Crimson Dawn

Public lectures were a wonderful thing in China in 1905.For ordinary people, learning is the job of those who study.Ordinary people in Shanghai now know that foreigners are also doing learning, which is better than what China is doing.In any case, learning has nothing to do with the common people.Therefore, the posters and propaganda everywhere, as well as the advertisements published in Shanghai newspapers, could not make the common people have any special love for learning.

The rise of Shanghai, in addition to bringing more employment opportunities as a trading port, the construction of the city is far behind the social development.Chen Ke has never liked to visit Shanghai. Shanghai in 1905 was a city full of slums and shantytowns.Except for the concession and a few local old towns that still look a bit like this, Chen Ke's evaluation of this city is "not as good as the level of a county town in China in the 80s."A large number of people came to Shanghai to seek life, which directly caused the small and chaotic pattern of Shanghai's living area in the next few decades.

The old workshop of Zhou Yuanxiao's house is the building that best fits Chen Ke's aesthetics, it is large and spacious.The drying field of several hundred square meters is very satisfactory.As soon as he went out, the crowded alleys, dilapidated buildings, and large areas of shanty towns could not make Chen Ke feel the urge to go shopping.

With such a bad urban construction, it is completely conceivable that the entertainment life of ordinary people is barren.Therefore, although the common people do not love learning, they are willing to go and see the excitement.

The location of this lecture is not far from the teahouse where Chen Ke and Yougou met for the first time, and it was a piece of ground that the British helped to coordinate.When Qi Huishen announced the address at the party meeting, the three who participated in the beating of foreigners at that time, whether they were beating people or watching them, couldn't help laughing.It's inexplicable to get Qi Huishen.You Gou explained the matter clearly while talking and laughing, and the comrades present also roared with laughter.Not to mention Hua Xiongmao, Chen Ke is actually a guy who doesn't agree with each other and punches each other, which greatly deviates from everyone's impression of Chen Ke.As for Miss Yougou being able to poke someone with chopsticks, I can't even imagine it.

Qi Hui deeply ridiculed You Gou, calling him a heroine.You Gou smiled and pulled out a Swiss Army Knife from his pocket.This is what she blackmailed from Chen Ke. "Next time I poke someone, I'll use this. I definitely won't use chopsticks."

Hearing this, Qi Hui grinned deeply and didn't dare to say anything more.

The meeting place is on the corner of the street, and a more than 100-square-meter venue is circled with a rope.It was airy and transparent, very open.The speaker of the first part is You Gou.There are no microphones these days, and lectures are all based on people shouting, and it doesn't make any sense to make it too loud.

On the first day of the lecture, more than 300 people unexpectedly came.About half of the people here are watching the excitement, and the other half are really parents who come to see the strength of the teachers in the new school.

It was clearly stated in the advertisements and leaflets that this lecture was a professional lecture given by the teachers of the newly opened Shanghai Renxin Medical College.The new school has strong teaching staff, and Mr. You Gou is a student from Germany.In those days, in the eyes of ordinary parents, the international students who came back from Germany were as knowledgeable as the sky.

When You Gou walked up to the podium in a light gray suit, embroidered shirt, and low-waisted leather boots, the audience below didn't know what was going on for a moment.You Gou's attire can only be called "fashionable" in this era.There was a murmur of murmurs from the crowd below.No one knew what this seemingly utterly impolite lady was going to do.You Gou raised his left hand and looked at the watch that Chen Ke insisted on her to wear. It was a shiny thing that many wealthy parents had seen or heard of.There was another commotion below.

"Hello, everyone. I am a teacher at Shanghai Renxin Hospital. My name is Yougou. Today's open class, I will tell you." Yougou's clear voice spread far away, and everyone in the front and back could hear it. hear.This time, the audience exploded. A young woman went to study in Germany, even in Shanghai, it was appalling.Not to mention that this woman is going to give lectures to everyone.Some people were very disappointed and began to leave the venue cursing, and more people rushed forward, wanting to see the woman's face more clearly.Women who can go to Germany to study are naturally from wealthy families. Although there are many women who come out to work on the beach here, there are really very few rich women who are willing to show up and give lectures.

Qi Huishen, He Zudao, Qin Wuan and others in the front row stood up quickly, and it took a while to maintain order.

When You Gou took out a white candle and lit it, there was a burst of laughter from the crowd.You Gou's face turned red. In fact, from the moment he got on the podium, seeing the eyes of hundreds of people below focused on his face, You Gou felt a little dizzy. , the footsteps are a little soft.

