Chapter 10: I Am Here to Create Miracles

"Did everyone hear that? This is the nature of mainland officials—they lack basic decency, can't distinguish right from wrong, and more importantly, they can act above the law as they please. If they are this arrogant before Hong Kong even returns, imagine how we'll be treated once it does. Our freedom and democracy could be completely destroyed, and we'll be nothing more than slaves to these officials."

Liu Xiaotian concluded, "Therefore, for the sake of our long-held beliefs and pursuit of freedom, we must resist the return. At the very least, economically, we cannot let these mainland officials succeed!"

Liu Xiaotian's words quickly gained support from others. People around him began to stand up and voice their agreement: "That's right! Our efforts and struggles in Hong Kong are to realize our own ideals, not to work for these officials. Our wealth belongs to us and should not be handed over to these mainland officials. They are nothing but bandits and robbers!"

Liu Xiaotian's speech spread through the crowd, and the hall was filled with jeers. Seeing this, Guan Sheng on the stage was furious and shouted, "You selfish capitalists, the modernization of our country needs your dedication and hard work, but here you are, squabbling over your own interests and shamefully dishonoring the nation!"

The more Guan Sheng spoke, the louder the boos grew. Apart from the big tycoons, others shouted for Guan Sheng to leave Hong Kong and restore freedom to the city. They didn't need mainland charity and refused to be subservient to mainland officials.

"What's with Guan Sheng's statements? Isn't he just provoking the audience?" Lin Muqing asked, frowning at Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming, holding his forehead in frustration, thought to himself that despite having guessed the central government's intentions from this meeting, he still felt an impulse to vomit blood at sending such a rigid official. 

The situation at this meeting made Zhou Ming understand why so many Hong Kong businesses and middle-class people fled before the return. Apart from the typical negative influence from the mainland, these uncommunicative meetings were also significant reasons.

Zhou Ming wasn't sure who attended the previous and future meetings, but it likely wouldn't be any better than Guan Sheng. With such officials attending, it was impossible to rectify the attitudes of Hong Kong's elites.

Moreover, Liu Xiaotian's act of pulling out a small recorder showed that the incident at the door was premeditated, aimed at discrediting mainland officials. As a prominent figure in Hong Kong, it seemed unlikely he carried a recorder just for casual use.

Perhaps the central government was initially serious about the meetings, but due to these petty tactics from Hong Kong, their interest waned. After all, by 1997, the options were either to return or leave, and the central government wouldn't be coerced by local businessmen. That's why Guan Sheng was sent to this meeting, and Zhou Ming just happened to be there.

This also explained why Zhou Ming had never heard of such meetings in his later life. Firstly, the meetings were not publicized, and secondly, the mainland officials' poor performance made them impossible to promote, leading to their suppression.

"You mainland bureaucrats are the ones tarnishing our image! You've already harmed billions on the mainland, and now you want to ruin our Hong Kong? We won't let you succeed!"

"Exactly! We Hongkongers have strong beliefs and yearn for freedom. We won't be intimidated by mainlanders. Go back to the mainland and stop interfering in our Hong Kong affairs. We won't take orders from you. We want freedom, not to be your subordinates!"

"We're living very well under the Hong Kong government. We don't need to return. We need the current Hong Kong administration, which doesn't plunder our wealth or oppress us with power!"

"We'd rather be foreign slaves than Chinese!"

…

The barrage of insults from the audience felt like a blizzard hitting Guan Sheng on stage, rendering him speechless. The spokesperson for the Hong Kong government, Zhang Zuo, sat back, arms crossed, coldly watching the distressed Guan Sheng without any intention of halting the chaos.

Seeing this, Lin Muqing said to Zhou Ming, "This is too much! Even though Guan Sheng is an official from the mainland, and his words are indeed grandiose and empty, we're all Chinese. Is it necessary to make such a scene? 'We'd rather be foreign slaves than Chinese'? That's going too far!"

"Now I understand why Yang Lao said this task would be tough when he sent me to this meeting. It really is challenging!" Zhou Ming said helplessly.

"Are you saying that the central government anticipated this situation and thus assigned you to resolve it?" Lin Muqing asked in surprise.

Zhou Ming nodded. "The isolation between the mainland and the West has been too long. Despite Hong Kong being just across from Nanjing, the blockade has deepened misunderstandings and misconceptions about the mainland. Some people with ulterior motives are making things worse."

"As for me, perhaps Yang Lao believes my thinking is closer to Hongkongers, and that I might be able to create a miracle," Zhou Ming said with a wry smile.

"Create a miracle? Zhou Ming, you really are about to create one."

Lin Muqing also lacked confidence. Faced with the current situation, she couldn't feel hopeful. While not all Hongkongers were hostile to the mainland, everyone seemed united in opposing it now. Even Zheng Haolong and Li Cheng, who had connections with the mainland, were silent.

Zhou Ming was about to face over 200 people, likely led by the Hong Kong government. Turning this situation around with just his words was indeed a miracle.

As Lin Muqing thought this, she suddenly saw Zhou Ming stand up. She grasped his hand in surprise. "Zhou Ming, what are you going to do? Are you really trying to salvage this situation?"

Zhou Ming nodded confidently. "Of course. Yang Lao specifically asked me to come to this meeting to be the savior. I have to live up to that."

"Also," Zhou Ming looked around, "I'm not a hothead, but the phrase 'we'd rather be foreign slaves than Chinese' really angers me. I feel the need to teach them a lesson. And you've seen my speech at Hong Kong University before. Wasn't that a difficult situation as well? It was even more dangerous with hundreds of angry students. You need to have faith in me!"

Lin Muqing held onto Zhou Ming's hand tightly. "I do have faith in you, but this is different from that time. The students were passionate youth, but here, the people are mature and not so easily persuaded."

Lin Muqing added, "Besides, you saw Liu Xiaotian's move earlier. It was clearly a planned conspiracy. Even if you manage to turn the situation around, it's still dangerous!"

Lin Muqing's words trailed off as she saw Zhou Ming's smile. Zhou Ming said, "Don't worry, Sister Muqing. A man should tackle crises head-on and support the collapsing edifice. I'll be fine. A gangster boss is nothing to worry about. Don't forget, I have a top soldier by my side. He won't let anything happen to me."

Zhou Ming gave Lin Muqing's hand a gentle squeeze. "Just wait here for the good news."

With that, Zhou Ming released Lin Muqing's hand and strode confidently to the podium. He encountered Guan Sheng, who was coming down the stairs in defeat. Guan Sheng, seeing Zhou Ming approach, scolded him softly, "Zhou Ming, what are you doing? Aren't you embarrassed enough? Look at how you've handled things in Hong Kong. You haven't prepared well. This is…"

Before Guan Sheng could finish, Zhou Ming placed a hand on his shoulder, cutting him off, and said, "Director Guan, go rest. I'll handle things today."

Ignoring Guan Sheng's reaction, Zhou Ming walked up to the podium. Guan Sheng stood there, dazed, feeling a strange impulse to bow in reverence.

Zhou Ming didn't care about Guan Sheng's thoughts. After clearing his throat, he spoke into the microphone, "Everyone, please be quiet. I have something to say. Please listen."

Zhou Ming's words seemed to have a magical effect, calming the room. Satisfied with the response, Zhou Ming slammed the table and, pointing at the crowd, yelled, "You ingrates who forget your roots!"