In the 1980s, Hong Kong was just a name in the newspapers for ordinary mainlanders. What people knew most was probably that China would reclaim Hong Kong in 1997, or that someone in the family had relatives in Hong Kong or Macau who, upon returning, gave them a large sum of money to build a two-story house and buy a TV.
"Son, why do you want to go to Hong Kong for no good reason? I heard that people there are exploited by British capitalists, living in dire straits, waiting for us to rescue them!"
Zhong Jianjun didn't even think about it and quickly spouted a bunch of reasons, hoping to dissuade Zhong Shi.
"Capitalists? Dire straits?"
Zhong Shi smiled bitterly, then realized that it was impolite to do so in front of his father, so he reined in his smile and put on an ignorant look, asking weakly, "What about Uncle Liao? Is he also living in dire straits?"
At the mention of Liao Chengde, Zhong Jianjun was confused. According to the propaganda on the radio, Liao Chengde from Hong Kong should have looked like a beggar, crying and begging to come to the mainland. In reality, Liao Chengde was well-dressed and came to Zhongzhuang accompanied by county officials, with a demeanor that was terrifyingly grand.
But could the radio be lying?
For the first time, Zhong Jianjun began to doubt his worldview.
"Father, where did you hear this from?"
Seeing his father lost in thought, Zhong Shi waited for a while before asking. He knew that to make his father accept a new worldview would take time, so he didn't rush to explain the reality of the differences between the mainland and Hong Kong at that time.
"From the radio!"
Zhong Jianjun shook his head and said absentmindedly. It was no wonder, as when he was forming his worldview, it was during the "Special Period." The radio and newspapers were constantly warning about the infiltration of capitalism and the need to protect the achievements of socialism. Slogans like "We would rather have a blade of grass under socialism than a sprout under capitalism" were everywhere, and people were extremely wary of everything related to capitalism. Even Hong Kong, which was Chinese territory, was criticized because it was under British imperialist rule.
The "Special Period," officially known as the "Proletarian Special Period," was a political movement that lasted for ten years. Initially, it was mainly focused on the ideological sphere, but later it evolved into a movement targeting the leadership of China. During these ten years, the entire society was in a state of turmoil, with the work of various state organs almost at a standstill, slow economic development, and no improvement in people's living standards.
Moreover, the "Special Period" caused profound damage to education, science, and culture. Under the call of the founding leaders, a generation of young people voluntarily or forcibly abandoned their studies and were sent from cities to the countryside to become farmers, to be transformed by the working class. This absurd policy led to a generation of talent gaps, forming what later generations called the "cultural gap," "technological gap," and "talent gap," further widening the gap between China and other countries.
Many political and cultural figures were killed in this catastrophe, and countless cultural relics, ancient books, and folk secrets were burned, disappearing from the world.
It was also a matter of fate. If it weren't for the young man who went to the countryside and the family heirloom Ding kiln porcelain bowl, Zhong Shi would still be worrying about his first pot of gold!
When Zhong Jianjun was young, he also wanted to be a Red Guard to protect the founding leaders, but when he told this to Zhong Shi's grandfather, Zhong Fangzhuo, who was usually mild-tempered, he flew into a rage, beat Zhong Jianjun severely, and warned him not to get involved in any faction.
At the time, Zhong Jianjun didn't understand but didn't dare to go against Zhong Fangzhuo's wishes, so he could only squat at home, being a law-abiding citizen. Later events proved Zhong Fangzhuo's foresight. Not far from the county, the rebels and the conservatives had a violent conflict, and the defeated side was reportedly executed outside the city.
Zhong Jianjun, of course, didn't see this with his own eyes. Even so, when he heard the rumor, he was terrified and secretly grateful. According to a villager who had been to the scene, the executioners' swords were so blunt from cutting heads! After hearing this credible news, Zhong Jianjun gave up the idea of going out to see for himself.
Zhong Fangzhuo, being old and wise, had experienced eight years of war, two civil wars, and various movements after the founding of New China. He understood the importance of self-preservation. In those days, living a peaceful life was the greatest victory. Zhong Fangzhuo lived this way and taught his two sons to do the same. Even the names he gave his sons reflected the slogans of the time.
