Traveling back to 1966, starting by living in a cowshed.

Chapter 110 Following the Group to the Township

In the sweltering July heat, the air in Hong Kong was thick with a humid, sticky humidity. Lin Zhou stood in front of his desk, listening to the phone call, holding the gold-embossed invitation in his hand, which trembled slightly from the air conditioning.

The handwriting on the envelope was strong and powerful, and the signature was Hong Kong China Resources Company. The gold lettering was so bright that it made one's eyes dazzle in the sunlight.

On the other end of the phone, Old Master Huo's voice was as steady and powerful as ever, with an unquestionable air: "A-Zhou, meet at Wan Chai Pier at seven o'clock tomorrow morning, and we'll head north together."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zhou looked out at the tall buildings, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Ever since he secretly fled from the mainland to Hong Kong more than a decade ago, he has used the knowledge from various novels and videos from later generations in his spatial house to start one company after another, and now he has established a firm foothold in the Hong Kong business world.

But in the dead of night, the original owner's memories always resurface, the small courtyard where she lived with her mother, the pigeon whistles in the alley, always surging in her memory.

For him, this trip north was not only a business opportunity, but also a long-overdue homecoming. He wondered if it was because he hadn't followed the plot of the courtyard house that he had so many dreams.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the Wan Chai pier was already bustling with activity.

As soon as Lin Zhou got out of the car, he saw Old Master Huo. The old man was wearing a well-fitting Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he was chatting and laughing with an elderly man in a suit with a dignified demeanor. That was the shipping magnate, the titan of Hong Kong's shipping industry.

Behind them were prominent figures from Hong Kong—a Teochew-origin overseas Chinese who made their fortune in textiles, and a wealthy Southeast Asian businessman who dealt in watches and jewelry; all of them were people with a lot of money.

Their faces held a mixture of anticipation and scrutiny, and as they whispered among themselves, they were speculating about that strange yet familiar land.

"A-Zhou, come this way." Old Huo, with his sharp eyes, waved to him from afar.

Lin Zhou strode forward and respectfully greeted the seniors. The shipping magnate patted him on the shoulder and laughed loudly, "You're quite the young man! I heard your industrial park is getting bigger and bigger, especially that game console business; you've even snatched up a lot of orders from Japan now?"

Lin Zhou smiled modestly: "Mr. Bao, you flatter me. It's just a small matter, nothing compared to the achievements of your predecessors."

Amidst the pleasantries, a series of black sedans arrived, and the staff of the office warmly greeted them. After counting the number of people, the group headed towards the port in a grand procession.

Outside the car window, the street scenes of Hong Kong gradually faded away, replaced by increasingly sparse buildings. The distant green hills stretched endlessly, and the salty smell in the air faded, replaced by the freshness of vegetation.

Once you cross the border, you enter the territory of Guangdong Province.

As soon as the car entered the city, it was no longer the narrow streets and crowded streets of Hong Kong, but widened asphalt roads. The plane trees on both sides of the road were lush and leafy, and the shops along the street had brand-new signs. Although it was not as prosperous as Hong Kong, it exuded a vigorous and upward vitality.

The convoy drove straight into a hotel catering to foreigners. Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Lin Zhou saw a group of people standing at the hotel entrance through the car window.

Leading the group were several cadres dressed in Zhongshan suits, their expressions earnest and their smiles sincere. The one at the very front, judging by his bearing, was clearly the highest leader of Guangdong Province.

"Mr. Huo, Mr. Bao, welcome to the mainland for your inspection!" The leader quickly came forward, personally opening the car door for Mr. Huo, his tone full of enthusiasm.

This display of hospitality stunned the Hong Kong businessmen on the bus. They were used to the cutthroat world of business in Hong Kong, and had never been treated with such courtesy before. In an instant, the restraint on their faces eased, and they all got off the bus to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the officials.

Lin Zhou followed behind the crowd, watching the leader shake Old Huo's hand and earnestly say, "You are all patriotic and hometown-loving sages. The mainland is now in dire need of reconstruction, industrial development, and economic revitalization, and we need your support in the form of foreign exchange, technology, and equipment. As long as you are willing to come, we will certainly show our utmost sincerity and provide the best conditions."

