Editor's introduction: Chu Shijian is included in the 'Business Rebel' column not only because he fell from the peak and made a comeback, but also because at the age of 74 he chose a path that seemed almost impossible to succeed - contracting barren hills to grow oranges. His rebellion was not blind risk-taking, but based on a deep insight into agricultural inefficiency and a clear understanding of his own management capabilities. His life is a microcosm of reform and perseverance, and the archival value lies in showing how an entrepreneur maintains rationality and resilience in extreme adversity, providing a classic example of rebirth and long-termism for future generations.

Chu Shijian's entrepreneurial journey is divided into two distinct phases. The first phase, from 1979 to 1996, he took over the failing Yuxi Cigarette Factory, introduced advanced equipment, reformed management, and built it into Asia's largest and world-leading tobacco giant, with the Hongtashan brand value reaching hundreds of billions of yuan and cumulative profits and taxes of 99.1 billion yuan (1979-1996) for the country ^[1] [2]. The second phase, in 2002, at age 74, after being released on medical parole, he contracted 2400 mu of barren hills in Ailao Mountain to grow sugar oranges. With industrial management thinking, he built Chu Orange into a high-end agricultural product brand, with sales approaching 200 million yuan in 2018 ^[5] [7]. Both ventures crossed industries and ages, demonstrating extraordinary entrepreneurial talent.

Chu Shijian's business philosophy centers on 'enterprise is to create value' and 'seriousness'. In the tobacco industry, he pioneered the 'three-in-one' management model, treating tobacco fields as the 'first workshop' and empowering agriculture with industrial standards ^[1]. In Chu Orange cultivation, he introduced data-driven and standardized management to agriculture, precisely controlling from the number of trees per mu to the number of fruits per tree, using instruments to measure sugar content to ensure quality ^[5]. His key battles include: in the 1990s, promoting technological upgrades at Yuxi Cigarette Factory, making Hongtashan a world-famous cigarette; in 2012, entering the Beijing market through e-commerce, creating the 'Inspirational Orange' phenomenon ^[6]. He always emphasized long-termism, grinding for ten years to achieve breakthroughs in quality and brand.

Chu Shijian's influence transcends the business world. His two successful ventures provide a vivid footnote to Chinese entrepreneurial spirit: from 'Tobacco King' to 'Orange King', he proved that age is not a limit and adversity is not the end. His Chu Orange brand helped local farmers escape poverty, with annual incomes significantly increased ^[7]. He is hailed as 'the entrepreneur who influences entrepreneurs', and his story has inspired countless founders. After his death in 2019, his spiritual legacy continues to be celebrated, becoming an important part of Chinese business culture.

The business proposition Chu Shijian left behind is: how to restart in the trough? He answered this question with two ventures - the truly strong are not those who never fall, but those who have the courage to stand up after falling. His significance lies in proving that entrepreneurial spirit can transcend age, industry, and fate, becoming an intrinsic driving force for social progress. His story reminds us that the ultimate value of business lies not in wealth accumulation, but in creating value and staying true to one's original aspiration.