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

In the golden autumn season, the Shaanxi Provincial People's Hall was packed to capacity for a provincial-level meeting of leading cadres. The hall was solemn and dignified, with a bright red Party flag hanging on the rostrum. Hundreds of principal leaders from various cities and departments across the province gathered below, their eyes fixed intently on the rostrum—everyone knew that this meeting would finalize the change of leadership in Yancheng, the province's economic powerhouse.

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the meeting began on time. Provincial Party Secretary Qin Zhenbang presided over the meeting. When he finished introducing the guests attending the meeting, all eyes were immediately focused on a middle-aged cadre in formal attire with a serious expression—the Executive Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was present at the meeting, which was enough to demonstrate the high level of this personnel appointment and removal.

Qin Zhenbang cleared his throat, his voice steady and powerful: "Comrades, today's meeting is mainly to announce the Central Committee's decision regarding the adjustment of the positions of some leading comrades in our province. Now, please welcome the Executive Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the Central Committee to read the Central Committee's appointment document!"

The entire room fell silent; everyone held their breath.

The Executive Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee stood up, took the official document handed to him by a staff member, scanned the entire room, and then read aloud: "After deliberation by the Central Committee, it has been decided to remove Comrade Li Xiangming from his positions as a member of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, a member of the Standing Committee, and Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee, and to assign him to another post; Comrade Zhou Jin is appointed as a member of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, a member of the Standing Committee, and Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee!"

The moment the words were spoken, thunderous applause erupted in the hall.

Zhou Jin sat in the audience, his chest heaving, an indescribable excitement welling up inside him. He clenched his fists tightly, his fingertips turning slightly white—from settling in Yancheng at the end of 2005 to now joining the ranks of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, in just four short years, he had risen from a mayor to the top leader of a major city, a 38-year-old vice-ministerial level Standing Committee member. Behind this glory lay more than three years of tireless work in the old revolutionary base area, countless late nights spent writing furiously at his desk, and above all, the trust of the organization and the people.

He raised his head, his gaze meeting Li Xiangming's on the podium. The two exchanged a smile, their understanding unspoken.

As the applause subsided, Li Xiangming took the lead in stepping onto the podium to deliver his farewell speech, in accordance with the agenda.

As the former Party Secretary, about to depart for Shanghai, glanced at the familiar faces below the stage, his voice filled with reluctance: "Comrades, today is the last time I will meet with you all as a member of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee. The years I have worked in Yancheng have been the most unforgettable and fulfilling period of my career."

His gaze fell on Zhou Jin, his smile growing even warmer: "I want to especially thank Comrade Zhou Jin. As my long-time partner, he has led the people of Yancheng through hard work and a strong sense of responsibility, forging a new path for the revitalization of this old revolutionary base area. From attracting investment from Hong Kong to piloting scientific and technological initiatives, from upgrading the apple industry to transforming red tourism, every change in Yancheng is inseparable from his dedication. Now, I am handing the baton of Yancheng's future to Comrade Zhou Jin. I firmly believe that under his leadership, Yancheng's tomorrow will be even brighter!"

He bowed deeply, and enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience once again.

Next was Zhou Jin's inaugural speech.

He straightened his suit and strode confidently to the podium. Standing on the stage, gazing at the hundreds of expectant eyes below and at the ever-changing cityscape of Yancheng outside the window, Zhou Jin's voice was powerful and resonant, echoing throughout the hall:

"Respected leaders and comrades! Today, the Central Committee has appointed me as a member of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee. This is a trust placed in me by the organization, and even more so, a weighty responsibility. Here, I sincerely thank the Central Committee for its cultivation, thank the Provincial Party Committee for its trust, and thank the million people of Yancheng for their support!"

His gaze was firm, and his tone was earnest: "Yanshi is a red hotbed, a sacred revolutionary site, and a place where countless predecessors fought. Over the past four years, I, along with the cadres and people of the city, have witnessed Yanshi's transformation from a traditional old revolutionary base area to a modern new city. But we are keenly aware that the achievements belong to the past, and the future holds great challenges."

"Here, I pledge to the organization and the people—First, to remain true to my original aspiration and loyal to the Party. I will always prioritize political development, and resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee, ensuring that the red gene is passed down from generation to generation in Yancheng. Second, to work diligently and pragmatically to benefit the people. I will continue to deepen the pilot program for building a strong nation in science and technology, and promote the integrated development of the three pillar industries of apple industry, red tourism, and new energy, so that the people of the old revolutionary base area can enjoy a better and better life. Third, to be strict with myself and honest in public service. I will take the lead in abiding by Party discipline and national laws, manage the leadership team well, and create a clean and upright political environment."

He paused, his voice growing even more impassioned: "Comrades, Yan'an City's development is standing at a new historical starting point. I will take this appointment as a new beginning, dedicating myself to the old revolutionary base area and working diligently to revitalize the nation. I will never fail the trust placed in me by the organization, nor will I fail the expectations of the people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted and lasted for a long time.

Qin Zhenbang stepped onto the stage, grasped Zhou Jin's hand tightly, and shook it vigorously: "Comrade Zhou Jin, the future of Yan City is entrusted to you!"

Zhou Jin nodded solemnly, gazing into the distance. He knew that from this moment on, the burden on his shoulders was heavier. But he also knew that this land of Yanshi had long been ingrained in his blood. He would carry the entrustment of his former leader to "take root in the old revolutionary base area and work hard to revitalize the country," and the expectations of the people of the city, to write a new chapter of glory on this red land.

After the meeting, Li Xiangming had no time to linger before heading to Shanghai with the Executive Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee to attend the appointment announcement ceremony there.

At the entrance of the provincial government compound, Zhou Jin was already waiting, holding a thick stack of documents. Seeing Li Xiangming approach, he quickly went to greet him and handed the documents to him: "Secretary Li, you're going to Shanghai, where you'll be facing a completely new battlefield with a highly developed financial sector. I was worried you wouldn't be familiar with the situation when you first arrived, so I prepared these documents in advance."

Li Xiangming took the heavy document, which was warm to the touch. After a quick glance, he saw that the cover read "Analysis of the Development of the Financial Industry in Shanghai and Suggestions for Economic Transformation". Inside, there was detailed data analysis as well as arguments and practical suggestions written by Zhou Jin based on her own financial background. It was several hundred pages long, and the dense handwriting revealed her hard work.

Overwhelmed with surprise and emotion, Li Xiangming's grip on the document tightened slightly, and his gaze towards Zhou Jin was filled with gratitude. He patted Zhou Jin's shoulder and said with emotion, "Zhou Jin, thank you. This is more precious than any gift. Don't be modest; getting a report from a leading expert in the financial field like yourself is no easy feat."

"These are just some superficial insights, but I hope they can be of some help to you." Zhou Jin smiled, her tone sincere. "If there's anything you need in Shanghai, please let me know."

Li Xiangming nodded emphatically, said nothing more, and turned to get into the car. The car window slowly rolled up, and the two looked at each other and waved, their eyes filled with mutual appreciation.

Watching the car drive away, Zhou Jin stood there for a long time. A breeze blew by, carrying the crispness of autumn. He took a deep breath, turned, and walked towards the municipal party committee compound. A new journey had begun.