The leader's words were sincere and earnest, without a trace of falsehood. Lin Zhou looked at the beads of sweat on his temples and the fervor in his eyes, and his heart suddenly warmed.

He could see clearly that the leader, and the officials behind him, had eyes full of longing for development and expectations for the future.

This is not just polite formality; it's a genuine hope that they will stay and invest, and that this land will become prosperous soon.

The banquet was held in the hotel's banquet hall. There were no delicacies, but authentic Cantonese dishes, such as poached chicken, steamed fish, and stir-fried rice noodles. Although Cantonese cuisine is the main food in Hong Kong, Lin Zhou felt that the taste was full of simplicity and freshness.

During the meal, the officials took turns toasting, avoiding empty talk and focusing on practical matters—where there were ready-made factories, where labor costs were low, and where the policies were most favorable.

Several overseas Chinese business owners nodded frequently as they listened, exchanging opinions in hushed tones. Although they were quite interested, they still had many concerns.

Lin Zhou didn't say much, just listened quietly and looked at the night view of Guangzhou outside the window. Scattered lights dotted the night sky, not as dazzling as Hong Kong, but like sparks ready to ignite, one day they would become a prairie fire.

He slept soundly that night and didn't dream.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, the group boarded a train heading north.

This is an old-fashioned green train with hard wooden seats. There's no air conditioning; the only ventilation is through the windows on either side. Of course, compared to the comfortable air-conditioned trains abroad, the conditions are quite basic.

No one complained. Old Huo and the ship king sat by the window, watching the scenery outside with great interest, from the water towns of Lingnan to the rice paddies of Jiangnan, and then to the boundless North China Plain.

The train rattled along, passing through tunnels and crossing rivers.

During the day, the group gathered to discuss investment directions. Some were optimistic about the textile industry, while others thought the electronics industry had great potential. Seeing that Lin Zhou did not express his opinion, they all asked him to tell them which industry he favored.

Lin Zhou also became interested, since the journey had been quite boring. So he recounted the trajectory of China's development in later generations. However, everyone looked unconvinced, thinking that Lin Zhou was bragging, and stopped talking to him. Lin Zhou was quite frustrated that no one believed him when he told the truth.

As night fell, under the dim light and listening to the snoring that filled the carriage, Lin Zhou seriously reflected on his own life. He was already quite old, several decades old across two lifetimes. Why had he been so impulsive today, saying all sorts of things? Sigh! His words and actions today would surely be recorded by the government.

As he pondered, he recalled the scene from over a decade ago when he had just transmigrated: the muddy dirt road, the dilapidated old house, and the cowshed where he lived. Over a decade had passed, feeling like a lifetime ago.

Now, he is finally coming back, full of passion and carrying a heavy responsibility.

The journey was long, taking three days and three nights.

As the train whistle sounded and slowly pulled into the platform, Lin Zhou's heart leaped into his throat.

He followed the crowd out of the train car, stood on the platform, and looked up.

The platform in front of me, though not spacious, is clean and tidy. The buildings in the distance bear the strong marks of their era, with gray walls and red tiles, solemn and dignified.

On the streets, pedestrians are dressed in simple clothes, and bicycles rattle by, marking the passage of time.

Four Nine Cities.

These three words, like a seed, have been buried in his heart for more than a decade. Now, they have finally sprouted and grown into a towering tree.

Lin Zhou walked through the bustling crowd, looking at Old Huo and the ship king beside him, at the emotion and emotion in their eyes, and at the figures of those overseas Chinese bosses trying to see into the distance.

He took a deep breath. The air was filled with the familiar smells of cooking fires and coal smoke drifting from the alleyways. It was the same scene as when he left, and it had hardly changed in the past ten years.

This journey north may be more than just an inspection; it is a beginning, a brand new beginning that belongs to them and to this land.

After they got off the bus, government staff quickly and enthusiastically led the way, guiding them out of the train station and towards the convoy.