Chapter 300: The Heart Remains Red, Blood Still Warm

It is often said that seeing is believing, but the world is so vast and our perspectives so limited that what we see is not always the truth. For example, when you visit a real estate office and see the bustling crowd, it might seem like a thriving market. But once you move in, you might find the neighborhood isn't as lively as it appeared. This is because what you saw was just a show set up by the developer.

If even buying a house can be deceptive, the situation is even more complicated on a national scale. You might see on the news that a major case has been solved or a high-ranking official has been caught and the country has recovered a significant amount of money. The online discussions might be heated and well-organized, but unless you reach a certain height, you will never know the real story behind these headlines or which vested interest groups are engaging in political maneuvering.

What you see are the results; it is the unseen that constitutes the real struggle.

Zhou Ming, escorted out by Ji Ruiming's secretary, reflected on his recent conversation with Ji Ruiming and felt a deep sense of emotion. It seemed that through this incident with Xing Yuan, he had reached the threshold of a world he had never encountered in his previous life.

In his past life, Zhou Ming was an ordinary person and couldn't grasp the full extent of Xing Yuan's case. However, the downfall of a major city official was enough to indicate that something horrifying and turbulent was behind it.

Zhou Ming was excited by this thought. Although he was aware of the severity and cruelty of this political storm and understood that, in the face of powerful vested interests, he was insignificant, he was determined not to back down. After all, only a life completely different from his past one could justify his rebirth.

If he were to retreat now and spend his remaining life enjoying the wealth he had accumulated, what would be the point? Moreover, if he lost his fighting spirit and did not confront certain forces, one day when these forces turned against him, he would be left helpless, waiting to be dealt with.

Having been reborn, Zhou Ming was not willing to give up. He knew that even though his current assets seemed substantial, they were not enough to guarantee protection from the state and would attract envy from various forces. To truly protect what he had, he had only one option: to keep forging ahead and defeat all potential enemies.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Ming clenched his fists. Vested interests? He didn't know how many people they included or what they controlled, but he was not going to bow to them. Having lived a mediocre life in his past, filled with regrets, if heaven had given him this chance to be reborn, he was going to seize it and do whatever he wanted. After all, he had already died once—who was he afraid of?

However, Zhou Ming was not a reckless fool who only charged forward blindly. Now that Ji Ruiming had revealed a hint, he needed to plan carefully.

As Zhou Ming walked back to his room, he encountered another person: "Secretary Jiang, hello."

The person in front of him was Secretary Jiang, Dai Jinshan's secretary. After acknowledging Zhou Ming's greeting with a plain "Mm," Secretary Jiang told Zhou Ming, "Secretary Dai is looking for you," and then turned to leave.

Zhou Ming was puzzled and didn't understand what Secretary Dai wanted, but he followed him to Dai Jinshan's room, assuming that as the third highest-ranking official in Jingchu Province, Dai Jinshan must have something important to discuss.

Like Ji Ruiming's room, Dai Jinshan's room was also a suite. Secretary Jiang instructed Zhou Ming to wait outside while he went in to report to Dai Jinshan. After a while, Secretary Jiang came out and told Zhou Ming, "Secretary Dai has something to deal with. Please wait here."

Zhou Ming understood that leaders could be busy, but he didn't expect to wait for an entire hour.

As midnight approached, Zhou Ming couldn't help but ask Secretary Jiang, "May I ask what Secretary Dai is busy with? Is there something specific he wants to discuss with me?"

Secretary Jiang glanced at Zhou Ming and said, "Secretary Dai has some work-related matters to handle. Just wait here; he will call for you once he's done."

Zhou Ming was frustrated by the bureaucratic attitude but kept his dissatisfaction to himself. After all, many leaders had this behavior before the reforms, and protesting was futile.

After another ten minutes, Dai Jinshan's voice was finally heard from inside. Secretary Jiang went in to check, and then informed Zhou Ming that he could enter.

Entering Dai Jinshan's room, Zhou Ming saw Dai Jinshan sitting in a chair, but there was no chair for him. Secretary Jiang told Zhou Ming, "Secretary Dai has many things to do tomorrow, so he won't talk for too long. You can stand and speak."

What kind of etiquette was this? If Secretary Dai had things to do tomorrow, why didn't he finish his words earlier? What was the point of this pretense?

