind of person who could keep his cool very well. Once he made up his mind now, unless the goal was achieved, this matter would always exist in his heart. Now was not the time to haggle with the Tongmenghui; Chen Ke's main enemy was still the Manchu Qing. But asking Chen Ke to perfunctory, he really hadn't learned how to stabilize these people of the Tongmenghui.

How to choose exactly? Facing a difficult problem, Chen Ke habitually traced his train of thought back, hoping to find a corresponding solution from the education he received. He remembered one thing. When Chen Ke was a teenager, he also thought revolution was a great cause of overthrowing counter-revolutionaries. Once he talked about this with his parents and was greatly laughed at by his parents as a brat talking nonsense. Chen Ke was poor in words and shouted loudly in anger: "I understand politics." His parents stopped laughing at Chen Ke but burst into laughter. There was no targeting in that laughter, but the kind of laughter naturally triggered after hearing the most outrageous joke. This laughter made Chen Ke feel extreme humiliation.

Now Chen Ke occasionally recalled this matter, and he himself would burst into laughter when no one was around. regarding his childishness back then, Chen Ke felt it was really ridiculous and terrible. Politics is about interests; politics is about stance. Standing on the angle of the exploiting class naturally has the stance of the exploiting class; standing on the angle of the exploited class has a completely different stance. Chen Ke completely understood where his problem was back then not long ago, because the young Chen Ke regarded revolution as a "great cause" like a game, and didn't stand on any stance at all. That was just a delusion formed by a child playing games excessively. With that trifling attitude, not to mention the exploited class wouldn't regard Chen Ke as their guide, the exploiting class would also dismiss Chen Ke. This is stance. No one will accept a person who regards life-and-death political struggle as a game as a comrade-in-arms.

The current Chen Ke finally felt he stood on the stance of the people. Then "who is the enemy of the revolution, who is the friend of the revolution," there is no need to think more. Grandpa Mao said, "Seek unity through struggle, and unity survives; seek unity through compromise, and unity dies." Chen Ke's current idea of trying to compromise temporarily was the manifestation of his political immaturity.

Thinking of this, Chen Ke said to Song Jiaoren, "Mr. Song, our People's Party overthrows the Manchu Qing for the interests of the people. In my opinion, your Tongmenghui intervenes in this war so enthusiastically, the purpose is nothing more than wanting to truly expand the interests of your Tongmenghui through this. If I take office as the Vice President of the Tongmenghui now, and our People's Party fails, the Tongmenghui itself has no loss and can still propagate that the Tongmenghui launched another tragic uprising. If our People's Party succeeds, the Tongmenghui can announce that you have won a great victory. As the Chairman of the People's Party, I can absolutely not agree to use the blood of our People's Party soldiers to dye the hat buttons (*official insignia*) of your Tongmenghui red. If I agreed, that would be a betrayal of the People's Party; I would be the biggest traitor of the People's Party."

After saying these, Chen Ke felt relaxed all over. This might be the so-called "firm revolutionary stance." Chen Ke felt that after considering problems only from the stance of the people's revolution, all troubles disappeared completely. On one side was the pure revolutionary cause, and on the other was the complex existence of self. A transparent but tangible barrier isolated the two. Although emotions belonging to the individual like fear, sympathy, worry, and pity still existed, they were no longer an inseparable part of Chen Ke himself. Chen Ke felt this feeling was very good. Then, he even forgot this feeling. The whole world was different.

Huang Xing knew Chen Ke was right, but knowing the fact and being able to accept the fact calmly were two different things. He stood up angrily, pointed at Chen Ke, and shouted, "Chen Ke, your words are too excessive."

The guards behind Chen Ke saw Huang Xing was about to act rashly and had already pulled out their pistols. The black muzzles pointed at Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren. If it were before, Chen Ke would always subconsciously feel this hurt harmony and was not good. Now Chen Ke just felt Huang Xing standing in the room was inconvenient for talking. Ignoring the guards behind him, he pointed to the stool behind Huang Xing and said calmly, "Mr. Huang, please sit."

