In August 1940, he began working in the economic field, serving as a bank manager and head of the industry and commerce administration in Southern Hebei and the Jin-Ji-Lu-Yu border region.

[1] China descended into chaos when the Cultural Revolution erupted in May 1966, a few months before the autumn Canton Fair was scheduled to begin.

Lin used his position to restrain the Red Guards and maintained order in Guangzhou to ensure the Canton Fair was not disrupted.

[1] However, the Ministry of Foreign Trade was later attacked and besieged by the Rebel Faction of the Red Guards as the "black headquarters" of Revisionism.

[1] In July 1970,[1] Bai Xiangguo, a military officer, was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade, and Lin disappeared from politics[3]: 208  until his reemergence as a State Council cadre in May 1973.