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

In the office of the Economic Division of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, a gentle sea breeze from Victoria Harbour wafted through the window, carrying a warm, salty scent. Zhou Jin had just finished processing Huayao Capital's asset integration plan when the red landline on his desk rang urgently—it was his family's encrypted private line, and the word "Grandpa" flashed on the screen.

He immediately put down his pen, stood up to answer the phone, and his tone softened unconsciously: "Grandpa, why are you calling at this hour?"

"You brat, you got promoted and didn't even bother to let the family know you were safe!" Zhou Jianguo's voice came through the line, tinged with feigned seriousness and reproach, but the end of his voice couldn't hide his amusement. "Your grandfather and I have been hearing people praise you from morning till night, our ears are practically calloused, and we still have to check your promotion news ourselves from the internal reports. Tell me, shouldn't you be punished?"

Zhou Jin chuckled softly, her fingertips tracing the Qingtian stone seal on the table: "I just finished some urgent work and was about to call you and Grandpa back. You two have to rely on me and deal with so many visitors; thank you for your hard work."

"The hardship is secondary, it's just incredibly annoying!" Zhou Jianguo's tone instantly switched to helplessness. "Ever since the news of your victory in Hong Kong and your donation to flood relief spread, our little courtyard has been practically worn down by visitors. It was fine when retired cadres and old comrades came to congratulate us, but then all sorts of business people and people trying to curry favor started blocking the door every day, even affecting the neighbors. Your grandfather and I discussed it and decided to simply close the door to visitors and go to Beidaihe for recuperation tomorrow. Out of sight, out of mind, no trouble for the organization, and no disruption to your work in Hong Kong."

"You and Grandpa are so thoughtful." Zhou Jin felt a warmth in her heart. "The climate in Beidaihe is nice, so you two can take the opportunity to rest and recuperate. Don't worry about me here. The situation in Hong Kong has stabilized, and the work is progressing according to plan. Everything is fine."

"That's good, that's good." Zhou Jianguo's voice softened, carrying the concern of an elder for a younger generation. "You're all alone out there, so be careful in everything you do. You need to do your job well, but also take good care of yourself. Don't stay up late all the time, eat on time, Hong Kong is very humid, remember to drink more herbal tea to dispel dampness, and wear the warm clothes in your closet when it gets cold, don't try to tough it out..."

The grandfather's nagging instructions were full of affection. Zhou Jin listened patiently, occasionally responding with "I know" or "Don't worry," as if she had returned to her childhood in the courtyard in Kyoto, where her grandfather sat on a stone bench and told her stories of the past.

"By the way, there's something I need to make clear to you, so you won't have any lingering resentment." Zhou Jianguo's tone suddenly became serious. "Strictly speaking, your promotion this time is a slight exception—you're a few months short of your required years as deputy director, which, according to the rules, isn't enough for promotion to director. But you made a national-level contribution to the defense of Hong Kong's financial sector, and it was a top-level one at that. The initial consensus among the leaders was to promote you one level above the usual requirements, directly to the deputy director-general level, as the deputy director of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, fully responsible for the overall coordination of Hong Kong's economic recovery."

Zhou Jin was slightly taken aback. He hadn't thought much about the promotion level; he was only focused on doing his job well.

"When your grandfather and I heard about this, we went to see the leaders that very day and firmly disagreed." Zhou Jianguo's voice was firm and unwavering. "It's our duty, the children of the Zhou and Su families, to do practical things for the country and the organization. How can we give them special treatment and promote them so many times just because they've made some contributions? You've grown up with us since you were little. What we taught you is 'Success doesn't have to be mine, but I will definitely be a part of it,' not that you do things just to get an official position or a promotion!"

"Grandpa, I understand what you mean." Zhou Jin quickly replied, her tone sincere. "You and Grandpa did the right thing. I never thought about being promoted out of turn. I'm already very satisfied to be able to stay in Hong Kong and continue to be in charge of related work."

"It's good that you understand." Zhou Jianguo's tone softened. "There's another crucial reason: we can't let you have this kind of 'skipping a rank' record on your resume. In the officialdom, you can only walk steadily and long-term by taking one step at a time. It may seem like you've gotten lucky and been promoted ahead of schedule when you're young, but when others check your resume later, there will always be gossip, and it might even become a stumbling block on your path to promotion. Rather than seeking short-term gains now, it's better to accumulate experience steadily and make every promotion legitimate and impeccable. That's how you can go further and shoulder greater responsibilities."

These words, each one a gem, revealed the profound consideration of an elder for a younger generation. Zhou Jin was deeply moved, her eyes welling up with tears: "Grandpa, thank you and Grandpa for thinking so far ahead for me. To be honest, I really don't care about rank or position. As long as I can serve the country, it doesn't matter where I am or what position I hold. You and Grandpa did this for my own good, how could I blame you? On the contrary, I should thank you for helping me stay true to my original aspirations and paving the way for my future."

"Good lad, I haven't spoiled you for nothing!" Zhou Jianguo's voice was full of satisfaction. "Alright, I won't say any more to you. Your grandfather is getting impatient over there. Let him say a few words to you."

A brief switching sound came from the other end of the line, followed quickly by Su Tian's steady and powerful voice, with the crispness characteristic of a soldier: "Xiao Jin!"

"Grandpa!" Zhou Jin called out, a feeling of warmth welling up inside her.

"Grandpa has already explained everything to you about work, so I won't go into details." Su Tian's tone was direct and clear. "Remember two things: First, stick to your principles. Hong Kong is a mixed bag with many temptations. No matter how your position changes, you can't lose your principles in life and work. Second, don't be greedy for credit. Success is achieved through everyone's hard work. Take care of your colleagues and work together to get things done."

"I understand, Grandpa," Zhou Jin replied solemnly.

"Also, take good care of yourself and don't worry your grandfather and me." Su Tian's tone softened, filled with affection. "We'll keep you updated on our safety in Beidaihe. Focus on your work and don't worry about us all the time. Come back and visit us once things have completely stabilized over there."

"Okay, definitely." Zhou Jin nodded. "You and Grandpa should take good care of yourselves in Beidaihe and be careful. Call me anytime if anything happens."

"Okay, that's all for now. I'm busy with work, I won't bother you anymore." Su Tian said and hung up the phone.

The receiver was busy, but Zhou Jin didn't put it down for a long time. His grandfather's nagging advice, his maternal grandfather's concise teachings, and the good intentions of the two elders in refusing his promotion were like a warm current flowing through his body.

He walked to the window, gazing at the calm sea in the distance, his resolve growing stronger. High or low positions were never his pursuit; safeguarding national interests and fulfilling his duties were his true aspirations. His grandfather and maternal grandfather, through a lifetime of experience, had taught him that only by being honest and steady could he go further and more steadily on this path.

He returned to his desk, picked up the light blue notebook, and added another line below the text he had written earlier: "I keep the elders' advice in mind, and walk steadily with unwavering resolve. I do not covet empty fame or high positions, but only safeguard peace for my family and country."

The sunlight shone on the handwriting, like the gaze of an elder, warm and powerful, illuminating his journey in Hong Kong and the path to his future.