2026 Kickoff: Hard Knocks and Sudden Realizations

Chasing Hope by Starlight, Returning Wounded by Principles

On the very last day of 2025, a business contact I’ve cultivated for years reached out. They needed me in Dongshi by January 1st, 2026, for a critical project collaboration.

I took the earliest flight from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport on New Year’s morning, arriving by noon. We discussed technical details late into the night, and everything went smoothly. But when I broached the subject of commercial fees, the tone shifted. My contact explained that the local business ecosystem had been severely damaged. To curb corruption, the local government had separated government and enterprise functions: their department handled design, while a county platform company managed bidding.

He offered to take me to the platform company the following week but dropped a hint: I needed to prepare some “local specialties” for the two main leaders there. That I could handle—basic etiquette for a first meeting. But then he began rambling about how hard they had worked for four years to secure this project and how many people along the line needed to be “taken care of.” He flashed an “OK” hand gesture and said the entire project would require “two OKs” to grease the wheels. Before we even visited the platform company, I needed to give him “one OK” so he could manage the situation.

I hesitated briefly, then replied, “Brother, my company has scale and strict financial compliance. For the project as a whole, ‘two OKs’ isn’t arguably an issue, but without a contract or official entry, there is absolutely no way to withdraw funds in advance. I’d need to apply for special approval, which is unlikely.”

Seeing my reluctance, he sighed. “The environment is tough right now. A reliable project is rare, and many eyes are watching this one. I gave you the opportunity; whether you grasp it is up to you.”

Back at the hotel, I smoked a cigarette, took a shower, and stalled for time. Finally, I sent him a WeChat message: “Company financial controls are too strict; I really can’t arrange the ‘OK’ in advance. Thank you for thinking of me when there was meat on the table. I’m just a small player with no fortune to enjoy it. Let’s pass this time. Please keep me in mind for future opportunities.” I went to sleep immediately.

I woke up at noon on the 2nd. No reply. I messaged again to say I was heading back to Hangzhou and would wait for news. Still no reply. I stayed another day—silence. On the afternoon of the 3rd, I flew home.

US Flexes Muscle in Caribbean, Maduro Captured

I landed in Hangzhou on the 3rd and turned on my phone. News popped up: Trump orders arrest of Maduro. I checked X (formerly Twitter) and confirmed it—US Delta Force operators had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife alive.

While Maduro, a Latin American dictator, may garner little sympathy, the US’s brazen incursion into a sovereign nation to seize its leader follows the naked logic of bandits. Whether Maduro should step down, face trial, or answer for damaging Venezuela’s interests is a matter for the Venezuelan people to decide, not for a hegemon to dictate through violent intervention.

Even more terrifying was the statement from Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, following the capture: “Major US oil companies will enter Venezuela, invest billions to repair its severely dilapidated oil infrastructure, and begin generating revenue.” The dagger is drawn. A superpower, under the guise of liberating people and acting as the world’s policeman, is recklessly plundering resources. Venezuela, with the largest oil reserves in Latin America and a history of anti-US stance, was both a thorn in America’s side and a feast in its bowl. For Maduro—a dictator who frequently trash-talked Trump on social media—being captured alive is hardly a surprise.

Blessings at Faxi Temple and the Four Heavenly Kings

It’s been my habit for years to visit a temple at the start of the year to pray for a smooth journey ahead. This year, I went on the morning of the 4th. Although Lingyin Temple is free, I followed my tradition and visited Faxi Temple. It wasn’t crowded, mostly elderly folks—perhaps the young were all at work.

In the past, I would head straight for the main hall. Today, entering through the mountain gate, I first saw the laughing Maitreya Buddha, and then the Four Heavenly Kings flanking him: the Northern Heavenly King of Many Hearing (Vaiśravaṇa), the Western Heavenly King of Broad Eyes (Virūpākṣa), the Eastern Heavenly King of Keeping Kingdom (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), and the Southern Heavenly King of Growth (Virūḍhaka).

Many Hearing, Broad Eyes, Keeping Kingdom, Growth.

Suddenly, it hit me. Aren’t these the core essentials of running a business?

Keeping Kingdom (Dhṛtarāṣṭra): Practicing internal strength, solidifying the foundation of the enterprise, and maintaining stability.
Broad Eyes & Many Hearing (Virūpākṣa & Vaiśravaṇa): Sharply observing industry trends, always being ready to adjust direction (Broad Eyes), and actively communicating with upstream and downstream partners to expand markets (Many Hearing).
Growth (Virūḍhaka): Always actively developing and progressing.

After so many temple visits, I finally had an epiphany.

2026 has only been around for four days, yet for me and the world, momentous changes have already occurred. 2026 is destined to be anything but simple. Chaos is the stage. Strive to get a seat at the table, so you don’t end up on the menu.

iDiMi - Northern King of Many Hearing, Western King of Broad Eyes, Eastern King of Keeping Kingdom, Southern King of Growth

# Image Prompt, Nano Banana
Create a Dunhuang-style Chinese painting of the Four Heavenly Kings. From left to right: Eastern King of Keeping Kingdom, Southern King of Growth, Western King of Broad Eyes, Northern King of Many Hearing.
Character details and held artifacts must be precise:
1. Eastern King (Dhṛtarāṣṭra): White face, holding a Pipa (lute). Vertical brush calligraphy on the right: "Eastern King of Keeping Kingdom".
2. Southern King (Virūḍhaka): Blue face, holding a sword. Vertical brush calligraphy on the right: "Southern King of Growth".
3. Western King (Virūpākṣa): Red face, holding a snake. Vertical brush calligraphy on the right: "Western King of Broad Eyes".
4. Northern King (Vaiśravaṇa): Green face, holding an umbrella. Vertical brush calligraphy on the right: "Northern King of Many Hearing".
Image ratio 16:9, 2K definition.