National Tide 1980.

The early spring of 1991 was probably the period when the social landscape and living environment of Beijing underwent the most significant changes.

The spring breeze of the market economy has swept through the streets and alleys, but the lingering warmth of the planned economy still lingers in the everyday life of ordinary people.

Two atmospheres intertwined in the cold wind of the twelfth lunar month, making the Beijing street scene before the Lunar New Year's Eve half joyful with the gradual improvement of life and half warm with the same warmth that has remained unchanged over the years.

Looking up, towering cranes dot the Beijing skyline, their steel frames piercing the gray sky.

That was the sound of the city growing rapidly.

Looking down again, the streets on both sides have become an open-air furniture market, and more and more people are moving at the end of the year.

Everyone is eager to move into their new homes for the New Year; that's the joy of moving into a new house.

The loudspeakers on the streets and alleys, amidst the cheerful melodies of the New Year's overture, are always interspersed with the dramatic ups and downs of a storytelling broadcast, and occasionally the voice of the housing management department will pop up, repeatedly saying, "Commercial housing is the inevitable trend."

Hearing this from the ears of old Beijingers, it's hard to say whether they feel more confused or more hopeful about replacing their brick houses with apartment buildings.

There are still not many cars on the road.

Santana and Jetta are frequent visitors to government offices, while the "vans" nicknamed "locusts" chug by, becoming a new choice for ordinary people to get around.

The newly launched Changan Alto is small and exquisite, and it is particularly eye-catching when parked on the roadside. It is a new favorite among private car owners, fulfilling the dream of many people to "drive their own car".

The shops along the street had long ago put up red signs with gold lettering that read "Special Offers for the New Year".

The glass windows of the state-run department stores were polished to a shine, but they could not hide their decline—many counters had "For Rent" signs hanging on them.

Xidan Shopping Center was bustling with people, becoming a new destination for citizens to go to the Lunar New Year market.

A long line stretched out in front of the department store diagonally opposite, mostly housewives waiting to buy ribbonfish and yellow croaker, clutching cloth bags and chatting about everyday life.

The grocery store next door was packed with people, and the sales clerks were shouting out their orders in front of the soy sauce, vinegar, and cooking wine counters.

Loose peanuts and melon seeds were wrapped in newspaper into triangular bundles and stacked high.

Although there are no longer purchase restrictions, people still tend to stock up, especially since it's Chinese New Year.

The snack section is always the liveliest place.

The TV was playing a commercial for Wahaha Nutritional Liquid on a loop. The tune, "Sweet and sour, nutritious and delicious," was so catchy that even the kids could hum along.

This oral liquid sold over 100 million units last year, becoming the top choice for parents to help their underweight children improve their health.

On the shelves were newly launched Robust milk, Baskin-Robbins ice cream for two or three yuan a bowl, and Kanglai egg rolls packaged in plastic bags and square tin buckets.

The egg roll is so crispy and crumbly that it melts in your mouth with its rich, milky aroma. Even adults who are used to the traditional egg rolls from state-run pastry shops can't help but exclaim in amazement, "The way they make these is truly different, it's amazing!"

The candy hall on the first floor of Xidan Shopping Center is a paradise for children.

The brightly colored imported or joint-venture candies are packaged in large, open jars. They don't need fancy wrappers; their vibrant colors alone are visually striking.

At five or six yuan a pound, it's definitely a luxury these days, but parents can't resist the New Year's gift from their children, so they always buy half a pound or eight ounces to satisfy their cravings.

As dusk fell, electric ovens were set up on almost every street.

The Eight Treasures Roasted Chicken, glistening with oil, sizzled and dripped with flavor. Its slightly sweet taste was somewhat similar to the later Orleans roasted chicken. The aroma wafted across half the street, and its popularity was no less than that of the lamb kebab stalls on the street corner.

The compound of my workplace is also filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

The employees were busy with the year-end summary meeting. When the meeting ended, each of them carried rice, flour, and oil as welfare items, and pushed their old bicycles home. The sacks on the back of the bicycles were heavy, but the smiles on their faces were sweeter than honey.

Long lines stretched from morning till night at the post office. Some people sent greeting cards and wired money to relatives and friends far away, while others stood on tiptoe to inquire about the procedures for going abroad. The Beijing Evening News was serializing "Beijingers in New York," and the news of the first batch of citizens traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand was also published. The fever for going abroad quietly spread through the air in Beijing.

Young people have countless ways to entertain themselves.

At the entrance of the alley, teenagers whizzed past on skateboards; the sound of barbells clashing echoed from the gym; and the curtains of the arcade and video arcade were drawn high, with waves of noise rising and falling inside.

