At the end of October 1908, Chen Ke led the cadres of the Fengtai County Government to the rural areas for inspection. The land reform in Fengtai County had already been completed, and the work focus had shifted to infrastructure construction. This was not a small matter. According to the plan of the Party Central Committee, the construction of water conservancy and roads was the top priority. The original villages were being merged, and the new residential areas were planned to be near the main roads and waterways as much as possible.

Before this, the county government had already conducted detailed mobilization and explanation. The common people were actually quite happy about this. The new houses were all red brick and tile houses, much better than the original adobe houses. Moreover, the new residential areas were planned uniformly, with complete supporting facilities. The school, supply and marketing cooperative, and clinic were all available. For the common people who had lived in poor and remote areas for generations, this was simply a dream-like good thing.

However, good things were good things, but there were also many specific difficulties in the implementation process. The biggest problem was the distribution of homesteads. The Chinese people had a deep attachment to the land, especially the homestead, which was regarded as the foundation of the family. Everyone wanted to occupy a good position, preferably close to the road and the water, and also sunny and ventilated. But there were only so many good positions, so naturally, not everyone could be satisfied.

Chen Ke came to the countryside this time to solve these specific problems. He didn't engage in any grand pomp and circumstance, just bringing a few cadres and guards, riding bicycles along the newly built dirt road into the village.

"Chairman Chen, look at this piece of land." The village party secretary pointed to a piece of open space in front and said, "We plan to build three rows of houses here, a total of 50 households. But now there are more than a dozen households who want the first row, and no one is willing to give in. We have mediated several times, but it didn't work."

Chen Ke looked at the open space. The location was indeed good, backed by a small hill and facing a small river, with a wide view. No wonder everyone wanted to grab it.

"What are the specific reasons?" Chen Ke asked.

"Some say their family has many elderly people and needs to be close to the road for convenience. Some say their family has many children and needs a bigger yard. There are also those who say their family contributed the most during the land reform and should be taken care of first." The village party secretary said helplessly.

Chen Ke nodded. These reasons sounded reasonable, but they couldn't be the basis for distribution. If distribution was based on who had more reasons, it would only lead to endless quarrels.

"How did you plan to distribute it originally?" Chen Ke asked.

"We originally planned to draw lots." The village party secretary said, "But everyone disagreed, saying that drawing lots depends entirely on luck, which is unfair."

"Drawing lots is indeed a method, but it is not necessarily the best method." Chen Ke thought for a while and said, "How about this? Let's hold a villager meeting and let everyone discuss a constitution together. Since everyone wants good positions, there must be a rule that everyone accepts. For example, can we consider allocating according to work points? Or prioritize taking care of martyrs' families and military dependents? Or adopt a bidding method, where those who choose good positions pay more money or contribute more labor?"

The village party secretary's eyes lit up. "This method is good! Let everyone discuss it themselves, and no one will have anything to say when the time comes."

"Don't rush to be happy." Chen Ke waved his hand, "This matter is not that simple. You must guide everyone to discuss, not let everyone quarrel. You must let everyone understand that we are a collective, and everyone's interests are linked together. Only when everyone is united can we build a good life. If we only care about our own petty profits, we won't be able to do anything in the end."

"I understand." The village party secretary nodded repeatedly.

In the next few days, Chen Ke visited several villages in succession and encountered various problems. Some were disputes over homesteads, some were contradictions over water conservancy irrigation, and some were discords between neighbors. These problems seemed trivial, but they were major events related to the vital interests of the common people. If not handled well, it would affect the prestige of the party and the government in the hearts of the people.

Chen Ke solved these problems one by one with great patience. He didn't simply use administrative orders to suppress them, but guided everyone to solve problems through democratic consultation. He knew very well that the foundation of the People's Party lies in the people. Only by truly relying on the people and mobilizing the enthusiasm of the people can the revolutionary cause be invincible.

During the inspection, Chen Ke also found a gratifying phenomenon. That is, the spiritual outlook of the broad masses of peasants has undergone tremendous changes. In the past, peasants were numb, ignorant, and resigned to adversity. Now, they were full of confidence and hope, daring to think and act, and daring to fight against difficulties. This change made Chen Ke feel very relieved. He knew that this was the result of the People's Party's long-term propaganda and education, and also the result of the land reform allowing peasants to truly turn over and become masters.

On the way back to the county town, Chen Ke said to the cadres around him: "Comrades, we must see our achievements, but also our shortcomings. Our work is still far from enough. The demands of the common people are constantly improving, and our work must also keep up. We must always maintain close ties with the masses, listen to their voices, and care about their sufferings. Only in this way can we lead the masses to create a better future."

