Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

Kyoto, 1972, midsummer.

The scorching sun baked the earth, and even the old locust trees in the Prince's Mansion drooped their leaves. Only the cicadas' tireless chirping broke the afternoon's tranquility.

At this moment, Zhou Jin's consciousness was in a state of chaos.

The intense pain still seemed to burn in his chest; it was the fatal blow from the stray bullet that pierced his heart. He remembered it clearly: he was attending a global financial summit in Europe, discussing the development potential of emerging Asian markets on stage, when suddenly a group of masked terrorists stormed into the audience, gunshots and screams instantly shattering the solemnity of the venue.

As a key expert in the Chinese delegation, he instinctively tried to protect the briefcase beside him, which contained his "Asian Financial Market Risk Forecast Report," which he had spent three sleepless nights completing. But the next second, a cold bullet pierced his chest, blood staining the unsubmitted report and ending his life at the young age of 38.

"What a pity... I didn't even get to see the rise of our country's financial market..."

This was Zhou Jin's last thought before he vanished, and then he was plunged into boundless darkness.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a warm, enveloping feeling surrounded him, and he heard indistinct human voices, soft Chinese conversations entering his mind intermittently.

"Chengbang, when will our son come out? He's been in pain for almost a day..." The woman's voice was tired, but she couldn't hide her anticipation.

"Qinghe, wait a little longer. The doctor said everything is fine. Let's hold on a little longer." The man's voice was steady and strong, full of heartache.

Zhou Jin was suddenly taken aback.

Chinese? Chengbang? Qinghe?

This was not his name from his previous life, nor was it anyone he knew. Even stranger, he felt trapped in a narrow space, unable to move, and could only perceive the outside world through hearing and touch.

Could it be... I'm not dead? Or...?

An absurd yet incredibly clear thought surged into his mind—he had been reborn!

This realization sent Zhou Jin's mind racing. As a top financial expert, he believed in logic and data, yet everything happening before his eyes defied all scientific explanation. He had somehow traveled from a 21st-century international financial summit to an unknown era in China, becoming an unborn fetus!

"Buzz—"

A sudden, intense squeezing sensation, accompanied by his mother Su Qinghe's painful groans, made Zhou Jin feel as if he were being pushed forward by a powerful force. He instinctively cooperated with this force, curling up and struggling to move outwards.

"It's out! It's out!" With a loud cry, Zhou Jin inhaled fresh air for the first time, the sharp cry breaking the tranquility of the delivery room.

But only Zhou Jin himself knew that this cry was not instinctive, but a deliberate imitation he made in order to fit into this world.

"It's a boy! He weighs six pounds and eight ounces, and he's perfectly healthy!" The nurse held the red-skinned baby, her face beaming with smiles.

"Let me see!" Su Qinghe weakly raised her head, her eyes filled with maternal radiance.

Zhou Jin was carried to his mother's side. He struggled to open his eyes, and through his blurry vision, he saw a gentle and beautiful face, with tear stains at the corners of her eyes, yet she smiled with unparalleled tenderness. This was his mother in this life, Su Qinghe.

The man standing beside him was tall and handsome, dressed in a faded Zhongshan suit, his eyes filled with excitement and joy. He must be his father, Zhou Chengbang.

Just then, the door to the ward was pushed open, and a group of people escorted two imposing elderly men into the room.

The elderly man walking in front had gray hair but was in good spirits. He was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit with a Chairman Mao badge pinned to his chest. His eyes were deep and dignified, and just by standing there, he exuded a sense of oppressive authority from someone who had long held a high position.

"How are you? Is Qinghe alright? Is the child healthy?" The old man's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Dad, you're here." Zhou Chengbang quickly stepped forward to help him up. "Qinghe is alright, it's a boy, very healthy."

Su Qinghe struggled to sit up, saying, "Dad, please look at your grandson."

The old man nodded, his gaze falling on Zhou Jin. His originally stern eyes softened considerably. He carefully reached out, wanting to touch Zhou Jin's cheek, but was afraid of hurting the delicate baby.