Zhou Ming was angry but did not show it. He responded with an "Okay," and Secretary Jiang left, closing the door behind him. Dai Jinshan looked up at Zhou Ming and asked, "I heard Secretary Ji called you earlier. What did you discuss?"

Zhou Ming preferred straightforward conversations, but Dai Jinshan's interrogative attitude was distasteful.

"Secretary Dai, Secretary Ji and I only discussed the construction of the industrial park and highway," Zhou Ming replied, deliberately omitting any mention of the Xing Yuan case or related matters.

Dai Jinshan was clearly dissatisfied with Zhou Ming's answer. He said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, I know you're clever, but please don't play tricks in front of me."

"I don't understand what Secretary Dai means," Zhou Ming said, maintaining a facade of ignorance.

Dai Jinshan sneered and said, "Just now, you were praised for being clever, and now you're pretending to be clueless. If I'm not mistaken, you were discussing the Xing Yuan case with Secretary Ji, weren't you? Of course, there might be other topics involved as well."

Zhou Ming frowned, not because Dai Jinshan could guess this, but because he wondered why Dai Jinshan was bringing it up.

Dai Jinshan, however, didn't explain further. Instead, he leaned back comfortably in his chair and said to Zhou Ming, "Let me tell you a historical story, one that everyone knows but doesn't truly understand."

"Yue Fei is a well-known national hero. His tragic end is widely condemned. But while people are quick to criticize Emperor Song Gaozong and Qin Hui, few delve into the real reasons behind the Wind and Moon Pavilion incident," Dai Jinshan said. "When Yue Fei led his army north, people know he wanted to 'take down Huanglong and drink with his generals,' but few know he also wanted to bring back Emperors Huizong and Qinzong. Even fewer know that before this, Yue Fei had petitioned Emperor Gaozong to appoint his adopted son Zhao Yuancheng as heir."

Dai Jinshan paused and asked Zhou Ming, "Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhou Ming remained silent. Dai Jinshan sighed and said, "I knew you wouldn't understand. Let me tell you another story. Yang Xiu, who was known for his intelligence and served Cao Cao, was ultimately executed. People often say Cao Cao was jealous of his talents, but in reality, Yang Xiu always assisted Cao Pi and Cao Zhi in the power struggle."

"You should understand now," Dai Jinshan said. "Buddhism speaks of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, which means everyone should follow their own path. No one should overstep their bounds. If someone does, they will face punishment, even death."

"Yue Fei was executed because he, as a general, interfered in politics by trying to bring back the two emperors and appoint an heir. Wasn't that asking for death? As for Yang Xiu, if he had just served as a strategist like Jia Xu or Xun Yu, he would have been fine. But by involving himself in the power struggle between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, didn't he force Cao Cao to act against him?"

Dai Jinshan warned Zhou Ming, "You are a smart businessman. If you focus on your business, I believe you will become very wealthy. But if you indulge in meddling and engage in improper activities, then Yue Fei and Yang Xiu should be your examples."

Zhou Ming clapped and said, "Secretary Dai, you truly live up to your reputation. Your historical insights and unique perspective are truly impressive. However, I have something to say, and I'm not sure if I should."

Dai Jinshan raised his hand. "If Comrade Zhou Ming has something to say, please go ahead."

"Indeed, Yue Fei's attempt to restore the two emperors and appoint an heir was inappropriate, and Yang Xiu's involvement in the power struggle was also wrong. But does that mean they deserved to die?" Zhou Ming countered. "Yue Fei was a renowned general fighting against the Jurchens, and Yang Xiu was Cao Cao's chief advisor. Yue Fei aimed to restore lost territories and redeem national honor, while Yang Xiu helped Cao Cao stabilize the empire. Yet, both were killed by those who prioritized their own selfish interests. Isn't that disgraceful?"

Dai Jinshan stood up angrily and scolded Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, what are you talking about?"

Zhou Ming met Dai Jinshan's gaze fearlessly and replied, "Secretary Dai, I understand what you're saying, and I know what I'm doing. Thank you for the reminder."

"I don't know if Secretary Dai has read Lu Xun's writings and seen the indifferent onlookers he describes," Zhou Ming continued. "But I'm sorry, my heart is red, and my blood is warm. I'm not the kind of person who remains indifferent in the face of darkness. I will fight to the end against all odds!"