When I started reading this book, the third volume had already been finished and the fourth volume was just beginning. It was difficult to read at first; I would basically read five or six chapters and then go browse other things. It wasn't until Chapter 21 of Volume 1 that my interest was truly sparked. Then, taking advantage of the tail end of the Spring Festival holiday, I read hundreds of thousands of words a day until now.

Later, searching on Longkong, I found there were many arguments about this book. I felt that reading other people's complaints wasn't satisfying enough, so I decided to vent myself.

My feeling about this book is exactly the six words used in the title—Flat as Water, Blade as Knife.

Plainness is the first impression this book gives people. Whether it's dialogue or fistfights, scenes or stories, everything is very plain. This is also the reason why I couldn't keep reading it at the beginning.

But as the plot slowly unfolded, the sharpness hidden within this plainness began to reveal itself.

For example, Chapter 14 of Volume 1... In this period, it was absolutely impossible for Chen Ke to develop drugs like penicillin. Only after establishing a base area would Chen Ke set up a pharmaceutical factory to produce penicillin. Even in the best-case scenario, that would have to be three years later. That understanding woman couldn't wait until that time. This era wouldn't give her the chance to live until the medicine that could save her life appeared. That woman was dead for sure. With calm consideration for himself and the result derived from seeking truth from facts, Chen Ke discovered that he actually had no emotions involved. This is the reality of this era; the lives of the weak are just that fragile. If contracting syphilis itself makes it hard for people to feel sympathy, then what about the many more innocent people who are likewise dying and meeting violent ends in this cruel era...

There is no sensationalism, no agitation, only a cold feeling like reading an autopsy report. for me, who is used to dramas where "walking the goosestep produces a strong army" and "moving one's mouth produces Maxim guns," it was really quite unadaptable.

By the middle of Volume 1, Chen Ke finally began his revolutionary drama. The question "Who are our friends? Who are our enemies?" also came to the stage.

The explanation of this question runs through almost the first two volumes. Hundreds of thousands of words of content, explicitly or implicitly, revolve around this political proposition.

Is this really necessary? It seems now that it indeed has value.

Perhaps someone will say I'm talking nonsense. Is such a goal really that important? On this point, I can definitely say with certainty: Yes.

Because the rise of a powerful group must have a matching opponent. Too weak and they will become arrogant; too strong and they will be crushed. So a suitable opponent is very important. If the target right from the start was the Beiyang New Army, then that would basically mean the book had been ordered by the editor to flop. At the same time, what kind of group is needed as partners is an even more important matter. Without a united front, our beloved TG would have long been submerged in the tide of history.

Many people, when first reading, feel that Chen Ke lacks a "gold finger" (cheat). Compared to those with systems or "king's aura," he is much weaker. In over a hundred chapters, he only recruited one younger brother willing to die for him, and not even because of his philosophy, but just because he saved the guy's life. It's really pathetic, so it looks very unpleasant.

Precisely because this foundation is rammed very firmly, neither other forces in the book nor other transmigrators can find a theoretical method to defeat the People's Party. because what Chen Ke relies on is not god-stick-like eloquence or various stratagems, but a feasible plan for wealth and power that has been verified by the blood of millions of people. This is a plan proven in practice to be able to exert the strength of a low-level agricultural country, and likewise a plan sufficient for the People's Party to smile proudly at all heroes within fifty years.

And because he was once downstream in history, Chen Ke has enough knowledge and opportunity to make up for the mistakes that once appeared in Party history, and in this spacetime, strangle the possibility of the rise of the only Rabbit-kun that could contend with him. This is no longer a gold finger, but a gold thigh.

Many people criticize: how can Chen Ke, a 21st-century loser, have such solid communist convictions?

Then let's infer Chen Ke's identity from the plot: He grew up in the family courtyard of a diesel engine factory. His old man drove locomotives in the railway system. His ancestors had learning and insight, but weren't from a scholarly family. He was forced to play piano for a while as a child, loved making friends and traveling when he grew up, and majored in chemistry in university. After graduation, he had entrepreneurial experience, but constantly hit walls. After believing in **'s theory, he transmigrated.