Huang Xing didn't choose to sit down, but Song Jiaoren stood up too. Seeing that both wanted to argue with him, Chen Ke gave up the effort to overwhelm the other party in momentum. He waved his hand. The guards then put away their pistols.

Song Jiaoren was quite outstanding politically. Being able to become the actual founder of the Kuomintang in history was definitely not just because of his seniority. Unlike Huang Xing, Song Jiaoren had seen that Chen Ke opposed cooperating with the Tongmenghui not just because of "partisan interests." Song Jiaoren didn't know why Chen Ke's attitude was so determined; he wanted to figure this out very much. "Mr. Chen, I know we definitely can't cooperate this time. But I have one thing unclear. Leaving aside the interests of your party and mine, I see Mr. Chen completely denies our Tongmenghui. Please explain this point clearly, Mr. Chen."

Chen Ke appreciated Song Jiaoren's political sensitivity very much. Speaking with a sensible person is very easy. "The gentlemen of the Tongmenghui regard themselves as revolutionaries; they want to lead the people to revolution. Right?"

This question was really beyond the expectation of Song Jiaoren and Huang Xing. They frowned. Although they instinctively wanted to deny Chen Ke's words, they couldn't deny it.

"Our People's Party always believes that we ourselves are also the people. It is not our People's Party that wants revolution, but the people, including our People's Party, need revolution. This is the essential difference between our People's Party and the Tongmenghui. You are *Yangchun Baixue* (Highbrow Art/Elitist), we are *Xialibaoren* (Popular Art/Commoners). You want to use the people, while we are with the people ourselves."

"The purpose of our revolution is for China!" Huang Xing really thought so. When he said this, his attitude was firm.

"If it is for the people, then bring benefits to the people. You came to our base area. I think except for wanting to get benefits from us, I haven't seen any actual benefits you have for our base area. So your words are not persuasive."

Song Jiaoren replied, "Mr. Chen, if you become the Vice President of the Tongmenghui, your reputation will go to a higher level, and everyone in the country will know your prestige, Mr. Chen. This is of great benefit to the revolutionary cause."

If it were in the past, Chen Ke might smile first before speaking. Now there was no expression on his face, only answering calmly, "Being the Vice President of the Tongmenghui is just my personal benefit. What benefit does the people get from me getting personal fame? Imposing the victory belonging to the people on my head, saying for the common people with the mouth, but actually stealing the interests of the people. Then I, Chen Ke, am just a person who deceives the world and steals fame."

Chen Ke spoke so bluntly, and Song Jiaoren also simply spoke his heartfelt thoughts. "Mr. Chen, must you let the People's Party monopolize the credit for overthrowing the Manchu Qing?"

"Mr. Song, your words are the essential difference between the People's Party and the Tongmenghui. It is not our People's Party that wants to overthrow the Manchu Qing, but the people want to overthrow the Manchu Qing. If you don't understand this, then we have no need to talk further. Your Tongmenghui can continue your revolution, get a sum of money from rich people, spend it yourselves, and then get some people to rise up. You take your sunny road; we cross our single-plank bridge."

Huang Xing was not good at this kind of theoretical debate originally. Although he also propagated revolution, he always propagated how bad the Manchu Qing was and how wolf-like the foreigners were. Seemingly hitting the current evils, in fact, it was high above. When Chen Ke talked about people's revolution, Huang Xing didn't have the ability to debate systematically. But Chen Ke's implicit ridicule of the Tongmenghui cheating money for themselves touched Huang Xing's sore spot. He pulled Song Jiaoren, who was about to speak, and his originally indignant tone became heavy. "Mr. Chen, many revolutionaries in China think our Tongmenghui is very rich. In fact, we have no money. Not to mention others, I, Huang Xing, have revolutionized until now, penniless. Brother Song Jiaoren received a letter from his brother a few days ago, saying that the clothes at home were almost pawned, and the fields where green shoots just grew were also sold. His old mother misses him very much, hoping he goes home, and hoping he can send money home or bring it home himself to alleviate the family's financial difficulties. After reading the letter, Brother Song was miserable and helpless. He wished he could grow wings and fly home to visit his mother, and thought about where to find a way to get a sum of money to send back, but he thought left and right, and finally had no way at all! We have no money. Every comrade who supports our revolution supports the revolution by bankrupting their families. You say other things; I admit I am shallow in talent and learning. You are a natural genius; we can't compare. But I absolutely do not allow you to put a shit pot on the head of our Tongmenghui for no reason." Huang Xing's initial tone was very heavy. Speaking later, Huang Xing stared closely at Chen Ke, his voice firm, obviously moved with true feelings.

