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

In the depths of winter in 2005, the night in Hong Kong was as dark as ink, and the neon lights of Victoria Harbour cast dappled shadows on the water. Zhou Jin stood alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of her apartment, holding a list of assets from Huayao Capital in her hand. Her fingertips traced the lines of striking data, and a complex longing flickered in her eyes.

Looking back, when he first arrived in Hong Kong in 1997, he was already the Deputy Director of the Economic Division of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, responsible for the preparation of the emergency response team. Eight years later, he was not only promoted to Director-General of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong (at the ministerial level), but also personally transformed Huayao Capital from an emergency investment platform to cope with the financial crisis into a behemoth with assets exceeding 30 billion yuan. Each asset on the list is like a child that Zhou Jin has raised himself—large tracts of commercial land in the core area of ​​Hong Kong, whose value will increase exponentially with urban renewal; a deep-water port with a throughput ranking among the top in Southeast Asia, guarding the throat of international trade; and iron ore and rubber plantations in the hinterland of Southeast Asia, firmly grasping the lifeline of industrial raw materials. Zhou Jin knew all too well that with these high-quality strategic assets as the foundation, as long as there were no catastrophic mistakes, it would be a natural progression for Huayao Capital to break through the 100 billion yuan mark within a few years and reach the trillion yuan mark within ten years.

He stroked the gold-embossed titles on the list, his fingertips slightly warm. Eight years had passed; from deputy section chief to director, from emergency preparedness to overall coordination, every investment and every strategic move had been poured into him. To say he wasn't nostalgic would be a lie. But reason, like a cold ruler, constantly measured his situation.

After the passing of his grandfather Zhou Jianguo and maternal grandfather Su Tian, ​​the Zhou family's "pillar of strength" in Kyoto collapsed. He was only 32 years old this year, having risen from deputy director in 1997 to director-general level—a speed that was already quite remarkable within the system. Now, holding Huayao Capital, this "big money bag," was like carrying a hot potato in a bustling city, inevitably attracting the covetous eyes of others. These days, invitations from Hong Kong's business community poured in like snowflakes, but behind them lay many probes from within the system—some subtly inquired about Huayao Capital's equity structure, others implicitly suggested recommending "capable people" for management positions; Zhou Jin saw through those subtle glances.

"The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind." His grandfather's words echoed in his ears. Zhou Jin sighed and closed the list. He wasn't someone who craved power; Huayao Capital was a national asset, not his private property. Rather than staying in Hong Kong and getting caught up in the vortex of capital and power, it was better to let go voluntarily. This was both self-preservation and a responsibility to the country.

As night deepened, Zhou Jin made two phone calls.

The first person she called was her father, Zhou Chengbang, who was then the director of the National Development and Reform Commission. His voice on the other end of the line was calm and steady. After listening to Zhou Jin's concerns, he remained silent for a full half minute before slowly speaking: "Xiao Jin, you've thought this through. You went to Hong Kong in 1997 as a deputy director, and in eight years you rose to the rank of director-general—that's already a remarkable achievement. Holding onto Huayao Capital would only make you too many enemies. You've done a great job in Hong Kong; knowing when to quit is a wise move." Zhou Chengbang paused, his tone becoming more concerned. "As for those who covet Huayao, the organization understands. Just confidently submit your request to be transferred back to the mainland; I'll take care of the rest."

The second call was to his father-in-law, Chen Dashan. The deputy commander of the Guangdong Military Region, known for his straightforward nature, immediately slammed his fist on the table upon hearing the news: "Good lad, you've got guts! Our Chen and Zhou families have never relied on capital! You're a cadre cultivated by the Party, your roots are in the grassroots, among the people. No matter how big the stage in Hong Kong is, it's not a place for you to linger. Let those who want to take advantage of Huayao do their thing! Go back to the mainland, do some practical work, that's better than anything else!"

His father's calm analysis and his father-in-law's unwavering support solidified Zhou Jin's decision. The next morning, he wrote a petition to be transferred back to the mainland. His words were earnest, and he made no mention of others' covetousness. He simply stated, "The situation in Hong Kong has stabilized, and I have successfully completed my duties. I earnestly request the organization to assign me to a new position so that I may continue to serve the country."

The moment the report was handed over, Zhou Jin actually breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that this report was destined to cause a stir among his superiors.

Sure enough, after the news spread, two opposing opinions quickly formed.

One faction, led by the veteran who had commanded the financial defense of Hong Kong during the crisis, was the "retention faction." At a special meeting of the State Council, the veteran leader slammed his fist on the table, his voice trembling with emotion: "Zhou Jin cannot leave! In 1997, he was appointed to Hong Kong in a time of crisis, starting as a deputy director. He repelled international speculative capital during the financial defense, and afterwards stabilized Hong Kong's economy, promoting relief for SMEs, cross-border medical cooperation, and youth entrepreneurship programs. None of these could have been done without him! Hong Kong's financial stability needs such a strong-willed and capable expert!" The veteran leader picked up a document and waved it around. "During the 1998 Nanjiang floods, he personally donated 100 million! What does that mean? It means patriotism! We can only feel at ease if such a good cadre stays in Hong Kong!"