Referencing our journey of over thirty years of reform and opening up—separation of government and enterprise, restructuring of large factories, the wave of layoffs, difficulty of employment for university students—Chen Ke must have felt these problems keenly. In the process of the protagonist hitting walls time and again and then maturing, if he didn't generate some grievances against society and the system, it would be hard to understand. Plus, young people's thinking rarely self-corrects after being set, so he inevitably needed to look for a theoretical basis that could support his "belief." Then **'s books really suited the protagonist's appetite too well, so a staunch Maoist Leftist was born.

Red Cat should count as a cultured "Maoist Leftist." Unlike the common type who sprays feces everywhere, Red Cat prefers to list data to overwhelm people. But one thing is constant: when discussing viewpoints, he always mentions the Left and Right. The whole book reveals a fanatical pride in the term "People's Republic of China" everywhere, but he only loves this term, not the entity itself. Just like those revolutionaries in the French Revolution, they were frantically keen on discussing and pursuing the word "People," while proportionally loathing actual human beings.

He can very easily talk about the industrial and GDP achievements of New China, but selectively ignores the medical reform and housing reform that haven't been completed in thirty years, and the household registration policy that still hovers over the heads of Chinese people. And he firmly believes that economic development can solve all problems, but precisely forgets that deformed products like "AIDS villages," "Cancer villages," and "Nanjie Village" appeared precisely in this era of rapid economic development.

Although I don't like public intellectuals, I feel Red Cat is completely distorting that article from "7.23" that asked China to slow down, according to his own needs. One's stance can be right or wrong, but no matter what, we are human beings first and Chinese second. When the whole world was reporting on our high-speed rail back then, what were our mouthpieces doing?

So although Red Cat can quote essays like "Therefore, the martial arts of Qi cannot encounter the military soldiers of Wei; the military soldiers of Wei cannot encounter the sharp soldiers of Qin; the sharp soldiers of Qin cannot withstand the control of Huan and Wen; the control of Huan and Wen cannot oppose the benevolence and righteousness of Tang and Wu." But the protagonist under his pen only believes one thing: as long as there is enough money and obedient people, the world can be changed. Many times I admit the protagonist's thoughts may not be the author's thoughts, but I don't think Meng Ru Shen Ji could write a character like Zhang Xiaofan, nor would I think Rogue is something Tomato the Supreme God could shape. Do you think "words are born from the heart" and "literature conveys the Way" are just said to go with rice?

Red Cat is a guy who seriously and down-to-earth does bad things. He doesn't care about the result of the bad things, only seeking to clarify the steps when doing each bad thing, then analyzing why it failed or succeeded, and then continuing to do bad things coldly and plainly.

The following is a synopsis of the plot. Those interested can take a look; those not interested can directly read the red text.

**Volume 1: A Young Man Arrives**

01. Chen Ke transmigrates to the Qing, visits Mr. Xu; discusses current events in semi-classical language.

02. Talks of general trends with Xu Qiu at night; only seeks a recommendation to go to Shanghai.

03. As the saying goes, no acquaintance without a fight; forms ties with Military Graduate Hua Xiongmao.

04. Several companions go to Shanghai; meets You Gou in a tavern. (Gōu: the cord wrapped around the handle of a sword or knife)

05. Like-minded people open a dyehouse; practicing what they preach to engage in production.

06. First battle a small victory, not yet happy; greedy people already rush to the door.

07. Heaven and Earth Society crowd hears of profit and rejoices; Chen Ke first meets Wu Xingchen.

08. Discussing revolution deep at night; gets to visit Cai Yuanpei the next day.

09. Talking with fervor about worldly matters; words startle people or he won't rest.

10. Seeing the big picture from the small, discussing the world; revolutionary group shows its embryonic form.

11. Different paths cannot make plans together; setting up a separate stove for freedom.

12. First trying his hand to cure syphilis; working together to save a comrade.

13. Medicine just made, joy not yet reached; people from all paths come one after another.

14. Seeing a sick woman in the backyard of a brothel; testing drug properties in his own hall.

15. Miraculous prescription shows effect once appeared; talking of a few tenths with side doors.

16. Money and wealth move people's hearts; Chen Ke uses skilled hands to divide gold.

17. Seeking truth from facts is the root; down-to-earth setting up a school.

18. First Party meeting rules established; you speak and I speak, reasoning things out.

19. Human words and ghost words hard to say; Kingly Way and Hegemonic Way even harder to declare.

20. Panacea appears and rights and wrongs move; Qi family son's blood nature rushes.

21. Chen Ke first speaks on Friend and Enemy Theory; a comrade named Tianhua comes. (This chapter can be seen as the core of Volume 1)

