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

In Kyoto in 1980, the spring breeze was gentle, and everywhere was filled with the breath of new life.

More and more individual stalls are appearing on the streets and alleys, with shouts of vendors rising and falling; the goods on the shelves of shopping malls are no longer monotonous blue, gray and black, but colorful fabrics, novel stationery and even imported candies are beginning to appear; in addition to current affairs news, the melodies of popular songs occasionally drift out on the radio, and even the air is filled with the fresh atmosphere of change.

Eight-year-old Zhou Jin is already sitting in a fifth-grade classroom—he entered first grade at age five, skipped to third grade at age six, and now consistently ranks first in his grade, a recognized "prodigy" throughout the school. But only he knows that this is not simply a matter of talent, but the result of the accumulation of experiences from two lifetimes. As a top expert who swept through the international financial market in his previous life, he is already well aware of the reform and opening-up wave sweeping the entire country.

The school bell rang, and Zhou Jin packed his schoolbag and headed straight for the first-grade building next door. Six-year-old Chen Panpan, with two braids and a pink schoolbag, had just stepped out of her classroom. The moment she saw Zhou Jin, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over like a cheerful little bird: "Brother Jin!"

"How did your studies go today?" Zhou Jin took the slightly slippery schoolbag from her shoulder, his tone naturally affectionate.

"The teacher taught me new characters, and I can write them all!" Chen Panpan looked up proudly, holding up her workbook. "The teacher even praised me for making good sentences!"

The two walked home side by side. When they passed a bookstall on the street corner, Chen Panpan was attracted by a comic book of "Journey to the West". She tugged at Zhou Jin's sleeve and stopped: "Brother Jin, shall we buy this one? My deskmate said it's really good."

Zhou Jin's gaze swept across the bookstall, and several pamphlets bearing the titles "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" and "Pilot Program for Market Economy" caught his eye. To him, these were not obscure new concepts, but rather historical processes he had personally experienced in his previous life—he clearly knew the future direction of the special administrative region, understood the revolutionary significance of the market economy for the national economy, and could even foresee the opportunities and challenges that might arise during the reforms.

"Boss, I want both of these." Zhou Jin took out his pocket money and bought both the comic book Chen Panpan wanted and the book "A Preliminary Exploration of the Construction of Special Economic Zones".

"Brother Jin, you like reading these kinds of books too?" Chen Panpan asked, glancing curiously at the cover of the booklet while holding the comic book.

"Hmm," Zhou Jin put the booklet into his schoolbag, smiled and patted her head, "I want to see how the special zone is being built. Maybe we can go there someday." He didn't say much. As an 8-year-old child, mentioning it briefly was just right, neither revealing the secret of the time traveler nor failing to meet the perspective of a "prodigy".

Back home, Zhou Jin went straight to his study and opened the booklet. The text inside was effortless for him, even somewhat simplistic—the so-called "market economy" and "attracting investment" were merely the basic logic of modern economics. But he still read it very carefully, not to understand it, but to verify the consistency between his past life memories and the present reality, and to find opportunities to enter the future.

During dinner, Zhou Jin brought up the topic of the Special Economic Zone, her tone carrying a childlike "curiosity" but actually revealing deep thought: "Grandpa, Dad, I read some information today that Shenzhen and Hong Kong allow foreign investment in factories and they can set their own prices. Does this mean the market will regulate itself?"

Zhou Jianguo put down his chopsticks, a clear look of approval flashing in his eyes: "Jin'er, you're really quick-witted! That's right, the special economic zone is meant to break free from the shackles of the planned economy, to feel our way across the river, and to explore a development path suitable for our country."

"But won't some people think that this is taking the capitalist road?" Zhou Jin pressed, clearly remembering the ideological clashes during the early stages of reform in his previous life.

Zhou Chengbang added, "There are indeed controversies, but the central government's attitude is very clear: whether it's planned economy or market economy, any approach that leads to national development and the enrichment of the people is a good one. The State Planning Commission is currently studying a dual-track pricing system, which aims to find a balance between planned economy and market economy."

"A dual-track pricing system is an inevitable choice during the transition period, but we must be wary of rent-seeking opportunities arising from buying and selling." Zhou Jin blurted out subconsciously, then immediately stopped herself, pretending that she had "figured it out from reading books." "I saw similar discussions in the materials in my grandfather's study, and I felt that such problems might exist."

Zhou Jianguo and Zhou Chengbang exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. An eight-year-old child could not only understand the dual-track pricing system but also predict potential risks; this was beyond the scope of a "child prodigy."

