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

On the last day of December 2005, before the snow in Kyoto had melted, Zhou Jin had already packed her bags and set off with Lao Chen, a cadre from the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China who was sending her to her post. Considering the road conditions and efficiency of the journey to Yancheng, they chose to first fly to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport—an airport that had been in operation since the 12s and was an important aviation hub in Northwest China—before transferring to a car to Yancheng.

Accompanying them was a tall, handsome young man, Qin Gang. He had just retired from the highest-ranking guard regiment, dressed in a sharp black jacket, his eyes sharp and steady. He served as both driver and bodyguard. This was a man entrusted to him repeatedly by his grandfather's old bodyguard, Qin Gang. The old man had watched Zhou Jin grow up and, knowing he was going to take up a post in the old revolutionary base area of ​​Northwest China, was worried and insisted that his grandson accompany him to "protect" him. Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed Qin Gang: "Take good care of the young master, stay true to your duty, don't ask what you shouldn't ask, don't say what you shouldn't say, and be there to step up in crucial moments." Qin Gang was currently focused on the steering wheel, driving the SUV provided by the provincial party committee smoothly, occasionally glancing at Zhou Jin's condition in the rearview mirror.

As the car drove away from Xi'an city and headed north, the scenery outside the window gradually transitioned from the fertile plains of Guanzhong to the rugged, gully-filled Loess Plateau. The winter sun shone on the bare loess, outlining a desolate and heavy silhouette. Zhou Jin leaned against the car window, but her thoughts had already drifted to the work that was about to begin.

"Next year will be the first year of the 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan.' Shaanxi Province, as a major city in Northwest China, is both an old revolutionary base area and a major energy province. How to seize the opportunity to break through the current situation is crucial." He pondered in his mind, his fingertips unconsciously tapping his knees. Data from Yancheng City brought back from the Organization Department flashed through his mind: It has abundant red tourism resources, with revolutionary sites such as Zaoyuan and Yangjialing being national classic scenic spots, but its development is extensive, mostly involving superficial visits, with short industrial chains and low added value; the energy industry accounts for more than 60%, but it mainly produces primary products such as raw coal and crude oil, with insufficient deep processing capabilities; Yancheng's apples are of excellent quality, crisp, sweet, and juicy, but due to a lack of brand recognition and poor sales channels, they can only be sold at "farm price," making it difficult for farmers to increase their income; the cadre team is hardworking and diligent, but lacks market and international vision, and is not sensitive to emerging things such as the Internet.

"Perhaps we can start with three articles: 'Red,' 'Green,' and 'Black,' and then leverage the internet," Zhou Jin's eyes lit up. Red resources shouldn't be limited to simple sightseeing; we need to integrate culture and tourism, build a red culture forum, create an official website to promote Yancheng's red stories, attract study tours and Party building activities from across the country, and develop a batch of distinctive cultural and creative products to transform the red spirit into economic momentum. Green agriculture should focus on the apple industry, register a unified regional public brand, develop high-value-added products such as apple juice, apple cider, and apple chips, and open up sales channels through e-commerce platforms, allowing Yancheng apples to leave the Loess Plateau and be sold nationwide and even in Hong Kong. Black energy should be transformed, extending the industrial chain, developing coal-power integration and fine chemicals, while simultaneously developing new energy projects such as solar and wind power to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources.

He knew these were just preliminary ideas. Although the internet was widespread in 2006, its application at the county level was still weak. The establishment of e-commerce platforms and the improvement of the logistics system required gradual exploration. The technology and funding for apple deep processing also needed to be coordinated with various parties. Huayao Capital's resources might come in handy. Everything had to wait until after on-site investigations and the actual situation in Yancheng before the plan could be refined. It couldn't just be talk on paper.

As her thoughts wandered, the car entered a winding mountain road. Zhou Jin turned her gaze back to Li Xiangming, the Party Secretary of Yancheng City, who was about to become her partner. This Secretary Li's resume was dazzling, and his future career was even more meteoric—after rising from Shaanxi Province, he would be transferred to Shanghai as the Minister of Organization, then become the Party Secretary of Shanghai, governing this international metropolis, before being transferred to Guangdong Province as the Party Secretary, deeply cultivating the forefront of reform and opening up, and finally rising to the central government, serving as a member of the neighborhood committee and the head of the discipline inspection commission. He was a true "big shot" figure.

"Working alongside such a leader is both a pressure and a rare opportunity," Zhou Jin thought to himself. Secretary Li possesses both a strategic vision for top-level design and rich experience in local governance. He had to find his place and be a good deputy. In his work, he needed to consult and report frequently, proactively offering preliminary plans for Secretary Li's reference, avoiding unilateral decision-making. In their interactions, he needed to be honest and sincere, earning trust through impartiality, and never putting on airs because of his experience working in Hong Kong. The development of Yancheng was not a matter of a day or two, nor could it be accomplished by one person alone. Only by working hand in hand with Secretary Li and uniting the efforts of the municipal party committee could they turn the blueprint into reality. He had even planned to visit Secretary Li immediately upon taking office, proactively reporting his initial ideas and seeking guidance from his former leader.

"Comrade Zhou Jin, we're almost at Huangling. Should we stop and take a break?" Old Chen, the cadre who was seeing him off, interrupted his thoughts.

Zhou Jin smiled and nodded: "Okay, it's a good opportunity to stretch our muscles and see the scenery of this Loess Plateau."

The car stopped at the service area, and Qin Gang got out briskly, checking the vehicle's condition, fetching water, and buying dry food, his movements methodical and efficient. Zhou Jin walked to the roadside, gazing at the distant, rolling mountains. The biting wind stung his face, carrying the scent of loess, yet it only heightened his alertness. From the dazzling neon lights of Hong Kong to the rugged gullies of the Loess Plateau, from strategic planning in the financial arena to meticulous cultivation of grassroots governance, this was a completely new challenge. But he felt no fear; instead, he was filled with enthusiasm—this red, fertile land carried the original aspirations of revolutionary predecessors and held the hopes of the people in the old revolutionary base areas; he would give it his all.

After a short rest, the car set off again. Qin Gang stepped on the gas, and the SUV steadily drove along the winding road, speeding towards Yancheng. As the sun set, it dyed the Loess Plateau a golden red. Zhou Jin looked out the window at the gullies and ridges that flashed by, and a preliminary blueprint for the revitalization of the old revolutionary base area had already been drawn in her mind. She just needed to reach that land, immerse herself in the field, conduct on-site research, and begin her new journey.