The cadres nodded one after another, expressing that they would keep Chairman Chen's teachings in mind and do their work better.

Back at the county committee compound, Chen Ke saw a familiar figure as soon as he entered the office. It was his wife He Ying. He Ying was holding a document and reading it carefully. Seeing Chen Ke come back, she put down the document and stood up with a smile.

"You're back." He Ying said softly.

"En." Chen Ke walked over, held He Ying's hand, and asked with concern, "Why haven't you rested yet? Pay attention to your body."

He Ying was now six months pregnant, and her belly was already obviously bulging. But she still insisted on working and refused to rest at home.

"I'm fine." He Ying smiled, "There are some documents from the Map Section that need to be processed urgently. I'll go back to rest after finishing them."

Chen Ke looked at his wife's somewhat tired face and felt a pang of distress in his heart. He knew He Ying was trying to share his burden. Since the start of the war, Chen Ke had been busy with military and political affairs, having almost no time to care about family matters. He Ying silently took on all the housework and also did her job well. Such a good wife was really hard to find with a lantern.

"Don't work too hard." Chen Ke helped He Ying sit down and poured her a glass of water. "How is the situation at home?"

"Everything is fine." He Ying took the water glass and took a sip. "Aunt came over yesterday and brought some baby clothes she made herself. She also said she would come to take care of me when I give birth."

"That's good." Chen Ke nodded. He knew He Qian had always felt guilty about the Sun family's affairs. Now that she could take the initiative to come and care for He Ying, it showed that she had let go of the burden in her heart.

"By the way, there's one more thing." He Ying hesitated for a moment and said, "My father sent a letter saying he wants to come to Fengtai to see me."

"Oh?" Chen Ke was slightly stunned. He Ruming was an old bureaucrat of the Beiyang faction. Although he was now idle at home, his identity was sensitive after all. Him coming to Fengtai at this time was probably not just to visit his daughter.

"Did he say anything else?" Chen Ke asked.

"He didn't say anything specific, just said he missed me and wanted to come and see." He Ying said, "But I guess he might want to intercede for those captured Beiyang officers."

Chen Ke smiled coldly. "Intercede? He thinks too highly of himself. Those Beiyang officers are war criminals. We didn't kill them, which is already the greatest leniency. Wanting to release them is absolutely impossible."

"I know." He Ying sighed, "But he is my father after all. If he really comes, we can't turn him away."

Chen Ke patted He Ying's hand. "Don't worry, I know what to do. If he comes just to see you, we welcome him. If he wants to talk about business, then let him go to the government departments. I won't interfere."

He Ying nodded gratefully. She knew Chen Ke was taking care of her face.

Just then, the guard came in to report: "Chairman Chen, Comrade Qi Huishen is here."

"Let him in." Chen Ke said.

Qi Huishen walked into the office with a heavy expression. "Chairman Chen, something happened."

"What happened?" Chen Ke asked calmly.

"There was a rebellion in a labor reform camp in Shouzhou. Hundreds of labor reform prisoners killed the guards and escaped into the mountains." Qi Huishen said.

"What?" Chen Ke stood up abruptly. "How could this happen?"

"According to the preliminary investigation, it was the remnants of the local secret societies who colluded with the prisoners inside and launched a riot while they were working outside." Qi Huishen explained.

"Secret societies again!" Chen Ke slapped the table heavily. "These guys are really lingering ghosts! Order the Shouzhou garrison to quell the rebellion immediately and capture all the escaped prisoners! We must track down the secret society elements behind the scenes and punish them severely!"

"Yes!" Qi Huishen answered and turned to execute the order.

Chen Ke sat back in his chair, his mood becoming heavy. He knew that although the base area seemed calm on the surface, undercurrents were actually surging. The feudal forces and reactionary forces were not reconciled to their defeat and were always thinking of making a comeback. This rebellion sounded the alarm for the People's Party again. The revolution had not yet succeeded, and comrades still needed to work hard.

He Ying walked behind Chen Ke and gently massaged his temples. "Don't worry too much. With the People's Party here and the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army here, those clowns won't be able to make any waves."

Chen Ke held He Ying's hand and showed a comforting smile on his face. "You're right. We have the support of the people and a strong army. Any enemy who dares to invade will be smashed to pieces by us!"

He looked out the window. The sky was getting dark, but the lights in Fengtai County were bright. This was the light of hope and the light of the future. Chen Ke firmly believed that as long as they adhere to the correct line and rely on the broad masses of the people, the Chinese revolution will surely win the final victory!

(End of this chapter)