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

In July 1994, under the scorching summer sun of Kyoto, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) building exuded a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Zhou Jin, dressed in a neatly pressed suit and wearing a brand-new work badge, formally stepped into the office area of ​​the Secretariat of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee—the "central nervous system" of national decision-making, where calm and capable staff members came and went, and the air was filled with an efficient and pragmatic working atmosphere.

On her first day at work, Zhou Jin was told by her supervisor: "No matter how small the task is in the General Office of the Central Committee, every document and every coordination is related to the overall situation. We must start from scratch and strive for excellence." Zhou Jin kept this in mind and also put her grandfather's teaching of "not seeking special treatment and doing things in a down-to-earth manner" into practice.

He was assigned to basic tasks such as drafting documents, taking meeting minutes, and coordinating between departments. These tasks, though seemingly trivial, best tested his meticulousness and patience. When drafting documents, he never dared to slack off, repeatedly polishing both speeches for leaders and work briefings—first, deeply understanding the policy background, then outlining the logical framework, and finally refining the language word by word. On one occasion, his draft of a "Work Briefing on Strengthening Capital Market Supervision" was praised by his supervisor for its clear logic, detailed data, and concise language, receiving a handwritten note that it was "insightful and can be directly submitted." It was also used as an example in the departmental meeting: "Comrade Zhou Jin's draft not only conforms to policy guidance but also provides concrete suggestions based on reality; it is worthy of everyone's learning."

Organizing meeting minutes is a true test of focus and insight. Meetings held by the General Office of the Central Committee often involve major decisions, with many participants and a wide range of topics discussed. Zhou Jin always manages to take notes with complete concentration, quickly summarizing them afterward to accurately extract core viewpoints, decisions, and tasks, even highlighting points of disagreement to facilitate review by leadership. A former colleague jokingly remarked, "Zhou's meeting minutes are more comprehensive than recordings and more concise than summaries. Following his notes helps us avoid many pitfalls in our work."

Inter-departmental coordination is the ultimate test of communication skills. Once, the State Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance disagreed on the details of implementing an economic policy, resulting in a stalemate and impacting the work progress. Zhou Jin volunteered to mediate. Instead of directly judging right or wrong, he first listened to the demands and concerns of both sides, and then, combining policy documents with the actual situation, devised a solution of "phased implementation with clear responsibilities." He patiently explained the feasibility of the solution to both parties, taking into account both the State Planning Commission's efficiency and the Ministry of Finance's risk management, ultimately facilitating a consensus between the two sides. Afterwards, his colleagues at the National Development and Reform Commission praised him, saying, "Young Zhou is so young, yet he understands the art of communication very well. He adheres to principles while being flexible and adaptable; it's truly rare."

In the eyes of his colleagues, Zhou Jin never put on airs as the "eldest grandson of a red family." He wore the same formal attire as everyone else and never mentioned his family background; when older colleagues were not proficient in computer operation, he would take the initiative to help them process electronic documents; when the department worked overtime to meet deadlines, he was always the last to leave and would take the initiative to share the tedious finishing work; when new colleagues joined the company, he would patiently share the work process and precautions without reservation.

Initially, some people were curious and even somewhat skeptical when they heard that he was Zhou Jianguo and Su Tian's junior, but Zhou Jin's humility and ability quickly dispelled everyone's doubts. He never sought convenience because of his special background; on the contrary, he worked harder than others—while others left after get off work, he often stayed in the office to study policy documents; while others found basic work tedious, he was able to summarize his experience and continuously improve his efficiency.

Within six months of joining the company, Zhou Jin, with his meticulous work attitude, efficient and pragmatic work ability, and humble and unassuming demeanor, not only won the trust of his superiors but also gained the genuine recognition of his colleagues. During the year-end performance review, the department head commented: "Comrade Zhou Jin is a standout among young cadres, capable of focusing intently, enduring loneliness, and shouldering responsibility. He has proven through his actions that ability is the foundation for success."

During the year-end dinner, a colleague couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Zhou, you're so talented and have such a good family background, why are you willing to start from such a basic job and work so hard?"

Zhou Jin put down her wine glass, smiled, and said, "Basic work is the best training. Every little thing contains profound knowledge. Moreover, regardless of background, everyone is equal at work. Only by doing things conscientiously can we live up to the trust placed in us and stay true to our original aspirations."

These words were both his heartfelt thoughts and a practice of his grandfather's teachings. He knew that his experience in the General Office of the Central Committee was the cornerstone of his career, and only by persevering and striving for excellence could he go further and more steadily in the future.

As night deepened, after the dinner party, Zhou Jin strolled through the streets of Kyoto. The streetlights cast long shadows of him, and the distant red walls exuded solemnity in the darkness. He recalled his grandfather's teachings, Professor Shen Mingyuan's expectations, and Chen Panpan's support, and his heart was filled with strength.

At this moment, he may have just been an ordinary young cadre in the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, but he had already sown the seeds of growth on this land that carries the nation's mission through his actions. As time goes by, these seeds will eventually take root, sprout, and grow into pillars supporting the nation's development.