Professor Taira Toyomori studied the changes in rural areas after China's land reform very thoroughly, but Chinese farmers didn't care what intellectuals they had never met thought. For farmers, what was valuable was the grain collected into their own rice jars and flour jars.

Time entered September, and the autumn harvest began nationwide. With last year's experience, farmers were no longer afraid when facing tax collectors who came to the village. The 30% grain tax was not small, but compared to the land rent of more than 50% in the past, it appeared very mild. Moreover, in the past, after paying land rent to landlords, they had to pay taxes to the government. Now all taxes were only this 30%. Everyone felt they could finally catch their breath, and life was much easier.

If there was anything farmers were not used to, it was probably that primary schools were set up in every village. Children had to go to school, and adults also had to receive literacy education. This made the rhythm of traditional rural life much different from before.

At this time, in the fields, the content of farmers' chats also changed. Everyone talked about how the business of mills and oil mills was incredibly good.

Last year, only tax collectors and people from the army had bicycles to ride. This year, on the dirt roads built in the village, there were more bicycles and handcarts. Handcarts and horse-drawn carriages bought on installment plans all used new rubber tires. Even a very ordinary donkey could pull more things.

People in the village who also bought bicycles by installment had large bundles of things tied to the rear rack, or their family members sat on it, moving briskly between home and the fields. Things that originally took a while to walk and required several trips to transport could be done in one trip by riding a bicycle in half the time of walking.

With a bicycle, one could go back and forth between the village and the county seat in just one day. Young people talked enthusiastically about riding bicycles to the county seat, discussing various scenes they had never seen before.

Some people still didn't quite dare to believe the government. After all, these things cost a lot of money, and having money made one easily targeted. Based on the experience of common people, regarding the government, it was better to have as little contact as possible. Although those vehicles were indeed good, if the government turned hostile, it would be too late to cry.

Although maintaining considerable vigilance, seeing vehicles coming and going, some middle-aged farmers also talked about considering buying a bicycle through 'installment payment' if it could still be like this next year and the harvest was good.

For villages, the penetration rate of bicycles and handcarts was indeed not high. But what Premier Wu Youping saw here was different data. Wu Youping felt for the first time the power of 480 million Chinese people gathering sand into a tower and accumulating small amounts into a large one.

After the government provided installment loans, in the first nine months of 1925, national bicycle sales reached 7 million, far exceeding previous imaginations. The bicycle sales volume for the entire year of 1925 might exceed 10 million. For this reason, the Ministry of Industry sent a vice minister to report specifically to Wu Youping. The vice minister emphasized in particular that there were not only 10 million bicycles in the whole of China, but 10 million new sales in 1925 alone. The total number of bicycles in China might be over 17 million.

Wu Youping certainly knew this number, and what Wu Youping sighed about was this 'total stock.' The current development of the situation was highly consistent with He Rui's prediction. He Rui had also predicted that perhaps by 1929, when the First Five-Year Plan was completed, the total number of bicycles in China might be between 70 million and 100 million.

With '100 million' as the unit, anything would be shocking. Especially the premier of a major country could better understand the social changes this number could bring.

Wu Youping quickly calmed down his mood and did not comment on this matter. Instead, he turned to another topic, "Is the steel demand report for August out?"

Although the vice minister was slightly disappointed, he hurriedly took out the prepared report. The Premier didn't need to care about specific usage areas; that was the work responsible by professional fields. Wu Youping flipped through it quickly. What he needed to care about at this stage was the relationship between production and sales, that is, the execution of economic policies.

Current steel demand has been increasing, and steel production all has demand. Orders generated including current war needs are also demands, rather than organizing consumption while producing like in the Northeast.

From command production to economic development, there are too many things that look specious inside. But the most important core has not changed, that is, where is the consumer market? How did this consumer market appear?

After browsing the general production summary, Wu Youping closed the report and ended the meeting.

