Written By Song Xiangqian (Alan Song)

CEO of Harvest Capital

Spring has arrived once again, bringing with it the season of rejuvenation and growth, nurturing the cycle of seasons and the natural order. "A year's plan starts with spring," and in this season of budding life, it is worth exploring the forces of recovery and growth in today's socio-economic life.

It is evident that the era of forty years of rapid economic growth has passed. The era of extensive growth, where size matters, has given way to the meticulous and refined practices of Drucker-style modern management and scientific progress. The subtle signs and hidden veins have already provided the best annotation for the macroeconomic impacts of supply shocks, demand contraction, weakening expectations, and the pandemic. Difficulties are destined to be unprecedented. Even with yesterday's government work report proposing a GDP growth target of 5.5% and approving a massive 3.65 trillion yuan in special bonds, we are still in the meditation of investment-driven growth and monetary easing. The shift from "Six Stabilities" to "Six Guarantees" reflects the heart-stopping impact of the downward pressure. Meanwhile, the powerful shocks and disturbances of geopolitics, as well as the potential "spillover" Crimea effect and the "prisoner's dilemma" in policies, will increase the uncertainty of future development to some extent. The era of system reboot is destined to be a modern version of Dickens's "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Remember what Charlie Munger once said: "Macro is something we must accept, but micro is where we can make a difference." In this fragile era, reflecting on the past, learning from it, and finding the forces of recovery and growth become especially important.

No matter which stage of life we are in, we should cherish that moment in time, fulfill the responsibilities of that stage, go with the flow, not be obsessed with the past, and not fervently anticipate the future. No matter what struggles and challenges we are currently facing, perhaps we only have one choice - though painful, still choose to be happy and believe in the future.

The vast majority of discussions on economic recovery and growth dynamics tend to focus on traditional economic categories and perspectives such as productivity, production relations, and production factors. However, I place greater emphasis on human values and roles, starting from humanism, emphasizing the humanistic values and human characteristics in economic and social development, and valuing the research and promotion of business ethics and business civilization. This will contribute to promoting the enlightenment and progress of China's business society and business civilization, as Marx Weber did in "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism". The weaknesses of human nature may provide short-term opportunities for profit, but truly great businesses illuminate human nature, warm the heart, and transcend time and space.

As Jeff Bezos once said, kindness is more important than intelligence, finding that unchanging element and cultivating lifelong values for individuals.

Since starting my business in 2007, I have always believed in the value we bring:

- Business people don't necessarily have to be selfish; altruism can lead to both financial success and personal success. Ordinary people without connections can also succeed in entrepreneurship and change their destinies.

- Believing in the power of human nature is great. Investing in goodness is itself a warm, inspirational, and meaningful endeavor. Fully committed to helping ordinary people become better versions of themselves, and growing together, not regretting this life.

- Doing the right things, doing things right, success and profits are by-products.

- Private interests are public welfare. Uncover the brilliance and potential of ordinary people's humanity, collectively becoming better versions of ourselves. This powerful flow of heart and mind propels mutual spiritual growth.

The role of an entrepreneur is to use persistence to ignite the lamp of every diligent and virtuous soul. Although the light in the darkness may be dim, it is enough to illuminate the life path of each other. I have a great elder brother who is an outstanding financier. As a gentleman, he led two large state-owned banks to go public and become leading brands in the industry. He once said, "Entrepreneurs should always adhere to and practice the concept of doing business for the good, investing for the good, and using technology for the good. Hegel said that the weaknesses of human nature have remained unchanged for thousands of years, but human nature is more glorious. The key is how to control weaknesses and maximize the radiance of human nature. Like a martial arts master, the real master is always beyond reach, not how many people you can defeat, but how many people you can help up. Ultimately, helping others will benefit oneself, and benefiting oneself will eventually benefit others." These few words reveal the tenacity of having virtue in business and a sense of ethics. In the process of career development, entrepreneurs may be more concerned about the journey of spiritual growth, as the saying goes, "Acting in accordance with profit and strength in accordance with Tao." "One who loves others will always be loved; one who respects others will always be respected." If we constantly observe the world with a beautiful perspective and draw nourishment from it, mutual nourishment of goodwill will color life and career, presenting a colorful and exciting journey. Crouch down and look at the world; the world is vast and beautiful. This is also the pure beauty brought about by the perspective of innocence.

Chen Qiwei, a teacher from Asia Capital, and I have discussed and jointly believe that contemporary Chinese society urgently needs a thought enlightenment and progressive movement similar to the European Renaissance. The industrial revolution and the development of modern politics and civil society in the West in modern times are all based on the powerful revival of humanity in the Renaissance, the pursuit of a world of science, beauty, and reason. In the 1960s, China also completed a social progress mobilization throughout society, but due to historical limitations, this movement was not thorough, leaving behind the current social division and chaos. It is precisely because of this historical limitation that social inequality, high Gini coefficient, and scholars represented by Thomas Piketty, author of "Capital in the Twenty-First Century," began to question the rationality of economics and institutions. Social development has become increasingly unstable, falling into the turbulence of a pendulum movement. However, it cannot be denied that these forces of progress, revival, and awakening have indeed ensured half a century of prosperity. Only by recognizing and deeply perceiving the true essence of human nature, respecting the power of human brilliance, can we possibly achieve a true leap in building a modern national governance system, establish modern national governance capabilities, and effectively project them. This is also the era dynamic launched based on the grand narrative background of common prosperity.

It is worth reflecting that in the historical journey towards becoming a modern nation, we were once stuck in the paradigm of the "May Fourth Movement" in the early 20th century. The civilization and modernization process has always been in a difficult and exploratory mode, and the soaring of the Chinese dragon requires the ignition and boost of the fire of modern civilization and human care for that night pearl. The realization of the Chinese dream also indeed requires the delicate rendering of realistic techniques. In this sense, our civilization and social development have to some extent fallen into a "civilization stagnation" mode. In the rapid economic development process, major social issues such as progress in social civilization, the development of business ethics, and the establishment of civil society lag far behind the speed of economic development. Some even shout loudly, "Slow down and let the soul catch up with your footsteps." In an era of stock competition, only by completely abandoning "zero-sum game" thinking, truly standing from the perspective of a community with a shared future for mankind, learning from history without carrying historical burdens, facing the future without simply entering the tone of game theory's Thucydides Trap, emphasizing development rights, truly willing to help others, altruistically respecting others, daring to endure hardships, not fearing losses, and finding joy in hardship, can we truly enjoy the fruits of hardship, the benefits brought by peaceful development, and the progress of technology and culture. This will complete the renewal and development of social spirit and business culture ethics, successfully breaking free from the historical cycle of the rise and fall of great powers.

Every generation has its own pain. When young, one has a kind of demeanor towards suffering, and only through the years can one grow into a strong person. From the "old China of suffering" to the "new era for you and me," this demeanor towards suffering condenses into a fire in the heart and a force in the body, manifesting itself in entrepreneurs of each generation and every citizen. That is our "ideal country." A home is the smallest country, and the country is millions of homes. Entrepreneurs and ordinary people with a sense of home-country sentiment can only truly hope when walking calmly on the rising road. That is the real field of hope. We all passionately love this vast land under our feet, which is why we embrace it so forcefully, even if it hurts, life is without regrets!