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

The news of the establishment of the Leading Group for the Implementation of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan quickly spread throughout Yancheng's districts, counties, and departments. Four special working groups were swiftly formed: the Industrial Transformation Group spearheaded the coordination of energy technology upgrades and the development of the Apple brand; the Urban and Rural Infrastructure Group focused on new area planning and the paving of village roads; the Ecological and Livelihood Group promoted the implementation of the Grain for Green Program and livelihood security; and the Resource Coordination Group was fully engaged in preparing for the reception of the Hong Kong delegation. Each group performed its duties, and the weekly meeting and monthly scheduling mechanisms quickly took effect, creating a tense and pragmatic atmosphere throughout Yancheng.

Time flew by, and it was mid-February 2006, coinciding with the convening of the Yancheng Municipal People's Congress. According to the organizational procedures, one of the core agendas of this congress was to elect the mayor of the Yancheng Municipal People's Government.

That morning, the Yancheng People's Auditorium was packed. Representatives from all walks of life in the city gathered together in a solemn yet enthusiastic atmosphere. Above the rostrum, a red banner reading "The Xth Session of the Xth Yancheng People's Congress" was prominently displayed. Secretary Li Xiangming sat upright in the center of the rostrum, his gaze steadily sweeping across the hall.

As the meeting progressed to the election, staff distributed ballots in turn. The delegates held their ballots and carefully reviewed the list of candidates—Zhou Jin's name was prominently displayed, next to which was his resume: 33 years old, PhD in Finance, previously worked in the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, spent eight years at the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, spearheaded the successful defense of Hong Kong's financial system, promoted the growth and expansion of Huayao Capital, and volunteered to work at the grassroots level in Yancheng City…

After a brief deliberation, the voting officially began. The delegates walked in an orderly fashion to the ballot box and solemnly cast their votes.

During the vote counting breaks, hushed murmurs filled the meeting hall. "Mayor Zhou may be young, but during his inspection tour, he chatted with us fruit farmers like old friends, and every word he said resonated with us. He's a man of action!" remarked a representative from Luochuan. A representative from the mining area next to him nodded repeatedly: "His proposal for revegetating mining areas—'whoever restores it benefits'—truly solved our long-standing problem. We trust officials like him!"

Not long after, the vote count was in. The assembly host walked onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and announced in a loud voice: "According to the statistics, XXX delegates were present at this assembly, and XXX valid votes were cast. Comrade Zhou Jin received XXX votes, exceeding half of the delegates who should have been present, and was elected as the Mayor of Yancheng Municipal People's Government!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall, lasting for a long time. The delegates rose one after another, applauding enthusiastically, their eyes fixed on Zhou Jin on the right side of the stage, their eyes filled with expectation and approval.

Zhou Jin stood up and bowed deeply to the audience. Amid applause, he accepted the gold-embossed certificate of election and walked to the podium.

"Respected delegates, comrades!" Zhou Jin's voice was steady and powerful, resonating throughout the auditorium via the microphone. "Today, I have been elected Mayor of Yancheng Municipal People's Government. This is the trust placed in me by all the delegates, and even more so, the heavy responsibility entrusted to me by the people of the city. Here, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the simple, honest faces below the stage, his tone growing increasingly earnest: "Having worked in Hong Kong for a long time, my affection for the old revolutionary base areas stems from the revolutionary stories I heard since childhood; I hold Yancheng's development in awe and high expectations. As a newcomer, I still have much to learn. In my future work, I will certainly fulfill my duties and live up to the trust placed in me, working together with the municipal party committee and the people of the city to meticulously draw the blueprint of the 'Yancheng 11th Five-Year Development Plan' onto this red, vibrant land!"

The applause rang out again, even more enthusiastic than before. Looking at Zhou Jin, who was spirited yet humble and pragmatic on the stage, Secretary Li Xiangming smiled with satisfaction and led the applause.

After the election meeting, Li Xiangming patted Zhou Jin on the shoulder: "Comrade Zhou Jin, from today onwards, you are the official mayor of Yan City. The burden is heavier, the responsibility greater, so do a good job!"

Zhou Jin nodded solemnly: "Please rest assured, Secretary Li, I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Back in her office, Zhou Jin first dialed her father, Zhou Chengbang's, phone. On the other end, Zhou Chengbang's voice remained steady, offering no excessive congratulations, only admonishing her: "Yan City is a revolutionary holy site, unlike Hong Kong. Grassroots work is multifaceted and complex. Listen more, observe more, do more practical work, and talk less empty words. Remember, the people's word-of-mouth is the most tangible achievement." Holding the receiver, Zhou Jin solemnly replied, "Dad, I'll keep it in mind."

After hanging up with his father, he dialed the video call home. On the screen, Chen Panpan and her two children waved and smiled at him. Shouzheng and Nianqi called out in their childish voices, "Daddy, congratulations on becoming mayor!" Looking at the children's smiling faces, Zhou Jin's fatigue from the past few days vanished. He said softly, "Once Daddy has sorted things out here, I'll bring you over to see Pagoda Hill in Yancheng and try the apples here."

Stepping out of the municipal party committee office building, the warm afternoon sun streamed down. Zhou Jin looked up at the Pagoda Hill not far away, her heart filled with mixed emotions. From the financial battlefield of Hong Kong to the grassroots level in Yancheng; from a nominated candidate to being officially elected mayor, this change in identity signified the beginning of a new journey.

At that moment, members of the resource coordination team rushed over, holding a reception plan: "Mayor Zhou, the itinerary for the Hong Kong inspection team has been finalized; they will arrive early next month! The province has also replied that they will organize other cities to bring high-quality products to participate in the matchmaking meeting!"

Zhou Jin took the proposal, his fingertips applying slight pressure. He knew that a grand event concerning the development of Yan City over the next five years was about to begin.