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

On the day of the full moon celebration, the Zhou family's old residence in Kyoto was brightly decorated and filled with guests.

The courtyard house, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, was spotless. Round tables were set up in the courtyard, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and laughter. Those who came to offer their congratulations were either high-ranking officials from the State Council or generals from the military region. Each of them was well-dressed, and their words exuded composure and authority, which was enough to show the Zhou family's influence in the capital.

Zhou Jin was held in her mother Su Qinghe's arms, wearing a red cotton-padded jacket. Her face was round, and her eyes, like black grapes, darted around. She seemed innocent and ignorant, but in fact, she was secretly observing everything in front of her.

He knew that this full moon celebration was not only a birthday celebration for him, but also a silent display of the family's power. As the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, he was destined to stand in the spotlight from birth, and his every move was closely watched.

"Old Zhou, your grandson is really handsome. Look at his eyes, they're so bright!" An elderly man in a Zhongshan suit walked up with a smile. He was none other than Minister Li, Zhou Jianguo's old comrade-in-arms and colleague in the State Council.

Zhou Jianguo laughed heartily, his eyes full of pride: "This kid is the hope of our Zhou family. We must nurture him well in the future and not let this great era go to waste."

As they were talking, a series of steady footsteps came from the courtyard gate. A young man in military uniform strode in, his posture upright, his face resolute, and his brows exuding the iron-blooded aura unique to soldiers.

"Dad, Uncle Zhou, I'm here." The man walked up to Zhou Jianguo and Su Tian and saluted respectfully.

"Wei Dong is here. Come and see your nephew." Su Tian waved and a rare smile appeared on his face.

This is Zhou Jin's maternal uncle, Su Weidong, a regimental commander in the Jingzhou Military Region. At only thirty years old, he was already a decorated officer, having participated in the Vietnam War and was one of his maternal grandfather Su Tian's most capable lieutenants. In that era of seniority-based promotion, a thirty-year-old regimental commander was a rare young talent in the military, demonstrating Su Weidong's abilities.

Su Weidong walked up to Su Qinghe and cautiously reached out his hand, wanting to hug Zhou Jin. Zhou Jin blinked and reached out her small hand to grab his fingers. The soft touch warmed Su Weidong's heart, and his originally serious expression softened instantly.

"This kid is really good. If he's willing to join the army in the future, I'll personally train him!" Su Weidong said cheerfully, his tone full of expectations for the younger generation.

Su Qinghe smiled and shook her head: "He's still young. Let him choose what he wants to do in the future."

At this moment, a little boy of about five or six years old followed Su Weidong in. He was wearing a small military uniform, with a serious face, looking like a little adult. He walked up to Zhou Jin, curiously looking at his little cousin, with a hint of shyness in his eyes.

"Is this Mingzhe? He's grown so tall." Zhou Chengbang smiled and patted the little boy's head.

Su Mingzhe, the son of Su Weidong, is five years older than Zhou Jin. He grew up in a military compound and, influenced by his surroundings, developed a calm and capable personality, displaying a maturity beyond his years at a young age.

"Hello, Uncle. Hello, Aunt." Su Mingzhe greeted them obediently, then looked at Zhou Jin and whispered, "Little cousin, I'm your older brother. I'll protect you from now on."

Zhou Jin looked at his little cousin, a slight stirring in his heart. In this life, he was no longer alone; he had family and brothers, a feeling that warmed him deeply. He reached out his small hand and gently patted Su Mingzhe's hand, as if responding to his promise.

At the full moon celebration, the elders sat together, discussing national affairs and chatting about everyday life, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Zhou Jin was held in her grandfather's arms, listening to their conversation and silently absorbing the information of this era.

He knew that China in 1972 was in a special historical period, with a planned economy dominating, a market economy yet to emerge, and a complex international environment. His family was undoubtedly a beneficiary of this era, wielding enormous power and resources.

But Zhou Jin also knew that power and resources were a double-edged sword; they could elevate one to great heights, or lead to utter ruin. Especially in this volatile era, one wrong step could result in total defeat.

"Jin'er, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Zhou Jianguo looked down at his grandson in his arms, his eyes deep.

Zhou Jin blinked and made a few babbling sounds, pretending not to understand. He knew that now was not the time to show his talent; keeping a low profile and being patient was the way to survive.

Looking at his grandson's bewildered expression, Zhou Jianguo smiled and shook his head: "No matter what you do in the future, you must remember to be upright and do things in an unconventional way. You must not disgrace the Zhou family, and you must never forget your original intention to serve the country."

Zhou Jin nodded as if she understood, and kept her grandfather's words in mind.