Those who got rich through business flocked to karaoke bars and nightclubs, where neon lights flickered with an ambiguous glow, and the tunes of Cantonese songs mingled with the clinking of glasses—a lively scene belonging to the new era.

Pierre Cardin's Menemus restaurant also took advantage of the coincidence of Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year's Eve to launch a couples' set menu, which attracted fashionable young people to flock to it, and gradually made this "day of spending money" famous.

It must be said that the spring breeze brought by reform and opening up has given Beijing residents many new choices that they never dared to imagine before.

The bustling scene on the street was unlike anything seen before.

In the last day or two before Lunar New Year's Eve, the hustle and bustle of the streets gradually subsided, but the festive atmosphere became even stronger.

Red lanterns were hung up one by one in the alley, their bright red glow reflecting off the gray walls and black tiles.

Every household has pasted Spring Festival couplets and the character "福" (good fortune) on their doors. Some families also hang two strings of dried chili peppers and ears of corn on their doorframes, exuding a festive atmosphere of harvest.

The children wore newly made cotton-padded jackets and trousers, some even wrapped in fashionable down jackets and wearing fluffy hats, chasing each other through the alley.

Despite the freezing weather, the fashion-conscious young women refused to dress bulky. They wore trench coats over sweaters, their colorful hair peeking out, and walked with a clattering sound in their high heels, becoming a striking sight in the alley.

On the evening of Lunar New Year's Eve, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, enveloping the entire capital city.

The sizzling sounds of stir-frying filled the kitchens of every household. The rich aroma of braised pork, the fresh fragrance of stewed ribs, and the sweet scent of roasted chicken mingled with the wheat aroma of steamed buns on the coal stove, creating the flavor of the New Year in the air.

The older women stood on small stools, wiping the windows, humming old tunes. When they saw a neighbor passing by, they would raise their voices to chat, "Have you bought your Spring Festival couplets? Have you prepared all your New Year's goods?"

The men in each household were busy sweeping the yard, pasting paper-cut window decorations, or setting up coal stoves to fry fried dough twists and meatballs.

The aroma from the oil pan drew the children to the stove, their pockets tucked with newly bought stationery—the pencil boxes that year were particularly fancy, with hidden mechanisms and cartoon patterns, making them almost like toys.

Almost every household's color television was playing lively programs, and occasionally the "ding-dong" sound of game consoles could be heard from some of the wealthier homes.

The Second Ring Road renovation project is still in full swing in the distance, and the outline of the Tianning Temple Interchange is already clear. It is the largest interchange in the country and has become a topic of conversation among the locals.

The news that the Beijing West Railway Station was going to be built spread throughout the city. Although most people only take the train a few times a year, they all regarded it as a top priority in the city, saying, "It will be more convenient to travel in the future."

Occasionally, a car would drive by, its headlights piercing the deep night, mingling with the sounds of firecrackers and children's laughter echoing through the alley, heralding the arrival of a hopeful new year.

This is Beijing on New Year's Eve in 1991.

However, the liveliness of Yunyuan Garden on this day was even greater than that of ordinary homes, vivid and real.

Jiang Nianyun personally prepared the New Year's Eve dinner.

Today, the banquet at Xiyinxuan was held at a large round table for twelve people, with twelve hot dishes and twelve cold dishes, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, all served lavishly. The heating was on full blast, dispelling the chill of December. Warm white wine and yellow wine were poured into glasses, and the mansion was brightly lit and filled with warmth.

The guests sat together, chatting and laughing, the clinking of glasses filling the air with the joy of the New Year.

Some people talked about interesting things happening on the street, while others chatted about everyday matters. They ate with greasy lips and sauce on their hands, but their faces were full of joy, creating a vivid picture of a festive New Year's feast.

This year, Yunyuan Garden has received several unusual guests.

Besides Jiang Nianyun, Kang Shude, Shen Cun and Ning Weimin's family of three, Teresa Teng, Mai Lingzhi and Brigitte Lin, who flew in from Hong Kong, as well as Li Lianjie and Yu Rongguang, who returned from Japan, all became guests of honor at the banquet.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, to thank their hosts for their hospitality, they spontaneously started a lively little show.

No one expected that Teresa Teng, who was used to singing tender and sweet songs, could actually hum a few lines of Hebei Bangzi and Shandong Kuaishu with clear pronunciation.

With her exquisite features, Brigitte Lin not only sings Min Opera, but also performs a clever little magic trick, drawing cheers from the audience.

Jet Li and Yu Rongguang amazed the audience with their martial arts performance, which was just as spectacular as the grand finale of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

Although the room was filled with laughter and joy, and everyone was in high spirits, the atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant.