This is not a lecture with Chen Ke and the others. We are all acquaintances, and You Gou thinks it is very good.This is not giving lectures to progressive young people in the workshop, everyone has some knowledge, at least they can still be polite.

The attire of the masses varies from person to person, with many wearing short jackets and some wearing long gowns and mandarin jackets.The vast majority were men, with women on the sidelines with their children.You Gou now finally understands the meaning of "If you want to see a thousand miles away, go to a higher level."This podium is not very high, more than half a meter.But this is enough for Yougou's sight to cover all the audience, especially Yougou's gaze can go beyond the audience and directly see the street, where many passers-by see Yougou on stage, they all look here, even the people on the other side of the street The windows on the second floor were also opened, and the heads of men and women poked out from inside.

Gathering his mind, You Gou turned around and wrote down the topic of this lecture "The Story of Candles" on the blackboard.

To be honest, in 1905, although the masses liked to watch the excitement, everyone was curious because they had never seen a woman giving a lecture, and they all wanted to move forward and have a look at this lady.But at least there are some basic etiquette on the scene.Although You Gou gave lectures on stage as a woman, it was too shocking, but the newspaper bedding before the stage, and You Gou's behavior of looking at his watch in public made everyone a little in awe of this "female gentleman".Moreover, this course was originally a popular science textbook prepared by Faraday for children's lectures. The content is mostly experimental and lively.It is not for advanced science education, but a course for the purpose of popularizing science.Therefore, Yougou's class is very simple and easy to understand.

Everyone in the audience, rich or not, have all used candles.I also know that people have to inhale.Therefore, from the composition of the air, the burning of candles, and a few simple experiments, everyone can understand that the air is actually divided into two types, one is breathable and the other is not.I understand why the fire can be extinguished by putting the firewood in a basin or covering it with soil.The masses are so simple, simple truths, simple experiments, and immediately make everyone feel that they have gained a lot.I respect the delicate and beautiful lady on stage.

When You Gou announced that the day's class was finished, someone from below shouted hello first, and the cheers followed one after another.You Gou blushed and bowed slightly, then fled off the podium as if flying away.The girl's normal behavior caused a burst of applause.

You Gou loosened his tie, and Qi Huishen came up to him while applauding, "Well said." If it was before, You Gou would have said something to Qi Huishen, but now hundreds of pairs of eyes are looking in You Gou's direction Looking over, she nodded slightly, "I'm leaving now." Qi Huishen hurriedly greeted the waiting rickshaw driver, and sent You Gou back to the workshop.

As soon as You Gou left, the parents came over to ask Qi Huishen about the situation of this new school, where it was located, when classes would start, where did this female gentleman come from, and what classes were taught in this school.Surrounded by so many enthusiastic parents, Qi Hui fully appreciates You Gou's feelings just now.He simply stood on the podium and loudly reported the situation of Shanghai Renxin Medical College.He Zudao and Qin Wu'an are responsible for distributing the "Huangpu Review". In this issue of Huangpu Review, in addition to today's lecture content, there is also a brief introduction of the school.

I thought the parents would just leave, but I didn't expect that not only did they not, but more questions were raised.Is this school really free of tuition, how do medical students find jobs after graduation.What about the secondary school attached to the medical school and the attached nursing school.What happened to the affiliated hospital?Will this class be taught tomorrow?

"Wen Qing, you guessed completely wrong!" Qi Huishen complained in his heart.On the day before the class started, Chen Ke believed that there would not be too few or too many people who could attend the class.However, there should not be too many parents who come to inquire and sign up.Qi Huishen also thinks so.Unexpectedly, there were so many inquirers, which was beyond the original expectation.

This is not the most exaggerated. After finally answering the questions of the parents, it is not that some people came here to probe their brains, obviously to watch the excitement.After looking at it for a while, they tentatively asked, and heard that there was a beautiful female teacher giving a lecture here.He Zudao and Qin Wuyang's expressions changed drastically when they saw the yearning and lustful looks of those people.They all replied that there will be no lectures here tomorrow.Then drive these people away.

The grand event on the second day was astonishing. The night before, after Qi Huishen reported the situation, Chen Ke asked Qi Huishen to contact him overnight, and borrowed two foreign devils from the British through Qi Huishen's father, Qi Si'e.These two people are poor Russians, but they are tall and powerful.This is for the British school, and the British are willing to help.Each of the two tsar's gray animals negotiated a salary of fifty pence a day, and the two of them stopped at the two corners of the stage, and immediately stopped the crowd.The number of people who came to attend the class the next day was several times that of yesterday. Yesterday, there were still some vacant venues, but today it was packed, even the streets were full of people.

