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

In June 1994, at the Zhou family's old residence, the old locust tree in the courtyard was lush and verdant, and the cicadas chirped incessantly without disturbing anyone. Zhou Jin, dressed in her doctoral gown and holding her doctoral graduation certificate from Huaguo University and a letter of recommendation from Professor Shen Mingyuan, walked into the familiar living room.

Grandpa Zhou Jianguo was sitting in his armchair, holding a yellowed copy of "Selected Works of Mao Zedong." Seeing his grandson enter, his cloudy eyes instantly lit up. He put down the book and stood up: "Jin'er, you've graduated!"

Zhou Chengbang and Su Qinghe stood to the side, their faces full of pride. Zhou Jin stepped forward and handed her graduation certificate and recommendation letter to her grandfather: "Grandpa, I graduated successfully. Teacher Shen recommended me to work in the Secretariat of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China."

Zhou Jianguo accepted the certificate and recommendation letter, carefully examining them. His fingers gently traced the gold-embossed school badge and Shen Mingyuan's signature, his eyes filled with satisfaction. He paused for a moment, then gestured for Zhou Jin to sit beside him. His tone gradually became serious: "Jin'er, your ability to gain admission to Huaguo University for your doctorate and to enter the General Office of the Central Committee is your achievement and the glory of the Zhou family. But from today onwards, you officially step into the system. Grandpa has a few words for you that you must remember and internalize."

Zhou Jin straightened up and said respectfully, "Grandpa, I will definitely remember what you say."

"First," Zhou Jianguo held up a finger, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, "for an official, the original aspiration is fundamental. You've entered the General Office of the Central Committee, the closest you are to national decision-making. Every document you hold and every word you utter concerns the national interest and the well-being of the people. You must serve the country and the people, putting public interests before private ones. You cannot have the slightest selfish thought, you cannot use your power to seek personal gain for yourself or your family, and you must never forget that our Zhou family fought alongside the Party and the people to build this country, not to enjoy special privileges."

He paused, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Secondly, don't form cliques or small circles. The most taboo thing in the system is forming factions for personal gain. You are young and promising, with Professor Shen's recommendation and the background of the Zhou and Su families. It's inevitable that some people will try to win you over, and some will be jealous of you. But you must remember that your backers are not the Zhou or Su families, but the Party and the people, and your own ability and integrity. When dealing with colleagues, be open and honest, handle official business strictly, don't get involved in circles you shouldn't, and don't listen to gossip you shouldn't hear."

"Third, don't seek special treatment." Zhou Jianguo's voice became a few decibels. "There are definitely many uncles and elders you know in the General Office of the Central Committee, and even some leaders you met when you were a child. But work is work. When you get there, you're not the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, nor the grandson of the Su family, but just Little Zhou, an ordinary staff member. You must abide by the rules, obey arrangements, work overtime when required, and run errands when necessary. You can't put on airs or seek special treatment because of your background. Your grandfather has retired, and your maternal grandfather has also retired, but we can't abandon our principles. We can't let others speak ill of the Zhou family behind our backs."

Zhou Jin listened attentively, nodding frequently: "Grandpa, I remember, I will never seek special treatment, and I will do things in a down-to-earth manner."

Seeing his grandson's humble demeanor, Zhou Jianguo's expression softened somewhat, but his tone remained firm: "Of course, Grandpa also tells you that one must have backbone and confidence in one's actions. You are the eldest grandson of the Zhou family and the grandson of the Su family, the pride of both our families. Our Zhou and Su families are both loyal and valiant, and the legacy of our founding fathers is still intact. Although your maternal grandfather and I have retired to the Central Advisory Commission, no one in Beijing dares to openly bully you."

He slammed his hand on the armrest of the armchair, his voice booming with an undeniable air of authority: "If anyone deliberately makes things difficult for you at work, gives you a hard time, or you encounter injustice, don't suffer in silence. Speak up when you need to, stand up for yourself when you need to! As long as you act uprightly and honestly, and haven't done anything wrong, no one can do anything to you. Your grandfather isn't dead yet, and your maternal grandfather is still healthy. The connections and resources of the Zhou and Su families are your strongest support!"

"Grandpa isn't telling you to bully others," Zhou Jianguo's tone softened, "but rather that you need the courage to uphold principles and the confidence to defend justice. Serving as an official and bringing benefits to the people requires you to hold your ground and not be swayed by corrupt practices. If you can't even protect yourself, if you don't dare to uphold justice, what are you talking about for the country and its people?"

Zhou Chengbang, standing nearby, added, "Your grandfather is right, Jin'er. We support you in working hard, but we also hope you can protect yourself. If you encounter problems you can't solve, your family will always be your support."

Su Qinghe looked at her son, her eyes filled with heartache and expectation: "Jin'er, no matter how high your official rank becomes in the future, you must remember the way home and the basics of being a good person."

Zhou Jin stood up and bowed deeply to her grandfather: "Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I've remembered everything you said. I will definitely stay true to my original aspirations, serve the country and the people, not seek special treatment, and never be afraid of difficulties. I will not bring shame to the Zhou family, nor to the Su family!"

Looking into his grandson's determined eyes, Zhou Jianguo nodded in satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder: "Good! That's my grandson, Zhou Jianguo! Go on, pack your things, and get ready to report to the General Office of the Central Committee. Remember, wherever you go, be an upright person, work diligently, and be a good cadre that the Party and the people can trust."

Stepping out of the living room, Zhou Jin's heart remained unsettled for a long time. His grandfather's words, both earnest and powerfully supportive, were etched into his mind. He knew that his grandfather was not only teaching him the ways of being an official, but also the fundamentals of being a good person. The profound heritage of the Zhou and Su families was not something for him to boast about, but rather the foundation that would allow him to uphold his principles and forge ahead with courage.

Back in his room, Zhou Jin wrote down his grandfather's teachings in his diary, then took out the key to the bank safe deposit box and gently stroked it. He thought of the 5 subscription certificates in Shanghai, Professor Shen Mingyuan's expectations, Chen Panpan's support, and even more so, his original aspiration to "contribute to the country's economic development."

He knew that entering the General Office of the Central Committee was just the beginning, and his future career path was destined to be bumpy. However, with his grandfather's teachings, his family's support, his own talent, and the backing of the Zhou and Su families, he was confident that he could take every step well.

In July 1994, Zhou Jin officially reported to the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. As he walked into the solemn and imposing General Office building, dressed in a neat suit, his eyes were firm and his steps steady. He remembered his grandfather's teachings and began his career as an ordinary staff member. And at that moment, his path to success within the Party officially set sail.