On the very night the Restoration Society General Assembly concluded, shortly after Tao Chengzhang saw off Qiu Jin and Xu Xilin, a secret meeting convened by Cai Yuanpei with over a dozen Restoration Society heavyweights raised its curtain. The so-called secret meeting simply meant avoiding certain specific individuals, such as those of Tao Chengzhang's faction, or those members who still held strong wariness against the Beiyang government. After these exclusions, the participating Restoration Society bigwigs presented a rather homogeneous quality. None were the earliest members of the Restoration Society; they were quite flexible regarding the revolution, possessed immense wealth, and were all under forty-five years of age.

Unlike their profound and unfathomable refusal to take a stance in the assembly, these men looked shrewd and capable in this private meeting, without a hint of sloppiness. Cai Yuanpei spoke straightforwardly, "Gentlemen, my clearing of the party is entirely to maintain tradition and oppose radicalism. Those people currently waving the banner of revolution have learned all sorts of heretical fallacies from abroad. They kidnap the common people for the selfish interests of one party and destroy the gentry. We absolutely cannot allow such a situation to continue."

These Restoration Society bigwigs nodded silently at Cai Yuanpei's words. Those who could gather here naturally held identical political views; they were all opposed to any changes to the land system. One of the People's Party's policy characteristics was the unswerving implementation of "land revolution." In comparison, even the most radical Tongmenghui back in the day had only shouted the slogan of "equalization of land rights." When Tao Chengzhang was in charge of the Restoration Society, because many members were from owner-peasant backgrounds, the land slogan was the extremely traditional "curb mergers." By the time Cai Yuanpei took over the Restoration Society, he didn't even shout "curb mergers" anymore. Plus, with Cai Yuanpei gaining Beiyang's recognition, the Beiyang army stationed in Zhejiang gave him quite a bit of face, so the local gentry and landlords were naturally willing to flock to him.

"Tao Huanzhang is bent on maintaining the situation of federal self-government of provinces. I can actually understand that. It's just that in the current situation in China, it is fundamentally impossible to truly implement any federal self-government. As far as I know, federal self-government was used by Chen Ke back then to deceive Yuan Shikai in order to protect himself. Once federal self-government is established, every province will plan for itself, wanting other provinces to put in the effort for everything. The three provinces under Chen Ke's jurisdiction could then calmly defeat the other provinces one by one. When other provinces were being destroyed, everyone else wouldn't dare to lend a hand, fearing the People's Party would seize the opportunity to deal with them. In just a few short years, the People's Party went from three provinces to seven. Within the People's Party's territory, Chen Ke absolutely does not talk about federal self-government. The People's Party dominates alone, and the gentry and landlords are brutally slaughtered. The lesson is not far behind; anyone who supports federal self-government can be said to be an accomplice of Chen Ke." Cai Yuanpei explained his views in detail.

"Then how does Elder Cai plan to deal with these people?" a participant asked.

"They absolutely cannot be used!" Cai Yuanpei answered firmly.

The group of bigwigs conversed with each other, verifying Cai Yuanpei's words with their own knowledge. Before long, everyone reached a consensus. "Is Elder Cai completely unconcerned that the People's Party will intervene?"

"The British have already decided to lend a hand," Cai Yuanpei threw out a heavy bombshell.

Now all the participating bigwigs became excited. "It would be great if the British make a move." "Elder Cai, are the British preparing to go to war directly against the People's Party?"

Cai Yuanpei smiled faintly but did not answer. He spread a map on the table. "The West Zhejiang Branch is in collusion with the People's Party. They think that with Anhui behind them, they have something to rely on. The People's Party also needs a buffer zone, so they fully support them. The better off West Zhejiang is, the more the People's Party can bewitch those in our Restoration Society who do not understand reason. As long as West Zhejiang is purged and these internal agents of the People's Party in the Restoration Society are removed, the situation can take on an entirely new look."