On the way back to the Ministry of Industry, the vice minister felt a bit uneasy in his heart because before setting off, he could see the importance Minister of Industry Zhuang Jiaxiong attached to the booming production and sales of bicycles. From an industrial perspective, this was indeed a major event. It was really worth paying attention to that such a situation appeared without the industrial department arranging consumption. What's more, this was a project promoted by the central government after unifying the country.

Now that Wu Youping behaved so calmly, when the vice minister returned to the ministry and told Zhuang Jiaxiong about this, he couldn't figure out if he had done something wrong to cause Premier Wu Youping to react like this.

Fortunately, Zhuang Jiaxiong didn't mind either. Hearing that the report content was delivered and Wu Youping didn't say anything, he told the vice minister, "This matter is considered settled; we have completed the task."

Although the vice minister still felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, he accepted such a result. After all, everything now had become so simple; why should he look for trouble himself?

After the vice minister left, Zhuang Jiaxiong felt something was still missing, so he called Wu Youping. Soon, the two old classmates chatted on the phone, "Old Wu, our vice minister seems to feel he did something wrong."

Wu Youping answered very readily, "In the future, except for commendations, keep work conversations as concise as possible. Don't engage in observing expressions, making it like the imperial court."

Zhuang Jiaxiong was somewhat hesitant. "But for such a big success, isn't there anything to say?"

"There is only one thing to say: our economic development is very likely to be as the Chairman said. At least I think so, and I am prepared to accept it completely."

Hearing his old classmate say this, Zhuang Jiaxiong hesitated for a moment and asked, "The acceptance you mentioned means preparing to use the Chairman's thinking to require the State Council and various ministries?"

"Yes." Wu Youping answered very readily.

"But doing so, the comrades may not necessarily accept it. Even I don't quite accept it. After all, it's something never seen before. If something goes wrong, whose fault will it be?" After Zhuang Jiaxiong finished speaking, he felt somewhat inadequate. While thinking about how to accurately describe his thoughts, he heard Wu Youping on the other end of the phone say, "I feel now that we should bring out the mood when we went to war with Japan back then. At that time, we felt that since the direction was right, we should go forward bravely. Stretching the neck is a cut, shrinking the head is also a cut. What is there to be afraid of? Moreover, the current mood of the comrades is fearing this and that. I can understand; everyone doesn't know where the responsibility lies. But this state of mind is harmful."

Zhuang Jiaxiong felt that Wu Youping's description of everyone's mood was very precise. Precisely because of this, Zhuang Jiaxiong felt he must make it clear, "Old Wu. How can everyone not be afraid? If the First Five-Year Plan set a sales volume of 100 million bicycles, of course we would be afraid. But without setting this plan, if it is really achieved, shouldn't we be afraid?"

Wu Youping replied, "I am worried about this. Everyone now holds the attitude of being responsible to someone, that is to say, the responsibility should be borne by others. Old Zhuang, when do you think the Chairman does things like this? If you are really afraid, why not ask the Chairman clearly? After all, this year is the first year of the First Five-Year Plan, and the second year of national unification. Let's ask clearly about the core theory."

Zhuang Jiaxiong didn't know how to answer. Wu Youping's words were very correct. He Rui had said many times that only under correct theory can correct policies be derived. The current results were undoubtedly produced under the guidance of correct theory. But Zhuang Jiaxiong also agreed with the criticism raised by Wu Youping, 'Who is responsible in the end?'

While thinking, he heard Wu Youping say, "How about this? Our Party Central Committee will hold a Life Meeting. A Democratic Life Meeting, only discussing principles/ideology [wuxu], not practical matters [wushi]. what do you think?"

Zhuang Jiaxiong wanted to agree immediately, but felt afraid. Exposing his inner thoughts in front of others, if it was someone like He Rui who went from one victory to another, it would be fine. Even if everyone had some thoughts, at least they couldn't really say anything.

