Chapter 112: Benbo'erba's One-on-One Challenge with Sun Wukong

The first major, overt issue facing Britain's desire to leave the EU is its currency—the pound sterling.
EU member states are required to use the euro as their official currency; that's the rule.
But the British, always independent and headstrong, feel they're not on the same page as the "country bumpkins" of continental Europe, stubbornly clinging to the pound sterling and refusing to use the euro.
Moreover, the pound sterling is one of the world's four major hard currencies—a prestigious and valuable asset. Ask them to give it up?
No way!
“But, Mr. Su, isn’t the core selling point of the so-called four major currencies 'rock-solid stability'?” a subordinate cautiously asked.
“But what if Brexit actually happens? That would be even worse than a financial tsunami.
The value of the pound would probably plummet, it would be a complete disaster!”
“And not just the pound! Even worse, the British tourism industry would definitely suffer a devastating blow!” another subordinate added.
“Think about it, leaving the EU, visa issues, entry checks—all the procedures would become extremely cumbersome and strict.”
"The British are already strict enough with their own EU citizens entering the country.
If they really leave the EU, the scrutiny will only intensify, to the point of being unbelievable!"
"Furthermore, many multinational corporations often use the UK as a crucial transit point and bridgehead for expanding their European business.
If they suddenly leave the EU and no longer enjoy its preferential policies, their commercial appeal will plummet, turning them from a highly sought-after commodity into a liability."
Previously, doing business with the UK was practically equivalent to connecting with the entire EU market.
Therefore, companies wanting to enter the European market typically considered France, Germany, and the UK as their primary targets.
After all, they were the "leading force" of the EU.
But now, the UK, the star of this group, is suddenly saying it wants to leave and go solo?
And at such a sensitive time when global tensions are running high?
Putting everything else aside, the other EU countries alone would be furious; they certainly wouldn't give Britain a friendly look!
At that point, all sorts of overt and covert trade barriers and market access restrictions would be implemented.
This pressure from the official level would definitely reach the business level. Which shrewd businessman would dare to easily become deeply tied to Britain?
Wouldn't that make them a sucker?
Su Hao could sense that everyone was secretly observing his expression, practically wearing "Don't do anything rash" on their faces.
A sense of disbelief and underlying unease permeated the entire department.
Su Hao smiled slightly and looked around at everyone:
"Everyone, what do you all think about Brexit?"
"Is there even a question...it's definitely...impossible, right?"
"Although we know there's deep-seated resentment within Britain regarding immigration, surely they wouldn't make such a suicidal move? Wouldn't that be self-destructive?"
That's the normal reaction for most people.
That's why Su Hao had the research department send over some more relevant data; he needed to conduct a "second confirmation," a cross-verification.
Moreover, he had been continuously learning about investment, devouring numerous books on the subject, and gaining a fairly solid grasp of economic principles, which naturally sharpened his insight into issues.
Therefore, he was acutely aware of just how absurd and utterly reckless the "Brexit" issue was, from a purely rational logical perspective.
However, past experience had repeatedly taught him a stark truth:
Things in this world, especially "major events" involving the interests of millions and the interplay of various emotions, often defy common sense!
Things that seem incomprehensible even after a hundred mental repetitions can actually happen in the real world!
Because this world has never operated on purely rational logic!
Rational logic is utterly worthless in the face of collective hysteria, hormones, and adrenaline!
"..."
Su Hao's gaze slowly fell on a particular page of the document.
There, a list of stocks and assets would be most directly and devastatedly impacted should the "Brexit" nuclear bomb actually detonate.
His fingers lightly touched the paper.
In an instant, an indescribable force surged from his fingertips, as if to tear the thin paper apart!
Reason pounded alarm bells in his mind, screaming hoarsely, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
However, deep within his core, that familiar, burning intuition—the one that had made him rich countless times—telled him with undeniable conviction—
Those British bastards, this time, they've really gone mad! They really would do something this stupid!
“This is what I think,” Su Hao began slowly, his voice soft yet strangely penetrating,
“Whether it’s political maneuvering, business competition, religious beliefs, or complex interpersonal relationships…
In anything involving people, emotions often outweigh rational considerations.
Many times, people make decisions not based on their brains, but on their emotions!”
“Huh?” Everyone looked bewildered, clearly not following his sudden philosophical musing.
Ignoring their astonishment, Su Hao changed the subject:
“Right now, if we liquidate all our stock holdings, approximately how much cash would we have available?”
“Approximately… 15 billion.” Liu Bo quickly quoted a staggering figure.
The recent surge in military stocks had significantly increased their department’s cash reserves.
“Very good.” Su Hao nodded.
“Withdraw all those loose funds still tied up in other projects! Leave not a single penny! And then…”
He paused, took a deep breath, and glanced around at his subordinates in the conference room, their eyes wide with shock. He announced, word by word, with unwavering conviction:
“We’re going all in! Shorting Britain from the brink! Betting on Brexit!”
“!!??”
The entire office fell silent instantly.
Everyone stared at Su Hao, eyes wide and mouths agape, as if frozen in place.
Their expressions were as if they were watching a scoundrel who had just declared he would take on Sun Wukong single-handedly.
The research department's recommended short-selling targets, those "most affected by Brexit," are all deeply intertwined with the UK economy!
The FTSE 250 index, the pound sterling exchange rate, major UK banks, airlines, hotel chains, and even UK government bonds…
Isn't this a complete annihilation effort?
Especially those tourism-related stocks expected to suffer the most severe blows are their primary focus,
including even Changqing Group's key investment projects in the UK!
"President Su…you mean…you really…!" A subordinate's voice trembled.
“That’s right.” A near-mad, cruel smile curved Su Hao’s lips.
“This time, we’re not betting on the British’s rationality!
We’re betting on them doing the most outrageous and stupid things!
We’re betting on those guys completely losing their temper and reason!
What we’re betting on is the overwhelming ‘emotion’ that has been suppressed to the point of distortion, accumulated to the point of boiling, enough to breach any dam!”
Because his intuition, his unerring, almost divinely ordained intuition, told him just that!