Hearing Cai Yuanpei's concluding remarks, someone couldn't help but say, "Elder Cai, we've been meeting all these days, and we've pretty much figured out everyone's thoughts by now. I see those people are stubborn and insensitive; there really is no need to waste any more thought on managing them. Why don't we just start ticking off the list?"

"Yes, we are all in different places. If we tick off the entire list, we can pretty much drag out all the chaotic party members."

"Even if we can't attend to everyone for a moment, someone will definitely report them during the purge. We can just add them in then."

The bigwigs offered their opinions one after another, but the meaning inside and outside their words was the same: "Let's start immediately!"

Cai Yuanpei knew he couldn't obstinately refuse the crowd, but he emphasized his attitude again. "What needs to be cleared out this time are the forces supporting the People's Party's policies. We must target these people first."

"But what should be done about Tao Chengzhang?" someone raised this question again. "How can we keep Tao Chengzhang from interfering in this matter?"

"I will transfer him to South Zhejiang first." Cai Yuanpei also couldn't make up his mind to act against Tao Chengzhang, and he said with some helplessness.

***

February 14, 1915, was the first day of the Lunar New Year. Just as the sky was beginning to brighten, the sound of firecrackers rang out in many places within Hangzhou City. Citizens awakened by the firecrackers were already leisurely preparing to celebrate the New Year. Tao Chengzhang had received Cai Yuanpei's order a few days ago to go to South Zhejiang first to prepare for the reorganization of the Restoration Army there. However, Tao Chengzhang did not set off immediately; he hoped to contact as many Restoration Society key members in Hangzhou as possible before leaving.

Even though Cai Yuanpei already held great power and a considerable number of people within the Restoration Society believed in supporting the Beiyang government, there was still a portion of the old brothers in the middle and upper levels who had fought alongside Beiyang. In their hearts, these people still identified to some extent with seeking an independent status for Zhejiang as much as possible. Whether they dared to speak up for their own personal interests was one thing, but what they would say at a critical moment was another. Tao Chengzhang still tried his best to win the support of those Restoration Society members whose support could be won.

Ready to go out early in the morning, Tao Chengzhang was waiting. A few months ago, a revolutionary youth from Fenghua named Chang Kaishen had defected to Tao Chengzhang. This youth respected Tao Chengzhang's status as a revolutionary senior. His attitude when he joined was very firm, insisting on following Tao Chengzhang to continue the revolution. In the current time when the status of "revolutionary senior" was constantly depreciating, Tao Chengzhang liked this youth's respectful attitude very much. Chang Kaishen had already paid a New Year's call to Tao Chengzhang in advance. During their conversation, hearing Tao Chengzhang mention that he was going to visit guests on the first day of the New Year, Chang Kaishen volunteered to be Tao Chengzhang's attendant, so he could also meet more revolutionary seniors. Tao Chengzhang thought this display of ambition was not bad, so he agreed to wait for Chang Kaishen to go out together on the morning of the first day.

Sure enough, before the sky had fully brightened, someone knocked on the door amidst the sound of firecrackers. Tao Chengzhang opened the door and saw Chang Kaishen standing outside. "You came early." Tao Chengzhang was an impatient person who did things like a whirlwind. This remark was already a considerable commendation.

Before his voice had died away, he saw that Chang Kaishen's delicate face not only lacked the unique smile of a New Year's greeting but even gave Tao Chengzhang an extremely dangerous feeling. After all, having experienced too many life-and-death moments, although there was still a smile on Tao Chengzhang's face, he suddenly spread his arms, grabbed the two door leaves, and began to close the door. In just that instant, a person flashed out from behind Chang Kaishen, stuck a foot into the door, and jammed a knee firmly against a door panel. Chang Kaishen had already drawn a pistol by this time. Following the gap between the half of the door that couldn't be closed and the half that was already shut, he pulled the trigger continuously at Tao Chengzhang's chest, which was truly close at hand.