You Gou's lectures were even more eye-catching. Voltaic column batteries were used to electrolyze water, and other experiments.Seeing the decomposition of flammable gas from water greatly changed the view of the audience.Everyone looked at You Gou not only in awe, but in fear.In the eyes of many people, this lady may be a good Taoist priest.The water that can extinguish fire can actually be composed of gas that can support combustion and gas that can burn.Is this not a spell or what?

When Yougou finished his lecture and was about to leave, some female parents blocked Yougou first. They looked at the female gentleman in awe, and the female parents praised Yougou's knowledge while asking countless questions. The problem.You Gou was also moved, this was the first time she was praised so much after returning to China.To be honest, after You Gou returned to China, he was not taken seriously.Before meeting Chen Ke, even if they were partners, men were either extremely jealous of You Gou, or had a deep-rooted attitude of contempt, deliberately keeping a distance from You Gou.

After meeting Chen Ke, everyone respected each other and got along very friendly.But Chen Ke's knowledge is far superior to that of You Gou, and You Gou doesn't feel that he is any special at all.Only now, although everyone may not understand her knowledge, the kind of respect and admiration from the heart made You Gou really realize the power of science.Those women who asked questions hoped that their children would be as knowledgeable and knowledgeable as Yougou.Facing these people, You Gou was even a little moved.

Qi Huishen remained calm anyway, he separated from the crowd and hurriedly sent You Gou to the rickshaw, he and He Zudao, Qin Wuan and others continued to answer questions.It took almost two hours to barely clear the scene.

In the evening, the party discussed the matter.The comrades present at the meeting were no longer the original few, including Qin Wuan and others joined the meeting.

"I really didn't expect that the people nowadays are so eager for science." Qin Wu'an praised.Chen Ke spoke highly of Qin Wu'an. Qin Wu'an was born in an ordinary family of small workshop owners in Songjiang. He was the third son in the family and had studied in a church school.Later, he worked in a cloth shop.Later, the cloth shop collapsed, and Qin Wu'an had nothing to do for the time being, and at that time he met Qi Huishen.Later, Qi Huishen invited him to attend the class.This young man has a calm personality, is not in a hurry or impatient, and is very able to bear hardships and stand hard work.Chen Ke intended to train Qin Wu'an into a key member.

"Our school has to quickly find an engineering team to start construction." Qi Huishen said excitedly.

"I've found all the people, and I'll wait for Wen Qing to meet them." Hua Xiongmao said.

"Then as soon as possible."

The next day, both Chen Ke and Yu Wenba met.Before meeting, Chen Ke felt that Yuwen Badu might be a tall, powerful guy just by his name.After meeting, Chen Ke was really surprised. Yu Wenba was not short, and he was chubby. In his 30s, the top of his head already has a Mediterranean shape.The face was as round as the figure, with a rosy complexion, a pair of big and black eyes that moved very flexibly, and the thick lips were pink in color, looking like a baby who was full of milk.Originally, in most people's imagination, Yuwen Batu's voice should be as shrill as a baby's, but when Yuwen Batu opened his mouth, his voice was as deep as a religious preacher, with a kind of directness to people's hearts oppression.Chen Ke felt a little shocked by such a huge contrast.

"I heard that Brother Chen is looking for us and has work for us." Yuwen Batu's attitude was very sincere, at least his voice was very sincere.

Chen Ke wondered if he was fooled by Yuwen Batu's obvious gap, but he couldn't see Yuwen Batu's thoughts.He settled down and talked about business with a cold look and emotion.Sure enough, seeing Chen Ke quickly regained his composure, Yuwen Batu's expression became a little flustered.

Yu Wenba asked for a very high price, and Chen Ke argued hard.Whenever Batu started to use his thick and reliable voice to try to prove his grievance and raise the price, Chen Keqing's cold and firm voice stopped Batu's attempt.

"Brother Yuwen, that's not the way to calculate this account." Chen Ke smiled gently, and then began to settle accounts for Yu Wenba.From food expenses, wages, including the wear and tear of clothes, in case of work-related injuries.Calculated from such a series of figures, the total price is less than half of Yu Wenba's price.

"It's not this algorithm, Mr. Chen. According to your algorithm, we will starve to death." Yu Wenba shook his head repeatedly.