Strangely, Ning Weimin seemed out of place amidst the festivities, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

As soon as the banquet ended, he used the excuse of going to the restroom to leave and never returned.

After the meal, everyone was busy having tables set up in the side hall for two mahjong games. Even Matsumoto Keiko took her child to the yard to set off fireworks. No one paid much attention to anything else.

Only Mr. Kang Shude had some doubts.

He knew his apprentice all too well. He was always someone who cared about his reputation and loved excitement. It was quite unusual for him to slip away so quietly on such an occasion with guests.

So the party ended and everyone left. Kang Shude didn't talk to anyone else, leaving Jiang Nianyun to join in the fun with the young people, while he went straight to his own courtyard.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw the lights on in the east wing. When I walked over and pushed open the door, I smelled a faint smell of smoke.

The smell made the old man frown even more.

Because he knew that Ning Weimin had quit smoking a long time ago, so why was he smoking again?

When he gently pushed open the door and looked inside, sure enough, Ning Weimin was sitting alone in a round-backed chair by the window, lost in thought.

The dim light from the desk lamp illuminated his profile. There were already two cigarette butts in the ashtray on the table, and he had a lit cigarette between his fingers, the smoke rising and blurring the expression on his face.

Hearing the door open, Ning Weimin snapped back to reality.

Upon seeing Kang Shude, he hurriedly stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and wore an unnatural smile.

"Master, why are you here?"

Kang Shude didn't respond, but walked over and sat down opposite him, looking at him intently for a long while before slowly speaking.

"Weimin, something seems to be on your mind."

It wasn't a question, but a firm conviction.

Ning Weimin's shoulders trembled slightly, as if his secret had been touched.

He remained silent for a moment, then finally lowered his head, his voice filled with weariness and confusion.

“Master, I knew you had such keen insight. I won’t hide it from you, I have something on my mind.”

"What's bothering you so much?"

"It's an amusement park project that the district government is collaborating with Japanese companies on. Should I get involved in this project and take it over from Japan? I'm hesitant now. Don't laugh at me, but when Qiao Wanlin approached me, I really wanted to do it. I was confident I could do it well, not only improving the district government's finances and preventing the Japanese from bullying us, but also significantly boosting Beijing's cultural tourism industry, revitalizing our animation industry, and providing many jobs. But I'm afraid… afraid of becoming the first to stick my neck out. Once I succeed, I can no longer keep a low profile, at least not in the city..." I've already registered. I don't know how many eyes will be on me then—officials, the media, charitable organizations, those privileged kids. My assets will also be investigated by those with ulterior motives. I don't know how they'll see me, a billionaire, or how they'll deal with me. In short, I'll become a sitting duck under everyone's watchful eyes, with endless troubles ahead. So I'm very confused, Master. I don't know if I should do this. Especially since you know, officials and businessmen never have a good ending. I'm most afraid of getting too involved with officialdom; it's such a hassle…”

Kang Shude didn't rush to speak. He simply reached out and picked up his pair of iron balls from Baoding Prefecture from the table, rubbing them in his hands as he looked out at the deep night outside the window.

The occasional sound of firecrackers from the alley drifted in through the window, making the room seem even quieter.

After a long pause, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice carrying the leisurely pace characteristic of old Beijingers, mixed with a sense of worldly wisdom.

“Weimin, do you remember what I told you about the Tao Te Ching before? ‘If you are brave enough to dare, you will be killed; if you are brave enough not to dare, you will live.’ This ‘daring’ and ‘not daring’ are not about being cowardly or afraid of trouble, but about knowing your limits and knowing when to advance and when to retreat.”

He looked up at Ning Weimin and saw that his apprentice was hanging his head with his brows furrowed. He continued, "What you're afraid of now is the phrase 'the first bird to stick its head out.' You're afraid of being shot, afraid of your wealth being exposed, afraid of being harassed, afraid of someone using their power to force you to submit, afraid of trouble coming your way. But you've forgotten that whether a bird should stick its head out depends on what kind of sky it flies in and what kind of forest it lands in."

Kang Shude stopped rubbing the iron ball, as if he were weighing its weight.

"This amusement park project isn't something you, Ning Weimin, want to swallow up like gold and silver. It's a mess left behind by Japanese companies that lied about losses. You took it over not for your own selfish reasons, but to support domestic animation, to drive related industries, and to provide a good place for ordinary people to go. What is this called? This is called 'going with the flow,' and 'benefiting the country and the people.' The Book of Changes says, 'As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so should a gentleman constantly strive for self-improvement; as earth's condition is receptive, so should a gentleman cultivate virtue and bear all things.' This 'virtue' is your protective charm. You are doing something that benefits the people's livelihood. The people's hearts are your roots. The deeper your roots, the stronger the wind will be."