Chen Ke looked at Song Jiaoren's suddenly heavy look and knew in his heart that Huang Xing wasn't telling lies. In fact, how much money could the Tongmenghui really embezzle? With their ability, the money cheated was definitely limited. If the Tongmenghui was rich and imposing, wasting a little money might not have such a big impact. But when financial resources were exhausted, getting a sum of money and bragging like a villain who achieves his ambition, and squandering it a little, became even more disgusting.

After deliberation, Chen Ke said, "You two, you are both revolutionary predecessors. Including the Tongmenghui, everyone's credit for initiating the revolution cannot be erased. However, the stance of the Tongmenghui is different from ours. Our People's Party wants to establish a socialist system against exploitation, and your revolution going on is destined to make you choose the stance of the exploiting class. In this regard, we have nothing to cooperate on. If the two gentlemen really regard themselves as ordinary people, and really stand on the standpoint of seeking welfare and creating a tomorrow for ordinary people, then why not join our People's Party? Here, you two will definitely see thousands of comrades revolutionizing for a better life. But if you two are only for the interests of one person or one family, or only for the interests of one party or faction, then our People's Party absolutely will not accept you."

Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren originally wanted to persuade Chen Ke to join the Tongmenghui, but in the end, Chen Ke persuaded the two to join the People's Party instead. They all knew there was no possibility of further discussion. Song Jiaoren replied, "We appreciate Mr. Chen's kindness. Since Mr. Chen refuses to cooperate with the Tongmenghui, we will go back and report to Mr. Sun."

Chen Ke nodded. It wasn't bad for this matter to come to an end here. "That's good too. In addition, I am preparing to return to Fengtai County immediately. Please travel with me, you two."

The three didn't speak on the road. As soon as they returned to Fengtai County, Chen Ke asked the guard to go to the People's Bank to withdraw one hundred silver dollars from Chen Ke's account. He handed two oil paper rolls, each wrapped with fifty silver dollars, to Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren. "You two, I am the Chairman of the People's Party, so naturally I cannot take the Party property of the People's Party. This is my private money, not to support your revolution. This is a little token I ask you two to bring to your elders. Please do not refuse. In addition, if you two are not worried about the base area being besieged by the Manchu Qing, you can temporarily move your families to Fengtai County. I don't mean to take your families as hostages. In our base area, it is not a problem for the common people to survive. Life is not straitened either."

Song Jiaoren naturally refused. Huang Xing knew Song Jiaoren had noble conduct and never took the private property of the Tongmenghui. Huang Xing knew his family situation very well, and it was he who mentioned this matter to Chen Ke. Huang Xing simply accepted both packets of money. He smiled bitterly and said, "I accept Mr. Chen's kindness. Our families naturally dare not trouble Mr. Chen to take care of them. Consider this money borrowed by me, Huang Xing. I will definitely return it to Mr. Chen in the future."

The parting between Chen Ke and Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren was nothing special. Everyone shook hands and said goodbye. Chen Ke and Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren turned and walked in their respective directions, without looking back.

Although Chen Ke sincerely gave money to Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren, he was also a poor ghost himself. Part of this money was his wife He Ying's private money. Taking this money, Chen Ke also felt very embarrassed. After work, Chen Ke returned home and told He Ying about this matter hesitantly.