This is why, when the county officials came to Zhongzhuang, Zhong Fangzhuo's reaction was so strong!
"Father, when was the last time you heard phrases like 'capitalism' and 'dire straits'?"
Zhong Shi gently guided him. After all, the times had changed, and the radio no longer broadcast unrealistic slogans. The country was moving in the right direction.
"Let me think... I haven't heard these phrases for several years. The last time I heard them was probably during the downfall of the 'Gang of Four'!"
Zhong Jianjun thought for a long time before answering uncertainly. The era was distant, and he wasn't very clear, but he remembered the downfall of the 'Gang of Four' very well.
At the time, the young people in Zhongzhuang, upon hearing the news, celebrated wildly, a behavior that surprised the villagers who had lived with them for years. Many people laughed until they cried, and in the end, all the young people hugged each other and wept, a heart-wrenching scene that Zhong Jianjun would never forget.
After that, the young people left one by one, some going to university, others leaving quietly. In a few years, almost all the young people in Zhongzhuang and even the county had left. Of course, some stayed because they had formed families here.
Thinking about this, Zhong Jianjun realized that it was indeed around that time that the radio stopped broadcasting slogans about capitalism and liberating the world.
"Since the radio no longer broadcasts these, it means these are no longer the focus! Father, think about it, where could you see people from Hong Kong or Taiwan before?"
Zhong Shi saw that his father was gradually understanding and reminded him to pay attention to the changes around him.
"Yes, take Li Dazhuang from Li Village, for example. I heard he has a relative in Taiwan who sends things and money during the holidays. Now Li Dazhuang is so proud, and his voice is much louder when he talks to people."
Zhong Jianjun sneered, speaking with disdain. In the past, he might have envied Li Dazhuang, but after hearing his genius son say he had earned over a million, he felt more confident.
"Yes, now more people from Hong Kong are coming, and even foreigners are coming to China. Didn't we see a few today?"
"Right, you mean the ones at the National Father's Mausoleum? I saw them for the first time, with blue eyes and yellow hair, they looked so strange!"
Zhong Jianjun, reminded by Zhong Shi, recalled the events of the day. In the crowd at the National Father's Mausoleum, two blue-eyed, blonde foreigners suddenly appeared, causing a commotion. At that time, foreigners and televisions were rare. The foreigners even greeted people, and when they heard the awkward "hello," the crowd burst into laughter.
"In the future, more foreigners will come to China, and this is the reform and opening up!"
Zhong Shi thought about the scene and found it somewhat amusing, imagining how puzzled the foreigners must have been.
"Reform and opening up? Yes, that's it, the reform and opening up. The radio talks about this every day. Is this what it means?"
Zhong Jianjun scratched his head, asking with interest. In recent years, whether on the radio or in the newspapers, the term "reform and opening up" was everywhere. Although he could vaguely guess its meaning from the words, he didn't know the specific measures and policies.
"Reform and opening up means something different from before, not closing the door to develop on our own!"
Zhong Shi answered vaguely. He wasn't very clear about this either. In the 1980s, there was still debate about the economic system, whether to follow a "market economy" or a "planned economy." It wasn't until 1992 that a high-ranking party leader toured the south of China and set the direction for economic development.
Zhong Shi had only heard a little about this, as he was preparing to go abroad at that time. Sometimes he wondered what he was doing in this era, or whether there was even a Zhong Shi in this world.
"Oh no! Little Stone, did you become a capitalist by earning so much money?"
Zhong Jianjun suddenly thought of something, his face changing, and his voice trembling. He quickly recalled a report in the newspaper about the founder of "Foolish Melon Seeds," who was labeled as a "demon" but was later released. At that time, the melon seeds were very famous, but it was uncertain whether he had earned a million.
Now, his son, with a bit of effort, might have earned more than the combined income of the dozens of employees at "Foolish Melon Seeds." Wouldn't that make him an even bigger "demon"?
The thought of his nine-year-old son possibly going to jail made Zhong Jianjun shudder. He didn't want his son to grow up in prison.
"Don't worry, Father. I earned the money in Hong Kong, which is like earning money from foreigners for the country! Besides, as long as we don't tell anyone, who would know?"
Zhong Shi comforted him. Although he spoke lightly, he was also unsure about the nature of his actions.