If it were Zhuang Jiaxiong, there would be plenty of problems to pick on. At this time, leaving aside that such things would be used by people, even if no one used these, everyone was as open-minded as He Rui. But exposing such a mood... Zhuang Jiaxiong felt he needed at least basic dignity.

However, hearing that Zhuang Jiaxiong didn't answer, Wu Youping didn't continue to ask for Zhuang Jiaxiong's opinion, but said, "Then I will summon various ministries and commissions to hold such a meeting. Seeing that everyone has been busy for so long, it's time to take a break. Let's go to the seaside for a vacation collectively."

Such a suggestion made Zhuang Jiaxiong laugh and cry. Busy like this, vacation? Can we get away?

However, three days later, when Zhuang Jiaxiong received a confidential document from the central government asking him to prepare for a vacation, although Zhuang Jiaxiong felt some resistance in his heart, he was unexpectedly looking forward to it.

Moreover, there were vice ministers in the ministry, quite a few of them. Zhuang Jiaxiong informed the comrades according to the notice of the confidential document that the work would be handed over to everyone in the next two weeks. No one expressed that the work couldn't go on.

So, the next afternoon, Zhuang Jiaxiong packed simple equipment and went to the gathering place. A convoy was already waiting for everyone there. Ministers and Central Committee members got into the cars, and the mighty convoy set off.

Everyone didn't know where the destination was. Initially, they were all worried about the work of their departments and talked about work. However, as they chatted, everyone saw that others had similar reactions, all worried about accidents in the department during their absence. Instead, they were unwilling to say more.

If something happened, make up for it afterwards. Saying anything now was useless. So, the topic of discussion changed to where to go for vacation. Moreover, most of the people on the bus were cadres cultivated in the Northeast, basically all single dogs [bachelors]. On the contrary, those from the old Beiyang era who studied abroad brought their families. They didn't bring adult or teenage children, but young children. Some older ones, such as Foreign Minister Yan Huiqing, brought his granddaughter. This made the bus lively quickly.

And whether there were women in a team made a complete difference. The wives of married leading cadres were actually of good quality and had decent academic qualifications. But these women were still women; chatting with single dogs, they would ask about the family situation of this group of single dogs.

Initially, the single dogs didn't care. In these years, braving wind and rain, fighting for their ideals, how could they have the mood to care about the wife issue? Moreover, He Rui wasn't married yet, so everyone cared even less.

Especially in these years, their knowledge had grown, and their vision and pattern had greatly improved. They no longer looked up to the so-called 'ladies of noble families.' Those 'famous ladies' from Shanghai and Tianjin, in the eyes of these brothers, were all vulgar powder and glamorous sluts.

But seeing the little guys running around in the aisle of the bus at this time, and the older adult women beside them behaving elegantly and talking appropriately, it was truly respectful. Facing the question of whether they were married or had thoughts of marriage, they became shy one by one instead.

Fortunately, by evening, the convoy finally stopped. Everyone learned that the destination of this vacation was Qingdao District of Jimo City. The reason for taking such a long bus ride was the worry that everyone might not dare to take a plane. And the railway to Qingdao was not connected with the current railway lines.

After boarding the special train, the space immediately became ample. He Rui was originally in the same car with Wu Youping and a few others, and now he joined everyone. Seeing the leader appear, the single dogs' mood perked up again. As long as there was a leader, everyone felt that if the sky fell, the tall one would hold it up.

Sure enough, in the dining car, everyone chatted while eating. Yan Huiqing's wife belonged to the type who dared to speak because she was old enough. After talking about domestic trivia with everyone for a while, even facing He Rui, Mrs. Yan asked if He Rui had plans to get married.

Under the gaze of the single dogs, as the one with the highest status, widest knowledge, and considered the oldest among the single dogs, He Rui laughed, "If other comrades have thoughts of getting married, I still have to ask the sisters for help."

