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

In the spring of 1979, there was an unusual tension in the air in Kyoto.

Street radio broadcasts no longer only broadcast reform policies and model operas; occasionally, they would interrupt with reports on the border situation, delivered in a somber tone. Military vehicles were coming and going more frequently in the military compound, their headlights piercing the night sky more often. Even teachers in schools couldn't help but bring up the topic of "the south being unsettled" during their lectures.

Seven-year-old Zhou Jin sat in the classroom, holding a pencil in her hand, but her mind had already wandered far away.

He clearly remembered that in his previous life, the Sino-Vietnamese War was about to break out in 1979. For the country, this war was a just war to defend its territorial sovereignty, but for the soldiers, it was an excellent opportunity to accumulate military merits and seek promotion—especially for regimental commanders like his maternal uncle Su Weidong and Chen Panpan's father Chen Dashan, who were young, strong, and eager to make a name for themselves.

The problem was that my maternal grandfather, Su Tian, ​​as the commander of the Kyoto Military Region, bore the heavy responsibility of defending against the "Polar Bear" (the Soviet Union) to the north. At that time, Sino-Soviet relations were tense, and the main forces of the Kyoto Military Region were almost entirely deployed along the northern border, making it impossible for them to spare the opportunity to go south and participate in the war. This meant that my maternal uncle and Chen Dashan, the two regimental commanders, were likely to miss out on this "feast of military merit."

Zhou Jin was extremely conflicted.

On one hand, he feared that his loved ones would go to the battlefield, where no one could guarantee their safe return amidst the hail of bullets. His maternal uncle, Su Weidong, treated him like his own son, bringing him chocolates specially supplied by the military region every time he came home; Chen Dashan had watched him grow up, and would always pat his head with a smile whenever they met. Chen Panpan was still waiting for her father to return home safely, and he couldn't let his childhood sweetheart bear the risk of losing her father.

On the other hand, he was even more aware of the significance of military merit for soldiers. The curtain of reform and opening up had been raised, and in the future official and military circles, combat experience would become an important asset for promotion. If his uncle and Chen Dashan missed this opportunity, they might fall behind their colleagues with outstanding military achievements, and it might even affect the family's influence in the military.

As a time traveler, he knew the scale and duration of the war, and he also knew that as long as he commanded properly and fought cautiously, he would most likely be able to return safely and make meritorious contributions. This sense of responsibility brought about by his "prophecy" made him restless.

After school, Zhou Jin didn't play with Su Mingzhe and Chen Panpan as usual, but went straight back to the military compound—her maternal grandfather, Su Tian, ​​had been on duty at the military compound recently and rarely came home.

The atmosphere at the military region headquarters was even more tense than outside. Officers could be seen hurrying along the corridors, maps on the walls were covered with red and blue markings, and telephones rang incessantly.

Zhou Jin waited for Su Tian at the door of the duty room. The old man had just finished a meeting, his eyes were bloodshot, and the collar of his military uniform was open, revealing his exhaustion.

"Jin'er? What brings you here?" Su Tian's tense expression softened when he saw his grandson. He reached out and pulled him into the duty room. "It's chaotic outside. Don't come to the headquarters so casually in the future."

"Grandpa, I have something to tell you." Zhou Jin looked up, her eyes no longer showing the childishness of the past, but with a more serious expression.

Su Tian paused for a moment, gestured for the guard to leave, and then closed the door: "Speak, what's the matter that's so serious?"

"Grandpa, there's going to be a war in the south, isn't there?" Zhou Jin asked directly.

Su Tian's eyes darkened, and he nodded: "Yes, the border is unstable, and the country must send troops to defend its territory."

"So, are our troops from the Kyoto Military Region going south?" Zhou Jin pressed.

Su Tian shook his head and sighed, "No. The 'Polar Bear' to the north is watching us like a hawk. Our main force must stay on the northern border and cannot move. This is an order from the central government, and it is also our duty."

"What about my uncle and Uncle Chen?" Zhou Jin's voice lowered. "Can't they go either?"