22. Xingtai and Wenqing discuss revolution; same heart and combined strength to move forward together. (Chen Tianhua's courtesy name is Xingtai, Chen Ke's courtesy name is Wenqing)

23. Concise words spit on the ugly mob; one word one knife to remove the painted skin.

24. Crowd's will names it the People's Party; speak less and do more practical work.

25. Heroine shows heroic posture in Shanghai city; Chen Ke calms his heart to do small things.

26. Just talking of revolution with Boxers; but how many people smash the door to come.

27. Hundredfold money confuses people's minds; Chen Lang laughs and talks of the plan to draw fuel from under the cauldron.

28. Everything is difficult in the beginning; lecturing not finished, disturbances arise.

29. Calm in danger, a true hero; saving people from water and fire with a clear conscience.

30. A thousand bumps must finally be leapt; only say everything is difficult in the beginning.

**Volume Synopsis:** Chen Ke travels to the end of the Qing Dynasty, making various preparations to promote the anti-feudal and anti-colonial oppression revolution.

**Volume 2: Hurricane**

01. Ten-thousand-word letter comes out, all look sideways; Fudan lectures encourage everyone.

02. Heroes gather in the city of East Japan; different paths, hearts hard to plan together.

03. Qiu Jin sees Chen Wenqing again; but says his person is empty, lonely, and clear. (Damn -,-# making this up, I really feel like a sour pedant)

04. True words and straight path, the heart's road; Yan Fu quietly waits for the time the sky changes. (The first famous historical figure to give Chen Ke a high evaluation appears)

05. Weighing every word to set the program; washing away sand with great waves to remove hidden dangers.

06. Swearing oaths together to join the Party; traces of mountaintopism appear.

07. Straight talk treated as sage and scholar; everyone's heart startled, speech stammering.

08. One earth one wood to build a school; who is diligent and who is lazy naturally becomes clear.

09. Method of military training practices law and discipline; small trick of distributing food shows tolerance.

10. Outward Bound training binds hearts; Chen Ke first reveals talent for strategy.

11. Mid-Autumn moonlit night here; drinking wine and tasting, talking of Fusang.

12. Heart's song earns tears from living beings; Yan Fu holds a candle to speak of master and disciple.

13. Truth is rarely known by hearts; radical words are disliked by others.

14. A blow to the head makes one understand mistakes; clever moves and skilled hands resolve war.

15. Chen Ke starts his feet wanting to go North; new Party establishment must go first.

16. First entering Tianjin, misunderstood; directly called a Japanese wolf.

17. A song in the flower field exchanges for a ticket; meeting Mr. Pang on the northern country road.

18. Hundred-year gap hard to speak of together; listen or not, up to you, sir.

19. Gap small after eating and drinking to fill; talking of disturbances, hearts hard to exchange.

20. Two Chens run at night to Beiping Prefecture; but bump into enemies again. (Female lead appears)

21. Nature rises, singing the Internationale at night; first entering the He residence to discuss people's affairs.

22. Giving profit for no reason causes suspicion; He family's good girl talks of new neighbors.

23. Brother and sister discuss Chen Ke in the mansion; Wenqing and Xingtai visit Hongming.

24. Shanghai Party policy decided by group will; Chen Ke invited to speak freely again.

25. Rambling on imperial examinations, speaking of rise and fall; meeting the Pang family son again that night.

26. Anger rises when speaking of success and failure; fists and feet exchange, hard to know each other.

27. Discussing state affairs in the capital school; laying earth and stone in his own courtyard.

28. Meeting a fellow enthusiast on the road to speak of music; tiger and wolf medicine startles the military hall.

29. Two words' difference nearly ruins matters; composing military songs in the He family hall.

30. He Qian and Chen Ke's first confrontation; business is business, talking of distribution.

31. Heroine You Gou shows heroic posture; words and actions move together as one.

32. Discussing morning and evening at the Beiyang drilling ground; chicken talking to duck, not getting along.

33. Peeking at military training startles people's hearts; agreeing with comrades to gather in Anhui.

34. Carefully evaluating current state affairs; hard to fulfill ambitions with hot blood alone.

35. Sending capable generals to start an uprising; night talks of various heart-condemning schemes. (Those of great evil must have great wisdom and courage)