He Ying just frowned slightly. "Wenqing, if you think this money should be given, then give it. But our family really doesn't have more money. This giving money matter must not become a rule."

Seeing his wife wasn't angry, Chen Ke hurriedly replied, "I know. No money in the pocket; I can't continue to show off even if I want to."

Hearing Chen Ke's pitiful words, He Ying laughed angrily. But He Ying suddenly blushed. She said fairly generously, "Wenqing, I seem to be pregnant."

Chen Ke didn't understand what this meant at first. Then Chen Ke suddenly shuddered. Without knowing it, Chen Ke's eyes widened. He was going to be a father; this was something Chen Ke had never imagined. Although he could command thousands of troops and bear the livelihood of millions of people in the base area, Chen Ke felt for the first time that something could press on him so heavily. Thousands of thoughts seemed to boil in Chen Ke's head, yet it seemed there was nothing.

"Hehe." A silly laugh finally woke Chen Ke up from this situation, and then Chen Ke realized this was his own silly laugh.

"Haha!" He Ying saw her husband's silly look and couldn't help laughing out loud. This was the first time He Ying laughed out loud after marriage. Chen Ke felt this laughter was very pleasant. Anyway, he felt it was indescribably beautiful however he listened. Listening to He Ying's laughter, Chen Ke felt his bones were going soft. The couple didn't know what to say. At a loss, they simply hugged each other tightly.

Feeling his wife's soft body and smelling the fragrance on his wife's body, Chen Ke felt that since marriage, he truly felt a sense of being truly connected with his wife for the first time. That was not something rational could explain; that was a feeling, that was a belief.

"Wenqing, I like you." He Ying said in Chen Ke's ear.

"Me too." Chen Ke felt his breathing was not smooth. He said with short breath.

The couple loosened their arms and stood face to face. He Ying was less than 19 years old this year. Chen Ke felt his state of mind was like a teenager. He couldn't help laughing foolishly again. He Ying was also smiling. That was a smile from the heart; her beautiful eyes were full of tenderness.

If someone hadn't knocked on the door, heaven knows when Chen Ke and He Ying would have stood holding hands like this. He Ying suddenly twisted her body shyly, but Chen Ke pulled back He Ying's twisted shoulder. This was the first time Chen Ke felt the idea of wanting to take his wife by his side openly and righteously. Looking at Chen Ke's gaze, He Ying also understood Chen Ke's meaning. She smiled and pushed Chen Ke, "Go open the door."

It was the communicator of the County Party Committee who came in. "Chairman Chen, some people in Yuezhangji demand a re-election of the local election."

"Why?" Chen Ke was confused. The election was going well when he left.

"Everyone is dissatisfied with the candidates and demands a re-election." The communicator said, "The Director of the District Committee of Yuezhangji will come to report the specific situation soon."

"I know. I'll go to the office immediately." Chen Ke said.

After the communicator left, Chen Ke felt that the part of the happy emotion just now that made him overwhelmed had disappeared. He took his wife He Ying's hand. "Junjie," Chen Ke addressed his wife's courtesy name, "don't tell others about the pregnancy, okay?"

"Okay." He Ying nodded.

Chen Ke was afraid his wife wouldn't understand, so he explained, "As the Party Chairman, I can't start this precedent. We don't accept gifts."

"Accepting gifts requires returning gifts. I'm lazy; I don't want to bother with this." He Ying laughed. Chen Ke could see this was his wife's sincere words.

"Well said, I love you!" Chen Ke kissed his wife on the face as he spoke.

He Ying took Chen Ke's hand and sent him to the door. Chen Ke turned his head and looked at his wife several times before suddenly remembering, "I won't come back for dinner tonight; you go to the canteen to get some food."

"Okay, I'll go now."

"When I come back, we'll discuss how to set the menu."

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back."

"I..." Chen Ke stammered, not knowing what to say. Finally he said, "I'm leaving."

"Mn, be careful on the road."

Reluctantly letting go of his wife's hand, Chen Ke followed the communicator waiting outside the gate.