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

In March 2006, Yanshi was still chilly, and the wind on the Loess Plateau was still biting. The willows lining the streets had not yet sprouted buds, and their bare branches swayed in the wind. The air was filled with the heavy smell of soil mixed with coal.

That morning, a flight from Hong Kong slowly landed on the tarmac of Nanniwan Airport in Yancheng. As the cabin door opened, members of the inspection team, dressed in suits and ties, disembarked one by one. Leading them was Chen Jingzhi, Vice President of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

Beside the tarmac, a welcoming team was already lined up, waiting. Secretary Li Xiangming personally led the delegation, with Zhou Jin close behind, followed by members of the municipal party committee and government leadership, as well as coordinating officials from the province. Everyone wore warm smiles. This province-wide investment promotion and matchmaking event was of extraordinary significance to the development of Yancheng City and even Shaanxi Province. Li Xiangming's personal attendance was both a sign of his respect for the Hong Kong delegation and a demonstration of his support for Zhou Jin's work.

"Chairman Chen, you must be tired from your journey! Welcome to Yancheng for inspection and guidance!" Li Xiangming stepped forward quickly, shook hands with Chen Jingzhi firmly, and said earnestly, "Yancheng is a revolutionary holy site with a red heritage, green resources, and a passion for entrepreneurship. I look forward to working hand in hand with entrepreneurs from Hong Kong to create a better future."

Chen Jingzhi quickly returned the handshake, smiling as he replied, "Secretary Li, you're too kind! I've long heard of Yancheng's revolutionary spirit. I've come here for two reasons: first, to see where Brother Zhou has settled down, and second, to sincerely look for some good projects that would benefit both Yancheng and me."

Zhou Jin then stepped forward and shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Chen Jingzhi and the entrepreneurs in the inspection team. Just as he was talking with a person in charge of a cultural tourism enterprise, a familiar figure came into view—a woman wearing a camel coat and a thick cashmere scarf slowly walked out from the inspection team. The scarf covered most of her face, only revealing a pair of bright eyes, which were looking at him with a half-smile.

It's Lin Xiaoman!

Zhou Jin's pupils suddenly contracted, and he instinctively stopped in his tracks. The temperature in Yan City was still hovering around zero degrees Celsius at this time of year, and although a thick scarf wrapped tightly around her neck, it couldn't conceal her unique competence and radiance. He never expected Lin Xiaoman to appear in the inspection team.

"Why are you here?" Zhou Jin walked quickly to her, his voice carrying a hint of surprise that was barely perceptible, and his tone unconsciously lowered a few degrees.

Lin Xiaoman adjusted her scarf, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "What, Mayor Zhou, aren't you welcoming me?"

"Of course you're welcome." Zhou Jin snapped out of her daze, quickly composed herself, and introduced to Li Xiangming beside her, "Secretary Li, this is Ms. Lin Xiaoman, the general manager of the Xiangjiang Lin Group. She has made great achievements in the fields of cultural tourism and food processing."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming smiled and extended his hand: "President Lin, you've come all this way, welcome! Yan City needs powerful companies like the Lin Group to participate in its development."

Lin Xiaoman shook hands with Li Xiangming politely, her smile appropriate: "Secretary Li, you flatter me. I have long admired Yancheng's revolutionary reputation and came here with the inspection team to learn from it."

Then she looked at Zhou Jin and said in a light tone, "I originally planned to come in the spring when the weather is warmer, but the Hong Kong circle is so small. I heard that the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce organized an inspection team to come here, so I just went with them to save myself the trouble of making a separate trip."

Zhou Jin smiled helplessly and said in a low voice, "I've been busy preparing for the meeting lately and forgot to tell you."

Seeing this, the surrounding cadres all cast curious glances. Most of them had heard about Zhou Jin's work experience in Hong Kong, and seeing this outstanding Hong Kong businesswoman so familiar with Zhou Jin, they couldn't help but have some speculations. However, under the influence of Li Xiangming and Zhou Jin, they all stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with Lin Xiaoman.

After a brief airport welcome ceremony, the convoy drove towards the city center. In the afternoon, a grand welcome reception was held as scheduled in the auditorium of the Yancheng Municipal People's Government. Secretary Li Xiangming delivered the opening speech, detailing Yancheng's rich history and development potential. He emphasized that this investment promotion conference was a crucial opportunity for the start of Yancheng's "Eleventh Five-Year Plan," welcoming Hong Kong entrepreneurs to invest and start businesses, and assuring them that Yancheng would provide the best policies and services to support their development.

After Li Xiangming finished his speech, Zhou Jin took the stage to explain in detail Yancheng's red tourism resources, apple industry advantages, and new energy development potential. She also displayed a meticulously prepared investment brochure and project PPT. The entrepreneurs in the audience listened attentively, occasionally taking notes. Lin Xiaoman sat in the front row, holding an investment brochure, but her gaze kept falling on Zhou Jin, who was speaking eloquently on stage, her expression complex and unreadable.

After the welcome reception, a banquet was held at the Yanshi Hotel. The banquet hall was brightly lit, and the melodies of Shaanxi folk songs were melodious and gentle. The tables were laden with local specialties such as fried cakes, helu noodles, stewed mutton, and fragrant millet wine.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up. Chen Jingzhi raised his glass first, smiling at Li Xiangming and Zhou Jin, "Secretary Li, Mayor Zhou, we have witnessed Yancheng's sincerity and potential for development. The enterprises of the China General Chamber of Commerce are willing to join hands with Yancheng to create a great future together!"

Everyone echoed this sentiment, raising their glasses in response. Just then, Lin Xiaoman stood up, holding her wine glass, her clear eyes looking at Zhou Jin. Her voice, though not loud, carried clearly throughout the banquet hall:

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me also say a few words. Mayor Zhou's abilities in Hong Kong are evident to all. Today, I'm making a statement here—Mayor Zhou, for every bottle of wine you drink, my Lin Group will invest ten million! You name the industry you want to invest in, and I'll invest in that industry! Absolutely no bargaining!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the banquet hall fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on Lin Xiaoman and Zhou Jin, the air seeming to freeze. The provincial coordinator stared wide-eyed, nearly dropping his wine glass; the members of the Yan City municipal committee exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with shock—ten million for a bottle of wine, and Zhou Jin even got to designate the industry! This was an enormous sum! Keep in mind, Yan City's fiscal revenue last year was only a few billion; Lin's Group's single word represented a direct investment of real money!

Chen Jingzhi was also taken aback for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Jin. Li Xiangming held his wine glass, watching the scene calmly, a slight smile playing on his lips. He remained silent, clearly waiting to see how Zhou Jin would respond.

Zhou Jin hadn't expected Lin Xiaoman to pull this stunt. His hand holding the wine glass paused slightly, his smile unchanged, but his mind raced. Lin Xiaoman's affection was too heavy, too heavy for him to bear; yet, in front of so many entrepreneurs, officials, and Li Xiangming, he couldn't directly refuse, lest he embarrass Lin Xiaoman and arouse suspicion from the other companies in the inspection team.

After a brief silence, Zhou Jin stood up, looked at Lin Xiaoman with gentle eyes, and spoke calmly and sincerely:

"President Lin, thank you for your support of Yancheng's development. We, along with the millions of people in Yancheng, will remember this kindness."