Su Tian fell silent. He knew, of course, that his son Su Weidong and his old comrade-in-arms' son Chen Dashan (both were regimental commanders) longed to join the war. Su Weidong had approached him several times in the past few days, and Chen Dashan had also sent a message through someone, earnestly requesting to go to the front lines. However, the deployment of the Kyoto Military Region could not be disrupted, and as the commander, he could not let personal matters interfere with his official duties.

"They are officers from the Kyoto Military Region and must obey the region's arrangements." Su Tian's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "Guarding the north is also a contribution to the country."

"But Grandpa, this is war!" Zhou Jin couldn't help but raise her voice. "Uncle and Uncle Chen are both excellent regimental commanders. They want to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and earn military merit. If they miss this opportunity, how will they get promoted in the future? Doesn't our family's influence in the military also need to be supported by military merit?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhou Jin regretted them. He knew his words were too blunt, even somewhat utilitarian, and unbecoming of a seven-year-old child.

Su Tian was indeed stunned, staring intently at his grandson with a complex expression. He hadn't expected that a seven-year-old child could think so far ahead, even considering the future of the family.

"Jin'er, do you know what you're saying?" Su Tian's tone turned serious. "The battlefield is not child's play; people die there. I'd rather they never have any military merits in their lives than let them live in peace."

"I know!" Zhou Jin's eyes reddened. "I'm also afraid something will happen to Uncle and Uncle Chen, and I don't want Panpan to be without a father. But Grandpa, a soldier's duty is to protect the country! Since they put on their uniforms, they should go to the battlefield. Besides, I heard from Dad that the troops participating in this battle are all from the Southern Military Region, and our Kyoto Military Region can send some key personnel to support them!"

He paused, his voice slightly choked, yet unusually firm: "Grandpa, I've checked the military maps in Grandpa's study. The southern battlefield needs experienced junior officers. Uncle and Uncle Chen are both excellent commanders. Please apply to the Central Committee to transfer them to the southern front! I believe in them; they will definitely return safely and achieve great merit!"

Looking at his grandson's reddened eyes, Su Tian felt a mix of emotions. He knew Zhou Jin was right; as soldiers, Su Weidong and Chen Dashan shouldn't have missed this war. But as their father and old comrade-in-arms, he was incredibly worried about their safety.

"I will consider this matter." Su Tian patted Zhou Jin's head, his tone much gentler. "But the final decision will depend on the central government's plan and the actual situation in the military region. Don't worry, I won't let them miss this opportunity."

Zhou Jin knew that his grandfather had been persuaded. He nodded and didn't ask any further questions, only whispering, "Grandpa, tell them to be careful."

After leaving the military region headquarters, Zhou Jin went to the Chen family's house. Chen Panpan was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding a rag doll in her hand, her little face wrinkled, looking unhappy.

"Panpan, what's wrong?" Zhou Jin walked over and asked.

"Brother Jin, my dad is going to war." Chen Panpan's voice was trembling with tears. "Mom cried secretly and said that Dad might not come back."

Zhou Jin's heart clenched. He sat down next to Chen Panpan and gently patted her back: "Don't worry, Uncle Chen is a great hero, he will definitely come back safely. Besides, my uncle will go with him, they will take care of each other."

"Really?" Chen Panpan looked up, her eyes full of anticipation.

"Really." Zhou Jin nodded emphatically. "I've already spoken to Grandpa and asked him to send my eldest uncle and Uncle Chen to the southern front. They are both capable regimental commanders; they will definitely defeat the enemy and return home safely."

Chen Panpan nodded as if she understood, and hugged Zhou Jin's arm tightly: "Brother Jin, I'm waiting for Dad to come back, and I'm also waiting for your uncle to come back."

Looking at her innocent face, Zhou Jin secretly vowed in her heart: she must make her grandfather bring this matter to fruition, not only for military merit, but also to prevent Panpan from losing her father and to prevent herself from losing her loved ones.