Hit continuously by bullets, Tao Chengzhang no longer had the strength to hold the door. The person behind Chang Kaishen had already smashed open that door panel. He also had a pistol in his hand. At this moment, Tao Chengzhang's body began to fall backward. That person stepped through the door, fired two shots continuously at Tao Chengzhang's head, and only then twisted his head back and waved at Chang Kaishen.

The assassination time was extremely short, yet both of their expressions became incredibly ferocious. Holstering their pistols, the two no longer paid attention to Tao Chengzhang, whose eyebrows and chest were gurgling blood, and walked quickly together toward the alley entrance. Although the sky was not fully bright, firecrackers were already crackling and popping far and near. The few gunshots just now and the gunpowder smoke from the muzzles were completely covered up cleanly by the unique sounds and smells of the first day of the New Year.

The assassination of Tao Chengzhang shocked the entire Hangzhou during the Spring Festival. The Zhejiang Assembly and the Zhejiang Provincial Government immediately issued notices to apprehend the murderer. The Beiyang troops in various parts of Zhejiang immediately took action, implementing martial law in cities like Hangzhou, Jinhua, and Shaoxing, and setting up blockades on key communication lines.

Hangzhou Police Chief Wang Jinfa never expected that Tao Chengzhang would actually be assassinated on the first day of the New Year. When he was called in by Zhejiang Governor Zhu Rui, he still felt he couldn't believe such a major event had happened. Chatting with Zhu Rui about this matter for a while, Wang Jinfa's words didn't hang together; he completely failed to recover from the shock.

"Chief Wang, I didn't just invite you here for this matter. Did you know that your embezzlement of public funds has been exposed?" Zhu Rui said, looking coldly at Wang Jinfa.

"What?" Wang Jinfa actually failed to understand what Zhu Rui was saying for a moment. But Zhu Rui didn't leave Wang Jinfa any time. Four of the Governor's personal guards had already surrounded Wang Jinfa with pistols raised.

No matter how bizarre the matter looked, Wang Jinfa had always been the Assassination King of the Restoration Society. Facing such a situation, he still calmed down. "Governor Zhu, what exactly does this mean?" Wang Jinfa asked in an indifferent tone.

"Chief Wang, did you think I didn't know about your embezzlement of thirty thousand silver dollars? Not only those thirty thousand dollars, but you also bought lives and found scapegoats. You are truly bold." Zhu Rui's voice was full of vigor as he enumerated Wang Jinfa's crimes.

Wang Jinfa spoke just now only to slightly distract the enemy's attention and simultaneously buy himself a little time. But he saw the surrounding four personal guards didn't listen to Zhu Rui speak at all; instead, they were fully focused on aiming their pistols at Wang Jinfa, leaving no opportunity to be exploited. Moreover, what Zhu Rui said was all facts. Wang Jinfa felt a wave of regret in his heart; why hadn't he thought that Zhu Rui had long wanted to deal with him?

In a moment of distraction, Wang Jinfa felt a hard gun muzzle pressed against his lower back. A Governor's personal guard behind him had already moved forward to restrain him. Seeing the other three guards still fully focused—ready to fire if Wang Jinfa made the slightest strange movement—seeing there was no possibility of escape, Wang Jinfa didn't gamble on a chance. "Governor Zhu, what exactly is your intention?"

"Tie him up!" Zhu Rui ordered.

Wait until Wang Jinfa was already bound with ropes, Zhu Rui then said, "Chief Wang, do you know who discovered Mr. Tao was assassinated first today?"

"Who?" Wang Jinfa asked. This transition by Zhu Rui made Wang Jinfa feel a huge sense of unease.

"Heh heh!" Zhu Rui sneered. "It was Xu Zhongqing of the Epidemic Prevention Bureau who discovered it first. Xu Zhongqing said that yesterday he and Mr. Tao agreed to visit someone, and he also said he would go with a person named Chang Kaishen. This Chang Kaishen was recommended to Mr. Tao by you, right?"

