Chapter 110: Research Department

Su Hao sat back down at his desk, picked up the latest research report, and began to carefully review it.
The report focused on overseas asset hedging and allocation strategies in the current complex international situation.
After all, the series of terrorist attacks sweeping across Europe had turned the global economy upside down, like a pot of boiling porridge, a complete mess.
"Well, in the end, it's still gold and oil—traditional safe-haven assets—that reign supreme," Su Hao scoffed, unsurprised.
As global risk aversion intensified again, safe-haven assets became highly sought after once more.
As soon as the EU announced its intention to take military action against ISIS, international crude oil prices immediately skyrocketed, and gold prices soared like a runaway horse.
The panic brought by war always acts like an invisible hand, pushing funds frantically towards these traditional safe havens.
It's almost become an economic law.
Meanwhile, concerns about the European economic outlook continue to fester and spread like a plague.
War, frankly speaking, is all about burning money.
Especially in a united organization like the EU, once a decision is made to act collectively, every single member state has to contribute; no one can escape responsibility.
"The British contributed the most here."
Su Hao's gaze lingered on a particular page of the report, lost in thought.
Within the EU, Britain has consistently been a major contributor to military spending, arguably the EU's "number one financier."
There's no way around it; the British Empire, after all, is arguably one of the face and pillars of the EU.
But the British are currently embroiled in a major crisis due to the escalating immigration issue, with chaos erupting at home.
Anti-immigrant sentiment among the British public is far more intense than anticipated, becoming the hottest and most intractable problem in British politics—anyone who touches it is doomed.
And at this critical juncture, a series of terrorist attacks have erupted across Europe, adding fuel to the fire.
Now, the hatred and rejection of immigrants in Britain has reached a fever pitch, with public discontent reaching a boiling point.
Now, Britain not only has to worry about the immigration issue but also has to pay hefty "protection fees" for the EU's military operations.
Su Hao thought to himself, if he were a British citizen, he'd probably be furious, wanting nothing more than to leave the EU and go it alone.
"So, the safest investment strategy right now is to put the funds into safe-haven assets, right?"
But Su Hao was the kind of person who disliked sticking to the rules and preferred to take unconventional approaches.
However, this kind of "safe" investment, with its low risk and low returns, simply didn't interest Su Hao.
While Su Hao's mind raced through the intricate and jumbled information, he prepared to turn to the next page of the report to see if there were any new investment opportunities.
However, just as his fingertips touched the slightly rough edge of the paper, preparing to gently lift it—
"...Huh?"
His hand holding the paper suddenly froze, completely still, as if frozen in place!
"What the hell?!"
Su Hao tried desperately to move his fingers, only to be horrified to find that those usually incredibly flexible fingers were as if welded to paper, completely unresponsive to his brain!
What the hell? A stroke? A cramp? Or…sleep paralysis?!
No, it's broad daylight!
Why…why is this happening?!
Damn it, could something be wrong with my body?!
Could I, at such a young age, be going to have a stroke and become paralyzed?!
Just as Su Hao was drenched in a cold sweat from the sudden turn of events, and various ominous thoughts raced through his mind...
His gaze, as if drawn by a powerful magnet, was fixed on the line of text pressed beneath his unruly fingertips—
【Analysis of the Possibility and Potential Impact Assessment Report on the UK's Leaving the European Union】
***
The research department in this company, well, its status is roughly equivalent to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of an ancient emperor.
Mystical, yet indispensable.
Of course, whether it's reliable or not depends on each company's luck.
But generally speaking, these guys in the research department are responsible for digging up information from all over the world.
They cram all sorts of rumors, major policies, industry trends, national policies, and even bizarre news into the grinding machine, whirring away at it, and finally spitting out a condensed summary.
Then, these so-called "analysts," armed with the "feed" they produced, began to scribble away, producing lengthy investment reports.
More importantly, they also had to pre-screen the "potential stocks" and "rising stars" that might take off, compiling a list for the bigwigs to reference.
Among these analysts, some took the realistic approach, emphasizing calm objectivity, data-driven reporting, and clear logic. Their reports were as precise as a surgeon's scalpel, but also cold and impersonal.
Meanwhile, every department had one or two oddballs.
The stuff they produced was less like financial analysis and more like a fantasy novel scribbled haphazardly by a drunken author.
Comments like "Auspicious purple clouds in the east, good for the market," and "Astrological anomalies, a certain stock is about to rise," were enough to make anyone roll their eyes.
However, even among this group of unrestrained analysts, there were those who left them speechless and utterly defeated.
"Boss! The Special Trading Department has another assignment, specifically requesting our research support!"
Upon hearing this, the entire research department, from the gray-haired senior researchers to the newly hired youngsters...
Just a second ago they were listless, practically lost in their work writing reports, but instantly, their eyes lit up like 500-watt searchlights!
They gleamed with excitement and anticipation!
That's right, the one who issued this "hyper-excitement order" was none other than Su Hao, the head of the Special Trading Department!
"Oh ho? What new trick is it this time? What kind of excitement does Master Su want to see?"
Old Wu, the research department director, sipped his hot tea from his thermos, a complex expression of anticipation mixed with a hint of unease on his face, a "I knew it" kind of look on his face.
"Boss, he specifically wants a detailed scenario analysis report on 'Brexit,' along with relevant background information and data—the more comprehensive, the better!"
"What the hell?! The British are going to leave the EU?! Holy crap!"
Old Wu nearly spat out his hot tea. The explosiveness of this news was comparable to hearing that the A-shares market was going to hit 6,000 points tomorrow!
That's why everyone's always so excited.
These research requests from Master Su are always tricky and bizarre, yet they stimulate a dopamine rush!
Adrenaline is gushing out like it's free—it's even more exciting than watching a porn movie!