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

The week's handover was tight and well-organized. Zhou Jin meticulously compiled Yancheng's industrial planning, Party building pilot project progress records, and key project lists into a booklet, and communicated with his successor on key milestones one by one. From the details of technical cooperation for the apple deep-processing base to the investment promotion layout of the green energy industrial park, everything was explained in great detail. In late autumn of 2014, the official appointment document from the Central Committee was delivered to Shaanxi Province, which clearly stated: "Comrade Zhou Jin is relieved of his posts as Deputy Secretary, Standing Committee Member, and Member of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, and Secretary, Standing Committee Member, and Member of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee, and will be assigned to another position."

On the afternoon of the day the appointment document was read out, the auditorium of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee was packed to capacity for the solemn handover ceremony of Comrade Zhou Jin. The Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee presided over the meeting, which was personally attended by Provincial Party Secretary Wang Jianjun and Governor Li Zhenhua (the newly appointed Governor). More than 500 people, including members of the four leading bodies of Yancheng, heads of party and government departments of various counties and districts, heads of municipal departments, grassroots cadres, and enterprise representatives, gathered together in a solemn yet poignant atmosphere.

Zhou Jin, dressed in a navy blue suit, had a calm expression, but could not hide the emotions in his eyes. When the host announced that he would speak, the entire audience erupted in a long and enthusiastic round of applause, filled with respect and nostalgia.

He walked to the podium and bowed deeply. After the applause subsided, his voice was sincere and hoarse: "Comrades, standing here today, my heart is filled with reluctance and gratitude. Eight years ago, I came to Yanshi with the organization's entrustment. This red land accepted me, and the people of the old revolutionary base area trusted me. Now, as I am about to embark on a new post, a thousand words can be summed up in two words—thank you."

"I am grateful for the strong leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, and for the trust and support of Secretary Wang and Governor Li, which have given me a platform to work hard and make progress. I am also grateful to the cadres at all levels in the city for fighting alongside me for the past eight years, working together to overcome the challenges of industrial transformation and Party building innovation, and turning the blueprint of 'red, yellow, green and black' into the reality of a trillion-yuan city. I am especially grateful to the people of Yancheng, whose tolerance and expectations are my greatest motivation to overcome difficulties."

His gaze swept across the meeting room, settling on Secretary Wang Jianjun and Governor Li Zhenhua. His tone was solemn: "Over the past eight years, I have witnessed Yancheng's transformation from a resource-dependent city into a 'Pearl of Northwest China.' This achievement belongs to every one of those who have strived. I will never forget Secretary Wang's admonition to 'build Party organizations in the non-public sector' when promoting Party building; I will never forget Governor Li's personal leadership of inter-departmental consultations when coordinating land use for new energy projects. Your guidance and commitment have deeply inspired me."

Finally, he promised: "Although I am leaving Yancheng, I will always be a native of the old revolutionary base area. After returning to Beijing, I will continue to pay attention to the development of Shaanxi Province and the progress of Yancheng, and advocate for the industrial upgrading and improvement of people's livelihoods in the old revolutionary base area. I will definitely come back often in the future to see this land where I have struggled and loved, and to see my old colleagues and friends who fought alongside me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in applause, and many officials had tears in their eyes.

After the conference, Zhou Jin first approached Secretary Wang Jianjun, and the two shook hands for a long time. Wang Jianjun patted him on the shoulder, his tone earnest: "Comrade Zhou Jin, eight years of hard work have not been in vain; the development of Yancheng City cannot be separated from you. Now that you're in the Ministry of Finance, the responsibilities are even heavier. Continue to maintain your pragmatic style and contribute more to the country's financial work. Shaanxi Province will always be your support; come back and visit often."

"Thank you for your guidance and trust, Secretary Wang," Zhou Jin said emotionally. "I have been in Shaanxi Province for eight years and have learned a lot from you. Your overall perspective and pragmatic spirit have always been a role model for me. No matter where I am in the future, I will pay attention to the development of Shaanxi Province and will do my best to help wherever I am needed."

Afterwards, Zhou Jin bid farewell to Governor Li Zhenhua. Li Zhenhua shook his hand and smiled, saying, "Comrade Zhou Jin, your achievements in Yancheng are evident to all; you are a role model for cadres throughout the province. Although we haven't worked together for long, I admire your professional competence and sense of responsibility. I hope that in your new position, you will continue to share your expertise and wisdom with the economic development of Shaanxi Province."

"I will certainly not forget the governor's instructions," Zhou Jin replied. "Shaanxi Province's development blueprint has been drawn up, and I believe that under your and Secretary Wang's leadership, it will definitely reach a new level. I will also continue to pay attention to the key projects in Yancheng City, and I will do my best to coordinate any resources that need to be provided."

After bidding farewell to provincial and municipal leaders, Zhou Jin shook hands with cadres and members of the public one by one at the auditorium entrance. Zhang Li, Minister of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, choked with emotion, saying, "Secretary Zhou, rest assured, we will definitely safeguard the development achievements of Yancheng City and pass on the experience of the Party building pilot project." A business leader from the Yanbei Development Zone presented a banner embroidered with "Hard Work Builds the Nation, Benefits the People," saying, "Secretary Zhou, it was you who helped our company overcome the difficulties of transformation. The entrepreneurs of Yancheng City will always remember you!"

As Zhou Jin stepped out of the municipal government compound, a long line of people who had come to see him off had already formed, holding apples they had grown themselves and rice wine they had brewed, vying to put them into his hands. "Secretary Zhou, try our apples, this is the variety you promoted back then!" "Secretary Zhou, take this bottle of rice wine with you, don't forget the taste of Yan'an when you get to the capital!"

His wife, Chen Panpan, had come all the way from Kyoto to see him off and was now standing quietly by the car, waiting. Zhou Jin accepted the gifts from the crowd one by one, her eyes welling up with tears: "Thank you everyone. I accept the apples, and I'll remember your kindness! I wish you all a prosperous and happy life!"

He turned and bowed deeply to the crowd seeing him off, then got into the car with Chen Panpan. The car slowly started moving, and Zhou Jin rolled down the window and waved. The crowd moved slowly with the car, shouts of "Goodbye, Secretary Zhou!" rose and fell. Outside the car window, Pagoda Hill stood majestically, apple orchards stretched endlessly, and the red flags of the municipal party committee compound fluttered in the wind. All of this became the most precious image in Zhou Jin's heart.

As the car drove away from the city, Zhou Jin watched the receding figure of Yancheng City outside the window and said to Chen Panpan beside her, "Eight years have passed. I really can't bear to part with them. Are Shouzheng and Nianqi doing well in Kyoto? Once I've settled in at the Ministry of Finance, our family will be reunited."

Chen Panpan nodded and smiled, "The children are all looking forward to your return. They're so excited about your upcoming job in Kyoto that they can't sleep. Don't worry, I'll take care of things at home. You can focus on your work."

Zhou Jin held his wife's hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Eight years of deep cultivation on this red soil, a lifetime of affection for the old revolutionary base area. The mountains and rivers here have become part of his blood, and a new journey lies ahead—carrying the pragmatic spirit of Yancheng City and the red genes of the old revolutionary base area, he will continue to fulfill his oath of "putting the country first" in his position at the Ministry of Finance.