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

In September 1998, the summer heat in Hong Kong was fading, and the sea breeze from Victoria Harbour carried a refreshing coolness, caressing the city that had just weathered the financial crisis. Beneath the skyscrapers of Central, pedestrians strolled leisurely, securities brokerages returned to their usual order, the Hang Seng Index remained stable above 13500 points, and the Hong Kong dollar exchange rate against the US dollar was firmly locked in the safe range of 7.72. The pervasive panic had long since dissipated. Inside the meeting room of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, the emergency response team was compiling the final results of the financial battle; every set of data shone with the light of victory.

Through an encrypted video link, Shen Mingyuan looked at the summary report on the screen, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "After more than a month of arduous struggle, we have achieved a complete victory in the Hong Kong financial war! The core achievements are threefold: First, we successfully defended the Hong Kong dollar's linked exchange rate system, held the 7.85 floor, completely shattered the international short sellers' plot to cripple the Hong Kong financial market, and prevented the Hong Kong economy from collapsing; Second, through coordinated operations in the foreign exchange market, stock market, and derivatives market, the national level has accumulated foreign exchange profits of 800 billion Hong Kong dollars, further enriching China's 1400 billion US dollars in foreign exchange reserves and strengthening the barrier to national financial security; Third, we have stabilized Hong Kong's social order, consolidated the practical foundation of 'One Country, Two Systems,' and allowed all sectors of Hong Kong society to deeply feel the strong backing of the central government."

On the other end of the screen, the leaders of the Financial Stability and Development Committee of the State Council nodded in approval, giving high praise to the frontline team's performance. Zhou Jin sat at the head of the conference table, looking at the list of achievements before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions—the tireless monitoring day and night, the precise and decisive decisions, and the thrilling negotiations had finally culminated in this weighty report card.

Huayao Capital's achievements are equally impressive. Lin Yue, reporting via video, couldn't hide his pride: "As of September 10th, Huayao Capital has invested a total of 5 billion yuan. After multiple rounds of bottom-fishing and strategic positioning, its total asset valuation has reached 12 billion yuan, with a cumulative increase of 7 billion yuan! The asset portfolio covers three major sectors: in the financial sector, it holds a 5% stake in HSBC Holdings, a 3% stake in Hong Kong Telecom, a 10% stake in HSBC Bank, an 8% stake in Huaxin Securities, and a 20% stake in National Bank, initially forming a financial layout covering banking, securities, and telecommunications; in the real estate sector, it controls a redevelopment site in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, a 15% stake in Hang Lung Properties, and several high-quality, slow-selling properties, with a total construction area exceeding one million square meters; in overseas assets, it holds a 49% stake in a Sumatra palm oil company in Indonesia, a 30% stake in Nan Wah Minerals' Hong Kong branch, and several high-quality physical assets in Southeast Asia. Currently, Huayao Capital has become an important strategic asset platform for the country, possessing the strength to influence the Hong Kong and even the regional market."

Behind this achievement lies the precise implementation of Zhou Jin's "adhering to principles while seeking innovation" strategy, as well as the result of the team's tireless efforts day and night. Every bottom-fishing move was timed perfectly at a critical market juncture, and every strategic move was closely aligned with national strategic needs, ultimately achieving a double harvest of social and economic benefits.

Zhou Jin's personal achievements are equally remarkable. Through legal and compliant market operations—from an initial investment of 800 million yuan, to investments in Hong Kong dollar forward contracts, high-quality Hong Kong stocks, and Hang Seng Index futures hedging, culminating in a full-scale investment at the crucial moment—his personal assets have soared from the initial 800 million yuan to 3.2 million yuan, achieving complete financial freedom. This return did not rely on any special resources; it stemmed purely from his accurate market judgment, exceptional control over market timing, and decisive action at critical moments—a result of the combined effect of professional competence and opportune circumstances.

The recognition of Zhou Jin by various sectors of Hong Kong society has long surpassed mere praise for his achievements. Joseph Yam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, in a public media interview, lavished praise on Zhou Jin: "Mr. Zhou Jin's professional judgment and tactical execution made significant contributions to the victory in Hong Kong's financial battle. At the most intense moments of the battle between bulls and bears, he was always able to accurately predict the bears' movements and coordinate resources from all sides to form a united force. His understanding of the financial market and his control over risk are exemplary in the industry."

The attitude of local conglomerates shifted from initial tentative exploration to genuine admiration. Li Ka-shing personally invited Zhou Jin to meet at Cheung Kong Holdings, pouring him a cup of tea: "Mr. Zhou is young and promising, possessing not only outstanding professional skills but also a strong sense of national responsibility. This financial battle has shown us the central government's support for Hong Kong and the commitment of young talents like you. In the future, Cheung Kong Holdings is willing to deepen its cooperation with Huayao Capital to jointly contribute to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong." Other conglomerate leaders, such as Li Ka-shing and Cheng Yu-tung, also expressed their hope to cooperate with Huayao Capital in real estate, finance, and other fields, leveraging its strategic resources to achieve mutual benefit.

The Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po published a series of commentaries praising Zhou Jin as a "behind-the-scenes hero of Hong Kong's financial war." The articles stated, "In this war without gunfire, Mr. Zhou Jin, adhering to the principle of 'upholding righteousness while employing unconventional tactics,' strategized and won decisive victories, safeguarding the bottom line of national interests while demonstrating flexible and adaptable wisdom, thus writing a significant chapter in Hong Kong's financial history." Many Hong Kong residents also heard the story of this young financial manipulator and expressed their gratitude for his efforts in protecting their homeland.

One afternoon in late September, Zhou Jin stood by the window of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, overlooking the revitalized city. The Qingtian stone seal in his pocket remained warm and lustrous, the four seal characters "Upholding Integrity and Employing Ingenuity" seemingly etched into his very being. He took out his phone and dialed Chen Panpan's number. A familiar voice came through the receiver, filled with surprise and longing: "Brother Jin, I saw the news! You won!"

Zhou Jin's lips curled up, her voice gentle yet firm: "We won, it's all over. I'll be back in Kyoto soon, and I'll take you to see the sunrise at the beach, fulfilling my promise."

After hanging up the phone, he opened the light blue notebook and wrote on the last page: "In the battle of Hong Kong, we upheld the principles while employing unconventional tactics, achieving remarkable results; our country is safe and sound, our original aspiration remains unchanged, and the time for our return has come." Sunlight streamed through the window onto the paper, making the handwriting warm and powerful.

This financial battle not only brought Zhou Jin financial freedom but also transformed him from a promising young talent into a strategic operator. Meanwhile, Huayao Capital has grown from an initial emergency response team into a vital national strategic asset platform. The storm in Hong Kong has subsided, but a new journey for Zhou Jin has only just begun.