Mrs. Yan smiled slightly. She had long heard that He Rui had extraordinary bearing and outstanding insight. The only bad thing was being too new-school. chatting a bit at this time, she indeed felt that He Rui was extraordinary. So she asked, "Does Chairman He not want to get married himself?"

He Rui laughed, "Can't say I want to, nor can I say I don't want to. I just don't want to get married for the sake of getting married."

Hearing this, Mrs. Yan dared not say more. If she just asked casually, it would be fine. If she pursued further, it would become Mrs. Yan Huiqing proposing a marriage for He Rui, which was a very terrible thing politically, equivalent to the wife of a certain minister in ancient times asking the emperor to get married; that would be seeking death.

However, the single dogs in the revolutionary team didn't think so. Everyone was unmarried, so naturally there was a common topic. More importantly, being in the same team for so many years, everyone's friendship and feelings were naturally extraordinary. They were truly one of their own.

As a married person, Zhao Tianlin had always been a little curious why He Rui didn't get married, so he simply asked, "Chairman, shouldn't you get married?"

"It's not about should or shouldn't. I know marriage is a matter between families. But personally, although I really dislike squeezing joy from life, in matters like marriage, I always fantasize about pleasing myself. But I also know this is inappropriate, so I simply stopped thinking about it."

Everyone was a first-class talent. Such a highly condensed answer did not confuse everyone but was understood clearly. He Rui wanted to marry a woman who could bring him joy, but didn't want to be bound by other things. Everyone had to admit that He Rui was too willful in this regard.

Zhao Tianlin could fully understand, so he laughed, "Chairman, if you say so, you must have some views on marriage."

"In my feeling, if the marriage partner has no logical ability, and the Three Views are not upright enough... No, not not upright enough. But not noble enough. Marriage will undoubtedly end up as chicken feathers on the ground [a mess]."

Except for some single dogs, others dared not respond. The four words 'chicken feathers on the ground' indeed stimulated everyone. Everyone had to admit that He Rui's statement was really vicious. Describing various things after marriage very aptly.

But in this world, when talking about marriage, the most fearless of death are single dogs. Someone raised a question, "Finding someone with a good personality and reasonable, wouldn't life be very comfortable?"

He Rui shook his head and laughed, "Please note, I'm talking about being noble and decent. Or rather, the kind who doesn't want to get anything from marriage at all, but just wants to get married as a human being. To use Buddhist terms, it is the kind of person who can achieve 'I use this body to cross this sea of suffering.' Otherwise, anyone with expectations will inevitably be disappointed. Those with joy will definitely generate resentment. Finally have to compromise, and finally chicken feathers on the ground."

The expressions of married people were a bit strange. Regardless of whether they agreed with He Rui's view, they were all shocked. Most people felt that what He Rui said actually made sense. It's just that He Rui's statement was too willful and too cold; everyone didn't want to participate in such a heart-condemning discussion.

How could single dogs know the severity of marriage? Instead, they couldn't help communicating. He Rui knew this couldn't be explained clearly and had to be understood after experiencing it, so he said, "I never oppose comrades getting married. And my personal character is too proactive, so I inevitably have the impulse to arrange the best marriage for comrades. So I tell everyone, there is nothing to discuss about this matter. As long as everyone can achieve not harming themselves or others, and having a clear conscience. Anything is fine."

These words were too heavy, and the single dogs dared not say more.

He Rui didn't say anything more either. After all, he had discussed with core members like Wu Youping how to adjust the psychological state of comrades before. This trip should try to talk more about abstract fields [wuxu] as much as possible.

Because reality is too cruel. If they see the truth, most people actually can't accept it. Just like these comrades are all excellent talents, but how much responsibility everyone has is actually worth doubting.

Moreover, even people with broad minds, whether they know how to be officials, whether they know how to protect themselves, are all problems. Once He Rui narrated like a teacher, it would really be very inappropriate. It might very likely reach the point where everyone couldn't even talk in the future.