"Jin'er is right." Zhou Jianguo pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "The central government is also paying attention to these issues. It's not easy for you to think of this. Remember, reform is never smooth sailing. We must be bold in trying new things, but we must also guard against risks."

Zhou Jin nodded, saying nothing more. He knew that it was enough to leave it at that; too many forward-looking remarks would only arouse suspicion. He had already planned his path: graduating from primary school at age 10 in 1982, junior high school at age 13, high school at age 16, then enrolling in the economics program at Huaguo University for a combined bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree, graduating with his doctorate at age 22 (in 1994), just in time for the crucial period of deepening reforms, to dedicate his professional skills to national development.

Meanwhile, news also came from the military. Su Weidong, the eldest uncle, and Chen Dashan, the father of Chen Panpan, who had been awarded a first-class merit and promoted to deputy brigade commander in the Sino-Vietnamese War, received new appointments—Su Weidong was transferred to the position of deputy division commander of a motorized infantry division in the Kyoto Military Region, and Chen Dashan was transferred to the position of deputy division commander of an armored division in the Jingzhou Military Region.

On the day she saw her uncle off, Zhou Jin held Su Weidong's hand and said, "Uncle, be careful when you get to your new post. I want to study economics in the future, and after I graduate with my doctorate, I'll go into construction. You guard the country's borders, and I'll develop the economy. Let's work together for the country."

Su Weidong laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder: "Good lad, you've got ambition! Your uncle is waiting to see the day you become an economic expert!"

After returning to the 301 Hospital, Su Qinghe, Zhou Jin's mother, became increasingly busy. The hospital was introducing advanced medical equipment and technology from abroad, and as an internal medicine expert, she often worked overtime to research new technologies and treat difficult patients. But no matter how busy she was, she would always make time to be with Zhou Jin, listen to his academic plans, and remind him to take care of his health.

"Mom, I'm sure I can get into Huaguo University to study economics." Zhou Jin said confidently. "In the future, I want to make the country's financial market more and more standardized, and make people's lives more and more prosperous."

Su Qinghe gently patted his head: "Mom believes in you. But don't put too much pressure on yourself. Your health and happiness are more important than anything else."

In his spare time, Zhou Jin spent his time reading professional books and accompanying Chen Panpan. He would tutor her, take her to the park to fly kites, and tell her historical stories. Chen Panpan was extremely dependent on him and was willing to tell him anything that was on her mind. If anyone dared to bully her, Zhou Jin would always be the first to stand up for her.

That weekend, the two were flying kites in the military compound. The kites soared higher and higher, almost merging into the azure sky. Chen Panpan looked up, her eyes crinkling with laughter, "Brother Jin, look, the kite is flying so high!"

Looking at her innocent smile, Zhou Jin felt a warmth in his heart. He pointed to the kite and said, "Panpan, when we grow up, we want to be like this kite, flying higher and farther. I'll go into economic development, and you can do what you love. Together, we'll make our country stronger."

Chen Panpan nodded emphatically, her little hands tightly gripping his arm: "Yes! I want to stay with Brother Jin forever, and together we'll be useful people for our country!"

Looking at her earnest expression, Zhou Jin secretly vowed in his heart: In this life, he would definitely protect this childhood sweetheart and ensure that she would never be harmed and would always be happy.

As the sun set, its golden rays bathed the two men, elongating their shadows. In the distance, soldiers on the military training ground were training diligently, their shouts echoing through the air; closer by, the spring breeze of reform and opening up swept across the land, bringing boundless vitality and hope.

Zhou Jin knew that his life journey had only just begun. In the future, he would steadily advance his studies according to plan, accumulate strength amidst the wave of reform, and await the day when he would graduate with his doctorate at the age of 22 and officially dedicate himself to national construction. And his dream was becoming clearer and clearer in this spring breeze—to become a pillar of society who could both strategize and promote economic development and uphold his original aspiration to seek happiness for the people.

The moonlight streamed through the window and fell on Zhou Jin's desk, illuminating a line of words he had written: "A young man's ambition should reach for the clouds; who cares about sitting in the cold and sighing?" This was a true reflection of his state of mind at that moment, and also a firm vow for his future life.

As the tide of reform surges, young people with lofty ambitions soar to the heavens. Zhou Jin's path of growth extends step by step alongside the rise of the nation, and his legend will continue to write new chapters in this magnificent era.