Only hearing this did Wang Jinfa start to feel panic in his heart. Xu Zhongqing was introduced into the Restoration Society by Xu Xilin. After the failure of the Nanjing Campaign launched by Tao Chengzhang, he retreated to South Zhejiang with Tao Chengzhang and now held the position of Director of the Epidemic Prevention Bureau. This person had no enmity with Wang Jinfa, and their relationship could even be said to be not bad. So many people would believe Xu Zhongqing's words. More importantly, Chang Kaishen was indeed someone Wang Jinfa had introduced to Tao Chengzhang.

"That was Chen Qimei's introduction in between; that's why I recommended Chang Kaishen to Mr. Tao." Wang Jinfa also didn't have time to put on airs or attempt to overwhelm Zhu Rui with momentum; instead, he began to defend himself.

"You say it was Chen Qimei, so it was Chen Qimei? Who can prove it?" Zhu Rui asked coldly.

When Chen Qimei introduced Chang Kaishen, absolutely no one else was present. Moreover, at that time, a batch of Green Gang opium was detained by Wang Jinfa in Hangzhou. The two dealt with each other over this opium business. Zhejiang prohibited drugs; if others knew about this opium business, Wang Jinfa could completely lose his head. As a last resort, Wang Jinfa stiffened his neck and shouted, "Governor Zhu, do you still not trust me?"

"You want me to trust you? Give me evidence. You say it was introduced by Chen Qimei; how to prove it? We have already sent people to look for Chang Kaishen, but apart from the bloodstains on the ground, we haven't seen anyone. Chang Kaishen is nowhere to be found, alive or dead. How do you expect me to trust you?!" Zhu Rui shouted. "Chief Wang, if you don't explain this matter clearly, then don't blame me for being unpolite. Men, take Chief Wang down for questioning."

The interrogators knew of Wang Jinfa's reputation as the Assassination King, so they were extremely vicious when they struck. After half a day, Wang Jinfa's flesh was already torn open, and he looked less than human. By this point, Wang Jinfa already knew there was a heavy black curtain inside this matter. When the interrogation officer asked again pretentiously, Wang Jinfa laboriously spat out the bloody water in his mouth and smiled miserably, "What exactly do you want me to say?"

"We heard that it was Chen Boping who introduced Chang Kaishen to you. I wonder if that's the case?" the interrogation officer said with a false smile.

"Heh heh," Wang Jinfa laughed miserably. So the matter indeed had a heavy inside story. Chen Boping was Xu Xilin's trusted aide, but Tao Chengzhang disliked this person extremely, having said more than once that Chen Boping "wanted to be emperor." This conflict was completely public; everyone in the Restoration Society knew about it. Swapping Chen Qimei for Chen Boping not only made the originally needle-in-a-haystack clue suddenly become within reach, but the murderer of Tao Chengzhang could also point directly to the West Zhejiang Branch.

*Ruthless! Ruthless!* Wang Jinfa thought to himself. He couldn't help but cough a few times, only feeling a fishy sweetness in his throat; this was obviously a sign of internal injury. If the interrogation officer continued to beat him like this, his life would probably be forfeited here. Wang Jinfa said, "It was Chen Boping who introduced Chang Kaishen to me and asked me to recommend Chang Kaishen to Mr. Tao."

The interrogation officer turned his head and shouted after hearing this, "Men, record the confession."

With Wang Jinfa as this breakthrough point, the case details quickly became "clear." Not only Chen Boping in West Anhui, but Xu Ziying and Gong Baoquan—who hadn't joined the West Zhejiang Branch but had once participated in the revolution under Tao Chengzhang and Xu Xilin—were also implicated in this assassination incident. Xu Ziying and Gong Baoquan were first arrested, and then some letters were confiscated from their homes. The contents of the letters were all opposition to Beiyang's control in Zhejiang, sharp criticism of Cai Yuanpei and Tao Chengzhang, and considerable appreciation for the People's Party's land policy.

