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

The fervor surrounding Yan City gradually subsided like the tide. The inspection team dispersed, the media spotlight shifted away, and the municipal government compound returned to its usual hustle and bustle. Zhou Jin's life also returned to normal. She continued to promote the pilot project for building a strong nation through science and technology while coordinating the second phase of construction of the apple deep processing base. Her days were fulfilling and orderly.

On a sunny, breezy early autumn weekend, Chen Panpan finally arrived in Yanshi with her twins, Zhou Shouzheng and Zhou Nianqi, from Kyoto. Born in 2003, the brother and sister, Zhou Shouzheng, inherited the Zhou family's composure, possessing a sharp, almost adult-like air and a penchant for pondering problems. Their sister, Zhou Nianqi, resembled her mother, Chen Panpan, with a charmingly innocent and adorable demeanor, her large eyes brimming with curiosity, always following her brother around.

Zhou Jin specially canceled all his work and waited downstairs at the dormitory early in the morning. When he saw his wife and children, a gentle smile instantly appeared on his face, and he quickly went to greet them.

"Daddy!" Zhou Shouzhen broke free from his mother's hand and pulled his younger sister into Zhou Jin's arms. Zhou Jin bent down, picked them up, and kissed each of them on the cheek, his voice full of affection: "Shouzhen, Nianqi, did you miss Daddy?"

"Yes!" the brother and sister answered in unison. Zhou Shouzhen looked up at him and said earnestly, "Grandpa (Zhou Chengbang) said that Yanshi is a revolutionary holy site. Dad worked for the people here, and we want to see the place where Dad fought." Zhou Nianqi hugged Zhou Jin's neck and added sweetly, "I also want to eat the big, sweet apples that Dad talked about."

Zhou Jin smiled and agreed: "Okay, today Dad will take you to Yangjialing first to listen to the stories of the revolutionary predecessors, and then we'll go to the apple orchard to pick apples in the afternoon to fulfill Nianqi's little wish."

After breakfast, Qin Gang drove them to the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site. As the car left the city, the Loess Plateau along the way was tinged with a pale golden hue by the autumn sun, and the apple orchards were laden with fruit, a scene of abundant harvest. Zhou Shouzhen peered out the car window, his gaze intently observing the scenery, and suddenly spoke up: "Dad, the mountains in Yancheng are different from those in Kyoto. The soil here is so thick, but there aren't as many trees as in Kyoto."

"Because this is the Loess Plateau, the vegetation used to be sparse and the soil erosion was severe," Zhou Jin patiently explained. "Later, our predecessors carried out the policy of returning farmland to forest, and generation after generation planted trees and protected the forests. Now it is much greener than before. Just like our revolutionary predecessors persevered in the harsh environment, we must also build our homeland better little by little. This is what Grandpa often said about 'upholding the right path'—staying true to our original aspirations and doing things in a down-to-earth manner."

Zhou Shouzhen nodded, seemingly understanding, while Zhou Nianqi, standing beside him, asked curiously, "Dad, what does 'Shouzheng' mean? Grandpa always says 'Shouzheng Chuqi,' does that mean we should be obedient?"

Zhou Jin was amused by her daughter's innocent words and reached out to ruffle her hair: "'Upholding righteousness' means keeping to one's duty and upholding justice, just like the revolutionary predecessors upheld their revolutionary beliefs; 'Going against the grain' means being flexible and daring to innovate. When Dad is upgrading industries in Yanshi, he wants to find a new path for development while preserving the red roots of the old revolutionary base area."

When they arrived at Yangjialing, there weren't many tourists. Zhou Jin held her two children's hands and strolled along the brick path, with Chen Panpan following beside them, occasionally taking out her phone to record the family's figures. The autumn sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, falling warmly on the roof of the cave dwelling.

"Dad, is this where the leaders lived back then?" Zhou Shouzhen pointed to the rows of simple cave dwellings, his eyes filled with awe. He had listened to his grandfather Zhou Chengbang tell revolutionary stories since he was a child, and he had a deep longing for these revolutionary predecessors.