36. Greedy people's hearts only tied to small profits; true talent can plan great undertakings.

37. Meeting peers in a tavern the next day; first trying democracy to build buildings.

38. Minister's banquet has twists and turns; returning home early to busy with proper business.

39. Career first successful, heart not yet happy; but persuasion comes to the door.

40. Not fearing difficulties to start a coal yard; originally to seek the Revolutionary Party.

41. New factory first established, holding a meeting; to gather hearts, speaking of revolution.

42. Chen Ke carries a letter from a teacher; meeting Weiting at Beiyang Xiaozhan. (Yuan Shikai, courtesy name Weiting, style name Rong'an)

43. Party meeting crowd intends to expel Qing; Sheng family sends someone to talk business.

44. Chen Lang has his heart on the He family girl; asking a tycoon to pull the red string.

45. Wedding night, great joy; but hear of disaster rising in Whampoa. (Chen Ke leaves the group [of singles])

46. Group effort planning to escape the predicament; sharpening the knife does not delay cutting wood.

47. Newlyweds nourish the heart; Confucian master speaks of heaven's secrets.

48. Hongqi's words hard to fully take in; is it this or that, a free heart.

49. Radical words wash away decadent colors; gathering hearts and strength to change the universe.

50. Heroic words surge with righteousness and courage; Chen Ke first tastes the flavor of a leader.

51. Heroic pass, long road, asking the heart's path; nothing can be achieved without sweating blood.

52. Jianghu ways not sufficient to use; several preparations to raid the prison.

53. Matters of life and death not vainly desired; only for brothers to escape prison.

54. Heart speaks without startle is wild talk; discussion sets a one-year term.

55. All things planned, finally feasible; crowd sets sail for Anhui. (Leaving the prosperous place, entering China's countryside)

56. Heavy rain floods the sky and countryside; fortune and misfortune rely on each other to lay the foundation.

57. Fighting floods and saving disasters to gather people's will; officers and soldiers as one to build a new army.

58. Practicing what one preaches to engage in construction; let idle gossip be.

59. Status and rank habits hard to change; not something that can be set in a few days.

60. Great disaster gradually calms, rights and wrongs arise; striking first to seek initiative.

61. Inner-Party democracy, group strategies offered; major organs reveal embryonic forms.

62. You die, I live, no room for maneuver; sharpening knives towards pigs and sheep.

63. Since ancient times, wine and meat stink behind vermilion gates; who pities the starving bones covering the ground.

64. Body full of righteousness, demons avoid; way of life left, thieves do not go.

65. Courtesy first, soldiers later, killing intent revealed; blade edge secretly points to Yuezhangji.

66. Water recedes, disaster goes, people float; people's hearts panic, especially unknown.

67. Building police to protect stability; whether to rectify style, will hard to decide.

68. Speaking of revolution on the awning boat bow; People's Party members see stubborness and stupidity.

69. Soldiers and courtesy raised together meeting the Zhang family; wind rises before the great battle.

70. Seeing starving people near starvation on the road; anger rises from within, impossible to dissipate.

71. Radical words on the road encourage crowd's will; heroes in the hall talk and laugh.

72~77. Catching the ringleader to deter the crowd of bandits; strong soldiers in one battle settle the universe.

78~79. Divide and rule to judge the remnants; before the truth, life is like mustard. (Volume 2 ends in the victory of the first military operation)

**Volume Synopsis:** After checking personnel through practice in Shanghai and Beijing, Chen Ke set off for Anhui. Coinciding with a flood, the People's Party gained actual leadership during disaster relief and fired the first shot against local tyrants and evil gentry.

From the later chapters onwards, there are no plot changes on Dragon Bone [Longkong/Internet?]. The People's Party basically cycles through "Production -> Meetings -> Fighting -> Expansion -> Production...". Other forces like the Revolutionary Party, Beiyang Army, foreigners, etc., are various forms of "Envy, Jealousy, Hate" + "Incomprehension, Impossibility".