"Good, good!" the old man said twice, tears welling up in his eyes. "The eldest grandson of the Zhou family has finally been born! I, Zhou Jianguo, have a worthy successor!"

Zhou Jianguo?!

Zhou Jin's heart skipped a beat; the name exploded in his mind like a thunderclap.

In his previous life, when he was studying modern Chinese history, he had seen this name in an internal document—one of the founding fathers, who held important positions in the State Council for a long time after the founding of the People's Republic of China and was an important figure in the core decision-making body of the country!

The other elderly man who followed in was dressed in a crisp military uniform, with the star-shaped epaulets on his shoulder straps particularly eye-catching. He had a resolute face, sharp eyes like an eagle, and exuded the iron-blooded aura of a soldier.

"Congratulations, Lao Zhou!" The elderly man in military uniform patted Zhou Jianguo on the shoulder, his voice booming. "This kid is clearly a promising talent; he'll definitely amount to something like you and me, contributing to the country's success!"

"Brother Su, congratulations to you too!" Zhou Jianguo replied with a smile. "This kid still needs your guidance. I'll be at ease if he can protect our country like you in the future."

Brother Su? Military uniform?

Zhou Jin instantly realized that this must be his maternal grandfather in this life. The person who could be on brotherly terms with Zhou Jianguo and was wearing a military uniform must also be a military bigwig with many military achievements!

"Have you named the child yet?" the elderly man in military uniform asked.

Zhou Jianguo pondered for a moment, then his gaze fell on the infant Zhou Jin, and he solemnly said, "Let's name him Zhou Jin. Jin means beautiful jade. I hope that he can be as pure and flawless as beautiful jade in this life, upholding righteousness while being innovative, having both a sense of national responsibility and the ability to make a living."

"What a wonderful name! Zhou Jin, meaning 'jade-like and precious,' a very auspicious name!" The elderly man in military uniform praised.

Zhou Jin lay in her swaddling clothes, listening to the conversation between the two elderly people and feeling the deep love from those around her, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

In his previous life, he came from an ordinary family and worked his way up to the international financial stage, but he always felt a lack of belonging. In this life, however, he was born at the top of the pyramid. His background in a top-tier political family means that he has resources and connections that are unimaginable to ordinary people.

However, this also means enormous responsibility and risk. In this special era, being too sharp and outspoken will only bring about one's death, especially since he carries the memories of his past life and knowledge far beyond his time.

"I must hide my identity!" Zhou Jin thought to himself.

He couldn't reveal his secret as a time traveler, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable if he were discovered. What he had to do was pretend to be a "gifted" normal child, use his family's resources to quietly accumulate strength, and wait for the right opportunity to apply his financial knowledge and governance experience from his previous life to the construction of his motherland.

This is not only for self-preservation, but also to make up for the regrets of his past life—he wants to witness the rise of China with his own eyes, participate in this great transformation, and ensure that China will no longer be bullied on the international stage!

"Wah—" Zhou Jin cried out again, this time with a firm belief in her voice.

Zhou Jianguo and Su Tian looked at the crying baby with loving eyes. They didn't know that this newborn child had already conceived a grand and magnificent future.

The atmosphere in the delivery room was warm and joyful, with the care of elders, the joy of parents, and the blessings of relatives and friends weaving together a heartwarming scene.

Zhou Jin, the eldest grandson of a high-ranking official who transmigrated with a top-notch financial mind, has begun his period of quiet preparation. He knows that the road ahead is long, full of unknowns and challenges, but he is fearless.

With the wisdom of his past life and the resources of this life, he will surely stir up a storm of his own on this ancient land and forge a legendary path from the financial battlefield to the pinnacle of officialdom!

As night fell, the lights of Kyoto gradually illuminated the city, like stars adorning a black curtain. Zhou Jin lay beside her mother, listening to her soft humming, feeling her steady heartbeat, and slowly closed her eyes.

He knew that from tomorrow onward, he would be Zhou Jin, the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, a man about to write a legend beneath the red walls. And his era was only just beginning.