"Brother Yuwen, what do you think should be calculated?" Chen Ke looked at Yuwen Batu, who was a little frustrated, and asked in a relaxed tone.

After some bargaining, the price finally entered the final "decisive moment".Yuwen Badu almost tried to persuade Chen Ke with a sincere crying sound.Chen Ke unceremoniously killed another five cents of his daily wages.

Yu Wenba reluctantly succumbed.It is not so easy to make money in this era.What Chen Ke proposed is a one-month project, which can earn a lot of money.But Chen Ke's next move almost drove Yu Wenba crazy.A detailed project plan was handed over to Uwen Batu.There are detailed regulations on various engineering quantities.How to reward and how to punish are clearly written.After reading this plan, Yu Wenba knew that he had met a veteran.He pointed to several obviously unreasonable places and told Chen Ke that it was absolutely impossible to lift such a beam in such a short period of time.

Chen Ke was not moved at all, he pointed to the explanations next to those places, and Yu Wenba only needed to provide the manpower in the plan.The scaffolding was erected, and Chen Ke was responsible for the lifting equipment.Building houses these years is done by the engineering team itself, and it is totally against common sense for the client to come up with such a detailed design book.Yu Wenba even questioned Chen Ke, if the project cannot be completed according to the construction schedule, then whose wages are to be paid?Chen Ke pointed to several relevant contract instructions, which contained detailed explanations.

Facing such a flawless contract, Yu Wenba finally succumbed completely.

After seeing off Yuwen Batu, Wu Xingchen came to the door.He fulfilled his promise, and he brought five people, who looked like Lian Jiazi.This can't be neglected, Chen Ke took everyone to the restaurant where they drank together a few times before.

At the banquet, Wu Xingchen introduced these people to Chen Ke one by one. Chen Ke looked at them. Everyone was in their 20s, and two of them still had scars on their faces.Everyone has a Shandong accent.Perhaps because they have experienced a lot of wind and frost, everyone looked quite stable.

After a few glasses of wine, everyone talked about their respective situations.Chen Ke suddenly had a thought, and slowly brought the topic to Boxing Boxing.When several heroes from Shandong heard this topic, their expressions became sad.The leader was Xu Youli, who said, "At first we were fighting foreigners in the capital, but then the government suddenly attacked us. If Brother Wu hadn't taken our hundred and ten people away first, we would have died in the capital." inside."

After hearing this, Wu Xingchen's expression changed drastically.But he was quite intimate with Chen Ke before, and he said, "We are all on our own." It seems that these brothers really think there is no problem.But Chen Ke patted Wu Xingchen's arm lightly, and his expression showed a very understanding look.No matter what, Wu Xingchen couldn't have a fit at the table.He also had no choice but to smile strongly and listen to everyone talking.

After Xu Youli finished speaking, everyone nodded. "When we got home, that bastard Yuan Shikai was killing our brothers from all walks of life in Shandong. We had to run back to Hebei and stayed in Cangzhou for a few years. A few days ago, Brother Wu suddenly sent someone to find us. Shanghai to help. Here we come."

"Come here by boat? Are you seasick?" Chen Ke hurriedly talked about lighter topics.

"Well, we came all the way here by boat. In Cangzhou, we also fished, and we didn't get dizzy. It's just that the smell on the boat is too strong. It's not very exciting." Xu Youli said, and after finishing speaking, Xu Youli looked at Chen Ke carefully. , "Mr. Chen, Brother Wu said he wants us to be your bodyguards, what the hell is going on?"

"There are bad people in Shanghai who want to plot against me. So please come and help me for two months. After these two months, I will go to another place." Chen Ke introduced his situation.

"How many people are there?" Xu Youli asked.

"They don't have many people. It's enough to have one of our brothers by my side." Chen Ke replied.

"Do they have guns?" Xu Youli continued to ask.

"It's mainly during the day, but it's nothing at night. They don't dare to shoot during the day." Chen Keming knew that what he said was not true, but he couldn't say that there would be a gunfight in broad daylight.

"Then we brothers can definitely do it." Xu Youli replied.

"I trust everyone." Chen Ke said with a smile.

After the banquet was over, Wu Xingchen arranged accommodation for several heroes from Shandong, and then rushed to the workshop.As soon as he entered the door, Wu Xingchen saw that there was no one around, so he sat down opposite Chen Ke, "Wen Qing, what do you mean?"

"I just remembered this and asked casually." Chen Ke said with a smile, "Brother Wu, you are Boxer, and I am the Revolutionary Party. Very good."