Plus, many of my brain cells have died, and I can't squeeze out any more words, so I won't be a sour pedant with small chapters, just summarize the synopsis of each volume.

**Volume 3: Don't Worry There Are No Confidants on the Road Ahead**

**Synopsis:** After disaster relief, grasping production, dividing land, and persisting in uninterrupted brainwashing from top to bottom, successfully taking root in the Anhui countryside, and expanding strength step by step. When reaching the first critical point, Chen Ke decided to launch a military operation against the Qing government, capturing the key town of Anqing overnight. The People's Party finally appeared before the world publicly. The Qing Dynasty and Beiyang naturally could not tolerate this, so they sent troops to suppress. Helplessly, the gap in insight could not be made up by numbers. After falling down several times, they awarded the People's Party the title of "One of China's Most Powerful Military Organizations." At the same time, in the long hundred or so chapters, [the author] didn't forget to interweave the stories of pioneers like the Tongmenghui, Yuewanghui, and Guangfuhui who only appeared in a few strokes in history books. However, Red Cat consistently adheres to the principle of ruining childhoods. All the revolutionary parties that appear, except for a few with names, are basically piles of losers or A-uncles C-front times 2 [likely slang], very calmly contrasting the fundamental reason for our Party and our Army's victory. It's still my title: Flat as Water, Blade as Knife.

**Volume 4: Rise of Groups and Parties**

**Synopsis:** This volume is still being written, so it's hard to summarize, I can only talk about the current situation. The Qing Dynasty dissipates, and the disappearance of the nominal highest ruler opens a turbulent era. Fish and dragons mixed together, mud and sand flowing down is the best description of the world. In the farce-like democratic constitutionalism, all kinds of SBs [stupid c*nts] contributed ugly performances, while the People's Party continued to adhere to the principle of "The Proletariat Will Eventually Rule the World," revealing fangs and sharp teeth to all guys with ill intentions. At the same time, because of successive victories, signs of various problems began to appear within the Party, so Chen Ke flowed around like a fire brigade. Beiyang and the People's Party also began formal cooperation to seek the maximization of their respective interests. Just at this time, because the German Empire started a war against the People's Party...

In terms of character settings, this novel doesn't have anything outstanding. The basic principle adhered to is: Except for me, everyone is either a friend or an enemy, it just depends on whether I need to hit you.

But the two supporting characters, Pang Zi and He Zudao, made me feel a little novelty. Pang Zi held deep prejudice against Chen Ke from his first appearance, while He Zudao admired Chen Ke extremely and became dead set on following him after Chen Ke cured his infectious disease.

Pang Zi's ideological awakening is the slowest among all supporting characters. When he first saw Chen Ke, he only wanted to get benefits from him, for example... *Pang Zi glanced at Chen Ke smugly. He had made it clear just now that he wouldn't serve Chen Ke as master, but didn't Chen Ke still have to listen? Dealing with these scholars, you just can't give them any benefits. Pang Zi suddenly thought, this Chen Ke doesn't look poor. Just now I rejected his face; these scholars are all vengeful. I should give Chen Ke some face these two days, and then while Chen Ke is triumphant, squeeze him a bit. It would be good to swindle more money from Chen Ke...* This character gives off a domineering and grassy vibe as soon as he appears.

He Zudao is different. "He is a rapidly awakening youth." He appears before the reader as someone who does whatever Chen Ke tells him to do, rapidly maturing in the struggle, surprising even Chen Ke. But "Deep in He Zudao's heart, there is another unspeakable reason for following the People's Party's actions. Emotionally speaking, He Zudao has an indescribably deep admiration for 'Sister You Gou' who also participated in saving him. Every time after hard work, as long as he can see 'Sister You Gou's' smiling face, He Zudao will smile from the bottom of his heart. Perhaps it's this insufficiently strong mentality, so He Zudao never looks down on anyone, never has any contempt for the soldiers who exert effort. After all, like He Zudao, they all have to obey the leadership of the Party organization. What He Zudao has to do is explain the organization's decisions to everyone, and report everyone's thoughts to the Party organization. Then just work hard together with these grassroots comrades." The feeling he gives is a somewhat effeminate guy.