Ning Weimin raised his head, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes, but it quickly dimmed again. "Master, I understand the principle. But the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow. Good people don't necessarily get good rewards. I'm afraid that if I make too much money, it will be hard to explain, and I'm afraid that some people will be jealous and try to frame me."

"If you're afraid of not being able to explain yourself clearly, then make sure the accounts are clear; if you're afraid of being labeled, then walk the path steadily."

Kang Shude's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, tinged with a hint of disappointment. "The Legalists talk about 'following the name and holding the reality accountable.' Shang Yang established trust by moving a log; what did he rely on? Rules and evidence. When you take on a project, you need to work with the district government to thoroughly audit the Japanese company's bad debts, putting everything in black and white, every clause and regulation, out in the open. Where did your money come from? Was it earned from operations? Was it from industry dividends? Every single transaction, crystal clear. That's what 'the name matches the reality' means. Who can find fault then?"

He paused, his tone softening as if stroking his apprentice's hair, "Besides, do you think 'making a fortune in silence' is a long-term solution? You're wrong. True security isn't about hiding away, it's about 'blending in with the world and sharing the spoils equally.' The Taoist saying 'concealing one's edge' doesn't mean you should sheath your sword tightly, it means you shouldn't flaunt it everywhere. When you take on a project, get the government's endorsement; when you make money, donate it to charity. Altruism is your true guarantee of security. Let everyone know that the money you, Ning Weimin, earned didn't go into your own pocket, but was used for good. The more people benefit from you, the safer you are."

Kang Shude stood up, walked to Ning Weimin's side, and patted him on the shoulder. Moonlight shone through the window paper, casting two shadows on the ground.

"Think about it, Fan Li, the ancient sage of commerce, amassed wealth three times and then dispersed it three times. Why was he able to live a peaceful life? Because he understood the principle of 'maintaining prosperity and preserving peace.' When money is gathered, it is distributed again. What is distributed is wealth, but what is gathered is people's hearts. When people's hearts are united, who will still see you as the one who should be shot down? They will only see you as the leader."

He looked into Ning Weimin's eyes and said, word by word, "Weimin, in this world, is there any perfect solution? 'Facing difficulties head-on' is not about forcing your way through, and 'protecting yourself wisely' is not about retreating. What you need to do is 'defend as offense.' What you should defend is the rules, your principles, and the interests of the people; what you should attack is the predicament of the industry, the opportunities of the times, and the ability to apply your personal talents."

"Are you short of money? No, you're not. Others may not know your situation, but I do. Even if this were a very lucrative business, given your current circumstances, you don't care anymore. You're going to take this on yourself. What you're pursuing isn't financial gain, but the social impact; you want to use this to prove your worth."

"How many years does a person live in this world? It'll be over in the blink of an eye. If you were someone who craves pleasure, you could stop and rest now. But you haven't. You've been working very hard because you want to accomplish things that others can't do in your short life. Should you not do it just because it's risky? Only by doing it can you live a life without regrets. So many kings and generals in the past did the same thing; they were no longer pursuing personal pleasure. From this perspective, you are no longer an ordinary person."

Ning Weimin stared blankly at his master, his eyes slightly red. "Master, you're right, I understand. Actually, what I'm afraid of isn't taking the lead, but rather that I'm afraid I can't shoulder this responsibility. I'm afraid that my abilities are insufficient, and that this matter might go astray and get out of control. I still lack a bit of responsibility."

Kang Shude smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkling into a flower shape. "Nothing of the sort. You've already done very well. It's normal for anyone to be afraid. In fact, it's good that you're afraid, because it makes you more cautious. Of course, if you're really troubled by this, don't force yourself to do it. No one will laugh at you. I just want you to know that your master doesn't care whether you can fly higher or not. I'm just afraid that you'll push yourself too hard, make yourself too tired, and break yourself down."

At this point, Kang Shude's tone became even more amiable, "The thing I'm most proud of in my life is actually taking you as my apprentice. I never imagined that in just a few years, you would have achieved such a level of success. This is a business scale that I couldn't even imagine. To be honest, your abilities have already surpassed mine. Sometimes I think that if you go any further, I really won't have anything left to teach you."

Ning Weimin felt a warmth in his heart, and as his mind cleared, his eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Kang Shude smiled at him, and the warmth in his smile dispelled all his confusion.

Just then, the faint sound of firecrackers drifted in from outside the window, like a prelude to the New Year for the young man who was about to make up his mind. (End of Chapter)