To signal fairness to the public, on February 17, which was the *Po Wu* Festival, the Zhejiang Court publicly tried this case. Due to Wang Jinfa's testimony and the proof of the letters, the whole matter was considered to be the West Zhejiang Branch of the Restoration Society being extremely dissatisfied with the General Assembly, and Chen Boping had a major suspicion of directing the murder. The Zhejiang Court immediately ordered the summons of Chen Boping to the court to accept investigation.

When the court documents were delivered pretentiously to Changxing County in West Zhejiang, it was the day after the trial ended, February 19. This was the first time West Zhejiang knew to what extent the events in Hangzhou had actually progressed.

Qiu Jin and Xu Xilin received news on the second day of the New Year that the Beiyang army had blockaded the passages of West Zhejiang to the outside, and they didn't know what had happened at all. When they sent people to inquire about intelligence, they only heard that Tao Chengzhang had been assassinated. This time, the West Zhejiang Branch was also frightened. Tao Chengzhang was a flagship figure of the Restoration Society; his assassination would set off monstrous waves in Zhejiang. The West Zhejiang Branch all hoped that Tao Chengzhang could at least keep his life. Only in this way would things not reach an unmanageable stage.

As a result, a few days later, the official letter from the Zhejiang Court was delivered. Tao Chengzhang had been assassinated and died, and Chang Kaishen, who had immense suspicion of assassination, was actually recommended to Tao Chengzhang by Chen Boping. Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin immediately called Chen Boping to ask what was going on.

Chen Boping certainly couldn't admit he had done this thing, and the reason inside was actually that Tao Chengzhang had once said Chen Boping wanted to be emperor. This matter had happened, true, but it was all stuff from six or seven years ago. Heaven knew how these people dug out this old rotten account to use as evidence. Chen Boping also tried to explain earnestly that this was a frame-up. But under Xu Xilin's repeated questioning, Chen Boping finally couldn't help but fly into a rage. "Mr. Xu, if you really think I did this, then you might as well tie me up and send me to Hangzhou. But I want to make it clear to you, I, Chen Boping, have never done this."

Seeing the quarrel become so unmanageable, Qiu Jin hurriedly persuaded, "Bosun, since Boping says there is no such thing, then it shouldn't be that Boping remembered wrongly."

Xu Xilin sighed long and hard. "I also know Boping couldn't lie, but now Wang Jinfa insists that it was Boping who recommended this Chang Kaishen to Elder Tao. How should we explain this?"

Chen Boping sneered. "Mr. Xu, if you are afraid, then it doesn't matter. Since the Zhejiang Court summons me, I'll just go. I actually want to confront that Wang Jinfa face to face—exactly when did I recommend Chang Kaishen to Mr. Tao? I also want to see who wants to frame me!"

Hearing these words, both Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin fell silent. At the moment, apart from this method, there was no other way. If the West Zhejiang Branch just remained silent like this, it was feared that in less than two days, the entire Restoration Society would start denouncing the West Zhejiang Branch.

"Brother Boping, you cannot go to Hangzhou. Since someone has already made it clear they want to frame you, whether you go or not, you will be framed." Ji Ye, who hadn't made a sound all along, stood up and said loudly.

"Ji Ye, don't be impulsive!" Qiu Jin persuaded.

Hearing Qiu Jin's words, the veins on Ji Ye's forehead were about to pop out from anxiety. "Sister Qiu, I am not being impulsive. Now they have made it clear they want to frame us. If Brother Boping goes to Hangzhou, isn't this delivering meat to the chopping block? We absolutely cannot give them the person."

"If we don't let Boping go to argue and clarify, how do we prove our innocence? If we can't argue clearly, what do we do in the future?" Xu Xilin asked.

Ji Ye just felt there was a big plot inside this matter. At this time, they could only give tit for tat, rather than blindly surrendering. But as for what to do in the future, she hadn't thought it through either.

"I... I... I feel they never intended to let us be innocent at all." After holding it in for a good while, Ji Ye finally spoke her thoughts.

Hearing this, a look of gratitude appeared on Chen Boping's face, while Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin shook their heads slightly, with expressions of helplessness.