But these two, one strong and one weak, after experiencing various things, both chose to unite under Chen Ke's banner to fight for liberation and freedom. This design is very clever, making the whole plot more connected. Pity I never saw this kind of technical brilliance again later.

There is one more thing that needs to be specially mentioned. Red Cat's humor point seems to be on a different plane from ordinary people.

For example, these excerpts:

① ...Chen Ke and Hua Xiongmao went out to eat, and it was already dark when they came back. You Gou was playing with a flashlight, and Zhou Yuanxiao was holding another flashlight high beside the big dye vat to check the situation. Seeing the two return, You Gou shone the flashlight up from her chin, "Who~ are~ you?" she asked in a strange voice. This new little trick was nothing, but Chen Ke suddenly remembered a past event and couldn't help but want to laugh out loud. But feeling embarrassed, he just covered his mouth with his hand, shoulders shaking continuously.

You Gou asked curiously: "What's wrong with Brother Wenqing?"

Chen Ke let go of his hand, forcing back laughter and said: "Before~ before when I was in middle school, there were no electric lights in the toilet~"

"Lights in the toilet? Extravagant," Hua Xiongmao said.

Chen Ke ignored Hua Xiongmao's interruption and continued, holding back laughter, "We finished evening self-study, and a classmate was squatting in the pit. At this time, outside~ outside came another classmate groping in the dark to pee. Then that classmate squatting in the pit called out like You Gou, 'Wang~ Tong~ Le.' Classmate Wang Tongle was scared bad. He asked, 'Who are you?' Then that classmate squatting in the pit~ that classmate~ that classmate said—'I am your father.'" After finishing, Chen Ke couldn't hold it in anymore and laughed aloud. Hua Xiongmao also laughed loudly after hearing it. You Gou laughed while hopping over to punch Chen Ke...

-----Did you laugh? Did you laugh? Did you laugh?

② ... "Saints? Now everyone under heaven is risking their lives to make money, to get promoted and get rich. On the contrary, our People's Party actually wants to be saints, to engage in benevolence, righteousness, and morality! We, we are genuine revolutionary parties, we want to rebel. Haha, haha, hahahaha." The more You Gou spoke, the more ridiculous she felt it was, and finally she simply lay on the table and laughed aloud. The other comrades all showed bitter smiles, but Wu Xingchen couldn't help but chuckle a few times along with You Gou.

You Gou had mocked Hua Xiongmao just now. For a speech like You Gou's, Hua Xiongmao actually wanted to criticize a few sentences. But for some reason, he felt You Gou was right. He couldn't say words criticizing You Gou against his conscience. In this strange atmosphere, Chen Ke first smiled bitterly helplessly, then suddenly, even he couldn't help laughing aloud. Since Chen Ke laughed, the other comrades naturally didn't force themselves to hold back laughter anymore. They all laughed loudly in their own personalities.

Wu Xingchen switched between a sneer and a loud laugh. You Gou and Hua Xiongmao laughed loudly like children. Chen Tianhua wept while laughing. Chen Ke and Qi Huishen's laughter was full of helplessness and an uncontrollable mirth. He Zudao and Qin Wuan were purely infected by the mass action; after laughing for a while, they looked at the comrades a few years older than them laughing aloud, somewhat at a loss...

-----I couldn't laugh anyway.

③ ...That steward named He was over forty, but his rushing action was like a young man. Suddenly stopping, his braid slipped from his back to his chest. Steward He hooked his finger on the braid, swished it to his back, and then shouted in exasperation: "Boss Yang, our master hired your cart because he thought highly of you when going to Beijing to take office. How did your people break our family's foreign piano?"

Chen Ke looked at this practiced braid-flinging action and almost laughed out loud... Chen Ke walked somewhat staggeringly on the streets of Tianjin, "Xingtai, did you see that fling... braid-flinging action? Aha, haha, hahahahahaha..." Chen Ke laughed as he spoke.

------I rubbed it three times and still don't understand what's so funny about these things.

It seems there's nothing more to say here, so let's conclude: This is a good book, the most rigorous Republic of China transmigration national salvation novel I have ever read.

This is also a bad book, the book that hides malice the best among all the books I have read.