The other faction, led by a high-ranking official in charge of the economy, was the "return faction." Their words, seemingly sincere, actually concealed a hidden agenda: "Comrade Zhou Jin's abilities are undeniable, that's a fact. But now that the situation in Hong Kong is stable and Huayao Capital is on track, we no longer need him to be in charge full-time. The mainland is currently deepening its reform and opening up, and especially needs cadres like Zhou Jin who understand finance and have international experience. Letting him return to the mainland, to a broader platform, will allow him to play a greater role!"

These words silenced the meeting room. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that behind this leader were forces coveting control of Huayao Capital. They were eager for Zhou Jin to leave so they could install their own people to take over this "money bag."

The two sides were deadlocked, and the meeting reached a stalemate. Zhou Jin's supplementary report was submitted at this crucial moment. In it, he explicitly stated his desire to work in old revolutionary base areas, to immerse himself in grassroots work, and to do practical things for the people there.

This report instantly changed the atmosphere in the meeting room.

The veteran commander who had overseen the defense of Hong Kong's financial sector remained silent for a long time after reading the report. He lightly tapped his fingertips on the table, already making his decision: Zhou Jin's eight years stationed in Hong Kong had been marked by outstanding achievements, unwavering Party spirit, and exceptional abilities—a fact recognized by the organization. His request to go to the old revolutionary base areas was not an act of shirking responsibility, but rather a demonstration of commitment. Good cadres shouldn't be discouraged; he needed the best platform, one that not only aligned with his desire to dedicate himself to grassroots work but also maximized his political capital accumulation—his experience in the revolutionary heartland was crucial for his future growth, and this was the best affirmation and protection he could receive.

After a long pause, the old leader suddenly slapped his thigh, his eyes sweeping across the room with piercing intensity: "Excellent! What a fine example of dedication to serving the people at the grassroots level! Comrade Zhou Jin's vision is far superior to that of some others!"

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming firm and unwavering: "Comrade Zhou Jin wants to go to the old revolutionary base area! Good, then we'll send him to the revolutionary holy land! Yancheng City in Shaanxi Province—that's the cradle of the revolution, the birthplace of our original aspirations. The organization intends to recommend Comrade Zhou Jin for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and nominate him as a candidate for Mayor of the Yancheng Municipal People's Government. This will allow him to hone his skills and grow in this red soil, and also enable him to leverage his financial management experience in the economic development of the old revolutionary base area, so that he can shoulder even greater responsibilities in the future!"

As soon as the old leader finished speaking, a chorus of approval erupted in the conference room.

"The old commander is right! Yancheng is a sacred revolutionary site; it's the perfect place for Comrade Zhou Jin to go!"

"Nominating the deputy secretary as a mayor candidate is in accordance with organizational procedures and will allow him to better carry out his work!"

"Sending cadres with financial and management skills to old revolutionary base areas will boost the economic development of Yancheng City—it's a win-win situation!"

Even those leaders who had previously used the pretext of "returning to the mainland" to covet Huayao Capital now expressed their agreement. They knew in their hearts that the old leader was clearly paving the way for Zhou Jin—the political weight of Yan City was self-evident, and nominating him as mayor as deputy secretary, seemingly a demotion to the grassroots, was actually adding a significant stroke to his career. No one dared to raise any objections.

Ultimately, the organization, after considering all opinions, made a clear decision.

On the last day of December 2005, an official document was delivered to Zhou Jin's office.

The handwriting on the document was clear and forceful: "Zhou Jin is relieved of his post as Director of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong; Zhou Jin is proposed to be appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Committee of the CPC and nominated as a candidate for Mayor of the Yancheng Municipal People's Government, with his rank of Director-General unchanged."

Holding the appointment document, Zhou Jin's eyes welled up slightly. He knew that this appointment was not only a high affirmation of his eight years of work in Hong Kong by the organization, but also a reflection of the care and expectations that his former superiors and the organization had for him.

He walked to the window and gazed once more at the night view of Victoria Harbour. Eight years in Hong Kong flashed before his eyes—the naiveté and determination of his arrival in Hong Kong in 1997, the sleepless nights of the financial defense battle, the tears of gratitude of small and medium-sized business owners receiving low-interest loans, the thunderous applause at the signing of cross-border medical cooperation agreements, and Lin Xiaoman's unwavering gaze…

All of this will become the past.

Zhou Jin carefully put the documents away and turned to look at the family photo on her desk. In the photo, Chen Panpan smiled radiantly, with her two children, Zhou Shouzheng and Zhou Nianqi, nestled beside her, their eyes crinkling with joy.

He picked up his phone and dialed Chen Panpan's number, his tone gentle yet firm: "Panpan, pack your bags. We're going home, back to the mainland, to Yancheng in Shaanxi Province, to the revolutionary holy land, to do something practical for the people."

On the other end of the phone, Chen Panpan's voice was tinged with laughter, and a barely perceptible sob: "Okay, I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Wherever you go, I'll go. Yanshi is a revolutionary holy site, the people there are simple and honest, the land there has stories to tell, and with you here, it's home."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Jin took a deep breath and gazed out the window into the distance. There, in Yancheng City, Shaanxi Province, the Loess Plateau, though barren, was full of hope. The red soil awaited him to sow the seeds of his dreams and to fulfill his unwavering original aspiration.