"Yes." Zhou Jin squatted down and pointed to the door number of a cave dwelling. "Back then, the revolutionary predecessors worked and lived in cave dwellings like this, and directed the revolutionary struggle across the country. The conditions were extremely difficult at that time. There was no air conditioning or heating. It was bitterly cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer. They ate coarse grains and wore patched clothes, but they never gave up their faith."

Stepping into the cave dwelling, the furnishings were simple and rudimentary: a kang (heated brick bed), a wooden table, and a chair; old photos and revolutionary slogans hung on the walls. Zhou Nianqi couldn't help but reach out and touch the kang, frowning as he asked, "Dad, why do they live in such a simple place? Couldn't they find a better house?"

"Because the revolutionary base areas were surrounded by the enemy at that time, and resources were scarce, it was already very difficult to have such cave dwellings to live in." Zhou Jin's tone was filled with reverence. "Moreover, the revolutionary predecessors did not want to trouble the people. They ate, lived, and worked with the masses, just so that the people could live a good life. This is the original intention of 'serving the people,' and it is also the family tradition of our Zhou family—to have others in mind and not just think about oneself."

Zhou Shouzhen stared at the old photos on the wall and suddenly asked, "Dad, did the revolutionary predecessors ever think of giving up when they faced so many difficulties? Why were they able to persevere?"

This question touched Zhou Jin's heart. He took his son's hand and said firmly, "They will also encounter setbacks, but they have faith in their hearts—they believe that they can overthrow oppression and allow ordinary people to live a happy life. Just like when I participated in the financial defense battle in Hong Kong, I faced great pressure when facing the impact of international speculative capital, but when I thought about protecting the country's property and the interests of the people, I had the courage to persevere."

He paused, then looked at the two children: "Shouzheng, you are the older brother, and you must learn to take responsibility in the future; Nianqi, you must maintain your kindness and curiosity. No matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, you must remember the ancestral teaching of 'upholding righteousness and seeking innovation,' stay true to your original aspirations, respond flexibly, and remember that no matter how small your personal strength is, as long as you do things for the country and for others, it is meaningful."

Standing to the side, Chen Panpan added, "Your great-grandfather (Zhou Jianguo) was also a revolutionary cadre who dedicated his life to the country and the people. Before he passed away, he instructed your father to 'uphold integrity and seek innovation, prioritizing the nation and its people.' Now, your father is in Yan'an City, fulfilling his great-grandfather's instructions. You should also strive to be responsible people like him in the future."

Although Zhou Nianqi was young and couldn't understand profound principles, he obediently nodded when he saw his father and brother's serious expressions: "I understand. I want to be like my father and great-grandfather and be a useful person to the country."

Zhou Shouzhen clenched his little fist and said earnestly, "Dad, I will study hard in the future, and when I grow up, I will be like you, working for the people and protecting our country."

Qin Gang followed at a distance, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily to ensure safety without disturbing this warm family time. Watching Zhou Jin patiently answer the children's questions, he suddenly realized that this young mayor was not only a shrewd strategist in politics, but also a responsible father who subtly passed on the family tradition of "responsibility for family and country" to the next generation.

As the sun set, the family walked out of Yangjialing. Zhou Shouzhen held Zhou Jin's hand and whispered, "Dad, today I finally understand that 'Upholding Integrity and Achieving Excellence' is not just a slogan. It means being down-to-earth and courageous, just like our revolutionary predecessors and great-grandfather."

Zhou Jin felt a warmth in his heart and squeezed his son's hand. He knew that the seeds of patriotism had already taken root and sprouted in the children's hearts, and that the Zhou family's traditions would grow stronger with each generation.

"Okay, Dad is waiting for that day." Zhou Jin's voice was gentle yet strong. "Let's work together to make our lives better, build a better home, and live up to the expectations of our elders."

As the car drove back into the city, the scenery outside the window gradually blurred. Zhou Jin looked at his two siblings nestled together beside him, his heart filled with happiness and determination. No matter how busy he was at work or how heavy his responsibilities were, his family would always be his warmest harbor. And this inheritance of family traditions would become the most precious treasure in his children's future lives.